Just Life With Denise

Tag: mental-health

  • I took the â€œPLUNGE”!

    Whoah! THAT’S BRISK! 🥶I thought as I controlled my intake of breath and the involuntary yelp that sprang to my lips, as water flowed around my body in icy completeness …a balmy 59 degrees we were told, an almost perfect temperature for an ice/cold water plunge-the faint cheer of my friends sounding far away and indistinguishable as I momentarily paused before resurfacing shaking water out of my hair, ears and off my face-moving aside to allow space for the next person to enter, allowing my body to become accustomed to the cold, what was I thinking being the first to join my instructor, mentor friend in the pool?…now I am committed to standing in this cold water until the rest of my friends join us, as the tingling sensation of tiny icy barbs poking against my skin continued to distract me, controlling my breathing by taking some deep breaths and slowing them I find it’s actually not too bad-maybe because by then I was becoming numb to it?🥶😂I feel tingly and ALIVE-
    Saturday I had the great privilege and honor of participating in a healing retreat…we practiced some of the healing modalities-practices that have been utilized throughout centuries (ancient in truth) in every and all cultures in some form around the world-the practical application of them as adjunct therapy and also to teach to utilize in one’s own practice of wellness and healing mind, body, soul, integration of emotion, release of trauma, release and easing pain (mental, physical, spiritual)our bodies have held for lifetimes-I have been learning, studying for this upcoming whole year of Earth school …healing breathwork, elemental yoga, meditation, sound therapy, music, ecstatc dance-somatic movement, awareness, healing aromas and COLD PLUNGE…

    Cold plunging— cold water immersion—has a history that goes back thousands of years, and modern science is finally catching up to explain why people have sworn by it for so long….why many trainers, athletes, healers have started implementing in their routines, spa treatments, retreats and wellness centers.
    Briefly-I won’t bore you with lengthy history but here are a few notable historical highlights-

    The ancient Romans had bathhouses which included a feature called a frigidarium (cold pool) used after hot baths to stimulate the body. I experienced this in some of the bath houses while in Budapest…and also while in Iceland at a sacred 7 step healing ritual and treatment …cold plunge being the last step-exhilarating brrrr

    The Greeks also believed cold water improved vitality and mental clarity.

    In Japan, practitioners of misogi stood under icy waterfalls as a spiritual purification ritual.


    Nordic cultures embraced ice bathing followed by sauna use—still popular today in countries like Finland….it’s on my list of adventures 😉😁

    Cold-water immersion shows up not just in “classical civilizations”, but is also deeply embedded in Celtic and Indigenous traditions and shamanic practices across different cultures—often tied less to “recovery” and more to spiritual transformation, endurance, and connection to nature. Many Indigenous cultures used cold rivers or lakes for cleansing negative energy, induce altered states of consciousness and in preparation for sacred ceremonies and it was also thought that water acted as a spiritual filter, not just a physical one and held elemental symbolism and connection to the spirit world, and crossing into a liminal (in-between) state….even a trance state-
    “In shamanic cosmology:
    Cold = stillness, death, rebirth
    Water = gateway between worlds
    Immersion symbolized:
    “Dying” to the old self
    Emerging renewed or transformed”
    It also was thought to build resilience through direct contact with nature…AMAZING RIGHT?!?

    So let’s tie this back into modern science and physiology and modern “understanding” or thought – Cold plunging blends ancient tradition with modern physiology, as I shared briefly (or tried to) historically it’s been used for ritual, health, and resilience-
    It can be scientifically linked to nervous system activation, inflammation reduction, and mood effects, the sheer shock of the cold water can create a powerful mental reset, Stress + controlled exposure builds resilience, the intense sensation (believe me standing in 59 degree water was an intense sensation!🥶)forces present-moment awareness (similar to meditation) and what ancient cultures may have reflected on as spiritual awakening, we might describe as-
    Nervous system activation
    Neurochemical release
    Psychological adaptation-as well as physiological adaptation-Hydrostatic pressure which moves blood flow to your heart, brain, and lungs—providing even more oxygen and nutrients to these major organs.
    Here is a simple example of a cold plunge…you can adapt it to make it as ceremonial/Sacred as you desire…or keep it short and sporty -the meaning may vary but the health and healing benefits are the same-I would not recommend doing this if you have a heart condition before discussing with your physician and would always do with someone aware that you were doing a plunge/immersion(personally-safety)

    🌿 1. Set Intention- Before entering the water, pause.
    Stand or sit quietly-we actually “hyped ourselves up” got the blood flowing by shaking out our arms, pushing energy
    Take slow breaths (in through nose, out through mouth)
    Choose a simple intention:
    “Reset”
    “Let go”
    “Focus”
    Mine was “peace”- something you want to “gain” or something to “release”

    1. Controlled Entry (10–30 seconds)
      Enter slowly, not jumping in
      Focus on steady breathing to avoid cold shock
      Keep your posture relaxed (don’t tense up)
      💡 Tip: The first 20–30 seconds are the hardest—this is your “threshold moment.” Some of us did dive in to submerge after walking in I just sank under the water
    2. Stillness & Breathe (1–3 minutes)
      Once you’re in:
      Breathe slow and rhythmic (ie. 4 seconds in / 6 seconds out)
      Stay mentally present—observe sensations without resisting-relax (easier said than done)
      Avoid distraction (no phone, no music at first)
    3. Exit with Awareness -we stepped out slowly, don’t rush to warm up-luckily the sun was out and we stood laughing and sharing the experience while bundled in our towels in the warm sunlight, letting our bodies naturally start warming
      This phase is where:
      Blood flow rebounds-from vasoconstriction You often feel a wave of energy and clarity (according to many- I felt energized and invigorated)
    4. Integration (2–5 minutes)
      Afterward: we were encouraged to-
      Stand in sunlight or fresh air if possible
      Take a few deep breaths
      Optional:
      Journal one sentence
      Mentally note how you feel
      This step is often skipped—but it’s what turns the plunge into a complete reset instead of just a shock.
      Such a feeling of vibrancy, peace and invigorating! And I actually can not wait to be more reverent and ceremonial in my next cold plunge-and boy what an amazing night sleep I had.
      Thank you Gisela for this spectacular and special experience 🥰❤️

  • tulip fields and bubbles

    Rainy day…woke up to torrential rain and enjoying the sounds of it but not feeling inclined for leaving the warm coziness of my house (had planned a hike), or for that matter, my bed…it’s 430ish in the morning and my brain won’t turn off as an idea -an INSPIRATION “bubbles” in my consciousness…was trying to figure out how to capture the bubbles which will be very tiny in a painting I started yesterday…

    …it’s a woman blowing bubbles in the tulips… and I realized that you wouldn’t really be able to see the bubbles very well because -she’s small in scale and proportion for the picture and so were the bubbles….I actually took this picture a couple years ago in the tulip fields, just loved the solitary figure amongst the tulips and then when I got it home and enlarged it, I was like “oh my gosh, she’s blowing bubbles!!!😃” I could actually see the bubbles floating and drifting away … so I think what I’m going to do is make some giant bubbles in the forefront so that you’re looking at the whole picture through the playful view of bubbles…HENCE I had to get up and practice the bubbles …at 430 in the morning 🙄🤷🏼‍♀️ DONT YOU JUST LOVE a rainy day??? So excited for this…a few more details then the “bubbles” (either going to destroy this fairly decent picture or turn out so FUN!!!) GET INSPIRED…(I’ll of course share the end result…if you never see it again? 🤷🏼‍♀️😂well I guess you could surmise it was utter destruction …

    feeling “slightly bubbly”? Like a glass of prosecco left out too long?? I mean I don’t totally dislike it??? (Same with that glass of prosecco 😉) well practice, practice, practice…I DO like the idea though…might attempt it again at a later date

    In Light✨

    Denise

  • She…

    Where do I start? How far back do I go? at what point, and what parts of my life, my timeline do I share? Do I go back to my “before” in deciding to experience these experiences in THIS lifetime? To my contract in saying “Yes, I can break these Karmic cycles? Yes, I will remember my divinity, my light and if I do forget it…I will FIND it again? Yes, I am strong enough” I will share in pieces/chapters that communicate the full extent of the journey and healing I have evolved through, because that is what this is-an evolution of soul work and BECOMING of REMEMBERING my Divinity, my LIGHT, achieving peace, joy, abundance-the healers journey – a healer can’t heal a wound they haven’t felt, to have true empathy, compassion and to be an alchemist of pain, I have experienced lifetimes in one.

    Here is a reflection about the woman who walked beside me in some of the most difficult periods of my life- a piece I wrote in one of my “shadow” reflective moments-writing, being creative is a way of taking my pain and turning it towards power and potency of owning a moment, practice coming back to myself, being mindful and staying in a present moment-it also serves to process thoughts, emotions-just free writing, no judgement -hoping you will offer me the same grace I offer myself in creativity…no judgement (it’s pretty raw and exposing)

    Photo by Denise Lipscomb- Shining Through the Storm Clouds

    She 

    She was there in childhood, when I was hurt, confused, and scared. When what should have been unconditional love was punctuated by inconsistency, cruelty and severity.  Painful welts from a belt, a hairbrush, a dolly-a child’s toy (ironic?) were used as weapons in anger and frustration against the tender flesh and spirit of a child. When cruel words, narcissistic behaviors inflicted deeper wounds and damage to spirit than the ones to flesh…

    She was there in the dark hours of guilt, and shame,  when depression clawed at my arm trying to pull me further into it’s embrace, when the word “NO” fell on uncaring, cruel ears, and became a whimper as my body fell victim to the willfulness of another…when “NO”  and “stop” went unheard- only echoed as a silent scream in my head. 

    She was there in the darkness, when again my world was shattered, BLEAK, and numb when DEATH clenched at my heart, not once, but twice in a short space of time, when beautiful new life met heartbreaking loss, passing each other in the space of a few hours—a witness to joy and grief being able to sit in the same room-leaving the world feeling confusing and unsafe, as I attempted to deep breath in what felt like an airless space… She was there holding me tightly in the night, as silent tears of a mother, and a few years later as a widow, ran down my face soaking my pillow and the grief in my heart almost unbearable…She never left my side…

    She was there, took my hand each morning, encouraging me out of bed and whispered in my ear in a voice I could feel reverberating in my soul, “don’t give up, you have LIVING to do -let’s laugh, let’s play”

    She was there lending her strength and courage to me in the decision to walk away from an unhealthy relationship, when I recognized I was a co dependent participant in a relationship whose cycle of abuse needed to be ended …my heart torn and bruised, surely more than the healing ones on my body…and more lasting…trust shattered. 

    She was there with her smile, helping me back up to my knees, and then somehow back to my feet, helping me to find strength in stillness until I could put one foot in front of another…to stay present and in the moment-to live life one small smile to another

    She was there “holding space” and had FAITH for me, the light that remained faintly illuminating the corners and places of my own dark thoughts, fears and pain, she was there and showed me a way to navigate through, how to shift my perspective, to gain more light, to fuel that light with dance, music, making choices that led to the bright light of a new day…to finding, choosing small joys in a laugh, a giggle, a hug, to believe, to let go the things I could not control  

    She was there and took my hand, gently showed me how to offer grace and forgiveness- It was she during moments of sheer exhaustion and hopelessness, that whispered words and affirmations, of encouragement, of HOPE, as I continued to heal, and REMEMBER, to recognize my blessings, to find solace and peace in nature, the warmth of sunshine on my skin, the sound of water and bird song, to CREATE, to BREATHE, as I realized I’d been holding my breath for so long, conquered one small fear after another, to reach out to others, release what didn’t align with my soul and didn’t deserve space in my heart

    She was there reminding me how to laugh, how to have fun, to be playful, it was she who reminded me the power of a hug, a touch, kind words, the joy in simple activities, the abundance in my life, how to love fully with an open heart

    She was there all this time, has been and never deserted me… 

    Now I stand here, and as I look in the mirror seeing the strands of gray throughout my highlighted hair, with laugh lines around my eyes, a smile on my face, AND in my heart, a twinkle of light in my eyes, – a PEACE in my soul… I realize and admire her for 

    Her courage, 

    Her resilience,

    Her stubbornness,

    Her compassion, she showed for herself, for others, her kindness, her strength in remaining “soft”…determination, her FAITH and the gentle nature, she somehow clung to and did not abandon… I stand in AWE and acknowledge that SHE was ME and always has been…how far she has come to be ME

    In Light,✨

    Denise

    Post Note: I must make note and acknowledge that during all this time of pain, and grief there were others also affected by the very same incident, acknowledge this egocentric point of voice and realizing it was never solely myself walking through the shadow, there were my children, brothers, sisters, cousins, friends, community a web of interconnection…we forget at times that others also are suffering as well-it is like throwing a stone in undisturbed waters of a pond, it ripples out upon the surface, and in all directions not just at a surface level but also below, affecting all parts of that pond in some manner. Sometimes we are just too caught up in our own emotion to notice or be aware of everyone else’s…I did (mostly)and it influenced most of my choices. This is also their journey and I hope that the parts I do share, are done so with compassion, and understanding but please recognize it is from “my truth”, theirs of course will be different (we all perceive things differently). I can also say that there was happiness, and light in my days, I did not want to diminish this, especially with my children- they are who I lived for, they were/are my WHOLE LIFE. Life. Death. Light. Dark. The yin-yang, of life-balance of polarity, it is a dynamic interdependence, interconnection, but most importantly for me, in recognition, throughout it all, there has always been LOVE and it is that one thing-LOVE that was the most important…in the end that is all there is.

  • Here we go…

    justlifewithdenise's avatar

    justlifewithdenise

    Living Simply. Loving Deeply. Rising Gently-with Authenticity

    Just Life With Denise -Why This Space Exists

    There was a season in my life when I was simply surviving.

    Breathing felt impossible and heavy.

    Grief sat beside me, draped a heavy arm across my shoulders, around my heart, like a wool cape, insulated in a constant heaviness that became my companion…restricting my motion.

    Responsibility did not pause for my sorrow.

    I have walked through darkness. I have buried people I love deeply, a son, a husband, a father.

    I have stood at hospital bedsides as new life entered the world, holding precious life as I handed it to waiting parents, and stood at the other end of the spectrum in silent support, holding a patient’s or loved one’s hand as they gently transitioned over and left it.

    I have mothered while mourning.

    Left what harmed me.

    Returned to school at forty when reinvention felt both terrifying and necessary.

    Raised children into kind, caring, empathetic, compassionate adults. Now I hold my grandchildren and witness legacy unfolding.

    There is something greater that carries us when our legs cannot, when we want nothing more than to be curled up and hiding in a corner. There is FAITH — in whatever form speaks to your spirit. There is a quiet grace that meets us in hospital rooms, courtrooms, classrooms, gravesides, and kitchen tables at midnight. There is a light that does not extinguish — even when our world does, a light that flickers but does not disappear. I have felt that light return bright and stronger-and a reminder that even after devastation, peace is still possible to find. And in those years, I learned something quietly profound: That the human heart can break — and still remain capable of AMAZING LOVE, JOY and still find PEACE….acutally expand allowing more than you imagined possible…

    Here, I reflect. Here, I share what I transmuted. There is the moment when pain begins to shape wisdom instead of fear. Here I share pieces of my story… where the pain becomes power. Where wounds become wisdom. Where the “I Am” within me grows louder than fear to step up, step out, be a presence, a voice, a witness to what can be achieved when you embrace Spirit, yourself, your shadow, and bring it forward into your light, self love, healing, forgiveness, release and acceptance …self worth…make a choice…a million tiny ones actually, everyday …choosing joy, (even when it feels impossible), choosing grace, choosing forgiveness, choosing LOVE…choosing to stand up that 8th time when you have fallen 7- FAITH, resilience- choosing to live a life that is full of joy.

    I believe joy is not naĂŻve.

    It is chosen.

    It is cultivated.

    If you are healing… If you are awakening… If you are remembering who you are… You belong here….you are not alone- even in our darkest moments, we are not entirely alone, there is a thread that connects us.

    but I have found there is no magic formula in healing. No quick fix. No shortcut through grief. I wish there was… Life doesn’t come without storms. This space is about walking through them — not around them…there IS ALCHEMY..and we all hold the key to our own healing

    If you are grieving, rebuilding, questioning, or quietly rising — you are welcome here. I will share my stories, my thoughts and musings, my perspectives, hoping they resonate, inspire, encourage. To offer what helped me. To hold space with empathy… If my words feel like a steady hand or a soft hug when you need one, then this space is doing what it was meant to do.

    This is Just Life. I am just a human BE-ing…authentic, genuine, heart led, soul fed …with the grace and love of Spirit…finding JOY in simple living… Where light returns, shining bright again—like a sun rising…you will smile again…I know because I AM

    I am grateful you are here. Let the Journey begin…letting my light shine

    In Light✨

    Denise