Ladies…I don't know how many of you out there are like me…? I pride myself in being able to go harder, faster, longer than anyone else. It started when I was young…I was on the varsity swim team, debate team, theater, had a part time job, got straight A's helped raise my 3 younger siblings. The madness has continued into adulthood…when I became a single mom I was working a full-time job and managing multiple multi-million dollar projects, playing the role of room parent, PTO Secretary, Girl Scout troop leader…and it wasn't until recently when I started to ask myself why. And my answer was that I've formed an identity around my hustle. It is so much a part of me, I don't know how to stop. I believe it started so long ago because maybe it was the only way I garnered attention from my ever-busy executive parents. Now I hustle because I feel it is the only way I'm seen as worthy. But, I tell you girls, the hustle is killing me. I'm tired.  Do you ladies out there feel the same way?

So, today we invite Shonda Moralis onto the show. She is a psychotherapist and licensed clinical social worker and if you're feeling the same way I am…exhausted. Depleted and just like life is one big to-do list, Shonda is here to remind us Don’t Forget to Breathe.  She's been there. She HEARS you.  Ladies, its time to stop running. Shonda's book "Don't Forget to Breathe: 5-Minute Mindfulness for Busy Women-Beat Stress and Find Calm Anytime, Anywhere!" Aims to help women reclaim their peace of mind by centering themselves in the present moment, even while they are being pulled in so many directions. She draws on over 25 years of psychotherapy to provide women the resources they need to take care of themselves through quick, easy meditations that can be done anywhere at anytime.

In today's episode, Shonda teaches us:

1. Mindfulness is paying attention to what's happening in this moment with an attitude of kindness.
2. Meditation is taking time out of the day to practice the skill of mindfulness…anything we want to do well requires practice
3. Mindful breaks are opportunities and reminders in which you can drop in in the middle of the day to just be more aware and pull ourselves out of automatic pilot
4. The framework for mindful breaks includes "breathe, becoming and balance"
5. It is intentional micro actions, such as "unmuting yourself" and making a contribution to the conversation that can be your catalyst forward toward healing and empowerment
6. Use the "triangle of awareness"  or your thoughts, body sensations and emotions to become more mindful
7. Mindfulness puts you in a state where you can exercise choice

You can find Shonda's books wherever books are sold:

Don't Forget to Breathe: 5-Minute Mindfulness for Busy Women-Beat Stress and Find Calm Anytine, Anywhere!

Breathe Mama Breathe: 5-Minute Mindfulness for Busy Moms

You can find direct access to Shonda and a variety of resources on her website

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