SERIOUSLY SPEAKING - WHAT'S IN A WORD?

Our words are powerful and meaningful.

They convey intention.  They help us stay on point and focused.

We are taught from an early age to be aware of how our words impact others.

Ever heard a parent scold:  "Don't say that!  It's not nice!"

Or:  "You hurt your brother's feelings when you say that!" 

Or even: "No one will like you if you talk like that!"

But…

How often did they talk to you about your 'self-talk' - about talking 'nice' to yourself?

DANCE WITH IT! EXPERIENTIAL APPS

An opportunity to experiment with some fun ideas…

How about this novel idea:  Teach yourself to talk nice - to yourself!

Try standing in front of a mirror and smiling at that person who looks back at you - Yes, it's ok to do!  You are not being vain!

Now tell that person 3 nice things about them or about what they did today.  Maybe something like:  'Good job on that report, I am proud of you!' or 'Hey, you stuck to your diet today, I know it was hard, but you did it!'

Try this every day for a week and see what happens…

What do you feel?

MANTRA MAGIC

It can be one word…

Or a series.

Silent or out loud,

Whispered or chanted…

It's a reminder, a focus.

A verbal dedication to something you truly desire.

Choose your mantra carefully, with awareness.

Use it well and when it's used up, choose another!

What do ya say?

You get how this works, right?

SERIOUSLY SPEAKING - LIGHTING A CANDLE IN THE DARKNESS

Does a smile really count?

Does a laugh?

A good deed?

A kind word?

Recent studies show that all of these things can actually have a significant impact on our emotional - and physical - well being.

https://hms.harvard.edu/sites/default/files/HMS_OTB_Spring10_Vol16_No2.pdf

DANCE WITH IT!  EXPERIENTIAL APPS

An opportunity to experiment with some fun ideas…

Light one candle…

Do one good deed…

Make one person smile…

Find a laugh…

See the beauty…

Give yourself a hug!

GOOD VIBRATIONS

There's this village in Haiti where people make art out of old recycled oil cans to help support their community.

The art itself is truly delightful and whimsical, and brings smiles to the faces of everyone who sees it…

This is a poor village and life is not easy and yet…

Somehow their work makes others feel good!

WHAT DO YA SAY?

DO YOU GET HOW THIS WORKS?

SERIOUSLY SPEAKING - EXPANDING HORIZONS

Are you aware of you limitations?

It is crucial to be aware of how our environment - physical and emotional - mitigates our vision.

Sounds mystical?

Nope!

I'm a city girl so I saw a giant pigeon… what do you think I would have seen if I lived by the seashore?

Same person.

Same bird.

Different environment.

DANCE WITH IT - EXPERIENTAL APPS

An opportunity to experiment with some fun ideas…

How we perceive the world - our judgments and compassion are, whether we can admit it or not - strongly influenced by our families and communities.

  Make a list of your beliefs about people, places, this moment in      historical time. 

 Ask yourself where these beliefs come from?

 If you were born on the other side of the world what do you think you'd believe?

THE MYSTERY OF THE GIANT WHITE BIRD

This giant white bird with a yellow beak took over my city terrace birdfeeder.

It displaced the doves who scattered rapidly out of pecking range.

When I came close it gave me the evil eye… and yes… I backed off, too.

What was this fearless creature?

A mutant city pigeon?

What do ya say?

Clearly we are impacted and perhaps defined by what we see and experience in our environment …

No, I am not talking about the bird!  

YEAH, IT MUST BE OLD AGE…

"I lost my keys again," she moaned.  "It must be old age!" 

Okaay… I've known her a long time and wanted to remind her that she's been losing those keys for the last 20 years…

"My diabetes is getting worse," he groaned slurping down his second dish of ice cream.

Uh huh…

"I'm just not as strong as I used to be," the third one complained, glued to the tv for the evening…

What do ya say?

What's your favorite excuse?  How does that work for you?