The Idea of the Week
Does feeling a sense of belonging mean you also feel valued by others and committed? This 8-minute Psychology Today article explores this question. Whether it’s in our personal relationships, at work, or within our communities, making someone feel seen, valued, and appreciated can deepen bonds and nurture a sense of belonging.
In this 5-minute article, Psychology Today shares a simple but powerful practice: a wall of gratitude. Instead of throwing them away, every thank you note and card is tacked onto a bulletin board to remind them that people are appreciative of the work they do. Another method to this practice is to keep a “smile box” of the notes, messages, and memories that make you smile.
The Practice of the Week
This week, we invite you to share your appreciation and love with someone—be it your friends, partner, children, parents, siblings, colleagues, community members, etc. Who has made an impact on you today, this week, this month, or this year? Let them know you see them, you appreciate them, and they matter to you.
In this 10-minute article, Lia Miller from mindbodygreen poses several options to share an appreciation message with someone, examples of appreciation messages, and 4 tips to keep in mind as you compose your message.
- Be specific.
- The best time to send a message is promptly, but appreciation is not limited by time.
- Short messages can be just as impactful as long messages.
- Validate the recipient.
An appreciation message is not the only way to show someone they matter to you. Here are 15 more ways to tell someone they matter to you:
- Actively listening to them shows them that you care about what they have to say and that you care about understanding them.
- Check in regularly with a text or call to see how they are doing or that you are thinking of them.
- Spend intentional quality time with them, doing things they enjoy or being together without distractions.
- Remember details, even if you have to keep a note on your phone or in a journal. Remembering their preferences, important dates, or things they’ve said in passing shows that you listen to them.
- Give them words of affirmation. A simple “You mean a lot to me” or “You matter to me” can go a long way.
- An act of kindness or a thoughtful gesture, like bringing them a cup of coffee or helping them with a task, can show that you are thinking of them.
- If appropriate, show your affection physically, such as holding hands, hugs, kisses, high-fives, or offering a comforting touch.
- Be supportive and show up during important moments, whether it’s celebrating success or offering comfort in tough times.
- Tell them how you feel. Try making it a habit to let people know you love them, appreciate them, and value them. They won’t have to guess how you feel.
- Give thoughtful gifts outside of birthdays or holidays. Gifts do not have to be expensive. Offer personalized, meaningful gifts that reflect their interests, a memory, or something that reminds you of them.
- Respect their needs and boundaries, whether it’s emotional, physical, or related to time. Honoring their limits shows that you care about their well-being.
- Remain present when you are with them. Put away distractions to help you stay in the moment and fully attend to them when you are interacting.
- Encourage their growth and support their goals and efforts along the way. Sometimes, it could mean working alongside them on the goal, but it can also mean checking in on their progress and offering words of support.
- Ask them about their passions. Even if you are not active in the passion or enjoy it yourself, giving them space to talk about their passion can demonstrate that you care about what excites them and what they love.
- Surprise them with something small but meaningful, like a handwritten note, a favorite treat, or a spontaneous outing.
News of the Week
Honoring Our Ancestors: A Day of the Dead Ceremony Join us for a sacred evening of reflection and connection as we honor our ancestors in a Day of the Dead ceremony. Build a community altar, share stories, and experience guided meditation in a space of healing and remembrance.
Saturday, November 2
6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Breathing Space Psychotherapy
3455 Erieville Rd
Erieville, NY 13061
Sound Bath for All Souls’ Day Join us for a transformative Sound Journey in honor of All Souls’ Day. Immerse yourself in healing vibrations, guided by soothing sounds, as we connect with and honor the spirits of those who have passed. This sacred space invites reflection, remembrance, and deep connection with our ancestors.
Friday, November 1st
7:00 PM – 8:15 PM
Breathing Space Psychotherapy
3455 Erieville Rd
Erieville, NY 13061
Winter 2024 Men’s Psychedelic Wellness Retreat Take a step deeper into your wellness and dive into a transformative journey at our upcoming Psychedelic Wellness Retreat. Experience a unique blend of experiential therapy techniques including meditation, expressive writing, art creation, yoga, and more, all designed to help you connect with your inner self and achieve holistic well-being. Fully immerse yourself in a nurturing environment focused on healing and growth and watch your energy shift.
Our retreat offers an approach using experiential therapy, curated to help you overcome obstacles and discover newfound freedom, clarity, and motivation. Through guided experiences and therapeutic interventions, you’ll explore the depths of your mind and emotions, paving the way for profound insights and lasting positive change.
Join us December 4th through 7th in Erieville, NY for a rejuvenating experience and elevate your mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being.
Are you interested in our upcoming retreats? Stay tuned for more details on our two upcoming retreats.
- KAP Women’s Retreat in Puerto Rico on January 10th through 17th, 2025
- Mystical Ireland: A Women’s Soul Retreat, Embracing the Healing Power of Ireland’s Ancient Wisdom on February 28th through March 10th, 2025
Email [email protected] if you are interested!
Join Tati, back by popular demand, for her next series of Family Constellations and Sharing of Ancestral Knowledge Workshops!
Tati owns a healing and psychotherapy practice working with sacred plant medicine, ancestral healing, and art therapy in her home in Ecuador. Join Tati for her return in October and the next series of workshops and healing sessions.
Family Constellations is a type of therapeutic approach that focuses on exploring the dynamics within a person’s family system, including their relationships with parents, siblings, grandparents, and other family members, even ancestors. This approach can be used to address a variety of issues, such as relationship difficulties, emotional blocks, and unresolved traumas.
This workshop involves a group of participants who come together to explore their own family dynamics through a series of exercises and discussions led by our facilitator, Tatian Davila, a psychotherapist, healer, and seeker of ancestral knowledge. Tati will offer 2 workshops as well as individual healings. The workshops will be held at Breathing Space Studio in Erieville, NY.
The Family Constellations Workshop will be held on October 19-20, 2024.
Tobacco Healing Ceremony will be held on October 26, 2024.
Both workshops will be held at Breathing Space Studio
3455 Erieville Road
Erieville, NY 13061
Individual Healing Sessions will be held in Fayetteville, NY from October 21st-25th.
The Thought of the Week
Wishing you a peaceful week!
