Spinning

Those of you who know me well know my motto: "Never miss an opportunity to share how you feel." So hand me a yard stick so I can prop open my window of disclosure.

[nelbelltells]

"Pivot. Pivot. Pivot!"

“Pivot. Pivot. Pivot!”

I’m thinking about a planning meeting I attended last night. We’re running a community event tomorrow. Our group leader was reporting back on some last-minute items, and I noticed she kept circling back to one issue. It was evident to me that she was really worried about playing background music through a Bluetooth speaker during the event (because it was on our lists of tasks provided by someone…

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[nelbelltells]

Trust Yourself

This week will live in infamy. It’s actually been more like the last month. But this week has been unique because I knowingly made a series of unfortunate decisions that complicated my life and the lives of my family members. And made lots of messes. Literal. Messes.Between one of my children and I, we spent a great deal of time in doctor’s offices and under anesthesia over the last month. It’s…

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[nelbelltells]

Forsaken: Part 2 of the 2022 Elemental Formula Shortage

A few weeks ago I shared my thoughts on the formula shortage based on the information I had at the time. Exactly one week later, to the day, the news broke of a whistleblower at Abbott contacting the FDA about his concerns clear back in September 2021. Connecticut representative Rosa DeLauro disclosed this report during a budget hearing last week and raised questions about the lack of response by…

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[nelbelltells]

2022 Elemental Formula Shortage

2022 Elemental Formula Shortage

I’ve been writing for a smaller, limited audience in recent years, but I’m back today in this public forum to both critique (OK, criticize) the public relations debacle and bring attention to the health crisis related to the global formula shortage occurring right now. This just blows my mind on so many levels. And the responsibility of the shortage/supply doesn’t necessarily rest on any one…

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[nelbelltells]

The Familiarity of Grief

The Familiarity of Grief

It’s the same every time. The news is delivered. My mind reels and spins and pivots, and this new information just bangs into nondescript barriers inside my brain. I can actually feel the information bounce around inside my head. Then my jaw drops and my eyes sting with tears and my throat starts to close. My traps tighten. The tiniest beads of sweat form in the triangles between the bridge of my…

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[nelbelltells]

Coexisting

I like my space. I need my space. I feel smothered when I don’t get it. I grew up as an only child so I had plenty of space. I suspect this is why I am this way today. I’ll make a point to say I am very affectionate, but I’m talking about aaaaallllll the rest of the time. LOL! I’ll hug you and might even kiss your cheek then I’ll back off. My best friend while growing up, who was not an only…

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Blessings

In case you’re new to nelbell.com, I’m gonna come right out of the chute saying I have amazing friends. I’ve written about them before, probably more than once, because along with my family, these people make up my village. Life would absolutely not work without them. My friends, as varied and unique as they are, are some of the most beautiful blessings in my life. Life is unpredictable and…

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[nelbelltells]

The Moment of Decision

On a recent Sunday morning, I was enjoying the quiet house before everyone started creeping from their bedrooms. I was mindlessly scrolling through social media while my thoughts drifted toward the day’s priorities. Those priorities included visiting family, intentional play with the kids, meal prep, feeding my soul, feeding my mind, and my daily strength & mobility training. No matter what,…

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[nelbelltells]

The Boundaries Paradox

As I continue into “middle-aged womanhood,” I appreciate the freedom to view the world from different viewpoints and not feel compelled to always have to choose a side. At the same time, I’m learning the importance of establishing boundaries for my body, mind, and soul in order to safely approach the world this way. Teaching this paradox to our kids is tricky with words so my hope is they will…

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[nelbelltells]

Sitting With the Thing

Sitting With the Thing

This happens spontaneously and automatically to me. In me? Through me? Something is said, often seemingly mundane, and I suddenly latch onto it and before I know it, I’m plunging all the way down to the bottom of the ocean with it. Sometimes I’m able to cup it and hold it close allowing for a smooth descent with little struggle; other times I have to wrestle with it a little, dragging it behind,…

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[nelbelltells]

Day 15: #GratitudeWritingChallenge

What an amazing experience this #gratitudewritingchallenge has been! I am calling this challenge a complete success. I can’t believe it was only 14 days long. Lord, Almighty, it feels like an eternity! Honestly, it feels like I’ve been writing these daily gratitudes for months. And it seems impossible that what I gained from this exercise was planted, grown, and harvested in only 14 short days.…

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[nelbelltells]

Day 14: #GratitudeWritingChallenge

I’m down to only two days left of this #gratitudewritingchallenge so even though I’m looking forward to finally meeting and moving on from this obligation, I’ve actually found myself rationing my gratitudes today, trying to choose which one I most want to write about. (No one better dare suggest I extend this challenge!)Then, suddenly this afternoon, a clear winner arose.I was working intently on…

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[nelbelltells]

Day 13: #GratitudeWritingChallenge

A few years ago I learned how effective and restorative two small actions can be: 1. Pausing, and 2. Breathing. In an argument or when you’re frustrated with a situation and even when you’re in physical pain, simply pausing to focus on your breathing creates enough space in the situation for negative energy to escape and new energy to enter. Breathing can reset the parasympathetic nervous system…

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[nelbelltells]

Day 12: #GratitudeWritingChallenge

I cheated a little on this one. I knew exactly what I would write about today. Today is our 20th wedding anniversary. But while I anticipated the topic, I’m still unsure how I’m going to pour my heart out while respecting my husband’s privacy. Let me give it a try.Today I’m thankful for the man who has been there through it all. I’m thankful he is the husband who has willingly remained by my…

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Day 11: #GratitudeWritingChallenge

I got up early yesterday morning to write my daily gratitude post while everyone was still asleep and the house was quiet. Then I hopped onto my phone and perused my Facebook feed for a few minutes. I came across a friend’s post asking us to share our favorite songs. I love anything with music so I shared mine. Then, on a whim, I shared her post to my feed and moved on. Shortly after, my daughter…

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[nelbelltells]

Day 10: #GratitudeWritingChallenge

Do you ever sit in line at the car wash and think about the people in developing countries who would be in shock to see such a thing? Huge populations of people face water shortages or no clean water at all or they have to carry water for miles in buckets just to meet their basic needs, and we’re over here parked in a giant shower stall with rainbow soap and high-pressure sprayers, sewer lines,…

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[nelbelltells]

Day 9: #GratitudeWritingChallenge

I went to bed last night and woke up this morning giving gratitude for our village. This is a common occurrence and I’ve written about our village previously in other writing communities. We have been and continue to be very blessed with an abundance of deeply caring and committed family, friends, childcare providers, Cub Scout leaders, coaches, and teachers who absolutely love our children. I…

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