The biggest problem we have is that we think we are not supposed to have any problem. But problems are the fuel for growth, progress, and learning.
When we are in the midst of a challenge, we usually feel overwhelmed & discouraged. We fear that things will never change, that we do not have the resources to navigate the difficulties. Remembering that things do not happen to us, that they happen FOR us, helps us to take a different perspective. […]
Miscellaneous
Abundance
What is Abundance?
At its core, abundance is the state of having more than enough of something. Abundance describes a situation of overflowing wealth, resources and opportunities. However, abundance is not just about having a lot of material things.
True abundance comes from a mindset of openness and gratitude. An abundant mindset appreciates what you have, rather than focusing on what you lack. It sees possibility in every situation and finds opportunities all around. […]
Acceptance
Resistance to what IS breeds dissatisfaction. Much of our pain comes from wanting things to be different than they are. Yet reality is as it is, and fighting against it is futile and only brings more struggle. Acceptance is crucial to stop suffering.
When we accept things as they are in this present moment, a deep feeling of peace can arise within us. Suddenly, there is no longer friction between our desires and reality. […]
Setting Boundaries in Conversations
Have you ever found yourself stuck in conversation at a family gathering?
Maybe you have a nosy aunt who loves asking you super personal questions you don’t want to answer. Or a cousin who manages to dump all their problems on you at every party. Feeling like you’re stuck in a conversation you can’t seem to get out of is the worst!
If this is an experience you have with close family it can speak to a deeper boundary dysfunction. […]
Glimmers
What is a Glimmer?
Valerie Kaur, author of “See No Stranger: A Memoir and Manifesto of Revolutionary Love”, tells us that Glimmers are:
those seemingly ordinary moments of wonder in your life — when you are arrested by the sunset or swell of music or your child’s face, and the line between you and everything blurs — are not throw-away moments.
They are actually portals into the sacred nature of things. […]
What Can a Buffalo Teach us?
Did you know that buffalos and cows behave very differently when facing storms? While cows will run away from an approaching storm, buffalos have a tendency to run straight towards it.
Cows see storms as a threat and react out of fear, so their instinct is to flee to safety. As they run away from the storm, eventually the storm catches up to them, and they naturally spend more time in the worst of it. […]
Shame
As children, we see ourselves in the eyes of those we love and respect.
Shame often begins in childhood through experiences with parents, siblings, peers and others.
Children are susceptible to feedback and learn at a very young age what behaviors elicit praise or disapproval from others. Repeated experiences of embarrassment, rejection, humiliation or/and disapproval can become internalized, shaping a child’s self-concept and belief systems.
These experiences may not be remembered consciously, but they are internalized in the unconscious, […]
Sound of Freedom
A Great Movie to See
We went to see Sound of Freedom on Sunday. It was released only in theaters on July 4, and it is now #1, making over $100,000,000 (up to today, July 20) overpassing Mission Impossible & Indiana Jones, in spite of being silenced by Hollywood, Disney, Amazon & Netflix.
It is the amazing true story of Tim Ballard, a former Homeland Security agent who after rescuing a boy from ruthless child traffickers, […]
Energy Givers vs Energy Takers
When it comes to energy levels, there are certain things that give us energy and others that sap our energy.
On the positive side, energy givers like healthy eating, exercise, socializing, good thoughts, gratitude and proper sleep. Foods high in nutrients and lower in processed sugar provide long-lasting energy. Regular physical activity can improve mood, sleep quality, and overall vitality. Connecting with others through meaningful conversations and activities energizes us and gives us a sense of purpose. […]
How to work with anger
Monica explores how to meet anger with conscious awareness
This article was first published on Lion’s Roar on June 28, 2022.
While I don’t consider myself an angry person, I have always had an open curiosity about anger. As a child, I remember experiencing deep fear in the chaotic moments of my mother’s angry spells. I felt helpless and anxious, but I suppressed these emotions because of my fear of adding more intensity to my mom’s outbursts, […]