The Courage to Be You

The "V" in S-T-R-I-V-E

V is for Visualize. Close your eyes and vividly see yourself stopping the unhealthy thought, finding the truth, replacing the old with the truth,  and inviting the new healthy thought to become part of you.

Visualization is an important in most anything we wish to accomplish successfully. Great gymnasts visualize themselves performing the perfect routine by going through each movement in their mind's eye. It's my understanding the mind believes what it sees and doesn't know any difference between "real" and perceived. This helps establish in our mind the change we desire.

If you are like me, you will need to use S-T-R-I-V-E many different times to stop a negative, unhealthy thought. Just keep at it; over and over and over. Don't get discouraged. It takes time to break old habits.

Ultimate Living List

I finally realized I needed a list; yes another list in my life. But this list is the best of all. I typed a handful of thoughts and emotions I want to be in/out of my life. Why? Focus. I know I need to focus on these everyday, if they are going to become truths in my life. I want ultimate living.

Worry is on my list. I've made huge progress in my life against this beast, but he's still lurking in my neighborhood. I'm going to force him to move away. Here's what I do. In my mind, I replace worry with trust and actually feel the lightness, happiness, and energy of being worry free. I can sense the pressure and heaviness lifting from my heart. And, I visualize using S-T-R-I-V-E against the first sign of worry.

I keep the list with my morning reading to review it daily and put it in God's hands. List items are generally old enemies of ours. It takes persistence to conquer them. Don't give up. Become the awesome person you are intended to be.

Powerful Presentation Tips

Are you involved with presentations of any kind? If so, check out  author, world renown speaker, and business guru Tom Peters blog entitled, Presentation Excellence. He has blessed us with 56 jewels he believes mold an excellent presentation.

It is a few articles down the page. Don't get it confused with the comments article more recently posted. It is found in PowerPoint slides accessed by clicking the words "Presentation Excellence" in the article. Check it out. Great wisdom.

The "I" in S-T-R-I-V-E

"I" is for Invite. Our goal is to stop an unhealthy thought in its tracks. After we've Stopped (S) it, found the Truth (T), and Replaced (R) the bad thought, go ahead and literally Invite the truth into your mind. Welcome it with open, loving arms. Show Truth the home you've reserved for it; right where the old unhealthy thought was.

It's a game I know, but our mind and ego want control- even demand  control - so we must do all we can to take charge. I find it is also beneficial in creating the "new you" in your mind. You won't be the same person when you start to replace old worn-out thinking with what is really right and true. Welcome to your new world. You'll love it!

Is This You?

Do you recognize any of these symptoms of unhealthy thinking? Stress - worry - overeating - lack of energy - health problems - pessimism - judging everything - blaming > add your own. This was all part of my daily game. Here's what can happen when you take charge of your life and get your mind in shape.

I lost 35 pounds, got off of anti-depressants after 9 years, lowered my cholesterol and stopped the meds, eliminated my shortness of breath, increased my energy, gained healthier eating habits, started exercising again, began loving life, and soooo much more. Email me if you wish know.

This was and is accomplished through faith and the learned discipline of healthy thinking. Taking pills to fix my mind and body was killing me. Changing my thinking to change my life was and is the answer.

The R in S-T-R-I-V-E

R stands for REPLACE. If we replace the unhealthy thought with the truth, the second step of S-T-R-I-V-E, a foundation is built to move forward. Replacing the old fat filled thinking, is like turning to face the opposite direction. We can't be looking forward and backward at the same time. Looking forward empowers us. Looking backward zaps our energy.

If, however, we focus on fixing our unhealthy thoughts, we get caught up in the old and what is wrong. You can paint a snake to change it, but it's still a snake. Our attempt to fix wrong thinking is like the painted snake. So replace unhealthy thoughts rather than repair.

Healthy Mind Month

May is National Mental Health Month. (Note - it's not National Mental Illness Month.) "Mental Health" is negatively biased in our society and is rarely discussed. Hear this! Mental HEALTH is for you and me. It's as vital as physical health - maybe more so.

We assume if we don't have a mental illness, therefore, we must be mentally healthy. Compare that to the thinking if we have no physical ailments, then we must physically fit.  We can't simply achieve one by not having the opposite.

If we want to enjoy our lives to the fullest, we must work to be mentally healthy. I frame it becoming a "healthy thinker." It's no different than working out daily. We must make the effort and have the know how. This is the driving force behind this blog site. To help you and me become "healthy thinkers" and change lives in doing so.

I'm out to make a huge difference in this world, and I want you included.

The "T" in S-T-R-I-V-E

"T" stands for TRUTH. Failure to recognize and face the truth is one of the most common blocks to personal growth. Recognizing truth is not as simple as it seems, particularly when the lies of our past are involved. Like the voice of our internal judge that says, "You're no good," or "You can't do that."

Another source of lies are in our everyday stresses. Driving yesterday I encountered extreme road rage. The guy passed me on the double yellow and then tried several times to get me to rear-end him. Sad thing, I don't have a clue what I did to cause his outburst. (Am I that old? Is it time to move to Florida and drive slow?) Of course I wanted to explode back, but looked for truth.

Truth is, his anger is all about his problems. Whatever I did, was not done on purpose or to harm him. The truth is if I let it ruin the rest of my day, then that's my decision. The truth freed me from my emotions - and I sure needed that.

INSPIRE

Can you imagine working for a company that is so well managed the employees make a video for the CEO to show their appreciation and.... to tell them how much they love him? Not just an average homemade video either. A real employee production with original music - even won a national award. It's true. Just ask Mount Carmel Health System, Columbus, OH.

Principals from the book, INSPIRE! What Great Leaders Do, by Lance Secretan drove the training behind this incredible event. One aspect of Mr. Secretan's teaching is Servant/Leader. The boss is there to serve the employees, so they can perform at their highest level. (I think we've heard that before. His name was Christ).

I spent 3 days at a coaching conference with Mr. Secretan, and he is as awesome in person as his book is "inspiring." Leadership or just personal growth, it's worth the reading time.

S in S-T-R-I-V-E

S stands for STOP. Recognize and STOP that negative thought - now! We can stop them too. Much of the time we allow our thoughts to run wild in our head. I call it "Monkey Minding." Our mind swings from thought to thought like a monkey on a vine in the forest.

One person suggested saying STOP out loud and stomping a foot. We need to let our mind know we are serious. We are in charge. We don't have to "be" our minds and go wherever they wish to swing. Our minds are a part of us. They don't have to define us.

In the beginning we'll need to use STOP more than once on the same thought. Try it soon. It really does work.