Yesterday was the second public launching of Mind Master Training and I would like to thank all of you who came out to visit me at ‘Your Wellness Day Fair’ in Burnaby.   It was truly an honour to take part in Mental Health week and to be so well received by the public and industry professionals.  The continuous stream of interest confirms that mental fitness is very important to many of us, so here are 3 more strategies for staying sharp:

1. Maintain stress.  Too much stress takes away from our ability to work effectively and make good decisions.  Be aware of when you are feeling overloaded and take steps to reduce your stress.

2. Eat healthy!  Make good choices so that your brain continues to work at its very best.  I choose foods rich in Omega 3 essential fatty acids such as wild salmon and foods rich in antioxidants such as deeply hued fruits and vegetables.

3. Make sure you get adequate sleep.  Sleep allows the brain to recharge, repair and even form new connections!

Although I am not a nutritionist or an expert on sleep, the last two tips are well researched facts that work very well for me.  In addition, they offer the added benefit of no harmful side effects and who can argue with that?!  We have nothing to lose and everything to gain by ensuring that our minds stay sharp!

I don’t know about you, but I love sharp pencils.  I mean the wooden kind that you need to manually sharpen by spinning in what else, but a pencil sharpener!  I love watching the thin curly shaving roll out and then pulling my pencil out to reveal its very sharp tip.  Sharpness is admirable and desirable, both with pencils and the human mind.

If you want to stay as sharp as my pencils, the trick is to exercise your brain.  Your brain is a muscle just like any other muscle in your body.  The phrase “Use it or lose it” applies just as much to your brain as it does to other muscles in your body.  You can exercise your brain in many ways and I have listed 3 of my favourite ways here:

1.  Read and learn something new everyday.  Seek new information that you passionate about exploring to expand your thinking and grow your insights.

2.  Break away from habits that have become easy and don’t require much thought.  Use your non-dominant hand to write or carry out a task.  I sometimes use my left hand to write notes and brush my teeth.

3.  Go for a cardio workout to get extra blood flowing to your brain.  This helps to clear the cobwebs and relieve any stress you may have.

Staying sharp does not need to be time-consuming or difficult.  Find fun ways to engage your mind and you will stay sharp long after the life of my beloved pencils!

Positive thinking is more than just seeing the benefits of any given situation.  It is also about seeing the possibilities that exist.  Are you aware of all the options available and the various ways you can achieve your goals?  Often there are other resources, strategies and solutions that many of us are not aware of.  Adopt an air of curiosity as you seek answers that best serve your needs and the needs of others.

Positive thinking is transformative.  It empowers us with a ‘can do’ attitude and allows us to feel more in control of our life.  Positive thinking offers hope in times of adversity and motivates us to move forward in life.  There is no end to what we can achieve once we set our mind to it.  Embrace the power of positive thinking and prepare to watch the magic unfold!

A key piece of mental fitness is knowing your priorities.  Take some time to assess what is really important to you and start to align your life with those things that are of utmost importance.  For most of us, health is a main priority.  This is something that we all want to maintain and although we have good intentions, many of us may fall short as we are caught up with the demands of  daily life.  Recognize the difference and commit to making positive change for yourself today.

Mindfully choose to put personal wellness at the top of your list.  Mindfully choose to eat healthier, exercise more regularly and create necessary downtime to re-energize yourself.  Create a plan that works with your current schedule or eliminate some activities that are not on your priority list.  Create time to shop for healthy foods, time to cook, and time to share meals with loved ones.  Create time for exercise and time for rest and relaxation.  Last but not least, make time for variety and new experiences to keep yourself energized and feeling alive.   You will be glad that you did and the fruits of your efforts will come almost immediately.  Invest in your wellness today and you will see that it is the best investment you will ever make in your lifetime!

We are ‘wells’ with limited resources.  We have limited time and energy from which we can draw upon each day.  Because of this, it is necessary that we replenish our wells regularly, to keep the ‘water’ within us at sufficient levels and to keep it as fresh and pure as possible.  ‘Water’ is the analogy I choose since I believe it represents the essence of each of us.  We are all pure within and need to care for our very essence, just as we would care for the water in our environment.

Replenishing ourselves is the key to vitality and mental fitness.  No one can live, day after day, without replenishment.  Nature ensures that we replenish ourselves when our body signals the need for sleep.  Above that, it is our responsibility to care for our spiritual, emotional and physical wellbeing.  This requires mindful attention and conscious effort.  Strive to become aware of what your mind and body craves and work to align yourself to those very needs.  Success begins with a single thought.  Believe in your capacity to succeed and you will have taken the most important step to achieving more enjoyment in life!

First of all, I want to thank all of you who came by my booth yesterday at the Port Moody Community Day Fair!  I had a great time meeting so many wonderful people and my heart is warmed by the overwhelmingly positive responses that I received.  It was a big day for Mind Master, with the initial public launching and the warmest reception one could ever imagine!  It tells me that I am on the right track and my intuition has guided me well.  I am thrilled to be able to offer mental fitness to you, something that I embrace and am very excited to share with you!

How do you love yourself?  How do you show respect and appreciation for your whole being: your mind, your body, and your feelings?  Well, it is actually quite simple.  See yourself as someone who you really love and admire.  Think about what actions you took to prove your love to another.  It is those actions (and more!) that need to be brought to life, in order to love yourself.

Treat yourself! … to a meal out, your favourite food, a bouquet of fresh flowers, a visit to your favourite park or venue, and time out!  10 minutes, 20 minutes, an hour, half a day, a full day or multiple days!  Take yourself on a vacation away from all the rigors of daily life and indulge in time reserved exclusively for you!  Pay attention to yourself, your body, your thoughts, and your feelings as you would another.

Follow your instincts and listen to what your authentic inner voice tells you.  Be aware of the other voice: the voice of the inner critic.  Know the difference between the two voices.  Your authentic voice usually comes from a feeling or sensation while the voice of the inner critic usually comes from your thought processes.  Unlike your authentic voice, your inner critic is quick to condemn and tell you what you should do, often leading you to feel guilty or ashamed.  The inner critic seldom has your best interests at heart where your authentic voice is always loving, kind and compassionate.  Practice tuning in to your authentic voice regularly, heed its guidance and you are well on your way to loving yourself!

One final note:  We all arrived in this world, as whole and complete beings.  We were perfectly aligned with our authentic selves when we were born.  We smiled when our needs were met and cried when they weren’t.  Then somewhere along the way, things shifted and we lost connection with our authentic selves.  Our innermost needs and desires were neglected.  It is our task to take responsibility for our own wellness and realign ourselves to the whole person we started out as in life.  Similar to meeting up with an old friend that you have not seen for a very long time, it is a process of rediscovery and renewal.  It is a profound journey where you will find yourself ‘homeward bound’, right back to your authentic self and where you always belonged.  Love yourself and untold joys await you!

Welcome to my Mental Fitness blog!  Now you can have it all!  You can stretch your limbs while you stretch your mind, strengthen your muscles as you strengthen your stamina,  jog for miles as you jog your memory, and tone your body as you tone your tones!  Tone your tones??!  What does that mean?  Maybe that refers to the pitch of your speech … hmmmm!

Casting all silliness aside, I am honoured to share this official launching of Mind Master with you.  We stand here together, at the Mind Master ‘starting line’ of our own marathon of life and journey of endurance!  It is survival of the fittest and winning is not about beating others, but about doing our personal best.  That is what this journey is all about: your personal best, with each day being a little bit better than the day before.  So tie up your laces, make sure your shoes are comfortable and well-soled, allow a smile to break across your face and off we go!

Mental Fitness comprises many things.  One very important aspect is self-awareness.  How well do you know yourself?  Do you appreciate yourself?  Do you have positive self-regard?  Check that inner critic inside of you.  What is it saying?  Mental fitness is all about keeping that inner critic in check.  I call my inner critic the drill sergeant who condemns me, shames me and makes me feel guilty.  I have been working on taming my drill sergeant for a long time.  It is a work in progress and everyday, I get a little bit better.

Mindful awareness is essential to positive growth.  Bring great awareness to yourself in everything you do, everywhere you go.  Cultivate mindfulness and positive regard for yourself.  You will be glad that you did!