Did you know you have a monkey mind? We all do. And, if you think you don’t have a monkey mind … that little voice that is telling you that IS the Monkey Mind!

Zen buddhists believe the human mind is filled with “drunken monkeys” flinging themselves from branch to branch, jumping, screaming, chattering non-stop, and causing all kinds of confusion, fear, and havoc in our lives.

Sometimes the monkey mind can be fairly quiet and unassuming, often just whispering suggestions in your ear. Other times, it can be totally distracting, knocking you off course, and clouding your sense of reality.With all this chattering of the monkey mind, it’s nearly impossible to slow down and enjoy the present. Frustration, overwhelm, confusion, sadness, and anxiety can easily set in. You can falter at work, lose sleep, and suffer ill health. It affects your ability to concentrate, has a negative impact on your behavior, and interferes with your ability to interact well with others. It is very stressful.

There are 5 simple steps you can use to manage the monkey mind and gain clarity, presence, peace, and joy.

1. Become an Observer.

Watch your actions, words, and tone, without judgement, and notice how you react to any situation, good or bad. Were you consciously doing so or was monkey mind in control?

2. Know that you are in control of your thoughts. They are not in control of you.

You can’t control monkey mind by fighting with it, ignoring it, or yelling back. The only way to tame it is to talk to it.

3. Talk to your Monkey Mind. (Get out of your own damned way and just do it!)

Listen to it. Have a conversation with it. Be curious and question why it’s making such noise. Is it trying to remind you of something? Is it anxious about something in the future? Is it resentful over something from the past? Once it’s heard, it will settle down.

4. Engage your mind.

Meditate. Train your mind to become still and take back the power and control over your thoughts.

Find other activities that engage your mind (journaling, writing, reading, watching a movie, gardening, etc.)

5. Focused Breathing.

When you focus on your breathing, you occupy your mind and leave little room for monkey mind to interfere.

Focused breathing can be done anywhere at any time. To keep it simple … just stop, sit or stand in a comfortable relaxed position, and take a long, deep breath – in through your nose. Then exhale slowly through your mouth while releasing a gentle sigh. Focus all the while on your breath as you breathe in and out. Repeat until you feel calm.

Become an observer of your life.

Step outside of your thoughts and emotions and see with “fresh new eyes”. Challenge what is “real” and what is “imagined.”

Practice Gratitude. Continuously take moments to notice and acknowledge all the great things in your life – from the miracles of your body, breathing, heart beating to the simplicity and magic of nature, to the relationships and connection to all in the universe.

Be Kind to Yourself. Sometimes you’ll master the monkey mind and sometimes you won’t. When you don’t, be compassionate, breathe, and stay curious. These are learning experiences and opportunities for growth. Repeat the 5 steps and take back control. Embrace your Monkey Mind and live the life you truly want to live.

ABOUT THIS GUEST:  Wendy Foster has over 30 years of experience, education, and training in various fields. She is an Empowerment Coach, Motivational Speaker, Trainer, Entrepreneur, and Author. She is also the creator of The G.E.M. Project (Giving Empowering Moments), a global movement for expressing gratitude, acknowledgement, giving/receiving, and paying it forward. Wendy has a dynamic personality, high voltage energy, and extreme passion for teaching others. Wendy is a mirror for others to see and embrace their own greatness and she is the catalyst for leaping out of comfort zones, busting through hidden blocks, and creating big, bold, delicious lives both personally and professionally. info@thegemproject.ca

Listen to Wendy’s Get Out of Your Own Damn Way podcast interview HERE.

It’s been quite a full year for me. I’m a year closer to being a “thirty-something”, I’ve just married the love of my life this June, I’m half-way through my college career, and I’ve officially closed the door on a decade of medical hurdles. I’ve also taught school, performed my one-woman show all over the country for three years, sell my art and display it in galleries across the state, and have an insatiable yearning to make my mark on the world.

It’s become more important to me as after “thriving” through a coma and 27 surgeries to not give up on my dreams and to really refine my passion into a living, a career, my own personal way to change the world.

Every day is an opportunity for growth, change and discovery, and with every year of my 29 years on this earth, I’ve learned lessons about what it really takes to make a difference in the world by doing what I love.

Here are five to get you started.

1. Everything is connected – people, places, events. Every encounter in life is a bridge to a new opportunity, even the opportunity is in disguise.

2.  Start with a single step. The tiniest micro-movement can cause ripples that extend for miles.

3.  Be fearless, shameless, but courteous and civil. Boldly reach out to people who inspire you, but know that there is appropriate time and place for everything.

4. The boat of opportunity will always come around. If you miss it this time, just keep your eyes pealed for the next time.

5. Do what you love, live it passionately and learn all that you can about it. Be an artist, a scholar and an entrepreneur at all times.

There’s a famous saying that “man plans, god laughs.” Well, I plan on laughing through my successes, laughing at my not-this-time successes, and keeping a smile in my heart knowing that not only am I living what I love, I’m turning my passion into a livelihood. If there’s one giant takeaway from every year gone by, it’s the lesson that fear has taught me. Why be afraid of turning your passion into a career?

And if there’s one thing not to be afraid of, it’s getting older – who knows what the next 29 years will bring?