Healing through Pain

Sometimes, our thoughts can be stress-inducing. However, it is not the initial thought on which we should focus; it is the second thought that matters more. Listen to hear some more!

Sometimes we are committed to the vision of how things are supposed to be. If our dreams don't come true, though, there is still hope for living a life of significance. Listen to hear how expanding out our understanding and figuring out our motives can propel us towards living well.

Have you decided you can? Have you decided you can't? That decision can influence so much! Take a quick listen.

We tend to have predictable ways that we go through life events. When we tune in, we can better understand what happens when we are distressed. Once we identify our process, we can make decisions about if or how to do better!

When we want other people to follow our methods and ideas, we may have the best of intentions. But, what if we erroneously make it about us? Listen to hear more.

From hoarding to Julius Caesar, and client interventions to student reviews, this is a quick glimpse of how we assign meaning to things. Sometimes we might assign meanings that are quite harmful to relationships including the misnomer that disagreeing is disrespectful! If you find this helpful, please share!

It can be difficult to accept help, however, there are connections and friendships that grow through both giving and receiving! As an aside, we may want to temper expectations of who should help. Take a quick listen.

Often, life looks quite difficult when we are surrounded by hard headlines and scary stories. Amidst all that, we are living in some of the most blessed of times. Do we see it? Do we understand what's been sacrificed for us?

We are never going to strike the perfect balance, but when it comes to time, energy, and resources, we need to be looking at the things that are urgent and the things that are vital. It is important to prioritize well. Take a quick listen.

If we expect to invite change into our lives and invite others into healthier versions of themselves, the truth is a vital component. Listen for some key thoughts about how it can propel us towards helpful change.

Are we able to converse healthfully? Might we use "parent" strategies like power and authority? Might we use "child" strategies like tantrums and name-calling? What if we showed up as an adult in every conversation? Listen to hear more!

It is pretty easy to see where others "go wrong" in their communication. Does we take the time to understand where we went wrong?

Do you have a creative idea? Do you have strengths and gifts to offer the world around you? Get out there and share them! Listen for some words of encouragement. . . all things start as concepts. Your concepts matter!

Often we believe people's words. But, if we want to be healthy in relationships, it is imperative to watch patterns - and stop creating stories that excuse poor behaviors. People will SHOW us who they are, but we have to be willing to see it.

Our brains and bodies are often wired to avoid pain. But, we can combat our pain aversions by growing in skills to navigate it better. Often, healing and health is on the other side of tough experiences. We can learn to grow through what we go through!

Sometimes we say, in error, that we can't do something when the reality is we just might not want to because it's uncomfortable. From dating tales to client stories, use this episode to ask yourself some questions - like why not? There is some crude language - so listener beware!

There are things running for us, under our level of awareness, that affect our decision making processes and behaviors - beliefs about ourselves, about others, and about the world around us. Tune in to hear about it!

Listen to a few anecdotes that help cue us in to how important precise word choice is. Using words poorly can prime our emotions for big upheaval just as using words precisely can aid in mental wellness.

There are times when a mismatch occurs between what we want to be true and what is true. That is where boundaries and personal responsibility come into play.

There are many skills that serve relationships well, but this one is key, especially as we each navigate the change process.

When putting together a growth plan, consider what it looks like to make more deposits and withdrawals. If we can master that, and commit to consistency over time, neat things can happen.

Often, when we see someone hurting, we want to help them by taking away some of the pain. The problem with this is its an impossible task. Trust someone in their story, and walk alongside them for as long as they need. That is where our power lies.

Let's put safety and satisfaction on a continuum and see where we land! What happens when we prioritize safety. What do we have to give up when we decide to prioritize satisfaction. Might you want to consider some changes?

How do you step into who you are called to be? And why bother? Listen for a few thoughts about what YOUR best life could and should include!

Yes, change may feel too hard. But really, that is an invitation to look beneath our own resistances - figuring out what might be holding us back. It is also an invitation to be more generous towards others who may be struggling to change too.