The only person you are destined to become
is the person you decide to be.
Ralph Waldo Emerson​
​
Bettering Our Nature: Nurturing Our Inherent Capacity for Wellbeing
At the heart of my approach lies a simple truth: wellbeing isn't something we need to create from scratch—it's inherent in who we are, waiting to be recognized and nurtured.
The name "Bettering Nature" reflects this understanding, speaking to both nurturing our authentic nature and discovering our deeper connection with the world around us. It's about finding our better selves and creating more wellbeing in ways that genuinely speak to us—not through products or external fixes, but by reconnecting with the inherent joy that exists within.
When we extend this sense of inner vitality to the greater world, when we see how our personal choices create positive ripples beyond ourselves, we discover something profound: in caring for ourselves authentically, we naturally begin caring for the world around us, creating healing spaces that benefit everyone.
Through this process of bettering our nature, we naturally create greater wholeness—within ourselves and in ways that ripple far beyond ourselves.
​
I believe that each person carries within them everything needed for their wellbeing journey. The journey to wellbeing isn't about becoming someone different—it's about recognizing and nurturing who you already are. Through this process of bettering your nature, you naturally create positive ripples that extend far beyond yourself.
Returning to Whole
At the core of this work is understanding that the whole of our wellbeing is truly greater than the sum of its parts. Your physical health, emotional vitality, relationships, sense of purpose, and connection to the world don't function in isolation—they're deeply interconnected. For instance, when you prioritize genuine rest, you don't just feel physically restored—you show up more present in relationships, think more clearly, and even make food choices that truly nourish .
​​
You are, at your essence, a whole person—but modern life has fragmented how you show up, scattering your energy and attention across competing demands. When we try to optimize separate pieces of our lives (perfect diet, ideal routine, flawless self-care), we often end up feeling more fragmented, not more whole. But when we nurture the connections between these dimensions, something remarkable happens: wholeness emerges naturally, with less effort than we imagined.
​
This integrated perspective shifts how we approach living well. Rather than adding more practices or following rigid prescriptions, we discover ways of thinking and being that honor complexity while creating sustainable balance.
​
​How do we stay grounded in wholeness while navigating life's complexity and demands? In my work, I've found several concepts that illuminate this journey—different ways of thinking that reveal patterns and possibilities. Together, they weave into a more complete understanding of how to nurture wholeness.
One of these concepts is the Vibrant Middle—a cornerstone approach in my work that honors both/and thinking rather than either/or.
​​
The Vibrant Middle: Beyond Either/Or Thinking
In our culture, we often find ourselves trapped in "either/or" thinking—believing we must choose between seemingly opposing options. Is this food "good" or "bad"? Should I focus on work OR family? Is this approach right OR wrong? This binary thinking can lead us to swing between extremes, creating patterns that ultimately leave us depleted rather than energized.
​
The Vibrant Middle offers an alternative to this "either/or" mindset—a rich, colorful space where "both/and" thinking can flourish. Like the vibrant spectrum of colors that exist between black and white, this middle ground isn't about compromise or settling for less. It's about discovering the nuanced approaches that honor complexity and align with our natural need for balance.
​
This concept applies to all aspects of wellbeing, from how we approach nourishment to how we manage our energy, nurture relationships, and engage with our communities. Rather than cycling between intensity and withdrawal, the Vibrant Middle helps us find that sweet spot where we can thrive sustainably.
The Vibrant Middle isn't a fixed point but a dynamic range that adapts to our changing needs and circumstances. Just as nature finds balance not through rigid uniformity but through diverse, interconnected systems, our wellbeing flourishes when we expand beyond binary thinking to embrace the rich complexity of life.
​
In daily practice, this might look like creating intentional work boundaries that honor both professional commitments and personal needs, rather than swinging between total immersion and complete disconnection. What emerges isn't mere compromise but a richer, more energizing experience—a space where creativity flourishes, meaningful connections deepen, and you discover versions of yourself that wouldn't be possible at either extreme.
​
Weaving the Whole: Four Interconnected Perspectives
Several other concepts weave through my work alongside the Vibrant Middle, each offering its own way of understanding wholeness:​
​
Trusting Your Nature
This concept supports authentic decision-making by helping you recognize and trust your inherent wisdom. Rather than following external prescriptions, it provides frameworks for adapting general principles to your individual circumstances, ensuring that wellbeing practices resonate with your personal truth.
​
Like a river that naturally finds its way around obstacles, your inner wisdom can guide you toward choices that genuinely serve your wellbeing when you learn to trust and listen to it. This manifests when you notice yourself naturally gravitating toward certain self-care practices—like morning walks or evening journaling—and honoring those inclinations rather than forcing yourself to adopt someone else's 'optimal' routine.​
​
Practically Well
This concept bridges the gap between deep understanding and daily living. It's about making wellbeing concepts accessible without losing their meaning. Rather than creating complex systems, it focuses on revealing the wisdom already present in our daily experiences and natural rhythms.
This idea is so central to my approach that it inspired the name of my newsletter Practically Well, where I regularly share accessible insights and practices that can be woven into everyday life. These approaches help transform abstract wellbeing concepts into accessible wisdom, creating meaningful shifts through small, sustainable changes. You might experience this when a simple practice like pausing to truly taste your morning coffee becomes not just a moment of pleasure, but a gateway to greater presence throughout your day.
​
The Ecology of Connection
Like natural ecosystems where diverse elements support each other, our wellbeing exists within a living system of relationships. Our connections with ourselves, others, our communities, and the natural world form an interconnected web that influences our overall vitality.
​
By understanding these connections, we can create small, mindful shifts that generate ripples of positive change throughout the system. This perspective reveals how personal wellbeing naturally extends to create broader positive impact. This principle comes alive when you notice how taking time for your own wellbeing naturally enhances your capacity to show up more fully for others, creating a positive ripple effect through your relationships.
​
Patterns of Wisdom
This concept recognizes that wisdom exists all around us, in the patterns and rhythms we observe in both natural systems and human experiences. By developing our ability to notice these patterns—whether in nature's cycles, community dynamics, or our own personal history—we gain valuable insights about resilience, adaptation, and sustainable growth.
These patterns offer valuable metaphors and practical lessons that can guide us through our own periods of challenge and transformation, helping us understand our experiences as part of larger, meaningful cycles rather than isolated events. You engage with this concept when you recognize similarities between nature's seasonal transitions and your own creative cycles, allowing you to work with rather than against your natural rhythms of productivity and rest.
.
​
You helped me get unstuck in an area
that I had been stuck in for about a year.
Coaching Client
​
Moving Forward Together
Whether through individual coaching, group programs, or written reflections, my aim is to create spaces where you can discover your own path to authentic wellbeing. I invite you to explore these concepts through whatever avenue resonates with you, whether that's through one-on-one guidance, a group circle or workshop, or simply following along with the insights shared in my blog and newsletter.
​
Remember, this journey isn't about becoming someone different or fixing something broken—it's about rediscovering your inherent wholeness and learning to live from that place. Through this process of bettering your nature, you discover greater wholeness—and that wholeness creates positive ripples that extend far beyond yourself.
​​​​​​​​​​​