Happy Happy New Year!

Question:
What is Mindful Living?

Answer:
"Mindful Living is not something you learn once...it is a lifestyle. It is a way of being and existing in the world. It is a balance between "being" & "doing". It is a balance between seeking & learning & living by example. Raising your awareness is not something you have to do, it is something you GET to do."
~ Tina Louise Balodi 

Hi Prana Boosters!  

Welcome to a New Year!  Every year seems the same, people talk about a fresh start, new goals and New Years Resolutions. They then also remind us that typically these changes do not last longer than Jan 31st. Which is not inspiring. :( I think we are a bit too hard on ourselves. 

I have discovered that there are many ways to really create shifts in our life that lead us to more fulfilled living and creating the life of our dreams. We can begin to do this through SMALL  LIFESTYLE CHANGES.

One of the best ways to do this is by using Pattern Interrupts.  We use them all the time. In fact our daughters, who are 9 & 11, do this as well in their everyday lives on their own. That's how easy it is. Some people typically used these for work or as a sales technique, we use them to keep our brains fresh and our awareness high.

What is a Pattern Interrupt? A Pattern Interrupt is a deliberate decision/action to do something you normally do by habit, differently. It's a way to change what we do automatically the same way everyday by habit. There are auto pilot things we do without mindful deliberate thinking. i.e., brushing our teeth, drinking coffee first thing every morning, even driving at times can be a habit if we take the same route every single day. 

 Here are some examples of Pattern Interrupts:
 

1. When you leave your house, turn out of the driveway, the other direction if possible or down a new street
2. Move a piece of furniture in your home
3. Eat at a different time even if it's just 15 minutes later or earlier
4. Brush your teeth after you shower
5. Walk around your kitchen 10 times in a circle before you eat your next meal
6. Skip the dishes and watch a favorite show or read a book before you do them
7. Go grocery shopping on a different day of the week than you usually go
8. Take a walk instead of going to the gym
9. Start doing jumping jacks rather than yelling when you get angry (Beware this may cause laughter)
10. Try one new food
     

What are the benefits of these Pattern Interrupts? 

If you want to make changes in your life big or small, you will need to create new neural pathways which are like roads in your brain. When we have actively chosen to change our lives we often do not see the results we desire as quickly as we would like, but if we are patient, in time they will come. We can create new wonderful habits that support our dreams little by little. Yes, there are some times when we will shift or change cold turkey, but most of the time we need a bit more time to change. When you practice Pattern Interrupts, and shift these patterns & habits, you will enter a space to receive miracles and opportunities that you might have not seen due to your previous state of awareness & habits. 

In our family, we like to think of creating small LIFESTYLE changes rather than the typical New Year's Resolutions. It takes time to make changes. I repeat, Changes take time.  So have breakfast for dinner. Start with something small so you can see success which will motivate you to keep going. It’s important to not be so hard on yourself or your family members for learning a new method or habit. Just give yourself time to slowly integrate any new knowledge. Be kind to yourself.  Evolution and learning is a process not a destination.

Raising Your Vibration is like showering, YOU HAVE TO DO IT DAILY!  It takes practice to train your brain in a new way.  To shift your actions, you must first shift your thoughts.  This year, decide to change your mind about anything that does not resonate with your soul.  Since what you focus on expands, choose wisely what you focus your attention ON!  Start shifting the way you think and speak and see the world around you start to shift.  Create an environment for yourself to learn and raise your awareness because "When you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change."  ~Dr. Wayne Dyer