The following exercises and tools are used in the workshop I created: Building A Life You Love - The Art of Living with Purpose.

These are practical exercises and tools that I personally use that can help you manage your priorities and stay focused on what truly matters.

As the sun sets on February 2023, and I wrap up the first Dry Out for Clarity and Charity campaign, I'm taking a moment to reflect on this month..

One of the things I’ve been working on is releasing myself of the extreme expectations I have of myself and the judgement of others real or imagined.

Whether it’s hurting someone you care about with words you can’t take back, or spiralling into a dark abyss by yourself - allowing negative emotions to take over is not healthy or productive.

I have to stop - not pause - STOP.

And make myself breathe.

To re-direct my thoughts, to come back to center.

It’s not easy…

Bringing peace to your mind first requires recognizing the negative thought patterns and cognitive distortions you have. Here are some examples and a simple method to letting them go.

Trauma does not just come from big bad events or obviously terrible circumstances. Trauma can be caused by less obvious harmful behaviours of those around us growing up and subtly controls our lives - how we perceive ourselves, the world, and anything that happens to us.

Keeping an untroubled spirit for me comes down to the practices of mindfulness, empathy, and gratitude. If something is occupying my mind I ask myself: 

Productive Reflection involves the active review of your experiences, critiquing them with the "witness self", and taking mental notes for future reference.