Fall Up Community Feature: Heidi Curry

Hi Beautiful Humans,

We hope that you're taking good care of yourself, your loved ones, and your community, especially as we move through this time of heightened global conflict and tragedy. Together we honor that the antidote to overwhelm is loving, compassionate action.

One of the many things that we appreciate about what Heidi shared, in our latest Community Feature, is how she prioritizes living alive to her favorite Gandhi quote, "be the change you wish to see in the world." It's a phrase we've all surely heard at various points throughout our lives, and yet how many of us are really living it? Heidi is, and we are excited to share her intentional, inspiring reflections from her ongoing Fall Up journey with you.

We invite you to make a tea, light a candle, and find a cozy spot in your home, to read Heidi's shares with the same presence and mindfulness that she wrote them with. 

Heidi, thank you for being such a vibrant, dynamic light, and for your courage in sharing your heart and your healing with us. 

Keep going, keep growing!

Together we fall up.

With love,

Jasmin 

Heidi

A FEW FUN FACTS

Favorite comfort food: Chips and salsa

Favorite feel good movie: Forrest Gump

Favorite power song: Dreams by The Cranberries

Favorite self-care activity: Yoga

Favorite healing ritual or modality:
Daily Bible app and weekly church services

We believe that to “fall up,” is to embrace not just your grief, but your life as a daily invitation to grow and transform. What does “fall up,” mean to you?

Falling up means learning from relationships with others both at work and home, in addition to embracing past experiences that could be perceived as “mistakes” and choosing to view those situations as opportunities for growth. Falling up means to choose to experience the grief, accept it, and see what the experience is trying to show you in your own personal growth. While this sounds so easy, it takes so much courage and decisiveness not to get caught in the trap of perpetual grief and helplessness.

Where are you most practicing “falling up” (choosing to grow and transform) in your life right now?

Boundaries! I have come so far this year in setting boundaries with others both at home and work. Learning to embrace self-love. I need to “put the mask on myself first,” i.e. care for myself first, before I can effectively care for others has been a struggle, but I now see the benefits of being committed to this goal. I no longer say “yes,” to all that is asked of me at work, as I have finally accepted that some activities are not aligned with who I am as a person and that is okay. I no longer feel guilty about saying “no,” well almost. I am also encouraging my co-workers to set boundaries within their own lives, and it’s become quite a common theme now for us to discuss boundary setting and how healthy it is for us! As Jasmin recently commented, “Boundary setting is almost your default setting now.” It is becoming so much easier to say no and confidently explain that the thing that I’m saying no to is not in alignment with what I enjoy, and/or the time commitment is not worth the time away from my family.

Which invitation from The Fall Up Method (the pause, the breath, the feeling, the healing), is calling to you most now? And how are you embracing this calling? 

The Feeling is calling the most to me right now, as I am finally allowing myself to feel and work through difficult emotions arising from truths that are beginning to surface. I have buried these truths for so long, as I was always taught to be thankful for what I have and not want more, even though I may no longer be fulfilled and feel I have a higher calling. One other post on this blog referenced the comfort one finds in remaining in the same “toxic situation,” and how the mind is tricked into thinking this is the safest option. I am starting to embrace this now, and interestingly, many of the Bible verses I’ve read lately and church services I have attended have focused on having faith that God can make what you think is impossible, in fact possible.

Anything you want to share about what you’re grieving, the growth you’re prioritizing, or what you’re celebrating right now?

I am celebrating the person I am now as compared to who I was at the beginning of the year. I have come so far in setting boundaries and communicating to others in my family and at work that certain communication patterns and expectations are not in alignment with who I am as a person. I now have so much courage to set boundaries and it has made so much of a difference that my contract is being negotiated to a much more reasonable schedule to maintain a better work life balance.

I AM GRIEVING:

My kids growing up and not getting along so well right now. We had so much fun when they were smaller going to theme parks, museums, the beach, and all sorts of road trips. During Christmas, I especially miss how we all used to watch Polar Express together with hot chocolate.  

I AM GROWING BY:

Accepting that was then and this is now. I am so thankful I was able to stay at home a lot with them when they were younger and for the amazing experiences we had. I am trusting in God that this is only a season and that they will all eventually get along again.

I AM CELEBRATING:

My growth this year! I am also celebrating my husband being brain cancer free for two years! I am celebrating that I am valued at work, and that’s why I am being asked to participate in so many committees and leadership opportunities. I am looking forward to growing on path as a Functional Medicine Nurse Practitioner, as wellness is where my passion belongs.

For those who may be hesitant to begin their grief healing and integration journey, what words of wisdom would you like to offer to them? 

Don’t be afraid to ask for help. If I had started this journey 7 years ago after my Mom passed, I think many things may have been different.  But, I am where I am and that is ok. This is an investment in yourself — similar to going to the gym or going to the spa. Changing the way your mind processes information, setting boundaries, and learning to love yourself are not easy, and Jasmin has been instrumental in helping me live my best life!

Photos: 1. Cross country skiing is one of Heidi’s favorite self-care activities 2. Heidi’s three dogs keep her grounded 3. Heidi loves yoga 4. Family trip to Disney World — one of Heidi’s favorite self-care activities 5. Heidi with her beloved Dad before he passed 6. Heidi’s children with her beloved Mom before she passed. We honor especially Heidi’s parents and the way Heidi took care of them, alongside her family, and work.