I don't know about you all, but this time of year makes me feel pretty nutty... and not just the generalized chaos that ensues around buying, spending, giving, getting. This time of year is full of paradoxical things. Things that don't make sense when sitting side by side and yet DO sit side by side.

Gratitude + Giving sitting right there next to Stress + Anxiety...

We buy gifts, prepare feasts, and give thanks for all that we have while also seeing the vast disparity throughout the world and also in our very own communities. 

We are more divided than ever as a country and yet know division will ultimately destroy us. 

We seem to be unable, as people, as a country, as a global community, to slow our consumption and yet have been faced with recent heartbreaking, devastating, and sobering reports on the state of the climate as well as real-world, real-time experiences of disaster brought about by climate change.

The Winter Solstice is right around the corner on December 21st - the year's shortest and darkest day during which we also celebrate the return of the light.

How do we possibly hold all of these experiences - without turning a blind eye to the suffering and heartbreak and pain that exists AND without diminishing our own experiences of joy and gratitude and peace? How do we acknowledge the darkest parts of our capacity as humans while also celebrating and welcoming in the light?

For me, it is the recognition of truth. And staying in a space where I can recognize the truth no matter how uncomfortable that is. We cannot remain conscious and awake if denying any part of reality. And it is critically important that we access, cultivate, and develop the capacity for consciousness. From consciousness comes compassion. From consciousness comes the recognition of connectedness. From consciousness comes the capacity for change.

If I can stay with what is true, then I am able to make more conscious choices during this time that keep me aligned with what I value in this life. I can choose to consume resources (whether gift-giving, food I'm making and sharing, energy I'm using) ethically, responsibly, and if possible locally. I can choose to stay conscious and connected to each and every person I interact with (in real life and virtually). I can stand behind causes (with my money, my time, and my energy) that aim to alleviate suffering and I can stand up with my words and my presence for those who are being pushed down and forgotten.

Here are a few things that have brought some lightness and direction to me recently - and I hope they do for you as well:

• Thank You, America: A Crowdsourced Poem by NPR - what felt like a re-weaving together our country in a beautiful and hopeful way.

• The RBA/RCFN Christmas Store - a pop-up Christmas store here in Richmond VA, supplied by donations, where parents can pay $5 to buy gifts for their children and the money collected is then used for a community fuel assistance fund for the winter months.

• This beautiful Facebook post about a women's experience of what she called "the Shared World."

• And, if you're buying gifts to give this year, consider exploring here: Here is a list of socially, ethically & environmentally ethical gift ideas and a business directory for businesses who participate in 1% for the Planet

, always.
Ellie

*PS: If ever there's anything in my emails that feel useful, supportive or encouraging to you, please consider sharing with a friend or loved one who you think would value it as well. Your people are my people so please feel free to share the love. 

When we are taking care of ourselves, we feel an overall sense of greater wellbeing. When we feel well, we are able to meet life (and all it's various demands) more fully.

Join me in this introductory workshop that will explore what meaningful and authentic self-care really looks like and feels like and how all of this relates to our nervous system. Leave with an understanding of what you "feed" yourself, how that ultimately feeds your nervous system, and how your nervous system "feels" creates the foundation for how we react to the world around us.

The workshop will be part lecture, part discussion, and part experiential learning as we explore guided visualization, meditation, and pranayama.⠀

⠀
WHEN: Saturday, December 1, 2018 | 3:00 - 4:30 p.m. ⠀
WHERE: Lucid Living, 300 E. Grace St. ⠀
PRICE: $50 (workshop), $265 (retreat only), and $295 (workshop & retreat)⠀

**ALMOST FULL**
 

Annual Wellness Retreat

{yoga, meditation, coaching}

May 16-19, 2019

Bliss Farm & Retreat  

{www.blissfarmandretreat.com}

Barnardsville, North Carolina

This year's retreat will include morning and evening meditation + twice daily yoga classes; group coaching around your own personal commitment to wellness; ample opportunity for quiet, relaxation, and meandering through the 50+ acres of meadows and woods.  To provide additional opportunity for introspection, quietness and mindfulness, we will be incorporating morning silence each day until after meditation and breakfast are complete.

Pricing & Accommodation Options*:

Pricing includes all meals, accommodations, and retreat activities.
 

Available Accommodations

Shared Accomodations**

>>Cabins: The OSA & The Bali Bliss

(each has one queen bed downstairs + 2-3 queen/twin beds in loft; shared bathroom)

• $685 - queen bed in loft (1 left)

• $645 - twin bed in loft (3 left)

>>Bell Tents (“glamping” style tents with shared bathroom) **ONE TWIN BED JUST OPENED UP! 

• $485 - twin bed (1 left)

Deluxe Wellness Add-On Package: $600 {ONLY 2 LEFT}

>>Private Group Salt Cave Session in Asheville (https://ashevillesaltcave.com) from 4-5pm on Thursday

>>One 60-minutes on-site Massage or Reiki Session

>>One Wellness Coaching Session w/Ellie (30 min) during the retreat - create meaningful and accessible self-care goals for post-retreat wellness

>>Follow-up Wellness Coaching Session w/Ellie (30 min) via Zoom after the retreat - accountability/check-in coaching call

*you can view cabins and B&B rooms at http://www.blissfarmandretreat.com/book-accommodations/

Booking, Payment & Refund Policy:

Retreat & Accommodations:

In order to secure your accommodations and space on the retreat, a $250 non-refundable deposit must be received immediately. Your balance must be received by COB March 30th and is non-refundable.

Deluxe Wellness Add-On Package:

Due to scheduling requirements, a non-refundable $200 deposit must be received by COB November 30th. Your balance must be received by COB March 30th and is non-refundable.

To Book:

Please email me at ellie@ellieburke.life with a first and second choice accommodation request and if you'd like to include the Deluxe Wellness Add-On Package

Sometimes we think we don’t have what we need to make the thing we are craving... the thing we most want. We think it’s impossible. In fact, we may not even make it past the wish to even consider whether or not it’s possible.

On this rainy, cold day I was craving something warm and nourishing and delicious and filling for lunch. My refrigerator appeared empty.... except for those roasted sweet potatoes from last night’s dinner. Oh! And I had a bag of frozen edamame, some protein to compliment those potatoes. Then I remembered the power greens, and how delicious they are sautéed with garlic. So why not throw it all into the skillet? A little salt and pepper... and *boom* drizzled with a bit of deliciously spicy-hot honey. And there it was.... exactly what I wanted... exactly what I was wishing for... I had everything I needed to create it, I just had to explore a bit, to find what I had and put it all together.

Now, even though it was a delicious and satiating lunch, the truth is I don’t REEEAALLLY care about that. That’s not why I’m telling you this little story.

I care about you and what you believe about what you can or cannot create in your life. I care about the fact that you have everything you need to create exactly what you want. You just don’t know it. You can’t see it because, although you may casually imagine a life you’d love more, you’ve never really gotten clear on what it is you want or what “ingredients” you’d need to feel that way in your life... because you have stopped yourself short at “that’s impossible.”

It may feel too big or too scary or too unrealistic. You may think, “I could never do that,” or “I could never be that.” It may feel vague or dreamy or far away. But I’m ready to challenge you... to guide you... to help you see what it is you really want, who it is you really want to be. To pull out of you all of the unique ingredients you already have within you, figure out how to put them together, and then to DO the things necessary to get you there.

This online group coaching program is uniquely developed for you and others feeling the same way that will help you remember who you are, get super clear on what you want, and create a path to get you there. Join me and a cohesive and supportive group of others who are ready for the next and best version of their lives.  

<<<<<You 2.0 >>>>>
Kicks off (online) in January 2019. Space is limited. Email me to be on the first-to-know list!