Occupy Life: One Step At A Time

Have you ever wanted to change your life? The direction your thoughts go, especially when you meet unexpected challenges. Well, you can. Occupy Life: One Step At A Time will help you do just that.  You will receive a short note from me, and several small practice steps each week for a year. These practice steps, faithfully followed, will help you change your life in ways you have only dreamed.

Here is the intriguing part – If we practice these small steps on a routine basis, we should expect to increase our sense of security and worth. Resilience will become part of who we are. Peacefulness will become the watchword of the day. What I’ve learned is that as we practice these small steps, they will change our brain through what the scientists call experience-dependent neuroplasticity. Rick Hanson, PhD, , author of Buddha’s Brain , says “basically, it’s about how your experiences, and what you make of them, literally shape your brain at a physical level. And, in turn, how your experiences can therefore shape the kinds of thoughts you might be more likely to have next time.”

I love your lesson about compassion – I have been practicing all week. Some days are better than others. When I can remember to just breathe in and out, I remember to be kind….to myself first.  - A. Scudder

There is a modern update to a traditional saying that the mind takes the shape it rests upon. It is “the brain takes the shape the mind rests upon”. For example, if you spend a great deal of energy worrying, being critical of yourself (or others) or angry, then your brain will eventually develop the neural structures of anxiety, low sense of worth and crankiness in reacting to others. On the other hand, if you regularly rest your mind on recognizing that you are perfect right now, in this moment, seeing the good in yourself (and others), and letting go – your brain will gradually take the shape of strength, self-confidence and peace.

I am finding these weekly lessons to be rightfully placed at the edge of my personal frontier. Thank you.  - Keith N. Larsen

Now, we could make this hard or a hassle to do. But if we do, neither one of us will commit to practicing. So, instead, we’ll take on some brief actions that can be accomplished a few times a day – and they will eventually add up. It’s like the weights I’ve been lifting three times a week. At first I could only lift 10-15 lbs, but now I’m up to 20. At first, I only did six reps – but now I’m up to two sets of 10. Our small efforts will build up our “brain” muscle, just like I’m actively building arm and leg muscle.

I look forward to Tuesday’s! Thanks so much for Occupy Life! – Cynthia Smith

I am offering a year’s subscription to a weekly series of practices designed to help you “Occupy Life, One Step At A Time”. Simply subscribe to this weekly practice here:

Thank you for joining me! I look forward to your comments and feedback as we move forward throughout the year. If you are committed to a regular practice, you will see large and positive changes in how you look at yourself, your environment and your work. You have given a beautiful gift to your future self – and it will ripple outward in ever widening circles, touching family, friends, acquaintances – and those unknown to you now.

Check your email. As soon as you complete your subscription, you will receive Occupy Life – Week One, and you may begin. What a glorious journey we have begun!

Highest Regards – Always

Coach Georgia

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