Paula Nowak-Droog M.Ed., a Choose Love Ambassador in Canada, shares her story and what led her to Choose Love. She also shares about her work with clients to bring more wellness into their own lives and into their communities.
Why is it important to you to support the Choose Love Movement?
I grew up in a chaotic and stressful home environment. My nervous system was constantly on high alert. Attending to learning was challenging and processing information was hard work. I was taught to suppress my emotions. I did not have a well-regulated parent available to provide me with nurturing healing love. I often felt anxious at school and home. As a child and teen, I just wanted to feel good each day. Thankfully some amazing neighbours and teachers introduced me to movement and the outdoors. Movement in nature allowed my body to feel good. Eventually, my goal was to teach others how to feel good at home, school and work. Choose Love aligns with my intention as an educator to cultivate connection and belonging for every child. As a well-being coach and body + mind facilitator, I empower others to navigate stress, pursue well-being and to reclaim their joy. I teach children and adults how to calm their nervous system and integrate their emotional charge through movement, wellness modalities, and empowering well-being techniques. Nurturing our inner and outer well-being is self-compassion and self-love in action. Choose Love strengthens and empowers children and adults with practical tools to navigate stress and conflict and to create a world that values and cultivates connection and nurturing healing love.
How do you practice the Choose Love Formula in your life?
On an intellectual level, I love the 4-character values of the Choose Love formula. For me, the Choose Love formula is about putting all of these components into action. My intention is to experience the components of the Choose Love formula on a body and a heart level. As I embody the Choose Love formula, I have come to recognize that I must begin inward with me before I share these values outward. The formula of courage, gratitude, forgiveness, compassion and love needs to be turned inward on a daily basis. What does inner courage, gratitude, forgiveness and compassion in action look like? When I experience unconditional compassion, gratitude and forgiveness towards myself I can view the world with a loving and compassionate heart. I have learned that providing my inner world with compassion, gratitude, forgiveness and love is the most loving thing that I can do for myself and for others.
What inspires you each day in your business?
Everyday I get to do what I love. I feel blessed to work with people who want to make a positive change in their lives, in their families, in their work, and in their communities. Our deepest desire is to love and be loved. Each day, I witness people reconnecting and reclaiming their joy, radiance, and their inner love. We do this by reconnecting with ourselves on a body and heart level. We begin the inward practice with unconditional inner compassion. It’s inspiring to see clients and participants shift from stress into well-being.
What’s a fun fact about the work you do?
I teach clients and participants how to navigate stress and reclaim their joy. To observe someone visibly shift their stress level in a class, an experiential workshop or in a one-on-one session makes my heart sing! When a participant or a client realizes that they are empowered to shift their stress and calm their nervous system, it’s a gift to witness.
What do you appreciate about being a small local business?
I interact personally with every client. Whether working one-on-one or presenting workshops, being a small business allows me to set the pace and direction of what I offer to others in support of their well-being. I appreciate being available to people who live within driving distance for in-person sessions, but also enjoy opportunities to present experiential wellness workshops virtually and in person. I feel blessed to connect with so many inspiring people locally and internationally.
