http://www.colleenbryant.co.nz/blog/ The latest Blog feeds from www.colleenbryant.co.nz en-us Sun, 28 Jun 2026 03:40:06 +1200 Rocketspark http://www.colleenbryant.co.nz/blog/post/166732/untold-stories/ Another funeral today, my Auntie's. It happened to fall on the very day my Dad died, 17 years ago.My husband quietly said, "Such a short time ago, and yet so long ago."  My sister said, "He doesn't fade, does he?   And I found myself saying, "Seventeen years to the day... a bit strange."Maybe it's because I still live on Mum and Dad's farm, where memories seem to settle into the land, and I walk it often with my two sisters not far away.Today my two cousins sai... Thu, 25 Jun 2026 15:19:53 +1200 http://www.colleenbryant.co.nz/blog/#post166732 http://www.colleenbryant.co.nz/blog/post/166367/world-elder-abuse-awareness-day/ Today is World Elder Abuse Awareness Day.This morning I received emails from both the Office for Seniors and Heartland Bank, encouraging awareness of elder abuse. Most of us immediately think of financial scams, neglect, physical harm, or coercion. Those issues are real and deserve attention.But I found myself thinking about a different form of abuse.The subtle kind.The kind that doesn't make headlines.The kind that slowly shapes how society sees people once they reach a certain age.As a 68-year... Mon, 15 Jun 2026 15:45:47 +1200 http://www.colleenbryant.co.nz/blog/#post166367 http://www.colleenbryant.co.nz/blog/post/166240/what-can-i-actually-do/ Perhaps you're one of the many people supporting a loved one through a serious diagnosis.  When you're sitting in that waiting room, you may be:frightenedexhausted from researching at midnightpreparing meals that nourishtrying to understand unfamiliar medical languagedoing your best to hold yourself together while supporting someone you deeply loveYour Role as a CaregiverYour role is not to have all the answers.It is not to replace the doctors, nurses, specialists, or treatments.It is to st... Thu, 11 Jun 2026 10:57:25 +1200 http://www.colleenbryant.co.nz/blog/#post166240 http://www.colleenbryant.co.nz/blog/post/163994/old-ghosts-come-to-visit/ Lee Harris said this in a podcast, and I thought of it again today while reflecting on grief.We often say we miss someone who has died.Stephen Jenkinson, in Die Wise, describes grief as loving someone you can no longer see or physically touch.What a powerful thought.Perhaps grief is love for the unseen.That idea also made me think about identity — the versions of ourselves we once were, and the roles we loved and still do.Young bride.Traveller.Mother.Daughter.Business owner.Now grandmother.Som... Wed, 29 Apr 2026 13:35:00 +1200 http://www.colleenbryant.co.nz/blog/#post163994 http://www.colleenbryant.co.nz/blog/post/160367/trauma-informed/ I have been listening deeply to Gabor Maté’s work.After attending a recent workshop with him, my understanding of trauma truly cemented.For many years I have explored my own family’s intergenerational patterns — with the intention of healing myself, and therefore my children and grandchildren.Because what we don’t heal, we pass on.Gabor says trauma is the sum total of what we could not control as children.Our biology becomes shaped around beliefs — especially the unconscious ones.Trau... Thu, 12 Feb 2026 10:22:25 +1300 http://www.colleenbryant.co.nz/blog/#post160367 http://www.colleenbryant.co.nz/blog/post/156963/ageing-isnt-a-decline--its-a-relationship/ 🫖 From My Kitchen Table:Let’s Talk About Healthy Ageing — Gently, Honestly, and With a SmileI’m 66 years young, and if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s this:Ageing isn’t a decline — it’s a relationship.A relationship between energy and rest.Between courage and comfort.Between what once mattered to us, and what matters now.I consider myself someone who lives well — not perfectly. I eat foods that nourish me, I move my body in ways that feel good, and I protect... Thu, 27 Nov 2025 12:38:35 +1300 http://www.colleenbryant.co.nz/blog/#post156963 http://www.colleenbryant.co.nz/blog/post/149276/the-suprising-power-of-sunlight/ The Surprising Power of SunlightAfter a couple of soul nourishing walks over the holidays with grandchildren, parents and friends - along the beach, on the farm, through a forest I’m reminded of the powerful connection between nature and energy. Today, I want to talk about sunlight, mitochondria, and a little-known way to support your body’s energy engine.You might be surprised to hear that just 15 minutes of sunlight a day can help cool and protect your mitochondria from... Tue, 22 Jul 2025 11:50:19 +1200 http://www.colleenbryant.co.nz/blog/#post149276 http://www.colleenbryant.co.nz/blog/post/147629/-holding-onto-hope/ ... Mon, 23 Jun 2025 10:13:26 +1200 http://www.colleenbryant.co.nz/blog/#post147629 http://www.colleenbryant.co.nz/blog/post/147344/why-empowered-health-matters/ Last week, I had the privilege of standing with Alliance Health Coach at Fieldays in the Health and Wellbeing Hub. We were among remarkable organisations including the Heart Foundation, Breast Cancer Foundation, Neurological Foundation, Health NZ, Mobile Health, Groov, Rural Support Trust, Starship, St John, I Am Hope, NZ Police, Parkinson’s NZ, and many more.What struck me most wasn’t just the volume of support available—but the need for practical, heart-focused tools that help ... Tue, 17 Jun 2025 07:58:30 +1200 http://www.colleenbryant.co.nz/blog/#post147344 http://www.colleenbryant.co.nz/blog/post/142782/increasing-your-energy--practical-steps-to-take-today/ What If You Could Choose How You Age?What if aging with energy wasn’t just a theory  but something we could build and protect every day?If you’re like me, you probably grew up hearing “Do as I say, not as I do.” BUT when it comes to aging with vitality, I believe it’s the opposite. “Do as I do.”Energy doesn't come from wishful thinking. It comes from daily choices. This blog is about how to keep your energy — not just for today, but for a future where you feel... Mon, 10 Mar 2025 15:10:50 +1300 http://www.colleenbryant.co.nz/blog/#post142782