YayCanDo

In today's episode, co-hosts Paula and Bernie reflect on the highest of highs - Paula's wedding on July 31st - which was of course a personal highlight in her life after years of being painfully single. 

We discuss the joyful "possibility" of finding love later in life, and how the Universe conspires to effortlessly connect people in love at the perfect time.

We also discuss our solo episodes on weight management - a deeply personal issue to both of us, creating awareness of the challenges of food addiction as well as the importance of finding the relevant source of inspiration for the specific weight issues in each of our lives. 

This episode is one of Paula's solo shows.

Having recently celebrated her 50th birthday, and with her wedding fast approaching, the book the "Human Being Diet" caught Paula's attention as a way of eating for optimum health and minimising the middle aged spread. 

The book outlines a challenging approach that has exploded in popularity in recent years on social media, and convinced Paula to eliminate some of her unhealthy eating habits and the excess weight she gained as a result of them! 

Created by UK Nutrionist Petronella Ravenshear, the "Human Being Diet" is designed to re-set the metabolism, to allow anyone regain a more balanced lifestyle and the possibility of living life at our optimum weight, supported by an online community of "HBD" advocates, who have chosen this program and follow it with great success.

Listen to hear Paula's interview with Petronella, to understand the principles of her approach, from the mindset needed to maintain a healthy weight successfully long term.

Show Notes: 

1) The Human Being Diet 

2) Petronella Ravenshear 

Show Notes:

This week it's our book club episode of Yaycando in which we discuss the powerful concepts and ideas of the best selling book by Don Miguel Ruiz called "The Four Agreements" based on the ancient Toltec beliefs from Southern Mexico over a thousand years ago. 

In his book Ruiz discusses how humans are domesticated as children by the society into which they are born with certain belief systems, laws and rules of conduct which are taught through a system of punishment and reward; "good girl/boy & good boy/bad girl". In time we come to internalise those belief systems and rules as our own which leads to a process of autodomestication; "We can now domesticate ourselves according to the same belief system we were given, and using the same system of punishment and reward. We punish ourselves when we don't follow the rules and we reward ourselves when we are the "good girl" or "good boy".  

Our belief system creates an inner Judge which judges everything we do and don't do, think and don't think, feel and don't feel. Everything lives under the tyranny of this inner Judge leading to guilt, shame and the need for punishment. There is another part of us which receives our judgments and this part is called the Victim which carries the blame, the guilt and the shame. 

Just being ourselves is our biggest fear, according to Ruiz. We have learned to live by other peoples demands and points of view because of our fear of not being accepted and of not being good enough for someone else. We form an image of what perfection is to try to be good enough and to be accepted by everybody. We especially try to please the ones who love us most. We create this image, but we don't fit this image. It is impossible to live up to; "Our image of perfection is the reason we reject ourselves; it is why we don't accept ourselves the way we are, and why we don't accept others the way they are". 

In order to break free from this vicious cycle to choose our own belief system, become our authentic selves and create a life of possibility, joy and fulfillment, Ruiz proposes we adopt the following four agreements:

1) Be impeccable with your word 

Speak with integrity. Say only what you mean. Avoid using the word to speak against yourself or to gossip about others. Use the power of your word in the direction of truth and love.

2) Don't take anything personally

Nothing others do is because of you. What others say and do is a protection of their own reality, their own dream. When you are immune to the opinion & actions of others, you won't be the victim of needless suffering.

3) Don't make assumptions

Find the courage to ask questions and to express what you really want. Communicate with others as clearly as you can to avoid misunderstandings, sadness and drama. With just this one agreement, you can completely transform your life.

4) Always do your best

Your best is going to change from moment to moment, it will be different when you are healthy as opposed to sick. Under any circumstance, simply do your best, and you will avoid self-judgement, self-abuse, and regret. 

Very powerful suggestions which if practiced in a "do my best" spirit can no doubt lead to increased self love, acceptance, freedom, serenity and harmony in our lives.

Highly recommended!

In today's episode of YayCanDo, Paula and Bernie review what they loved and learned from each other's episodes this month and key themes that emerged. 

From the powerful breathing exercise that creates calm, through to sea swims that create connection and community, we discuss our inspiring guests and lessons from our book review that teaches the seven spiritual laws of success. 

John Parkin is an author who teaches the power of being at peace with life, just as it is. He believes that only when we completely accept our imperfect lives can we achieve personal peace, and that one of the best ways to actually surrender and live a spiritual life is through profanity!

It's an unexpected but hilarious perspective, based on John's his own profound experiences, surrendering to his experience of his life as it truly is, despite its imperfections. In that acceptance and surrender, he found peace and healing.

Since then, John and his wife Gaia have been teaching this philosophy and throughout their international bestselling books and retreats, they share fabulous, funny and profane wisdom on how to live a joyful life by caring less. 

Listen to enjoy hearing John's latest wisdom and the story of how this all began.

Show Notes:

1) The F**k It Website 

Deepak Chopra is a well-known India-American author who writes and speaks about spirituality and related topics such as meditation and consciousness. He has been described by TIME magazine as “one of the top 100 heroes and icons of the century".

With over 91 books published, Chopra is perhaps known for the one we're discussing today. 

The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success was on The New York Times Best Seller for 72 weeks - perhaps due to its simplicity and accessibility.

In today's episode of YayCanDo, Bernie and Paula discuss each of these "laws" that Chopra teaches in this tiny pocketbook, including their own personal experiences practicing them in their daily lives. 

We share our love of big ideas such as "potentiality" and "dharma" as well as the importance of "detachment" from this book billed as "one hour of wisdom" which offers an easy way to explore key topics that affect all of humanity in complex and intriguing ways. 

Show Notes:

1) Deepak Chopra 

2) The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success by Deepak Chopra

In this month's review of YayCanDo, we reflect together on the key ideas  from our book club and individual interviews that have helped us to embrace our humanity and inspire possibility in our lives.

Show notes:

1) Book Club: The Power of Less by Leo Babuta

2) From internalising homophobia to the gift of being gay with Brian McIntyre

3) The importance of mentors and role models

4) An artists journey

5) Finding meaning where I am now with the people I'm with

6)Tragedy and triumph: Climbing Kilimanjaro with Mike O'Shea and Paula's Da

7) Genevieve's boy Crónán & Tiarnán conquer Kilimanjaro for Movember. You can donate at: https://www.gofundme.com/f/kili-trek-for-movember

https://www.linkedin.com/in/brian-mcintyre-8608011/

Check out Brian's excellent essays here: http://www.orchard.ie/blog/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-o-shea-427ba719/

Kilimanjaro is a mountain that inspires thousands of people every year to climb and conquer heights they could never have imagined. 

As the highest free-standing mountain in the world, it's considered a safe and an achievable climb with enough training and preparation, but the importance of a mindset of "possibility" is also essential.

In this solo episode, Paula shares her own story of tragedy and eventual triumph to summit Kilimanjaro, with the support of Irish climbing legend, Mike O'Shea. 

Show Notes:

1) Mike O'Shea