Sizing up your mind

"A woman is but the product of her thoughts. What she thinks, she becomes."- Mahatma Gandhi.

Our thoughts, feelings, intentions and expectations are nothing other than waves of energy that vibrate at a certain energy level. We “broadcast” our inner thoughts and feelings continuously and magnetically attract all that is on the same vibrational level. So, when we are stuck in negative thoughts, feelings, intentions, and expectations about ourselves or our circumstances, we often attract the same things back to us.

Knowing that these declarations about ourselves are registered at a unconscious level by the world around us, we can begin to see why it can often be so hard to make changes in our lives. In order to change our habits, thoughts, and feelings we must first begin by committing to think about ourselves differently. Let's look at how to tilt the scales so that more positive than the negative experiences can come our way...try this exercise:

1) Close your eyes and imagine looking at your reflection in the mirror.

2) Rather than seeing what you might normally see, choose to see what you think you would look like if you were perfectly satisfied with your life and your body. Pay attention to the details of what you see.

3) When you open your eyes again, keep the image of what your mind brought up close to you throughout the day. It might help to journal about it so you can read aloud the words and description of yourself that you created.

4) Repeat this exercise weekly, and continue to journal what you see and how your life might be changing as you begin to deepen your connection with a positive and loving relationship with yourself.

Food as Fuel

If food were something we could live without, we might just try to give it up so we weren't so tempted by it. However, as luck would have it, we obviously must have it. As fad diets come and go and different opinions splash the news, how do we make sense of it all?

I mean, if we must have food, and we desire to treat our bodies with respect, then how can we begin to trust our instincts with food? We must start to see food as fuel. Just as a car must have the right type and quantity of gas for fuel, we too will function best when we fuel ourselves with fruits, veggies, whole grains, and lean meats.
Try this experiment:
The next time you are tempted to eat something that will likely not be a great fuel source (ie. doughnut), ask yourself this question:

• "Would I feed this to Lance Armstrong right before he raced?" If not, then why are you eating it?

Stop the mindless eating. You have a tremendous role to play...feed your engine to stay on track!

Positive Thinking= Loving your Body

I was listening to a podcast from Compass, a women's coaching group, when the author/coach (Natalie Tucker Miller) said..."our positive thoughts give off energy, or vibrations, into the universe that not only affect ourselves, but others."

This is not the first time I have heard that our thoughts not only dictate how we live, but can also influence how others react to our energy as well. Recent studies completed in San Diego and Britain have shown that happiness is contagious. This is not to say that we should ignore our feelings, or try to deny our hearts when we are unhappy or discouraged. What researchers are showing here, is that by thinking positive thoughts, we can actually choose to change how we and others feel and act. Pretty awesome, especially for those of us who have chronically chosen to be negative toward ourselves.

The next time you hear that little voice inside reminding you about how fat, stupid, or "not good enough" you are, start thinking positive thoughts. It might seem crazy and a little like a lie to think the positive at first, but after trying this in my own life, I have proven this theory works!

Create your own inner catalyst for positive thinking, and watch for others to join you in your happiness!

Saying NO to the critic

I am reminded today of a time back in 3rd grade, when a few of the 'popular' girls poked fun at me for what I was wearing. I was brand new to the school, and could only conclude that either 1) they were stupid and didn't know what they were talking about, or 2) what I was wearing really did make me uncool.

I am not sure where the point is in life when we start believing both other people and even the voice of the saboteur in our head more than what is reality about ourselves. Take for instance my example above...what if they had said I were fat, or too skinny, or just plain ugly, or stupid? Would I go on believing that about myself and try to fight against it my whole life, or choose to say, "NO, my clothes are what I love to wear, and I happen to love them, so go find someone else to pick on!"

Often, some things people say or what we hear in our minds might even hold some truth. Our power to overcome these negative thoughts, inner self-pity, tormenting voices, or just plain old bad habits, is to choose to say NO, even if some part of them is true or holds a place of comfort for us. If what we have bought into is keeping us from accessing our strength and real character, it is destructive. So what if we have gained a few pounds? We are not defined by the size of our waist. We get to decide what we will believe, how we will respond to our circumstances, and what choices we can make to live our lives with abundance and joy.

What will you say NO to today?