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"You can't blend in when you're born to stand out."
~ Ryan Buchanan
There are few things more important than your emotional and mental wellbeing. External demands can leave us feeling drained and out of touch with ourselves. I didn't realize just how out of touch I was until I was faced with a traumatic injury. From the bottom and back out again, I share with you my story ...
Journey with me through the garden and witness spectacular and amazing changes.
This playlist (https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOy1bBHCRVigxkfVIbzrfGDHHifdDBVZS&si=F7sBbuHBdYleWGIn) of videos on YouTube represents my transformation and healing journey through the art of backyard gardening.
A few years ago, I experienced a mental breakdown from stress, pain, and trauma. I was also suffering from fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue, anxiety, depression, severe panic attacks, and PTSD, and needed to find a way to restore inner peace and balance to my mind, body, and emotions. And if all that wasn’t enough, I was hooked on prescription pain medication, legally prescribed, for a spinal cord injury.
Many self-help books listed gardening as a very beneficial way to find balance and harmony, so I joined our local community garden and learned all I could from the local gardeners on how to get started.
From there I was inspired to dig my shovel in the ground to get my hands dirty, while I was focused on putting the pieces of my broken life back together again. It didn't take me long to realize the amazing healing benefits of being outside and in nature all day long. I spent many hours in the garden; placing each rock in place and picking every weed.
Those rocks that I collected from here and there came to represent the pieces of my life coming back together and the weeds I endlessly picked out came to represent all the things in life that I had to let go of to balance myself back out again.
It didn't happen overnight and it wasn't an easy road at all. I completely left modern medicine behind in 2018; having lost faith in doctors and their ability to heal. I found an inner strength to go on that was born out of the need to end the suffering I was going through.
I soon realized the magic of gardening. Since my body experiences ongoing pain from the spinal cord injury, having beautiful flowers to look at helps me to cope with life in pain. The sounds and smells of nature are very relaxing and calming and taking the time to, "stop and smell the roses," is something I look forward to every day the flowers are in bloom.
I have put these videos in order so you can view each one and watch the growth and beauty of nature unfold in my backyard as I transform my disability into an ability.
Through the art of gardening, I discovered joy and happiness that overcomes the challenges of living life with a disabling chronic illness. It is my mission to bring awareness to the healing and transformative benefits the art of gardening offers.
Follow my story on the web @ www.nicolecicco.com and www.thesoundwithinus.com
Welcome, viewers, to a journey of self-discovery and empowerment. In the midst of life’s demands, we often neglect our own well-being. In this video, we’ll explore the transformative power of self-motivation and the importance of prioritizing self-care. Join us as we uncover practical tips to fuel your inner drive and emphasize the significance of making self-care a non-negotiable priority. Ready to embark on this empowering journey of self-discovery? Let’s dive in!
Summer 2024 Backyard Garden Tour
Public health services to educate, protect, and promote the health of all people in all communities.
Nature Park Clean-Up
Never in my wildest dreams did I think I would become a barbershop style singer in a chorus, but just like that, it happened. A chance meeting with a pleasant bus driver on a middle school chaperoning trip, and it was like the stars were all lined up for me that day. She told me about this group of supportive and amazing women who sang together at the local VFW every Tuesday night. Well, it happened to be Tuesday and as luck would have it, I was free. That was May of 2019 and I was hooked from the minute I walked in the door and met the group. They welcomed me with open arms and were so excited that I had a musical background and could read music. I had all but forgotten about those days of my life I spent as a musician until I heard the sound of my voice introducing myself to Karen, the membership coordinator. She is in the picture above. I was being drawn back into music like the way gravity draws us towards the earth.
I had left music behind in my early twenties when it came time to focus on a career, but it was always a secret dream of mine to learn how to sing. I just didn't have the guts, or time, or vocal talent for it. Having suffered from social anxiety most of my life, I knew it was going to be a challenge, however, I was ready for a change. I felt like it was time to leave the old me behind and try something new and boy am I so glad that I did. I have learned so much about myself and continue to grow each time I challenge myself to do something new. Being part of such a supportive and caring group of ladies has enabled me to overcome the anxiety and fears I carried with me my whole life. It has been such a rewarding and fulfilling experience for me and now a big part of my life. The sound within me has been awakened and I finally found my inner peace and happiness.
Not only do I feel more balanced and energized getting my hands dirty outside, but I also love all things nature. When the sun is out, I'm out with it engaging in something related to nature. I always check the weather and save cold, rainy days for housework, recharging, and researching.
This year, I decided to turn some unused backyard space over to expand my existing small vegetable garden and add an additional area to grow medicinal and kitchen herbs. Nature has been my greatest source of natural medicine and I love every minute I get to spend outdoors.
I am very sensitive to the energy other people radiate and feel every little subtle energy distortion. It can become quite overwhelming, especially with two teenage girls living in the house. There are many times when I need to escape to the outdoors for a quick rebalance. When the weather is agreeable, I love to take my exercise mat out to the yard for some yoga and meditation. I'll even bring my crystal bowls out sometimes or just sing to the trees. Being in nature is so healing to me. Also new this year, I'm working on some projects to add privacy to my surroundings so I can invite friends to join me for group meditations in my back yard. Check out the articles page for my outdoor adventures.
In the spring of 2019, I became a member of our local organic community garden and have learned so much from my fellow gardeners. I joined the events committee and had a blast bringing the events to life with members of my community.
Probably the most fun of the summer was when I helped to co-host our "Cooking in the Garden" event and did a cooking demonstration for the first time. It was another way I wanted to challenge myself to help overcome anxiety and it was a huge success. I'm looking forward to another great growing season with all the friends I made last year. Like my Shades of Harmony group, I am so blessed to be part of some really great community organizations.
Click on the image above to be re-directed to the Williamstown Organic Community Garden Facebook page for more information.
See the Community Garden section below for some highlights from our 2019 season.
Another important part of my healing journey has been my involvement with our local sustainability group called Sustainable Monroe Township. When I was no longer working a 50/60-hour a week corporate job, I realized how very disconnected from nature I had become. It also became apparent to me very quickly that I was living a lifestyle that was not sustainable or in harmony with nature. So, I joined our local environmental group and learned how to be a better citizen and caretaker of our abundant source of life called Earth. I feel like humanity has been carelessly taking too many resources from the planet and it is becoming urgent that we incorporate sustainable practices in our daily lives. I've made many changes like using solar energy, composting kitchen garden waste, installing a rainwater collection system, buying local, recycling, home gardening, and more.
Working with the Sustainable Monroe Twp team, I also co-host sound meditation events at our local library that are always free and family-friendly. See the photo gallery below for past sound healing events.
Check my Facebook page for current event listings.
In my commitment to the environment and to preserve wildlife, I registered my property with the National Wildlife Federation and my backyard is now a "Certified Wildlife Habitat." I have created a wildlife garden that attracts birds, bees and other pollinators. I have also brought in native plants, a shelter for the animals, and a water supply. My back yard explodes with life during the summer months and is such a relaxing and peaceful place to be.
I'm so happy at the effort I've been able to make to the outside of my home to make it as colorful and low maintenance as possible. Since I never know when severe pain is going to strike and require me to rest and recover, I try not to overwhelm my efforts. Sometimes I get so lost in yard work though that I don't take notice to the discomfort that is always lurking in the background. Pain doesn't wreck my day though when the birds are chirping and the flowers are blooming in blazing and brilliant colors.
Click on the image above to go to the NWF website where you can find out about certifying your property.
At Nicole Cicco Enterprises, we craft alchemical products by blending herbs, essential oils, and crystal essences to create custom herbal teas, Reiki-infused crystal jewelry, aromatherapy sprays, soaps, and skincare products. Our wearable art fashion line is designed to align with the chakra system, supporting holistic well-being. In addition, we offer transformative self-improvement classes, workshops, and events, all designed to inspire and empower you to awaken to your highest potential.
A quick selfie before our holiday performance at the Free Public Library of Monroe Township. December 2019.
Spending the day passing along the barbershop style of singing with the next generation of girls was a very fun and rewarding experience. I'm so happy I had the opportunity to be a part of that service project.
One of our extremely talented chorus members, Jeannie Cekala, wrote the screenplay for our fabulous Fall Friends & Family performance. It turned out great and everyone had so much fun playing their animal parts.
Welcome to this transformative sound meditation journey designed to enhance your yoga practice and cultivate a profound sense of peace, calm, and relaxation. As you settle into your yoga practice, let the gentle sounds envelop you, creating a tranquil space for self-discovery and mindfulness. Breathe deeply, release tension, and surrender to the therapeutic power of sound.
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