• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Amy Hoogervorst

Integrative Health and Wellness Coach

  • WHAT IS HEALTH COACHING?
  • ABOUT AMY
  • SERVICES
  • BLOG
    • FAITH AND SPIRITUALITY
    • MIND-BODY CONNECTION
    • MOVEMENT, EXERCISE AND REST
    • NUTRITION
    • PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
    • PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT
    • RELATIONSHIPS AND COMMUNICATION
  • GET STARTED
    • SCHEDULE A FREE CALL
    • ACCESS FREE RESOURCES
    • VIEW ARCHIVED VIDEOS

Dec 8, 2018
PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT· SELF CARE

Reflecting on What I Learned in Fall 2018

what i learned in fall 2018The practice of reflecting on what I’ve learned requires an intentional pause and often leads me to gratitude. And here at the holidays, I welcome all pauses and attempts to slow down and be thankful.

Author Emily P. Freeman several years ago on her blog began encouraging her readers “to pause to reflect on the past season before we move ahead into the future,” and I first I took up that practice last year.

So here, in no particular order, are 5 things I learned in fall 2018 (September through November):

1. Sharing Our Photos and Stories Heals the World

As a photo organizer, including nearly 20 years of helping people create scrapbook albums and photo gifts, I’ve seen firsthand the power of sharing stories and memories. But one Saturday in November, I saw it again in a new way.

Crews were in Durham, NC, filming a segment for a forthcoming PBS Show, “Family Pictures USA.” Another organizer and I spent the day talking to some of the families whose stories were being featured, as well as the crew and volunteers organizing the event.

Family members brought in select photos, allowed makeup artists to powder their faces, and sat for on-camera interviews about their connections to North Carolina. (The show taped in Florida a few weeks before, too.)

what i learned fall 2018 is that photos can change the world
Sharing stories through old family photos – and those taken today – can change the world by connecting us to love and belonging.

As people walked from area to area protectively holding their photos, albums, and other memorabilia – some of which was more than a century old – the joy shone on their faces. It revealed love, belonging, happiness.

What if photos and stories held that power for each of us? It does, if we figure out ways to bring them back into our lives.

Amy with fellow photo organizer Kc Coolbaugh, as well as show host Thomas Allen Harris (left) and executive producer Don Perry (right)

2. The Enneagram is One Cool Tool

The more I read and hear about the enneagram as a tool for learning about ourselves and others, the more I want to know. Have you discovered it yet? I’m planning to use it in some of my coaching in 2019. Stay tuned for more details, or send me a note if you’re already familiar with it and want to geek-out with me now. It’s been a really interesting topic I’ve learned about in fall 2018.

3. “Mindfulness means not hitting someone in the mouth.”

Meditation teacher Sharon Salzberg led a two-day workshop in my area, and she shared the value of mindfulness – defined as paying attention on purpose, in the present moment, without judgment of the thoughts that arise or the mind that wanders. Salzberg quoted a fourth-grade student in California who had learned to meditate and notice the value of responding instead of reacting. When asked his definition, the student said, “Mindfulness means not hitting someone in the mouth.”

what I learned in fall 2018

4. Audio books are “saving my life” right now

When 2018 began, one of my goals was to read at least 25 books this year. The first one I finished was Barbara Brown Taylor’s “An Altar in the World.” In it, she shares “what’s saving my life right now.”

For me, audio books are saving my life right now. By the end of November, I’d completed 28 books and found myself in the middle of two others. This fall, I finished 8 books, but only three were the paper versions. I love the versatility of audio books, so I can listen while I run, walk, drive, or clean. And I especially enjoy those read by the author.

5. Two-thirds of Americans don’t have a will

Death isn’t something most of us want to think about, nor do we want to talk about it. And that means most of us are avoiding planning for the inevitable. But having a will and other estate documents can protect your family financially and emotionally, and if you have minor children, it’s even more important.

I learned in fall 2018 that only about 1/3 of American adults have a will. Further, a 2017 study says that only 36 percent of Americans with children under 18 have a will (and named guardian) in place.

This point may seem like it’s coming from left-field from a health coach, but it relates to peace of mind. And that affects our overall health and well-being.

So now it’s your turn, and I’d love to hear from you. Would you like to share what you learned in fall 2018? Comment below, or send me a note.

Hi! I’m Amy Hoogervorst, an integrative health coach offering grace and space for a healthier you.  Thanks for reading! You can read previous “what I learned” posts on the blog. And if you’d like to stay in touch, please subscribe to my weekly Well Check and other email updates. I’m glad you’re here, and I look forward to connecting with you. 

Tweet
Share
Pin

Don’t Miss out

Join our newsletter to get all the latest!

Previous Post: « Decisions, Decisions: When Priorities Collide
Next Post: I Am: Two of the Most Powerful Words »

Primary Sidebar

MEET AMY

Hi! I'm Amy Hoogervorst, a National Board Certified Health and Wellness Coach, integrative health coach, and creative entrepreneur offering grace and space for a healthier you. Read More…

Latest on the Blog

Coaching is a partnership between a trained, professional coach and a client who wants or needs to reach particular goals or boost their personal and professional potential. Image is of two people shaking hands in partnership

People typically have questions about health coaching, whenever I introduce myself as a coach. And often, depending on the time someone has to talk, the questions start out general and then move to the specific and personal. Perhaps you have a few questions yourself. So today, let’s take a look at some of these frequently […]

Let’s Connect

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Latest on Instagram

"We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, therefo "We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, therefore, is not an act but a habit." - Aristotle

#mondaymotivation #habits #excellence #healthyhabits #quotes #consistency #doyourbest #dontworryabouttherest #backontrack #graceandspaceforahealthieryou #integrativehealthcoach
How have you been wanting to challenge yourself ph How have you been wanting to challenge yourself physically? 

Being physically active can improve your brain health, help manage weight, reduce the risk of disease, strengthen bones and muscles, and improve your ability to do everyday activities.

But it's important to build in rest days, too. Taking regular breaks allows your body to recover and repair. Otherwise, you may risk overtraining and injury, or burnout. Rest days could mean chilling on the sofa or engaging in more active rest - taking a gentle walk, foam rolling, or practicing yoga.

What's your schedule of exercise, physical activity, and rest look like this week? What positive effects will that have in other areas of your life?

#letsmove #nctraildays2022 #run #walk #hike #rest #healthyaging #runningofthebulls8k #weekend #graceandspaceforahealthieryou #physicalactivity #letsgo #integrativehealthcoach
These English peas were so good, they're getting t These English peas were so good, they're getting their own post. 

First, shelling them took me back more than a few years to when I would shell butter beans and black-eyed peas alongside my grandmother and look forward to our supper together. 💚 We all have memories and associations attached to different foods. What are some of yours? How do they show up in the choices you make around eating?

Second, these peas were delicious and simple, boiled for one minute and seasoned with real butter and salt. What a gift! It's garden season, y'all. What are you most looking forward to preparing for yourself this summer?

#gardentreasures #eatyourveggies #communitysupportedagriculture #nourish #nutrition #connections #peasinapod #integrativehealthcoach #graceandspaceforahealthieryou #shellingpeas #eattherainbow
A tiny slice of May, worth a pause, before we rush A tiny slice of May, worth a pause, before we rush ahead to June. What's something you want to remember and take with you from May? What's something you want to do differently in June? What will it take to start?

#graceandspaceforahealthieryou #pause #reflect #celebrate #beginagain #nature #nurture #nurtureyourself #letsmove #letseat #letssleep #letsrelax #letsdothis #springinnorthcarolina #integrativehealthcoach
Follow on Instagram

Tags

accountability anxiety best self books challenge choices coaching dreams exercise faith faith and sweat fitness friends goals habits health health coaching healthy eating healthy food healthy lifestyle holidays inflammation memories mindful mindfulness mindset movement nutrition perseverance personal growth PhotoOrganize Me photos recipes resources rest self-care sleep social media stewardship stories stress sugar wellness what i learned Youngevity
  • PRIVACY POLICY
  • DISCLOSURES
  • CONTACT
© 2022 Amy Hoogervorst - All Rights Reserved

We are using cookies to give you the best experience on our website.

You can find out more about which cookies we are using or switch them off in settings.

Amy Hoogervorst
Powered by  GDPR Cookie Compliance
Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.

Strictly Necessary Cookies

Strictly Necessary Cookie should be enabled at all times so that we can save your preferences for cookie settings.

If you disable this cookie, we will not be able to save your preferences. This means that every time you visit this website you will need to enable or disable cookies again.