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Kim Van Bruggen's avatar

1) What’s something new you’ve learned lately, even if it’s outside your comfort zone?

2) What gives you perspective when you need it—things you do or people you turn to?

3) Where is life nudging you right now?

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Donna McArthur's avatar

I appreciate this reminder that taking on something new, or even something we haven't done for awhile, means we have to stretch and get pulled thin and this is okay! I have recently gone back to my cold water showers (not as difficult as your ocean dip) and you are inspiring me to keep with it and deepen my practice.

I am being nudged towards a short season of grounding through routine and sleep which I wholeheartedly welcome!

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Kim Van Bruggen's avatar

Keep at it Donna. Your body adjusts! Ironically, I find it harder to turn the shower to cold after standing in it when it’s warm. Somehow psychologically my brain says nope. But I persist! Good on you for making it work.

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Donna McArthur's avatar

I don’t start warm, I step right in to the cold so I can shock my system. You’re right that making it cold after a warm shower might be worse!

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Kim Van Bruggen's avatar

Well huzzah!!! That's what I was doing wrong!🤦🏼‍♀️

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Donna McArthur's avatar

🤣

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Sue Ferrera's avatar

Oh, this is great, I'd forgotten that you were taking a yoga teacher training class. How exciting. It's definitely a life-changing experience. I still have to take deep yogi breaths when teaching something new. But like jumping into the ice cold water, you learn slowly that you can handle it. Tonight I begin teaching a new yin class at a new studio. I'm so thrilled for the opportunity, and of course, nervous. But not nearly as nervous as I was so many years ago when I began the teacher training. And congrats on your newest grandchild. What a blessing. My first grandchild, a girl, (we may have already chatted about this) is due in June. I am beyond excited. Thanks for your uplifting post. They are hard to come by right now. 💕

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Kim Van Bruggen's avatar

Thanks Sue. Good luck with the new class. We’re practice teaching with each other right now and it’s’ both humourous and terrifying as your brain tries to keep all the info and sequences together and try not to sound like a robot! The calm equanimity-type voice isn’t quite there yet. lol.

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Tara Penry's avatar

Aww, Luca, welcome to the world!

“our bodies, our minds, are capable of so much more than we give them credit for” - Take childbirth, for example. Just when it seems impossible to proceed, it’s possible. I’m impressed with those cold plunges! Nice to hear things are going well so you don’t have time to miss your son down here in the Crazy States too much.

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Kim Van Bruggen's avatar

Thanks Tara. (and thanks for the re-share!) I love the new name of your newsletter. xo

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Tara Penry's avatar

Thanks! :-)

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Good Humor by CK Steefel's avatar

Congrats!! 4 gradkids! You must be so proud. And congrats on taking the steps towards becoming a yoga teacher!

One day I'll do the cold dip. It's on my bucket list.

1. These days I tell myself, Do it anyway. Instead of making excuses or being lazy I just gotta do it.

3. Life is nudging us to the east. Moving is SO stressful but I keep "moving" forward.

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Kim Van Bruggen's avatar

Thanks Carissa. I think that's how I ended up finally signing up for the yoga teacher training. I had been looking at it for years, and just decided "do it anyways". I'm so glad I did. Whether I ever decide to teach or not, I'm still happy to be learning what I've learned so far. Good luck with your move. It's definitely a stressful time, especially if you're downsizing at the same time (which we did two years ago.) xo

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Good Humor by CK Steefel's avatar

Congrats Yogini. 🥰🙏

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Alisa Kennedy Jones's avatar

Sincerest congrats on Luca River! And mad respect for your yoga teacher training! You are so brave! The cold dips too... Courageous. Hmm... 1) Something I've learned lately out of my comfort zone, global publishing logistics, lol! Just all the acronyms and codes and rules and now tariffs! 2) For perspective, I turn to the wise women on my board. I also do a Hummingbird exercise where I try to zoom out from the big problem and see how we might have more choices than we realize. 3) Life is nudging me to be braver when it comes to conflict resolution and money narratives.

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Kim Van Bruggen's avatar

I love how you are reaching for the stars and becoming a global publishing guru! I'm so excited for you (and the rest of us who will have cool book options as a result!) And the hummingbird exercise is a great one. I'll have to remember that when I start to get too myopic about something. xo

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Switter’s World's avatar

Hey Kim. I missed hearing from you. I’m happy you are back.

As for learning, the learner is in an inherently humble position. I come to learn because I do not know this thing you will teach me. However, there are some caveats.

When I went back to college after I returned home from my overseas years, because it was cheaper to attend classes and have student health insurance than it was to buy insurance from Blue Cross, I enrolled at the local university. I was required to take a geography class. After traveling to, living in and or working in 84 countries, I had some small knowledge of geography. Even so, I was studious and polite, although not an emotionally humble student.

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Kim Van Bruggen's avatar

Aw, thanks Switter. As a geography student with all that lived experience you must’ve aced the course! You likely could’ve taught it.

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Sandra Ann Miller's avatar

Congratulations on the beautiful addition to your family, KVB. Love it. And congrats on the progress of your teacher training. It's funny how when we start teaching we realize how much we need to know. Like not judging ourselves. Progress over perfection, right? ❤️ xo

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Kim Van Bruggen's avatar

Thanks Sandra. And yes, this teaching thing is opening a whole new door in my mind! I always thought I was too impatient to "teach." I'm loving learning all about it and practicing it...whether I ever do it, we'll see!

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