The poem below was written by Marianne Willamson and is probably in my opinion some of the most inspirational words ever written. I have this poem positioned in pride of place in my study and get chills when I read it. What is your gut feeling deep within when you read it?
“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”
How do these words affect you?
Remember who are you not to be powerful beyond measure?
Go ahead and let your light shine.
Saturday, June 27, 2009
Friday, June 26, 2009
Learning from Micheal Jackson
I woke up to the news of the sudden death of Micheal Jackson. Whenever death strikes it reminds us of our own mortality and the fragility of life. Regardless of your opinions of the allegations that were filed against him, there is no doubt that Micheal was a hugely talented individual that brought much pleasure and entertainment to millions of people's lives. In his 50 years he won 13 Grammy awards, travelled the world and sold over 75 million records. Thriller alone, which is the top-selling album of all time, had sales exceeding 41 million.
Micheal's phenomenal success as an entertainer shows us what can be achieved by one individual with a vision. He was a gifted singer and was catapulted to stardom as a child, but his continued success was down to his determination and vision to do what he loved, which was songwriting and performing.
If one person can have that kind of success perfecting their craft, what could you do in your life time?
Micheal's phenomenal success as an entertainer shows us what can be achieved by one individual with a vision. He was a gifted singer and was catapulted to stardom as a child, but his continued success was down to his determination and vision to do what he loved, which was songwriting and performing.
If one person can have that kind of success perfecting their craft, what could you do in your life time?
- What is your purpose?
- What would you like to do so much that you would feel truly blessed if you could do it everyday and get paid for it?
- What activities do you do that you don't notice time passing?
- What burning desire has come back to you again and again over the years?
- If you knew what you should be doing, what would it be?
- If you were not concerned with the judgements of others what would you do?
Answer the questions above honestly and you will be closer to uncovering your true purpose. We all have a sense of what we would really like to do, now starting taking tentative steps to get you closer to living your purpose. It might be buying an inspirational book, talking to someone that has done what you would like to do, writing down your goals or attending an evening course. The step itself is not important, what is is making a commitment to honour yourself and pursue your purpose.
As you read the questions you will undoubtably have resistances and negative self talk that pops up. Acknowedge these resistances, but continue to ponder the questions. When you are living a life that you choose, you are happier and in turn this allows people around you to begin to acknowledge their own purpose.
Go ahead and live a life of possibilities.
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Depression & You
We often say that we are down or depressed, but how many of us actually know the clinical symptoms of depression? The most common psychological disorder reported by GP's is depression. In order to be diagnosed with depression an individual must report most of the following symptoms over a two week period:
· feeling sad most of the time
· lost interest in most of your usual activities
· lost or gained weight
· felt excessively guilty
· sleep disturbance
· felt worthless
· had poor concentration
· were very indecisive
Looking at the list above, I think many people may have experienced these symptoms at one time or another. There is no one single cause of depression and consequently there is no one quick fix either. What is important to remember is that the individual suffering from depression is not doing it for attention, or trying to be difficult, they are genuinely struggling with their emotions and no doubt finding it increasingly difficult to do their job effectively.
It has been reported that of those that see a life coach, a fifth of clients have symptoms that could classify them as having clinical depression. This suggests that people may view seeing a coach as more acceptable than going to see a psychologist or counsellor. With the dramatic increase in the acceptance and use of coaches in the corporate arena, it is imperative that if a client appears to have depression they are referred to a psychologist who can assist them more fully. That said coaching alone may go along way in helping to restore a persons self esteem and give them more clarity in the workplace and beyond.
There are many strategies for helping an individual alleviate the symptoms of depression including, healthy diet, relaxation techniques, meditation, exercise, medication and cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT). CBT helps individuals become aware of negative thought patterns and destructive actions which often follow. In a recent American study moderate, regular exercise was found to be as effective as anti-depressants for patients suffering from mild depression. Therefore with many workplaces now offering gymnasiums on site or subsidised membership to gymnasiums this is great news for those of us that may be experiencing depression or are feeling a little blue. Individuals often try to self-medicate through food, alcohol, caffeine, sugar or drugs. These vices may indeed provide a quick fix, but they do not get to the root of the illness and will often aggravate it further.
If you or someone you know may be suffering from depression, early intervention ensures that you will get the help and support you need. Be honest about how you are feeling, as keeping things to yourself or pretending everything is fine will only aggravate the illness further. It is estimated that 60% of the population at some point in their lives will suffer from depression, therefore instead of denying how you are feeling, rest assured that many people have experienced depression, including well known celebrities like Jim Carey, Larry King & Britney Spears. It is not a life long illness and with support and taking positive steps depression can be managed successfully.
The following link is fort a quick depression self test.. The site also offers a wealth of information, factsheets and support.
http://www.blackdoginstitute.org.au/public/depression/howtotell/selftesting.cfm
· feeling sad most of the time
· lost interest in most of your usual activities
· lost or gained weight
· felt excessively guilty
· sleep disturbance
· felt worthless
· had poor concentration
· were very indecisive
Looking at the list above, I think many people may have experienced these symptoms at one time or another. There is no one single cause of depression and consequently there is no one quick fix either. What is important to remember is that the individual suffering from depression is not doing it for attention, or trying to be difficult, they are genuinely struggling with their emotions and no doubt finding it increasingly difficult to do their job effectively.
It has been reported that of those that see a life coach, a fifth of clients have symptoms that could classify them as having clinical depression. This suggests that people may view seeing a coach as more acceptable than going to see a psychologist or counsellor. With the dramatic increase in the acceptance and use of coaches in the corporate arena, it is imperative that if a client appears to have depression they are referred to a psychologist who can assist them more fully. That said coaching alone may go along way in helping to restore a persons self esteem and give them more clarity in the workplace and beyond.
There are many strategies for helping an individual alleviate the symptoms of depression including, healthy diet, relaxation techniques, meditation, exercise, medication and cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT). CBT helps individuals become aware of negative thought patterns and destructive actions which often follow. In a recent American study moderate, regular exercise was found to be as effective as anti-depressants for patients suffering from mild depression. Therefore with many workplaces now offering gymnasiums on site or subsidised membership to gymnasiums this is great news for those of us that may be experiencing depression or are feeling a little blue. Individuals often try to self-medicate through food, alcohol, caffeine, sugar or drugs. These vices may indeed provide a quick fix, but they do not get to the root of the illness and will often aggravate it further.
If you or someone you know may be suffering from depression, early intervention ensures that you will get the help and support you need. Be honest about how you are feeling, as keeping things to yourself or pretending everything is fine will only aggravate the illness further. It is estimated that 60% of the population at some point in their lives will suffer from depression, therefore instead of denying how you are feeling, rest assured that many people have experienced depression, including well known celebrities like Jim Carey, Larry King & Britney Spears. It is not a life long illness and with support and taking positive steps depression can be managed successfully.
The following link is fort a quick depression self test.. The site also offers a wealth of information, factsheets and support.
http://www.blackdoginstitute.org.au/public/depression/howtotell/selftesting.cfm
Seven Ways to Create More and Consume Less
Being more creative in our everyday lives is easier then you think. Consuming less can help free us from the pressures that we often surround ourselves with. Here are seven practical ways to help you create more of what you want in your life, whilst consuming less.
1. Pay More, Eat Less
Where possible try to eat organic food, which tends to be more expensive, but on the whole is likely to have fewer toxins and often tastes superior. The quantity and quality of the food we consume has a huge impact on how well our minds and bodies can perform. With obesity levels and type II diabetes on the rise, it is more important than ever to limit the amount of processed food we consume.
2. Resist the Temptation to go to the Mall
Think about the last time you went to the mall. How did you feel while you were there and afterwards, energized, bored, frustrated? Did you need or even really want the things that you bought? We may wonder around aimlessly, but we are still actively processing on a subconscious level the bombardment of promotions that are around every corner. Next time you feel the urge to go to mall, be honest about what may be really going on. Once you begin to recognize the triggers of your consumption, you can begin to diminish its hold on you.
3. Don’t Buy Glossy Magazines
Be selective about what you read. As the song ‘Everybody’s Free to Wear Sunscreen’ by Baz Luhrmann goes “Do not read beauty magazines, they will only make you feel ugly”. Reading magazines exposes us to a whole host of advertising that permeates through us and often influences the purchases we make. Low self esteem in adolescents has also been linked to reading glossy magazines. So ditch the magazines and read some inspirational, uplifting stories or biographies instead.
4. Turn Off The Television
We often don’t realize how television eats away at our time. For a week, try and keep a log of how often you watch television and how it makes you feel. At the end of the week reflect on how many hours you watch television and think about what you could achieve if you watched it less. Try to restrict the amount of television you watch and instead play a board game or just talk without any distractions.
5. Volunteer
Get involved in something that you feel passionate about, be it on a local, national or international level. Volunteering gives you the opportunity to meet like-minded people and appreciate the many gifts you have to offer. It is also a great way to explore a new career and gain new skills.
6. Exercise
Choose an exercise or team sport which you genuinely enjoy and you will be more likely to keep it up. If you would like to get fit, start with small achievable goals, such as being able to walk up the stairs without becoming breathless and then aim for bigger more challenging ones such as competing in a race. Besides the myriad of health benefits that regular exercise bestows upon us, it has also been found that after prolonged aerobic exercise creative thinking also improves
7. Love Your Job
If you love what you do for a living, you are likely to find your job rewarding, enjoyable and intellectually stimulating. However, if you are unhappy in your work, it is probable that you consume more in order to bury your discontentment. What facets of your job do you really enjoy? Are there ways that you could do more of what you like on a more regular basis? Often the things we like doing are also the things that we are naturally good at, so get creative and think about what you love about your work.
1. Pay More, Eat Less
Where possible try to eat organic food, which tends to be more expensive, but on the whole is likely to have fewer toxins and often tastes superior. The quantity and quality of the food we consume has a huge impact on how well our minds and bodies can perform. With obesity levels and type II diabetes on the rise, it is more important than ever to limit the amount of processed food we consume.
2. Resist the Temptation to go to the Mall
Think about the last time you went to the mall. How did you feel while you were there and afterwards, energized, bored, frustrated? Did you need or even really want the things that you bought? We may wonder around aimlessly, but we are still actively processing on a subconscious level the bombardment of promotions that are around every corner. Next time you feel the urge to go to mall, be honest about what may be really going on. Once you begin to recognize the triggers of your consumption, you can begin to diminish its hold on you.
3. Don’t Buy Glossy Magazines
Be selective about what you read. As the song ‘Everybody’s Free to Wear Sunscreen’ by Baz Luhrmann goes “Do not read beauty magazines, they will only make you feel ugly”. Reading magazines exposes us to a whole host of advertising that permeates through us and often influences the purchases we make. Low self esteem in adolescents has also been linked to reading glossy magazines. So ditch the magazines and read some inspirational, uplifting stories or biographies instead.
4. Turn Off The Television
We often don’t realize how television eats away at our time. For a week, try and keep a log of how often you watch television and how it makes you feel. At the end of the week reflect on how many hours you watch television and think about what you could achieve if you watched it less. Try to restrict the amount of television you watch and instead play a board game or just talk without any distractions.
5. Volunteer
Get involved in something that you feel passionate about, be it on a local, national or international level. Volunteering gives you the opportunity to meet like-minded people and appreciate the many gifts you have to offer. It is also a great way to explore a new career and gain new skills.
6. Exercise
Choose an exercise or team sport which you genuinely enjoy and you will be more likely to keep it up. If you would like to get fit, start with small achievable goals, such as being able to walk up the stairs without becoming breathless and then aim for bigger more challenging ones such as competing in a race. Besides the myriad of health benefits that regular exercise bestows upon us, it has also been found that after prolonged aerobic exercise creative thinking also improves
7. Love Your Job
If you love what you do for a living, you are likely to find your job rewarding, enjoyable and intellectually stimulating. However, if you are unhappy in your work, it is probable that you consume more in order to bury your discontentment. What facets of your job do you really enjoy? Are there ways that you could do more of what you like on a more regular basis? Often the things we like doing are also the things that we are naturally good at, so get creative and think about what you love about your work.
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Stop hanging out with Energy Zappers
I have often allowed others to take from me on an energetic level, this is when I have spent time with people that I have allowed make me feel bad or sad. Why do we do that? Surely we know that our time is precious and valuable! Not always, sometimes we spend time with people that are not good for us because of our own low self esteem and feelings of worthlessness. Energy zappers are often quick to reinforce these feelings of worthlessness, as they also feel the same way. Energy zappers are highly insecure and given the chance will disregard or belittle your positivity, often in covert ways. It might be a subtle sidewards glance, a sigh or indeed ignoring your ideas or opinions. We can sometimes feel that we deserve no better, little wonder if these are the types of people we are around. The most successful people in the world know that you have to stop hanging around these people, or if this is not possible limit the time you spend with them. It is pretty easy to spot an energy zapper, next time you are with a person or group of people just check in with how you feel. Are you feeling; depressed, anxious, bored and despondent? Or are you feeling invigorated, excited, energetic and happy? If so, you are likely to be in the fine company of an energy giver. Who would you rather hang out with?
The same is true when you think about yourself, do you uplift and encourage those around you, if not, why not? You need to pinpoint what is keeping you stuck and overcome this. Only then can you truly shine and let others shine. If you know you are guilty of being an energy zapper, you don't have to stay that way. Make a choice to change:
"What you have been, is not who you can be." Anon
Respect each and every person, energy giver or zapper, but remember your time is very precious, spend it wisely. You are an amazing person, but maybe you just don't quite realise it yet.
Friday, June 19, 2009
Ever made changes to impress others??
Be very clear about your motivation behind making positive changes. Is it to impress others? because if so it is much harder to keep up the pretence as it is not coming from your authentic self.
As Wayne Dyer said "I would rather be loathed for who I am than loved for who I am not." What a powerful statement and so true.
I once dated a guy that was so not me, but I was crazy about him. He had a great job, fast car, fab townhouse in the city and the arrogance to match. I tried to mould myself into being something I wasn't. From pretending that it was okay if he only called once a week, (it wasn't) to not responding promptly to my texts, (painful) to hanging out with his friends, (deadly boring) to wearing ridiculously high heels, (ouch) to hearing him speak down to others (I hate that) to preening myself so much before a date that I hardly recognised myself (sad really). Well I am pleased to say after a few short months I came to my senses, but at the time I so desperately wanted him to fall for me that I was willing to compromise who I was in order to impress him. What I now realise is that he was never going to be right for me. This painful process taught me alot about myself and in a way I am glad I went through it as it has shown me that when you are not being true to yourself you end pleasing nobody.
Who are you trying to please at the moment? A boss, colleague, friend, partner, sibling, people you hardly know? Become clear about who you are and honour the magnificence within you. Gauge how you feel when you are trying to impress others, be authentic and people will warm much more to the real you. I promise.
As Wayne Dyer said "I would rather be loathed for who I am than loved for who I am not." What a powerful statement and so true.
I once dated a guy that was so not me, but I was crazy about him. He had a great job, fast car, fab townhouse in the city and the arrogance to match. I tried to mould myself into being something I wasn't. From pretending that it was okay if he only called once a week, (it wasn't) to not responding promptly to my texts, (painful) to hanging out with his friends, (deadly boring) to wearing ridiculously high heels, (ouch) to hearing him speak down to others (I hate that) to preening myself so much before a date that I hardly recognised myself (sad really). Well I am pleased to say after a few short months I came to my senses, but at the time I so desperately wanted him to fall for me that I was willing to compromise who I was in order to impress him. What I now realise is that he was never going to be right for me. This painful process taught me alot about myself and in a way I am glad I went through it as it has shown me that when you are not being true to yourself you end pleasing nobody.
Who are you trying to please at the moment? A boss, colleague, friend, partner, sibling, people you hardly know? Become clear about who you are and honour the magnificence within you. Gauge how you feel when you are trying to impress others, be authentic and people will warm much more to the real you. I promise.
Welcome to Be Informed, Be Inspired
Greetings all,
Welcome to my blog. Here I will share daily inspiration with you about Psychology, Coaching, Wellness, and more. I think when we are informed and inspired by what we read we are more likely to take positive action eventually..
In a recent study discussed in Virus of the Mind, by Richard Brodie it was found that when participants attended a self development course/seminar the feedback they gave immediately afterwards was really positive and they were sure they were going to implement what they had learnt. However, six months later in a follow-up study of the participants who said they were going to make postive changes only 3% had!
Sound familiar? We all to often have genunine intentions, but things just happen and we go back to our old ways not because we want to, but because we have been doing the same thing for so long that it is hard to break the cycle. Being an avid learner myself I have attended my fair share of self development programs and must hold my hand up to leaving an event and being pumped to experience my fab, sparkly new life that eagerly awaits me, only to find a week later that I have all but forgotten what I had learnt. The hastily scribed notes that I guarded like the whole grail during the course lay dormant, never to be opened again..
As a Psychology teacher, coach and speaker I am acutely aware of how important it is to gently encourage others to make beneficial changes in their lives and I also know how hard it can be! We hold onto old patterns of behaviour not because they work, but often because we are scared of the alternative. Change is scary, but the more we honour our true nature the easier positive change becomes.
Are there things that are not working in your life and you know are worthy of your attention? I have found personally and from clients that when we take just one habit and conquer it, it often gives us the push and confidence to take on bigger, more damaging habits. Go easy on yourself, write down your goals, be accountable, seek support, review and refine your goals and if necessary restart them.
“Habit is habit, and not to be flung out of the window by any man, but coaxed downstairs a step at a time.” - Mark Twain
Welcome to my blog. Here I will share daily inspiration with you about Psychology, Coaching, Wellness, and more. I think when we are informed and inspired by what we read we are more likely to take positive action eventually..
In a recent study discussed in Virus of the Mind, by Richard Brodie it was found that when participants attended a self development course/seminar the feedback they gave immediately afterwards was really positive and they were sure they were going to implement what they had learnt. However, six months later in a follow-up study of the participants who said they were going to make postive changes only 3% had!
Sound familiar? We all to often have genunine intentions, but things just happen and we go back to our old ways not because we want to, but because we have been doing the same thing for so long that it is hard to break the cycle. Being an avid learner myself I have attended my fair share of self development programs and must hold my hand up to leaving an event and being pumped to experience my fab, sparkly new life that eagerly awaits me, only to find a week later that I have all but forgotten what I had learnt. The hastily scribed notes that I guarded like the whole grail during the course lay dormant, never to be opened again..
As a Psychology teacher, coach and speaker I am acutely aware of how important it is to gently encourage others to make beneficial changes in their lives and I also know how hard it can be! We hold onto old patterns of behaviour not because they work, but often because we are scared of the alternative. Change is scary, but the more we honour our true nature the easier positive change becomes.
Are there things that are not working in your life and you know are worthy of your attention? I have found personally and from clients that when we take just one habit and conquer it, it often gives us the push and confidence to take on bigger, more damaging habits. Go easy on yourself, write down your goals, be accountable, seek support, review and refine your goals and if necessary restart them.
“Habit is habit, and not to be flung out of the window by any man, but coaxed downstairs a step at a time.” - Mark Twain
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