#mindsetadjustment

Isn’t it amazing how we can actually allow others to hijack our thoughts? We do this all the time. I was recently talking to a friend about workouts and how my new obsession with the barbell has totally surprised me. I have several barbells but for the longest time I would use them sparingly. Lately, I have been using them in every single workout as I have changed a lot about my workout routine. Quickly my friend replied “I need to use barbells!”  

  Now I know we are suppose to look at this as a compliment. People look up to us and want to emulate what we do. That is all great but I hate the fact that my friend thought she “had” to start using barbells when she has an awesome routine right now and it works for her.

  But we do this don’t we?! We look at other people, hear what they are doing and feel that we too should be doing XYZ. But should we?

  Just because someone is doing something that is working for them doesn’t mean it will work for you. When we let someone’s opinions or actions hijack our own way of thinking and doing things we are entering into a slippery slop.  I come from the belief that if I am spending my time comparing myself to someone else I will never find my truth ~ my authentic self. When we allow others opinions or choices to sway ours there is a good chance we are not being true to ourselves and in that we will never be 100% happy. In order to stay true to you, it will be important to address your needs…how you do that will be critical it successfully meeting them. Hint ~ it won’t be by doing what everyone else is doing, it will be by doing it the way that works best for you.

  Today, be careful to not allow your opinions and thoughts to be hijacked by the fact that someone else is doing something a certain way. Trust your gut. Listen to the needs of your soul. Stay true to YOU!

It can be really hard to take the leap of faith and start something new. To push yourself out of your comfort zone and believe that you can. We are so good at defining our limitations and taking actions means we have chosen to ignore all that we are NOT and do it anyway. Scary? Hell yeah. There is trepidation when it comes to taking risks. But, if you have a clear purpose – you know the big WHY behind it all then your determination will be much stronger than any fear you may have.

  Fear does a great job keeping us stuck. It reminds us of all the things we have yet to become. We believe that until we accomplish that certain thing(s) we can’t go for it; our dreams will have to wait.  It puts the thought ‘I need to be more before I attempt this’ in our minds. This way of thinking is the exact reason so many people are feeling like they are in a dead end relationship, career, financial situation, or hopeless with their health and fitness. They keep spinning their wheels hoping that something – someway will give….

  This is no way to go about life. It is totally normal to be afraid while facing a change. There is a healthy amount of fear while taking that risk, but are you determined enough to not let that hold you back? Does fear own you or does your dreams? This is heavy stuff and I believe we are asking the wrong questions. We are so good at pinpointing and answering all the reasons why not. How about trying this? What is right with me?

Today, take some time to think about all that is right with you and why you are worth taking the risk. More important, you are worth taking the time to investigate what it is that you want out of life ~ WHAT IS YOUR PURPOSE?! A strong purpose keeps the fires of determination ignited. Do you know your BIG WHY? If not I strongly encourage you to take time to discover that – you are so worth it!

How do you know when you are owning your own stuff and staying out of other people's business? >You don't get angry with people because you go to self-compassion and benefit of the doubt. >When you have the thought "They are annoying" you leave it at that and move on - you don't attach all kinds of other emotions. >You stop trying to change people. You allow them to go through their journey the way they need to - in fact you may get to a point where you don't even have an opinion. You are too busy taking care of your stuff! >Forgiveness happens even before they ask.  >Judgements are not something you practice, as you know by pointing the finger at someone else, you are NOT owing your stuff, in fact you may be avoiding it.  Being accountable for you and your stuff is enough work, there is no need to worry about any one else's - that is for them to figure out. Of course if people seek your advice it is always best to be their for them. Projecting your thoughts or opinions is way different.  Is this easy? Not always, but the more you stay in your business and leave other people to theirs the more energy and zest for life you will have. There will be a calm - a peaceful feeling - if you will. You will have the ability to focus on YOU and how you can live your very best version of you possible! Today, every time you go to point a finger, remember there are 3 more pointing back at you. It is possible what is bothering you about someone else, is the one thing that drives you crazy about yourself. Gah ~ this is so hard to look at, but the more you do amazing things will come! xo ~ Maryalice

Those moments in time when you realize that life is something you should never take for granted but in actuality you take it for granted every single day. We all get caught up in the busyness of life; minutes turn into hours and hours turn into days - right before our eyes. We start a day with intentions to be more present, more available, more grateful and before we know it we are cursing at the car next to us and feeling that overwhelming stress of having to be somewhere or get stuff done. It happens and quite often it happens on the daily. But then there are those moments that make us take a second to reflect and realize that at any given moment it can all change and none of this craziness we throw ourselves into will matter. The only thing that will matter is that you loved and were loved. Really - that is it.  When we leave this planet physically we don't care if people remember us for getting all our errands done; for always being busy and getting stuff done. Can you imagine someone eulogizing you saying "She was very busy all the time, overwhelmed, and constantly focused on getting stuff gone." Gah - that would be terrible. There is so much more to all of us then the things we do. I believe God places people, places, and situations in front of us to be able to take personal inventory. For instance, to watch a parent age...This has been totally eye opening for me. Watching my father - a once 6'1 strong handsome, smart, funny, great dancer, spiritual, loving (and so much more) man become dependent, weak, and frail has been one of the most eye opening experiences of my life. A mixture of sadness, fear, pride, compassion, and so much more floods me every time I am blessed to be with him. As I watch him today versus when I was and he was younger, it is like a whole different person is there. It has really made me think about about how short life really is. How my busyness is only speeding up my journey with distraction and not allowing me to be present in the moment.  These experiences help us to say "no" to things that really don't matter or serve us. They give us a realization that there is more to life then running around like a looney! They make you realize the sacrifices that your parents have made for you in their life and how it is your turn to do the same for them.  So, yes we will read this and tomorrow we will still manage to somehow get busy - it is the human way. But I encourage you to take some time to find a few minutes to find the one thing (or more) you are grateful for. Today, try to take some time to remove yourself from the chaos of life and find time to bask in one thing you are extremely grateful for.

That moment when you realize you ate and drank wayyyy too much. All the feelings of "I shouldn't have eaten that." "Why did I do it." "I am so mad at myself." And on and on and on... But is it really worth it? What does this type of mindset do to us? It only sets us up to look at how weak we are. We place all our focus on the negative and food guilt quickly turns into not liking ourselves. We get angry and disappointed with ourselves wishing we had the ability to NOT eat 'bad' things. This turns into a spiral effect where we have this belief that we are somehow not a 'good' person anymore because we can't control ourselves. This is just belief - it is not fact. Our beliefs are powerful. They dictate our actions or inactions. I know when I used to beat myself up over food choices, it made me want to eat more bad food, it didn't motivate me to do or be better. So, I don't believe in food guilt, it is truly a waste of time.  Next time you have the thought; "I shouldn't have eaten that____" just allow yourself to have the thought. Once you start attaching all these negative adjectives to that thought "I'm bad" "How could I?" "What is wrong with me?" that is where you can do more harm then good.  We will all have a night where we are not spot on, it happens we're human. But instead of making that moment in time define who you are, give yourself the benefit of the doubt...If that was your best friend and she called you freaking out about what she ate - what would you say to her? Be your own best friend and have some self-compassion and move on!  Your positive attitude will give you better staying power then a defeatist mindset that just tells you how not good enough you are.  TODAY! When you have a negative thought, practice just allowing it to be a thought - just let it be. Try not attaching all the negativity to it. Focus on moving onward and how awesome your are from the InsideOut! xo

I believe the more you find gratitude in your heart the more you will be open to embracing your life - the good and the bad. Life is not all peaches & cream ~ that is for sure. But if we are only willing to show up for the good then we are selling ourselves short.

Embracing life during the good times is easy. But what about when life throws you a challenge or two, are you still able to embrace what's good in your life? I will admit this can be challenging but those who are able to maintain a grateful heart in the good and the bad times are the ones who spend a lot less time in the bad.

When we embrace every opportunity in our life with gratitude we are able to see the good in it all. This has been something I have been tested many times on in my life as I am sure you have as well. But a strong faith, an optimistic mindset, and the belief that there is hope will always pull you threw.

Today, try and practice embracing the day with a grateful heart. Troubles will come and troubles will go but they don't have to own your life or your energy. See the good you have all around you and stay in the strength of gratitude! xo