Cedar Creek Wellness

23/09/2022

This is what I hope we will be doing on Oct. 8.

Here's the itinerary:
12-3pm Set up and Arrival

3pm Ceremonies Begin with intention setting, grounding, and introductions

A gentle restorative yoga class with focus on pranayama (breathing techniques).

Vegetarian dinner will be between 6-7pm

After dinner, we will then meet again to light the fire, complete a reflection and releasing activity and a heart nourishing cacao ceremony.

After that, we will enjoy conversation and fellowship around the fire and an optional dance party.

Bed time is when you decide.

On Sunday 10/9

Breakfast foods and Coffee will be available at 730am. Catered by Cafe Racer. IYKYK

At 8:30 am, we will join together again for a gentle flow yoga class and meditation.

Then break down camp and head back out into your life.

Email me at Valerie@cedarcreekwellness.org to register 🎃

22/09/2022

Y'all, look how great this place is. And this is only part of it. The rest of the property is beautiful. Join Valerie and Ash for a lovely overnight camping retreat Oct. 8, 2022. Check it out at

https://cedarcreekwellness.org/workshops/2022/10/8/october-full-moon-retreat

29/08/2022

Join Cedar Creek Wellness and Flow Life Healing for a restorative camping retreat on Oct. 8!

https://cedarcreekwellness.org/workshops/2022/10/8/october-full-moon-retreat

11/07/2022

http://cedarsandthoughts.blogspot.com/2022/07/what-do-i-do-if-i-cant-find-therapist.html?m=1

Many folks are reaching out for support and treatment with therapists in these turbulent times. I receive at least 1 call (more like 3 or 4)...

25/11/2021

Prior to 1830, the land where I live currently, known as Athens Georgia, was inhabited by the Muscogee Creek and Keetoowah Cherokee. The original inhabitants were displaced from their land and violently forced west of the Mississippi River by the United States Government. Let us take a pause today to acknowledge and honor those indigenous people who died and were irrevocably harmed by that action.

Instead of perpetuating a false narrative about a fictional dinner party, let us give thanks for the the many gifts which surround us. Let us reflect on the interconnectedness of the human species, honor those who came before us, honor the land. Hoping that everyone is able to pause and enjoy a moment is grace, and connection with food and loved ones.

We deeply honor the light in each of you. With appreciation and love, Happy Thanksgiving.

*There are some links to articles with information regarding the indigenous history of this area. Please take a moment to learn about the people who lived and tended this land for centuries before European colonizers arrived.

18/10/2021

Our reading list for the fall. What are you reading or listening to that is contributing to your growth as a person? Share recommendations below. Our consumption of media effects our mood and well being same as our consumption of water, food, and light. So let's be conscious of what we are choosing to take into our awareness. Let us choose things which bring us hope, and understanding of ourselves and our fellow humans.

12/01/2021

Wage Peace - by Mary Oliver

Wage peace with your breath.
Breathe in firemen and rubble,
breathe out whole buildings
and flocks of redwing blackbirds.

Breathe in terrorists and breathe out sleeping children
and freshly mown fields.
Breathe in confusion and breathe out maple trees.
Breathe in the fallen
and breathe out lifelong friendships intact.

Wage peace with your listening:
hearing sirens, pray loud.
Remember your tools:
flower seeds, clothes pins, clean rivers.

Make soup.
Play music, learn the word for thank you in three languages.
Learn to knit, and make a hat.
Think of chaos as dancing raspberries,
imagine grief as the outbreath of beauty
or the gesture of fish.
Swim for the other side.
Wage peace.

Never has the world seemed so fresh and precious.
Have a cup of tea and rejoice.
Act as if armistice has already arrived.
Don't wait another minute.

26/11/2020

Wishing everyone a happy and safe Thanksgiving! We are deeply grateful for the clients who trust us with their stories, the community partners who trust us with their family and friends, and our own families and friends who support us along the way. We may not be able to be together the way we have in the past, but we hope you can spend some time in reflection today. Love and Blessings- 💜 Valerie

03/11/2020

Still, what I want in my life
Is to be willing to be dazzled
To cast aside the weight of facts
And maybe even float a little
Above this difficult world
I want to believe I am
Looking

Into the white fire of a
great mystery
I want to believe that the
Imperfections are nothing
That the light is everything
That is it more than the sum
Of each flawed blossom
Rising and falling
And I do.

-Mary Oliver
House of Light

08/07/2020

11/06/2020

11/06/2020

Part of dismantling systems of oppression start with looking inward and taking a hard inventory of your own biases. It can be hard and uncomfortable work. It's not cute for social media. It takes a lot of compassion for yourself, for the people you grew up with.

Learning the self compassion pause as taught by Dr. Kristin Neff can be a valuable tool for sitting with discomfort, anger and distress we may be experiencing currently. Not as a way to bypass that discomfort but to lean in. To acknowledge that it's hard. And to show up for the difficult work ahead.

https://self-compassion.org/exercise-2-self-compassion-break/

This practice can be used any time of day or night, and will help you remember to evoke the three aspects of self-compassion when you need it most.

04/06/2020

We at Cedar Creek Wellness are paying attention. We are deeply saddened by the continued murder of black people in this country.

We are rededicating ourselves to one of the core values of our social work profession - Social Justice.

We are dedicated to supporting our BIPOC clients, colleagues, and community members, through listening, holding space and actively challenging racism.

We are dedicated to the internal and external work of dismantling oppressive systems that cause inequality, grief, trauma and unjust deaths throughout the country.

We need to engage in collective healing, as we are all interconnected.

Stay tuned for more posts on small and big steps you can take to influence positive social change starting next week.

Take care of yourselves and one another out there.

05/05/2020

Check out this 11 minute discussion on Grief hosted by Valerie in the backyard.

https://youtu.be/OcW_ejgT3wE

Join Valerie for a short discussion on the grief process and how it may look different during this time of social distancing. Created for a video series pres...

10/04/2020

This 6 minute meditation with Valerie features some wisdom from Albert Camus and helps build the connection to your.inner strength. These times have us diving deep to make it through. Take care of yourself and remember you are always here for you.

https://youtu.be/uXROkjGtRuE

This meditation visualizes and strengthens that vision of your inner light, the inner light of your heart. Please Like and Subscribe to our videos and maybe ...

08/04/2020

We are excited to welcome Julia Turner, LMSW to Cedar Creek Wellness! She is available for telehealth sessions to help process whatever difficulties you may be experiencing. She specializes in trauma, mind-body awareness, and holistic approach to developing skills needed to manage life challenges. Contact her today at

Julia@cedarcreekwellness.org

To schedule your appointment!

20/03/2020

https://youtu.be/-bGU7owJWQI

This video offers a grounding body scan meditation to help you anchor to the present moment and refocus if you're feeling distracted or in your head too much...