14.4K
Downloads
321
Episodes
Weekly topics covering life‘s challenges with a positive spin and a new perspective. It‘s time to connect, learn, and grow!
Episodes
Wednesday Nov 29, 2023
Wednesday Nov 29, 2023
SHOW NOTES:
On this show…we are rising together by navigating life’s challenges with perspective and empathy. No matter what age you are I think we can all agree, that life delivers some rough patches, knee-buckling blows, and what may feel like unsurmountable issue after issue. But guess what, just like your miraculous body has incredible self-healing capabilities, so does your resolve.
The survival instinct is like a powerful toolbox loaded with things like will, problem-solving, adrenaline, logical thinking..just to name a few. We also have anger, fear, panic-grief, care, pleasure/lust, and play. Interestingly, it is thought that the most powerful instinct is “seeking”. Something that we generally give little thought or credence to. This is the instinct that moves us to explore our environment in order to meet our needs. All this to say, hang in there it may not be as bad as it seems and if it is, you’ve got skills to tap into to right the situation and get you moving forward.
Five hundred years ago, Michel de Montaigne said: "My life has been filled with terrible misfortune; most of which never happened."
Before you hitch up your saddle feathers, proclaiming the sky is falling let’s take a much-needed pause to figure some things out.
Steve Rizzo shares some insight on: You Are Bigger Than Any Challenge found at success.com
CHALLENGE: Take a moment before you react to put each challenge you face into perspective. Reach out for help with problem-solving versus isolating with your issues. All boats rise when we lift those around us.
I Know YOU Can Do It!
Monday Nov 20, 2023
Monday Nov 20, 2023
SHOW NOTES:
On this show…we are gearing up for festive family functions by setting clear boundaries that encourage us to engage while focusing on our own self-care. Now that might sound like another thing to tackle like cleaning the bathroom, changing the sheets, removing the dog hair, and setting the table but just wait. With the right balance, you can manage both with ease. Picture it, some soulful jazz in the background, festive candles a glow scenting the room and setting the mood. With the food prep completed and an hour left on the turkey, you’ve got your feet up enjoying a little pumpkin spice latte allowing yourself a well-deserved break before company arrives and…….the dorbell rings. Goodbye serenity hello familia dysfunction and soon-to-be heartburn. Happy Holidays!
Sound familiar? I’m not sure how it goes down in your world but for many of us, this rings true. Maybe you only have to get yourself ready and a onepot wonder to contribute. You park at the back for an easy exit and have no problem with excusing yourself and packing up your leftovers before you have a chance to hit the hot seat. Maybe you have already established some clear boundaries and scenes like these are a thing of the past. Congratulations. For everyone else, hang in there. Finding harmony during family functions can feel like an ill-fated attempt but don’t we want a picture-perfect holiday?
So let’s dig in and gain some new insights on setting boundaries for a blissful family function.
On the Better Health channel I found some insight into Family Conflict
CHALLENGE: Take a big breath and a step back. Use gratitude as your platform to build a functional and festive family get-together. Lead by example, sharing your calm and welcoming light even when chaos threatens to extinguish it.
I Know YOU Can Do It!
Tuesday Nov 14, 2023
Tuesday Nov 14, 2023
SHOW NOTES:
On this show…we are letting go and free-falling into our best life, embracing our journey, and searching for meaning. The description, of your best life, can be as subjective as they come. I think we can all agree that this involves some level of happiness, realized dreams, and measurable success but the degree to which you reach it can vary dramatically from person to person.
We must also recognize that the path to get there is personal and rarely a straight shot. How do our twists and turns factor in? To embrace our journey we have to start with acceptance, good or bad. Then we need to take responsibility so that we can find the learning that may be buried behind guilt, shame, or denial.
Then we need to pack our bags with the good stuff, let go of the bad stuff, and with a renewed commitment to growth, carry on with our venture through life. Defining what “best” means to you may change as you do and that’s ok. Be flexible in your definitions as you learn more for others, from yourself, and life.
Let me tell you about Granny, my husband’s grandmother who turned 100 on Veteran’s Day. Being a former Marine during WWII, this was especially meaningful. Granny lives her best life. Her parents were Italian immigrants who settled in Milwaukee. She married a military man and had 11 children. They moved around for his career, settling outside of St. Louis, MO.
Granny lives a life of service, to her family, her church, the area children through education, and to her community. She is an avid reader, writer, and piano player. Her positive spirit and passion for life have kept her spry for a century. It doesn’t take long to hear how grateful she is in any conversation. She doesn’t focus on the struggles that you would expect a child who lived through the depression to do, instead, she talks about gratitude for all the experiences she was fortunate enough to have.
For the people she has met, for the family she was blessed with, and the love she gave and received. Granny sets the bar pretty high in my book but what I’ve learned from her you get back what you give. She is so loved because she so loved.
Over at wanderlustworker.com I found You Get What You Put Out Into The World
Lucy Gower shares How to Live Your Best Life Starting Today found at lifehack.org
CHALLENGE: Decide how you want your best life to look and focus your efforts on putting that out into the world. Feel love by giving it; heart, mind, and soul.
I Know YOU Can Do It!
Monday Nov 06, 2023
Monday Nov 06, 2023
SHOW NOTES:
On this show…we are checking the personality pantry, exploring artful combinations and disastrous duos as we concoct the right recipe. Not all optimists should be created equal just like not all fatalists are wrong. Understanding who you are, what makes you tick, and what you’re drawn to in another human is important. A good blend is someone who lifts you up vs tears you down. I think we can all agree on that. Regardless of your current state, you can change infusing more of what you’re lacking by changing yourself and/or your surroundings. What traits are you drawn to? What traits do you excuse or immerse yourself in? It’s hard to want a sunnier disposition if you continue to encircle yourself with clouds.
I love this idea of a recipe. My husband and I had a season of creating ice cream. I say season because for a summer, we were all in. We bought the ice cream maker, researched recipes, brainstormed our future ice cream business (including names and logos), and of course….. thoroughly taste-tested our product. In fact, friends were curious about how we had room in the freezer for the ice cream we had created…HUH? There should be extra?
We actually got pretty good and it’s because we found the right base to build off of. All good ice cream recipes start with a base. Then you add the different flavors and elements to that base but the base provides the consistency. What is your personality base? What kind of mood do you experience with consistency? If you are primarily happy and optimistic then enthusiasm and joy aren’t a stretch. But if you are pessimistic and angry then humor and contentment might be harder to reach.
So let’s strive for a consistent positive base on which to build. Deal?
CHALLENGE: Diversify your recipe, inviting in differing opinions and ideas to broaden and challenge your viewpoint. Remove any barriers that are preventing your positive light from shining.
I Know YOU Can Do It!
Monday Oct 30, 2023
Monday Oct 30, 2023
SHOW NOTES:
On this show…we are checking the emotional chart circling the face that closely describes how we’re feeling as we attempt to solve the conundrum about dissatisfaction; trend or choice? What do you think? Are you choosing to be dissatisfied, purposely turning your smile upside down, and avoiding any joy as you struggle to remain unhappy? Maybe you don’t know what I’m talking about and that’s great! It means you’re in the shrinking percentage of people who are actually satisfied with their life, personal, and professional. But if not, let’s get to the root of it. What gives?
Benjamin Franklin said, “Let thy discontents be thy secrets; if the world knows them ’twill despise thee and increase them.” I tend to agree. Discontentment can spread like a nasty infection. Someone who is mildly discontented needs little push over the edge to full-on dissatisfaction. And what does that get you? In my personal opinion, it makes a very large hole that is harder if not impossible, to crawl out of. Ever heard misery loves company? If the bandwagon passes by…let it pass instead of flagging it down.
First and foremost, happiness and satisfaction are conscious choices. Will there always be trials and tribulations? Of course, but “What lies behind you and what lies in front of you pales in comparison to what lies inside of you.” –Ralph Waldo Emerson
Whether you’re curious or frustrated by the situation that surrounds us, let’s take some time to figure some things out.
Nir Eyal answers Why It's So Hard to Ever Feel Satisfied found at psychologytoday.co
Matt Walsh explores why Gen Z Is Finding Out That Being An Adult Is Hard found at the dailywire.com
CHALLENGE: Feeling satisfied personally or professionally comes from within. Your perception of any situation directly affects your reality. Take time to trace the source of your dissatisfaction and change your situation by adjusting your perception.
I Know YOU Can Do It!
Tuesday Oct 24, 2023
Tuesday Oct 24, 2023
SHOW NOTES:
On this show…we are attempting to clear out the clutter, find a place for the keep, and formulate a productive to-do as we work on organizing our thoughts; coming to terms, letting go, and making a plan. Do you find it difficult to concentrate on what truly matters when you’re overwhelmed with all the extra thoughts that flood your mind? How do you make space to focus? Most of the time we just move mental clutter from one corner to the next, neatly stack what we plan on getting to eventually, or cram another brain drawer with miscellaneous ideas we hope to sort out at some point. If any of this sounds familiar, keep listening. Don’t put off today what you think you will get to tomorrow.
Raise your hand if you’re carrying around a lot of useless information that you may or may never need to recall. Now, depending on where you are in your life, evaluate your brain’s hard drive to determine the bandwidth you’re working with. It may be time to do a data dump and reorganize your thoughts to make room for something new. It’s no secret that eventually, you run out of space. Let’s take some time to strategize a better way to organize your thoughts making the commitment to work through some unresolved issues and let go of harmful baggage we’ve been dragging around decade after decade. Deal?
Sarah Regan shares Steps To Let Go Of The Past & Actually Move Forward found at mindbodygreen.com
CHALLENGE: Invite in a trusted friend or professional to help you evaluate your thoughts. Instead of living with guilt, shame, and overwhelm, push back and be willing to take responsibility where you can and let go of what is no longer serving you.
I Know YOU Can Do It!
Monday Oct 16, 2023
Monday Oct 16, 2023
SHOW NOTES:
On this show…we are rethinking the traditional getaway, vacay, or holiday instead, opting for a trip through time to revisit, repair, or even research what’s next. Sure, a condo at the beach never gets old, and visiting family during the holidays is essential but what else could your mind imagine? How about handing John Hancock the quill during the signing of the Constitution, working TSA for Charles Lindbergh's solo flight in 1927, or casting the first female vote after the 19th Amendment went into effect? Maybe your time travel would be more personal like another day with a loved one, a chance to tell an important person how you really feel, or the ability to right a wrong and change your past. You might be curious to see how the other folks live like traveling back to the pioneer days, the great depression, or maybe a trip into the future.
Whatever that looks like to you, let's take a moment and dream.
Over at onewithnow.com I found If You Could Go Back in Time, What Would You Change?
Johann N. Neem enlightens us with Connecting Past to Present: The History Major in Our Communities
CHALLENGE: Spend some time daydreaming about where, who, and especially, when. Explore your interests, research, and revisit a time period that is meaningful to you, and change your own ending by how you narrate your past, present, and future.
I Know YOU Can Do It!
Tuesday Oct 10, 2023
Tuesday Oct 10, 2023
On this show…we are taking a step back, looking for the deeper meaning, and reviewing how far we’ve come as we question, why encouragement, and the power behind the practice. I’m attempting to do this raw and unscripted, off the cuff, and from the heart. As I approach my 6th anniversary of the podcast, I thought it was a good idea to fill in some blanks and revisit how it all got started. So, if you’re listening and looking for encouragement, I hope this journey will inspire you to step out on your own path to self-discovery.
CHALLENGE: consider starting your own journey of self-discovery. Helping others starts with helping yourself. Dive in deep to learn what makes you, YOU and what, where, and how you want to grow.
I Know YOU Can Do It!
Monday Oct 02, 2023
Monday Oct 02, 2023
SHOW NOTES:
On this show…we are checking our parameters, evaluating our relationships, and contemplating the need for self-preservation as we strive to understand boundaries; what, why, and how. Not sure if you need them? No worries, keep listening. Have them but not quite sure how to enforce them. Stay tuned because you’re in the right place. Boundaries, whether you set them and enforce them or you yourself are held back by them, are established to protect you or the person who implemented them. Setting healthy boundaries is crucial for various aspects of your life, including your mental and emotional well-being, relationships, and overall personal development. If you feel pushed, prodded, coerced, and manipulated, it may be time to stand your ground and clearly communicate what you will and will not tolerate.
I’m sure you’ve heard the phrase healthy boundary before but you might have been confused about what that means or why it’s important or not important to you. Healthy relationships in your life should be the goal but do those fall in your lap or are they cultivated? Both. Establishing boundaries in relationships sets the expectation of mutual respect. It helps others understand your limits and encourages them to respect those limits. How do you know you’re boundaries have been crossed if you don’t have them? Coming to an agreement with yourself about what you will and will not tolerate gives you a foundation for evaluating your current relationships. They allow you to make choices that align with your values and preferences rather than being constantly influenced by external pressures.
So open your mind and try to be objective and honest as we strive for a deeper understanding of boundaries.
Tamara Hill gives us 7 Red Flag Signs of Poor Boundaries found at psychcentral.com
At TalkSpace.com I got some advice I want to share on “How to Set Boundaries With a Narcissist”
CHALLENGE: Communicate to yourself and others that you value your own needs, feelings, and limits enough to set impenetrable parameters. Prioritize self-care and self-improvement without feeling guilty to help you make better decisions that align with your goals and values.
I Know YOU Can Do It!
Tuesday Sep 26, 2023
Tuesday Sep 26, 2023
SHOW NOTES:
On this show…we aren’t ducking our heads, crawling in a hole, or wishing we were invisible instead, we’re searching to understand tension both professionally and personally. Even the word tension elicits a tense physical response. No one in their right mind enjoys conflict and bad feelings but issues left unaddressed, become just that. You might feel challenged, unheard, overlooked, or even belittled but will defending every imagined injustice create harmony at work or at home? My guess is no. Ever heard the phrase “pick your battles”? While the context is about picking battles that you can actually win it can also refer to being selective and keeping the peace.
I for one, hate to be in a bad mood. Avoiding eye contact, tip-toeing around, and giving the silent treatment. It’s an exhausting game that I’m just no good at. On the flip side of that coin, I hate conflict! If there is a chance what I have to say might hurt your feelings or cause you any stress, I’m avoiding it like the plague. As a result, I tend to conform, get over it, let go, and move on. Is that the answer, not at all but it is something I’m working on.
What do you do when you’re faced with a tense moment that is causing you stress? What is your go-to reaction and is it something that is working or something you’re working on?
Let’s dig in to understand the different nuances of tension to find some helpful strategies we incorporate at home and in our workplace.
Jill E. Daino shares more on Emotional Stress: Signs, Symptoms & Coping Tips found at talkspace.com
On the Brainy Dose YouTube channel, I found info on The 5 Conflict Styles - Which Is Yours?
CHALLENGE: Trace your tension to the root to understand why it’s negatively affecting you and how to overcome these feelings. Resist the invitation to join the conflict instead, opting for a peaceful resolution.
I Know YOU Can Do It!