Thought Changer

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Welcome! If this is your first visit or if you’ve been here before but haven’t had a chance to subscribe, would love to have you as a part of the Thought Changer community which has moved to Substack! Just sign up in the box to the left. You’ll get a welcome email from me at Substack. Don’t forget to click the confirmation link. Thought Changer looks at everyday life metaphors. We explore new ways to think about what we do, improve our mindset and live more consciously. And, if something moves you, please share! Thank you and enjoy this Thought Changer.

The blueberries were starting to mold. They were big and beautiful round berries from the Farmer’s Market; although a few of them underneath already had the white fur of mold. But, several of the berries on top were still good, so I rescued them, transferred them to another bowl on the breakfast table, and tossed out the bad ones. Believe it or not, it got me thinking about limiting beliefs and the negative effects they have on possibility, expansion and abundance in our lives. When limiting beliefs pervade our thoughts, they can be very strong and intoxicating because they tap into familiar fears. If they’re not released and tossed away they can infect any new thoughts about possibility and instead create a stagnant field of inaction and paralysis of energy, as well as keeping us stuck in old patterns or stories of lack. Not a fun place to be, particularly… Read more →

I recently sat down to meditate and, in order to clear my head before I started, I decided to respond to one Facebook message so it would be off my mind and I could focus on my meditation. Two hours later… I went down the rabbit hole. It’s a common theme for me, rabbit holing. This time, for me, Facebook led to Pinterest which led to links of articles about Shonda Rhimes saying yes and the latest polls in Nevada, to a couple of fashion blogs and then offline to send a few unrelated texts, save some photos which sparked ideas for future stories, blogs, scenes, characters and ghostwriting projects. All of this in one adventure down my rabbit hole. So, not all bad. The problem is I can get so enamored with each of those it can keep me from the designated task at hand. So, what is it,… Read more →

Fifteen phone messages need to be returned, 55 emails need to answered, the laser printer needs ink, a proposal needs to be written for a sales pitch, an annual report needs to be delivered in a half hour, your son called and forgot his baseball uniform, six employee evaluations sit on your desk – due yesterday, you have to reschedule a lunch meeting for twenty, oh and Hugh Jackman is on the Today Show…and it’s only 9:15 a.m. What do you do first? Does your list of tasks, obligations and deadlines leave you sitting paralyzed at your desk? I recently re-read two books which continually have a profound impact on my life and career. It’s hard to fathom that “Think & Grow Rich”, by Napoleon Hill, was first written in 1937 because the principles still hold so true today. In fact, if you ask many of the top leaders currently,… Read more →

The word today is efficiency. It’s not the first time I’ve chosen this word from the grab bag of words I use sometimes to prompt my writing. In fact last time it sparked this: 5 Ways to Be Efficiently Creative. But, this time I wanted to put it back and draw another card. I wanted to pull something different, a bigger, sexier, juicier word, a word that would really get my engine going, a word I could really get behind and be jazzed about. Instead, efficiency. Okay, there must be a reason this word jumped out at me. The first things that popped into my head were “corporate” and “color within the lines” and “beige.” All three concepts I have a tendency to run from energetically. Yet, I know there’s something important here to discover, another way of looking at efficiency, a thought changing notion begging to be brought forth…. Read more →

What do you believe in? It’s funny sometimes what gets you thinking about the deep questions. This time, for me, it was Crash Davis. His “I believe in… kisses that last three days…” speech in BULL DURHAM, got me thinking about how I’d answer Annie Savoy’s question,”What do you believe in then?” That led to a stream of consciousness. Then, it got me thinking about what’s underneath my belief statements. Our beliefs are those simple truths that we know, without having to provide evidence. They can be guidelines to live by or simply thoughts that we feel in our gut are right. Underneath those beliefs are deeper values that provide life’s standards. And, our beliefs and values are what create our reality. So, here are a few of my beliefs. It’s quite exhilarating to put them in writing. Do you resonate with any of them? Please add some of your… Read more →

Early this year science news was abuzz with talk about a rare 5-planet alignment that was visible to the naked eye for the first time in over a decade. In a cloudless sky you could gaze toward the east to see Mercury, Venus, Saturn, Mars & Jupiter all lined up. I think a lot about alignment. Being in a state of alignment, more to the point. In fact, I expend a lot of thought, time and energy on this — living in alignment with my purpose & core values, and continually adjusting my choices, in thought and action, to maintain my homestead in the state of alignment. You know when things are off, right? Maybe you feel a little unhinged by stress or indecision; or you’re engaged in a job or activity that just doesn’t feel right; or you know somewhere deep down that you’re not centered in where you… Read more →

Long weekends provide even more time to peruse and ponder new and old things. Here’s what’s on my radar this week. Travel inspiration: In case you needed to be reminded what a spectacularly beautiful country we live in, check out: 50 Small Towns With the Most Beautiful Fall Foliage Which is your favorite? Or do you have one to add to the list? Video: Endearing and awesome words of advice for living and aging gracefully… from all ages. Daily Read: It’s true our inboxes are bombarded with all kinds of fodder to chew on and our time gets split in a million directions. I love TheSkimm because it’s concise daily news bits bring me quickly up to speed. It was created by two 20-something NBC news producers from their living room sofa. Now, it’s gone big time. They’ve definitely hit a pulse. Recent Binge Watch: A friend just booked a… Read more →

There’s so much to be informed and inspired by… And, in this world of information overload and quickening time clocks… Here are few things I’ve been touching on this week. Inspiration for the Belly & the Soul: I’m inspired by my beautiful friend, Tembi Locke, who has turned her grief and story into an inspiring experience for community and communication. The Kitchen Widow, as she puts it, ” is a modern take on the age-old kitchen table conversation – an inspirational online platform dedicated to raising awareness about how we can support each other through times of illness and grief. Here we reclaim the lost art of comforting the soul. We do it around delicious food.” Her Sicilian recipes are mouth-watering. Check out her take on this kitchen staple: Red Wine-Infused Sea Salt Yum! Interesting Tidbit: 45 Ways to Avoid Using the Word Very from South African writer Amanda Patterson…. Read more →

Here are a few things to ponder, try, question and while away the hours with this weekend… Site with great ideas: whether you’re short on space or need to reorg the space you got, this is a one-stop blog. Check out Jen’s tips on Socks! Thought Changing Book: phrases like “life-changing” are tossed around pretty freely. But, this book, which I’m still reading, is thought-changing, mind blowing and is rocking my world in earthquake fashion! A friend turned my on to it last weekend and I can’t stop thinking about it. It’s like a GPS for your own life journey, stuff that hits a truth that’s been hidden, even from yourself. Author Stephen Cope says, “in order to have a fulfilling life you must, in fact, discover the deep purpose hidden at the very core of your self.” As you delve in you can’t hide anymore! Interesting Article: So money… Read more →

One of the advantages of being attracted to “shiny objects” is I’m always running into interesting things. Here are few things to ponder, contemplate, be inspired by and do this weekend. Cool Sounds: soundrown – ambient sounds to help you focus and relax. The Waves are my fave. Interesting Interview: I love Tim Ferriss Show Podcast. Here’s a good one. With Tara Brach on Overcoming FOMO (Fear of Missing Out) Pinterest Board Worth Following: Okay, I must admit I’m a little obsessed with Pinterest. Here’s the latest board I’m loving: Book Club – awesome suggestions for getting in some last Summer reads. Also, come join me over there! Me on Pinterest Wonderful Movie: I attended a screening last weekend of the new animated film “Kahlil Gibran’s The Prophet”. This movie is a cinematic treat. Story and gorgeous images put to Gibran’s brilliant words. The Moon: this weekend there will be… Read more →