Awareness

Wake Up And Slow Down!

Posted by John Shinavier - Life Coach | Speaker on April 7, 2020
Posted in: Awareness, General Blog. 1 Comment

It’s been noted that the majority of us are in our homes for what could be a long time with little company besides our pets, gorging on Netflix and eating badly. As our status in the world of the virus could be one that is written into history as the illness that brought our great nation to its knees, do you want to come out of it fifteen pounds heavier and nothing of quality to watch?

The first day of my lockdown was editing a book of short stories I had written for the umpteen time. By noon I was no further into this goal as I kept checking my phone for updates. Day two was spent working outdoors. I was out opening bags of topsoil and mulch by eight am. I put in a small garden in one corner of the yard as I did some laundry, made a salad and trimmed back a rambling bouganvilla. By one o’clock, I was exhausted and mildly surprised that I could no longer push my body to do anything but lie on the couch and scroll through my phone. Day three found me determined to write something new, but I knew it was worthless as I read several other blogs that I followed and told myself I would never write anything of worth this day. I brewed espresso, then decided to clean out my office. This worked well for an hour in, but in the process I found I was running out of colored folders to save and categorized all the papers that I couldn’t be without. I couldn’t go out, so I went into the kitchen and made myself a bowl of pasta with cups of cheese, two egg yolks, and lots of pepper. This mid-afternoon snack left no room for any more physical activities other than the couch, a book, and my cat sleeping blissfully on my stomach. Day four, I had toast and tea, read the headlines of several papers, and before I lost myself in the virus-vortex of news, I silenced my phone, put on some mystic music and did thirty minutes of yoga followed by twenty minutes of breathwork and meditation.

To sum it up it took me four days to realize that what I needed in these trying times was to slow down. My frantic attempt at losing myself in activities was exhausting me but also winding me up.  

So, each morning will begin like today. Now I can relax and listen to my muse.

John Shinavier, MA

Take these into the New Year

Posted by John Shinavier - Life Coach | Speaker on December 18, 2017
Posted in: Awareness, General Blog. Tagged: . Leave a comment

Optomist

 

  1. Stop reacting. This is something that you eventually learn as you get older.  Save your energy for the things that matter.
  2. Negative thoughts: Our minds are like cheap AM radios.  There are no filters.  You are not your thoughts.  Look at your thoughts with a detachment.  
  3. Habitual business. Where did you pick this up?  If you base your worth on how busy you are, you will miss chances to connect in meaningful ways with others.
  4. There is emotional drama around us all the time, walk away from it. It drains your energy.
  5. Comparing yourself, to others has no benefits. Start by being thankful for what you have.  Wanting what others have, means you find yourself incomplete.
  6. Practice being in the moment. Look around you.  Let all your senses connect to the moment and breathe,
  7. If you want to become lighter, give up everything that weighs you down.
  8. To change, you must first give up the things in life which no longer serve you.
  9. No one has the same reality. Stop thinking everyone should see things your way.  We’re all on our own  Ask questions.  Be humble.
  10. Being yourself is very important. It’s the most beautiful and powerful form of rebellion.
  11. It’s both a blessing and a curse to feel things so very strongly.
  12. The only mistake is a missed opportunity to learn from it.
  13. Stop worrying about what others think of you. You’re not that important.  People do things because of themselves.  Worrying serves no useful purpose.
  14. Fear is a feeling, not a fact. Walk into your fears on a daily basis.  It’s the best way to gain strength and self-confidence.  Take more chances.
  15. Keep yourself, and your mind open. Don’t hate what you don’t know.
  16. When you truly don’t care what others think of you, you’ve reached a dangerous awesome level of freedom.
  17. Stop comparing yourself to everyone else. Everyone no matter who, is struggling with something.
  18. Spend more time with people that make you laugh. Keep them close.
  19. Cultivate empathy, hope, joy, love, and peace.
  20. There are no “shoulds,” only the present moment.
  21. When you start seeing your worth, you’ll find it harder to be around others who don’t.
  22. Your only challenge in this life is to silence the mind.
  23. Practice saying or thinking “Thank you.” Gratitude attracts prosperity.
  24. Don’t wait for things to happen, make them yourself.
  25. Never confuse education with intelligence.
  26. Silence is better than bullshit. Listen, let others talk.
  27. Old behaviors won’t open new doors.
  28. Stop apologizing for your emotions.
  29. Kindness is not an act. It is a lifestyle.
  30. Be yourself; the façade is so hard to carry.
  31. You don’t have to be perfect, just good.
  32. The trouble is you think you have time lots of time to change.
  33. The words you speak become the house you live in.
  34. A sense of humor goes a long way in clearing conflict, doubts, and depression.

John Shinavier, MA is a Life and Career Coach