One of my clients who loves fishing told me all about ‘toad fish’. They are pesky little fish who nibble and nibble at your bait until it’s all GONE. What a great analogy for those pesky niggly negative thoughts that nibble and nibble at our confidence. ‘You can’t do it, things don’t work out for you, you aren’t good enough’. Well enough is enough. Shake off those ‘toad fish’ and catch something of substance.You are unique and brilliant in your own way.

An interesting thing to know is that when you think negative thoughts it does change your brain chemistry – you are depleting your stores of dopamine and serotonin (the happy neurotransmitters). So let’s consider while we may not have control over pesky toad fish we can make choices over how we think about life and about ourselves.

Be brave – see that the glass is always half full!

Thoughts are tricky little things, wicked fast and sometimes impossible to stop. But you wouldn’t just let anyone who knocks on your door into your home, you would choose and so it is important we do this for our mind, even when it feels impossible.

Two voices

A man went to a doctor with a very big problem. I have two voices inside my head. One tells me all about my faults and things that others have done wrong by me. The other tells me about hope and love, my strengths and the goodness in the world, the kind things other’s have done for me.

What shall I do doctor they constantly fight, it’s driving me nuts.

The doctor replied which ever one you feed becomes the stronger. Our attention and energy feeds the voices in our mind.

The man smiled he realised now he could choose.

It’s true there is pain in the world and people will let you down, and it is also true everyone has goodness, miracles happen every day and even the simplest things can bring joy. What will you give your attention to?

Authenticity… do you feel comfortable in your own skin?

I wonder if that happens when we wear our true selves out for all to see, so we stretch in the right places, just like comfy jeans do.

What does authenticity mean to you? How would you be living your life or what would you do differently, so you authentic? Do your actions match your values.

Some of my clients grew up in situations where their true self wasn’t embraced and endorced. So they learned to fit, they learnt which false self to ‘put on’ in the morning. Sadly at a cost. As a mother I sometimes forget as I try to mold my little one and shape his behaviour, influence his beliefs into the man I would like him to be. Someone who is respectful, loving and courageous. This seems well meaning but at times I need to let go so he can explore and use his sense of humour even when I think it’s time for homework. The balancing act of boundaries.

Children are born with their self esteem in tact and slowly experiences may reinforce and encourage their lovely selves or damage their sense of worth.

Truly we are all worthy and wonderful. That’s how we are born, as adults it’s up to us to show love and be kind to ourself. Stop saying yes when we really want to say no. Cherish our differences and enjoy our similarities. Be brave to invest in our personal growth. Life is very short, so start today. Promise yourself you will only think kind lovely thoughts to yourself and those around you.

Inspire

 

Take just one minute to notice

Sitting comfortably with your feet flat on the floor

 

Notice your body

Notice your breath and the changes your body makes when you breathe

Breathe in and notice

Breathe out and notice

Breathe in and notice

Breathe out and notice

 

Notice your posture, where your weight rests

Feel the balance between the right side and the left side

Relax and notice until you feel the balance

Notice the muscles in your shoulder blades

Relax and notice til you feel the balance

 

Notice your hands and let them relax until they feel balanced

Notice the pressure of your feet on the floor

Feel the balance between the right side and the left side

Notice each toe, even if you need to wiggle them

Feel the balance between the right side and the left side

Relax and notice until you feel the balance

 

One last deep breathe in and out