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Encourage and inspire

Encourage And Inspire

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We often have opportunities to use our energy to encourage and inspire others. I find many of us stepping out on limbs to follow dreams and passions cultivated by inspiration. Whether it be from ourselves or from close friends and family, it isn’t always easy to stay the course of the journey. You encounter many twists, turns, and detours along the way. Having some cheering and encouragement may be one of the biggest things that helps us to continue to move forward.

When I left the medical field to start my first business, I was often met by doubt, fear, and worry from others. I was certainly aware of the risks and didn’t have all the answers. I felt I had to dig deep into my passion to drown out many naysayers. I can also say that you have enough of your own doubts and worries when you take leaps of faith. I find that most of us have bigger battles within ourselves. We certainly don’t need extra layers of doubt and negativity applied by others.

It took me time and experience to look back and realize when people offer fears, worries, and negative feedback, it really is driven by their own insecurities. It can help to keep your circle small. Consult and confide in people that are helpful and encouraging. There really is a line between helpful advice and discouragement. Form your own support group of go-to people to bounce your ideas off of when you need to.

I find often that people aren’t always aware that they are not offering helpful advice. We can get into fearful habits of thinking which spill over into the advice we offer others. For example, there have been times I’ve shared ideas or plans with someone and all they offered in return was a list of problems they could find or ways it could go wrong. Without any encouraging advice to add to that, they may be a negative sounding board you don’t need at that time. I know often these folks mean well, but they are also expressing from their own fears.

When we are stepping into unknown territory, we may need to choose the people we bring into our counsel more carefully. It helps to find others who have been successful in that area. Often they know what it feels like to step out and need courage. They can be great mentors and counsellors. A friend or colleague who is strong in his or her own confidence can be a great cheerleader to help us through.

I’m not saying there will not be times when you need constructive feedback and help to steer down bumpy roads, but we can also choose supportive and more suitable counsel.
And not only that; when a friend or colleague shares their ideas and dreams with us, we can take the opportunity to encourage them along the way. When someone shares their ideas, hunches, and dreams, it often comes from a vulnerable place. Having the courage to speak your dreams isn’t always easy.

Rather than being quick to judge or find fault in their idea, we can step back and encourage their inspiration. You may not understand it to begin with because it’s not your dream. We often get in the habit of giving what we may think is practical and reasonable advice. However, what may be practical and reasonable for you may not be helpful to them. We can first give them the space to express their ideas and listen attentively with an open mind. You may not think their plan is a good idea, but as a friend you may be more helpful to keep that to yourself.

Years ago I spent about 5 years counseling people in my community in how to manage their small businesses. What I learned more often than not is that no matter what kind of help or advice they were needing on any subject, they first and foremost needed support and encouragement through the steps. As long as I could offer some support and reassurance, they could better handle the challenges they were facing.

We all need encouragement. Our inspirations need safe spaces to germinate and a positive environment to come to fruition. In these endeavors that feel scary or big, it can be very helpful to be selective in who you invite to your table. When the time comes to make announcements and share with the world, you can come from a more prepared and confident place. Not only do we need this support, we certainly can be better encouragers to others.

Electrical freqeuncies

Electrical freqeuncies

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More and more of us are living in environments where we are surrounded by technology and electrical frequencies. Whether or not you subscribe to the wifi signals and technology, they are still zipping through our homes, cars, and work environments. We are exposed to many layers of noise and frequencies not seen by the naked eye.

We run our lives, homes, and appliances on these invisible frequencies. We can be affected mentally and emotionally when we don’t create some balance for ourselves. The solution can be as simple as turning off some of our technologies and going out in nature. Just taking a break from the screens and the buzzing. It can give your eyes a chance to rest and even serve as a respite from the emotions stirred up by conversations.

Did you know that going outside barefoot for a few minutes can benefit your health? Research suggests that electrons from the earth have antioxidant effects. When you are barefoot and walk directly on the earth, the earth’s electrons are conducted through your body. Many people refer to this as earthing and grounding. Some evidence has shown a direct link between earthing and a reduction in heart rates, inflammation, cortisol levels, and overall stress. .

I know I can easily lose sight of how much I use my smartphone for scheduling clients, asking questions, communicating with friends and family, and even writing and posting blogs. Though my writing is therapy, I still have to utilize technology in order to engage in it. I have learned I have to take breaks from these things.

I’ve met some people who are very sensitive to this electronic field and who become sick due to overexposure. Which leads me to question whether or not we are all at risk of overexposure to the technologies that now play such a huge role in our everyday lives. We don’t all have to study research and science to notice how we feel when we disconnect from technology and take the time to enjoy nature.

Every small step we can do to help us feel better each day aids in our overall health. And for the days we may not have ample amounts of time for a hike or doing something fun in nature, we can do little things like going outside and taking off our shoes for a bit. Taking in some fresh air and tuning into ourselves and our frequencies. It constantly amazes me what a difference a few minutes of these activities can make.

Now when you can do a little more, jump on those opportunities as well. It can be a hike, a yoga session, a day at the lake, a relaxing massage, or simply a cup of tea. Carve out some time to deflect these bombarding frequencies and energies. When I was growing up, I often played outside and spent quite a bit of time in nature. It sure helped my immune system, my mentality, and my balance in life. Now being “plugged in” seems to be the new normal and we have to remind ourselves about the health benefits of being in nature.

I know many of us in the health fields talk about the importance of balance. Initially that may feel too big to accomplish regularly, so it can be helpful to acknowledge that many little things in each day can contribute to our health and balance when we run up against time. If you can sign up for a regular class or commit to a regular action that is unplugged and helpful, that is great. I find many people not taking any time to unplug and unwind because they put too big of an expectation on themselves.

Start with small, simple, and doable things. As these small moments add up, you can feel the benefits which greatly outweigh doing nothing. At least try to spare yourself five minutes to walk in the grass barefoot. Take a deep breath and relax. Balance some of these electrical frequencies floating more and more in our spaces.

Unite together

Unite Together

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As I reflect on my desire for peace on our planet, I keep coming back to thoughts of our potential power when we unite together. Together in our sovereign rights. Regardless of what race, color, religion, or lifestyles we engage in, we are in so many ways more alike than not. We are living on this earth currently and sharing this planet with billions of people.

Together we are inhabiting our mighty earth in our galaxy. When we take our focus away from our squabbles, arguments, and fears, we can see a much bigger picture. I believe in our potential and I believe we have the possibility for peace. However, peace on earth can feel a bit big for our logical minds to understand. How can we achieve this state when we see war, strife, cruelty, and horror in the media? I think this question is currently crossing many of our minds collectively.

First, we have so many ways to focus our attention and energy. We are powerful in numbers. The more of us that can practice peace within ourselves and in our everyday lives, the more we can impact our globe in a major way, but we have to be committed to this peace. We can fall short quickly when we allow ourselves to be easily triggered in anger. This can be a challenge when you turn on the TV, radio, and Internet. We are constantly getting reminded of the worst of circumstances, which in turn challenges our place of balance and clarity.

If our news media doesn’t want to take responsibility for the energy it airs and spreads, we have to take care of what we allow in and how often. We have the power in our focus, energy, and attention. We have the opportunity to fuel as much good as possible. I believe 20 peaceful people are more powerful than one bully in the room. Remember the loudest person doesn’t have to always get his or her way. We may have bullies. We may be experiencing some negative influences. This doesn’t take away our power.

Together, united despite our differences, we can harness the biggest power known to man. When we feel triggered by our emotions, we can take a step back to see where this is coming from. Is your reaction based on personal experiences? Could it be a belief taught to you? Could it be a form of fear? I think once you can give yourself the attention to identify what is upsetting to you, you are better able to work on these triggers. As we each work on finding peace and forgiveness within ourselves, we share that energy in the world.

Inner peace may require a little work, but it’s worth asking what kind of world you wish to live in. What kind of world are we creating for our loved ones and children? How can we ask our offspring to act peacefully when we aren’t demonstrating it ourselves? I don’t expect us all to live perfectly, but we can all be working on our inner peace. We are all exuding some type of energy. We can choose whether we want to work on anger or peace.

Treating ourselves with love and respect empowers us to give that to others. Treating each other as individuals with the same respect we wish for ourselves is one of the most empowering things we can do for each other and the planet we inhabit. Rather than treating people by the labels they represent, we can remember our humanity and respect our differences. We will all have differences at some point.

How do we accomplish this? We do it each and every day by how we treat ourselves and each individual we come into contact with. Whether it be in person, on social media, or through our thoughts, we can radiate better thoughts and emotions towards one another, even when we don’t understand them. It’s hard to understand everyone else when we have only walked in our own shoes. Honoring each other’s paths and feelings can allow some light and peace to enter our interactions.

We can meditate, focus, or sit in prayer for peace and positive thoughts. It is a power we can bring into our everyday lives. Not only are we affecting ourselves, but we affect others in the world. There was a study a few years back showing that when a large group of individuals sat in meditation for peace in planned locations, they were able to measure the crime going down 71% in those areas. Imagine how much more we can do together.

I hear so many friends, family, and clients express their desires to see more peace and less crime in the world. We can be active participants. Let’s unite together and demonstrate the peace we wish to see in the world!

Freedom

Freedom

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I was thinking about freedom today. What it means to each of us and how we represent that to others. I think inherently we all want freedom. Freedom to choose. We tend to want the freedom to choose what works in our lives and what doesn’t. The freedom to live where you want, the freedom to choose your career, the freedom to choose who you love, the freedom to choose your friends, and even the freedom to choose what religion if any that may be right for you. All day every day we make choices and most of us want to choose what is best for us.

We are all different. We were born as individuals with different likes, looks, mindsets, and cultures. How could it be possible in our world to agree on any one “right” way? That may be impossible, but what is not impossible is giving one another the space and freedom to choose what is right for each one of us. We are simply not all going to agree to like mustard.

When we spend our energy arguing and protesting each other for beliefs that do not belong to us, we are actually chipping away at our own freedoms. We receive the space and love we give to others. There is an old proverb that is a favorite of mine. I’m not sure who originally stated it, but it goes something like this: “There are many paths up the mountain. The only one wasting their time is the one running around the mountain pointing out another’s way is wrong.”

I’m not saying there aren’t situations in life that come across our path that we can help another. We have opportunities to share and there is nothing wrong with sharing your beliefs and passions when asked. The downfall is asserting you are the only one who knows the way or the correct way to live and be. We connect on a deeper level by attempting to understand each other. We do not have to agree with someone else’s way to be kind or be a friend. Some of our greatest connections happen when we can put our differences aside and work together. That kind of energy has the ability to heal humanity and our planet.

In our careers, we call it professionalism. I like to think in life, it’s called being a kinder human being. Respecting one another’s difference in beliefs. Not everyone is going to like wine and jazz music like I do, but I do like the freedom to choose how I spend my time. To hold that sacred, I have to allow the space and freedom for everyone to choose their own likes and paths.

I would just like to encourage you, the next time you are on your social media such as Facebook or a place where you air out your opinions, give a little space for consideration. The same freedoms you wish for yourself is the kind of allowance you need to give to others. Are you really for freedom or blocking it for yourself and others?

reprioritizing life

Reprioritizing Your Life

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Do you catch yourself making the statement that there are not enough hours in the day to do everything you feel you need to get done? If you feel that way, it is a good indicator that you could reprioritize your tasks and to do lists. If you don’t have enough time in each day, then there is a good chance you are not scheduling things you enjoy each day as well. It is very easy to get caught up in our busy schedules and lifestyles. I have done it several times in my life as well. Periodically I still have to reprioritize my schedule to find the balance.

Life can march by us so quickly, and if we do not create the time for ourselves and hobbies, they tend to get put on the back burner and never make it onto our regular schedule. I’ve not only seen it happen to many people, but I too have fought this battle with time. Many times we have said yes to more things than we can realistically handle with a sense of peace and happiness. Sometimes our situations change and we have to take on more responsibilities at work or our in our home life. When these things happen, it is a good time to relook and decide what you can continue doing and what you may have to let go. It doesn’t mean that you can’t try it again once things settle back down, or that you have to stick with an activity that isn’t working for you.

In this day and age, people tend to take on more than they can handle. We women are especially prone to this problem, and I’m speaking from personal experience. But that thinking can come with a high price. Is the reputation for your brain/ego more important than being happy?
I’ve come to learn over time, we can do many things well and still have time to do things we enjoy. Now I said we can do many things well, but not all. If you are not balancing some of your activities and responsibilities out, you end up spending more energy trying to keep up with them rather than doing them well. And why take on things if you can’t do them well or happily?

It takes a little listening to the soul to see what you can do within your lifestyle and they do need to come with some limits. Set time limits that you will allow for each task on your schedule. Often when we don’t, we bite off more than we can chew. And there are just simply going to be times that you have to let go of things you may not want to. If it is important to you, you can let one good thing go for the importance of another. For example if you are wanting to start your dream career on the side, you may have to let go of a meeting or outing you frequent to free up your time for the top priorities. I often hear clients talk about how they don’t have any time for themselves. Well, I’m going to tell you something harsh, only you can do something about it.

The boundaries you set forth in your life have to come from you. You have the ability and option to choose how you spend your time and where it goes. It may take some baby steps at first until you get more used to it, but only you have the power to make things better. You may need to give yourself permission to say no and decline a few activities. You can politely say you can’t fit it in your schedule without explaining or defending your time and personal reasons.

I feel the more we do this for ourselves, the more we empower each other to balance our lives along with giving time to our family and friends. Many refer to this process as time management, but too many of us do not manage the time well for ourselves. If you do not make the time for the things you enjoy, they do not have the power to make it to the forefront of what you want to do. So I encourage you to take a close look at your days and how they are flowing. Let go of the things that aren’t serving you well and reprioritize in the things you want to do more of. If I can balance as many things I do, so can you. I don’t get to do everything I want each day, but I do mix them up to where I can do most of them each week. A happier you, gets things done better and those around you will notice the difference. Do it not only for yourself, but also for those you love.

Reprioritizing is a gift to you and those around you. When you can look at it as a privilege it can make the transitions you need to make for yourself smoother. And it is a bit of trial and error to find a balance that works for you. Just remember that your schedule is just as important as everyone else’s….. and so is your happiness!

attracting things

Magnetizing Your Thoughts

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When you focus your attentions on the drama in your life, you will get more of it. If you can daily train your brain to focus bit by bit more on the things you like, love, and are grateful for, you can magnetize more of those things.

Even when it’s one thought or one feeling at a time. Notice how often you smile and feel a certain way in a day. It helps you to center your thoughts on the things that are pleasing and going well in your life. There is always something to notice, no matter how big or small. You can have several things going well daily, but if you continue to focus on the negative ones, you drum up the energy to receive more of the same.

The idea is learning to narrow your focus away from frequent drama. You get to choose what your mind ponders on and how much attention you give it. If you catch yourself constantly thinking about something that bothers you, stop and take notice. Give it some space and a break from that energy. Is it worth giving away your peace? Often the worrying we dwell in is out of our control. You can however divert your attention to more positive thoughts and outcomes.

Our expectations often meet us exactly as we set them up. That is a powerful tool to use to your advantage. If you expect things to go bad, often they will. When you really expect things to go well no matter what, they frequently do. The more consistent you can be with your thoughts and expectations daily, you can attract more things to go more consistently well for you.

Remember you are a powerful magnet. Energy flows where your focus goes. Pay attention to where you give your power. If you feel negative or wrapped in too much drama, take back your power and center yourself better. You do it with practice. The goal is for happiness and joy in your life. While you are appreciating and dwelling more on the good things working for you, watch and see if you attract more to be thankful for. Be choosy in how much time and energy you give to the drama that pops up.

judgements

Judgements Define Yourself

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I often try to remember a certain quote from Earl Nightingale when my mind is quick to judge another. “When you judge others, you do not define them. You define yourself.” When we are quick to point out what we think is wrong in others, we are really revealing what we are struggling with on the inside. We are mirrors for each other. Owning up to your own feelings takes some courage. If we find someone or a situation that really bothers us, we have an indication of unresolved feelings and something we can work on.

Generally when we make a judgmental opinion we are seeing it only from our perspective. We do not have all the facts. We also do not have the whole story. When we make assumptions we have limited understanding of another person’s actions or perspective. The art to kindness is learning to observe without jumping to conclusions. Realize you may not know the events that led up to the action and that it’s possible the person did the best they could with the knowledge and experience they have had in their life up to that point.

As we realize this, we also can acknowledge that our reactions reveal to others what is inside of us. You do not have a choice in how other people act and the decisions they make, but you do have a choice in how you respond. Let them be responsible for how they reveal themselves and focus on your interactions with others. When we pay attention to how we respond, we have a window into our soul that shows us where we are having difficulty.

For example if you encounter someone having a really bad day, it’s helpful to remember their actions do not have anything to do with you, even if they try to point the finger at you and aim the blame towards you. They are just showing you what is going on inside for them. Even if they try to point the finger on you and aim the blame towards you. When we blame others for our actions we take away our own power and ignore our own intuition. It certainly helps us learn to stay in peace while people we encounter learn to deal with their drama.

You can’t be responsible for other people’s feelings. That is their right and generally we want the same respect. You can however be aware of your actions and reactions. Look and see what kind of energy you are putting out. If you want more peace, kindness, or love, Show it.
Try a little less judgement and a little more understanding. It can sure bring you more peace in your life and less stress. When you focus on the frequency you’re putting out and the reactions from yourself, you don’t have very much time to left to consume the drama from others.

The more you can become aware of how you define and show yourself, the more we can be kind and understanding to one another. When we take the time to understand a little more of another’s perspective we can then help each other and mend our differences. We certainly are all created differently and we can celebrate and respect our differences rather than be so judgmental of them. Nor do we have to agree on everything to allow the freedom of others to choose what may be best for them. Don’t you like to receive the same?

let joy live loud

Balancing Our Thoughts

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Happiness can be boiled down to our choices in perceptions. If we are dissatisfied with how things look and feel, the key is changing our thoughts and perceptions to focus in a different way. It is the balancing of our thoughts that can bring about the happiness you may be searching for. We all have many thoughts during each day. We can surf, sail, or swim against the currents, but the most creative power we have is in which thoughts we entertain the most and whether or not we steer them towards joy or not.

If you don’t think your thoughts are very powerful or important to navigate, think again. The thoughts that swirl in your brain cells help mold and download your experiences. (Dr. Eagleman)

According to neuroscientist Dr. David Eagleman, “From cradle to grave we are works in progress. The brain is a battlefield. You might think you are making single minded decisions, but you’re not. You are made up of multiple drives all trying to be in control. As we make new memories, learn new skills, and have life experiences the brain is constantly and dynamically rewiring itself. It never stops. The human brain is always changing and therefore so are we.”

He also states “Our brain is like a prefrontal gym. Just like going to the gym and working out.”
I’m suggesting that you can “train” your brain towards more happiness using cognitive skills to help rewire your brain.

There are so many ways to understand the science of the brain and variety of paths for people to experience happiness. Happiness is defined as the “quality” or “state” of being happy. The state of being is a state of existing–a continuous act like a verb. So many people think of happiness as a result or destination, when in fact it is a choice you make every day. You choose the way you feel. Each person responds to circumstances differently. Whether you see the world as good or bad, it is still an individual choice. Same world, but we each look though a different lens. It’s how we choose to see.

Imagine yourself on a tightrope. Each day the rope is your happiness factor. Your thoughts are the balancing act. Happy and positive thoughts help you stay on the rope , and negative/worrisome thoughts pull you off. If you fall, there is a net to catch you, but if you can focus more on the thoughts to keep you on your rope, you navigate your brain towards more happiness. Over time you are strengthening your brain and improving your happy muscles. It is a balancing act like the tightrope.

If you are struggling with many negative thoughts this is an exercise you can try one thought at a time. You don’t have to turn it all around in one day. The ideas is to keep choosing better feeling thoughts to balance the tight rope of life. You gain strenth and momentum with practice.

Since we are always going to be a work in progress and we have the ability to change our brain, why don’t you consider exercising your brain towards the life you want. If you want more happiness, utilize this knowledge in your favor. Balance yourself well and remember you always have the opportunity to rewire your brain.

speak kindly to yourself

Being Kind to Yourself

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Are you being as kind to yourself as you are other people? Sometimes we are much harder on ourselves than we are on those around us. There is nothing wrong with trying to be better and a kinder person, but often we do not add ourselves to the list. When we aren’t kind with ourselves, it reflects in our life. We tend to have less patience with others and we also attract that type of energy back to ourselves. I believe our greatest gifts to others is how we treat ourselves.

It is not a selfish thing to be good to ourselves. As a wonderful friend and mentor of mine Jeff Brunson often says, “Taking time for yourself is a selfless act. You taking the time to make yourself better is making you better for those you serve.” That has always resonated with me because often we are taught the opposite. Though the years of working with clients, I have often heard people say they feel too guilty to take time for themselves or simply being good to themselves. Feeling guilty for being kind and taking time for yourself truly doesn’t serve us well.

When we deplete ourselves whether it be emotionally or physically, we cannot be very good to those around us. As the old saying goes, you cannot serve from an empty vessel. Not only is it a good investment to take time for yourself, it is equally valuable to be kind to yourself. The deposits you make into yourself are establishing what you give to others.

Think of yourself like a bank. Before you can withdraw funds, you have to deposit money. The same goes for ourselves. We can only pull out and give to others the time, energy, and feelings we have given ourselves. It’s learning the importance of not leaving ourselves off the lists. The more you invest in yourself and apply kindnesses yourself, you invoke a more positive experience for yourself and increase that energy around you and with others.

Leave the guilt behind and make sure you are on your to do list. And be as gentle and kind with yourself as you like to be to others. The more kind you are to yourself, the more kind you can be to those around you. To give good energy to our friends, family, and loved ones, we must deposit that energy into ourselves. Fill your bank with deposits of joy from the inside to experience joy in more areas of your life.

extraordinary

Make Your Life Extraordinary Now!

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Many people are working towards and hoping for their bliss. Instead of looking for ways to find an extraordinary life, how about making your life extraordinary now? The most power you have with your time is in the present. Your memories can pull you into the past, but you can not change it. You have the option to visualize or worry for the future, but the only projection of control is how you are perceiving it now.  
Consider what things you can do now to feel more excited and happy in your life everyday. It doesn’t have to be big or the same act every day. When you get lost in the everyday responsibilities, you can miss the joys in each day. Let’s say you have some chores on your list that you feel the need to get done, but aren’t very pleasing to you. Consider changing how you do them to be more pleasing. Perhaps you are folding laundry or cooking when you’d much rather be reading a book. I believe you can have more time for both. When working on a task that feels more like work, add a little fun to it. Play your favorite music. Pour yourself a glass of wine, or perhaps listen to a funny or inspirational YouTube to add joyful momentum.
I’ve tried these and I have to say they work very well. I’ve caught myself dancing while doing the laundry or housework especially when you pick your own tunes. And I’ve learned to really love cooking. If I’m cooking Mexican, I may put on some mariachi music and fix a margarita. Suddenly dinner not only got exciting, but the menu improved.  
The idea is shifting what you may feel as mundane chores into more joyful experiences in your day. I find that when I am able to enjoy the task, I not only complete it more joyfully, but also in a timely manner. Then often, I can treat myself to a few pages in a book, some art, or writing before the family comes to the table. I was able to take care of my family and save a little time to enjoy myself. Once I was waiting on my husband and child to come home from their martial arts practice and dinner was warming on the stove. Since I had a little window, I poured myself a glass of wine, put on some jazz music and colored a Mandala design in my (adult) coloring book. I probably only spent 15-20 minutes coloring, but I can’t express the therapeutic value in that little time frame. I felt relaxed and was kinder to my family that evening. 
It doesn’t matter how you implement your ideas, but start noticing what else you can do to feel more joyful throughout your day, even. Even when it’s packed full of tasks that do not always feel fun. By making these small deposits, the little things you do more joyfully each day turns your days into more extraordinary ones. You also stimulate your imagination towards fun. You may even be inspired to celebrate every day in small ways without needing an occasion to celebrate. When you can do more things you enjoy, you are more happy and content. Sometimes the challange is finding the time. I’m suggesting you add them to the things you are already doing. 

Turn those tasks and chores up to a happier level. The next time you have to make a call for customer service, try to add a smile on your end of the phone. See if it’s harder to get aggravated and perhaps your experience will be a little brighter.  
It really is adding a little joy and positivity into your everyday actions. Don’t wait for extraordinary. Make your life extraordinary now!