Mindfulness Isn’t Just About the Mind

The whole body is impacted by active conscious awareness practice. Given that it’s right there in the name – mindfulness – it’s easy to presume this is all about the mind. While that’s mostly true, it’s only a portion of the truth. Everything begins with thought. Thought happens on three levels – unconscious, subconscious, and conscious. The unconscious is how you breathe automatically, digest, blink, and fire the neurons that move the muscles to lift your arm into the air

Why Do I Feel This Way?

Short answer – because life is a crazy, unpredictable ride. For the record, depression sucks. Most of the time I keep the black dog at bay. I do my mindfulness, meditation, breathing exercises, fencing, take my meds, talk to my therapist, and other self-care actions regularly. Yet, I’m only human. Sometimes thinky-thoughts make me feel sad, rainy grey skies feel oppressive, and depression sits on my chest like my cat, but without the calming purr. Depression can be clinical, seasonal,

Why Be Mindful of Everything You Consume?

No matter what it is – food, media, entertainment, drugs – you have ultimate control. Consumption isn’t only about food and drink. It’s also about what you watch, read, listen to, see, and take in. Ours is the ultimate consumer society. Never before in the history of the human race have the majority been able to consume anything and everything. Overall, people can connect, communicate, learn, and consume vast amounts of anything you can conceive of, tangible or intangible. Yes,

Why Is It So Hard to Just Be Yourself?

Nobody is at fault or to blame, but neither does anyone tend to teach you this. Two of the most distressing things that dominate our society are the expectations of others and the “shoulds.” Early in our lives, before we’re even scientifically capable of self-awareness, our parents and other family members guide us. Eventually it moves from guidance to direction. Instilling good habits in the young is very useful throughout life. Brush your teeth twice a day, fasten your seatbelt

Can You Have Guides Along Your Paths in Life?

Yes, but recognize the difference between guidance, obedience, and blind faith. I frequently point out that you, and you alone, live in your head, heart, and soul. Nobody else is in there, it’s only you. Hence, you’re the only one who can think, feel, intend, and act for you. All choices for your life belong to you alone. Nobody else can live your life for you. Neither can anyone else control you unless you cede any form of control to

Why is Real Positivity About A Choice of Approach?

Positivity is a choice that combines thought, feeling, intent, and action. There is no telling what life will hand you today. No matter what you plan or prepare for, shit happens. People disappoint you, expectations aren’t met, and life will throw you curve balls out of nowhere. One day you might think, hey, it’s only a quarter mile to the post office, and the weather doesn’t suck. I should walk rather than drive. A great idea, until you wake up

Hello Resistance, How Are You Today and What Do You Want?

The inaction is strong with this one. Or is it? Do you ever feel like you’re not doing enough? Maybe you have these bouts of work that last for a while here, a time there, but then, even if you’ve gotten a ton of stuff done, you still question what you’ve not done? Studies I’ve read (but am not looking up to cite here) have shown that most people who “work” an 8-hour day only work maybe 2-4 hours, in

How Do You Respond to Upsetting, Annoying, and Disappointing Things That Happen?

Not the initial, visceral response, but what you do next. I’m about to publish my first new book in 2 years. This is super exciting because this book is the conclusion to the series I’ve been working on since 2015. Saturday morning, before departing for an all-day event 2 hours away, I checked my email. The eBook variation – available for pre-order – had been canceled. WTAF? They claim I didn’t upload the final file in time. But I’m completely

How Come Mindset Matters With Everything You Choose To Do?

Mindset gives choices direction and intent. But not choosing is also a choice. Do you vote? Or are you one of those people who believes that your vote doesn’t count, so why bother? Voting or not voting is a choice. Choose to vote – even when your choices are between different stripes of asshole – and you are doing the minimal action available to you to impact the world at large. Choose not to vote, and you’re choosing to let

How Do We See More Clearly That It’s Not a Race?

The human race is not, in fact, a race at all. Nearly every message you receive, no matter the source, is a constant reminder that you need to go go go. Keep going. Always doing. Rest is for the wicked. You can sleep when you’re dead. And so on. The idea of the “rat race” created this notion, long ago, that life is a constant race. Being first. As such, gets a whole lot of emphasis and is given importance.