The first thing to realize is that we are the main thing in our way. Whatever the stories in your head are playing, they are not the whole truth, though they may be grounded in some truths, or things that seem true. The second guideline I use is: Don't believe everything you think. In fact, most of the time the thoughts we think are just residual patterns based on predictions our brains are making based on our interpretations of past perceptions. There is a way to move forward, even if your brain is telling you stories about how you can't, shouldn't, or won't. Start with a step. While it is important to aim for a loving direction, sometimes any step is better than none. Even a step in a negative direction can build momentum and start to bring clarity about what we really want, what feels better or worse, where that direction of love is. Earlier today I read a social media post by a person struggling with feeling stuck and I could recognize my own struggles and complaints in his words. I could see that even though he was asking for advice, he was likely to continue pushing back against whatever advice he got, which is a pattern I frequently find in my own life and in the lives of most people I have ever spent time getting to know at all. We all seem to do this at least to some extent. There are times when I feel free and clear from that resistance. Those times are not when my life is 'perfect' or everything is going my way. Not at all. In fact, those times of calm clarity often come through when I am so 'sloshed around' by the turbulence I am creating in my own life that I 'check out', disassociate, and find myself mentally or physically 'wandering'. Sometimes I am telling myself a bunch of stories about how stuck I am, and how I have 'tried everything' but everything seems to be conspiring against me. Then I remember or realize that the stories I am telling myself are not actually true unless I 'buy' into them. "She who believes she can and she who believes she can't are both correct." We can limit ourselves or open ourselves to possibilities, simply by shifting the stories we are telling to and about ourselves, even if just slightly.

After a long break, monthly Resets are returning—new and improved! Now in one session instead or three. I’m looking at the last week of the month and would love to know what time/day would work best for any of you who are interested in joining me live….maybe after 5? Weigh in if you feel inclined.

I love this talk on motivation and what drives us. I am often intrinsically driven. My entire life I have had trouble finding motivation from conventional external rewards. Autonomy, authenticity, and 'doing hard things' have always been more motivating than punishments and rewards. This talk helped me clarify why that is. https://youtu.be/-_fCHBbgi-0?si=8vOiAyAJiU6SwUAT

I find his stories soothing to the nervous system. Check him out if it resonates. I just listened to one of his audiobooks (The Smell of Rain on Dust: Grief and Praise) several times to really let it soak in. https://youtu.be/LW_ioWnguC4?si=Rz7ZePwMpQciloV_