Self Care Webinar by Denise Bissonnette

Webinar Series:
The Self-Care Imperative
Staying Lit without Burning Out

Only the lantern that is fueled can shine its light. Only the tree showered with rain and warmed by the sun can turn its seed into blossom, and its blossom into fruit. To bring our best to the world and to those around us, we need to be vigilant caretakers of our own lives, renewing the sources from which we can give and receive. From a place of wholeheartedness, we too can be luminous with light, blossoming and bearing fruit, fueled by small steps, daily choices, and regular practices that honor and strengthen the heart, mind, body and spirit, and thereby sowing the seeds of true resilience.

Drawing on three decades as a celebrated author, trainer, and curriculum developer for teachers, social workers, career coaches, and counselors, Denise Bissonnette mines the gold from her vast repertoire of work to photo of lanterns deliver this rich and inspiring online Self-Care Series. In her warm and characteristic fashion, Denise offers deep insights, penetrating questions, and practical wisdom for those whose diligent care on behalf of others requires that they provide the self-same care for the one in the mirror. Coupling cutting edge principles with timeless concepts, Denise brings ideas to life through metaphor, storytelling, poetry, photographic images, and real-life examples.

Course I: Coming Home to Yourself: Claiming the Light
What It Means to Be Lit: Twelve Tenets of Claiming Your Light

Part One: Being All In

Live in color: Wholeheartedness
Dare to be you: Authenticity
Own your spin: Perspective

Part Two: Uncovering Your Treasure

Follow your joy: Enthusiasm
Redefine your wealth: Gratitude
Celebrate your gifts: Generosity

Part Three: Moving to Higher Ground

Respond to purpose: Meaning
Welcome adventure: Possibility
Trust your knowing: Intuition

Part Four: Taking the Road Less Traveled

Lead by design: Intentionality
Embrace mystery: Awe and Wonder
Live in Namaste: Reverence

Summary:
What does this have to do with Self-Care? (Live Q and A)

Course II: Self-Care Reimagined

Part 1: Introduction to Self-Care: What It Is, What It’s Not, and Why It Matters

Debunking common myths about self-care
How everything that matters starts with and depends on relationship to self

Part 2: Realms of the Mind, Heart, Body, and Spirit

A wholistic view of the Self
How a self-care plan is as individual as your fingerprints
Why self-care is fluid and always in motion

Part 3: Calibrating Wellbeing and Life Balance

Discerning the kinds of self-care that are right for you
Defining what wellbeing means for you
Recognizing how your life is in or out of alignment with your values

Part 4: Beyond Choice to Commitment: From Practice to Ritual

Climbing the ladder of commitment
What is the meaning and value of a practice?
Taking Self-Care from practice to habit, from habit to ritual

Part 5: If Not Us, Who? If Not Now, When?

Summary of course
Questions for Discussion, Thoughts for Self-Reflection

Course III: Essential Roles of Self-Care
Introduction – The Roles We Play and the Questions They Carry

The importance and relationship of self-care roles for balance and wellbeing

Exploring the Seven Roles - The Function, Values, and Essential Questions They Carry

Role 1: Trusted Friend – Self as Lamplighter
Role 2: Resource Manager – Self as Navigator and Coach
Role 3: Guardian at the Gate – Self as Boundary Maker
Role 4: Inner Warrior – Self as Wellspring of Resilience
Role 5: Keeper of the Flame – Self as Meaning-Maker
Role 6: Loyal Apprentice – Self as Lifelong Learner
Role 7: Wisdom Keeper – Self as Sage and Legacy-Maker

Summary and Overview

Not having to be all things at all times
Choosing the right role for the right time
Recognizing your strengths and weaknesses

Live Q and A

Course IV: Pathways to Self-Care
Introduction: Inspiring Change – Four Critical Directions

Pathways to Putting Self-Care into Action
From Action to Felt Experience of Wellbeing

Exploring the Seven Pathways: The qualities and benefits of each, suggested practices and actions, and Self-Inquiry for next steps:

Pathway 1 - Celebrate Small Steps: The Magic of Accomplishment
(Confidence, Progress, Productivity, Achievement, Gratification)
Pathway 2 - Let’s Get Physical: Attending to the Body
(Health and Wellness, Sleep, Boost Immunity, Movement, Comfort)
Pathway 3 - Mix it Up: Summoning the Muse
(Creativity, Fun, Imagination, Vision, Individuality, Artistic expression)
Pathway 4 - Indulge the Senses: Invitation to Beauty, Nature and Delight
(Connection to Earth, Awe, Pleasure, Comfort, Enchantment, Joy, Wonder)
Pathway 5 - Reach Up and Out: The Power of Connection and Service
(Belonging, Affiliation, Relationships, Purposefulness, Community, Generosity)
Pathway 6 - Expand Your Comfort Zone: Making Stretching Choices
(Growth, Challenge, Adventure, Exploration, Newness, Personal Development)
Pathway 7 - Rekindle the Flame: Returning to What You Hold Sacred
(Meaning, Reverence, Inspiration, Connectedness, Devotion, Spirituality)

Summary and Overview: Live Q and A

(PDF’s of tools and power points slides made available.)