Friday, July 26

The Crestone Eagle is a nonprofit monthly newspaper serving Crestone and the San Luis Valley

Navigating the Vortex

Navigating the Vortex: Discernment 

By Gina M. Barrett. Making clear choices when navigating one’s life. What is best for oneself and others in your life? Discerning is an acquired skill that becomes easier as it’s practiced. The first step in making the best choices for oneself and others in your life is to get clear on what is best for you, both physically and emotionally.   For example, is it the best choice to stay out late socializing on a night when you need to be at your best the next day?  Some may choose to do things without much thought about the consequences of their choice....

Navigating the Vortex: Emotional intelligence 

By Gina M. Barrett. At a time when mental illness is on the rise in the U.S., adopting emotional intelligence becomes more necessary for day-to-day resilience. According to the Centers for Disease Control, “Mental illnesses are among the most common health conditions in the United States. More than one in five U.S. adults live with a mental illness. Over one in five youth (ages 13-18) either currently or at some point during their life, have had a seriously debilitating mental illness.” (Accessed May 15, 2024).  What is emotional intelligence? I understand it as mental health awareness, inner awareness and the ability...

Navigating the Vortex: Communicating with kindness

By Gina M. Barrett The loss of a long-standing and active community member Paul Shippee inspired me to write this wellness column.  Paul played a major role in resolving conflict in Crestone. He consistently offered Nonviolent Communication (NVC) training to the community and was usually the one who was called upon to help resolve conflict when it arose at public meetings and in community groups.  Navigating the vortex and off-grid lifestyle of Crestone is no joke, especially during the challenging season of extended periods of high winds and the unbearable mosquitos in the summer. When we are stressed with basic survival and...

Navigating the Vortex: The Wind Element

By Gina M. Barrett. I find that the windy season of spring adds to the challenges we already experience as we navigate the energy vortex here in Crestone. Since I have lived here, the windy season can last about two months. We have been fortunate so far this March. We haven’t had back-to-back days and days of wind. Phew! I’m grateful.   Wind happens when the cold air of winter and the warmer air of spring collide. Wind is necessary to keep the air fresh and clean. However, in an agricultural area like SLV, the wind disrupts and distributes the agricultural...

Navigating the Vortex: Self-care isn’t selfish

By Gina M. Barrett. Why is it that when someone you know goes on vacation or declines a request of your time, you sometimes feel they are being selfish? Can we, instead, shift our perception toward admiring that person for taking such good care of themselves? This is shadow work, originally uncovered by therapist Carl Jung. Look at the positive things that upset you and embody them for yourself. Be inspired by others who know their limits and the level of self-care they need in order to be happy and able to function in their daily life. To have peaceful interactions...

Navigating the Vortex: Healthy pacing

By Gina M. Barrett. What I discovered, immediately after moving to Crestone, was that I needed to adopt a slower way of being. The excitement of creating my dream ranch and the work involved often led to feeling dizzy when I moved too fast. During this entry period, I also took a six-month woman’s qigong (pronounced “chi gong”) certification training. The practice made me very dizzy and I had insomnia. I had qi dysfunction and had to adopt qi balancing practices.  Moving fast is my nature. Many of us came from a faster-paced lifestyle. My understanding of the energy vortex here...

Navigating the Vortex: Hydrate for the Holidays

By Gina M. Barrett. I can’t say enough about the importance of hydration while living in the high mountain desert of Crestone, Colorado. Hydration is notably necessary for optimal physical health, but dehydration will also effect our moods.   According to the National Library of Medicine, “Data consistently show a reduction of >2 percent in body mass due to dehydration results in effect on mood, fatigue, and alertness.” (2019, Narrative Review of Hydration and Selected Health Outcomes in General Population). “The National Academy of Medicine suggests an adequate intake of daily fluids of about 13 cups and 9 cups for healthy (person),...

Navigating the Vortex: Emotional intelligence 

By Gina M. Barrett. At a time when mental illness is on the rise in...

Navigating the Vortex: Communicating with kindness

By Gina M. Barrett The loss of a long-standing and active community member Paul Shippee...

Navigating the Vortex: The Wind Element

By Gina M. Barrett. I find that the windy season of spring adds to the...

Navigating the Vortex: Self-care isn’t selfish

By Gina M. Barrett. Why is it that when someone you know goes on vacation...

Navigating the Vortex: Healthy pacing

By Gina M. Barrett. What I discovered, immediately after moving to Crestone, was that I...

Navigating the Vortex: Hydrate for the Holidays

By Gina M. Barrett. I can’t say enough about the importance of hydration while living...
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