I’ve been in a weird funk.

This year has proven to be quite challenging in so. many. ways.  And I know I’m not the only person experiencing personal struggles. It’s easy to fall into the trap of seeing them from a “why me?” perspective OR you have the choice to reflect inward, observe your thoughts about the situation and ask “how can I grow, evolve or change from this experience?”

When I was younger it was always the former question, OMG why ME?!? Why is this happening to ME? Why, why why. Did I bring this upon myself, what did I do to deserve THIS?

Can you relate?

But that road seems to lead to an unresolved dead end of frustration which can lead to depression for some.

On the flip side, deciding to use the icky experience as an opportunity for change is going to bring about sustainable results. It might seem like harder work, and in many cases it is, but the long-term efforts far outway the easy way out philosophy (which doesn’t bring lasting results and can, in my experience, lead to more misery).

Recently I connected with some amazing people in Atlanta and tapped into an incredible community. It started in December last year when I went to my first Mindful Mornings (MM) event by Atlanta Founder Jennefer O’Brien.

I walked away a bit dizzy from the experience because the essence of MM is “community over competition.” I met and connected with real people who were interested in doing better, supporting each other instead of competing with one another. After all, my philosophy is this: there is enough in our world to go around. Mindful Mornings meets once a month in various locations (read more inspo here).

One of the speakers at a MM event was Kristen Oja of Stat Wellness. Keep an eye on her ‘cuz this entrepreneur is shaking up health care in Atlanta and connecting women in wellness during monthly events to support each other’s biz aspirations.

I’m so grateful to have connected with Alana Saporiti at MM event who’s become a dear friend. She leads monthly Women’s Moon Circle’s and other events at Santosha Studio created by another individual I’m blessed with to have in my circle of friends, Amanda Trevelino.

The community of women at Santosha truly started my healing journey during a very difficult personal/family situation. It was so incredibly supportive and I’ve been going on the regular #selfcare, inviting other women like my bestie Taurus-twin life coach bada$$ sister from another mister Marianne Mackenzie. You may have spotted us together at events like The Big Quiet at The Fernbank Museum with other new women friends like sound bath extraordinaire Danielle Hall and fellow Taurus sister Batoul Farran. Apparently I keep collecting strong Taurus women in my circle!

Another amazing person I’ve had the pleasure of forging a high-vibe friendship with is Mindfulness-based Psychotherapist Lena Franklin. We’re very much aligned in so many areas and I’m always on the hunt for additional practitioners to refer clients to (ps: highly, highly recommend). I mean, she had me at mindfulness!

During our second lunch date at Flower Child I had a major epiphany that hit me like a lightning bolt. What I was grappling with was this sensation of what I can only call spiritual anorexia. I just felt like I was significantly deficient in deep, meaningful, spiritual connections.

And when I said it out loud during lunch we both connected to the concept. No lie, I almost choked on my grilled tofu as we giggled like school children →  Spiritual Anorexia.

As a dietitian I’m familiar with the eating disorder anorexia nervosa. But the condition I was suffering from was a lack of regular and frequent connections and discussions with people on a deeper, more meaningful level. I grew ill of the pithy conversations about the weather, trending TV shows, or politics (please no more Trump talk).

I craved discussions of personal evolution and growth and how to serve a higher purpose on this planet. I craved talking about how to collaborate with others to make a positive impact on larger groups of people. I crave spiritual connection and change, collaborating to make the world a better place. I need the energy of other optimists.

Similar to what Oprah often discusses on Super Soul Sundays. THAT type of talk. Deep discussion on how to be better and help others heal, shift and thrive. It’s nourishing on another level that food simply can’t touch.

And then I tapped into another incredible community with The Center for Love and Light on Zonolite near Emory. An amazing old colleague of mine, Corey Dobyns, reached out to me and told me about the facility she had her practice in. Looking back now, I wish I had taken her up on her invite much sooner because I was unaware of how desperate I was to tap into a truly non-judgmental spiritual community.

I’ve taken workshops there from Jeff Glattstein (incredible if you vibe with truly spiritual practices and connecting to Mother Earth) and met amazing people who are on similar paths to a deeper, more meaningful life.

And THEN last Friday, after I finished my therapeutic session with Jeff, I realized that the owner of Center for Love and Light, Jamie Butler, was in her office. I was hoping that our paths would somehow cross organically, and then decided to jump on the opportunity to introduce myself and gush about the community she envisioned and then created.

She was, is angelic and kind, beaming with the most genuine smile that isn’t quite captured on social media. I felt like I was in the presence of a truly evolved and non-judgmental being that made me feel a bit intoxicated by her energy. She is a true visionary and showed me the new space they were building for workshops using reclaimed wood and all eco-friendly materials. My goal is to teach nutrition and mindful eating workshops there because the space is truly exceptional (12/2019 update: first SATI Mindful MasterMind class starts 1/9/2020!).

These connections with like-minded women and men have been therapeutic and transformational for me. We’ve discussed our personal and professional struggles and offer wisdom on how to come out feeling like a sparkly unicorn.

After all, don’t we all want to heal ourselves and evolve to the bestest version we can be? It’s my constant companion and life dedication, personal and professional evolution!

And the best part, no more spiritual anorexia!

May you find what your soul truly craves for your evolution and true inner peace,

Jennifer