Bullied by the scale, continued...

Lifetime Art Impressions, LLC photo from the Dr. Oz show

Click on the below article link to obtain background information to this blog post:

Examiner article

For me, starting the year off on a cruise has gifted me extra pounds that I am still carrying with me. My schedule has changed dramatically because I am in the heart of my internship and adding these additional hours to a busy schedule already has caused me to burn the candle at both ends. Needless to say, this has meant eating on the run with unhealthier choices, less sleep and less time to go to the gym. Of course this scenario is not manifesting more energy so I’m left feeling drained and this is not a good recipe for health.

I am not beating myself up for this but I do realize, it’s time for a healthier change!

Like I said in the article, I like the options offered on the Dr. Oz show because it gives us choices and a bit of flexibility.

Eventually, I would like to have all of the options implemented into my diet but I know this isn’t realistic to embrace all at once. What I have also learned is that we all need to build in a break into our diets, so If I’m choosing healthier choices 5 days a week, it is okay to gift myself a weekend off. I might fall off the wagon for 2 days but the fall is minimal compared to my old unhealthy choices.

What has been working for you? Are you stepping into Spring healthier than you stepped into the winter or are you like me and carrying more weight?

Remember, we are all work in progress. It’s not worth stressing ourselves over this stuff 24 hours a day, 7 days a week because the chemicals released in our bodies by stress will cause us to hold onto to weight. The message in the article is that it is necessary to let go of scale anxiety because it is causing the whole weight loss/weigh in process to work against you!

Parallel existence, continued...

Lifetime Art Impressions, LLC photo

Click on the below article link to obtain background information to this blog post:

Examiner article

Every once in a while I get on a tangent about something and I tend to bring it forward in a strange way, the parallels article link to this post is reflective of this scenario. Strange as it may seem, I really hope I was able to get my message across. I believe that we live in two worlds simultaneously; we exist spiritually and physically and these realms most certainly parallel each other.

I also believe if we find and engage or fuel our passions physically we are also positively nurturing our spirits; this, for me, is reflective in my world of creativity. Although my projects are physical, they engage me spiritually and help me embrace the parallels of both of these worlds.

I think this concept may be difficult for someone who doesn’t believe in that which cannot be seen but if an individual is able trust what he or she feels, and follow a faith of some sort, a higher power, then it does all make sense.

In my article, I linked to a subtle version of this article that I had written long ago (along the same lines) and it offers ways to help one realm positively impact the other.  Click here to take a look!

I’m curious of your thoughts about all of this, do you think I’m crazy or am I onto something here? If you’re reading this, drop me a note and let’s get a dialogue going!

Help the hopeless, get involved, continued...

Lifetime Art Impressions, LLC photo

Click on the below article link to obtain background information to this blog post:

Examiner article

I have worked periodically on a crisis line for the past 9 years and during this time, in which I have interfaced with others I have had one experience when I had to work diligently to create a verbal suicide contract with a person who felt there was no reason to continue living. It is scary to be in the sidelines of another person suffering hopelessness but thank goodness this individual was able to reach out for help.

Basically I worked to calm the individual down, inquire about things in his life that might inspire the caller to pick life over death like the need to take care of his pet otherwise, who else will do it? He might not of cared enough about his life in that moment but the fact that something else depends on him, is something to get him thinking about life over death.

I convinced the caller to take things one minute at a time and to reach out again should thoughts of hurting himself surface. We talked about ways this person could channel his anxiety and self-expression and we discussed local supports like his parents, his church, and the suicide hotline. Of course I gave him local resources and tried to convince him of the need to go into counseling and/or to the doctor for help.

Although I felt scared for the person, I was relieved he asked for help. I was not able to get contact information in order to send the police to him for a welfare check because the he refused to provide this information but I do feel like we made headway regardless.

The message I am trying to convey is to get involved with the people who are in your circle or who touch it in any way; you might just save a life by doing so!

If you’re feeling suicidal please call the suicide hotline for help. Your life is worth this call!

1-800-273-TALK.

Catastrophizing, continued...

Lifetime Art Impressions, Craft

Click on the below article link to obtain background information to this blog post:

Examiner article

I love the quote I closed with in the article. I have learned through practice and by challenging my core beliefs through rational thinking to “unlearn” the negative catastrophizing mindset that I unintentionally took on from such a young age. Keep in mind this impacted me physically at an young age; I had a nervous stomach in my early elementary school years but I was embarrassed to share this healthy issue. I used to spoon the Kaopectate daily like it was a vitamin to address diarrhea I suffered. My worrying coping mechanism was self-sabotaging; I was later diagnosed with Ulcerous Colitis as a young adult.

Today, I have come along way in my healing process as I said I had to unlearn this modeled behavior and reframe my thoughts in order to rationally weigh risks instead of hexing the unknown with a worst-case scenario. I use the work “hex” because I believe in the power of thinking, and my negative thoughts were powerfully energized with my emotions, this manifested much of what I had feared.

Of course I do still worry but when I started going down this unhealthy path I recognize it pretty quickly and then I channel the energy into a positive coping mechanism instead. I’ve shared before, I have learned to turn anxious energy into curiosity; anxiety is harmful but curios energy is a positive. 

What have you carried unintentionally from your childhood? If it is impacting you negatively, it is time to reveal the toxin and let it go. If you do the work, you’ll free yourself from the hardship!

List your strengths, continued...

Lifetime Art Impressions, LLC drawing

Click on the below article link to obtain background information to this blog post:

Examiner article

Okay, I did make a list of my strengths and my weaknesses, which I’ve included below:

Positives of me:

   1.     I’m a survivor  

   2.     I have a persevering spirit

   3.     I’m kind

   4.     I’m a good person

   5.     I am motivated

   6.     I can handle anything that is thrown at me.

   7.     I have a “can do” attitude

   8.     I am creative

   9.     I am spiritual

   10.  I learn from my mistakes

   11.  I am passionate about life

   12.  I am smart

   13.  I am genuine

   14.  I am happy with my Life

   15.  I am a good mother

   16.  I am a good partner

   17.  I am a good daughter

   18.  I am business savvy

   19.  I am getting healthier

   20.  I appreciate my sense of humor 

   21.  I’m a helper

   22.  I am a strong woman

   23.  I am compassionate

   24.  I love that I think differently than others

   25.  I am talented in the creative world

   26.  I love being forty-something

   27.  I’m conscientious

   28.  I’m proud of my work ethic

   29.  I’m ethical

   30.  I’m a good mentor

My weaknesses:

   1.     I’m overweight; I need to lose weight.

   2.     I’m tired a lot; I need to be more physically active.

   3.     I’m shy; I need to overcome my public speaking anxieties.

   4.     I sometimes care too much, I can be over-controlling.

   5.     I’m an overachiever; I lack balance at times.

I had more difficulty listing weaknesses than I did in listing my strengths. I do not believe I am narcissistic because I care a lot about others but I do truly believe in my core that I can take care of myself, I love myself and I love my life. Because I have self-love, I am better able to serve others. Yes, of course I have faults but I am always trying to learn from my mistakes and as I get older I am learning how to be true to my purpose. I am proud of my accomplishments and I am happy to be physically part of the world.

All of what I listed, I want you to be able to list plus many more of the positives. You, my friend, are priceless and I’m hopeful you realize this!

Good self-esteem will enable you to move forward in your life by leaps and bounds!

Do you have good self-esteem? If so, what do you think was a big contribution to you developing your self-esteem? Do you think our thoughts make a difference? Give me some feedback, I’m curious.