Where do you need to stop and take a moment?

How does an Irish poet from the early 1800's know anything about the lives of women in the 21st century? Did he time travel?

"It's important to be heroic, ambitious, productive, efficient, creative, and progressive, but these qualities don't necessarily nurture the soul. The soul has different concerns of equal value: downtime for reflection, conversation, and reverie; beauty that is captivating and pleasuring; relateness to the environs and to people; and any animal's rhythm of rest and activity."

~ Thomas Moore (1772-1852)

How did he know about our hustle and bustle - our sometimes unconscious attempts at following in Linda Carter's footsteps? Can you say Wonder Woman? How did he know we needed downtime?

What would happen if we took the time to pause and reflect? Would we stand out? Would the world stop and take notice? Would our souls benefit?

Here's a fun little video:
(please click on the link or cut and paste it into your browser)
http://tiny.cc/bestill

Where in your life do you need to take the time to be still? Where do you need to say no to the hustle and bustle of your own "grand central station"?

I dare you to really ponder this question with me.

Needing some time to be still,
Cindy

What's On Your Playlist?

What are you listening to these days? Do you have a favorite playlist on your Ipod? I do. I'm listening to it right now as I write. Are you like me - do you like to listen to it over and over again or do you mix it up? What music is on your playlists? Take a look at the titles of my playlists. I've got playlists for my many moods and special events in my life. I love putting a playlist together for a family member or friend (when it's time to celebrate them, when they are in need of comforting words, or simply because we are having them over for dinner). There are memories in my playlists. Trisha Yearwood and Jack Johnson must rate - they've got their own playlists. Who knew you could tell so much about a person by what they listen to?

I'm writing about playlists today because I've been thinking about the voices we listen to in our heads. What gets your "airtime"? What messages/thoughts are we sending ourselves? What messages do you cling to with all of our heart? What do you think about (or "listen" to) when you are doing the mundane (like taking a shower in the morning)? Does truth get airtime or are you shuffling through the lies?

As a coach and someone who is learning to walk down the road of freedom, I know how important it is to pay attention to what messages are playing in our head. These messages are propelling us forward, keeping us stationery or even worse moving us backwards. How do we make sure we are listening to truth and silencing the lies?

Step 1 - Take inventory of what's on your playlists.

Is it truth? Are they lies (they may be subtle)? Pay close attention. What voices do you hear? What are they saying? Identify the negative messages. Search for the truth. Ask yourself who's influencing my playlists? Can the messages be trusted?

Step 2 - Download new music.

Find your truth. If it's not on your playlists now - decide what is true and healthy and what will motivate you towards the positive. Put it on the list. What voices do you still need to hear from? Which voice on your playlist is the most important? Know what your good and true voice (yes, you do have one) is saying - listen closely for it. If you need to ask a trusted friend for some "fresh" music, do it. Once you have found your truth - it's on to step 3.

Step 3 - Play it over and over again! Give it the airtime it needs. Make sure to learn these lyrics.

Write it down on a post it or 3x5 index card. Make a collage or vision board that highlights this truth. Plaster it everywhere - the bathroom mirror, your bedside table, your dashboard, your desktop. Make it known. Is it a quote? A poem? A song? Is it your truth - will it help you thrive? Ask a trusted friend or coach to help reinforce it. Keep giving it airtime. Send yourself an email/text message with that truth for your life daily. There are many ways to reinforce the good and truthful message. Make sure your playlist is loaded with truth.

Step 4 - Delete the old files.

Don't give the lies airtime. Silence them. Don't reinforce them by listening to them. Stop them in their tracks. When you hear them (and you will from time to time) - tell them to go play elsewhere. Tell them to get lost. Tell them they are useless to you. Tell them you've found your truth and you don't need them anymore. When they persist - call that trusted friend - ask for "truth" reinforcements.

Step 5 - Enjoy that peaceful, easy feeling.

Relish in the truth. Live by it. Be free.

Please note: Every once in a while a "virus" attacks or the old files mysteriously appear - if this happens - go back to step 1 and repeat.