I would like to introduce you to three inspiring women who I have had the pleasure of working with! This is Part I of my blog series on local female authors.

Katherine Hole - Author of Loving Me, Myself, and I

As most of you know, in my other career, I am an Occupational Therapist. Something I do on a daily basis is teach mindfulness to clients. Mindfulness is awesome (post for another day). That said, through my experience, I have observed some really crappy ways to teach mindfulness that will turn a person off real quick. It is so unfortunate when this happens, because the scientific literature behind the immense benefits for mindfulness practice is quite solid and to facilitate someone's closed mindedness to mindfulness is a real crime. 

I was fortunate to meet Katherine Hole through my photography. Not only was Katherine friendly, warm, accepting, openminded, and amazing to work with, she has put together this awesome publication that makes mindfulness accessible, understandable, enjoyable, and "no pressure." 

We completed her photo shoot in and around her beautiful, rustic, cozy home on a property in the country. My favourite shots ended up being those in her kitchen, office, and with her dogs. She was so joyful and relaxing to be around which allowed for natural and inspiring photos. It was nice to be around someone who truly practiced mindfulness from moment to moment; not just talking about it. 

Katherine's products includes a guided journal and flashcards that focus on attaining balance and mindfulness "one step at a time." As a clinician, I was impressed with her product. I promise; impressing me is not easy on this topic. 

I did something I never thought I would do as a result of this encounter with Katherine; I took the mindfulness cards to work and started using the flashcards with my patients to teach mindfulness. Through her own personal life experiences, she has created a product that I think is better than what many clinicians put together for their patients. 

I KNOW about mindfulness. I LEARNED about it in school. I TALK about it 5 days a week. Do I practice it? No (well, okay, photoshoots are as close as I get, but certainly editing photos is not "mindful" for me). Katherine's journal and the mindfulness cards are the subtle push and reminder I needed to actually practice what I preach for a change. 

I've actually started painting a bit. I am more present with my dogs when I am playing with them. I am slowly finding ways to practice mindfulness in a meaningful way that is for ME, and not because I just want to feel like less of a hypocritical clinician.

I am currently looking into if my clinic can purchase more of these mindfulness cards for my patients. Maybe this is what our clinical brains need in our practice; something less clinical and more accessible for people.

So a huge thank you to Katherine for not only being an awesome client, but also for following her passion, being brave, being an artist, and for helping those through art (past, present, and future). 

You can get Loving Me, Myself and I on Amazon and also check out her website for other tips and ideas!

Next Week is Part II: Ashley Erin - Romance Author