Remember Consciousness = Choice!

We've mentioned the mindful acronym of C.H.O.I.C.E. - when we bring an awareness into our life we can choose to respond with Compassion, Humor, OPTIMISIM, Intuition, and self Expression. Today we will here our podcast hosts take on what it is to have optimism and a few year end tips to make it through this season with mindfulness. Hear a simple way to set up healthy intentions for the new year.

You are invited to attend the Mind the Dash- Breakthrough Journal Workshop on Zoom, January 14, 2024 at 2pm EST.

Please email [email protected] for zoom link

This was a great Mindfulness check in with Dr. Ryan Adamczyk. Gabby simply shares with him some of the challenges she is currently facing and hopes that this conversation will encourage you to keep on your journey of mindfulness as well.

This is the 2nd season check up. We discuss topics like:

How to gain more clarity in life.

Checking in with identity and purpose.

Transitions in life.

Seasons of change.

and of course... the Shadow "self"!

*Action brings clarity.

*What out for cultures pressure of measuring value or out sourcing self esteem.

*We live in a culture where we want the freedom without the responsibility. You can't separate one from the other.

*The "inner critic" changes costumes at each stage. However, Confronting negativity is part of the process and not meant to defeat you.

You can find more info about Dr. Ryan Robert Adamczyk on the Psychology today website. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/ryan-robert-adamczyk-charlotte-nc/439038

What are the differences between stress and trauma? Turns out prolonged stress can have the same effects of trauma in our mind and body. Today we will discuss some mindful strategies to deal with the stress and trauma in our lives.

Some Takeaways:

Schedule "strategic" time off. Allow yourself time to sit, we are after all human BEings, not human DOings

Learn how to trigger the pleasure center of the brain

Make a "tadah' list... capture moments to remember and highlight the good, enjoyable emotions, feelings, and memories that we experience.

Use the formula- Many or Most ___________, Myself _________, how about YOU? This formula can help with a powerful connection and brings a sense of "We are NOT alone.

About Melinda;

Melinda Marasch is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and a social work/mental health consultant. She has dedicated 20 years to her passion in helping others. Melinda is a member of the international Motivational Interviewing Network of Trainers (MINT), and has presented numerous trainings across the U.S. on therapeutic approaches such as Trauma informed care, self-care, mental health issues, de-escalation and more. You can check out her website:https://www.aspire2bu.org/

and email [email protected]

Welcome back. We need the practice of mindfulness everyday and even more so when there is war and rumors of wars. There is no doubt that there will be times in our life that our world is turned upside down and nothing makes sense. Here is some encouragement to help the battle in the mind to keep us productive and moving in the right direction. It's raw... which is the same letters as war.

I share a story from my time in Israel, and some encouragement to guide us in this dark time.

I wrote this in my journal...its a poem or prayer really.

We danced and the rockets rained down.

Please G-d make us one.

The differences between us has no distinction with the enemy.

The enemy sees us as one.

The enemy came in- surrounds us all around

Help me G-d, with out you I am only one.

Unity, Strength, and light will come from this darkness.

We trust in You, G-d the Mighty One.

written by: Gabby Upham

Take aways: Do good, Learn bible, share love and light to make the world a better place.

Today Gabby is in the interview seat. You will get to know your host of Mind the Dash, a little more. Special thanks to fellow Toastmaster, Estephany Escobar for conducting a great interview.

Topics include:

Origin story

Being married at age 16

Homeschooling journey with 5 kids

Welfare to Wealth Management

Love, Loss, and Legacy building

And so much more. You will hear one of Gabby's recent poems.

If you have any follow up questions for Gabby or other Podcast ideas, Please reach out via email at [email protected]

The parenting journey is a tough one. You can feel like you are losing your temper and loosing your mind. Today's episode offers blunt and relatable advise on how to calm our own parenting fears, discipline our children my modeling and offering a deep connection. Today's episodes tackles topics like:

"Discipline isn't something you do to children, It's something you develop within them." Dr. Becky A. Bailey

Show take aways:

Please Check out CelebrateCalm.com to find more of Kirks offerings. He has a great package deal! You will also want to listen to him on his podcast Calm Parenting on all podcast platforms.https://celebratecalm.com/our-story/

There is still a lot of processing going on. On today's episode, Gabby shares some of her recollections of some of the funny events that went on at her dads funeral. She dissects some of the components of humor and comedy. As usual there are many reminders to infuse mindfulness and awareness into lives, especially those difficult "setbacks" that we experience in the face of a loss of a loved one. Using humor to reframe some of those setbacks is much like the draw back of the bow and arrow, it actually furthers your potential and reach. 

Take aways:

Laughter does good like a medicine.

Humor= laughing in the face of pain

Comedy= tragedy + time

Link to Outschool Profile:https://outschool.com/teachers/Karlie-Hansen?usid=8llnpbGO&signup=true&authTrigger=follow_teacher&utm_campaign=share_leader_link 

use code 8llnpbGO for $20 off your first class

 Takeaways:

1. Mindfulness is focusing on what is happening now- focus on the present moment.

2. Ask yourself, is your mind FULL or are you being MINDFUL

3. Try one of these practices to calm large emotions:

Hand to heart breathing: Place one hand on heart, one on the belly, focus of the movement of breath through the body.

Imagine a "Happy Place" or happy memory and bring in all 5 senses.

Cookie Breathing: Inhale (smell the cookie) exhale (blow to cool the cookies)

4. Schedule self care in your calendar- set reminders on your phone

5. Allow yourself to feel hard emotions

6. Remember, Mindfulness is not a "FIX" for problems, mindfulness is the work of accepting what is.

Workbooks can be ordered on Amazon or found at your public library:

What to Do When You Worry Too Much: A Kid's Guide to Overcoming Anxiety by Dawn Huebner