"I AM, I WILL"

I AM, I WILL

These 4 words hold so much POWER! Be they simple to remember they carry such a heavy load.  In this layout they are open ended, which makes them all the more powerful.  It is these words that will carry me through THE STRUGGLE.

These words will be the beginning to my days and the encouragement through my day when feeling discouraged, belittled, stuck, or deflated.  These words are the bases of an ever changing cheerleading statement.  Cheerleading statements are implemented and understood in the psychological approach of Dialectical Behavior Therapy and there are 3 types:

• Statements that provide courage to act effectively
• Statements that help in preparing for a situation- helping you focus
• Statements that counteract myths about interpersonal behaviors

Similarly, these words are much like a mantra for myself.  Although mantras are most often implemented in the mediation rituals of Hinduism and Buddhism; in its most simplistic definition, mantra is a word or phrase that is repeated often and expresses someone's basic beliefs.  For me, this mantra is an utterance that holds spiritual power to recenter my thinking.

These 4 words are also an affirmation, or at least the basis to a multitude of positive affirmations.  Positive affirmations are positive statements which you repeat to yourself which describe how you want to be.  In theory, you receive these affirmations and become part of  a self-fulfilling prophecy  as the statements come to fruition. The most powerful affirmations are clear, specific, and concise as well as paired with action.  These powerful positive affirmation are based on 3 ideals:

• I am: A statement of who you are.
• I can: A statement of your potential.
• I will: A statement of positive change in your life.

No matter which method of thought you follow- ranging from soft science of psychology to religious practices of Hinduism or even the fast growing hard science of brain scans and neurology- positive thinking is at minimum helpful and potentially powerful beyond what we imagine. 

Imagine & Inspired

In continued preparation with getting into the swing of the new year- I tried something new this year: I created a vision board.  I have heard a lot of talk around these vision boards from various circles of people including friends, co-workers, associates and others.  I figured it couldn't hurt what the year will bring me and it might just be fun- so I gave it a try.

Let me preface the remainder of this post by stating- I am not a big arts and crafts person.  My idea of being crafty ranges from making charts and graphs in excel to making a drink at a bar that is just as colorful as it is tasty.  

Per the advice of a friend, I ventured to the local hobby lobby where I collected all my crafty materials.  This was my first time visiting the store and it's pretty overwhelming.  It's like the DSW of crafts or a mega Auto Zone of home decor materials!  I walked around a little while and as I grew annoyed with all the items around me asked for help.  Staff was more than willing to help me with my project and in no time I was collecting all types of scrap-booking paper and boarders with glitter and stickers too, to transform my typical everyday cork-board.

Once back to my house, I set the stage for what appeared to be a craft party! I had cider and some football playing with friends and family as I perused Cosmopolitan, Better Homes and Gardens, Essence, Fitness, Southern Living, and Vacation magazine for pictures.

This took HOURS of my time, but my finished product is amazing and I had a bunch of fun.  The process itself was filled with self reflection and the finalized board encompasses my personality.  In summation: I imagine I will become a first time home-buyer and take steps to further my career while spending my free time traveling, getting healthy, and enjoying new experiences.  I was inspired to complete a 2014 "bucket list" which lists the various places and activities I'd like to experience in the next 360 days.  

Ultimately, even if I do not achieve all the tasks on my vision board- I have already gained the following: " I am, I will" It was through self reflection and the development of this board that I was reminded of all the qualities I possess and all the things I am able to accomplish as well as a way to remind myself to be positive and optimistic.

So, in closing.  If you have never made a vision board you should try it out! :)

Inhale 2013, Exhale 2014

Soooo-
 
Im a little late on this post; but yesterday I went to my first EVER yoga class.  I was really nervous and excited to try something new and I'm happy I did.  With a general internet search and checking some references, not to mention a pretty good NEWBIE discount- I signed myself up at Southside Yoga Studio.
 
 
The class was YINYOGA which was based on holding poses and being relaxed; while learning to not battle with your ego.  This was a very hard battle for me as I am typically your "no pain, no gain" kinda physically active person.  The class was challenging physically and mentally and I truly felt a little lighter as I exited. 
 
As class was being taught- the instructor suggested we focus on breathing.  More specifically, she suggested we reflect withing ourselves as we breathed and " inhaled 2013 and exhaled 2014".  This was a great mantra to live by as I continue to try new things, remembering the past, seizign the present, and working towards the future.

Hello 2014

Hello 2014!!!!  

Now is the time for a new year and a new me right....WRONG! I don't hold myself to this typical template nor do I make a list of resolutions, but instead I will continue to embark on my personal journey for destined greatness. 

In an effort to better myself, I have decided to develop this blog- with the encouragement of my little sister and support from a few great friends this is my very first post.  On that note....let me introduce myself and the future contents of my blog.  I am GT graduate with a master's degree in FORENSIC PSYCHOLOGY, currently working at a local children's mental health facility.  I enjoy reading, eating (not cooking), turning up, traveling, and trying new things.  So for the next 12 months I hope to expose my readers to these things and more.  I hope to spark a conversation and make you think and reflect, touching lives where I can even if it is in the smallest way.

Evenstill, who knows what this will really turn out to be. The struggle of life is real and truthfully, I have no clue what I am doing! LOL, but I'm sure it will be fun so stay tuned for the journey :)