47th Edition

I don't know about you, but Christmas music has been BUMPIN in my Caddy for several weeks now.

Some of my favorite Christmas songs are from Amy Grant's 1983 Christmas album (random fact - my first record was Amy Grant's 1984 Straight Ahead album).

But, I also LOVVEEEE some traditional Christmas music. Think Bing Crosby, Nat King Cole, Perry Como but especially THIS song...

So when I it came on my Spotify station the other day, I knew I had to share with you all some of my favorite things to celebrate the holiday season.

First, I'm covering 5 of my personal favorite things and then will quickly transition into some of my favorite things related to sandtray therapy.

Since I know all of us are super busy this time of year and may feel weighted down with the "gotta do it all" feeling of the season, I'm encouraging you to think about and even POST about your top 5 favorite things you love, sandtray related or not.

Doing this activity for you all allowed me to slow down and even have interesting conversations with those I love about their favorite things so I know it will be the same for you.

Now, let's get to it shall we?

My Top 5 Favorite Things

1. My family

As I considered some of my favorite things, I quickly realized that most weren't "things" but rather concepts, people, or experiences.

My family is far from perfect but they are much of what makes my heart happy, especially my nieces and nephews. Being part of their lives and watching as they grow into who they are is a huge part of my why - why I am choosing to slow down, why I'm choosing to have a life outside of my work and why I am constantly attempting to align my time with what I say are my priorities.

It reminds me of the old Amy Grant Song Heirlooms (guess I'm on an Amy Grant kick today?!)

Here's a picture of almost all of the family taken a couple of years ago at Branson - so much fun:)

2. Traveling and adventures

Over the years, my husband and I have loved having new adventures and traveling as much as possible. Of course, the pandemic has hampered some of that, but I'm still attempting to travel and experience the world given what is doable.

In fact, we were able to take all the therapists in our group private practice, True Hope Counseling, to Cabo to an all-inclusive resort just this past weekend.

It was amazing to experience the wonders of the ocean, beach, and to have time to soak up all of the real reasons we all work so hard AND to get to share amazing, life-filled experiences with important people in our life.

We even rented a private boat to snorkel and chill with just our group and did horseback riding on the beach. Check out the pictures below taken just a few days ago!

3. Introvert down time

While I treasure my family, friends, and those I GET to work with, I cherish my alone time. When I was a kid, I often laid in bed awake on Saturday mornings before the rest of the house got up. During this rare time of silence, I just looked at the ceiling, enjoyed my thoughts, and created new ideas and stories all without speaking to anyone.

Only years later did I realize that was NOT a thing most little kids do:) Now, many decades later, I realize that having time to not PEOPLE is nearly as vital to me as breathing.

Without time to just look at the wall, check out and be, I'm not able to be mindful of those blessings, like my family and adventures discussed above.

Over this holiday season, I've 'scheduled' in downtime just for me to BE. As discussed, this is a new adventure of sorts for me, but I'm determined to live into my priorities and blessings.

4. Tik Tok

Ok, so this one is not NEARLY as esoteric or sentimental as the first 3 but gosh darn it, I do love some good Tik Tok videos. I LOVE to laugh and Tik Tok videos often make me cackle out loud.

If you're interested, check out some of my top videos that make me laugh every time.

5. Books

I love to read. Reading was and is my retreat when the world isn't a friendly place. Reading has allowed me to travel and be all types of people while living in my small Southern town.

Part of my plan for this upcoming year is to read more. When my brain is going all day, reading for pleasure can be difficult. Grabbing new books and diving into an enthralling storyline are some of my favorite things ever. Fiction books, especially time travel, sci fi, and historical fiction make up my go-to genres.

BTW - I did finish Diana Gabaldon's new book in the Outlander series and it was AMAZING. Just FYI!

Now, let's talk sandtray!!

1. Jurassic sand - especially stardust sand!

While I am a hard worker, I do love things that cut out busy work, especially as it relates to therapy. For example, if I could elminate notes forever, I'd do that in heartbeat!

Now, why I love Jurassic sand

1. It's antimicrobial - cutting down on the need for constant changing of the sand (my version of busy work)

2. It's natural. Our bodies crave nature and when we can allow clients to ground in nature in the sandtray room, that's always a wn.

3. It's real people running a small business who care. Jerry - the "Sandman" - is passionate about sharing his love for sand and rocks and his team makes nerding out over new sand seem normal:)

Check out stardust below:)

2. New miniatures

The thrill of a new miniature is close to that of the endorphin rush that comes from books, which for me is saying A LOT.

When I find something that is unique and will allow my clients to give voice to those things that they have been unable to express, I almost (or do) get goosebumps!

I would like to think that my "miniature addiction" would wane as the years go by but not so far!

Check out one of the newest and coolest miniatures we have over at Miniature Madness that I'm stoked about adding to my collection!

3. Watching sandtray therapists transform

Part of my why is to help change the world one sandtray at a time. Through the ICST credentialing program, I'm able to really get to know sandtray therapists from all over the world.

When someone stays in your house for 2 weeks, you get to know them fairly well:)

Watching sandtray therapists learn, connect, and literally transform their lives over the months of training is beyond amazing.

Previous SSI sandtray therapists have transformed into things like...

-a private practice owner

-a new mom

-a new wife

- a happier, healthier version of themselves

- a lifelong friend with like-minded folks

Look at the 2 ICST cohorts who just completed their training this year..

Sound like something you want for yourself?

If so, put your name on the waitlist below. We're opening up special registration on Jan 3rd just for those who are on the ICST 2022 waitlist.

The spots go pretty fast so if you're serious about transforming yourself and your practice, put your name on this list 🙂

2022 ICST Waitlist

4. My miniatures organized and standing up

If you're anything like me, you know this moment is often fleeting but man when my miniatures are standing at attention and organized it's, *chef's kiss*

Gliding my hands along the newly dusted shelves and admiring my hard-won collection makes this sandtray therapist's heart grow 10X bigger!

Before each cohort comes to train, my team works diligently to do just this. Take a look at the pics that will make you have a little sigh of contentment as well.

5. The A-Ha moment

If you've been around Southern Sandtray for any amount of time, you'll likely have heard me refer to sandtray therapy as my "Get out of Jail Free" card.

I say it because it's true.

Because of how trauma is laid down in the brain and body, clients often simply DO NOT have access to the information about what is keeping them stuck. And because of how trauma is stored, words aren't often enough.

So what do I do when I don't know and the client doesn't know?

I do a sandtray.

And watch and be amazed at how much the sandtray reveals and heals through "just sand and little toys."

That a-ha moment makes it all worth it with my clients. All the trainings, all the time, all the storage that goes into being a sandtray therapist - WORTH IT.

Again, if you want to have these a-ha moments with all of your clients at any age, come train with me in Arkansas. Here's a link to the waitlist one more time

2022 ICST Waitlist

Now for your Christmas themed quiz!!

What is the most popular Christmas song of all time?!!

A. O Little Town of Bethlehem

B. White Christmas

C. Jingle Bells

D. You're a Mean One Mr. Grinch

Answer at the bottom of the email!

Important reminder!

You're going to get the chance to get credentialed in sandtray therapy very soon! We are opening registration January 3rd, 2022 for our next two ICST cohorts happening in 2022.

BUT! As mentioned before, we are doing something different than ever before...we're only opening registration through email for the first spots.

Last year, our ICST spots were GONE within hours of opening registration. This year, we're opening a special wait-list that will get early access to the coveted ICST training spots through Southern Sandtray and yours truly.

If you want on the special early-bird list, click below and you'll be the FIRST to get notified when we open the invite-only registration on January 3, 2022.

The dates and other info are listed on this waitlist page as well.

2022 ICST Waitlist

Wondering what ICST is all about??

It's the way you get credentialed to be a sandtray therapist through IAST.

For more info - check out this page below

https://southernsandtray.com/icst/

That's it for the 2021 editions of the Sandtray Ally!

Can you believe next time I land in your inbox it will be 2022??

Next time, I'll be bringing you lots of new info about an exciting FREE training series we have planned starting the end of Jan - but for now it's hush-hush about all the exact details!

Oh - and our Sandtray Suite PLUS members will have their miniature boxes landed at their doorstep very soon - our very own Santa Sean (my husband and business partner) took them on his sleigh to the post office last week!

We have so many plans and amazingness coming for ya'll in 2022! I cannot wait to share it with all of you very soon.

Have a wonderful holiday season and the best New Year!

Amy

P.S. Did you know the answer to the quiz???

B. White Christmas by Bing Crosby