Healing Journey and Personal Growth From Life's Little Sparks with Lorana Johnson

This Independence Day I gave myself the gift of doing absolutely nothing — just me, my porch, and a good book. In this episode I share that after a busy few weeks spending time alone was just what I needed.

In this episode I review Dr. David D. Burns' ten cognitive distortions or the twisted thought patterns that keep us stuck in negativity, self-doubt, and emotional pain. I share examples of each one so you can start recognizing them in your own thinking. Awareness is the first step to freedom, and I think this episode is going to open your eyes to just how sneaky these thought patterns can be.

This week while pruning my espalier apple trees I had an unexpected insight, untended thoughts grow just like unruly branches, spreading in directions we never intended. I share what Queen's University in Canada researchers discovered about "thought worms" and how we experience thousands of thoughts a day — many of them repetitive and negative. I also talk about the brain's default mode network, w...

This week I got hit by something I thought I'd already healed. Someone's opinion of me knocked me for a loop. In this episode I share what happened, why it hurt my feelings and made me question why I still cared so much what they thought of me.  I share a couple of stories about caring what others think and end reminding myself that what other people think of me is none of my business.

Today I'm sharing a personal realization about overwhelm, resentment, and the exhausting habit of trying to be everything for everyone. For years I blamed my stress and fatigue on work, but after retirement I discovered something surprising: much of my overwhelm was coming from my own expectations and all the things I believed I "should" do. If you've been feeling burdened by obligations, struggli...

In this episode I discuss how events and decisions have become touchpoints have changed the direction of my life. We can choose to take responsibility for them and live in more light. 

In this episode I talk about a memory that unexpectedly resurfaced and what it revealed to me that I will always have work to do to manage my mind. I began thinking of my inner world like a clean kitchen with one overstuffed junk drawer — mostly organized on the surface, yet still holding old things that were never fully sorted through. I share thoughts about releasing negative emotions, making ro...

In this episode I explore the "motivational triad" — our natural tendency to seek pleasure, avoid pain, and conserve energy — and how it can works to keep me from my exercise goal. I share some honest thoughts about motivation and getting myself to go on my daily walk. Lasting change is built one small decision at a time. Just keep moving.

Today I compare the connection between moving through a traffic jam and moving through motherhood......doing the best you can in the lane that you are in. 

In this little podcast I share the Natural Law of Rhythm and how it relates to the dances of our lives.

In this podcast I give example of living with integrity. I hope you enjoy it.

In this episode, I speak about the idea of energy transforming using simple but powerful examples from nature—photosynthesis and electricity. It is a natural law that energy cannot be created or distroyed it can only be changed. We do the same. We choose how our energy is used to transform our world.

You don't have to stay stuck in a low emotional state. In this episode, I share simple, healthy ways to shift how you feel—one step at a time. You might want to grab a pen to write some of these ideas down.

Caution...This podcast is my religious Easter Message. I will return to my regular content next week. Thanks for allowing me to share my love for Jesus.

Time keeps moving, seasons continue change, we can't stop it or resist it. In this episode, I explore the pressure to "get it all done" and the quiet freedom that comes when we let that go—and simply experience the moments we're given.

A small irritation can turn into a full-blown struggle when we keep picking at it—mentally or emotionally. In this episode, I discuss how we turn molehills into mountains, why we hold onto problems long after they've passed, and the need to let them go.

Sometimes the smallest things in nature hold the biggest lessons. In this episode, I reflect on how daffodils brave the wind and chill of early spring and what their quiet courage can teach us about living our purpose.

Your brain is always searching for answers—but the answers depend on the questions you ask. In this episode I explore how words like why, what and how guide the mind in very different directions. Ask the right question and you may discover amazing new insights.

When you feel like you're spinning your wheels and grinding your gears just to keep up, pause for a moment. How many tabs do you have open in your mind? And is it slowly draining your battery? Because sometimes exhaustion isn't about doing too much — it's about switching too often.

Is it necessary to always be hurrying from one thing to the next? Can we slow down and still get the important things done in our lives and enjoy greater peace and presence?

In this episode I share that even though ChatGPT has some great suggestions, sometimes we need to go with what we want to create. 

This week I share a Dr Suess Story about comparison and how it can really take the joy of accomplishment from our lives.

From a fable about serving to caring for my first vehicle, a 1978 Chevy Blazer, I share how we do begin to love whatever we choose to serve. 

It's important to pause, breath and think about the concequences before we react. It may cost us something important.

In this episode I discuss how important it is to be kind to those people we come in contact with. It can make us like "The Rainbow Fish" by Marcus Pfister; the happiest fish in the sea.