Have you ever been afflicted with rats you know, really awful thoughts or been plagued with stinking thinking? Do you find that you are stuck in life and can't move along? On today's podcast, I am both honored and excited to have my friend and published author Kathy Anderson, as my guest. She is an expert on making choices about what she thinks on call it mindfulness or call it mindset reset. Kathy offers help to those who are stuck in negative thinking. Let me tell you a little bit about my guest. Cathy Anderson is a teacher, a public speaker, student of Biblical Studies, and Longtime Christ follower. She is one of the kindest women I have ever had the pleasure to know. She is a friend to so many women with joy in her eyes and a smile on her face. She demonstrates putting others first with her care and love. Kathy has been married to her amazing husband, Dan for over 30 years. Their love story is one of faith and love that is pretty incredible. Kathy, his mom to three grown children, one daughter in law, and she's a grandma to one grandbaby. Kathy enjoys writing music, reading and writing books, and loves anything related to health and fitness. Her journey to reclaim her health is inspiring. She currently lives in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, where she teaches health and fitness classes for women who have been rescued out of sex trafficking. Cathy's new book, recalculating walkaway from negative thinking with the course correcting power of words was released last fall and became an Amazon's hot new release as well as an Amazon number one best seller. So here with me on today's podcast is Kathy Anderson. Cathy, thank you so much for joining me today. Sandra. It is such an honor to be here on your show. Thank you. Well, Kathy, we shared a little bit about your topic about recalculating. Could you tell us more about your topic and why it's so important? Sure. Sandra, you know, you probably remember the Tom Tom Navigation system prompt that would chime in, you know, anytime that there was a roadblock or a detour or like a traffic jam and it would say the words recalculating and then it would find you a new route to get you to your destination. It would redirect you so you could still get to where you wanted to go and I got to thinking, wouldn't it be nice if our lives actually came equipped with our very own internal navigation system that would recalculate another route for us whenever our lives got off track? Wouldn't that be. Yes, Yes, and in our society that we live in right here in the US, I, I think especially here in the metropolitan hubbub, you know, the east coast where I live, negative thinking is just one of those roadblocks in our lives. Negative thinking is just so pervasive and widespread. It, it just seems to dominate the tone of most of the media. The at facebook or other social media, TV, you know, podcasts talk shows and I find that I can hardly have a conversation anymore without some sort of negativity creeping in and just dominating the direction of the discussion and it just seems like negative negativity is just steering the focus of our lives and it's sowing seeds of discouragement and depression, anxiety and really it's just all around us and it's. It's basically infiltrated the very fabric of our nation and it's actually making us sick and because people have been so immersed in negativity, they think, speak and behave negatively as a result. So you know, when you're steeped in it, it gets in you. It becomes part of you. And you know what's so fascinating to me, Sandra, it's that most people don't even realize that they're trapped in a negative mindset and that they need to recalculate. You know, to find another route, another pathway to a healthier way of thinking, speaking and behaving. And so I wrote my book recalculating as sort of a guidebook to give a new set of directions to take us off the negative road that we often find ourselves on and our words are a huge part of the course correcting process. So my book basically helps the reader to identify areas of negativity in their life and to make a course correction by implementing an amazingly effective technique that God actually invented. And it's called renewing your mind. And so it's basically just learning to think the way God thinks and you know, it's, it's all based on scripture rather than thinking the way the world around us. Thanks. Well that's, that's really very compelling thoughts and I know that would resonate with so many people and as you said it, we become a meshed in that thinking. We aren't even aware of it sometimes. What are some common myths related to negative thinking? Well, I would say that one common myth is that a lot of people believe that it's normal and appropriate to speak negatively if a situation isn't going the way that they'd like and that to speak otherwise is being fake or is being phony or hypocritical. But this couldn't be farther than the truth. Sandra, because you see it's okay to not like something that's happening. And to be honest about it and to be upset by it, but it's not okay to stay there in that negative place. See what I'm saying is it's not okay to marinate yourself in that negative mindset. It's actually scientifically proven to be hurtful to the body and the mind to do that. Wow. And the amazing thing is it's these very situations, the ones that we don't like that are the very situations that we need to be recalculating our thoughts so that they steer away from negative thinking and to embrace a different faith-filled perspective. One that aligns itself with how God sees the situation. And you know, this is, this is simple, but it's really, it's, it's profound in its life, a life changing concept for most people and it can truly revolutionize, revolutionize their lives. Yeah. Oh, that's, that's wonderful. Have you run into the other myths that people have a question to ask you about? Um, yeah, there's, there's, there's a lot. Um, I'm sorry I wasn't prepared for all that. That's okay. If you don't mind. I was just going to have, as you were talking, it made me think about, um, because I think we think it's mutually exclusive. Um, I had, uh, it seems silly now, but my two dogs got lost and it was pretty traumatic for me and my, my daughter as I'm going through this and just agonizing over them. Um, and my daughter said to me, mom, no matter the circumstances or the outcome, are you going to be able to praise God? Yes. So is that Kinda what you're speaking of with thinking? Yes. Brilliant. Just aligning yourself with how God sees the situation and to be able to be thankful because you know, when you're renewing your mind and you're recalculating away from the negative, even if that situation doesn't change, you have changed. And what your daughter reminded you to do was really to have a faith filled perspective, to keep your eyes focused on God. Even though you know something terrible was happening and the unknown was there with, you know, your, your pups that you love so much and you were able to steer your way away from that negative thinking and to just keep a faith filled perspective by, you know, by keeping your focus on the Lord and thanking him. Well, and I like what you said is that also reminded me that, you know, I certainly couldn't be thankful for that circumstances. My dogs were lost. They were in peril, but I could be thankful in that circumstance because God is saying he doesn't change according to circumstances. He remains the same. That's right. Absolutely. Oh, that's wonderful. Well, your book, which I've had the pleasure to read, is it speaks about your own journey and challenges in life. Would you please share with us which hurdles you personally faced and how did you overcome them? Yep. So, so earlier I referred to a scenario describing how two different people might choose to walk through the same set of difficult circumstances. You know, one was a negative perspective and one with a face perspective. And I used illness as an example. Well, I was both of those people. I was describing my own responses as I walked through a debilitating illness just a few short years ago actually. And I'm still walking down that healing road. I'm not completely well yet, but I'm approaching greater health and vitality each day. But, um, so my story is when, when my doctor told me that I would be dead by Christmas, which at the time was only about six months away, I knew that I needed to do something pretty major. And that's when the Lord led me to discover the dynamic power of really renewing my mind. And, and so, you know, God speaks and it's done. He's, he's the god of endless possibilities. And he uses his words to create all that there is. And he still uses his words to recreate, to create. And we're made in his image. So just like our heavenly father creates with his words, we have been granted the mind boggling privilege of using our words to create also and, and our thoughts. And our words are like tiny little seeds and they grow into plants that bear fruit in our lives. And so what we sow, we reap because in Galatians it says people only harvest what they plant. And so for me, it had to start with the conclusions that I was making about my circumstances, my health and the diagnosis that I was given. I had to make a choice. Was I going to become engulfed in what I saw with my eyes and felt in my body and what was happening around me? Or was I going to view my situation at a higher level? You know, just basically daring to believe what God said about me in his word and about my circumstances. So I had a choice there. And as difficult as it was, much of the time I chose to trust and embrace what the Lord says was my inheritance in his word. And I chose to trust that over my circumstances. So it was a conscious choice. And so I began reading and writing out scriptures about health from the Bible. And I began reading them to my body. And now I know that, that sounds really silly, but that's what I did. I read to myself out loud. I prayed over myself, um, I asked others to pray over me. And another thing that I did was I kept a really tight guard over my mouth, meaning, um, I was very careful about what I said and didn't say during that time I had, I had previously been spewing out all kinds of negative things over myself. And, um, I knew I needed to stop that. And so, you know, I, I had been in such a habit of just saying things like, I feel so terrible, you know, I can't stand this man, this is killing me. And if I don't get some sleep, I'm going to just die. And, you know, I was saying things like that. And so I, I realized that in order to renew my mind and to recalculate, I, I needed to eliminate that negative speech. And I instead, I started incorporating more faith filled, positive, hopeful speech that was in alignment with scriptures. So, you know, I went from speaking negative things and spewing out all the junk to myself. I went from that to saying things like, you know, I, I might not be feeling like a million bucks right now, but God is in the process of healing me and that's his promise to me and I'm getting there. And, and Sandra, I would actually say to my body, I would actually say, listen up. Jesus died for you here. The good news of the Gospel. By his stripes you are healed. And I, I would read scripture after scripture and just announced to my body the good news. I would say, Hey, body, he's healing your disease. You know, one of these days you're going to be back outside going for a run because I love running and you know, by the way, I have been going for short runs with my husband. So I'm already at that place again where I'm, my body has healed enough where I'm, I'm exercising more vigorously and you know, I'm running like I used to sew. So changing my thoughts, changing my speech, aligning it all under scripture. All of this made an incredible difference and it aided me on my healing journey. So I would say no matter what kind of circumstances that we may find ourselves in, you know, that our listeners are finding themselves in. We, we constantly get to decide whether we will choose negativity and embrace it and act on that or to trust and embrace and take action on what God says in his word.

And I'm convinced that if I had not made a course correction away from, you know, my self fulfilled prophecies basically, you know, spewing out negative pronouncements and destructive speech over my body and my situation. I really believed that I would not be here sharing today with you. I firmly believed that and I, I firmly believe that because I incorporated renewing my mind and I made that course correction away from negative thinking and instead began aligning myself with what God says in scripture about health and wholeness. And, and because I began speaking out those abundant life giving words over my life. I really believe that God used all of that. And you know, he, he granted me lifesaving healthy. He gave my vitality back to me.  That's just such a great story. And I, I recall meeting you when you were in the midst of this journey, um, and just listening to you and hearing your story, which has gave me a great deal of thinking of thinking things to thinking points, um, because if you think about it, we speak so negatively to ourselves on so many factors and yeah, you throw in an illness, a life, a debilitating illness, one that could actually take your life. Um, yeah, the negativity can just flow. So how, what a story of hope you've shared that and when we have a choice, I love how you pointed that out. We have a choice on what we're going to think on and um, that is just, I love that Kathy, I really appreciate you sharing that with us and how exciting to hear that you're able to get out there and start running again. Something that you love. That's awesome. Wonderful. And well, you know, that made me think about if you could share with our listeners what are, um, what is your best tip or do you have a few tips for someone who's struggling with negative thinking and speaking? And you know, I know sometimes the words that proceed from our mouth affect others, but also the messages we tell ourselves as you had pointed out, impacts us greatly and impacts our perspective on life. So do you have a few best tip or a few tips you could share with us that people are struggling? Sure. Well, I would say, um, well my best tip would be first of all, to encourage that person who is struggling with negative thinking and speaking to just get some time to be with the Lord, to just carve out some time and devoted to prayer and, and really just to honestly share your heart and your situation and where you're at with him. And then take some time to listen. Spend, spend some time with, with the eyes and ears of your heart wide open and just just listen for what he might be saying to you about your situation and, and get into the word and don't just race through you know, your devotions, but really interact with the word of God and, and let it get in you. And find out search for what God says about you and, and just marinate in that I have a whole chapter in my book devoted to you and what God says about you. And I would say that's the starting point. Just really get reacquainted with God because you know, how sometimes our situations and our circumstances and that happened to us can just ravage us and we forget who we are. We forget whose image we are created in and we forget our, what our inheritance is. And so I would say that's the first step. And next I would, I would say invest time into seeking out those scriptures that speak into your situation and write them down. Memorize them, speak them out, pray them out. You know, because because what you're doing is you're sowing seeds and the Lord promises that those seeds are gonna grow. They are not going to return void. So, so as many seeds as you can just get the word in you. And then, you know, which brings us back to the point of, you know, we really have to ask ourselves what kind of seeds are we really selling? You know, what kind of fruit do we really want to produce in our lives because our words will either be a life source or a noose around our necks because those are words give us direction. So we need to be asking ourselves these questions. What do we want to produce? Where do we want to go? Because our words are what's going to get us fair, and if we're echoing the words of God, then you know that art direction and what we're going to produce is going to be life giving and it's, and it's going to be where God wants us to be. So, so you need to determine where you want to go and you need to align yourself with the word of God that speaks into your situation. You know his, his words, the light that illumines our path. So, um, his word is very powerful and it and it, and it can create change in us when we embrace it. So that's what you want to be doing during this time. You want to really be embracing the life changing word of God. And, and basically you, you're, you're learning to trade old for new, so you're trading a corruptible mindset for an incorrect double mindset and, and your training, hopelessness for hope and you know, in my case of death for life, you know, your trading old for new and who doesn't want new and no kids. And that's really the essence of, of recalculating. That's, that's it's changing course. It's walking away from negative thinking. It's changing direction at that roadblock and it's using the power of God's word to proceed in a different, you know, transformational direction that brings vitality and life. And Hope. I'm just sitting here smiling as I hear you speak and think, yeah, who do you want to have the old junk and the old garbage, the trash heap or would you like to have nice brand new, wonderful things. It doesn't seem like there's much of a choice there. It's kind of obvious. Um, and it is, I love that, that, um, three powerful world words, I am responsible because we're responsible for what we're going to think on and which are encouraging us to do by reminding us that our mindset, the things we think on sets the trajectory, as you said earlier for our life. Yes. That's just what I love this message. You really encouraged me and I appreciate you sharing. Great. Fantastic. Well, um, we, you and I had chatted before and you had mentioned a contest with a gift offering to the winner. So I was wondering if you would tell us a little bit about what you were thinking with our contests. Yes. Gladly. Um, I was thinking that listeners can like, comment and share this podcast via social media, your facebook or whatever social media you find yourself using and um, when they do that, they will be in the running for a free audio version of my book, recalculating. So they can like, comment and share and then we will go through those and pick a random winner. And I'm a sign that that audio book gift. Oh, that's terrific. And I tell people, I tell you, listeners, this is a book you want to have. It's, it's a not a difficult read, but it's certainly one that just really ministers to you deep down. And Cathy, you had mentioned in your book also, you give us a checklist of some starting to remind ourselves and tell our soul who we are. That's right. So, yeah. So, um, this is definitely a book you want Kathy's offering it for free, for the winner of this contest as she said, like follow. And if you would also, I'm subscribed to this podcast. This is the art of connection and I'm the host, Sandra Vernon. Um, but you could like and follow Kathy Anderson on facebook and you can follow me, Sandra Vernon on his face society on both instagram and facebook and what we'll do, um, once, uh, after today's podcast, we'll get the contest one week. [30:25] So one week from today we will be announcing the winner and we'll do it via our social media. Cathy on her facebook page. Again, it's Kathy Gammas, Anderson and I will announce it on face society, on instagram and on facebook. And who those winners are, so be watching for that. It will be, the winner will be randomly selected. Um, of course. I don't know, Kathy, there might be bonus points for those people who subscribe to this podcast. I don't know, just thinking so, um, well Kathy and I know people are going to want more information about you. Um, I don't know if you could just give us maybe one more little interesting bit about you that they may not know or they may not be able to discover on your facebook page or maybe something that would be there. Um, something, something interesting about me. Yes. Well, let's see. Um, well, you know, you mentioned earlier in the introduction that I'm, I'm passionate about health and fitness and so it has been such a joy for me to be teaching health and fitness and nutrition at northstar initiative with the deer women there that have been rescued from a life of sex trafficking. And so, um, that is something that I felt I could, I could use this actually. They've recalculating a renewing your mind encouragement, um, with these women as well. And so, um, yeah, so, so I, I love to help people, body, soul and spirit. Didn't I tell you, listeners, she's an awesome lady. I'm at. If you ever had the privilege to, to meet her, um, maybe she'll have a book signing one day. Who knows? Um, she's pretty incredible. It's a real blessing. I'm Kathy. Thank you so much for joining me today. It has been a delight. I loved hearing all your story and of course your book. It's great. Incredible. Thank you. It's been a joy for me to be on here. Thank you so much. You Bet. Kathy, this is Sandra Vernon with the art of connection. Thank you for joining me and Kathy today. And don't forget to enter the contest. Remember, you can like and follow Catholic Amash Anderson on facebook. You can follow a sander vernon. I'm face society on instagram and on facebook and join the contest and then look on September 10th, we'll be announcing the winner. It'll be randomly selected. Thank you again.