Voices for Change

Time never pausing for anyone or anything. It is during these fleeting moments that we are presented with the opportunity to either embrace the outcomes of our actions or be burdened with the weight of regret. In the hustle and bustle of daily life, it is easy to get caught up in the chaos and lose sight of what truly matters.

Each passing moment is a chance to show appreciation, express love, and extend gratitude to those who enrich our lives. Whether it be a simple thank you, a heartfelt gesture, or a kind word, these small acts of kindness can have a profound impact on those around us.

Life is full of uncertainties, grief, love, fear, excitement and surprises,…

Building a strong love for yourself and life is important and can make your life better in many ways.

When you prioritize your own needs and set personal boundaries that honor and guard your mental, emotional and physical health, you are investing in your overall well-being.

When we place boulders in our schedule that honor and prioritize our needs first and foremost, and let the rest of life fall in the left over gaps, we show up with a full battery and bandwidth. We are able to give our best selves to those around us, rather than running on empty and feeling depleted, hoping that there will be time left in the day to do the things that recharge us. This belief is giving other people the best parts of you, and you're left with the scraps or leftovers.

By setting person boundaries(rules or in other words, parameters), we are…

By placing the blame on external factors, you are not acknowledging your own role in how you perceive and respond to certain situations.

It is important to recognize that you have the power to command your emotions and how you choose to react to different circumstances. Instead of pointing fingers, attempt to reflect on how you can take ownership of your feelings and actions, and work towards managing them in a more positive and constructive manner.

If reading this there's rejection, resistance, a feeling to not agree, that's something to be even more curious about. What's the positive intention behind the reaction of not standing in your own power and to continue to blame and complain about what other people say, think or do?

What if it's a protection? What if it's a way to brush what's needing healed or delt with off and it's leaving you emotionally dormant? You…

As funny yet complex human beings, we have a tendency to spend a significant amount of time and energy avoiding, suppressing, numbing out from and denying our emotions. We often try to escape from uncomfortable feelings by distracting ourselves with activities, substances, or even by pretending that everything is fine.

However, avoiding our emotions only leads to more inner turmoil and can prevent us from truly understanding ourselves and finding peace.

It is important to acknowledge and process our emotions in order to heal and grow as individuals. situations, people, or things that trigger us emotionally. This can be a natural response to protect ourselves from discomfort or pain. However, by constantly avoiding these triggers, we may find ourselves stuck in a cycle of fear and limitation.

This quote highlights the importance of perception and mindset in addressing challenges.

Often, our perception of a situation as a problem can be the biggest obstacle to finding a solution. By being open to seeing things from more than one angle, shifting our perspective, and embracing a more positive and proactive mindset, we can overcome obstacles more effectively and approach challenges with a sense of hope and possibility.

It is essential to recognize that sometimes what we perceive as problems are simply opportunities for learning and development. When we hit a wall or a sticky spot, it's a signal that's all. I love it when I find these because I know it's time to deepen my consciousness and look for the way through. Leaning in, versus running, hiding, suppressing, numbing out, avoiding, or just as bad, getting angry and resisting.

By getting curious we can unlock new doors and broaden…

Are your emotions being driven by the present moment, or by old stories and fears replaying in your mind?

It's important to recognize the source of our emotions in order to better understand and address them.

Knowing where they come from and how to navigate them is essential for having a healthy relationship with them and create a life that's rooted in peace(insert your own positive wording).

Sometimes our reactions are based on past experiences (known or forgotten) that have shaped our beliefs and perceptions. We don't need to know what exactly created a trigger, as this can take years to sort out and usually ends up pinning the blame on someone. This is disempowering and keeps you stuck in a negative feeling. It's like a dog chasing its tail. Simply understanding that your brain has logged an occurrence or possibly years of patterns, and a belief is formed as…

It's possible that the resistance you feel is actually a sign that you are on the brink of significant change and expansion.

When we lean in and get curious we are able to break through new barriers.

When we notice the resistance or negative feeling, we should see it as an inner voice, a protector attempting to keep us safe from the unknown. This takes the power or the grip out of the thought, reassuring that inner protector that this is indeed what we want, that it is safe, and that we are looking to move forward and grow.

Consider this time as an opportunity to push past the barrier of your comfort zone and explore new possibilities.

Embrace the discomfort, for it is often a precursor to breakthroughs and breakthroughs in personal development. Remember, growth rarely occurs within the confines of our comfort zones. So, perhaps this feeling of…

Responding and reacting are two separate actions that can greatly influence our relationships and overall mental, emotional and physical health.

Responding involves taking the time to consider a situation, gathering information, and then choosing the best course of action based on that information and considering your own personal values, morals, principles, and beliefs. It requires thoughtful reflection and the ability to weigh the consequences of your actions.

Responding allows for a more intentional and thoughtful approach to handling any given situation, rather than reacting impulsively. By responding instead of reacting, we can often make more informed decisions and act in a way that aligns with our values and goals. Leaving the situation with self-confidence and pride, knowing that what was said, done, or what behaviors were exhibited were in your own best interest. this does require thoughtfulness and self-awareness.

Some react when I point this out as time consuming and…

What sets these two groups apart is their thoughts, beliefs and attitude towards change and unpredictability. For those who think and belief a daily changes chaotic, they may struggle to cope, adapt and prefer routine and stability, likely would thrive on an assembly line with greater certainty and familiarity.

On the other hand, those who find it exciting, thrilling and maybe a rush may thrive on new challenges and opportunities for growth.

It ultimately comes down to individual's thoughts and what they are deeply believing.

Consider examining the underlying beliefs you hold about yourself or the situation that is causing your distress.

These beliefs will fuel your emotions and influence your reactions. By being aware of the underlying beliefs, and identifying and challenging these beliefs, you may be able to gain a new perspective and find ways to fuel the feelings you want to have.

In each session with different clients, I make a point to identify beliefs that they may not be aware of. To help raise awareness, I decided to include some common ones.

A belief is a subjective attitude that something is true, shaping how we perceive and interact with the world. Many of the beliefs that create suffering operate non-consciously, influencing thoughts, feelings, and actions without us even realizing it.

1. “I Need to Control Everything to Be Okay.”

There are countless ways in which individuals can greatly improve their mental, emotional, and physical health. Notice how they have a sensory regulation component. We can become more conscious, awake, and feel ourselves when we activate one of our five senses for more than 3 seconds. (sight, smell, taste, hearing, feeling)

Below are 15 simple, low-cost (or free) activities that can greatly improve mental, emotional, and physical health any day of the week:

1. Take a Walk in Nature -Fresh air, movement, and natural surroundings reduce stress, boost mood, and improve heart health.

2. Practice Deep Breathing or Meditation -Even 5-10 minutes of deep breathing or mindfulness can lower anxiety, increase focus, and enhance relaxation.

3. Journal Your Thoughts & Gratitude -Writing down what’s on your mind or listing 3 things you’re grateful for can shift your mindset and boost positivity.

It is important to be conscious of who or what is influencing your emotional state, as giving away that power can have significant impacts on your well-being. Take a moment to reflect on whether it is a person, situation, or internal thought pattern that is dictating how you feel.

By recognizing and seeing what of these influence you the most, you can empower yourself to navigate your emotions in a more intentional and healthy way.

Remember, you have the ability to choose how you respond to external stimuli and ultimately hold the power to command your own emotional reactions.

Who or what are you allowing to hold sway over your emotions at this very moment?

If you're living a life where you're blaming people, places, things, situations, and circumstances for how you feel you're likely living a life that feels overwhelming, heavy, isolated, and uncertain... there's a whole different way…

Bingo and you'll lose yourself in the process. I see this a lot with first responders, nurses, teachers and stay at home mothers..

When we spend years, decades serving and putting others first we lose grip with our own values, principles, likes, desires and goals.. doesn't have to be this way.. it happens naturally unknowingly.

If you are constantly preoccupied with concerns about how others perceive you, it can inhibit your ability to freely express yourself and tap into your creative potential. When you allow fear of judgment to dictate your actions, you may find yourself holding back and not fully embracing your unique ideas and talents. It is important to remember that true creativity often comes from a place of authenticity and self-expression, without being overly influenced by external opinions. By letting go of the need for approval from others, you can unlock your creativity and bring forth truly…

Taking back your power and focusing on one trigger at a time and healing what causes you stress and anxiety, you will notice a gradual sense of calmness washing over you.

Each trigger that you address and overcome brings you closer to a state of inner peace and tranquility.(or insert other words to describe how you want to feel)

By acknowledging and working through these triggers, you are taking proactive steps towards improving your emotional well-being and achieving a greater sense of overall calmness in your life.

Remember that healing is a process, and with each trigger you heal, you are one step closer to a more serene and balanced state of mind.

Reacting is a natural response that we all experience from time to time. Ultimately it's learning to slow down and respond instead of react.

By taking the time to reflect on our values, morals, and principles before responding to a situation, we are able to act in a way that aligns with our beliefs. This not only helps us avoid making mistakes it also prevents us from overriding our morals and principles.

It is through consciousness, self-awareness, and intentional actions that we can increase emotional intelligence. Emotional intelligence is a skill that will uplevel every aspect of your life.

By taking that pause and reflecting on how our values align with the situation at hand, we are able to make more thoughtful and intentional decisions. This not only benefits ourselves, but also those around us as…