The Power of Appreciation: Who Could You See Differently? What Could You Celebrate?

February 28th, 2013 Posted in Inspiration & Motivation, Life Transitions, Make a Difference, Reflection & Learning, Self-awareness, Thankfulness, Wonder, Possibility & Creativity
Feb, 28 2013
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I was enjoying a rare day at home, working in my jammies, when I got the news that a man I worked with for over ten years had died.  His service was starting in just 45 minutes, so I quickly dressed, jumped in the car, and made it just in time.

His rabbi, younger brother, daughter, and granddaughter shared stories of the difference this man made in their lives: How he listened and took a genuine interest in them, made them feel loved and valued, and inspired them to pursue their passions; how they became lovers of music, dance, theater, and art because they experienced it with him through his eyes; and, how the twinkle in his eye, and hearty laugh, helped them to find humor in every experience, especially in difficult circumstances.

His children and grandchildren all nodded in agreement with every word. I was nodding, too.

And then, I remembered that when I was working with this gentleman, I didn’t appreciate these qualities. I was busy being focused on the work to be done and his ability or inability to get the work done. My head (at that time) was filled with thoughts of judgment and criticism because, in my opinion, he didn’t seem to enjoy his work, he wasn’t getting results, and I prided myself in being the queen of results.

Ralph Waldo Emerson wrote:

To laugh often and love much;
To win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children;
To earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends;
To appreciate beauty;
To find the best in others;
To leave the world a bit better
whether by a healthy child, a garden patch,or a redeemed social condition;
To know that even one life has breathed easier because you have lived.
This is to have succeeded.

Hmmmm….. What I focus on is what I see. What I focus on is usually all that I see. What I focus on creates my reality. Because of my focus, I missed out on truly experiencing the joy of this man. I missed out on appreciating and utilizing the gifts, the success, he was bringing to the table.

I wonder… What could have happened (for me, for him, for the organization) had I asked him about all of the loves of his life, and saw the world for a moment through the light in his eyes? What could have happened (for me, for him, and the organization) had he shared his life experiences, his love of the arts and what inspired him? What could have happened had our breaks and lunches and social events been infused with the spirit of the arts and children?

How might we and  how might I have approached our work differently? How could our results have expanded had we ignited our creativity, invoked our state of wonder, and revitalized our energy? What difference could we have made, how much greater could our results have been, had we and I approached our work with joy and aliveness?

As I reflect, I could beat myself up because of what I didn’t think, say, or do at that time. Instead, I choose to acknowledge and celebrate myself.

I am always in the process of creating the next version of the highest vision of myself. And today, the new, evolved version of me can SEE him and appreciate him. The new highest vision of me celebrates me thinking differently, powerfully, seeing and experiencing the divine spark in everyone one and everything, including myself.

I acknowledge and celebrate that I have grown from the Queen of Results to the  Queen of Significant Results! The Queen of Infinite Results!

Who could you see differently at work? At home?  What could you appreciate about them? What difference could that make? And what can you celebrate about you?

© 2013 Mary J. Lore and Managing Thought LLC All rights reserved.

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Valuable Lessons I Learned from My Cousin Bernie

February 8th, 2013 Posted in Inspiration & Motivation, Life Transitions, Make a Difference, Reflection & Learning, Self-awareness, Vision, Purpose & Intention, Wonder, Possibility & Creativity
Feb, 08 2013
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Mary's Cousin BernieMy cousin Bernie died.  He was 69 years old.  Thirty three years ago, the doctors said he had six months to live.  When he was a child, the doctors said he wouldn’t live past twenty one.

Before the term was considered socially incorrect, Bernie bore the label “mentally retarded.”   Later, he was called “special” and that, indeed, he was.

I loved Bernie. I liked Bernie. I admired Bernie.  I learned a lot from him.

Take it All In

Bernie is the oldest of 23 cousins on my mom’s side of the family.  We gathered often—30+ Italians in close quarters—and it got pretty boisterous.  Bernie always had a sense of peace and content. While he didn’t actively participate with the many cooks in the kitchen, or the adults playing endless rounds of Canasta, or the kid’s games, or the singing and dancing, Bernie did participate. He was present. He had a twinkle in his eye and a satisfied smile, as he breathed in the “all” of everyone around him.

Listen

Bernie made it a point to have one-to-one time with me (and the other cousins.)  I always felt listened to when I was with Bernie. He adjusted our chairs so we were face-to-face. He looked me right in the eyes and used my name – Mary Jeannine – often. He asked open ended questions. He repeated what I said to make sure he understood it.  He started the conversation by telling me what we talked about in our last conversation and asking me what happened. Once, I hadn’t seen Bernie for over ten years and he remembered and asked me about our last conversation!

He expressed empathy and helped me to love and appreciate myself: Oh Mary Jeannine – you can run so fast, you love to sing, I love your smile, you must be so smart, you are so lucky…

When we were done talking, he always thanked me for the conversation and shared how much he enjoyed our little visit. Oxford once said, “Being listened to feels so much like being loved, we can’t tell the difference.” Bernie gave me the experience of being listened to. Bernie made me feel loved.

Give and Receive Compliments and Mean It

At some point in life, I started the practice of deflecting compliments. I didn’t say thank you. I’d point out how I could have been better. I’d say I was lucky or I didn’t deserve it. I felt obligated to come up with a compliment in return.

Then I had a visit with Bernie, who was full of compliments for me. As I deflected each compliment, he paused, looked me in the eye and said, “I mean it, Mary Jeannine.” And he repeated the compliment – with emphasis.

He was steadfast in helping me to receive and absorb the gift of his compliment and give him the gift of my “Thank you.”  He helped me to really see and appreciate the “all” of me, the true me, and build upon that me to create the next me.

Focus on What Truly Matters

When Bernie asked me about my work, he asked a lot of questions. What set Bernie apart was that he didn’t ask about the doing. He asked about the being.  He had a knack for getting to the heart of my work:  Wow –You get to be around all those beautiful plants!  Wow—You grow flowers that go into bouquets! Wow—You get to fly in an airplane and meet new people! Wow—You help make machines that keep people alive! Wow—you wrote a book that people can go to a library and read! …. When Bernie talked about his job, his face lit up as he spoke about how glad he was to help others.

Bernie helped me focus on what truly matters. He helped me rise above the doing and reminded me of the joy and significance of every job I had.

 It’s One Thing to Be Intelligent and Another to Be Happy

When I was ten years old, Bernie said, “I’m not smart like you, Mary Jeannine.”  I was taken aback. I hadn’t really thought about being smart—or not. I tried and couldn’t imagine not being smart. Nor could I imagine how I could handle knowing that I wasn’t smart and worse (in my mind), others knowing I wasn’t as smart as them.

I didn’t think that if I was told I was mentally retarded, that I could love myself, be content, or have the courage or strength to be with other people. At that moment, I felt a profound respect and admiration for Bernie.  He wasn’t smart.  He was kind and loving and compassionate. He appreciated and expressed appreciation for everyone and everything around him. He was happy and he brought happiness to others.

Remembering Bernie

Andy Rooney once said, “Most of us end up with no more than five or six people who remember us. Teachers have thousands of people who remember them for the rest of their lives.”

I am certain that Bernie has thousands of people who will remember him for the rest of their lives. And I am one of them.

I am so glad he was born, that our paths crossed, and that I got to experience and learn from the miracle of Bernie.

 

© 2013 Mary J. Lore and Managing Thought LLC All rights reserved.

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Is Groundhog Day Stuck in Your View-Master®?

February 7th, 2013 Posted in Goals & Resolutions, Inspiration & Motivation, Positive Thinking & Affirmations, Self-awareness, Vision, Purpose & Intention, Wonder, Possibility & Creativity
Feb, 07 2013
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Is Groundhog Day stuck in my View-Master? What’s she talking about?

Well, Groundhog Day is certainly a big day for the groundhog – the day he chooses to return to his hole or stay above ground, his decision based solely on whether or not he sees his shadow.

Groundhog Day is also the name of one of my favorite movies. The character Bill Murray plays, Phil, is forced to live Groundhog Day again and again until he makes choices that are in alignment with who he truly is and what he truly wants to create in his life.

The View-Master was one of my favorite childhood toys. With the press of a button I could view a series of pictures by inserting a slide wheel into the binocular-style viewer. In my books and workshops, I use the View-Master as a visual aid to show that the way I perceive reality is like viewing the world through my View-Master and that what I put in my View-Master creates my focus and what I focus on creates my reality.

Are you experiencing your life and work through the groundhog’s View-Master?  Do you believe you have limited choices dictated by forces outside of your control?  Do you want to crawl into a hole? Are you focused on just staying above ground? Surviving? Getting through this?  Are your choices rooted in fear?

Or are you aware of the sea of choices you could make? Are you focused on thriving? Making a difference, enjoying your life and work, and being richly rewarded?

Are you experiencing your life and work through Phil’s View-Master? Are you living each day as you did yesterday? Living in the past? Creating what you tolerate?  Trying to figure out what you should do and second guessing your choices?  Being the busiest person in the poorhouse?

Or are you thinking differently, powerfully, creatively, expansively? Experiencing the joy and aliveness of creating the next version of your highest vision of yourself?

Are your slides working for you or working against you? How do you know?

And what about the rest of your organization? What’s in their View-Master?

What if you could take out the old slides and stop re-acting your past? What if you could take out the slides that are rooted in fear?

What if you could put new slides in your View-Master? Slides that could help you stop wasting time, energy, and money and start creating the highest vision of yourself – as individuals and organizations — happy, healthy, engaged, productive, creative, inspired, impactful, AND prosperous.

You have that power. We all do. There’s no rule that says any slide is permanent.  We have the ability to create anything we can imagine.

I invite you to read or listen to the Managing Thought book, attend a workshop, or watch the workshop DVD. It’s time. If you have already, I invite you to do it again. And again.

If you would like to bring Managing Thought to your organization through workshops, coaching, or the online Managing Thought University, email me at Mary@ManagingThought.com.

If you would like to receive personal coaching or participate in the online Mindfulness MondayTM personal development course and teleseminars, click on the link..

There’s a reason that the book has received so many best book awards: Two Nautilus Medals, one for Conscious Business & Leadership and one for Enlightenment and Inspiration; The Axiom Business Book Medal for Communication Skills; The Eric Hoffer Award for Philosophical Thought Leadership and two USA News Best Book Awards for Business Motivation and Self-Help. There’s a reason that previous winners of the most recent awards include The Dalai Lama, Eckhart Tolle, and Deepak Chopra.

It is time to think differently, think powerfully.  It’s time to wonder what’s possible and create it.

When we practice self-awareness and Managing Thought®, remarkable things start to happen. Our goals pop out. They’re not forced, motivated, or rooted in fear. They are crystal clear and focused on what matters.

We find ourselves completely in touch with our creativity and highest awareness. We know what to do next and how to do it.

Our actions are inspired. And it’s when we are inspired that we experience profound change. Not 10% kind of change. Profound change. Meaningful change.  Significant results. In work and life.

And there is no stopping us.

What’s in your View-Master?

 

PS. It’s a perfect time to refresh your View-Master for your life well-lived. I invite you to watch this video:  Resolutions, Intentions & Affirmations for a Life Well-Lived.  Watch with family, friends, colleagues to start the process of conscious, purposeful living. I watch it often as a ritual to inspire me to keep my resolutions and remain on purpose with what truly matters to me. If you like, you can turn off the sound, play your own music, and use the pause button to take time with each frame.

© 2013 Mary J. Lore and Managing Thought LLC All rights reserved.

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The Winter Solstice: A Day to Pause, Reflect, and Feed Your Spirit

December 21st, 2012 Posted in Calm, Peace & Happiness, Inspiration & Motivation, Reflection & Learning, Self-awareness, Vision, Purpose & Intention, Wonder, Possibility & Creativity
Dec, 21 2012
1 Comment »

Winter Solstice Mary J. LoreThe word “Solstice” is rooted in two Latin words: sol meaning “sun” and sistere meaning “to stand still” because it appears as though the sun and moon stop moving across the sky. To me, celebrating the solstice serves as a beautiful reminder that my life is a part of a larger order, always changing, always renewing. So it’s the perfect time for reflection and re-affirmation of what matters most and what I wish to cultivate in my work and in my life.

I use rituals to celebrate the winter solstice in ways that have meaning for me.

Me – I  make a day of it. That’s me. I’m on a mission.  :)

I light candles and play music that inspires me. I take a walk, take in the fresh air  and the magic and beauty of everything around me. I meditate longer than I usually do — with special healing meditations for myself and the world.  I drink special tea and I fast. I take my self-assessment and watch my video and I notice the thoughts that come to me:  The celebration of accomplishments; the recognition of the values I embody, the relationships I have strengthened, the obstacles I have overcome; and the observation of what’s lingering, what’s out of alignment with the me I am in the process of creating. I write in my thankfulness journal. I re-affirm my commitments, prepare new ones. I do a lot of wondering and  just going with the flow.

Again, that’s me.

What could your ritual be?

  • Visit a place outdoors that’s special to you—a trail you can walk or a field you can lie down in, a hillside or rooftop perch that provides the perfect view, or a quiet place in your mind.
  • Watch the clouds, the trees, the sunset
  • Take a walk
  • Write a poem
  • Read a book that inspires you
  • Reconnect with someone
  • Make a list of what you are thankful for
  • Make a list of loving wishes for your family, friends, co-workers or the world
  • Reflect on your aspirations for the coming months — creating the next version of your highest vision of yourself
  • Prepare a simple meal of organic grains, winter vegetables, and herbal teas
  • Eat alone and enjoy the solitude of your own company
  • Bathe in epsom salts
  • Breathe
  • Meditate
  • Be silent
  • Light a candle
  • Sing a song

If you have children in your life, you might organize some special activities to share with them, such as:

  • Identifying winter plants on a short walk
  • Spreading a pine cone with peanut butter and bird seed and watching from a window as the birds eat from it
  • Drawing pictures of winter scenes in your neighborhood
  • Cutting pictures from magazines that remind them of what they are thankful, pasting them on paper and then talking about it
  • Writing an acrostic poem in which you use “solstice” as the root word and use each of its letters as the beginning of a line in the poem.
  • Watch together from a warm window as the sun sets and give thanks for both the darkness and the light.

What’s one thing you could do to re-establish your connection with nature and family and what matters most to you? What’s one thing you could  do today to feed your spirit and nurture your soul?

For additional ideas and inspiration, take a look at these:

 

© 2012 Mary J. Lore and Managing Thought LLC All rights reserved.

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Turning Tragedy into Inspiration: What is the Future you are Creating as you Experience the News of the Connecticut Shootings?

December 17th, 2012 Posted in Life Transitions, Make a Difference, Managing Fear, Managing Thoughts, Feelings & Emotions, Positive Thinking & Affirmations, Reflection & Learning, Self-awareness, Vision, Purpose & Intention, Wonder, Possibility & Creativity
Dec, 17 2012
1 Comment »

Turning Tragedy into InspirationWe learn news of  the shootings and deaths of innocent children in Connecticut. We find ourselves filled with all kinds of emotions.

This is not surprising. Something has happened that’s painful and very different from what we expect, what we believe, what we have learned, what we hope for, and what we envision for ourselves and others. And when that happens, our brains do their jobs to keep us functioning efficiently and effectively, safe and out of danger. They immediately deliver to us fight, flight, and freeze thoughts and the emotions that go with them.

Anger, outrage, criticism, judgment, blame, revenge, hopelessness, powerlessness, sadness, despair, shock, and disbelief, are all fight, flight, and freeze thoughts.

Are these bad thoughts and emotions? No — they are not bad. They are gifts.

They serve as a moment of truth, a moment of grand awareness of who I truly am and what I truly wish to create in this world.

Anger, outrage, blame, criticism, judgment, and revenge for example, present the awareness that whatever I am experiencing is NOT in alignment with who I am and what I wish to create in this world.

Grief and sadness present the awareness of what IS important to me, what IS of value to me, and what I truly wish to create in my life and in the world.

This is true for us individually and collectively. Every event, particularly the tragic ones, serves as a defining moment, a significant opportunity to create the next version of the highest vision of ourselves as a person, a friend, a parent, a family, a teacher, a leader, an organization, a community, a nation, a world.

In this moment, I can choose to hold and re-act the fight, flight, and freeze thoughts or I can choose to focus on and create the next version of the highest vision of myself.

Re-act or create. It is up to me. It is always up to me.

Rather than label or judge a situation or a person as bad or good, I can decide who I am in relationship to it and choose the vision of what I wish to create from it.

I may think I am a victim. I am not a victim. I am a creator. I may think I can judge, even condemn. I am not a judge. I am a creator.

I create. Every thought I choose to hold is creating–for better or worse. Individually and collectively. And when it comes down to it, the essence of every thought I have is love or fear.

Fight, flight, and freeze thoughts are rooted in fear. Thoughts of vision, purpose, being of service and making a difference,  wonder and possibility, thankfulness, and joy are rooted in love.

Thoughts rooted in love bring us peace and inspire us and it’s when we are inspired that we achieve long-lasting, meaningful change and significant results.

I choose to create. I choose love.

So as I see, hear, read, and process the news of the Connecticut shootings,  I notice my fight, flight, and freeze thoughts and the emotions as they arise and continue to arise.  I feel them.  I own them. I take a breath and I wonder what I wish to create and I choose thoughts that move me in a direction that serves, contributes and creates the  next version of the highest vision of myself.

I pause. I breathe. I wonder. I choose. I inspire. I create.

These are some questions I can ask myself  when I notice I am in fight, flight, and freeze.

  • What can I say or do right now for the greater good?
  • How can I make a difference in this moment?
  • How can I be of highest and best service in this moment?
  • What could I be thankful for in this moment?
  • How can I demonstrate love in this moment?
  • How can I help?

I can ask these questions with respect to:

  • Those involved
  • My children
  • My family
  • All children
  • All families
  • My school
  • Our schools
  • My community
  • My country
  • All of humanity

For example, I may notice that I am profoundly sad for the parents and the loss of their children. When I take my breath and wonder, I may notice that I am inspired to love and appreciate my children or institute “date night” with my children.  I may notice I am inspired to help coordinate prayer vigils, or activities to write letters or help the families in some way. I may be inspired to help institute programs to help children be safe or learn how to choose peace over violence. I may be inspired to practice being in the moment and practice experiencing the joy and adventure of each stage of my child’s growth and development. I may want to start practicing being kind to myself and others.

Or perhaps I notice I am critical of the educational system or the parenting of the shooter. When I take my breath and wonder, I may notice I am inspired to be a good parent and practice being a good parent. I may be inspired to teach my children about self-awareness and how to manage their thoughts and emotions. I may be inspired to become involved in a meaningful way with my children’s education or contribute to an organization that is dedicated to the treatment of mental illness.

The opportunities to demonstrate love, be of service, help, make a difference, and  affect the greater good are infinite–in any moment. And this is what lights our fire. This is what invokes our light and inspires us. We are all about creating the next version of the highest vision of ourselves.

What we do in times of difficulty can be our greatest success. For the experience we create is a declaration of who we are and who we intend to be.

Confucius said, “To put the world right in order, we must first put the nation in order; to put the nation in order, we must first put the family in order; to put the family in order, we must first cultivate our personal life…”

How are you being in relation to the news of the day? What is the future you are creating?

 

© 2012 Mary J. Lore and Managing Thought LLC All rights reserved.

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Being vs. Doing

September 7th, 2012 Posted in Goals & Resolutions, Inspiration & Motivation, Positive Thinking & Affirmations, Self-awareness, Vision, Purpose & Intention, Wonder, Possibility & Creativity
Sep, 07 2012
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Mary J Lore Being vs DoingIt’s self-awareness month and with the recent celebration of Labor Day, I am reminded that we are a nation of laborers. White collar, blue collar, working, not working—we labor. We are busy, busy, busy, doing, doing, doing.

When we find ourselves with a big challenge or facing a difficult situation, we have taught ourselves to labor, to do, do, do. We cancel vacations, skip lunch, work on the weekends, stay late, and force ourselves to think until we have our answers, solved the problem, put out the fire, accomplished the result.

We believe that doing, laboring – force – brings results. We do in order to be.

What if we started with being?

Think about it—when do you get your best ideas? When I ask this in a Managing Thought® workshop, most people say – When I am in the shower.  When I first wake up.  When I am on a walk. When I am exercising.  When I’m driving. When I am relaxing. When I’m on vacation. When I am meditating. When I’m having fun and doing something I love to do.

What’s in common with these responses? You got it — we let go of our thoughts! We’re not forcing ourselves to think our thoughts. We’re not doing. We are being. And because we are being, we gain access to our highest awareness and creativity and what inspires us.

When our channels are open, our minds are clear, the world changes, and remarkable things start to happen. Creative ideas emerge when we give our minds a rest, when we do what we love to do. We don’t waste time, energy, or money. Gone are the constricting feelings of heaviness, burden, and stress and the thoughts of struggle, striving, obligation, overwhelm and being a victim.

When we are being, we focus on what is significant. We start being who we wish to become and what we wish to create. What we do naturally follows, naturally flows. Our work becomes effortless and we become energized because our decisions and actions are inspired.

So the next time you notice that your thinking and doing is labored, instead, wonder what the solution could be, wonder how you could be who you want to be and what you wish to create. Then take some time to be quiet, take a walk, get some fresh air, exercise, do what you enjoy, and see what happens.

We all have the ability to ask ourselves questions, wonder and listen for the answers. We discover the right thing to do and how to do it.  We find a power within that indeed transforms us. We become inspired and inspire others.

What if you could BE who you truly are? Learn how at http://www.MindfulnessMonday.com

 

For daily self-awareness thoughts and inspiration follow Managing Thought on Twitter or “like” Managing Thought on Facebook to receive them as they post.

For additional ideas on cultivating your life-well lived, check out this inspiring video: Resolutions, Intentions and Affirmations for a Life Well-Lived.

© 2012 Mary J. Lore and Managing Thought LLC All rights reserved.

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It’s the Launch of Mindfulness Monday™- and You’re Invited!

July 12th, 2012 Posted in Audio and Video, Calm, Peace & Happiness, Goals & Resolutions, Health and Wellness, Inspiration & Motivation, Managing Fear, Managing Thoughts, Feelings & Emotions, News, Positive Thinking & Affirmations, Reflection & Learning, Resources, Self-awareness, Stress Management, Vision, Purpose & Intention, Wonder, Possibility & Creativity
Jul, 12 2012
1 Comment »

Change Your World with Mindfulness MondayEverything that we say, do, and create first begins in thought. Everything.

I can’t begin to describe how powerful each of us is – how powerful you are. Every thought we have is creating. For better or worse. Individually and collectively.

Most of us have no idea what we’re thinking. We think we’re thinking positively, we’re not. We think we are focused on what we truly want – we’re not. We keep living each day like we did yesterday – stressed, uninspired, trying to figure out our true purpose.

The good news is we all have the ability to be aware of our thoughts, know if the thought is working for us or against us, and choose powerful thoughts that serve our purpose.

Mindfulness Monday isn’t about thinking “happy” thoughts. It’s about choosing thoughts that are in alignment with who we truly are and what we truly wish to create in this world.

We all have the ability to turn worry into wonder, fear into inspiration, stress into purpose. We do. It takes practice.

We’ve mastered all the thoughts that are not working for us. Now it’s time to master thoughts that serve our purpose.

A Year of Mindfulness

With 60,000 thoughts a day, you may be wondering where to start. Many people, having read my book or attended one of my workshops, have asked me for support and coaching, on a regular basis, to help them deepen their experience and make Managing Thought a way of living.

That’s why I created Mindfulness Monday, my new 52-week online course in Managing Thought®. I believe this is the very best way to change the way you think and re-open your connection with your highest awareness.

Mindfulness Monday gives you training a little bit at a time, spread out over a whole year.

A Guided Experience

I am your guide and mentor for this year of Mindful Mondays and I am committed to ensuring that you get what you need from this course.

Each powerful thought brings significant results. As these powerful thoughts are repeated and mastered gradually over time, we start experiencing our true nature: We are happy, healthy, creative, expansive, full of energy, and inspired. We are fully present, on purpose, at peace, and playful.

Our lives and our work are filled with joy and aliveness.

In addition, through the Managing Thought Community, you also give and receive support of a whole community of men and women who are practicing managing thoughts in all sorts of ways and places—businesses, churches, hospitals, schools, meetings, improving their relationships, taking tests, and raising their children.

Every moment is a new moment. And every moment we have the ability to choose who we are and what we wish to create in this world.

When we manage our thoughts, it is the best gift we give to ourselves, our family, friend and workmates and through the ripple effect, the world.

Confucius said way back when: To put the world right in order, we must first put the nation in order; to put the nation in order, we must first put the family in order; to put the family in order, we must first cultivate ourselves.

It’s my personal mission to help change the world…one thought at a time.

I look forward to sharing this adventure with you and invite you to sign up today at a special VIP price.

May your thoughts bring you peace and inspire you.

 

 

 

© 2012 Mary J. Lore and Managing Thought LLC All rights reserved.

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What Inspires You?

April 14th, 2012 Posted in Calm, Peace & Happiness, Inspiration & Motivation, Reflection & Learning, Thankfulness, Vision, Purpose & Intention, Wonder, Possibility & Creativity
Apr, 14 2012
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What Inspires you?I am so fortunate in my work. I get to travel to such beautiful places and meet with amazing people who make such a difference in this world.

My next series of daily thoughts and inspiration are photos I took during my travels in the last few months with my accompanying thoughts of vision and purpose, wonder and possibility, thankfulness and celebration.

I make it a practice to pause throughout my day, take in my surroundings, and breathe life in fully.

I find myself inspired by everything around me.

I invite you to pause, breathe, look at all that is around you — what inspires you?

Follow or visit Managing Thought on Twitter or “like” Managing Thought on Facebook to receive my daily inspiration shares as they post or come back to this blog daily and view the Daily Inspiration on the Twitter feed in the right-hand menu bar.

© 2012 Mary J. Lore and Managing Thought LLC All rights reserved.

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Happy Spring! It’s time to Renew Your Intentions

March 20th, 2012 Posted in Audio and Video, Inspiration & Motivation, Life Transitions, Managing Thoughts, Feelings & Emotions, Vision, Purpose & Intention, Wonder, Possibility & Creativity
Mar, 20 2012
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Mary Lore Spring RenewalThe sweet smell of spring is in the air. Trees are budding, bulbs are blooming. It’s a time of renewal. And a great time to refresh and renew ourselves.

Many of us are experiencing incredible shifts in our lives, experiencing grief over the loss of what once was, and fear of the uncertainty that lies ahead.

We think something’s wrong and nothing is wrong. We are experiencing the same type of challenge that a seed faces when it bursts through its seed casing; that a seedling faces when it bursts through the surface of the soil and is exposed to the light and the wind and rain, and; that a bud experiences when it bursts into flower.

We are in the midst of creating the next highest vision of ourselves.

Our brains, bless their hearts, have no idea how to help us during this amazing transition.

You may notice that old, negative, weak thought patterns are emerging. They can be the result of our previous practices of fight, flight, and freeze thoughts. They can be the result of conclusions we’ve drawn on what the brain believes are similar experiences. They can be a result of habits we’ve developed in dealing with past circumstances.

Remember to see these thoughts for what they are—thoughts. We are the observer of these thoughts, and we can choose whether to utilize these thoughts or not.

When these weak and negative thoughts reappear, they can be frightening. You may ask yourself, “Why are they back? I thought this was long gone, not a part of my nature anymore?” The key observation and reminder here is that the reappearance of these thoughts is, in fact, a form of detoxification—a purification of your thinking. Old, negative, weak thinking stored in your brain from past experiences is rising to the surface to be washed away. The fact that you are observing the thoughts and emotions, and not unconsciously surrendering to them, is indicative of the growth you have achieved and worthy of celebration.

Take a moment to acknowledge how far you have come and affirm your commitment to creating the next highest vision of yourself.

If you have no idea what that next highest vision of yourself is — then it’s time to re-invoke the state of wonder. Wonder what’s next, with genuine curiosity, and a sense of adventure.

Then take care to re-establish your connection with your highest awareness and re-align yourself with your true nature: Do the things you love to do, that energize you, vitalize your health, and make you smile and laugh.  Help someone. Take time to be quiet each day. Practice thankfulness.

When we are in a state of purpose and intention, wonder and possibility, thankfulness, calm and happiness, we are in touch with our highest awareness and become inspired. We receive creative ideas on what to do next and how to do it and remarkable things start to happen.

I invite you to watch this inspiring video as part of your spring renewal and refresh process: Intentions, Affirmations, and Resolutions for Creating a Life Well-Lived.

What’s one thing you could practice to refresh, renew, and create your life well-lived?

 

© 2012 Mary J. Lore and Managing Thought LLC All rights reserved.

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Recapturing the State of Wonder: The Adventures of Ryan and Rocket

December 6th, 2011 Posted in Inspiration & Motivation, Reflection & Learning, Wonder, Possibility & Creativity
Dec, 06 2011
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Lisa Gautz manages the Managing Thought website, this blog and all of my social media and communication. She does the graphic design and manages my travel and events! Her first priority is her son, Ryan.  Below, Lisa shares a lesson in wonder that she learned from Ryan.

“I was having a yard sale and invited some of my friends to contribute things for the sale. Mary gave me a box filled with what I call  ‘true yard sale’ items: Table cloths, an old clock radio, some old picture frames and this:

To you and me – it’s a back massager –something I’d either buy or receive as a novelty gift. To my 2-1/2 year old son — well –let’s just say this item never made it to the sale.

It started out as a swimmer (as it took dive after dive into our dog’s water bowl), then it was a cyclist, a runner, and finally, a rocket ship. To this day, it’s his toy, Rocket.  We have moments of panic when I can not locate Rocket because Ryan has put ‘him’ somewhere unique.

On a daily basis, Rocket goes on adventures with my son through the house, into places I did not know even existed. I look forward to seeing Ryan’s eyes light up and hearing Ryan’s gasp and giggle as he and Rocket experience each adventure.

When I see Ryan and Rocket, I am reminded to be open to new ideas and  look at people and situations in renewed way. I am reminded to wonder and imagine – because these are amazing gifts that I have and cherish. Like Ryan, I want to open and play with these gifts every day!”

Thank you, Lisa for sharing this.

How could you recapture the state of wonder?

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© 2011 Mary J. Lore and Managing Thought LLC All rights reserved.

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