Anda the Adventurer

11/03/2024

Celebrating the New Moon with a meditation to produce a foundation for wellness and growth.

✔️Set intentions
✔️Create affirmations
✔️Be grateful for life

"Starting each day with a positive mindset is the most important step of your journey to discovering opportunity." –Jay Samit

Fish energy = adapt and focus on the present moment.
Oyster energy = push through your doubts and share with passion and authenticity.
Wolf energy = lean into a strong tribe connection and a celebrate our uniqueness.
Sea Serpent energy = know your desires to express yourself authentically.

As the wheel of the year turns, so do we flow through a cycle of release and renewal. May we acknowledge this last wane of winter energy as we begin to stretch and prepare for spring and a season of expanding outward.



Peace and Love
Anda

16/12/2023

Seasonal Affective Disorder ❄️

It was only a couple years ago that I understood that my seasonal depression is very real. I've always felt it, but never been able to give it a name.

I would shame myself and get frustrated that I couldn't keep up. I felt so tired all the time. It felt like something was wrong with me.

Nothing is wrong, persay, but my body goes through this seasonal cycle every year. This year, I decided I wouldn't let it have control, so I did created something.

Researching is one of my favorite hobbies, so when I got the thought to do a deep dive into my own seasonal depression, I felt inspired.

By learning about the condition that I struggle with, I learn how it affects me and ways I can combat it. The first is letting myself rest.

Then I focus on a positive mindset of abundance. I have the time to rest. I can prioritize things that need to be done and let go of some things that are "shoulds."

Don't feel like you have to put up with the "winter blues," take control of your life and put energy into yourself through self care.

I am not rid of my SAD, but knowing I have a choice about how I feel about myself makes all the difference. I love myself, always.

Are you SAD? You are not alone! 🤗

Reach out to friends and family, to healthcare professionals, or to me. Having support makes all the difference. You are worth it! 🙌

16/12/2023

Today was a self-care day. I stayed home and took care of myself and my space. I cleaned and organized. I listened to my body and rested. I swept the floor. I dumped my black tank.

Playing games helped me focus on my research, strangely enough. I struggle with my attention, so I write until my mind gets fuzzy, then I play a game until my mind wanders back to what I was working on. It's unconventional, but it works for me. I finished my Mental Health Page sharing information on SAD, seasonal affective disorder.

I acknowledged that I am feeling SAD, seasonal affective disorder, and allowed myself space to feel the low energy. For the first time, I was able to be compassionate with my body that feels worn down and criticizing myself for all the things I want to do. This self-gratitude made me feel lighter, enough to get up and dance.

My body is not betraying me, it is transitioning with the seasonal wheel. Next week I will begin my adventure to Seattle for Christmas. My meditation showed me that I am nervous of getting up there because of the weather. I'm noticing I am having a fear of getting stuck by the snow again. I have so much more knowledge and equipment this year. I am prepared and I lead my way with prayers for a smooth journey.

My entrance into holiday magic this year is watching movies. Tonight was another episode of "The Santa Clauses" on Disney + and "A Very Nutty Christmas," a Lifetime movie.

This is a lot of rambling. However, my point is this. Take time to do what makes you feel happy and ignites your spirit. Take care of yourself!

Peace and Love,
Anda ✌️💛

06/10/2023

A little write up about my birthday. Balancing Tree Press is back!

After work, I went down by the river. My birthday ritual is to take some time to forest bathe, meditate in the mighty presence of nature. I like to spend my birthday connecting with nature and with myself. To remember the purpose and passion with which I walk this earth.

23/06/2023

We have a great power in this life - the ability to choose. When I stand among the trees, I feel supported and powerful. I can choose which way I go. The trees do not judge and neither shall we. Time with nature helps create calm through mindfulness. This can help us pause and choose how we respond to a situation and not react out of fear.

Location: Groveland, California

"The possibilities are numerous once we decide to act and not react."
George Bernard Shaw

21/06/2023

Sitting next to a waterfall, I realize that the water running past me is new every minute. It feel like the same water, however, each drop is on its own journey towards the sea. The only constant is change.

In my life I am thankful for the people next to me. These are the ones who have been through the colossal waves of change. It hasn't been an easy life, but it is a fabulous journey!

Location: Big Oak Flat, California

"The best relationships in our lives are the best not because they have been the happiest ones, they are that way because they have stayed strong through the most tormentful of storms."
Pandora Poikilos

16/06/2023

One of my craziest hikes was along the Olympic Coast. Going back to visit that area was a turning point for me. It took some time and bravery to return to a place a year before I was glad to leave unscathed. Now I can see it again for it's beauty.

Location: Rialto Beach, Olympic National Park, Washington

"Fear doesn't have to hold you back. All that matters is that you identify it."
Ruth Soukup

14/06/2023

Adventures can take you off the beaten path and end at a mesmerizing view. This point was not one to look out, but instead look in. The steady rhythm of the water washes away negativity, doubt, and fear. Life is hard, but it is also wonderful. There is so much to be grateful for. When we look, beauty is everywhere.

Location: Big Oak Flat, CA

"The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched - they must be felt with the heart."
Helen Keller

13/06/2023

Messages from Nature

Location: Hetch Hetchy, Yosemite National Park, California

09/06/2023

Looking up at the sky makes me feel like anything is possible.

Photo location: Groveland, CA

"Start by doing what's necessary; then do what's possible; and suddenly you are doing the impossible."
Francis of Assisi

07/06/2023

I noticed these spider webs and marveled. They were beautiful and intricate.

Photo Location: Groveland, California

"I am always doing that which I cannot do, in order to do it."
Pablo Picasso

06/06/2023

Messages from Nature

Location: Hetch Hetchy, Yosemite National Park, California

13/05/2023

Messages from nature, sent with love. 💚

01/05/2023

It is the end of the month, which means new beginnings! Oh the stories we'll tell. 💚

30/04/2023

Connecting with all the moments on our timeline can be hard. Trauma does not invite positive reflection. However, we when can look within our pain and find the source, we can begin to heal. 💚

29/04/2023

Our destiny is connected with the Earth. When we connect with the rhythm of the land, we are able to tap into a higher potential within ourselves. 💚

28/04/2023

Rest is as important as action. 💚

27/04/2023

We belong to the Earth. 💚

26/04/2023

"Everybody needs beauty as well as bread, places to play in and pray in, where nature may heal and give strength to body and soul." - John Muir

25/04/2023

Remember: You can't fail at being yourself. Be the very best you that you can be!

24/04/2023

We are the change we seek! I love this quote. There is a lot of change going on these days, but it moves me toward stability and that means more creativity! Change is uncomfortable, but also a great teacher.

23/04/2023

When you have strong roots, there is nothing to fear. You are stable. You are rooted. You are loved.

22/04/2023

Believe in yourself! 💚

Have faith in your abilities!

Without humble, but reasonable confidence in your own powers, you cannot be successful or happy.

Words by Norman Vincent Peale

Yes! This is so important. Believe you are a good investment, invest in yourself and others will invest in you too!

21/04/2023

"To the mind that is still, the whole universe surrenders." - Lao Tzu

Nature is where I go to still my mind and regulate my body. This time of fresh air and connection with the rhythm of the earth helps me let go of the little things that would frustrate me and be at peace with the present moment.

20/04/2023

Nature is life's great teacher. 🌱

"Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better." - Albert Einstein

19/04/2023

Look deeper and see great beauty everywhere around you. 💚

18/04/2023

Affirmative Art!

This poem came to me while I was on the roof of Moving Castle to fix the vent damaged in the snow. I paused and looked at the sun coming through the tree and felt inspired. Even when we are working and don't always know what we are doing, nature is here to help us through. The sun shed some light on my work and I was able to successfully fix my vent.

This poem was a bonus. I call it affirmative art. Believe you can and you will.

Happy Adventuring! Peace, Anda 💚

18/04/2023

Strength and courage both come from love.

"Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage." - Lao Tzu

17/04/2023

Everyday, in every way, I'm getting better and better. 🙏

16/04/2023

"Experience is not what happens to you; it's what you do with what happens to you." - Aldous Huxley