Sometimes we don't know what to do next but we do have an idea of what we'd like to be doing a year from now. Spending a few minutes a day imagining a scene that represents the desired outcome will help the pieces come together to make it happen. This isn't woo-woo. An image gives the mind a puzzle to solve rather than constantly grinding on how unhappy or stressed we are right now. Our minds work 24 hours a day. Let's put them to good use inspiring us with action steps. #Rea

A unicorn may initally be surprised that donkeys don't appreciate their splendor. And yet, a donkey's limited ability to comprehend magnificence has absolutely nothing to do with them. Donkeys are called "asses" for a reason - they lack curiosity, assume they already know everything and have a limited world view as a result. A wise unicorn finds a more enlightened crowd to graze with. #ReadTheStain #writer #writing #blogger #psychology #spirituality #mentalhealth #acceptance

There is physical pain and mental pain. Neither are fun, but there are other similarities between them. Did you know that taking ibuprofen also eases emotional pain? Yes. That suggests a shared pathway. The mind also keeps physical pain going by focusing on it after the initial signal is sent. That sounded crazy to me so I did an experiment. As I lay awake with throbbing knee pain one night, I consciously shifted my focus to the healthy knee. That focus wasn't easy to mainta

What's the first thing that comes to mind, hot shot? #ReadTheStain #writer #writing #blogger #psychology #fun #projective #creativity #conversationstarter #positivity #fantasy #lightenup Image courtesy of the Canva pro media library.

Do you identify as a person trying to hold on to glory or someone trying to take the hill? I'm laughing because this is a woodchuck. #ReadTheStain #writer #writing #blogger #psychology #spirituality #mentalhealth #selfaware #honesty #humor #lightenup #behumble #hope #change #laugh #woodchuck Image courtesy of the Canva pro media library.

We may return to peace at the center of chaos anytime by focusing on perfection within the moment. Whether it's the way sunlight filters into a room, a color, or the arch of someone's brow, there is beauty in all things, and in all situations. This week's challenge is to pause and look for beauty when we are most stressed, drink it in deeply within that moment, and notice how the feeling of being "stressed" shifts. #ReadTheStain #writer #writing #blogger #psychology #spiritua

Have you ever shared something you were excited about and received the response, "why bother?" Or opened the delicate chambers of your heart to another who took advantage and treated you like trash? These are not our people. It doesn't matter if they are family members or the person we dreamed about sharing our life with. Nothing we can do will change this fact. The wise wanderer accepts having mistaken an identity, learns from the experience and continues in peace until the

Sometimes change seems to happen so slowly, nothing appears to be happening at all. This is an illusion. Everything in this realm is in constant motion from the atoms that make up our bodies to the flow of air in our lungs and the currents of water in the oceans. We can pause our awareness, but not stop change itself. Change is the only constant here. #ReadTheStain #writer #writing #blogger #psychology #spirituality #mentalhealth #change #perspective #flow Image courtesy of t

Do you see the fog, or the light? #ReadTheStain #writer #writing #blogger #psychology #spirituality #mentalhealth #focus #attention #intention #shift #positivity #choice Image courtesy of the Canva pro media library.

Nothing says "you're worthy" like sitting with someone in pain, especially when we provide that service to ourselves. Practice saying: This is going to take as long as it takes for the feeling to pass naturally. Don't rush me. #ReadTheStain #writer #writing #blogger #psychology #mentalhealth #spirituality #empowerment #strength #fearless #purpose #honor #heart #resilience #allin Image courtesy of the Canva pro media library.

It is good to inspect the foundation from time to time. Our lives depend on it! Ask: How does my behavior positively affect my physical, mental, emotional, social, spiritual, and financial health? What do I choose that does harm? #ReadTheStain #writer #writing #blogger #psychology #mentalhealth #spirituality #selfcare #wellness #proactive #stability #strength Image courtesy of the Canva pro media library.

What door does it open? #ReadTheStain #writer #writing #blogger #psychology #spirituality #mentalhealth #liberation #freedom #yes Image courtesy of the Canva pro media library.

This week's challenge is to take a deep breath whenever feeling rushed. Pausing to hold an inhaled breath for a count of eight is long enough to turn off autopilot and put us back in the driver's seat. Let's see what eight seconds can do in the real world. Are you up for the Anti-Rush Hour Challenge? #ReadTheStain #writer #writing #blogger #psychology #spirituality #mindfulness #presence #focus #allin #awareness #control #mentalhealth #purpose #productivity Image courtesy of

The squeeze is the transition from what was to what will be. Trust that the temporary pain will be worth it. #ReadTheStain #writer #writing #blogger #psychology #spirituality #mentalhealth #evolve #awaken #grow #relax #grow #purpose #nextlevel #breathe #letgo Image courtesy of the Canva pro media library.

Our inner circle is a private club - we should be choosy about who we let in. #ReadTheStain #writer #writing #blogger #psychology #mentalhealth #privacy #support #friendship #trust Image courtesy of the Canva pro media library.

Unhealthy behaviors, relationships and situations tend to build momentum that make it seem increasingly harder to stop. And yet, there is not a single point we cannot interrupt that motion. We simply need to be aware of the problem and choose a different response. Ask: What is harmful in my life? #ReadTheStain #writer #writing #blogger #psychology #spirituality #mentalhealth #wellness #focus #selfcare #selfadvocacy #health #boundaries #empowerment #choice Image courtesy of t

When a sheep falls on its back, the weight of the fleece makes it nearly impossible to get back up. The sheep slowly dies of suffocation unless someone notices and puts them back on their feet. Imagine having a fancy coat, chilling in a pasture with your friends doing your thing, feeling the weight of your possessions ticking like a time bomb. Will today be the day I fall over and lose it all? There is nothing fancy about goats, but they can climb much higher because they ar

When we say we feel "happy" today, is it the same as level we felt five, ten or twenty years ago? What changed? #ReadTheStain #writer #writing #blogger #psychology #mentalhealth #spirituality #self #awareness #introspection #happiness #joy #purpose #mood Image courtesy of the Canva pro media library.

How ready are you to release the lessons of this level and move on? #ReadTheStain #writer #writing #blogger #psychology #spirituality #purpose #growth #meaning #understanding #nextlevel Image courtesy of the Canva pro media library.

Challenges serve a larger purpose, embrace them. #ReadTheStain #writer #writing #blogger #psychology #spirituality #challenge #purpose #growth #learning #meaning #nextlevel Image courtesy of the Canva pro media library.