This blogcast contains a balanced dose of heartbreak, honesty, and forgiveness. Here's what I’ve learned in Feel Better Feb:

Step 1) Feel the feelings;

Step 2) Do the next right thing;

Step 3) Whether you’re doing really well, or not so well, continue to repeat steps 1 & 2.

Also, the challenge for March! (Hint: it begins and ends with the letter Z)

And here are the links:

ReGen: http://www.regen.org.au

Mirabel: http://www.mirabelfoundation.org.au

http://www.fakebuddhaquotes.com/holding-onto-anger-is-like-drinking-poison/

http://www.thomrutledge.com/books/pdf/Self-Forgiveness.pdf

As Winston Churchill (or possibly someone else) said "If you're going through hell, keep going." This episode tracks my journey through a recent emotional earthquake. Yes, it was a little shaky there for a while, but I made it through. This one goes out to all members of the Big Feelings Club: You can make it through too - just keep going.

Who said what now?

http://quoteinvestigator.com/2014/09/14/keep-going/

This month is Feel Better February, where I get comfortable with getting uncomfortable, and learn to stay open and present to whatever is happening without running away, shutting down or spacing out. This one's about big feelings - when they're too wide to go around, too deep to go under, too high to get over, you just gotta go through them - and know that you'll reach the other side. No one says you have to get there alone though, so if you get stuck, phone a friend.

Links:

This too – Gil Fronsdal http://www.audiodharma.org/talks/audio_player/5414.html

Josh Korda, Dharmapunx NYC and Brooklyn:

http://dharmapunxnyc.podbean.com/e/creating-space-for-feelings/

http://dharmapunxnyc.podbean.com/e/a-safe-container-for-anxiety/

http://dharmapunxnyc.podbean.com/e/dealing-with-depression/

S=PxR:

http://www.dhammawiki.com/index.php?title=The_Four_Noble_Truths

Change requires effort. In January I got sick and kinda tanked a bit on the effort front. Result = three weeks of strength training, and one week of giving in. This prompted me to reflect on the last five months of change-making, what's worked, and what hasn't.

Four year-olds are really wise sometimes. They know that when you're scared, you'll probably want to run away. I know I do. Pema Chodron is also pretty wise, and she suggests something else: If you're exhausted from all that flight (or fight), try making friends with your fear. So pop the kettle on and get your small self ready for a hug, 'cause here comes the love.

This episode is about how too much “maybe tennis” can exhaust your self-control, and if you want to live a life of No Regerts you need to think carefully, and then put down the menu. Bonus: May assist with choosing something you actually want for lunch.

ABC Radio National, All in the Mind podcast - Willpower:

http://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/allinthemind/willpower/5552818

Seth Godin – “Daily”:

http://sethgodin.typepad.com/seths_blog/2014/12/daily.html

This week's blogcast is a little late (yes, a punctuality challenge may be on the cards for later this year..). It's about how we get stronger, planning to fail, and inviting both your well-meaning negativity and your pesky optimism to the party, because you’re gonna need them both if you wanna dance. Here are the links:

How we get stronger:

http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/how-does-exercise-make-yo/

Bad dance moves:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FuxWRI_tH3Y

The pictured quote is from The Tao Te Ching by Lao Tzu, translated by Jonathan Star:

http://books.google.com.au/books/about/Tao_Te_Ching.html?id=-Dr2jmGY21cC

Some things I did right during December's Daily Acts of Kindness challenge, and others not so much. This episode is about recognising the need for practice, pulling on your sneakers/leg warmers, and getting back up after falling off the horse. It's packed with quotes and misquotes, links to articles, and not one, but TWO training montages. Happy new year!

Here are the links mentioned in this episode:

For this week's Daily Acts of Kindness: http://www.giveitupforgoodness.com/#!Everything-is-Practice-Practice-is-Everything/cay8/86A01FF9-459E-473F-990F-868BAFB0EEA3

Seth Godin's blog:

http://sethgodin.typepad.com/seths_blog/2014/12/cutting-through-singers-paradox.html

"I know just how you feel" The power of radical empathy by Eric Liu

http://edition.cnn.com/2014/12/30/opinion/liu-radical-empathy-michael-schwerner/

http://www.fakebuddhaquotes.com/if-you-propose-to-speak-always-ask-yourself-is-it-true-is-it-necessary-is-it-kind/

The training montage from Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rlIAmCfHzbg

Short bouts of exercise boost self-control:

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/03/130306221143.htm

Flashdance - What a Feeling:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o4VSdGzxSTw&list=RDo4VSdGzxSTw&index=1

My sense of direction is ridiculously, comically bad. It turns out I'm in good company though - according to Stanford health psychologist Kelly McGonigal, we all tend to take a lot of wrong turns when we're stressed. That's because "your brain is a sneaky bastard" - and that's why your compass comes in handy if you can learn how to use it well.

This episode contains actual information (!!) as well as the usual rambles. But since I'm not a psychologist, a neuroscientist, or a doctor of any kind, you might to go to the source for more detail by watching this Google talk on willpower:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V5BXuZL1HAg

Or check out Kelly McGonigal's website for more free video and articles based on her book The Willpower Instinct: http://kellymcgonigal.com/willpowerinstinct/

Wow. Week 2 of the Daily Acts of Kindness challenge came bearing beautiful fruit. This episode is about the difference it can make in life when we try to keep our hearts and hands open, and why I suggest you make the first move when it comes to giving. So.. if want to start by sharing what you're excited about giving this month, please add your comments to the Facebook page at www.facebook.com/giveitup4good