In my last article, I talked about how negative thought patterns create ruts in our brains that cause us to automatically “go there” when triggered. I then showed how to rewire our brains and take control of those thoughts. In Part Two, I’m going to take you one step further and show you how practicing gratitude actually creates joy.
Read MoreMy sister is a trauma specialist and I’ve learned a lot from her that helps me to be more compassionate and less judgmental. One of the things she’s taught me is how our brains develop ruts—deep fissures of memory when something traumatic occurs. She says that when this happens it is nearly impossible for someone on their own to get out of those deep ditches and create new healthy paths.
Read MoreThe phrase “Laughter is the best medicine” is a widely used old Proverb. Did you know that this phrase actually originated back in biblical times and has been quoted for hundreds of years? That’s because it is so very true! The joy and healing that come from laughter are an incredibly amazing phenomena that affect your body, mind, spirit and so many other areas of your life!
Read MoreWhen life becomes a problem to be solved, you know you took a detour!
I think we can all agree that life brings many problems or, if you prefer, challenges. Tragedy, hardship, loss, and illness can produce anxiety, fear, depression, and many other negative emotions. These problems can leave us overwhelmed and unable to bounce back to a life of emotional balance.
Much of my life was invested in attempting to solve problems. You might ask, “How’s that working for you?” Well, sometimes it works, but not as a lifestyle. Why doesn’t focusing on solving problems work very well for us as a long-term strategy?
Read MoreOne of my personal goals in life is to invest time and energy into building strategies for success when things are going well … so that when challenges come I am able to use these strategies with greater ease. If you’ve tried to insert a new habit into an already challenging situation you know what I mean.
Read MoreAdoption is a process whereby a person assumes the parenting of another, usually a child, from that person's biological or legal parent or parents. Legal adoptions permanently transfer all rights and responsibilities, along with filiation, from the biological parents to the adoptive parents.
My reason for sharing about adoption is not just to delight in my family, but to delight in God’s family and how He created our brains with the ability to bond securely with one another and, ultimately, with Him. The joy these secure family bonds brings to our lives is worth talking about.
Read MoreThese naturally occurring opioids are the body’s own painkillers. They work in conjunction with neurotransmitters to induce relief, happiness, or even euphoria when the body is in pain or overexerted.
Smiling can trick your brain into elevating your mood, lowering your heart rate, and reducing your stress.
I have struggled my whole life identifying, recognizing, and acknowledging my immaturity. When we look at maturity we tend to think only of our physical or mental progress, and while they are important, I feel our emotional maturity impacts our well-being, and personal relationships far more than the physical or the mental.
Read More“Joy.” What a topic amidst Covid-19. Joy may not be our first go-to emotion in today's world; however, we can learn how to experience joy and promote more joy, even amongst the range of emotions during this crazy time.
Read More
