WellnessWithHolli

Ms Senior America 2025 Community Service Award Essay   David Miller Memor ial Scholarship Holli Kenley – Ms. California Senior America 2025 In my first career I was a teacher, first at middle school and then at high school level. Although I met hundreds of amazing students and had the privilege of teaching many of them, there was one student - David Miller - who caught my eye at first glance.   During the two years I taught David in a discussion-based philosophy class - Theory of Knowledge - I got to know him well. More importantly, I witnessed how other students, friends, and faculty were also captivated by David. It was not only his thirst for knowledge and his voracious zest for accomplishment, but it was the honest manner in which he pursued his passions and his purposes. It was his beaming smile and his tender heart. It was his immeasurable capacity to be and possess all that is good in life. What I learned several years after David’s graduation from high school in 2...

How Courage Opened the Door to JOY Introduction Have you ever wanted to make a change in your life?  Have you ever said you were going to change and then nothing ever happened?  Have you wondered what might be holding you back? As I share my insights in today’s blog, I hope you will discover as I did that although change is never easy, its genesis lies within us -  COURAGE                   Background Almost two years ago, a deeply beloved member of our family suddenly passed away. I have experienced other losses in my life. But this one magnified the fragility of life and its stark brevity.  As I moved through my grief, I made a promise to myself – I was intentionally going to seek out JOY.  In order to do that, it would require Courage.  Courage to change. Courage to be vulnerable.    Courage to Change All of my adult life I have dedicated myself to helping others, first as teacher and then as a...

  Resolutions are statements about whether to do or not to do something.  We make them, especially as we enter into a new year, hoping they will encourage us to make shifts and changes in our quality of living. The problem is that when it comes time to implement them, most folks become easily discouraged, give up, and abandon them as quickly as they were made.  Unfortunately, after our good intentions have failed once again, we feel embarrassed. We feel regret.. and lots of it. Although there are books written on this topic, we're going to keep it simple. Let's take a look at  Three Tips For Putting Your New Year's Resolutions To Work!   Tip One: Start with realistic specific goals. One reason resolutions don't work is because folks avoid addressing "roadblocks." As you begin thinking about the changes or shifts you want to make, be honest with yourself about your current reality. What obstacles do you face?   What is your weekly schedule demanding of ...

  Dedicated to my Fellow Speakers  ~ Holli Kenley One year ago Twelve Speakers gathered together Excited. Eager to share their messages   Six months of preparation and practice Leading to this moment in time A TEDx Talk.  A Dream   They knew early on They shared a common theme Compassion. Caring. Giving to others   The audience gathered Confusion. Tech issues. Nerves. Each took the stage Each radiant voice illuminating a strand of possibilities – Learning.  Healing. Transforming   Voices of Courage to Change Charlene teaching truths about domestic violence, offering concrete tools for a path to freedom Holli providing new insight into shame and relapse, offering an empathic approach for a path to healing Veronica inspiring others to rewrite their painful stories, offering empowering steps for a path to  positivity   Voices of Commitment to Self- Care Martina shifting perspectives on the power of ...

  For most of my adult life, I have dealt with pesky skin spots and minor skin growths. A trip to the dermatologist has always remedied these nuisances with a quick freezing or a simple shaving .   Unfortunately, over the past fifteen years, the basal cell carcinomas which were easily treated on my back, legs, and upper chest began to surface on my scalp. While recuperating at home the last few days after an eighth surgery on my scalp, I am well-aware that my journey with skin cancer thus far may not be as life-threatening as with individuals who are suffering from other kinds of cancer, chronic illnesses, or serious conditions. Nonetheless, I believe in the concept of shared suffering and in the healing connections which draw us together.   Therefore, my message is two-fold. I have learned that I am not be able to control the progression or the outcome of living with skin cancer. However, I can embrace a mindset of self-compassion. Let’s explore three healing pro...

On Saturday, March 30th, 2024, I had the honor of competing in  Ms Senior California Pageant .  I participated in this beautiful pageant to model the importance of   Showing Up For Your Self  ! For my talent, I wrote and performed an orginal poem Where Is Your Beauty? This message is for everyone, regardless of age or gender! Where Is Your Beauty? Where is your beauty? Be still. Turn inward. It’s there. How is that possible?   Beauty is birthed from within. Its genesis?  A seed of self-worth. Waiting to be nourished and nurtured.   At first, the seed is watered and fed by others. Nutrients of Love. Compassion. Protection. Encouragement. The seed of self-worth takes root.   Time passes.  A stem of worth emerges. Fed with Confidence. Strength. Belonging. Acceptance. The essence of inner beauty begins to form.    All growth faces resistance. Outside forces can be cruel. Even forces close to us. ...

I'm so excited! On March 30th, 2024,  I will be participating in the  Ms. Senior California Age of Elegance Pageant! Before you chuckle or secretly judge me, I want you to know that I am doing this because I have learned the importance of Showing Up For My Self! And not just as a senior female, but throughout my entire adult life. And so, I pose this question to you – Are You Showing Up For Your Self ?   3  Reasons For Doing So! One: You Respect Your Self When you show up for Your Self,   You Respect Your Self.   This means that you take really good care of Your Self in all areas of your life.   For example, you make it a priority to take care of yourself physically and emotionally. You Respect Your Self by pursuing your interests, abilities, and talents. You Respect Your Self by staying true to who you are and what is important to you. There are many reasons why individuals don't take good care of themselves or lose interest in doing so...