Are your thoughts constructive or destructive?  If they are constructive, they are positive, inspire growth and energize your day.  Conversely, if they are destructive, they are negative, limit your potential and dampen your enthusiasm in life.  Destructive thoughts are like a silent disease that dulls ones’ experiences and distorts perspectives.  Take action against destructive thinking to construct the life you desire!

Destructive thoughts and negative thinking are born from a state of doubt: doubt from within and doubt from others.  Fear, worry and anxiety are the result of negativity, creating dark shadows all around.  Cast a light on doubt and shine loving-kindness on worries and fears.  Construct a world that supports you and brings out the best in you.  Embrace the habit of positive thinking to live your life beyond the shadow of a doubt!

Confusion comes from the state of being overwhelmed.  Too much information, too much stimulation, and too little processing time all create havoc in the mind.  It is like the perfect storm with all the predictable hazards only visible to the most alert observer: the mindful witness.

What is mindfulness?  Mindfulness is more than just everyday awareness where your mind is focused on the task at hand and doing it well.  Mindfulness involves a deeper state of awareness that includes the subtleties in and around you.  Noticing that knot in your stomach, growing tension in your head and loss of focus are all a part of mindfulness within.  The changing scenery, events and conversations outside of you are also a part of mindfulness.

Mindfulness is the remedy for confusion.  When you are feeling confused, step back from where you are and take a deep breath.  Notice your feelings and do not judge or resist them but simply acknowledge them.  Then create space for positive change.  Change can only happen in the moment.  Relax your mind and make space for clarity.  Mindfulness is the key.  

Depression is like the common cold.  Just as it comes, it goes away in its own time.  The severity and duration vary according to individual personalities, beliefs, circumstances and choice of remedy.  Embrace love and compassion for yourself when depressed feelings visit.  Nurture yourself as you would any young child.  Take control of what you can and commit to healthy choices that move you forward to a place of hope and engaged living once again.

Healthy choices involve the basics of self-care such as a balanced diet, regular exercise, adequate sleep and effective stress management.  Supportive relationships are worth their weight in gold at this time.  Depending on how stuck you feel, you may also want to confide in a professional that you trust and respect or try a new one that feels right for you.

Beware of poor choices that do not feel right, that are not uplifting or offer only short-term relief.  Excess eating, drinking, and indulging in other distractions only mask the situation temporarily.  Lapsing into old coping styles are not the solution.  The remedy lies beyond your current way of living.  If you observe yourself cycling in and out of depression repeatedly over the years, it is time to change your approach to life.  Long term solutions require growth and the courage to stretch yourself beyond your place in life.  Embrace new habits that serve you better and your reward will be a lighter and brighter future.  Hope and vitality are just around the corner.  Take a look!

“Let depression be your alarm, compassion your teacher.” – Wise Sister Fay

Mind Master is pleased to present its second annual charity workshop: Aging Brilliantly: Mindful Wellness.  This workshop is delightfully entertaining and highly engaging, assimilating a road trip and journey of ultimate discovery.  Join stimulating conversations and learn the keys to developing conscious wellness, maintaining a sharp mind and enhancing quality of life for years to come!  Opportunities to assess your current coping styles, visualize hopes and brainstorm possibilities are abundant.  Hear stories of inspiring elders and create your very own personal plan for aging brilliantly!

This workshop is specially priced at $25, including tax, and will be held at the beautifully renovated Gallery Bistro, located at 2411 Clarke Street, Port Moody on Tuesday, October 15, 2013 from 7 – 8:30 pm.  100% proceeds will go to the Alzheimer Society of BC.  The Alzheimer Society is a leading national non-profit health organization dedicated to helping people affected by Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. Register today to help others have hope for tomorrow and treat yourself to brilliant aging!  Click here to register.       

Fear has a life cycle of its own.  Fear fades away with increased attention.  Shine the light on fear and its power will gradually diminish.

Fear is ‘False Evidence Appearing Real’, an acronym that suggests limited perspectives.  Assess the level of real danger and focus on risk, not the amount of fear.  Practice love and compassion for yourself as you find the courage to take decisive action.  

In a calm and supportive environment, identify situations that you typically avoid.  Put these situations in order of difficulty and begin tackling easier challenges first.  Journal strategies, experiments and results for building confidence and healthier perspectives.  In addition, enlist the support of a friend, relative or professional to assist you in the process.  As you take on challenges one by one, celebrate your successes and remember that setbacks are a normal part of the process.  Remain committed to your goal and one day, this fear will become a thing of the past.

For example, if you have a fear of dogs, identify specific challenges you have including your beliefs about dogs and your capacity to cope.  Actively research your assumptions and discuss your findings  with others.  Be open to hearing other perspectives and ways of building confidence around dogs.  You may decide to learn more about the different personalities of certain breeds and even befriend specific ones.  Knowledge and awareness are liberating allies in the face of fear.  Trust that you can and will overcome any fear you put your mind to.  Freedom to live life more fully is your reward!

Anxiety can be debilitating.  Anxiety is like a pain from a past injury that resurfaces in particular situations.  All of a sudden, your mind is distracted with worrisome thoughts and you not able to focus or think clearly.  A growing sense of fear may overcome you as your heart beats faster and thoughts spin out of control.  Overwhelming feelings such as these are very uncomfortable.  Learn how to manage overwhelming reactions to avoid unnecessary discomfort and minimize the effects of anxiety.

Mindfulness is the key to resolving anxieties.  Mindful attention brings awareness to triggers so that you can prepare yourself in advance.  For example, if you are anxious about a meeting, do everything in your power to maintain a calm and level mind throughout.  Envision this goal and nurture it until the moment arrives.  Practice controlled breath work to soothe a racing heart.  Employ your favourite relaxation techniques to mindfully manage your thoughts and sensations.  With reduced anxiety and a more spacious mind, you will free yourself to experience more peace and joy in life!

When it comes to training for mental fitness, it is not the same as the type of training that you are familiar with in physical activities.  Mental fitness does not involve rigid routines or boot camp ethics but rather a more compassionate approach with awareness and discipline for achieving desired outcomes.  Training starts with you and your commitment to enhanced quality of life.

Mind Master Training is all about developing good habits for optimal wellness.  Mind Master is your guide and cheerleader that assists you in reaching your desired goals.  We work together to collaborate realistic solutions and a personalized step-by-step plan for success.  Increased confidence, renewed perspectives and enhanced vitality awaits you.  Take your first step towards optimal living today and connect with Mind Master to begin a personalized training plan created just for you!

Mind Master’s latest flyer reveals a rainbow of emotions.  Turn worry to peace through mindfulness.  Worry comes and worry goes.  Worry is a normal part of change.  Its purpose is to bring awareness of possible harm and that is very useful in and of itself.  But when worry takes over, it can rob you of experiencing more joy in life.  Put worry into perspective and take decisive action as soon as possible.

The most important question you need to ask yourself when overwhelmed with worry is what to do with it.  Reach out to reliable sources for information that you can count on to help you make an informed decision.  Research government websites, confide with a trusted confidante, or connect with a professional to help you put your concerns into perspective.  Once you have a more accurate assessment of the level of risk, commit to taking positive action and allowing yourself to return to a place of peace in a timely manner.  A good night’s sleep is your reward!

Mind Master is excited to announce its newest program: S.M.A.R.T. Café!  This  program is designed for individuals who wish to experience shared learning in rich, small group discussions that are professionally led.  S.M.A.R.T. is an acronym that stands for Stimulating discussions embracing a Mindful approach,  Authentic connections and Realistic solutions for a truly Transformative experience!  Maximum group size is eight with a minimum of four participants per session.  Register early to avoid disappointment.  Bring a few friends or gather your team to secure a chosen date and experience a more intimate session!

Pre-registration is required.  Click on the S.M.A.R.T. Café link above to register.  These sessions are specially priced at $25+GST/person for each session and $65+GST for a package of 3 sessions. Packages are non-transferrable and valid for up to 6 months from date of purchase at any of the locations available.  Note these prices are time limited and include your choice of refreshment, up to $5 value, from the host cafe.

There are currently 3 general topics available to choose from:

S.O.S. Soothe Overwhelming Stress: takes place on Monday evenings, from 6:30 – 7:30 pm at the beautiful “Living Wall” table in JJBean Coffee House, #7 – 400 Capilano Road, Port Moody (located in Suter Brook Village, corner of Ioco Road and Guildford Way).

WOW! Wisdom of Optimal Wellness: takes place on Wednesday mornings, from 10:00 – 11:00 am in the private meeting room of a historic home turned café – Originals Mexican Café, 2231 Clarke Street, Port Moody (Tri-City review)

HaHa! Humour and Happiness actualized: takes place on Thursday evenings, from 6:30 – 7:30 pm at the beautiful “Living Wall” table in JJBean Coffee House, #7 – 400 Capilano Road, Port Moody (located in Suter Brook Village, corner of Ioco Road and Guildford Way).

Custom sessions for your special group or team may also be available upon request.  (A nominal fee applies).

Join S.M.A.R.T. Café and perk up your life today!

Potential involves both what you know and what you don’t know.  A humble attitude of wonder and curiosity is necessary if you want to grow beyond your current place in life.  Cast aside assumptions and embrace a beginner’s mind as you enter a new frontier of discovery!

Beware of limiting thoughts and beliefs that may hinder your progress.  Replace negativity and self-doubt with compassion, joy and inspiration.  Immerse yourself in stimulating environments that bring out the best in you!  This may involve people, books and settings that energize and motivate you.

For example, if you aspire to become an artist, you might visit art galleries, attend art classes or read books about artists you admire.  As you build your knowledge and hone your skills, your personal flair for the art form will naturally reveal itself.  You will witness your potential unfolding right before your eyes.  This is true whether you seek growth in personal or professional realms.  Embrace a humble attitude with unknowns and see them as necessary and integral to optimal living.