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"What else is true?" This deceptively simple question might just be one of the most transformative tools we can add to our mental toolkit. When faced with any situation - whether challenging, joyful, or mundane - asking what else might be true beyond our initial perception opens doors to deeper understanding and conscious living.

Throughout our conversation, we explore how this powerful question creates space in our thinking. So many of us move through life on autopilot, eating breakfast while barely tasting it, making snap judgments based on limited information, or accepting societal narratives without question. By pausing to consider alternative perspectives, we break free from narrow patterns and discover nuances we'd otherwise miss.

We dive into the fascinating territory of personal motivation and meaning. Why do you value what you value? Why do you behave as you do? Many people live on the surface level of explanation - "I'm nice because it's good to be nice" - without examining the deeper, personal significance behind their actions. Understanding your unique "why" transforms your relationship with yourself and the world around you.

The conversation takes an especially powerful turn when discussing limiting beliefs around aging and life transitions like menopause. Rather than accepting brain fog or other challenges as inevitable identity markers, asking "what else is true?" shifts us into solution-focused thinking. This reframing transforms potential limitations into opportunities for growth and self-management.

Try asking yourself "what else is true?" in various situations today and notice how it broadens your perspective, slows down automatic reactions, and helps you make more conscious choices aligned with your authentic self. Your limiting beliefs don't have to define you - and this simple question might be the key to breaking free.

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🌟✨📚 **Buy 'The Places Where There Are Spaces: Cultivating A Life of Creative Possibilities'** 📚✨🌟
Dive into a world where spontaneity leads to creativity and discover personal essays that inspire with journal space to reflect. Click the link below to grab your copy today and embark on a journey of self-discovery and unexpected joys! 🌈👇
🔗 Purchase Your Copy Here: https://a.co/d/2UlsmYC

🌟 **Interested in finding out more about working with Lisa Hopkins? Want to share your feedback or be considered as a guest on the show?**
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🎵 **STOPTIME Theme Music by Philip David Stern**
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The quest for clarity often leads us down winding paths of endless questions and searching, but what if the answers we seek come not from our relentless pursuit, but from learning to be still? This episode shares a beautiful Buddhist parable about Dawa, a troubled young man living near the ancient Samye Monastery in Tibet, whose confusion drives him to seek wisdom from a gardener monk.

Through the simple yet profound metaphors of a monastery garden and a clear spring, we explore how mental turbulence clouds our perception while stillness reveals truth. "Your mind is like water," the monk tells Dawa, "when it is turbulent, you cannot see clearly. But when it is still and calm, everything becomes clear." The story illuminates how our modern obsession with finding immediate answers often creates more confusion rather than clarity.

This tale from the Buddhist tradition beautifully illustrates the paradox that sometimes the path to understanding requires us to stop actively searching and instead create the conditions for wisdom to naturally emerge. Like plants that grow according to their own timeline, our insights unfold gradually when given space and patience. The parable reminds us that we all possess an internal garden of peace we can return to when life's questions and doubts become overwhelming.

Take a moment to reflect on where you might be creating unnecessary turbulence in your life. Could stillness be the very thing you need? As Dawa discovered in the gardens of Samye, sometimes the most powerful action is non-action – allowing our mental waters to settle so we can clearly see what has been there all along. Deep breath, my friends. What might become clear to you when you calm your internal waters?

If you are enjoying the show please subscribe, share and review! Word of mouth is incredibly impactful and your support is much appreciated!

Support the show

🌟✨📚 **Buy 'The Places Where There Are Spaces: Cultivating A Life of Creative Possibilities'** 📚✨🌟
Dive into a world where spontaneity leads to creativity and discover personal essays that inspire with journal space to reflect. Click the link below to grab your copy today and embark on a journey of self-discovery and unexpected joys! 🌈👇
🔗 Purchase Your Copy Here: https://a.co/d/2UlsmYC

🌟 **Interested in finding out more about working with Lisa Hopkins? Want to share your feedback or be considered as a guest on the show?**
🔗 Visit Wide Open Stages https://www.wideopenstages.com

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💖 **SUPPORT THE SHOW:** [Buy Me a Coffee] https://www.buymeacoffee.com/STOPTIME

🎵 **STOPTIME Theme Music by Philip David Stern**
🔗 [Listen on Spotify]
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Dance powerhouse Yvonne Ng joins Lisa Hopkins to explore the art of living in the moment through movement, creativity and mindfulness. Their conversation weaves through decades of friendship and dance collaboration to reveal insights about authenticity, presence and embracing uncertainty.

• From entrepreneurs in university dance programs to established artists, Lisa and Yvonne reflect on their 35+ year friendship
• Movement described as "the largest and most important language we have" for understanding ourselves and our relationship to the world
• Embracing imposter syndrome as evidence you're challenging yourself in meaningful ways
• Living in the moment isn't always serene meditation – it includes accepting "monkey mind," doubts, and all emotional states
• The importance of private downtime and setting boundaries around rest and rejuvenation
• Learning from mistakes without letting them define you
• The wisdom of awareness without judgment – creating space between stimulus and response
• Finding gratitude in everyday experiences like "eating breakfast" and "flushing toilets"

✨ Tune in to rediscover what it means to hold space for others, stay present with yourself, and find flow in unexpected places.

If you are enjoying the show please subscribe, share and review! Word of mouth is incredibly impactful and your support is much appreciated!

Support the show

🌟✨📚 **Buy 'The Places Where There Are Spaces: Cultivating A Life of Creative Possibilities'** 📚✨🌟
Dive into a world where spontaneity leads to creativity and discover personal essays that inspire with journal space to reflect. Click the link below to grab your copy today and embark on a journey of self-discovery and unexpected joys! 🌈👇
🔗 Purchase Your Copy Here: https://a.co/d/2UlsmYC

🌟 **Interested in finding out more about working with Lisa Hopkins? Want to share your feedback or be considered as a guest on the show?**
🔗 Visit Wide Open Stages https://www.wideopenstages.com

📸 **Follow Lisa on Instagram:** @wideopenstages https://www.instagram.com/wideopenstages/

💖 **SUPPORT THE SHOW:** [Buy Me a Coffee] https://www.buymeacoffee.com/STOPTIME

🎵 **STOPTIME Theme Music by Philip David Stern**
🔗 [Listen on Spotify]
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The perfectionism trap claims countless creative works before they ever see the light of day. What begins as high standards often morphs into crippling self-doubt that prevents us from finishing projects or sharing our gifts with the world.

This transformative conversation explores the crucial difference between value-driven high standards and fear-based perfectionism. When we create from integrity rather than fear, we focus on what's within our control—our effort, intention, and commitment—rather than obsessing over others' potential judgments. As one profound insight reveals: "You can't control what people say, but you can control your integrity."

The discussion unpacks how our desire for dignity and positive perception can actually work against us when it becomes our primary motivation. Instead, by recognizing that nothing is ever truly "finished" and that perfection is an illusion, we free ourselves to complete meaningful work. This shift from external validation to internal values doesn't mean lowering our standards—it means creating from a place of authenticity rather than anxiety.

Perhaps most powerfully, the conversation reframes "letting go" not as something we reluctantly do, but something we "get to" do—a conscious choice made with gratitude. This perspective transforms creative challenges from burdens into opportunities for growth and expression. When we release our grip on controlling others' perceptions, we discover the freedom to create boldly and finish what we start.

Whether you're working on a book, a business, or any creative pursuit, this episode offers practical wisdom to break through perfectionism and find joy in the creating process itself. What might you accomplish if you stopped holding yourself back?

If you are enjoying the show please subscribe, share and review! Word of mouth is incredibly impactful and your support is much appreciated!

Support the show

🌟✨📚 **Buy 'The Places Where There Are Spaces: Cultivating A Life of Creative Possibilities'** 📚✨🌟
Dive into a world where spontaneity leads to creativity and discover personal essays that inspire with journal space to reflect. Click the link below to grab your copy today and embark on a journey of self-discovery and unexpected joys! 🌈👇
🔗 Purchase Your Copy Here: https://a.co/d/2UlsmYC

🌟 **Interested in finding out more about working with Lisa Hopkins? Want to share your feedback or be considered as a guest on the show?**
🔗 Visit Wide Open Stages https://www.wideopenstages.com

📸 **Follow Lisa on Instagram:** @wideopenstages https://www.instagram.com/wideopenstages/

💖 **SUPPORT THE SHOW:** [Buy Me a Coffee] https://www.buymeacoffee.com/STOPTIME

🎵 **STOPTIME Theme Music by Philip David Stern**
🔗 [Listen on Spotify]
https://open.spotify.com/artist/57A87Um5vok0uEtM8vWpKM?si=JOx7r1iVSbqAHezG4PjiPg

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Pain shapes us all, whether we acknowledge it or not. This guided meditation offers a sacred space to gently explore the places where you've been holding onto hurt—physically, emotionally, and spiritually. 

Through deliberate breathing and body awareness techniques, you're invited to locate the specific areas where tension resides within you. Rather than pushing these sensations away or trying to "fix" them, the meditation encourages a revolutionary act of witnessing: simply acknowledging what is present without judgment. "This is not about forcing anything away," the guide reminds us. "It's about making space for healing, space for softness, space for truth."

What sets this practice apart is its emphasis on honoring the strength that emerges from our most difficult experiences. We often focus exclusively on releasing pain without recognizing how it has shaped our resilience. This meditation bridges that gap, guiding you to recognize that "You are strong and resilient because you rose, you endured, and you became." By visualizing pain as fluid energy rather than a fixed part of your identity, you'll experience a profound shift from carrying your wounds to allowing them to flow through and ultimately transform you.

By the meditation's end, you'll reconnect with a fundamental truth that's easy to forget when we're suffering: "You are not your pain, you are your power, you are your presence, you are your peace." Take these twelve minutes as a gift to yourself—a gentle reminder that healing happens not by forcing change, but by creating space for it to unfold naturally. How might your day change if you carried this softness with you?

Support the show

🌟✨📚 **Buy 'The Places Where There Are Spaces: Cultivating A Life of Creative Possibilities'** 📚✨🌟
Dive into a world where spontaneity leads to creativity and discover personal essays that inspire with journal space to reflect. Click the link below to grab your copy today and embark on a journey of self-discovery and unexpected joys! 🌈👇
🔗 Purchase Your Copy Here: https://a.co/d/2UlsmYC

🌟 **Interested in finding out more about working with Lisa Hopkins? Want to share your feedback or be considered as a guest on the show?**
🔗 Visit Wide Open Stages https://www.wideopenstages.com

📸 **Follow Lisa on Instagram:** @wideopenstages https://www.instagram.com/wideopenstages/

💖 **SUPPORT THE SHOW:** [Buy Me a Coffee] https://www.buymeacoffee.com/STOPTIME

🎵 **STOPTIME Theme Music by Philip David Stern**
🔗 [Listen on Spotify]
https://open.spotify.com/artist/57A87Um5vok0uEtM8vWpKM?si=JOx7r1iVSbqAHezG4PjiPg

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When life feels overwhelming—holiday chaos, family visits, changing seasons, global uncertainty—what grounds you? What single action remains within your control?

Today I'm sharing a deeply personal reflection from Chapter 23 of my book, "The Places When There Are Spaces," exploring how my daily ritual of making my bed has become an unexpected anchor. This seemingly mundane task transforms into something profound through daily practice: sometimes a struggle when "the blankets feel heavy" and other times a moment of unexpected beauty when "the sheet catches the air as I shake it out, floating down easily like a parachute making its soft landing."

What makes this ritual particularly powerful is its privacy and complete autonomy. No one sees whether my bed is perfectly made or if it's merely presentable on the surface. The act becomes a daily reminder that some aspects of life remain entirely within my control. As I write, "At the end of the day, it's my bed and how I make it is entirely up to me and that is how I'll sleep in it." This simple practice also cultivates gratitude—recognizing that having a bed is itself a privilege.

What daily non-negotiable keeps you centered when everything else feels chaotic? What small action might become your personal touchstone? Listen to this brief but powerful episode, then take a moment to consider: What's one thing that you can do every day, no matter what happens?

If you are enjoying the show please subscribe, share and review! Word of mouth is incredibly impactful and your support is much appreciated!

Support the show

🌟✨📚 **Buy 'The Places Where There Are Spaces: Cultivating A Life of Creative Possibilities'** 📚✨🌟
Dive into a world where spontaneity leads to creativity and discover personal essays that inspire with journal space to reflect. Click the link below to grab your copy today and embark on a journey of self-discovery and unexpected joys! 🌈👇
🔗 Purchase Your Copy Here: https://a.co/d/2UlsmYC

🌟 **Interested in finding out more about working with Lisa Hopkins? Want to share your feedback or be considered as a guest on the show?**
🔗 Visit Wide Open Stages https://www.wideopenstages.com

📸 **Follow Lisa on Instagram:** @wideopenstages https://www.instagram.com/wideopenstages/

💖 **SUPPORT THE SHOW:** [Buy Me a Coffee] https://www.buymeacoffee.com/STOPTIME

🎵 **STOPTIME Theme Music by Philip David Stern**
🔗 [Listen on Spotify]
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Have you ever judged yourself for running out of social energy? That moment when your initial enthusiasm fades and you wonder if something's wrong with you?

This powerful conversation explores the art of conscious energy management and breaks down the limiting binary thinking that keeps many of us trapped in unhealthy patterns. We dive into how energy naturally fluctuates during social interactions—starting strong, attracting similar energy from others, and eventually reaching a point where sustainability becomes questionable.

What makes this discussion transformative is the introduction of "shading" as a metaphor for intentional energy modulation. Just as a dancer learns to balance power with subtlety or an artist uses multiple tones to create depth, we can learn to consciously choose our energetic expression rather than defaulting to exhaustion. This isn't about inconsistency—it's about developing range and adaptability.

Perhaps most profound is the exploration of joy's many nuances. Joy isn't limited to high-energy experiences with friends or exciting travels. It exists in quiet moments, deep connections, and even mundane activities when we're fully present. By breaking free from "all-or-nothing" thinking about our energy and embracing the full spectrum of experience, we open ourselves to a richer, more sustainable way of moving through the world.

Ready to transform how you manage your energy and experience joy in its many forms? Listen now and discover how becoming aware of your energetic patterns is the first step toward more conscious, sustainable living.

If you are enjoying the show please subscribe, share and review! Word of mouth is incredibly impactful and your support is much appreciated!

Support the show

🌟✨📚 **Buy 'The Places Where There Are Spaces: Cultivating A Life of Creative Possibilities'** 📚✨🌟
Dive into a world where spontaneity leads to creativity and discover personal essays that inspire with journal space to reflect. Click the link below to grab your copy today and embark on a journey of self-discovery and unexpected joys! 🌈👇
🔗 Purchase Your Copy Here: https://a.co/d/2UlsmYC

🌟 **Interested in finding out more about working with Lisa Hopkins? Want to share your feedback or be considered as a guest on the show?**
🔗 Visit Wide Open Stages https://www.wideopenstages.com

📸 **Follow Lisa on Instagram:** @wideopenstages https://www.instagram.com/wideopenstages/

💖 **SUPPORT THE SHOW:** [Buy Me a Coffee] https://www.buymeacoffee.com/STOPTIME

🎵 **STOPTIME Theme Music by Philip David Stern**
🔗 [Listen on Spotify]
https://open.spotify.com/artist/57A87Um5vok0uEtM8vWpKM?si=JOx7r1iVSbqAHezG4PjiPg

Let us know what you enjoy about the show!

Feeling stuck is a universal human experience—whether creatively blocked, emotionally frozen, or simply overwhelmed by life's complexities. This gentle guided meditation creates a sanctuary where you can explore what "stuckness" actually feels like in your body and mind, without immediately trying to fix or change it.

Through focused breathing and visualization, you'll learn to create space around whatever feels constricted or immobile. Rather than fighting against resistance, this practice invites you to approach it with curiosity and compassion, understanding that sometimes what we resist most simply wants to be acknowledged. As the meditation progresses, you'll be guided to recognize that "stuck is just a story" and that movement begins with awareness.

The heart of this practice lies in its permission to soften into uncertainty. With the affirmation "I don't need all the answers right now," you're invited to trust that clarity will emerge in its own time. Through visualizing a growing light within yourself, you'll reconnect with your inner capacity that hasn't disappeared but has perhaps gone quiet amidst life's demands.

Whether you're facing creative blocks, decision paralysis, relationship challenges, or simply feeling stagnant in your personal growth, this meditation offers a pathway back to possibility. The subtle shifts you experience during these ten minutes may be exactly what you need to see your situation with fresh eyes. Take this newfound spaciousness with you as you return to your day, carrying the reminder that sometimes the smallest shift in perspective can create the momentum needed to move forward again. How might your relationship with "stuckness" change if you approached it as a messenger rather than an obstacle?

Support the show

🌟✨📚 **Buy 'The Places Where There Are Spaces: Cultivating A Life of Creative Possibilities'** 📚✨🌟
Dive into a world where spontaneity leads to creativity and discover personal essays that inspire with journal space to reflect. Click the link below to grab your copy today and embark on a journey of self-discovery and unexpected joys! 🌈👇
🔗 Purchase Your Copy Here: https://a.co/d/2UlsmYC

🌟 **Interested in finding out more about working with Lisa Hopkins? Want to share your feedback or be considered as a guest on the show?**
🔗 Visit Wide Open Stages https://www.wideopenstages.com

📸 **Follow Lisa on Instagram:** @wideopenstages https://www.instagram.com/wideopenstages/

💖 **SUPPORT THE SHOW:** [Buy Me a Coffee] https://www.buymeacoffee.com/STOPTIME

🎵 **STOPTIME Theme Music by Philip David Stern**
🔗 [Listen on Spotify]
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A Buddhist parable called "The Dragon and the Fire" teaches us how to transform our innate qualities from destructive forces into tools for healing and renewal. The story illustrates how redirecting our natural tendencies with wisdom and compassion can lead to personal fulfillment and positive impact on others.

• A mighty dragon with tremendous strength and fiery temperament feels unfulfilled despite his power
• When trying to fight a village fire with his own flames, he only makes the situation worse
• A mountain sage teaches him that fire can both destroy and renew—it's how you use it that matters
• The dragon learns to use his fire as a tool for warmth, light, and helping rebuild the village
• By transforming how he uses his inherent nature, the dragon finds the satisfaction he had long sought

Stay safe and healthy, everyone, and remember to live in the moment.

If you are enjoying the show please subscribe, share and review! Word of mouth is incredibly impactful and your support is much appreciated!

Support the show

🌟✨📚 **Buy 'The Places Where There Are Spaces: Cultivating A Life of Creative Possibilities'** 📚✨🌟
Dive into a world where spontaneity leads to creativity and discover personal essays that inspire with journal space to reflect. Click the link below to grab your copy today and embark on a journey of self-discovery and unexpected joys! 🌈👇
🔗 Purchase Your Copy Here: https://a.co/d/2UlsmYC

🌟 **Interested in finding out more about working with Lisa Hopkins? Want to share your feedback or be considered as a guest on the show?**
🔗 Visit Wide Open Stages https://www.wideopenstages.com

📸 **Follow Lisa on Instagram:** @wideopenstages https://www.instagram.com/wideopenstages/

💖 **SUPPORT THE SHOW:** [Buy Me a Coffee] https://www.buymeacoffee.com/STOPTIME

🎵 **STOPTIME Theme Music by Philip David Stern**
🔗 [Listen on Spotify]
https://open.spotify.com/artist/57A87Um5vok0uEtM8vWpKM?si=JOx7r1iVSbqAHezG4PjiPg

Let us know what you enjoy about the show!

What drives you to create, even when the process feels lonely? This revealing coaching session features a candid conversation with a playwright who struggles with the isolation of writing while simultaneously craving the connection he feels in rehearsal rooms.

The session begins with a powerful exploration of purpose as we dive into the question that many creators lose sight of: Why do you do what you do? For this playwright, the answer emerges unexpectedly – he's compelled by a fundamental desire for connection. While he thrives in collaborative environments with actors, directors, and audiences, the solitary writing process often leaves him feeling disconnected from the world.

Through our conversation, a transformative realization takes shape. What if those lonely writing hours aren't disconnection at all, but rather the very foundation of the connection he seeks? By reframing his understanding of the creative process, he discovers that his writing serves as a conduit for connection – even when no one is reading it yet. The audience is already connecting with the idea of his work before seeing a single word.

This episode offers a profound lesson for anyone engaged in creative pursuits: understanding your core values and motivations can transform even the most challenging aspects of your craft. When you recognize why you create, you find purpose in every part of the journey. If you've ever struggled with the solitary aspects of your creative work, this coaching session might just change how you approach your craft tomorrow. What core value drives your creative life?

If you are enjoying the show please subscribe, share and review! Word of mouth is incredibly impactful and your support is much appreciated!

Support the show

🌟✨📚 **Buy 'The Places Where There Are Spaces: Cultivating A Life of Creative Possibilities'** 📚✨🌟
Dive into a world where spontaneity leads to creativity and discover personal essays that inspire with journal space to reflect. Click the link below to grab your copy today and embark on a journey of self-discovery and unexpected joys! 🌈👇
🔗 Purchase Your Copy Here: https://a.co/d/2UlsmYC

🌟 **Interested in finding out more about working with Lisa Hopkins? Want to share your feedback or be considered as a guest on the show?**
🔗 Visit Wide Open Stages https://www.wideopenstages.com

📸 **Follow Lisa on Instagram:** @wideopenstages https://www.instagram.com/wideopenstages/

💖 **SUPPORT THE SHOW:** [Buy Me a Coffee] https://www.buymeacoffee.com/STOPTIME

🎵 **STOPTIME Theme Music by Philip David Stern**
🔗 [Listen on Spotify]
https://open.spotify.com/artist/57A87Um5vok0uEtM8vWpKM?si=JOx7r1iVSbqAHezG4PjiPg