There are generally five different ways in which you can respond to change.  In my last post, I discussed one way which is seeking knowledge.  Another way that you can respond to change is to strive for ideals.

For instance, if your job or relationship was no longer satisfying, you would look for a new and better one.  Although this approach may provide short-term relief  and in some cases, long-term resolve, beware of using this method as a habit since it risks long-term dissatisfaction in life.

In my next post, I will discuss a third way to respond to change, which involves relinquishing to the flow.

Changes are inevitable in life.  How you respond to change can make all the difference between struggling and experiencing more enjoyment.  Choose a response that supports your mental wellness and a win-win outcome.

In general, there are five different ways of responding to change.  You can seek information, strive for ideals, relinquish to the flow, avoid or resist change, or take control and work positively with the change.  Know that each method has its pros and cons and that no one method is better than another for desired outcomes.  It all depends on the circumstances and personalities involved.  Today, I will talk about the pros and cons of seeking information and I will discuss the other four ways in upcoming posts.

Seeking information involves not only researching but also talking to others, including professionals.  Seek trusted sources and gather enough information to help you make an informed decision.  The downside of this method is that it can be very time-consuming, especially if you require a lot of details.  Be mindful of the time you have available and access only as much information as time allows.  Responding in a timely way can be critical to success.

Mind Master is pleased to announce its newest workshop for the month of September on “Creative Aging”.  Last month, I wrote about the benefits of creativity in countering the harmful effects of stress and maintaining good health.  ‘Indulge Yourself‘ discussed the link between thoughts, emotions and the immune system, and how creativity can contribute to ongoing wellness.

Midlife is naturally a transformative period as one symbolically crosses the bridge to the latter half of life, assesses the road behind and prepares for the journey ahead.  Changes in career, relationships, and lifestyle are common during this stage with taking stock of unmet goals and making plans to fulfill them.  Even our thought processes undergo some changes as a broader perspective emerges from years of life experience.  This move towards a broad mindset forms the ideal basis for accessing your creative potential.

The benefits of “Creative Aging” are immense.  Among the most notable are increased self-worth, greater confidence and satisfaction in life.  Join this engaging 2-hour workshop and discover your creative potential while working towards a rewarding and fulfilling future!

Hindsight is 20/20.  What this means is that we can often see with greater clarity when we look back over previous experiences.  Lessons reveal themselves with time and reflection.  Sometimes we get an ‘Aha’ moment, a revelation that connects all the dots, making sense of our lives.

The trick is to learn from our past, grow from our experiences and strive to improve ourselves a little each day.  This is sometimes easier said than done.  Changing ourselves and our responses to life requires conscious effort but is entirely possible.

Focus is the key.  Concentrate on what you want to change in your life and change will happen.  Vow to grow through life and with life.  Learn from your past experiences and  move forward in a positive manner  Life is rich with numerous experiences awaiting you.  Make the most out of your life, everyday!

What do you think of when you hear the word ‘open’?  Perhaps you envision an open door with endless views.  Being open in life is just like that, where a world of different perspectives and opportunities await you.

The quality of being open is expansive as it brings the greatest potential for growth.  When we are open to new ideas and exploring unknowns, we literally open the door to greater success in life.  Conversely, if we are closed, our door remains shut and we limit our potential.  We risk becoming stagnate in life when we stay within our comfort zones.

Ultimately, we were meant to grow and evolve with life.  If you are feeling a little uncomfortable about this, ease yourself into one new experience at a time.  Move slowly towards an open door and only peer through at first.  As you gain comfort, you will gradually see that what is beyond the door is not as overwhelming as you imagined.  Confidence will be your reward, along with a myriad of new opportunities.

How much control do we really have in life?  There are two schools of thought.  One is that we have total control and the other, that we have none.  Which do you believe or is it somewhere in between?

The answer is true for both, depending on the circumstances.  It is true that we have  total control over our internal experiences of life, our reactions and responses to the world around us.  It is also true that we have no control over our external experiences, how others respond and particular outcomes.  However, we can influence certain outcomes and knowing this makes all the difference.

Knowing what you can realistically control in your life and what you can’t is the key to living well.  We can all exhaust ourselves trying to create specific outcomes.  Put your energy towards what you can realistically influence and relinquish the rest.  We each have a limited amount of available energy each day.  Spend it wisely and you will gain more satisfaction in life, guaranteed!

Focus on one thing that you want to change in your life.  Perhaps it is creating more time for self-care or to pursue a special interest of yours.  Think about what you need to do to achieve your goal and in particular, what specific steps need to take place in order for this goal to become a reality.

Write down your step-by-step plan for action.  Create strategies for removing any barriers that currently exist or that might possibly arise.  Set a timeline for completing each step and commit yourself to it.  It is often helpful to share your goal with a friend.  Having your own personal cheerleader is worth its weight in gold!  Your reward will be increased confidence and improved self-worth, knowing that you can succeed with whatever you put your mind to.

Our past is not our destiny.  We all have the power to create our future, one which is aligned with our authentic selves.  One of the most profound quotes I came across recently is written by cellular biologist, Bruce Lipton, who states “Our conscious mind trumps both nature and nurture”.  What this means is that our thoughts can override inherent and learned habits.   Whether you believe this or not, it is certainly worth considering as you open your mind to the magnitude of possibilities that exists.

We all know that thoughts can hinder our progress just as much as they can help.  The power of thoughts cannot be underestimated as evidenced in stories where people overcome great obstacles in life through conscious effort and determination.  An excellent example of this is Olympic athletes who rebound from physical setbacks to prevail in their sport.  Open your mind to creating a rewarding future for yourself.  Take control of what you can to be the authority of your own life.

Our thoughts, emotions and immune system are intertwined.  This is proven by the fact that too much stress can lead to depression and chronic illnesses.  To counter the harmful effects of stress, there is something that we can all do to improve our emotional state and immunity to diseases.  What is it?

Creativity.  Being creative is something that we are all born with and have the capacity to excel.  When I talk about creativity, I am not talking about the traditional art form that we all stereotypically associate it with.  I am talking about creativity in all of its wonderful forms, from tangible to intangible.

Creativity is the process of inventing new ideas and projects that allow us to fully express ourselves.  Whether it be writing, photography, exploring nature, acting, singing,  self-employment, or community activism, find your niche and practice it.

Maria Ann Smith experimented with French crabapple seedlings and developed the Granny Smith apple in her 60’s.  Mother Theresa helped the unfortunate and was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize at the age of 69.  It is never too late to find your passion and indulge yourself.  Your heart and health will thank you for it!

Everyone experiences low self-worth to some degree.  This is because we have been conditioned from an early age to relate our own sense of worthiness to certain behaviours.  To give you an example, the child who obeys rules and conforms is considered good while the child who daydreams and disregards rules is labeled as bad.  As a result, we learn to compare ourselves to others and relate achievements to worth.      

In reality, we are all equals.  We all have the same basic human needs and desires, including success.  We all have natural talents and abilities unique to each of us that needs to be acknowledged in their own special way.   

Self-worth involves unconditional positive regard.  A wonderful exercise in helping you achieve this is to find a photo of yourself as a young child.  Look at the child and speak to him or her as you would an innocent child.  Convey love, compassion, and unconditional acceptance for the child: your inner child and the essence of you.  Self-worth is all about loving yourself for who you inherently are!