Save the toothpaste!

YUCK! Keeping it real and sharing that some mornings just start sour, even before getting out of bed. Not really sure how that happens. That whole “wrong side of the bed” really makes me wonder. Can anyone relate??

Several years ago I noticed this pattern of “first morning ughs” and realized it did not serve me well ! Waking and feeling down set the tone before I even put my feet on the floor. You can be pretty sure that nothing after that had a fighting chance of going well. “Someone squeezed the toothpaste in the middle”? ARE YOU FREAKIN’ KIDDING ME?!?! You get the larger picture I mean here, right?

If you can relate, you may want to give this a try… Here’s a practice I adopted years ago to jumpstart a positive start to my morning. Now those of you who have attended my talks know what I am about to say….wait for it….

Before opening my eyes in the morning, I Smile! :) Yup I put a big ole smile on my face and say something like “today I will look for the good and embrace the positive!” Doing this allows time for the endorphins from my oh so silly smile, to give me a mini boost.

Now don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying this little tip is a “cure all” for the day. I’d bottle THAT real quick if it was. What I am saying is, each time we make a conscious effort for a positive thought/moment, we are sending an awesome message to our brain. Doing so allows ourselves a break from the “heavy”.

Throughout the day I may randomly close my eyes…good Lord not while driving… and repeat my morning practice. Another silly smile and another reminder that I’ve got this!

Come on give it a try:

1. Close your eyes

2. Put a big smile on your face…so big you feel it in your ears! Feel that flutter of “different”?!?

3. Say something like “I embrace noticing the positive and will strive for a joyful heart”

4. Open eyes

5. Repeat at least 5-6 time a day

Extra Credit: When in another person’s company, and conversation is proving to be very challenging and stressful…go ahead close your eyes and do the steps above! It relives you momentarily from the stress of the person in front of you and there’s a comical bonus. Imagine the look on their face when they wonder what the heck you are doing??? After all we’re going for levity in our hearts!

For doses of motivation, guidance and sometimes quirky, follow me on Instagram.

Just imagine if we all master this now, once we are mask free there’s going to be a whole lot of visible smiles and lighter hearts for so many reason!

Thanks so much for reading and please reach out of you’d like to chat.

Consider This.........................

In order to take steps forward, ease struggles and connect with others….I believe we must stay open minded! Definitely easier said than done…but worth giving a try just the same. Here’s an idea to think about.

Consider this….when in a stressful situation think about which “lens” you are “seeing” it through! From personal experience I can share that I have viewed troubling matters through an “anxious lens”. By doing so I am skewing the results or interpretation of the situation. It’s about control….I’m working on it.

An example for me that is very stressful, is being on the highway, as a passenger. (don’t even think I would be driving it… but someday I will) Recently on our way home from Connecticut, with a just purchased 20 year old slide in camper in our pick up truck, I cringed, squirmed and winced with every noise, bump and sway. Through my “anxious lens” I anticipated crashes and doom!

Thankfully, I have learned to ease the anxious thoughts by switching over to a “realistic lens” to view stressful scenarios through. Yes, I still have the thoughts, and this “getting the camper home” project was certainly right up there…… have we updated our will….would we be able to get to the side of the highway if not killed instantly. I switched over to the “realistic lens” and assured myself my husband is a prudent driver, the camper is secure, what are the chances anything will happen and my ole reliable Mom still says the prayer of protection over her loved ones, right?

Picture if you will, similar to when you are fitted for prescription eye glass lenses. The optometrist will scroll through a number of lens choices saying “how about this one? and this one, or maybe this one? “

Try that same approach when confronted with a difficult situation, person or challenge. Consider yourself flipping lenses to see the same situation differently through another lens? See through compassion, empathy, rational…there’s so many lenses to consider. Often times it will provide confidence, calm and the skills to take a step to ease the chaos, challenge or obstacle.

Here’s the thing Dear Readers, I am of the reassuring belief that when life is heavy, overwhelming and scary, we can take a breath and adjust our internal lens. It’s amazing all we can see.

Perhaps you’ve had to switch your lens, when reading this about me.

Smiles, Maria