A dopamine reset

Event Reminders: Join us for the in-person Mind + Body workshop in Nashville, Tennessee with Jed Jenkins, and The Invitation of Pain Virtual Event with Hillary McBride. More details below!

Hi beautiful friends,

I hope this finds you so well. As you read this newsletter I am at an intensive retreat, I guess that is what you would call it. I am going to the Hoffman Institute for 6 days. I can't put into words how excited I am for it. I will hand in my phone and not have it the entire week; that may be what I am the most excited about. I am a lifelong learner. Sometimes I feel like it is a full-time job. I love understanding humans and why we do what we do. Exploring the unconscious parts of us. I also only share with others what I have so desperately needed for myself. I would not be doing the work I do today if I had not been to hell and back and hell and back and hell and back. Many times over. But every single time I come out on the other side.

I feel like I have shed more of my conditioned parts and I am a truer version of myself. The parts that died were never truly me. They were the masks I wore to belong, to fit in, and to get love. OF COURSE! That is part of the Earth school journey. We come here to learn all the things and that comes on the other side of mistakes. Part of my work for myself and my intention for my clients is how to have so much love and self-compassion for those past versions of us who have effed up royally. I still get embarrassed about past versions of me. I was in tears while talking to one of my teachers about it last night. She so lovingly reminded me of what I so believe to be true. I could not be the woman I am today without all of those mistakes, the healing, and the wisdom that came on the other side. I continue to make so many mistakes and I continue to learn from them. That is what it is to be human! It is wild how we really expect ourselves to be perfect. 

But I do believe my soul wanted to experience this earth school thing. I do believe my soul wants to be here so I want to learn ways to fall more in love with this life. Learn ways to be more present in my life and connect with those very real parts of me that are constantly trying to escape from pain and heartbreak. I know there is as much beauty as there is pain and that is just the polarity of the earth school experience. How can I “be with” whatever comes up without trying to change it? That is my main intention. How can I “be with” all the big feelings, emotions, heartbreak, beauty, joy, boredom, and everything in between? 

Speaking of joy, the highlight of my week has been watching the Olympics. I do not sport. I know nothing about sports or care, to be honest, but watching the BEST IN THE WORLD compete is so magical. Seeing the comradery. Learning the backstories and watching these parents cheer for their babies has had me crying, squealing, laughing, and everything in between. Eric giggled because I was cheering for every country. Seeing this young man from Ireland win a gold medal and ball his eyes out had me weeping. I have cried for so many of these kids from joy. It is good for the soul I tell you. And holy shit, my MVP of the Olympics has hands down been Snoop Dogg! He has been a delight!!!! The only reason I am sad to not have my phone all next week is because of the Olympics!

Have y’all been watching it? If so what have been your favorite parts?

I feel so honored and grateful to get to have this experience for myself and after I have time to really digest and integrate what I learned, I can’t wait to share pieces of it with you! 

I am sending you all so much love, joy, and gratitude

Ruthie

Keep reading for: 

1. Invitation of Pain Virtual Event

2. Mind + Body In-Person Workshop

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The Invitation of Pain Virtual Event

When we experience pain, we are instructed to medicalize our pain to make it go away. We learn to see our bodies as the enemy and forget the identity outside of the pain. But we can learn to experience and understand pain differently, even coming to see pain as the route back home to who we really are. In this way, the pain becomes the invitation back to our bodily selves - reminding us how to love ourselves more fully, teaching us that we can heal regardless of whether the pain goes away or not.

In this event, join Ruthie Lindsey and Hillary McBride in a conversation about pain and a new way of thinking about how we relate to it and ourselves. Ruthie and Hillary will share their stories of journeying through chronic pain and recovery, the lessons they learned along the way, current research findings about healing from pain, and engage attendees in practices to begin to experience ourselves and our pain differently. Click the link below to learn more about this event and purchase your ticket.

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In-Person Mind + Body Workshop

Jed and Ruthie are teaming up in Nashville, Tennessee from September 21st to the 22nd for a weekend writing and embodiment workshop.

The 2024 Mind and Body Workshop will focus on addressing our past, present, and future, as well as understanding what our bodies are telling us about it. Click the link below to learn more and purchase your ticket!