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"Each morning we are born again. What we do today "Each morning we are born again. What we do today is what matters most." Jack Kornfield⁠⠀ ⁠⠀ I spend a lot of time in coaching sessions helping clients to understand their limiting beliefs and self-sabotaging behaviours. ⁠I'm writing about these things as I work on the final chapters of my next book so I thought I’d share an exercise for you to try this week. ⠀ ⠀ Set aside thirty-minutes (or so) to make a list of the negative beliefs you hold about yourself. Next to each belief, make a note of how the belief influences your behaviour in a negative way. ⁠⠀ ⁠⠀ For example, "I'm not confident socially," might mean you decline invitations or you avoid being open to making new friends. Or, "I'm not good with money," means you don't create a budget or open a savings account. Or, "I'm not good enough (in general)," might mean you don't set boundaries or stand up for yourself when someone treats you poorly.⁠⠀ ⁠⠀ Challenge one of those beliefs this week. As soon as you spot the habitual pattern of thinking or one of your usual self-sabotaging behaviours, ask yourself what might be possible if you thought about this differently? And what might transpire if you could change that behaviour?⠀ ⠀ Do both of these things in the spirit of self-kindness rather than self-judgement. It’s ok to be imperfect but it’s also helpful to know you can make the choice to be different. To begin again today. ✨🌿
Yesterday I attended the funeral of a dear school Yesterday I attended the funeral of a dear school friend’s mum. A beautiful lady, she was the mother of eight children and one of the kindest women I’ve known. ⁠⠀ ⁠⠀ As her children and grandchildren shared stories, it was clear that she was universally loved and that she had left her mark on every person she encountered.⁠⠀ ⁠⠀ She was generous and kind and hardworking - and she had a vibrant love of life. Her happiness was measured by the time she spent with family and friends and by embracing the simple pleasures in life. She always made sure there was an abundance of food, a glass of wine and a vase of fresh flowers on the table. She danced and laughed often. And when she spoke to you, she made you feel that you were the only person in the room. ⁠⠀ ⁠⠀ I listened to those stories and thought, isn’t that how we’d all like to be remembered? ⁠Not by the measures that we typically relate to success but by the small moments where we make other people's lives more beautiful by being the most generous and mindful version of ourselves. ✨
"I find hope in the darkest of days, and focus in "I find hope in the darkest of days, and focus in the brightest. I do not judge the universe." Dalai Lama⠀ ⠀ The non-judging aspect of mindfulness is often the most difficult. It’s about making room for our own imperfections, finding space in our hearts to forgive when we’re hurt and staying hopeful when the world around us is in trouble. ⠀ ⠀ These are times we need mindful awareness most. ⠀ ⠀ So that we be open and curious and creative about the solutions. So that we can be grounded and wise in the way we respond. And so that we can find forgiveness and love when the people and the world we live in are less than perfect. 🙏🏼✨🌿⠀
A few weeks ago, I wrote an article about reconnec A few weeks ago, I wrote an article about reconnecting with your intuition (you'll find a link in my profile). Ironically, it was the advice I needed most myself - and it’s helped me on so many levels. ⠀ ⁠⠀ It's amazing how much we know without ⁠realising we know it and how frequently we have the answers to our questions without needing to run them by others. ⠀ ⠀ Slow down and just listen. That wise voice inside you has the answers. ✨
"I am larger, better than I thought; I did not kno "I am larger, better than I thought; I did not know I held so much goodness." Walt Whitman⁠ ⁠ Here's something else that's a recurring theme in my research. So often, our minds will find fault with what we do and even when we have done something well, we're inclined to think about how we could have done it better.⁠ ⁠ Self-reflection and humility are truly valuable traits but when we're willing to believe in our own goodness, we can see it in others too.
"I believe the world is incomprehensibly beautiful "I believe the world is incomprehensibly beautiful – an endless prospect of magic and wonder." Ansel Adams⁠⠀ ⠀ I’ve been doing a tonne of research for my new book, much of it focused on how we can find the mindset that will lead to a fulfilling life. And there’s one thing that’s consistent across everything I read. ⠀ ⠀ Where your mind goes, is what you become. ⠀ If you can find the beauty, the kindness, the love and the magic in your everyday, you’ll find your way to a beautiful life. ✨
"Be patient where you sit in the dark. The dawn is "Be patient where you sit in the dark. The dawn is coming." Rumi⁠⠀ ⁠⠀ Like everyone, I’ve found the events of the past few weeks incredibly distressing. ⁠⠀ ⁠⠀ I found some solace while listening to another wonderful episode of the @onbeing podcast - this one with trauma specialist and psychiatrist, Bessel van der Kolk.⁠⠀ ⁠⠀ These are his words. "I think trauma really does confront you with the best and the worst. You see the horrendous things that people do to each other, but you also see resiliency, the power of love, the power of caring, the power of commitment, the power of commitment to oneself, the knowledge that there are things that are larger than our individual survival. And in some ways, I don’t think you can appreciate the glory of life unless you also know the dark side of life."⁠⠀ ⁠⠀ It's well worth a listen and also something to share with anyone who has experienced trauma. 🙏🏼
"I am seeking. I am striving. I am in it with all "I am seeking. I am striving. I am in it with all my heart." Vincent van Gogh⁠ ⁠ It doesn't matter what you choose but it does make a difference when you pursue everything you do with an open and generous heart.⁠ 🙏🏼 ⁠ Beautiful pic by @michaelmatti
This harsh brown landscape of ours is beautiful an This harsh brown landscape of ours is beautiful and heartbreaking in equal measure. ⠀ ⠀ Our thoughts are with the farmers who have suffered drought and now bushfire, to the families who have lost loved ones and their homes, to our beloved native animals who have been injured or lost and to the millions of hectares of land that has been decimated. ⠀ Our donations are going to Australian Red Cross, CFA’s Bushfire Disaster Appeal, Foodbank and WIRES. ⠀ ⠀ For those who are still in danger or worrying about loved ones, please know that our thoughts and prayers are with you. 🙏🏼
© Kate James 2020

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