Thinking

Going With The Flow...

Do I "go with the flow"? How about when I don't like the "flow"? Sometimes the "flow" isn't really attractive and our first instinct is to try to control it or fight it. But, what if something else better is right around the corner? The next time you try to fight the flow, stop, and imagine what if?? Look for unexpected alternatives and opportunities... sometimes the most amazing things are right in front of us!

Mind reeling...

When my mind is reeling out of control, what am I avoiding? Often times when our minds get hijacked by reeling thoughts there's something else going on… something that we know we need to deal with but it's scary or painful. The mind reeling lets us deflect to something else. The next time your mind is reeling take a pause and really think about the most important things in your life right now and shift your mind to taking action...

Stop thinking?!

How often do I stop thinking? Do I allow my mind time to rest? Though it might sound counterproductive, sometimes stopping is the most productive thing we can do. Meditation is a fantastic way to let our minds rest… if you're not quite ready for meditation try taking a walk in nature, listening to calm music with no lyrics, driving without any sound (no radio, phone, etc.), drawing, or anything else that sets your mind free...

Creativity Daily!

What is my favorite creative activity? Is it part of my daily life? Adding creativity to daily life lifts our moods, helps us think more clearly, and allows us to practice thinking creatively. What's the benefit of thinking creatively?? Innovation, out of the box ideas, problem solving, seeing new patterns, designing new solutions... I could go on and on...

What Am I Avoiding?

When I think of the terms "I always" or "I never", what do I think of? What other absolutes do I use in my thinking or words (for example "my kids always _____", "my family never does _____")? Are these absolutes really accurate? Why? We often use absolutes to avoid making needed changes. Next time use "I choose" instead of an absolute term and observe how this feels. It's the start of a powerful and empowering mind shift...

How is my living environment?

What things in my living environment bug me and stress me out? What am I going to do to change these things? Our living environments are so important and if there are things that bug us and stress us out it's important to make some changes! (Think the room with junk, the closet that's disorganized, the room that's painted a color I don't like…)...

How do I spend my money?

How do I spend my money? Do I tend to spend more money on experiences or things? Much research has been done on the topic and the outcome is that people who spend money on experiences rather than things are happier. Sometimes people think of this in terms of big things like deciding to travel more and buying a less expensive car to cover the costs. However, small things count, like booking a massage instead of buying a new pair of shoes...

Where is my ego most active?

When I think about what I am trying to accomplish, am I more focused on what's in it for me and how it will make me look, or am I more focused on the need being served? Do I ever react to a situation thinking… "do they know who I am"? Am I unable to move forward with something I know I need to do because I feel inadequate and am scared of others seeing me fail? Thinking through these questions will help us find where our egos are most active...

Laugh!!!

When was the last time I laughed? Life can get really serious if we let it. Laughing breaks it up, lightens the mood, and helps us remember how it feels to be really joyous. Interested in more information? Check out The Laughter Clubs of India... they were started about 10 years ago by Dr. Matan Kataria who wants to spread laughter throughout the world. There are currently 3,000 laughter clubs in India! There appear to be a number of laughter clubs and projects in the US too... the idea is catching on!...

Stepping Out Of The Shadow... Even The Smallest Steps Count!

Think of something that I want to do, feel called to do, are feeling pulled toward, etc., but aren't doing and fill in the blanks in the next sentence. I'm not doing _____ because ______. Think about the because… is it absolute? Probably not. Why is the because holding me back? It's time to step out of the shadow of the because... what is one thing I can do to move closer to this thing that is pulling me?...