Archive for the ‘Flourish’ Tag
Preamble
Did you know you could change the hardwiring in your brain to increase your level of happiness? Neuropsychologists are showing us how!
Theresa’s TNT (Tip ‘N Tool) How To Increase Your Happiness
“What we appreciate, appreciates.” – Dr. Jean Houston
Our ability to enjoy our lives and experience happiness depends, in part, on our ability to recognize and take in the good.
Whether we recognize them or not, research shows that on average, we experience many more positive moments during the day than negatives ones. While our brains are hardwired for survival, based on our ancestral origins, we no longer need fear lions, tigers and bears. Yet, we often act as though we do.
In his book, Hardwiring Happiness, Rick Hanson, Ph.D., a neuropsychologist, tells us that with practice we can indeed change the hardwiring in our brains. One exercise that may ring familiar is to begin recognizing the things that make you feel good and the positive experiences that show up in your everyday life. A compliment from a friend, a note of appreciation from a client or employer, an unexpected win or an invitation to an event. What makes this seemingly small practice so powerful is taking a moment to relax and soak in the good feelings when they occur. In other words, don’t discount or brush aside the positive experience or good feelings aside. Invite them in.
Try this simple exercise to increase your happiness:
Start by assessing your current level of happiness. For instance, on a scale of 1-10, with one feeling no happiness at all and 10 feeling extremely happy, how would you rate your level of happiness?
Next, when positive emotions arise, stop and take note of how you feel. Notice any sensations in your body. Take a breath and welcome the good feelings in.
Do the practice for a week or two, then repeat the assessment. Notice any changes.
Like a gratitude practice, noticing the good things that happen in our daily lives, helps us refocus our attention and create greater health, happiness and fulfillment.
As always, I would love to know how it goes!
With love,
Theresa
Note: Theresa’s TNT’s will be moving to Sunday. Please keep an eye out, and if you find the tools helpful, share them with a friend. They just may thank you!
What would you like support increasing your happiness?
Email Theresa@reconnecting2you.com and schedule a 30-Minute Complimentary Consultation. It would be my pleasure to serve you.
Theresa Conti is a Certified Life Coach, Reconnective Healing® Practitioner and Workshop Facilitator with 25 years experience. Theresa’s passion is helping her clients realize their dreams and use their stress as an opportunity for positive change. To learn more, visit Theresa’s website or email her at Theresa@reconnecting2you.com
Website: www.reconnecting2you.com
Facebook at: www.facebook.com/Reconnecting2you
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Reconnecting2Yo
Yelp: http://goo.gl/1I8BNy
To sign up for Theresa’s mailing list, email Theresa@reconnecting2you.com or click the “Join My List” icon on her Facebook page
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Preamble
This week’s blog continues with the theme of change – those we wish to make, and those aspects of our lives that remind us that there are places within us in need of discovery and growth. Like buds that push through the ground in spring, we have an opportunity to emerge from the darkness of winter, embrace the Light and dream again.
If would like a little daily inspiration, visit my Facebook page, where you’ll find tips and tools, inspirational messages, educational articles, and more. (Tip: Click “Like” at the top of the page to receive the posts.) http://goo.gl/wiQofc
And, if you live in New York, or will be visiting the area, stop by The Red Pipe Cafe, located in Forest Hills, on Saturday, May 23rd for my upcoming Coffee and Coaching Event. You can find more information about the event in the Announcements section at the end of the blog.
EMBRACING THE LIGHT
“You may have suffered a setback, but don’t sit around in self-pity. Tell your heart to beat again. Tell your heart to love again…Tell your heart to forgive again. Maybe a dream didn’t work out, but nothing will change if you just expect more of the same. Tell your heart to dream again.” – Joel Osteen
Making big changes (or even little ones!) can be daunting! Fear of the unknown is a biggie that affects all of us in varying degrees, and at different points in our lives. The question is: are you willing to stay stuck and let it stop you or are you ready to take steps to break free?
We move at our own pace. Some of us are turtles. We move slowly, wear protective shells and retreat when we sense danger or need time to evaluate. Others of us are like gazelles that spring forward and move at lightening speeds. The good news is how quickly we move doesn’t matter. It’s taking consistent steps toward the lives we desire that make for lasting change.
Fear of uncertainty can tempt me to stop dead in my tracks and cause my imagination to run rampant, creating all kinds of commotion no man (or woman!) in his right mind would want to embark on, let alone make him want to leap into the void!
“What if’s…” are two little words that are enough to halt the cosmos and are huge dream stoppers, when we use them against, rather than for ourselves. Like a child that wakes in the night from a scary dream afraid of monsters, and whose parent turns on the light, the fear disappears when we wake up and discover there’s nothing there but the filters of our imaginations.
What helps each of us turn on the Light is unique to who we are and what fits us best in the moment. For me, it may be reading something inspirational, prayer, a walk in nature, meditation, reciting an affirmation or a call to a support person or friend. But the most helpful of all is surrender – letting go of fears and doubts, confusion and speculation, so I can reconnect to who I am and hear the voice of my intuition. Whatever the tools, we use them to remind us of who we are and that life is ours for the asking.
There may be times we retreat, or feel like we’re moving in reverse, but the opposite is true. We never stop growing or go back in time – like the bulbs that lie dormant in winter and bloom in spring, we are destined to evolve and flourish.
If you would like a tool to help you let go, you may find the following exercise helpful. Use it as written or modify it to fit your personal style. However you use it, may it help you to prosper and grow as you embrace the Light within you.
An Exercise in Letting Go: Releasing Your Fears to the Light
The Universal Light Box
- You will need a covered container or box for the exercise; small pieces of paper that can easily fit in the box, or index cards cut in quarters; and a pen. I suggest using a container or box that you find beautiful and pleasing to look at. If desired, you can let your creative juices flow and decorate it.
- Next, write each of your fears or concerns on separate pieces of paper, and include the date. Place them in your Light Box. Keep it short. A sentence works perfectly.
- You can continue to add concerns or fears to your Light Box as often as needed.
- As you put each concern into your Light Box, imagine releasing it to the care of the Universe. You might like to say a few words or a special prayer to help you let go, such as “I now release all of my cares and concerns to the Light,” although it’s not necessary.
- Then take a breath, let go and trust that the Universe is working in your favor.
- Empty your Light Box every month or so. Remove the concerns that you have released or that have been resolved and return the ones you are still concerned about to your Light Box and continue with the exercise.
As always, I would love to hear your comments!
With love,
Theresa
Announcements: New Free Coaching Events
Free In-Person Coaching Sessions in Forest Hills, New York
Do you have a dream or goal you would like to realize, but are having a hard time doing it on your own? As a Certified Life Coach, my goal is to help you get from where you are to where you want to be!
If you live in New York, or plan to visit the city, stop by the Red Pipe Cafe, located in Forest Hills, for a free 30-minute coaching session. As I usually offer Introductory Coaching Sessions by telephone and Skype, this is a wonderful opportunity to connect in person. During our time together, you will:
* Identify your greatest goals and desires
* Discover what’s holding you back
* Create an action plan to move forward
Date: Saturday, May 23 2015
Time: 1:00 p.m. – 5:45 p.m. (Last appointment is at 5:15 p.m.)
Location: Red Pipe Cafe, 71-60 Austin Street, Forest Hills, NY
Reservations aren’t necessary, but will guarantee your appointment. To schedule your free 30-minute coaching session, email Theresa@reconnecting2you.com.
Don’t know your schedule? No worries. Walk-ins are welcome.
I look forward to seeing you there.
Have a friend who might be interested? Feel free to share.
Theresa Conti is a Certified Life Coach, Reconnective Healing® Practitioner and Workshop Facilitator. She is the author of “I Am the Treasure,” a book of inspirational poetry, and creator of “Harvest Your Light,” a guided meditation program. Theresa has created and facilitated workshops on stress management, work/life balance, intuition development and other topics for law firms, hospitals, higher education, and other organizations. Theresa specializes in helping her clients gain clarity and direction about their life paths and guides them in identifying and achieving their dreams. For more information, please visit Theresa’s website or contact her at Theresa@reconnecting2you.com.
Website: www.reconnecting2you.com
Facebook at: www.facebook.com/Reconnecting2you
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Reconnecting2Yo
Yelp: http://goo.gl/BXiFgm
To sign up for Theresa’s mailing list, email Theresa@reconnecting2you.com or click the “Join My List” icon on her Facebook page.
Preamble
One of my favorite books is “It’s Your Time,” by Joel Osteen. It is filled with inspirational messages that remind us that we all have a Divine Destiny waiting for us to say “Yes” and answer the Call.
Your Divine Destiny
“Too often we procrastinate or we allow negative thoughts and self-doubt to discourage us from chasing our dreams. As a result our gifts go undeveloped. Sometimes, we allow disappointments and failures to steal our confidence, and again, our treasures remain buried. Insecurities and low self-esteem can convince us that we have nothing special to offer.” –Joel Osteen
We all have gifts, talents and abilities within us. Like the seed that contains all that it needs to grow into a beautiful tree, so do we have all that we need within us to give birth to our dreams. But just as the seed needs to be planted in the earth and requires the sun and rain to flourish, so we do need to plant our dreams in the fertile soil of our minds and say “yes” to the Call. Getting started is often the most difficult part of the journey.
It all begins with a desire, followed a the decision to say “yes” to something new, to change, to greater health, happiness and fulfillment – in whatever form resonates with you: a relationship, a new career, a new life path or direction. Then it’s up to you to follow the inspiration and guidance you receive. It may come in the form of a phone call, an offer, a book title, or an unexpected synchronicity. Stay open to the message and trust the guidance you receive. The more you act on it, the more will be revealed. And the more the seeds of your Divine Destiny will flourish.
If you need support in identifying your greatest dreams and goals, it is my pleasure to offer you an Introductory Coaching Session. We will get acquainted, discuss your goals and see if might work well together. To schedule your complimentary coaching session, email Theresa@reconnecting2you.com. I look forward to hearing from you.
As always, I would love to hear your thoughts. Just click on the “Leave a Comment” Tab at the top of the page.
If you live in New York, or will be visiting the area, I will be offering free in-person coaching sessions on April 11 and April 25 at the Red Pipe Cafe in Forest Hills. Please see the Announcements section below for more information.
With love,
Theresa
Announcement: Free In-Person Coaching Sessions in Forest Hills, New York
Do you have a dream or goal you would like to realize, but are having a hard time doing it on your own?
If you live in New York, or plan to visit the city, stop by the Red Pipe Cafe, located in Forest Hills, for a free 30-minute coaching session. As I usually offer Introductory Coaching Sessions by telephone and Skype, this is a wonderful opportunity to connect in person. During our time together, you will:
* Identify your greatest goals and desires
* Discover what’s holding you back
* Create an action plan to move forward
Dates: April 11 & April 25
Time: 1:00 p.m. – 5:45 p.m. (Last appointment is at 5:15 p.m.)
Location: Red Pipe Cafe, 71-60 Austin Street, Forest Hills, NY
Reservations aren’t necessary, but will guarantee your appointment. To schedule your free 30-minute coaching session, email Theresa@reconnecting2you.com.
Don’t know your schedule? No worries. Walk-ins are welcome.
I look forward to seeing you there.
Have a friend who might be interested? Feel free to share.
If you know someone who may find this post helpful, please forward.
Theresa Conti is a Certified Life Coach, Reconnective Healing® Practitioner and Workshop Facilitator. She is the author of “I Am the Treasure,” a book of inspirational poetry, and creator of “Harvest Your Light,” a guided meditation program. Theresa has created and facilitated workshops on stress management, work/life balance, intuition development and other topics for law firms, hospitals, higher education, and other organizations. Theresa specializes in helping her clients gain clarity and direction about their life paths and guides them in identifying and achieving their dreams. For more information, please visit Theresa’s website or contact her at Theresa@reconnecting2you.com.
Disclaimer: Theresa Conti is not a licensed medical practitioner and makes no claims of medical efficacy, nor guarantees any specific outcomes or results. She does not diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease and does not replace medical treatment. All medical questions are to be referred to your physician. All exercises and suggestions made by Ms. Conti are at the sole discretion of the user.
Website: www.reconnecting2you.com
Facebook at: www.facebook.com/Reconnecting2you
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Reconnecting2Yo
Yelp: http://goo.gl/BXiFgm
To sign up for Theresa’s mailing list, email Theresa@reconnecting2you.com.
reconnecting2you 