Roll Down the Windows!

Judgement. What purpose does that really serve?
I hear my inner Dr. Phil, “How's that workin’ for ya?”

We have been doing it for...ever.
Most of our parents, even having the best intentions, were impeccable teachers of how to do it. They let us know when we didn’t reach the bar and we felt it. We embodied it. We swallowed it hook, line and sinker...just like almost every generation before us.


From then on, we judged us too.

You “should” do this, you “should” do that. How suffocating to “should” all over yourself!
When do we wake up from this dream and ask, “Why?”
Who decided something “should” be a certain way anyway? Why do you give your power over to someone else's picture perfect reality? What makes it perfect? For who? For you?

Are you living your dream? Are you sure? Or is it someone else's?
Take your power back and stop trying to mimic the life someone else dreamed up.
So what if you have a few extra pounds, a 15 year old car, a job without an elaborate title. Who truly cares (that really matters) if you have a modest house and a few skeletons in your closet?

Notice how your energy drops when you are in judgement of yourself. The life force is sucked right out of you. How is that setting you up to make positive change?
Yeah, it’s not!
Is there any good purpose served by judging yourself?
We know when we want to make different choices in life. Does that mean we need to beat ourselves up about what our choices have been thus far? No! We just simply need to acknowledge that we are going to make a change. No judgement. That’s it.

It’s like driving your car into a lake..okay, don’t actually do that. But most of us have heard that as soon as your car enters water, roll down the windows. Why? Because as the water rises, if the windows are closed, it allows too much pressure/resistance to build outside the car and you cannot open the window, much less open the door. You’re trapped!

In life, when we want to change an aspect of ourselves, the more resistance (judgement) we have, the more difficult it is to escape and actually make real change.

Let go of needing to be right (according to whoever..even you) and just BE.  
You don’t have to look the the trash to take it out.
Just let it go, and roll down the window!

Dig Down Deep

Have you ever noticed that when you are having a good time you don’t even think of checking a clock? When you do finally look it is because something triggered you. Is it worry? Are you anxious about a need to go or to check on a responsibility (which is not all bad)? Are you wishing what you were somewhere else? 

 I’m not saying we should never worry about the time; I am suggesting we be aware of the feelings we have when we are attracted to it.

Now that we know how to breathe and we know how to embrace gratitude, lets go for a real attitude adjuster.

We can use the clock or you might think of something else as a reminder. I like to use the clock because often I am looking at it because I am anxious about something. I might be dreading a situation that is coming or one that I wish were going. We have given the clock an unhealthily power to stress us out. We are just taking some of that power back.


When you notice the time, notice what feeling prompted you to look. If you realize you are anxious about a situation, smile, take three slow deep breaths and think of at least one or two things you are grateful for related to the situation.  

In a work situation this might be as simple as being thankful for having a job, working with such great co-workers or recognizing the love you have for what you do. If you are at home you might be feeling stress because you have to get things done so you can get to bed at a decent time. You might pause and be thankful that you have a home, that you have the things that you have to take care of (which might be kids) or you might simply be thankful you have the ability to do what it is you need to do.


When you feel your stress, dig down deep and notice the love you have for where you are and what you’re doing (even if you have to be creative).
Pull that up and stare it straight in the eyes.
Smile and take three deep breaths.
You’ve got it!

Don’t Hold Your Breath

Breathing. We all do it.

Most of us have heard about some kind of connection between how deeply we breath and how relaxed we are. It’s true. 
Try it.

When we can relax and “take a breath” our energy shifts. We soften, our mind can clear and our perception can change. It might take three deeeeeep breaths to let the stress go, but it will go. Know that you, being who you are is enough.  
You might even tell yourself, “I am enough” as you breathe. 
If you can't get out of your head, put your hand over your heart and focus your thoughts in your heart. You will be amazed at how great your feel and how you can begin to operate from your heart instead of your head. You will feel more relaxed, more refreshed, more authentic. 





I challenge you to take at least one slow deep breath every time you look at a clock today.
If you are able to do at least three deep breaths, pay attention to how your mind starts to clear, your shoulders start to get out of your ears and the lines in your face disappear (okay...well, they feel like it).






For those of you that sit right across from a clock like I do, we won’t hyperventilate. We are taking SLOW deep breaths. 
I know...you were getting worried. 

Relax and breathe, or is it breathe and relax?