Mind & Emotions Archives - Page 17 of 25

What Climbing a Mountain Taught Me About Confidence

Even though my Kilimanjaro summit was 18 months ago, I still remember that final ascent like it was yesterday. I had been told prior to my climb that it would be a life-changing experience, but I shrugged it off as, “it’s a 19,000 foot mountain – just how life-changing can it be?” But, as I took those final steps to the summit I couldn’t stop the tears from streaming down my face.As the only female in the group, I sniffled and mumbled something about the cold and the wind, and pretended it wasn’t happening.

And it would have been one thing if the tears had only been that day – but they weren’t. I found myself spontaneously bursting into tears that night, the next day, and the next day. As a matter of fact, those tears continued on for a full two weeks (at which point, I assure you, it was getting old).

What Climbing a Mountain Taught Me About Confidence Read More »

How To Build Confidence In Your Appearance Through Self Acceptance

By Kenneth McRae / 13 Comments

There is a tendency in much of the literature and information on self esteem and confidence building to overlook the importance – the necessity – of recognising how vital self acceptance is as a part of the process of addressing and overcoming negative self belief.

The relevance and importance of self acceptance in successful self esteem and confidence building is quite adequately encapsulated in the old saying “A house built on sand shall not stand”, meaning in this case that you’re far more likely to succeed in building a positive and lasting self belief and self image only after you’ve undergone a rigorously honest self appraisal of who and where you really are in life at the present time.

How To Build Confidence In Your Appearance Through Self Acceptance Read More »

How to Balance Short-Term and Long-Term Happiness

By Ali Luke / 18 Comments

Do you find it hard to resist chocolate cake, even though you’re on a diet? Do you end up buying new DVDs or video games, even though you’ve made a careful budget?

There’s nothing wrong with you – and you’re certainly not alone. Most of us find it really difficult to stick with our goals at times. And there’s an understandable reason why.

When you’re attempting change in your life, you often need to forsake some short-term pleasures for the sake of happiness over the longer-term.The various things that appeal to you in the moment – like eating chocolate, buying a DVD, hanging out on Facebook, watching TV – are all ones that will bring you some immediate gratification.

How to Balance Short-Term and Long-Term Happiness Read More »

How Do You View Life?

By Anne - Sophie Reinhardt / 44 Comments

Do you see it as a constant string of responsibilities or as a plethora of opportunity? Do you feel crushed by the weight of it or enthralled by its wonders? Most people walk through life with constant fears,

How Do You View Life? Read More »

Finding the Happiness That Lies Beyond “Good Enough”

By Sophy Bot / 26 Comments

What if you could quit your job? Forget the annoyances, leave the frustrations behind and proudly announce to your boss: “I quit.” What if you could escape that relationship you’re so unhappy with? Or move out of that lousy living situation? What if you had the strength and the courage to get rid of everything that makes you unhappy and to shamelessly pursue your true happiness?

Not long ago, I had the kind of life that many people dream about. I was married, had a good job where I was steadily moving up the ranks, lived in a nice home and had plenty of money to do the things I wanted to do. In some ways, I had it all… except happiness. Happiness was something I’d lost along the way; something I’d forgotten about as I pursued the life I was supposed to live instead of the life I wanted to live.

Finding the Happiness That Lies Beyond “Good Enough” Read More »

How To Break Free Of Limiting Cultural Beliefs

By Thomas Maurer / 8 Comments

“It ain’t what you don’t know that gets you into trouble. It’s what you know for sure that just ain’t so.” – Mark Twain

Limiting cultural beliefs operate in much the same way to limiting personal beliefs. A lot has been written in the personal development and self help fields about overcoming perceptions in the mind that hold you back from achieving your goals.

How To Break Free Of Limiting Cultural Beliefs Read More »

Taking the Leap

By Steve Bloom / 14 Comments

It is only 315 miles away, but it feels like a million. At least that’s what I kept telling myself as I drove down the interstate road connecting the place I grew up to the place I’d soon be calling my new home. That was about eight years ago and I still consider it one of the best decisions of my life.

My decision to move was easy; I’d been thinking about moving to Minneapolis for years. But putting my desire into action was really difficult. My biggest hurdle was internal. I’d never lived anywhere else before and Minneapolis was a much larger city than I was used to living in. Of course, I had other difficulties too. Where would I find a job, where will I live and how will I get my stuff there?

Taking the Leap Read More »

The Power of Uncertainty

By Alissa Finerman / 12 Comments

“Uncertainty and mystery are energies of life. Don’t let them scare you unduly, for they keep boredom at bay and spark creativity.” – R.I. Fitzhenry

Uncertainty can be challenging but ultimately it’s what keeps life meaningful. Uncertainty is…

The Power of Uncertainty Read More »

A Quick Way to Change Your Mental State

By Vlad Dolezal / 9 Comments

A few years back, I was sitting with two friends at a dinner table. The talk turned to body language, and how it affects your mood. I proposed a simple experiment, which the others accepted.

So I put a huge all-teeth-bared grin on my face. One of my friends put a frown on his face. And the third one simply behaved normally.

Over the next couple of minutes, the wildest thing happened.

A Quick Way to Change Your Mental State Read More »

10 Fixes for Unhealthy Thoughts

By Kola Olaosebikan / 35 Comments

Every morning, my automatic alarm clock fills the air with a terribly annoying sound. I stumble into the kitchen to turn on the automatic kettle as I listen to my automatic bible. Then I brush my teeth with my automatic toothbrush before grudgingly grabbing my work clothes from the automatic dryer. I walk outside, press my automatic remote control, and obtain instant access to my automatic car. At the office, I breeze through the automatic doors just in time to catch the automatic elevator to my automated workspace on the second floor.

After work, I drive back home in my automatic car. Make dinner with my automatic rice cooker. Do the dishes in my automatic dishwasher and load some laundry into my automatic washing machine. I fiddle with a few other things around the house and finally retire for the night…in my automatic bed.

10 Fixes for Unhealthy Thoughts Read More »

I Didn’t Do Anything Today!

By Noch Noch / 54 Comments

“I didn’t do anything today!” I always end my day with this frustration. There is too little time and too much I want to achieve and too many people to see.

Before going to bed, I think about all the things I have not done: I did not practice my taichi, I did not practice calligraphy, I did not run, I did not write a blog post, I did not check in with my doctor, I did not reply to emails…

I live with fear that I’m wasting my time being ill, that people are passing me by every day, surpassing me, and they will get to where I want to be before me. I compare to the extreme and I beat myself up for not doing what everyone else is doing i.e. having a respected job, earning the big bucks I used to, and getting on with life.

I Didn’t Do Anything Today! Read More »