Your Brain on Gratitude
Here is a wonderful article by a colleague of mine from Austin, TX – Jiovann Carrasco, LPC-S.
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Think The Thoughts You Want To Think
What we give attention to and think about is where our focus resides. Let’s make sure we’re thinking about things we want out of life rather than things we wish we weren’t encountering.
Unsure how to stop thinking about the things you don’t want? Imagine them as leaves in a stream floating by, not harming anything, just not needed. Notice them, then let them continue down stream. By letting them go you’re creating space for the thoughts you do want.
Have you tried this and you still can’t focus on the more positive things you want out of life? Send me an email and we’ll figure it out together. I love helping people get what they want out of life!
Team Mentality
Any time we have an adversarial attitude toward something we give that thing power. If we are the warrior and we are fighting against something that is currently in power we are admitting we don’t have power but we are trying to get it. But as long as we are battling and fighting we are not in control or have power and just keep feeding a viscous cycle that rarely ends.
What if instead we looked at things from more of a team or troupe mentality. On a team you have all levels of players and you’re in this thing together. You may not really know everyone on your team or even like some of the participants very much but your are still a team. You help support each other and you’re working toward a common goal.
So if you’re facing a situation that seems like a hardship, close your eyes, take a couple deep breaths and ask yourself, “What am I supposed to learn from this? What am I supposed to do with this situation?” and keep asking yourself these questions until you get (hear, feel, “just know”) an answer. If you go some time without hearing an answer it might not be that there isn’t one it might just be that you can’t hear it yet. Slow yourself down, quiet your mind, and be still for a few moments. And listen. Your answer is there waiting for you.
If you just can’t seem to slow down or quiet your mind, email me. I love helping people get to that quiet space where they can listen!
Thought for the Day
Information and energy and emotion flows in and out of us constantly. But sometimes we hold on to stuff we don’t need and/or we block getting the things we need.
Take a deep breath and close your eyes and ask yourself: What is it that I need to release? Notice what pops in your head.
On the flip side, there are also things we need to receive. Again, take a deep breath and ask yourself: What is it I need to receive? Notice what comes to you.
GLOW On…
What a wonderful evening with some lovely women. So glad to be a part of GLOW!
Here I am with Nicole and Kim from Louisville Salt Cave. Their opening in mid-September. Salt has some super-healing properties. Check them out at LouisvilleSaltCave.com.
Margaret and her husband Mike own Louisville Community Acupuncture. Like me, they moved to Louisville from Austin, Texas. And they are awesome. Acupuncture can do wonders for depression, anxiety, pain, balancing hormones, etc. If you haven’t been, give them a try! Find out more at: LouisvilleCommunityAcupuncture.com.
What We Feed, Grows
Or in other words, what we give our attention to, is what we see. If we are always focusing on the negative aspects of our relationships or lives, that is what we will see. If we start focusing on the positive aspects of our relationships and lives, that is what we will see.
When you start thinking about a topic in a new way you are forging new neural pathways. It’s difficult because your brain is not yet used to thinking about things in this new way. After a few weeks of repeatedly thinking this new way, the neural pathways get stronger and stronger. The former neural pathway becomes weaker and weaker.
I like to use the analogy of a hiking path. The way you have always thought about something (neurologically) is like a well kept hiking path, free of debris and well manicured. The new way of thinking about something is the hiking path that you need to forge yourself, getting scratched and dirty along the 
way. After weeks of hiking the new path you notice you’re not getting scratched as much and there is a visible path. When you look over at the other previously well manicured path you notice it’s starting to look shabby and overgrown.
Life is an adventure. Change doesn’t come without some discomfort. Stick with it! It will pay off in the long run.
The Lightness of Being
Imagine if, in the midst of our heaviest moments, we were able to feel the lightness of being.
This elephant isn’t over thinking the moment, worried if she’s going to be safe in the water or how she will get dry again. She just jumps right in and trusts all will be ok. And look how much fun she’s having. I bet that water feels so refreshing!
What if we were to experience life this way? Instead of worrying about the situation and thinking 10 steps ahead we trust that all will be ok. Hey, we may even enjoy ourselves!
Honorable Closure: Dealing With Grief and Loss
The themes of grief, loss, and mourning have been coming up a lot lately for me personally and in my practice. I’m remembering something from Linda A. Curtis that I want to share with you about Honorable Closure. She has a four step process for saying goodbye and moving on that can be applied to many different areas of our lives.
The first step has to do with Gratitude (a favorite of mine!): Tell the Old Story in a New Way.
The second step is about Willingness: Resolve any Regrets
Forgiveness is the third step: Let go and Let it be
Reclaiming Joy (experiencing joy is sooo important!!!) is the fourth step: Invent the Next Story
Allow these concepts to percolate and see what comes up. Be patient with yourself and what you are feeling. It won’t last forever but it is here right now so pay attention to what needs to be done.
Peace, Megan
