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Created: 24 July 2016

We all have dreams no matter how humble or bold, and, we often allow our fears and excuses to get in the way of living those dreams. (I hate that! )

I often wonder: What would it look like if my Heart were running the show instead of my head?

I think if my Heart were running the show I would simply do what needed to be done. I would go where my instincts were pointing me, regardless of my mood or what I was feeling nervous about. Yes, the work would be hard and it would be frustrating at times–that is the nature of things.

But the Heart would understand that the effort and work are necessary for us to achieve what we really want. So the Heart would do the work and not make such a big deal of everything. It would be grateful just to be alive and to have another day to help us take steps in the direction of what matters most to us.

The Heart would not let the minutiae of life get in the way of enjoying life. The Heart would understand that the good, the bad, the tedious, and the exciting are all just part of the game–it would not get hung up on one particular thing.

And you know what? We would have so much energy! Nothing would be dragging us down–not our fears, our complaints, nor our excuses.

Most importantly, the Heart would know this: It can only keep pumping for so long. The wisdom of the Heart would know not to waste a beat. Literally. Don’t waste a beat!

Follow your Heart. Take nothing for granted. Know that every breath is a gift. Dwell on the positive. Live in the possibility. XO

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Created: 17 July 2016

Yesterday morning, prior to heading out as a family moods were off, tensions escalated and emotions took over. You may be familiar with the scene: everyone mad at everyone and each thinking the other is at fault. –Not a great way to begin the day together as a family.

Then, I did something my daughter would do as a young girl when our day got off on the wrong foot and I asked: “Can we start this day over?”

This question was and still is like a magic eraser. We collectively agreed to start over. We wiped our individual slates clean of the hard feelings and bad attitudes and went on to have a nice day together.

Often, we get hooked onto our moods, negative thoughts and attitudes. We think “I am just in a bad mood.” Though sometimes this simply is the case, most times it’s just our lack of understanding that we have a choice.

We can choose to put down the negative attitudes and hard feelings. We can drop them like a heavy, oversized piece of luggage and move forward without the baggage!

This is the core benefit of mindful living: Being aware of our thoughts and actions and in that awareness when things aren’t going as we’d like, remembering that we can choose a different path. (Then having the courage to go down that path becomes sometimes it’s hard. )

So then next time you get off to the wrong start with your child, spouse, or even yourself I hope you will remember the simple but magical question: “Can we start this day over?”

Begin anew!

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Created: 10 July 2016

“The purpose of our lives is to be happy.”

~Dalai Lama

Ancient and modern thought leaders, and now modern science tells us that the path to happiness is training the mind.

The best tool for training the mind is meditation.

Start simply. One minute. Sit comfortably and with dignity. Watch your breath as it goes in and out of your body. As thoughts emerge (and they will! ) say to yourself: “Isn’t that interesting” and allow the thought to pass––without judging or clinging to the thought.

The benefit of meditation as it relates to your happiness is so that in your life when your buttons get pushed you can notice your thoughts as they arise. Say to yourself “Isn’t that interesting" and allow the fear, the anger, the perceived injustice to pass–– without judging or clinging to the thought and emotion. Then, you can respond from a place of calm versus reacting out of the disturbance.

That’s the practice. –Are you willing commit to one minute a day? (Or, more if you are so inclined!)

(Many of my clients have started or deepened their meditation practice by taking Oprah and Deepak’s FREE 21-Day Meditation Challenge. You can sign up here: chopracentermeditation.com/about-us )

Namaste!