Thoughtful Thursday

Motivation “I will never be able to lose weight.” “It is just the way I am.” “I always let myself down.” “I just don’t have self-control.” Do you have thoughts similar to these? They feel so true. However, thoughts like these are preventing you from achieving your dreams and goals. The truth is - the motivation you are looking for is an inside job.  You  are your motivator. And it starts with what you are choosing to think. As you are heading into the new year, it is the perfect time to look at some of the thoughts that are holding you back. Byron Katie developed a process of self-inquiry that includes 4 questions. 1. Is it true? 2. Can you absolutely know that it is true? 3. How do you react when you believe that thought? 4. Who would you be without that thought? After asking yourself these 4 questions, come up with a “turnaround”, a sentence that is the exact opposite of what you believe. Could it be possible the opposite is true ...

  It is almost Christmas!  Are your presents all wrapped and underneath the tree? Or are they shoved in the corner of your bedroom covered with a blanket hiding until you can wrap them on Christmas Eve? No matter when you get your presents wrapped, I think we have all spent time trying to find perfect gifts for those we love. Our kids. Our spouse. Our in-laws. Our friend. Our neighbors. We want to show the people in our lives how much they mean to us. But I think there may be someone you have overlooked on your gift-giving list for many years. No, it isn't your great-aunt or nephew. It is YOU. I invite you to consider what gift could you give yourself as you move into 2022. I am not talking about buying something for yourself at the store (even though I am all for that). What I have in mind doesn't cost you anything. I invite you to consider giving yourself a gift of self-compassion, love, grace, kindness, honesty, commitment, or un...

  Are you controlling or creating? When we spend our time trying to control the things outside of us, such as  other people's opinions, their emotions or behaviors we  limit the time we can spend creating. Creating things of beauty to share with the world. Creating opportunities to learn, grow, and serve. Creating stronger relationships and connection. Creating the life we want. A life full of love, compassion and joy.  I believe we were created by God, the ultimate Creator. That means creation is in our DNA! Our divine nature is that of creator not controller. As you approach the end of this year, I invite you to consider the following questions. Do you believe you are a creator? What would be different in your life if you believed this was true? How can creation be an expression of gratitude for the gifts, talents and abilities you have been given? Is there an area in your life where you can invite more creative expression? What would like to create in 2022? You ar...

The holidays are here. And with that comes many opportunities to feel all kinds of emotions. What are some of the emotions you are currently experiencing? Urgency? Overwhelm? Panic? Indecision? Our emotions can seem more intense with all that is going on during this time of year.  Are you ready to create a more intentional emotional experience this holiday season? If so, I want to teach you the Pause Principle. There are three parts to the Pause Principle. The first part is   pause to process . This begins by acknowledge what emotion you are currently feeling. Naming it and relaxing into it. Taking a deep breath and allowing the emotion to move through you. It is totally ok that you are feeling whatever you are feeling. Nothing is wrong with you. Your brain is actually working as it was designed. Your emotion is caused by sentences in your brain. Stories you are telling yourself. Allow the emotion without reacting, resisting or avoi...

My birthday was last week. It always falls on or around Thanksgiving Day. I haven't always liked that because my birthday tends to get lost in the holiday hustle. This year it was especially hard because my dad passed away on my actual birthday. Not the celebration I was expecting. I had to say good-bye to one of my biggest heroes. He was larger than life to me growing up. He was a man of integrity, strength and grit. He was one of the smartest men I have ever known. He may not have had a college degree but he could figure anything out. I remember once when I was little. I may have been around 7 or 8 years old. My friends and I were playing outside near the front of my house. A couple of them were arguing about whose mom was the strongest. I remember one of them saying to the other, "My mom can beat up your mom." Not wanting to be left out, I shouted, "Well, my dad can beat up a little person!"  I am not sure how I came up with that one.  But it seemed like a go...

  Most of us have all heard of the idea that what you focus on expands.  The human brain is so efficient that it is filtering massive amounts of information constantly coming at it.  There is no way it can process it all.  Your brain has learned over time what is important to you and what it can safely discard.  Imagine you have decided to buy a new car.  A white Subaru Assent.  Guess what? It is now top of mind and you will see that model of car everywhere.  However, sometimes the information we have trained our brain to look for doesn’t serve us at all.  Focusing on thoughts like: ”I do everything wrong.” “Life isn’t fair.” ”I am not enough.” ”Things never go right for me.” With thoughts like these, our brain is focused on finding evidence to prove these thoughts are true because our brain has decided this important to us.  Is that where you want your focus?  Is there information or opp...

  The 7 Day Gratitude Challenge begins today!  Gratitude feels "good"  to us because we experience a surge of dopamine in our brain. Dopamine is a chemical naturally created in our body. This neurotransmitter sends a signal from our body to our brain and is responsible for our feeling pleasure, motivation and satisfaction. A daily practice of intentional gratitude strengthens these neural pathways and reinforces an attitude of gratitude. A rush of dopamine feels great but there is even more to the power being grateful. Here are 7 benefits to gratitude to help inspire you as we begin our week of intentional practice of gratitude. One: Gratitude and showing appreciation strengthens and invites more relationships into our lives.  Two: Gratitude improves physical health such as reducing cardiac diseases, inflammations, and neurodegeneration while encouraging better self-care. Three: Gratitude improves psychological health by reducing frustra...