The Mismatched Shoes

Can you tell what is wrong with this picture? Take another look. I actually spent a whole day dressed like this. I know, that little voice in your head is saying, “Couldn't she feel how different the boots are?” “I can’t believe she went out of the house like that!” “She is really a mess”

I had those same thoughts about myself and many more and I wanted to share my story with you; maybe it will give you a good laugh!

I have an early morning networking meeting that I attend each week, called BNI (Business Networking International). This particular morning I asked my girls to help me determine which boot would look best with my skirt. They both agreed that the brown boot accentuated the total look of my outfit.

As I headed back to my room to change boots I was distracted by one of my children’s needs. I never made it back to put the correct boot on and off I went to my meeting; not noticing the discrepancy (to put it mildly) until half way through my meeting.

I happen to be the education coordinator for this networking group and was sharing this particular morning how vital it is to turn unforeseen events into extraordinary opportunities and unexpected gifts. THIS was the turning point for me; I had to walk my talk!

Of course, my friend took it as a spontaneous opening to totally humiliate me. I thought about returning home to change my shoes (and climb in under the covers and never come out); but I would have had to cancel a client to do so. I could have called my mother to go get my boots but that would have taken an hour out of her day. So, I decided to just deal with it .

Here’s what I learned from this funny, humiliating and honest mistake.

• I choose to take myself lightly and “make everyone’s day’
• I really can handle humiliation and I didn't die
• Others got to feel better about their mistakes (of course they had never done anything like that before)
• I really can walk my talk!

I hope the next time you are considering taking a risk, want to try something new or you just totally blow it; remember me and my mismatched boots! If I can survive so can you!

If you want to share your crazy, humiliating, fun and outrageous mistakes click below to do so!!

The Unexpected Gift

Have you ever had one of those days where nothing seems to work right? My guess is that you have. Fridays are normally the day I take time to write articles for this ezine. Last Friday my computer wouldn’t work and today it’s still not working. (I am writing to you on my very old computer that takes 3 times as long to do anything).

I was slightly annoyed in that I couldn’t do what I wanted when I wanted to do it. Instead of listening to the little voice that says things like, “See, now your whole day is going to be wasted”, or “Those darn kids…..”, I choose to use the little voice management technique I wrote about last week. I said “STOP” to my own thoughts and chose to focus on something different.

I chose to look at my situation as an unexpected gift. The gift was wrapped in my computer. It’s funny how gifts come in the most bewildering packages. Last Friday I unwrapped my unforeseen (but much needed) day of relaxation. I read a few books; I took a nap and watched some mindless TV. What a treat! I was refreshed and ready to take on the world the next day!

Here are 4 suggestions to help with the unexpected.

1. Look for your unexpected gift in a challenge, problem or obstacle that comes into your life in the next couple days.


2. Choose to embrace that gift as something you really needed.


3. Enjoy it!


4. Blog about your unexpected gift so others can benefit from your experience too. Click below to add YOUR experience.

Little Voice Management: Gods Way

As Christians we need to be aware of the little voice we hear and where it is coming from. Is it God’s voice, your voice or the enemies? I want to address the little voice that does not come from God. It may sound like your own voice too but for today’s simplictic focus we are going to focus on the enemies little voice.

The enemies little voice is anything that you hear in your head that attacks you as a person such as:

“You are so stupid”
“You’ll never amount to anything”
“You can’t do that, who you do you think you are?”
Blah Blah Blah Blah Blah………

These thoughts and opinions do NOT come from God and here’s why.
Reason #1 Romans 8:1
So now there is not condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus.

Reason#2 Galatians 2:20
My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me!

When we invite Jesus Christ into our life because we want him to guide and direct us, because we need him; he takes up residence inside of us. Our old self and old way of being is gone. God himself lives in us. Jesus Christ is perfect, whole and complete.

So any messages or little voices you hear inside that tear you down or attack your character; is not from God. God would not talk to his beloved son, Jesus that way. Because His son Jesus Christ lives in you, he doesn’t talk to you that way either!

When you hear these kind of voices, say or yell STOP. Somtimes you can say it inside your head and other times you may need to say it outloud. Make a conscious decision to stop that line of thinking because it’s not correct or true.

God’s voice may sound like this when he is addressing something in our life;

“You CAN do all things through Christ that lives within you!”
“Maybe you could talk to your husband of wife in a different way”
“You learned a lot from that situation, I wonder what you could do different next time”

You see, God only addresses our behavior not our character and who we are. My prayer for you is to hear God’s voice in the days to come!

Fully Alive,

Laura

STOP!

This commanding four letter word will change your life. I guarantee it. Saying “STOP” to yourself about the little voice that is trying to protect you can make a difference in your life.

We’ve been talking about the little voice in your head that keeps you safe and comfortable. It’s the part of your mind that watches out for you in day to day life situations and keeps you from taking risks. This little voice is driven by fear.

Blaire Singer’s Little Voice Management (LVM) technique #2 is to say or yell “STOP”. When your fearful little voice begins to take over and talks you our of doing what you want to do, need to do or what God’s will is in your life; say “STOP”. Recognize the voice, realize where it’s coming from and make a decision to not listen.

In some instances you may have to “yell” at yourself to stop the little voice from taking over. You might need to yell with the same tenacity you would use if your young child or grandchild was about run out into traffic. You and your life may need that kind of intensity and responsiveness. You, your dreams and goals are worth that effort.

Try it out! Next time you notice the little voice and it’s not supporting you; Yell STOP.

What’s your little voice saying?

In our last ezine issue we addressed how fear is the number 1 obstacle to success. The function of our mind is to keep us safe and so it spends a great amount of time searching and scanning for unsafe situations.

The voice of the scanning can sound like fear. Blaire Singer calls it your little voice. What is your little voice saying to you?

Blair has a method that he uses to control that voice called “Little Voice Management” Techniques. The little voice of fear can inhibit you from being the best you can be. I would like to share a couple of his top LVM tools with you. These tools will help you to become conscious of how your mind works.

LVM #1 Learn to Celebrate your Successes

We have files of information (learning’s, emotions, situations, experiences etc.) that is not only stored in our minds but in our bodies as well. Some of the files in our mind need to be deleted or reprogrammed AND our bodies need that same kind of “defrag”. When our little voice of fear starts up we automatically go to those files throughout our brain and body that have dealt with these kinds of situations before; many times these thoughts don’t help us.

One way to change those automatic responses is to do something different. When you experience a success of any kind, big or small; celebrate! Do something physical.

• Give someone a high 5



• Get a hand shake



• Get a pat on the back



• Say “YES” to yourself with some gusto or



• Play your favorite song.
  

The point is to anchor in your success in your mind and body. You feel physically different when to celebrate with a whole body experience! When your body feels different your mind will follow and vice a versa.

Practice this. Celebrate in ALL things. Next issue we will address LVM tool #2. Until then,
Living fully alive and on purpose,

Laura Longville

“Danger Will Robinson!”

Many of you may remember the show from the 60’s called Lost in Space. Lost in Space was a TV show about the world's first space family that was selected to colonize a planet in the Alpha Centauri star system. They would all be frozen in suspended animation for a 98-year journey. The robots role was to be sent out into unknown territory and determine if the environment was safe for people. “Danger Will Robinson” was what the robot would say to the Will when he was in danger. Will Robinson was the youngest of 3 children who seemed to have the closest “relationship” with the robot.

You may be wondering why I am telling you about all of this?? There are 5 emotions that seem to rule our behavior and fear is at the top; love, lust, hate and pleasure/contentment are the remaining 4. Fear is the emotional response when we feel threatened.

Fear is the #1 obstacle to success in our personal and professional lives. There are many real dangers and perceived dangers in our world today. Some of the real fears or dangers today include, natural disasters, war and violence and much more. For today’s thoughts I want to address our perceived fears.

Most of our fears live between our two ears: in our mind. We might not actually hear the words, “Danger (insert your own name here)” but we sure give ourselves that message throughout our day.

It’s a normal function for the mind to protect. Its job is to interpret information and then feed back a response. Because of the minds role of protection, when you need to make an important phone call at work and your mind starts with, “They aren’t going to want to talk to me because…” , you don’t’ make the call. Or when you need to talk with a friend or spouse about something that is bothering you, your mind might kick in with, “They are going to get mad at me if I am honest, so I better not bring it up”. Then you don’t share your thoughts. These thoughts can inhibit you from reaching your goals and being successful.

SO what can we do about this automatic response? For the next few issues of Living with a Heart Fully Alive I will be sharing successful and proven tips on how to manage those thoughts. Blair Singer, a successful motivational speaker calls those thoughts our, “Little Voice”. So look for little voice management techniques in the next issue.

In the mean time my challenge to you is to notice your little voice and what is says to you. Also, take note about how this little voice is holds you back from success!

Thanks for the few minutes of time!

I am reading a great book called Change the Way You See Everything Through Asset Based Thinking. I wrote about asset based thinking (ABT) a while back but here is a quick definition of ABT: Focus on what is right in your life. Imagine what could be possible if we focused our attention on:

• Opportunities rather that problems


• Strengths more than weaknesse


• What can be done instead of what can’t

Try this out in your own life. Focus on what your opportunities are while waiting in traffic and know you’re going to be late for your next appointment. Ask yourself, “How could I prepare for this meeting I’m going into, or “Is there a CD I could listen to” or even, “Thanks God for these few minutes of quiet time with you. You must of known I needed it”.

Notice how this type of thinking is much more empowering and easy. It may take some practice but be intentional about changing your thoughts to ABT. I would love to hear your stories of how ABT is changing your life. Click here to add your personal story.