Turning Your Vision into Reality: The Four Essential Elements

woman thinking

Turning Your Vision into Reality: The Four Essential Elements

Do you believe you are worthy of your heartfelt desires?

Turning your vision into reality requires a commitment to nurturing your dreams and aligning yourself with your deepest desires. Here are the four essential elements that will help you manifest your vision:

  1. Clarity
    The foundation of any successful vision is clarity. Allow yourself to dream without limits, giving yourself full permission to desire what you truly want. The clearer and more specific your vision, the easier it becomes to bring it to life. Clarity helps you focus your energy and attention, creating a detailed mental image of what you want to achieve. The more vivid your vision, the more powerfully you can attract the resources, opportunities, and people needed to manifest it.
  2. Embody It
    Embodying your vision means aligning yourself mentally, emotionally, and spiritually with your desired outcome. Rather than seeing your vision as something distant that you need to chase, view it as an integral part of who you are. Imagine your vision as a movie playing in your mind, where you are the main character living out your dream. This mental rehearsal helps to internalize the vision, making it feel real and attainable. By embodying your vision, you remove the separation between your current reality and your desired future, bridging the gap between thought and manifestation.
  3. Feel It
    Emotions are the fuel that drives manifestation. To accelerate the realization of your vision, immerse yourself in the feelings associated with its fulfillment. Feel the love, joy, gratitude, and excitement as if your dream has already come true. These positive emotions act like fertilizer, nourishing your vision and encouraging it to grow. The more you can cultivate these feelings, the stronger the magnetic pull of your vision becomes, drawing it closer to your reality.
  4. Allow It
    Finally, allow your vision to manifest by stepping out of your own way. Often, doubts, fears, and feelings of unworthiness act as barriers to your success. Acknowledge these blockers, and consciously choose to release them. Affirm your worthiness and repeat positive affirmations such as, “I am worthy of my desires,” and “I release all resistance holding me back from my dreams.” By allowing your vision to unfold without interference, you create a clear path for it to become reality.

Summary

The key to turning your vision into reality lies in these four essential elements: gaining clarity on what you truly want, embodying your vision as an intrinsic part of yourself, cultivating the positive emotions associated with its fulfillment, and allowing it to manifest by removing any self-imposed barriers. When these elements are in harmony, your vision naturally transforms from a dream into reality.

Julie’s VISION online program is available for only $47 CAD, register now and replace your traditional goal setting methods with techniques that actually work!

by Julie Cass

The Positive Change Group

The Power of Women Supporting Women

The Power of Women Supporting Women

 

Magical Things

One of the most magical things I get to witness when hosting our Hypnosis Healers Retreats is the power that happens when a group of like-minded women get in the same room.  We see women supporting women. There is a collective belief that begins to form where you truly believe anything is possible. You can feel the energy rise, people’s eyes get brighter with seeing and believing that they can turn the volume up on their dreams and start to believe that they are possible.

Having a whole room filled with women holding that belief for you is like nothing I have ever witnessed before. Think of it like that special friend in your life where you feel safe to be vulnerable, where you feel safe to share your wildest dreams, where you know you will be encouraged rather than discouraged. Where you will be told “of course you can” vs. “no you can’t”. Now imagine that feeling amplified because it is not just one special friend but many holding the space for you to dream, to grow, to reach new heights.

I get goose bumps as I write this, because the power of women supporting women is magical.
  • It lifts us to new heights that we couldn’t think was possible on our own.
  • It stretches our imaginations as to what is possible.
  • It turns our limitations into limitless potential.
  • It is like having a bunch of cheerleaders routing for your success. As a facilitator, I am always reminded of why we do what we do. It to witness the healing and aha moments where women get to feel their true worthiness.

On our last retreat one of the highlights for me was during our closing circle. One of the attendees shared that for the first time in her life, she truly felt worthy. Then she went on to say that when she looked in the mirror, she swore the face looking back at her looked younger. I will remember that moment for the rest of my life, that is the magic that women supporting women can create.

How Often are You Supported?

For many of us unfortunately we do not experience this support often enough. Whether we have grown up in a competitive world where we believe that someone else’s success impedes our own, or we have not had the privilege of surrounding ourselves with emotionally healthy women that can hold that space for us.  I often hear from women and have experienced it in my own life that women can be nasty to each other. We can criticize and look for faults with too much ease. Unfortunately, this causes us to be guarded to protect our hearts. The most devastating thing is it can dim our light and make us feel small.

This feeling of being small can translate into not feeling worthy which can manifest in many negative ways.  Such as, not feeling worthy to get the promotion, not feeling worthy to attract our soulmate not feeling worthy to our rightful abundance, and ultimately can be not feeling worthy to feel our joy and so on.

Now imagine a powerful 3 days, where those emotional shackles that hold you back in your life can be healed. Imagine the feeling of being liberated from some of the trauma that has made you believe for any period that you are not worthy. This is the power that we have as women and the best part is when we believe in someone else our own light shines brighter. It is a healing experience to support one another and to be supported.

I know we are all meant to experience the feeling of being seen and heard, of knowing that you are never alone. This feeling of unlocking the power that is within and using that power now.

This is your life and you are meant to shine your light.

The power of women supporting women creates a collective energy that is so bright and powerful; people will ask what you have been doing.

If you are ready to shine your light, please join us on our next retreat.

Spots fill up quickly so act fast.  You deserve to live as your authentic self! 💚

More details at https://hypnosishealers.ca/

by Julie Cass

The Positive Change Group

The Power of Your Words and How You Can Change Your Life

We have so many superpowers that can immediately change our lives, and yet we do not always pay enough attention.

One of the biggest superpowers we have is the power of our words. We underestimate how words affect our reality.  Working in the emotional health space I have seen how detrimental words can be in that we can carry emotional shackles from the time we are young based on what others have said to us. These emotional shackles can affect our confidence, our belief in ourselves and for many we can be holding ourselves back or keeping ourselves small all based on the effects that people’s words have had on us from the time we were a child.

The good news

As powerful as words can be to create trauma or negatively impact our abilities or trust in self, they also have the opposite effect by appropriately changing words to have a more positive impact.

The words we tell ourselves carry more power than what anyone else says to us. The emotional healing we can get from changing our inner dialogue to a more positive one can almost immediately create a change in our reality.

For example, if you are used to saying “This is so hard”, “It is hard for me to do this”, “Nothing comes easy in life”, then you are essentially programing “Hard” into your subconscious mind and as a result things do feel hard. I know for me this program was deeply coded in me from the time I was a kid. There came a point in my life where I hit rock bottom burnout and knew I needed to make a change. I tried to change my outer world with no luck because the power of change is within. Then I changed the dialogue in my own head and my biggest shift was replacing the word ‘Hard’ with ‘Ease’.

Incredible things started happening once I did this. Ease became my more familiar mantra. When things felt hard, I stopped and said no, this comes to me with ease. Scaling a business with ease, writing two books, raising teenagers etc. all shifted when I shifted the words within my head. This does not mean you will never face challenges however the challenges become growth opportunities, and steps to leap ahead rather than weigh you down or rock your confidence. Changing our words is about healthy living.  It is important to teach our kids this concept so that they understand the power within to create an incredible life. Words hold energy and being mindful of what we tell ourselves is the most self-loving and empowering tool we have.

Dr. Masaru Emoto’s work implies that our intentions and words carry weight and influences the world around us. His work suggests a stewardship of language and thought, proposing that the quality of our interactions could literally reshape the physical world. For example, this image shows a frozen water crystals under a microscope. One influenced by the words “I Can’t Do It” the other with “I Can Do It”.

Power Word Exercise: 💚

Take a piece of paper and outline 3 hearts on your paper.

In each one of the hearts write down your 3 power words you are embodying for the rest of this year.

Steps:

  • Close your eyes and connect with your breath. Breath in for 4 counts hold for 2, breath out for 6. Repeat this 4-6 times until you feel yourself calm and centre.
  • Let the breath flow with ease and ask yourself for your 3 power words. Let your heart speak to you and don’t question what comes.
  • Write these 3 words down in your hearts, infuse them with love energy.
  • One by one close your eyes and feel the energy of each word in your body.
  • Use your paper as a visual anchor so you can look at your power words each day. This will help to code your subconscious mind.

My 3 power words this year are:

  1. Ease
  2. Vibrance
  3. Leap

Other great words that I have gotten from my clients that you can use for inspiration:

  • Freedom
  • Movement
  • Healthy
  • Unstoppable
  • Capable
  • Confident
  • Fun
  • Enjoy
  • Peace
  • Ease
  • Connection
  • Me First
  • Priority
  • Resilient
  • Belief
  • Faith

Words carry energy, everything is energy, hence the power of our words have the power to change things we experience in our lives.

by Julie Cass

The positive Change Group

Finding Joy This Time of Year – Embracing the Shorter Days and Winter Months

Finding Joy This Time of Year – Embracing the Shorter Days

Many of us approach this time of year with a bit of dread. The days are darker, we are seeing less sun, and our energy tends to drop and of course the dreaded cold is coming.

What if we could look at it all differently and embrace this time of year?

Rather than wishing for spring, here are some tips to embrace the time of year and find your joy in this moment.

Mental upgrade: “I GET to enjoy the change of season” – there are many gifts that come with the change of season. What is your list of things you ‘GET’ to do? Here are a few of my favorites.
    1. Enjoy more warm cups of tea.
    2. Indulge in peppermint mochas from time to time.
    3. Light a fire
    4. Watch more movies and cuddle with my favorite people and blanket.
    5. Wear some of my favorite vests, cozy sweaters, hats, scarfs.
    6. Go for walks with no bugs.
    7. Favorite time of year for hikes in the woods.
    8. Have friends over for home cooked meals – lots of soups, and stews.
    9. Make more cozy meals.
Give yourself permission to relax and reflect.
    1. This is a great time of year to reflect inward. I always recommend doing more journaling this time of year. Setting intentions for what you are creating next in your life. Also doing some gratitude journaling to anchor you in the present moment and feel the joy of the NOW.
    2. Relax – this is a great time of year to recharge, just like bears go into hibernation we need to do a little of the same. Maybe go to bed earlier, spend more time meditating, have more quiet time to conserve and replenish our energy. Embrace this time to really relax more with quieter nights at home.
    3. Put a couple of things on the Calendar to look forward to: This helps with the blah days. Book a dinner out with friends, maybe a staycation or holiday. Plan a get together with friends, book a spa day. Whatever brings you joy, make a point to schedule things on the Calendar. Having something to look forward to is always a mood booster.

One thing I was reminded of recently is how precious life is. Life is not meant to be wishing our days away, rather to enjoy them to the fullest. It would be a shame to just be living for the summer months and not enjoy the beauty that the NOW brings. There are many gifts to the shorter days and the colder weather, we might just have to look at it through a new perspective. I love spring and summer, and have also learned to embrace the cooler months because life is short, and I don’t want to spend my time wishing it away.

Wishing you many gifts and blessings this time of year.

With love,

Julie

CEO of The Positive Change Group

Nature’s Frequencies on Wellbeing

Nature’s Frequencies on Wellbeing

The concept of nature having a “frequency” can refer to a variety of patterns and cycles found in nature.

For instance, the Schumann resonances are electromagnetic waves that resonate around Earth’s atmosphere and are often associated with the “frequency” of the Earth, typically around 7.83 Hz. These resonances have been a topic of interest in the scientific community for their potential impacts on human biology and behavior.

In a more abstract sense, “nature’s frequency” can also refer to the ambiance or the overall energy of a natural setting, which many people find calming and restorative.

It’s certainly true that there are many rhythmic, cyclical patterns in nature, and that interacting with these patterns can have profound effects on human health and well-being.

Nature’s Frequencies is Recognized for Restorative Properties on Mental Well-being

The sound of ocean waves or rustling leaves can reduce stress and anxiety levels by triggering relaxation responses in the brain, leading to a sense of tranquility and inner peace. Similarly, these frequencies can foster concentration, making them a popular choice for mindfulness practices and meditation.

Physical Health Benefits Associated with Nature’s Frequencies

Some studies suggest that exposure to sunlight’s frequency can help regulate sleep cycles and improve mood by managing melatonin and serotonin production in our body. Likewise, the grounding effect experienced when walking barefoot on earth (often referred to as “earthing”) is thought to neutralize negative ions in our body. Earthing, potentially reduces inflammation and improving overall health.

Encourages Outdoor Activity

Interacting with nature’s frequencies encourages outdoor activity. This engagement not only promotes physical exercise but also provides opportunities for social interaction and bonding, which are both essential for emotional health and building strong, supportive communities.

Nature’s Frequencies on Creativity

Natural settings and their associated sounds can stimulate the brain and foster a creative mindset. It is also beneficial in various domains, from problem-solving to artistic expression.

The benefits of nature’s frequencies extend across various aspects of human health, fostering mental tranquility, physical well-being, and creative thinking. As the world becomes increasingly urbanized, finding ways to maintain our connection with these natural rhythms and patterns could be key to ensuring our holistic health and well-being.

Nature’s Role in Becoming Conscious

Spending time in nature can greatly assist in maintaining focus on the present moment, a concept central to mindfulness, the practice of bringing one’s attention to the experiences occurring in the present moment.

Natural settings, with their intricate sights, sounds, and smells, provide rich stimuli that can anchor attention in the present moment. When you’re paying attention to the rustling of leaves, the smell of damp earth, or the feel of a cool breeze on your skin, you’re actively engaging with the here and now, rather than dwelling on past memories or future concerns.

This can be especially beneficial for those struggling with anxiety or stress, as these conditions often involve excessive worrying about the past or the future. Being immersed in nature and attuning to its sensory experiences can be a grounding experience, pulling one out from the whirl of thoughts and offering respite from mental stressors.

Moreover, nature tends to operate at a slower pace than our often hectic modern lives. This slower rhythm can help us slow down as well.  It reduces the tendency to rush or multitask and enabling us to engage more fully with our current experiences.

In this way, spending time in nature can help promote a state of mindfulness, increasing awareness of the present moment and contributing to overall mental well-being.

Need a jumpstart to your happiness? Why not book a free consultation to discuss how hypnosis can help?

by Julie Cass

thepositivechange.com

 

Are you Ready to Let Go?

Are you Ready to Let Go?

 

The willingness to let go this fall is a beautiful reminder of the natural rhythms that happen within the change of season. Have you noticed that fall is a time of letting go? We see the trees literally letting go of their leaves, and when we do this from an emotional healing place, it gives us space to let in the new.

Before it gives us space to let in the new, it also gives us clarity; clarity of what we want. Clarity of what our new program can be. On more dreams, bigger dreams, and aspirations.

When we are bogged down with limiting beliefs, whether that’s insecurities, feelings of not being good enough, it would do us good to let go of the things that don’t serve us. Are you repeating a program from the time you were a child that has held you in darkness and not allowed you to shine your light?

What are you willing to and permitting to release and let go to create clarity; to empty your tank? Let’s look right now at all the things that you can let go of.

Old Habits:

October can be a great time to reflect on unhealthy or unproductive habits and consider letting go of them to make room for personal growth.

Grudges and Resentments:

Just as trees shed their leaves to start anew, individuals can release grudges and resentments that may be holding them back from moving forward in their relationships and personal well-being.

Stress and Anxiety:

Autumn can be a time to embrace tranquility and reduce stress. Letting go of excessive worry or anxiety can help create mental space for a sense of calm.

Material Possessions:

As you witness nature simplifying itself, you might consider decluttering your own life by letting go of material possessions you no longer need.

Negative Self-Talk:

Shedding self-doubt and negative self-talk can be a powerful way to promote mental and emotional growth.

Expectations:

Release unrealistic expectations you may have placed on yourself or others, allowing for more authentic and less stressful relationships and experiences.

Regrets:

Just as the falling leaves can symbolize the shedding of regrets, it’s a good time to reflect on past mistakes, learn from them, and let go of any lingering regrets that may be hindering personal growth.

Past Attachments:

Whether it’s relationships, memories, or experiences that no longer serve you, October can be a time to release attachments to the past and embrace the present moment.

Fears:

Face your fears and consider letting go of irrational or limiting fears that may be holding you back from pursuing your goals and dreams.

Expectations of Perfection:

Let go of the need to be perfect in every aspect of your life. Instead, embrace imperfection as a natural part of the human experience.

When we link the idea of letting go with hypnosis, we achieve an emotional detox. The healing power is really in just releasing and letting go so that the magic of transformation can happen.

Tips on how we let go when we notice the leaves falling from the trees.

  1. Become consciously aware of the thoughts in your mind that are creating disharmony, meaning emotional discomfort. You can do this by questioning your emotions and asking, “What is my emotion connected to?” “What thoughts or programs am I telling myself?” Once we can pinpoint the thought then we can simply do a tapping exercise to let that go.
  2. Do a brain dump. Write in your journal all the negative things you’re ready to let go of. Just do a brain dump on a journal very cathartically to let it out. You can burn that page, ceremoniously if you like. The key is to just let go of what no longer serves while sitting in presence.

The idea of letting go during October when the trees shed their leaves can be a metaphorical reflection on personal growth, change, and renewal.

By Julie Cass

The Positive Change Group

 

Want to create your magic?

Want to create your magic?

Turn up the volume on your SELF-WORTH.

I have learned in my own life and what I have witnessed with my clients over the years is that real magic begins to happen when we can really feel, understand, and believe in our own WORTH.

So much of our disharmony or fear, anger, frustration reflects how we feel about ourselves. We may feel frustrated because something we wanted so badly has not happened. We may feel hurt because we were rejected by a client or maybe a love interest. Or we feel disappointed when something does not work out the way we anticipated.  This all then feeds into a deeper well of not feeling worthy enough.

The issue is, most of us do not understand or connect the dots with this having anything to do with our feelings of lack of self-worth.  Many times, we just feel it is bad luck or worse we criticize ourselves by saying things like; “I’m never going to find a love, I am never going to get this promotion.” etc.

Let’s break this cycle now and create some magic.

I have seen so much magic happen, almost instantly, with myself and my clients when we re-program our minds to feel our unlimited worth.

When we act from a place of elevated worth, we feel worthy to be happy, we feel worthy to relax, we feel worthy to fulfill our desires, we feel worthy to love what we do for a living. It is unlimited to what we can attract that feels so amazing when we act from a place of self-worth.

The real magic in life is knowing your own worth without having to rely on the outside world to give you this validation. It is knowing you are worthy because you are here, because you breathe. It is not having to accomplish another goal to feel it, to achieve a better grade to feel it, to get recognition to feel it. These outside validations feel great, but they are fleeting. The feeling does not last because we become addicted to them and need more of them to keep feeling worthy.  It is not true inner peace; it is only temporary.

Creating real inner peace is knowing you are worthy no matter what.

To know that you are enough right now and that you don’t need to prove anything to anyone to be worthy.

When we understand this and feel this, the best thing happens; all the things you want start to happen in flow.  They do not need to feel like a struggle. It just happens. And yes, it feels good when it happens, but it certainly does not define your worth. Because you already know you are worthy regardless of what is happening around you.

That is living in magic. That is what is possible for you.

To work on reprograming the mind, you can do this through hypnosis and getting our body into a relaxed state so we can begin a new dominant thought around self-worth and love. A new belief and knowing of our worth. Becoming aware and focusing on our core being is vital in detecting our worth. One of the best ways to becoming aware of who we really are is to temporarily let go of the numerous titles we identify with, i.e. a Mother, a Sister, our career,  etc. What is left?

To help you do this I have created a beautiful meditation on Self-Worth.

My suggestion is to listen to this before bed every night and allow your subconscious mind to get a new program and unlock the well and depths of your WORTH.

You got this.

Enjoy the magic.

Julie

The Positive Change Group

Work Life Balance – Why it is impossible to achieve unless we internally shift.

Work Life Balance

Why it is impossible to achieve unless we internally shift.

 

Work-life balance is something that millions of people try an achieve every year with very little success often leading to burnout and overwhelm.  What exactly does work life balance mean and why has this become one of the most sought-after ideals of our modern-day world?

Work-life balance is often referred to as balancing the time we spend at work with time spent in our personal lives including time with loved ones, social time and selfcare.  The problem with this is we may never actually get a balance between the two, however what is important is how you feel.  The truth is it is nearly impossible to achieve balance all the time because there will be time-sensitive deadlines or projects that come up with work and throw the balance off.

So how do we successfully manage this delicate equilibrium between the demands of work and personal life?

Rather than waiting for your external world to give you the balance, they key is understanding that it is an internal job to achieve this balance. So much of this has to do with our perspective on things. What is the story we are telling ourselves and where is your mind right now?  Many times, we feel out of balance because our mind and body are disconnected.

Let me explain.

1. Upgrading the ‘story’ we tell ourselves

A mindful approach to your thoughts will help you achieve inner peace and balance. Many times, our inner story is around telling ourselves how hard something is or complaining about the task at hand or the person we need to deal with. A self loving or balanced approach to creating inner peace must first come from changing inner dialogue to more up-lifting and encouraging statements such as:

“I got this.”

“I am strong, and I can handle this.”

“This project might be demanding but I can do it and I am giving myself the necessary breaks I need to recharge.”

“This might feel like a challenge right now, but the answer is always there, and I will figure it out with ease and grace.”

“Right now, I am going to solely focus on work and then tonight when I am home, I will enjoy a wonderful meal with my family.”

If you want to feel better the most effective way is to change your internal story. You will feel better when you change what you tell yourself!

2. Connecting Your Mind and Body – Being Present

Being present is an essential aspect of attaining work-life balance. It means fully engaging and immersing oneself in the present moment, whether at work or in personal life. When you are present, you can give your undivided attention to the task at hand, improving productivity and efficiency. Being present also enables you to connect with others on a deeper level, fostering stronger relationships and social support networks.

In the context of work, being present means focusing on the task at hand, minimizing distractions, and practicing mindfulness. It involves being fully engaged in work-related activities and avoiding multitasking, which can lead to decreased productivity and increased stress.  Multitasking is like fracturing your energy trying to divide yourself in pieces leaving you feeling depleted. With singular focus, you can be more present and hence more productive and achieve better outcomes. Ultimately, you will feel better and have a bigger sense of accomplishment allowing you to leave work at work.

Conversely, being present in personal life entails dedicating quality time to loved ones, pursuing hobbies and interests, and taking care of yourself physically and emotionally. It involves setting aside work-related thoughts and concerns and being fully present with family and friends. Set your device aside and engage in activities that promote relaxation and rejuvenation. Being present in personal life helps you recharge your batteries and find fulfillment outside of work. This meditation is helpful in becoming aware of the present moment.

Work-life balance is primarily an internal working that necessitates self-reflection, setting priorities, and making conscious choices. Being present in both work and personal life is crucial for achieving a good balance. By cultivating mindfulness and being fully engaged in the present moment, you can enhance your overall well-being, improve productivity, and foster meaningful connections in all aspects of your life.

by Julie Cass

The Positive Change Group

 

How to Deepen the Connection with Your Partner

couple in love

How to Deepen the Connection with Your Partner

Deepen relationships – We’ve been tested over the last few years and couples have been spending more time together but not necessarily quality time. Reports show that divorce rates have been on the rise since the start of the pandemic and it appears to be continuing.

So how do couples keep the spark alive while deepening the connection with each other? Here are some tips on how to reconnect with your partner and make Valentines 2023 special. Deepen relationship:

Take Some Solo Time to Deepen Your Connection with Self

This might sound counter-intuitive for how to deepen your connection with your partner, yet it is the first and most important thing to do.  We can only go as deep with another human-being based on how deep we go with ourselves. We can only love and connect with another based on how deep the well of self love and connection goes within.

Most couples who are unhappy feel it is the other who makes them unhappy.  The most important thing is to find your happiness first, love yourself first then you will be able to bloom in a relationship. The more you cultivate your own self-love, you will raise your vibration and your relationship will shift because of it. And it will shift the way it needs too.

Cultivating a deeper sense of peace and love can be as simple as taking some quiet time for yourself daily.

For example:

  • Journaling
  • Meditating
  • Reading
  • Anything that fills your energetic cup

It is important to express your desire for self-care so that your partner can honour that request, and vice versa.

Emotional Intimacy

Fostering emotional intimacy is as important, if not more important than physical intimacy. We have been starving for emotional intimacy and one of the most powerful ways to foster this is by taking time to connect with no distractions.  That means putting the device away, turning the TV off and actually talking.  The best gift you can give another is the gift of your PRESENCE.

Emotional intimacy is something we should cultivate daily. One of the best ways to do this is to lean into your vulnerability and express your fears and ask them about theirs, share your dreams and goals for this upcoming year. Taking time to talk about the deeper things in life and not just “what’s for diner”  will help the keep the connection deep.  However, the key to remember here is people only want to share and will feel safe to be vulnerable when you are present with them and not distracted. Being present shows you care.

 

Prioritize Each Other

You can only bloom what you choose to nourish.

It is very easy for couples to put their relationship on the backburner especially when the kids are young.  However, the long term effects of this can be detrimental.  Ask yourself how we as a couple are nourishing this relationship. What is important to us both. For one it might be quality time, for another it could be random acts of kindness.  A great book to read is ‘The 5 Love Languages’ by Gary Chapman. It can help you find your, and your partner’s love language so you can better understand how to connect with one another and what is important to each.

Consider date nights

Couples can be creative and have some fun when organizing date night, whether it be a night out or stay at home. If you have kids, this can be something simple like ordering a pizza for the kids and having a candle light dinner together while the kids are distracted with their favourite movie. It’s all about the intention you put behind it. Do you enjoy cooking together? Is there an activity that you can both enjoy doing together?

The most important thing is to remember that your relationship is a priority. When you both decide it is then you will be more mindful on how you nourish it so it can continuously bloom. If you feel you have gotten off track and are feeling disconnected it is okay. You can focus on what you do want to feel and make some changes to take steps towards a deeper connection.

One of the things we always do in our home is remind each other that we are a team, and we have each others back.  This simple reminder when things feel off can help to get you back on track.

Lastly, connecting with your partner is not just about Valentine’s Day, it is about making each other and your relationship a priority all year.

And when you prioritize yourself first, I promise you will have more to give to your partner and also you increase your capacity to receive more love.

Check out Julie’s book “Me First” for more on how to prioritize yourself, for deepening your connections with others.

by Julie Cass

The Positive Change Group

 

Empower Yourself!

Empower Yourself

You like many Canadians might be struggling to keep your mood up and your goals on track. Statistics show only 9% of Canadians stick to their New Years Resolutions. What are we doing wrong and how can you empower yourself?

The key is to approach this from a different perspective and there is only one true way to make anything stick. Your mind needs to decide first and then the body will follow.

I want to share with you 3 simple mindset shifts to create lasting positive habits for a new better feeling you. Setting goals and intentions are needed but upgrading your mindset is what makes healthy habits stick.

3 Mindset Up-grades for a healthy lifestyle:

  1. Re-prioritizing Self – “I am a Priority”
  • Many of us do not believe we are a priority, and until that belief changes it is almost impossible to create self-care habits that stick.
  • Upgrade your belief system by telling yourself over and over again “I am a Priority”.
  • “No time” is no longer an excuse – because you have changed what you prioritize and it is never about time, it is simply about what we prioritize.
  1. Do what feels good
  • Use your feelings as a motivator – everyone wants to feel better so use your feelings as a motivator.
  • Ask yourself: How will this morning walk make me feel?
  • Make a list of all the healthy habits that make you feel better e.g.: hiking outside, skating, clean eating, yoga, meditation, reading, journaling, etc.
  1. Mindset shift – moving from “I have to” to “I get to”
  • Upgrading the mind to “I get to” i.e. – I get to work out, I get to go for a walk, I get to take a yoga class. This will create a shift in your body, and you will feel a level of appreciation rather than another thing on the To-Do list
  • Gratitude and appreciation shifts our attitude and our energy. It is a wonderful self-healing emotion, and we can learn to feel more of it. Using “I get to”, helps you to feel this energy more.

 

The end result is lasting change that becomes a lifestyle rather than a temporary goal or the viscous cycle of healthy vs unhealthy choices. Once it become a lifestyle you don’t even need new years resolutions. You might need a little reset after holiday indulgence but that is easy to achieve.

To really integrate lifestyle changes around food, It is time to start changing your relationship around your own personal health. It must always be a priority no matter what, and your personal health should never be something you negotiate.

When you adopt an ‘I am a priority’ mentality you will always be working towards your own personal alignment with each choice you make throughout the day and your own personal alignment is always about what will FEEL the best for you.

The beautiful thing about this is we allow ourselves to indulge and enjoy, like over the holidays but with a mindful approach.

What is a mindful approach around eating?

A mindful approach is that I am really going to enjoy my food with no guilt or shame. (Which are the lowest energies for us to feel) A mindful approach is I am going to enjoy this delicious piece of chocolate cake with appreciation and joy.  The energy of how you eat is just as important as what you eat. When we eat with guilt, we make our food worse for our health.

Infuse each bite with love an appreciation. Not only will you enjoy it more, but it is easy to self-regulate because you have adopted a healthy lifestyle you might only want one piece of cake and you will still regularly work out and move your body because ultimately it feels better.

In Conclusion…

Don’t beat yourself up around your choices or if you haven’t been able to stick to some new goals.

Remember a couple of key things:
  1. You can hit the reset button at any moment.
  2. Don’t give up on your health
  3. Upgrade your mindset around a healthy lifestyle being top priority
  4. Enjoy food with appreciation and no guilt and you will be able self-regulate with ease.

You have all the power within you to make changes, just know you are a priority first and empower yourself.

For more information and techniques on how to do this, pick-up a copy of my best-selling book ‘Me First’ HERE,

or from Amazon.

by Julie Cass

The Positive Change Group