Have you ever stopped to think about the ideas and beliefs that guide your life? We all carry a treasure trove of thoughts, viewpoints and beliefs that make us who we are. Most of them have been there before our eighth birthday. But guess what? Some of these beliefs are not serving you, they are actually keeping you stuck and preventing you from creating a life you love.
Let’s dive into the world of programmed beliefs or paradigms – those habitual thoughts, housed in our subconscious mind, that shape our lives without us even realizing it. Let's explore how questioning these beliefs can be your passport to creating a life you love!
Programmed beliefs or paradigms are like the computer software of your mind – they dictate your thoughts, feelings, actions and results, often without your conscious approval. Some of these beliefs are moving you forward, while others are keeping you stuck. Because these beliefs have been a part of you since a very early age you think that they are set in stone but they're more like clay that you can mold and reshape. Many of the beliefs you hold are not even rooted in truth. They are things you have come to believe about yourself and the world, but they were actually put there by someone else. Your parents, your teachers, your culture, your religion, society, traumas or experiences you have had as a child have all shaped the beliefs you now hold.
These programmed beliefs that are housed in your subconscious mind, have incredible power in your life. They determine and affect every aspects of your life, creating a ripple effect:
The great news is we can reprogram subconscious beliefs! We can choose new beliefs, those that support us in creating the life we desire. We can transform our lives through rewriting our beliefs and making them a part of our subconscious program. Here are the steps to begin that transformation:
Embrace this journey of curiosity and transformation. Be gentle and compassionate with yourself as you may encounter some challenging thoughts and beliefs along the way. Continue asking yourself questions. Those questions will lead you to the new beliefs you need, to create what you desire. Remember, everything you need is inside you. As you peel back the layers of old ideas and beliefs, and begin to reprogram your subconscious mind, you're making room for all the potential and possibilities that live inside you!
Kelly-Anne Appleton is a Mindset & Manifestation Coach who helps women 40+ stop settling and create a life they love! Through 1:1 and group coaching Kelly-Anne helps women reprogram the beliefs that are keeping them stuck, rewrite their self image and amplify their results. She shares meaningful insights and tips to help you live a life you love on Instagram and Facebook.
As women, we traditionally experience a lot of stress and stressors, not only being responsible for ourselves but also for our partners, children, grandchildren and our vocation. Women ruminate, seemingly endlessly, on things out of our control.
As our spirit connects more deeply in our core, our human “monkey brain” experience works to make sense of what our true essence, our spirit, really wants. When we can calm, surrender and just BE, we tap into our truth, our connection to our inner guide, our spirit.
With so many distractions in life, it is often our last thought to just BE with ourself, to self care, to turn off and to listen to our inner guidance. Many women are in fight or flight mode with heightened stress hormones and with an overactive central nervous system. This sabotages the spiritual work we do, not allowing us to connect fully into our true self. We are too distracted by external factors unconsciously activating our physiological response.
The best thing we can do is consciously calm our physical body to be able to connect more fully to our spiritual and energetic or auric body.
10 simple ways to reconnect with our spirit and calm your central nervous system:
1. Hum, sing or chant. It’s quick and easy to do.
2. Breathe. 10 DEEP concentrated breaths or 4-7-8 breathing.
3. Meditate.
4. Ground in nature, literally. Stand on grass in bare feet, walk in a forest.
5. Listen to relaxing music such as meditation music or binaural beats.
6. Stretch.
7. Repeat mantras such as “I am safe and secure.”
8. Massage your ears
9. Go for a massage
10. Garden (play in the earth - grounding)
Do your best to do 3 each day and see what effect it has. And once done, LISTEN for your spirit. How does your energy feel?
“This is just who I am. I can’t change now.”
Have you ever said those words?
Is it true? Are you destined to be the same person, with the same personality forever? Most of us think so.
Well, get ready for a paradigm shift!
It turns out that our personality, our consistent attitudes and behaviours are not set in stone, contrary to what we've been led to believe.
Most of us believe that our personality is innate, like an unchangeable fingerprint, defining who we are and how we behave. It's as if we were assigned a fixed set of traits at birth and are stuck with them forever. We believe our personality is our real, authentic self. But hold on tight, because that view is being challenged by the research!
Our personality is not set in stone, it has been programmed and conditioned by our past. Each person and experience in our lives, especially as children, has shaped our thoughts, attitudes and behaviours and that programming has played on repeat in our lives. That programming has become so automatic that we have come to believe this is just who we are… We are just like our mom, or our grandma, and there is nothing we can do about it.
The research and my own personal experience is telling us that we can absolutely change our personality and create a new identity. We can choose to become more confident, more optimistic, more compassionate, more creative if we believe we can. Your personality is a work in progress!
For most people, the idea that you can imagine and create yourself and your own personality sounds like magic. It may feel like magic but it is possible!
Your personality can actually be chosen by you!
You can design your identity, behaviour and environment to serve the future you want to create. What goals do you wish to achieve? Who do you want to be? You can choose your personality based on the person you desire to be and the goals you wish to achieve.
When we set worthy goals that are fuelled by our desires, we have to grow into the person who can achieve those goals. Maybe you want to write a book… What are the personality traits of an author? Committed, determined, focused, ambitious, creative?? Ask yourself “What would an author do right now?” and then begin to act “as if”. The more you repeatedly choose a thought, an attitude or a behaviour, the more it will become a part of you and begin to become part of your personality.
“Your personality should come from your goals. Your goals shouldn’t come from your personality.” Paul Graham
In a nutshell, the idea that our personality is fixed is being challenged by a growing body of research. So, let go of the notion that you're stuck with the same old traits forever!
Embrace change, adopt a growth mindset, and believe in your ability to shape your personality. With intentional effort, open-mindedness, and a willingness to step outside your comfort zone, you can unlock your full potential and become the best version of yourself. Get ready for an incredible journey of self-discovery and personal growth!
Kelly-Anne Appleton is a Mindset & Manifestation Coach who helps women 40+ stop settling and create a life they love! Through 1:1 and group coaching Kelly-Anne helps women reprogram the beliefs that are keeping them stuck, rewrite their self image and amplify their results.
She co-hosts a weekly show, Raw & Unscripted on YouTube and she shares meaningful insights and tips to help you live a life you love on Instagram and Facebook.
Earlier this year, I did a masterclass for Happy Healthy Women on the 3 Phases of Growth where I compared the mind to a garden and how our growth can shape shift and take on different nuances. In short, we are either in a Dormant, Rooting or Blooming phase, and depending where we’re at, our goals, thoughts, feelings and ensuing actions will look very different.
The Rooting and Blooming Phases are exciting in that this is where we step into our full potential and into a creative stream that changes our trajectory.
The Dormant phase, however, might look like something we want to avoid entirely at first blush because it looks like it’s somewhat counterproductive and even destructive. That’s true…and false.
Even though the Dormant phase might otherwise be known as the “Dark Night of the Soul”, or burnout, or irretrievably stuck, it’s also an amazing opportunity to regroup, review existing goals, and rewrite the next chapter.
Having been a visitor to this state a number of times, here are my top recommendations for maximizing the Dormant phase where you can come out of it the champion you were born to be.
Take Stock
It’s often easy to overlook what makes us truly powerful and unique, even in the best of times. This is where a journal and a pen (not a pencil - there’s a difference) come into play. Using a variation on the mind dump from The Artist’s Way (by Julia Cameron), write down everything and I mean EVERYTHING that makes you, well,... YOU. Don’t overthink, just dump out everything that pops into your mind in 5 minutes. The key here is to keep the pen moving
Ask the following questions:
Where Have I Seen This Before?
What lessons keep coming back, but in different clothing? For the better part of my career, I was riddled with Impostor’s Syndrome - sometimes in crippling proportions.
With every new job, the pattern was the same - euphoria at the start, learning everything I could, then making sure I was contributing to the greater good. I’d look like a rock star initially, then when the honeymoon appeared to be over (my own perception), Impostor’s Syndrome would creep in.
In hindsight, I can now see clearly how I was Upper Limiting myself (as per Gay Hendricks). Ultimately, I would go dormant - either leaving the job or being released - running away, essentially, only to wind up in yet another toxic environment. Rinse & repeat.
It wasn’t until I intercepted an email from a VP intended for my director at the time that I fully received and registered the final punch to the head from the Universe. Not surprising, since I had ignored every single nudge up until that point. Long and short of that email - “... I thought we agreed she doesn’t bring any value…”
Ouch… and thanks.
This was ultimately a gift because I had to look, once and for all, at what MY role was in this pattern. I took a hard look at what I could control and what I could not. I always blamed corporate politics and how I didn’t play well, but the fact of the matter was, I played an active role in creating that environment. I taught people how to treat me. It’s not their reaction I could control, it was my own self-image, my own self-worth - my self-talk. I finally had to get my head around the fact that no one does ME better than ME.
Ask the following questions:
What Is One Thing I Can Do Today?
Action - any action - kills doubt. The fastest way to start shaking up the dormant ground loose is to go do something nice for another human. Make the call, send the note, pay a sincere compliment, pay for the next person in the coffee line. Instant dopamine hit.
If you have daily rituals, make sure you keep them in a dormant phase. If you don’t, then start (slowly at first - you want them to stick). More importantly, make these non-negotiable. That is, if sweating it out at the gym isn’t your strong suit (hello, doppelganger), then make a simple daily walk non-negotiable.
Conclusion
Let’s get clear, a Dormant state is not a bad thing, it’s actually needed in some instances so you can step back and reassess. However, it can turn into a bigger challenge if it’s not appropriately addressed and you aren’t giving yourself the grace needed to uncover and move through the lessons so you can get to the Rooting, and ultimately the Blooming phase (your new normal).
If any of this is resonating, let me know. I’d love to hear about your own go’tos.
About Carole
Carole Filion is a Mindset Coach who helps women in or approaching their 60’s rediscover their magnificent selves and plan and live out their next chapter with excitement, grace and a whole lot of fun!
Follow her on Instagram @carolejfilion
Join her Facebook group Badass Revolution - Kicking Ass while Staying Heart-Centered
As more and more women awaken and embrace their spiritual selves, there are many blocks. These can be self inflicted or societal expectation of what is “acceptable” and “normal”. Our human experience tells us that moving into a more spirit connected being might not be accepted by many. This essential part of our being has been long ignored in our modern lives.
When you start to embrace or fully acknowledge the spiritual side of you, it is imperative to have a fully accepting support network. As we move into our more authentic and vulnerable selves, having a few trusted sounding board associates or friends is vital. We cannot expand into a different consciousness without this support.
The world at large is still getting used to the idea of a spiritual awakening. For the most part it is women who are experiencing it. Once awakened to spirit, the growth and expansion is rapid and full of unknown and perhaps frightening experiences. A supportive knowledgeable and trusted network while you have unusual new experiences can make all the difference.
Finding a support network that fully embraces you, allowing you to be seen as your raw, authentic and vulnerable self allows us to expand more rapidly and without hindrances. As your spiritual experience integrates into your conscience, it is a much more fulfilling and pleasant journey with empowering and supportive people around you.
The vocalization of all that is happening to and for you is an integral part of the journey. A welcoming and experienced group holding space for you during your expansion and hearing your vulnerable and authentic self speak your truth allows you to fully embody your spirit and live your truth.
Find your people. And if you have questions, I am always happy to listen.
Alison
About Alison
Alison Stuckey is an Energy and Spiritual Coach and Intuitive Healer and the Founder of Live Love and Joy.
Her many years of spiritual growth experiences, energy healing and intuitive knowledge offer a unique perspective to her clients. She is always curious and a life long learner. She embodies the work she does and strives to live each day with love and seeking joy in her life. As a student of energetic healing, she enters each day with the intention of living a high vibration and spreading that to those around her.
My son and I covet books, often each other’s. We hound libraries, beg to own each other’s books and haunt second-hand bookstores for treasures that can be found there.
I will share some of my all-time favourite classics for those of you still reading to your own children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews or borrowed ones.
The first full-length child’s “novel” we read “chapter by chapter” was Casey, the Utterly Impossible Horse. Clayten was four, and after that, we left Dr. Suess, Disney picture books and the Golden Books behind. We bought chapter books at garage sales, second-hand bookstores and always had one on the go. We laughed through Roahl Dahl’s BFG, and I won’t tell you what my adult foul mind imagined the acronym BFG standing for. Dahl’s book Matilda came alive and made us cheer for the heroine in that story before Danny Devito and Rhea Perlman ever hit the big screen with the movie. C. S. Lewis’s Chronicles of Narnia gave us months of pleasure and in-depth discussions on metaphors and underlying meaning when he was six and seven. Consequently, his comprehension skills far surpassed all of his peers. His first and second-grade teachers raved about his ability to sit still and listen to stories, repeating the content almost word for word.
Our all-time favourite was Elizabeth Winthrop’s book Castle in the Attic. Now that was a book that guaranteed miracles. Clayten was very strong-willed to the point of it being a daily war to convince him to eat breakfast on most school mornings. Like most children, asking him to put his toys away enough to vacuum his rug on weekends also became an ordeal. A promised extra chapter in any current book was like offering free gold to a poor man.
It also meant that we both sat down amid hectic-ness for 15-20 minutes of quiet entertainment. Not to mention that carefully chosen books embedded with subtle morality lessons helped me convince him of many things without being a heavy-handed parent.
Books became my ticket to easy parenting. I only tried withholding a bedtime story once due to undesirable behaviour. I never again was so foolish. That resulted in a tantrum full tilt for destruction, the likes I had never seen before and never witnessed after that.
Books were the one constant that Clayten and I could rely on as a bridge if we were at odds with each other. Discussion starters, morality builders, door openers to the world, zoos on paper and history lessons that went beyond reading. The topics became subject material for long drives and our walks to school.
Sound perfect? Well, except for one thing. In grades one and two, being at the top of his class in comprehension did not spare him the discomfort and frustrations of delayed reading abilities. Experts on child literacy cite early picture books as an essential reading stage for literacy development. Deciphering 2-5 lines of black dots and squiggles on picture book pages defied him.
Sixteen years after he crawled into my lap with Dr. Suess Put Me Into The Zoo, I can still recite the first eight pages of that book by heart. That was the first book he ever sat still for. He was 20 months old. After that, books were magic. They could dry tears better than a pacifier. Change a mood faster than Alberta weather. Books could see morning chores done in a jiffy if that meant there was time to read an extra chapter before school. We once were both so enraptured with Winthrop’s book that we read it while walking to school, Clayten guiding my footsteps if there were obstacles on the sidewalk. We both yelled aloud when William used the medallion in a way we never imagined. Winthrop deserved the multiple awards her book won.
Cultivating A Reading Habit for Yourself
Now, how can you train an adult to read? You can’t unless you are the adult you want to train. We can only change ourselves. How do you create a reading habit for yourself?
First, you need to have a why for motivation. If any of you are familiar with the book Miracle Morning, Hal Elrod mentions the acronym SAVERS. Each letter stands for the habits of successful people.
S - Silence
A - Affirmations
V - Visualizations
E - Exercise
R - Reading
S - Scribing
These are the top things in common with the most successful people in the world; most of them do all six things every morning. You can listen to the podcast/YouTube with Elrod interviewing one of my favourite people, Dr. Mindy Pelz.
If that fails to rev up a reason for you to develop a consistent reading habit of non-fiction, one of the following may inspire you. You can also use my reading habit of five to ten pages of non-fiction in the morning. Much like you eat an elephant or accomplish a big goal, one bite at a time and break up the big goal into manageable steps and processes.
My favourite book on the emotional and mental aspects of the various common illnesses is by Dr. Gabor Maté. His chapter on the good girl disease of breast cancer blew my mind when I was going through chemotherapy in 2003. I still like saying the longest word I know that I learned from his book: PsychoNeuroImmunoEndocrinology meaning that every emotion and thought is a biological chemical event in the physical body. When the Body Says No, The Hidden Costs of Stress. The rest of his chapters were excellent and highly readable.
My favourite book on writing is by Dorothea Brande: Becoming a Writer. Written in 1937, she is brilliant on how anyone can become a writer with practice. Watch this short Ted Talk on how this speaker debunks the 10,000-hour myth, says you can learn anything in 20 days, and then demonstrates his skills at one thing he tackled and learned well.
My second favourite book on writing and the resistance we all face when creating something is by Steven Pressfield, The War of Art. Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott will make you laugh out loud about the travesties and joys of writing. I could go on. Just ask me if you want more of my favourites.
My favourite book for simplifying your life (bonus, I have three here that I read in tandem that inspired my last blog on “Living for Less, Relaxing More.”
An interesting science trivia book that is quite readable and will provide valuable tidbits on a wide variety of subject topics for random conversations is David Bodanis’ The Secret Family.
A classic on the manifestation of health and wealth is As A Man Thinketh by James Allen. It uses archaic language, but don’t give up on it. I believe it may be more valuable than Wallace D Wattle’s book, Bob Proctor's work on The Science of Getting Rich, or even Maxwell Maltz’s book Psychocybernetics, which I reread occasionally.
My current night read is a memoir of a Morrocan woman about her mother and five siblings imprisoned for twenty years. Malika Oufkir’s La Prisonniere: Twenty Years in a Desert Gaol. I know it isn’t fiction. Memoirs can read like fiction and be fascinating.
Debbie Ford’s The Dark Side of the Light Chasers is my morning non-fiction read for self-development.
I enjoy fiction or a riveting memoir at night, reading every genre except horror or nightmarish content. Our brains are more receptive to taking in knowledge when we first wake. We all have 365 mornings a year. At an average of 5-10 pages a morning and the average book at 200 pages, we can polish off 18 books a year in digestible bites that enhance retention. Often, when a book is inspiring, I will read more. You can think about, absorb, apply and insert into conversations in your day, riff off your learnings for your blogs or social media, further cementing your new knowledge deeper.
Reference links in the body of the story above:
podcast/YouTube Elrod interviews Dr. Mindy Pelz.
Dorothea Brande: Becoming a Writer.
Ted Talk debunks the 10,000-hour myth Steven Pressfield
Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott
The Circle of Simplicity: Return to the Good Life by Cecile Andrews
Your Money or Your Life by Joe Dominguez and Vicki Robin
The Joy of Not Working by Ernie Zelinsky
David Bodanis’ The Secret Family by James Allen.
Maxwell Maltz’s book Psychocybernetics
Malika Oufkir’s La Prisonniere: Twenty Years in a Desert Gaol.
Debbie Ford’s The Dark Side of the Light Chasers
Learn more about Rusti:
Rusti L Lehay, a global editor and book and writing coach, created over 40 articles guiding writers to authordom. Witnessing writers find and speak in their own voice to serve the real boss, the audience, not the editor, is one of Rusti’s greatest joys. She offers bi-monthly online writing STAY-Treats and monthly lounges and teaches weekly creative writing classes. Her primary mission is to inspire, provide value and make writing fun and easy.
Links:https://msha.ke/rustilehay.info
Click here to sign up for the Friday Writing Video Challenge delivered every Friday morning to your inbox.
Click here to book a discovery chat with Rusti.
Click here to join the weekly Monday co-working Zoom space. We complete stuff!
We all have a flow of energy in our bodies. This flow is known as chi, prana, or life force, and it plays a crucial role in our overall well-being and contributes to stress levels.
When energy flows harmoniously, we experience vitality, balance, and well-being. However, blockages in the energy pathways can disrupt this flow and lead to increased stress and tension.
You can recognize signs of blocked energy by being aware when you are restless, irritable, or have physical symptoms like muscle tension. By understanding the connection between energy flow and stress levels, you can proactively take steps to clear these blockages.
Practices like meditation, breathwork, Reiki, releasing trapped emotions, or even deeper work by releasing wounds at the soul level can help release stagnant energy and restore balance, promoting a state of inner peace and emotional resilience.
Techniques for Clearing Energy Blockages
Various techniques are available to clear energy blockages and restore balance.
Meditation allows us to quiet the mind, focus inward, and create space for energy to flow freely.
Breathwork, such as deep diaphragmatic breathing or alternate nostril breathing, oxygenates the body and releases stagnant energy.
Reiki, a Japanese energy healing modality, channels universal life force energy to facilitate the release of energetic obstructions.
Movement-based practices like yoga or Tai Chi combine physical postures, breathwork, and mindful movement to release tension and enhance energy flow.
Learn how to muscle test so that you can identify what energies are trapped in your body, and then use specific releasing techniques that will allow you to practice good energy hygiene to keep your energy highways clear and flowing.
Exploring and incorporating these techniques into our lives allows us to develop a personalized energy-clearing practice that resonates with our needs, fostering a state of inner peace and well-being.
Create an Energetic Sanctuary
Designing a peaceful and harmonious space at home supports energy clearing and stress relief. Utilizing natural elements and colors that promote a calm environment, such as earthy tones, can enhance the energy flow.
Incorporating sacred objects, crystals, or essential oils further amplifies the energetic atmosphere.
Establishing daily rituals, like smudging or lighting candles, helps maintain the energetic sanctity of the space.
Regular decluttering and organizing contribute to a clearer energy flow.
By consciously creating an energetic sanctuary, we provide ourselves with a refuge for rejuvenation, healing, and maintaining inner peace.
Integrating Energy Clearing into Daily Life
Incorporating simple energy-clearing exercises into our daily routines is key to managing stress and maintaining balance.
Finding moments of stillness and mindfulness throughout the day, redirecting our attention away from stressors, allows us to recalibrate our energy and restore balance.
Identifying triggers and stressors in our environment enables us to develop strategies to mitigate their impact, such as setting boundaries or practicing visualization techniques.
Understanding the connection between energy flow and stress levels empowers us to take proactive steps in clearing energy blockages.
Utilizing techniques such as meditation, breathwork, body movement, and trapped energy release, move stagnant energy out and restore balance. Creating an energetic sanctuary at home enhances the environment for energy clearing and stress relief. Integrating energy clearing into daily life through mindfulness, identifying triggers, and establishing consistent practices allows us to manage stress effectively and maintain a state of inner peace.
By prioritizing energy clearing, we pave the way for reduced stress and a more balanced, peaceful, aligned, and harmonious life.
Judith Richey is A Force For Transformation.
She offers spiritual healing and guidance to women
entrepreneurs seeking profound transformation and
progress beyond the work they have done in personal
development and mindset shifts.
er unique and unconventional approach harnesses the
power of energy healing and nontraditional techniques
to help her clients become the best version of themselves,
and to find fulfillment and abundance in all areas of
their lives.
Connect with Judith Richey to learn more.
Mention to most people that you bought a wedding dress second-hand, and they think Corpse Bride Halloween costumes. Not me. At 20, I went shopping with my mother in several second-hand shops and found a wedding dress I liked. It fit without alterations. It helps not to be superstitious about such things. A friend one-upped me in practicality, buying a cocktail party dress in her favourite primary colours in a shimmery material. She had her bridesmaids choose single pastel colour dresses they could enjoy again. My friend relived her precious wedding day memories whenever she wore her dress for other occasions.
Doing what you love does map out your path to fulfillment
In my forties, I renewed my devotion to living for less and cutting out extraneous expenses when I switched from office work to full-time writing and editing. Cutting those extras meant more freedom to explore my true passions. When you do what you love, you never work a day in your life. Having the time to relax also invited my muse to find me in the quieter moments.
Granted, when you think about living on less to create more time for following your dreams, bargain wedding attire is a one-time saving –– usually. Make changes by looking at little things or daily treats that add up. Brides may want to spend $1,531—the average cost of a wedding dress. On that same Google search list, there were options for bridal wear under $500. A TLC channel program called Say Yes to the Dress flaunts dresses easily equivalent to a house down payment. There are always choices.
Buying stuff doesn’t pave the road to happiness
About those daily treats. A Starbucks Caffè Mocha Grande costs $4.15. The average Canadian hourly earnings (take-home pay) is $19.62-$28.94. If you indulge in a Starbucks treat every working day, that is three-and-a-half to five hours per month of life energy you have depleted for the treat. You may decide it is worth every penny. Full transparency: I don’t drink coffee. I am a writer, so pens and journals are my weakness. We all choose what we spend our life energy on… or do we? Amazon algorithms, Siri, and Alexa are listening and tempting us. I admit I have longingly looked at some of Amazon’s spot-on suggestions, then given my head a shake.
Look at your surroundings. Has your stuff nurtured you, or does dusting, caring, and maintaining those objects soon void their initial satisfaction and drain you? Many studies inform how people become addicted to and distracted by the fleeting dopamine hits of buying something. Not only that, but visual clutter is also an energy vampire interfering with our rest, creative centres, and ability to be in the moment.
About that stuff in your space. Ask yourself if clutter owns you. Peter Walsh, in his book It’s All Too Much, says, “There’s a stuff epidemic,” and Buddha wisely said, “Desire [of the material world] is the root of all suffering.”
It may surprise many people to calculate suffering and contentment in relation to stuff. Now ponder how well Amazon has done during the pandemic. According to Wikipedia, their profits soared 200 percent and the online sales giant hopes pandemic habits will stick. In fact, Amazon’s profits recently tripled.
The more we spend, the more life energy we must expend. While I can suggest making your coffee at home for a fraction of the price, I am looking for a coach to keep me away from Staples. Track your spending for one month and see where you can cut back. We can all buy time to relax by leaving our wallets at home.
Links: Peter Walsh, It’s All Too Much
The TLC channel program Say Yes to the Dress
Learn more about Rusti:
Rusti L Lehay, a global editor and book and writing coach, created over 60 articles guiding writers to authordom. Witnessing writers find and speak in their own voice to serve the real boss, the audience, not the editor, is one of Rusti’s greatest joys. She offers bi-monthly online writing STAY-Treats and monthly lounges and teaches weekly creative writing classes. Her primary mission is to inspire, provide value and make writing fun and easy.
Links: https://msha.ke/rustilehay.info/
Click here to sign up for the Friday Writing Video Challenge delivered every Friday morning to your inbox.
Click here to book a discovery chat with Rusti.
Click here to join the weekly Monday co-working zoom space. We complete stuff!
Click here to sign up for a newsletter offering the best and strongest tidbits and resources for writers.
As our understanding of nutrition and its impact on our well-being and the environment continues to evolve, many consider plant-based or plant-centered eating a viable option. Plant-based or plant-centered diets emphasize consuming whole foods derived from plants while minimizing or eliminating animal products.
I was considerably resistant when plant-based eating was introduced to me ten years ago as an option for our lifestyle. I loved the foods I ate; I grew up eating the Standard American Diet of animal products, fried foods, processed snacks, and cheese on everything. But as I investigated the nutritional attributes of plant-based eating and the impact on the environment and animals, I couldn’t help but lean more heavily toward plant-based eating. I started plant-based eating over nine years ago, focusing on the motto: Eat More Plants. If you're contemplating whether it's time to try plant-based eating, this blog post will help you explore some key indicators that may suggest it's the right choice for you.
If you're dealing with particular health concerns, such as high cholesterol, hypertension, type-2 diabetes, or digestive issues, transitioning to a plant-based diet may be beneficial. Plant-based eating can provide an abundance of nutrients, fiber, and antioxidants, which are known to promote better heart health, improve digestion, and support overall well-being. Additionally, plant-based diets can be low in saturated fat, which is known to help our bodies process blood sugar better, reducing pre-diabetes symptoms. Consulting with a healthcare professional or a registered dietitian can provide personalized guidance based on your specific health needs.
For some individuals, the decision to adopt a plant-based diet stems from ethical concerns regarding animal welfare. If you feel strongly about reducing your contribution to animal suffering or the environmental impact of animal agriculture, embracing a plant-based lifestyle can align with your values. You can support a more compassionate and sustainable food system by choosing plant-based foods.
The environmental impact of animal agriculture is a growing concern worldwide. Livestock farming contributes to greenhouse gas emissions, deforestation, water pollution, and excessive resource consumption. If you're passionate about reducing your ecological footprint and mitigating climate change, transitioning to a plant-based diet can be a powerful step. Plant-based eating requires fewer natural resources, reduces land use, and can contribute to a more sustainable future. Even participating in campaigns, such as Meatless Monday, can impact the environment.
If you enjoy culinary adventures and love experimenting with new flavors and ingredients, plant-based eating offers a world of exciting possibilities. Shifting to a plant-based diet can inspire creativity in the kitchen as you explore the diverse array of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts, and seeds. It encourages you to try new recipes, cooking techniques, and cultural cuisines, making mealtimes a delightful and enriching experience. One of my favorite parts of cooking and preparing plant-based meals is to challenge myself to eat the rainbow, the meals are beautiful, and I benefit from a diverse array of plant foods.
Many individuals struggle with digestive sensitivities or intolerances to certain animal-based foods, such as lactose. Plant-based eating can provide a solution by offering a wide range of alternative food options that are easier on the digestive system. Eliminating or minimizing animal products from your diet might alleviate discomfort, bloating, or other digestive issues you may be experiencing.
If you often find yourself feeling sluggish, low on energy, or experiencing mood swings, adopting a plant-based diet may help revitalize your overall well-being. Plant-based foods are rich in essential nutrients, vitamins, and minerals, providing sustainable energy and nourishment. You may notice improved energy levels, mental clarity, and overall vitality by fueling your body with wholesome plant-based meals. You know the saying, ‘Food affects our mood,’ well it is entirely true!
Embarking on a plant-based journey can be an opportunity for personal growth and self-discovery. It challenges you to expand your nutrition knowledge, explore new foods, and adapt your lifestyle. The process of learning, experimenting, and making conscious choices aligns with a growth mindset, allowing you to develop new skills, broaden your perspective, and deepen your connection with your body and the world around you. Adopting a plant-based lifestyle has actually fostered growth for me in a myriad of ways, mindset growth and shifts, healing old diet culture beliefs and conditioning, and promoting empowerment and freedom around food and food choices.
Transitioning to a plant-based diet is a personal choice influenced by various factors. Whether driven by health concerns, ethical considerations, environmental consciousness, culinary exploration, digestive sensitivities, a desire for increased vitality, or personal growth, embracing plant-based eating can have profound benefits. Remember, it's essential to approach this transition mindfully, seeking guidance from healthcare professionals or registered dietitians to ensure you meet your nutritional needs. By listening to your body and aligning your choices with your values, you can embark on a plant-based journey that nourishes both your well-being and the world you inhabit.
If you're considering transitioning to a plant-based diet and would like further support, I'm here to help. Feel free to reach out to me via www.veginspired.com or on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/veginspired to discuss your questions and concerns or simply to share your journey. Together, we can explore the possibilities of plant-based eating and empower you to make informed choices that resonate with your goals and values.
Remember, every step toward a plant-based lifestyle contributes to a healthier you and a more sustainable future. Let's embark on this journey together!
Love what you’ve read so far? Check out the vault for more on plant-based eating from Kathy!
For more on creating a successful and inspired life fueled by plants or to learn more about healthy habits, connect with Kathy on Instagram, @veginspired, or Facebook in the Plant-EmPowered Entrepreneurs Community
Kathy A. Davis is a Wellness and Mindset Mentor, Best Selling Author, and founder of VegInspired. Kathy leads other female entrepreneurs to live their most inspired and successful lives fueled by plants.
Kathy is honored and excited to be a US Happy Healthy Women Trailblazer.
Words have power. There is an energy to the words you think, hear, feel and speak.
It’s important as you are interacting with words to make sure you are using them to lift yourself and others up, to edify, to pour love into yourself and others.
Because words can also be heavy, and cause hurt and pain as they are uttered. This happens every time you replay the limiting beliefs you have about yourself, or the hurtful words you heard shouted at you as a child.
You can allow those heavy words to define you, to have meaning about you, to affect your sense of being.
As you consider your relationship with words, the thoughts that come from those words, and how you define yourself, here are five ways to consider how the words you are speaking or thinking affect you.
1. Are you speaking your words at the right time?
If you’re in the middle of a disagreement or argument with someone, is now really the time to say that thing? Or, would taking a step back, cooling down, and then giving thought to what you want to say be better?
Another point on speaking at the right time—are you an interrupter? Allowing the other person to finish what they are saying before you respond is one of the ultimate ways to show respect.
2. Are you speaking facts?
Gossip and tale-telling are not factual. We so want to spill the tea, that we forget the damage our zest for being a part of, or fitting in, can have.
Real consequences. Sometimes to someone’s reputation. Or to our relationships. Once those words are spoken, they cannot be taken back.
3. Are you speaking gently?
Whenever we feel like we aren’t being heard, sometimes we turn up the volume. Get loud.
We might want to throw a snarky or rude comment back at someone. The result is broken communication between the two of you. AND, you might find that you regret that comment and feel shame about how you behaved.
4. Are your words filled with value?
Is your talk just idle chatter? Or are you adding to, enhancing and benefiting the conversation?
When you’re speaking, is there wisdom flowing from you? Are you seeking to understand a situation? Are you contributing?
5. Are your words coming from a kind heart?
We’ve all seen the vitriol that consumes our news, airwaves, talk shows and social media. Are you a part of that?
Or, are you distinguishing and setting yourself apart by speaking from a place of love and kindness?
These five methods can be applied to both the running dialogue you have with yourself, about yourself, as well as in your conversations and interactions with others.
If you find that you’re having a hard time speaking lovingly, kindly, with purpose to yourself, then you’ve probably got some limiting beliefs that could be cleared.
In your interactions with others, pay attention to what flows from you. As you start to make small, incremental changes, you’ll be surprised to find that your ability to get along with others will improve.
Judith Richey is A Force For Transformation. As a spiritual and transformational healer, she helps women entrepreneurs use unconventional and non-traditional methods to create the life of their dreams.
Judith is happy to be a Happy Healthy Woman Trailblazer on the Global Level.
Did you know that what you eat can directly impact your ability to perform and show up at your optimum potential?
What if you took small steps to create lasting change?
Let me introduce you to the Butterfly Effect. The Butterfly Effect is a series of small, seemingly insignificant changes that can compound into a significant impact. Little changes can expand and grow into big results.
Small changes in the food you eat, the amount of water you drink, the daily exercise you get, or the amount of time you slow down to rest and recharge… all compound to bigger results.
I noticed more energy, better moods, and productivity when I changed my eating—the more whole, plant foods I consumed… the more significant the impact.
What if you could Unlock your Potential in Life and Business by Leveraging what is on your plate?
In December 2019, I parted ways with my “day job” and dove into my VegInspired business full-time, errr - well, I tried to. I lacked energy, struggled with inspiration, and battled health issues. Every day I would wake up wanting to “get to work” but lacked the energy to make it happen.
Hindsight is 20/20, and it is easy to see that the fantastic and delicious vegan takeout and high-fat, highly processed vegan foods were causing all these issues. I was battling obesity and all the symptoms of pre-diabetes. In a nutshell, I was NOT a beacon for health and wellness or an excellent role model for what plant-based eating could be.
My food directly affected my physical, mental, and spiritual bodies in so many ways.
The Transformation
It was a seemingly small decision to shift from my vegan diet to a whole-food, plant-based way of eating. I began to adopt habits around healthy eating… more whole foods, more greens, more vegetables, more fruits, more whole grains, more beans, and reduced the overly processed vegan foods and high-fat foods. And things started to happen.
The more clean, plant-based foods I ate, the more energy I had and the more inspired I was.
Going from where you are eating to following a completely whole-food, plant-based diet may seem like a stretch, but what small changes can you make?
Maybe it looks like this:
“The most ethical diet just so happens to be the most environmentally sound diet and just so happens to be the healthiest.” ~Dr. Michael Greger, nutritionfacts.org
And what if those small changes begin to compound into new healthier habits, and you begin to notice more energy, more confidence, more productivity, and a clearer mind… how would that help you in your life and business?
My transformation over the last 3+ years has led to increased energy, reversed markers of prediabetes, overall better health, increased confidence, 50+ weight loss (and maintenance), and better, more consistent delivery in my business, which led to 4 best-selling publications and the launch of the Eat More Plants Academy Coaching Program and a 10X in business revenue.
To say that changing the way you eat and overhauling it is easy would be an understatement, but it is worth it.
If you want to Unlock your Potential in Life and Business, start with what is on your plate.
Want to learn more about Meal Planning like a CEO and start leveraging what is on your plate? Click here to access my How to Meal Plan like a CEO webinar, and resources today.
Love what you’ve read so far? Check out the vault for more on plant-based eating from Kathy!
For more on creating a successful and inspired life fueled by plants or to learn more about healthy habits, connect with Kathy on Instagram, @veginspired, or Facebook in the Plant-EmPowered Entrepreneurs Community
Kathy A. Davis is a Wellness and Mindset Mentor, Best Selling Author, and founder of VegInspired. Kathy leads other female entrepreneurs to live their most inspired and successful lives fueled by plants.
Kathy is honored and excited to be a US Happy Healthy Women Trailblazer.
