Take Control of Your Daily Emotional Direction

Get your intentions aligned with how you want to feel for the day.   Those feelings will have an impact on your stress level and your overall general health.  

Start by setting your intention.  Simply asking yourself:

• How do I want to feel today – once you answer that, know that it is set for the day
• What do I want to give today – giving even in the smallest way (like an encouraging text to someone) can lift your spirit and bring joy.   Your body will produce oxytocin, the feel good chemical that plays a role in social bonding.    

The Power of Your Mind.

In these difficult times when life seems out of our control, let’s focus on the only thing we ever really did have control over ~~ our thinking.  

I find practicing Mindfulness is more important than ever.  It is simple and gives great results.  It is a state of active, open attention to the present. This state encompasses observing thoughts and feelings without judging them as good or bad.   It is being 100% in the present without engaging in thought of the past or future, or worrying about the ‘what-if’s’.      

I have disengaged from all negativity in my life to keep that clear calm state.   It could be distancing or limiting your contact or interaction with negative people, limiting watching the news or engaging with social media that makes you stressed.  I decided to  limit my time on Facebook for a while because it has so many virus related and negative political posts that I found myself getting stressed reading. I can still feel stay connected to my select friends and family through text. 

People who practice Positive Thinking have a better mental and emotional attitude that focuses on the bright side of life while expecting positive results. They know better days are ahead.  They are people who believe they can overcome any obstacle or difficulty and are usually mentally and physically healthier.   If you surround yourself with these types of people, you’ll feel less stressed and more positive yourself.   According to the May Clinic positive thinking can also reduce stress levels.   Don’t we all need this right now.   No matter what your circumstances you are probably being affected by this virus concerns in some way.   Some of us more than others.

With a Positive Attitude we experience pleasant and happy feelings. Our whole being broadcasts good will, happiness and success.  Research even shows our health is affected in beneficial ways. We walk taller, our voice is more powerful, and our body language shows the way we feel.  The positive or negative words we say to ourselves or others affect everything as proven in this experiment done with children from low-income families.  Choosing to be positive and having an attitude of gratitude will determine how happy your day will be.   So, how can we maintain a positive attitude during these troubling times. But how when there is so much bad news? 

Try an Attitude of Gratitude with a Gratitude Practice.   The benefits of gratitude extend far beyond what we may imagine.  Paying attention to what we feel grateful for puts us in a positive frame of mind. It connects us to the world around us and to ourselves.  Knowing what we appreciate in life means knowing who we are, what matters to us and what makes each day worthwhile.  Try practicing daily gratitude meditation which will help relieve stress and resets your attitude.   “Be thankful for what you have; you'll end up having more. If you concentrate on what you don't have, you will never, ever have enough.”     ~ Oprah Winfrey

Here are a number of ways to stay physically healthy the natural way by my friend and Naturopath Health Care Practitioner, Kristine Jelstrup--Central Square Health & Wellness.   

 

Take care of yourself mentally and physically and we’ll get through this together.   
Blessings, Fran   

Power of Words

Power of Words

 

I taught my Power-of-the-Mind class to a group of 5^th to 10^th grade girls who live in a Housing Projects in Lawrence.    They come from low-income families and many are challenged in their hope for the future.   Some feel totally powerless to their environment of drugs, violence, and poverty.   The first day I met them I had them do this rice experiment.   I had them fill three jars with equal parts of cooked rice.    I labeled them as shown in the picture below.   They were all placed on the Si, Se Puede, an after-school program Director, Lorie Mendoza’s desk.  I asked the girls to come every day and say with passion what was written on the two jars and ignore the third one.    After just one week, yes just 7 days, the results were staggering.   The one jar that was said, “thank you, I love you to”, had no significant change.  The rice still looked fresh and stable.  The one that they said, “You fool, I hope you rot!” to, turned to complete mush.   You couldn’t even tell is was rice.   And the third jar that they ignored all week had large chunks of green mold on the top and bottom of the jar.   This experience was so powerful for these girls.   It showed them that their words not only matter but, they have enough power to affect their environment.   Through this experiment they learned that they do have some control and they can collectively begin to change the world around them.    Their wish now is that every child in Lawrence have the opportunity to learn what they experienced in this class. Their confidence was strengthened enough to asked to meet with the Mayor, Dan Rivera to get his support for this program in the schools. They even wrote letters to Ellen DeGeneres to tell her about what they learned.   

Your words are powerful too.   We live in very divisive times right now but, as these girls have proven, we have the power to make a difference too.   Words and your intention behind the words are powerful.   What words will you choose today?    Fran Spayne – www.MiracleWork.org