Category Archives: joy

How to Practice Gratitude and Heal your Mind, Body, and Spirit

autoimmunity recovery, gratitude, healthy lifestyle, joy, wellness, ,

Many years ago, when I was a member of Toastmasters International, I met this vivacious, energetic, beautiful lady named Irene Kertchaval (pictured with me above) who helped me embrace the concept of intentionally practicing gratitude. Years prior to our meeting, she had developed the daily habit of writing a list of 10 things for which she was grateful before going to bed. This helps her to keep a positive attitude.

While I don’t always write my gratitude daily (I’m working on it), I do acknowledge what I’m grateful for and give thanks. I have learned that having an attitude of gratitude helps to improve my mood and outlook on life.

Today, I want to share the power of consistently practicing gratitude as it relates to healing from autoimmune disorders. I will also give you 3 practical strategies that you can incorporate into your daily routine that will help you be more grateful and consequently improve your health.

I recently listened to a podcast with Jim Kwik of the Kwik Brain podcast and he shared that practicing gratitude changes the molecular structure of your brain as it promotes the release of neurotransmitters that lead to positive emotions.

Having a grateful mindset is good for your mental health in reducing anxiety and stress. The mind and body are intertwined. Therefore, a positive mental state helps to improve the physical health.

There are several ways you can intentionally express gratitude. Let’s take a look at 3 practical strategies you can implement starting today to help you have a grateful mindset:

  1. Make it a practice to start and end your day by thanking God for blessing you. Yes, even in the midst of whatever challenges you may be facing, or however you feel, look for the good and thank God for it.
  2. Each day, write a list of 5-10 things for which you are grateful. You may choose to write your list in the morning upon awakening, in the evening prior to going to bed, or at any other time of the day. (You may choose to enter your lists in your electronic device)
  3. Share with someone why you are grateful for them. It may be a family member, a loved one, coworker, neighbor, online contact, service provider, or whomever you choose. Letting people know that we are grateful for them and how they impact our lives goes a low way towards encouraging others and it helps us to be less selfish.

What are you grateful for today? Leave a comment below and let me know. Also, I invite you to click HERE to download a free gift for you. The CROWN TO SOLE Wellness Action Guide is my gift to help you take control of your health so you can thrive!

Your Mindset Matters. Renew Your Mind!

healthy lifestyle, joy, lifestyle transformation, self control, wellness

“A MERRY HEART DOES GOOD LIKE A MEDICINE BUT A BROKEN SPIRIT DRIES THE BONES” Proverbs 17:22

Have you ever personally experienced a broken spirit— perhaps due to sadness, grief, hurt, guilt, anxiety, or depression?

I will admit that I have…honestly, we probably all have at some point in our lives.

In Chapter 18 of the Book, Ministry of Healing, Ellen White writes, “The relation that exists between the mind and the body is very intimate.  When one is affected the other sympathizes.  The condition of the mind affects health to a far greater degree than many realize.  Many of the diseases from which men suffer are the result of mental depression.  Grief, anxiety, discontent, remorse, guilt, distrust, all tend to break down the life forces and to invite decay and death.”

Scientific literature tells us that unmanaged negative emotions can negatively affect the immune system- leading to more illness, whereas balanced positive emotions can help support the immune system and lead to wellness.

In that same Chapter in Ministry of Healing from which I quoted earlier Mrs. White writes, “Courage, hope, faith, sympathy, love, promote health and prolong life.  A contented mind, a cheerful spirit, is health to the body and strength to the soul.”

SO NOW WHAT DO WE DO?

Romans 12:2 tells us “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind,…”

PRACTICAL TIPS TO RENEW THE MIND – (*Please seek professional help as needed)

  1. Prayer  – Be specific
  2. Saturate your mind with scriptures of Who God is and who you are to Him
  3. Sing /listen to spiritual, inspirational songs
  4. Guard the avenues to your mind (What you see, hear, read)
  5. Rehearse your gratitude regularly– Write it down
  6. Practice taking captive your thoughts and understand that this is an ongoing process.

Thoughts become words, Words become actions, Actions become habits, Habits become your character, Character determines your Destiny

REMEMBER, YOUR MINDSET MATTERS!

In my Overcome Autoimmunity private coaching program, my clients are empowered to renew their mindset to help them take control of their health.

If you are struggling with chronic illness such as autoimmune disorders and ready to invest in yourself for a high level of personalized support to reclaim your health, I invite you to schedule an appointment with me for a free Overcome Autoimmunity Discovery Call to see if and how I can help you. Click HERE to schedule your call today!

Joy On The Journey! I CHOOSE JOY! What do you choose?

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For the year 2018 I decided to choose a personal theme word to remind myself of what I want to experience as I pursue my dreams, goals, purpose, and life of holistic wellness. JOY is my theme word for this year. While I know that life can and will present daily challenges, I realize that I am in CONTROL of how I CHOOSE to respond to whatever I may face.

I am CHOOSING to daily experience joy. Yeah, I know… Some things are easier said than done. That’s why I am making it a practice to start my day with prayer, meditation, and reflections of gratitude. (Gotta get my mind right before I start the hustle and bustle of the day.) I set the atmosphere by lighting my scented candle, listening to soothing, meditative music and then I feed my soul with scriptures and inspirational/uplifting readings. Journaling my gratitude has also become a part of my practice. Oh, yeah- I also found a couple of “Joy-themed” songs to end my morning routine.

A few days ago I was so excited to receive an email from “Faith Gateway” with the title; “2018 is your year to live with Joy.” HA! YES! Who told them? This was one email I was looking forward to reading. I had set the intention for JOY and so I chose to recognize this email as a sign from God to affirm me and help me on my “Joy Journey”. The author of the email, Candace Payne, stated: “Trust that God already knows what you need.”

I agree with Candace’s statement and I’m encouraging you to “Trust that God already knows what you need.” Jeremiah 29:11 states; “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

If you set the intention and step out in faith to realize your dreams and goals, God will open doors and opportunities for you to take “inspired action” (I borrowed that term from my mentor-Rosetta Thurman). James 1:2 tells us that even when you face trials and obstacles you should “count it all joy…knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.”

My desire and goal is to share from a heart of love and joy as I fulfill my mission of encouraging, empowering, and equipping individuals to take control of their health and create lives of joy, abundance, and holistic wellness. If you are ready to move forward with your lifestyle transformation to reclaim your health and need support, accountability, and trustworthy resources, I invite you to CLICK HERE to learn more about what I offer and schedule a FREE 30 minute discovery call so we can determine if my services are right for you. I’m looking forward to hearing from you! In the meantime, leave a comment and let me know if you have a personal theme word for 2018.

P.S. If you haven’t already received my gift to you go ahead and enter your information below so you can receive a copy of the FREE CROWN TO SOLE Wellness Action Guide and discover simple, practical strategies to help you start your lifestyle transformation! It is my love offering to you!