Today marks the start of a new week, what if you began it by reconnecting with your source? 🪄 Healing Hood Take a moment to tell yourself what you’ve done well, what you’ve achieved (nothing is too small!) while you're giving yourself a gentle pat on the shoulders (right and left hand on right and left shoulder, respectively). Then move your hands up and over your head (as if you were putting on a hood) and continue gently over your face down to the upper edge of your upper lip. Imagine there’s a spring of wonderful, healing energy above you, giving you exactly what you need and wish for, an unlimited source that continuously nourishes you. Enjoy how it continues to support you even after you finish the exercise and carry on with your day. Simple and yet surprisingly powerful. What is one thing you can acknowledge yourself for today?

Empowered decision making... I semi-recently finished reading 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗟𝗲𝘁 𝗧𝗵𝗲𝗺 𝗧𝗵𝗲𝗼𝗿𝘆 by Mel Robbins. I won't go too in depth with my thoughts on it, but I will say that throughout the book, I would just randomly pause and think about how this idea is very much related to 𝗹𝗼𝗰𝘂𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗹. And this, this is something that comes up A LOT with clients, with other people in life, and with myself. 𝕃𝕠𝕔𝕦𝕤 𝕠𝕗 𝕔𝕠𝕟𝕥𝕣𝕠𝕝 This is basically how we approach and how we interpret the causes of events in our lives. People with an 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗹𝗼𝗰𝘂𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗹 tend to believe their actions influence outcomes, while those with an 𝗲𝘅𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗹𝗼𝗰𝘂𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗹 attribute outcomes to luck, fate, or other people/other influences. The “Let Them Theory” aligns closely with this framework. At its core, “let them” is about relinquishing control over others’ behaviors (external factors) while taking responsibility for your own responses (internal factors)--the things that actually belong to you. Instead of attempting to control unpredictable external variables (which often leads to anxiety and rumination), we redirect our focus toward what is actually within our control: our interpretation, our behavior, and our limits. In that sense, “let them” ends up being selective control. It's not the giving up of power, it's the reallocation of power and wielding it in a way that makes sense. It's the ability to really assess the question "What's mine vs. what's theirs?" "Who is responsible for what?" This is not about blame, but rather about responsibility. This to me is an empowered stance. :) POLL: When something doesn't go as planned in your life, what's your go to response? QUESTION:Do you think “letting them” always reflects a healthy internal locus of control, or can it sometimes become avoidance disguised as acceptance? ****If you have the time, definitely take a look at the video! :)

Most of the members of this community were not here when I first posted this, so, I thought I'd reshare (with some added content/resources). :) Thought it would be fitting to share because limiting beliefs really do have a tendency to impact the trajectory of our life! Okay, so here's one way of going about overcoming our limiting beliefs! :) Step 1: Choose your desired outcome! What's your goal here? -Get clear on what you actually want and are willing to change -Identify the beliefs that are holding you back from making this happen Step 2: Get curious with your beliefs--question them! -Challenge their truth : how did we actually get here? Often some of these became engraved in childhood before we even had the chance to think about them analytically -See if there is evidence that disproves them (also think about "if my friend believed this, what would I say/think" -explore different perspectives (I think that curiosity can be the best weapon when it comes to understanding/expanding/rewriting our maps) Step 3: Consider the consequences of holding on to this belief -Ask yourself how keeping this belief affects your life -Reflect on the cost emotionally, physically, and relationally -Be honest with yourself and ask "what benefit HAVE I gotten from holding on to this belief"...Often times there are secondary gains from holding on to something that's not great for us. Step 4: Create a new empowered belief -Choose a belief that supports growth and the goal that you're working towards! -Make sure it feels believable and aligned with your goals and values; When I say feels believable---sometimes things may not "feel" believable, but that doesn't mean that they're not true Step 5: Strengthen the new belief -Use quotes, affirmations, or role models for support -Build habits that reinforce the belief -Be okay with the discomfort that comes along with this--this is normal!! New neural pathways are being created and that is actual physical change happening (think about how working out can create soreness in the body--there's a similar sense that comes with this); discomfort is not always a bad thing; learn to distinguish discomfort that helps us stretch the comfort zones vs. discomfort that is trying to set a boundary

Saw this quote in another community and it was such a good reminder as it applies to soooooo many areas of life. :) "I"ll start when I'm ready" sounds responsible. Thoughtful. Maybe even wise. But often times it's more likely to be self-protection which then leads to procrastination and timidity in action. This 'waiting' for the perfect moment can actually erode self trust over time if we don't take action. And that's a disappointing feeling. We rarely feel 100% ready (but that doesn't mean that we're not ready)..Feelings, while valid, are not facts...They inform, but they don't need to drive. Motivation research shows us that action is often the thing that creates clarity and confidence (not the other way around). Growth almost always requires movement (rather than perfect preparation). Something to consider: There’s also a 𝗰𝗼𝗴𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗱𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 at play: the belief that future-you will be braver, more disciplined, or more prepared than present-you. BUT!!!! Avoidance reinforces anxiety which makes us LESS likely to engage in the behavior. This is that erosion of self trust I mentioned earlier! (Check out @Sofia Martinez 's post that very much relates to this erosion of self trust: the-agreement-you-keep-breaking-with-yourself) Sometimes “I’m not ready” is valid, but I think that we need to be honest with ourselves and identify if /when that's actually the case. (Check out @Kate Galli 's post that is related--points out to some things that may get in the way of us taking steps towards goals!!: 6-aversion-factors-that-quietly-kill-your-progress) (The video is related to how to make stress your friend. Figured it would be helpful to put us in better positions for taking on positive risks! :) )

This is a hard topic… but an important one. There is often a strong link between trauma and suicidal thoughts. Not necessarily because someone wants to die - but because, at times, the nervous system feels overwhelmed by what it is carrying. And this is where an important distinction matters: Thoughts are not the same as intent. Having thoughts like “I can’t do this anymore” or “I want this pain to stop” does not automatically mean someone wants to end their life. Often, it means something else entirely. An analogy that might help: Imagine you are trapped in a dangerous building. There is smoke. It feels overwhelming. Your body is on high alert. What does your brain do? It starts scanning for exits. Every possible way out. Windows. Doors. Fire escapes. Even options you would not normally consider. Not because you truly want to jump out of a window… but because your system is desperately trying to find a way to survive. 💔 Trauma can feel like that building. When the emotional intensity gets too high, the mind can start searching for any possible exit from the pain. Sometimes those “exits” show up as suicidal thoughts. That does not always mean we truly want to die. Often, it means our system is overwhelmed and trying to find relief. You are not “bad” or “broken” for having these thoughts. Thoughts can pass - especially when you are supported and regulated. You do not have to face that intensity alone. Healing doesn’t happen in isolation - it happens in community. If you are struggling right now, please reach out to someone you trust or a crisis support service in your country. You deserve support, safety, and space to breathe. With love, Chris ❤️