Top 5 Songs About Freedom

In honor of the 4th of July, I put together a little top 5 list of songs about freedom. But not your ordinary type of freedom as celebrated on this day – freedom in terms of the choices we make. Enjoy!

5. Freedom Time by Lauryn Hill

4. Freedom by Solange

3. Freedom by Madonna

2. Freedom by George Michael

1. Freedom of Choice by Devo

Are You Ready to Let Go of Suffering and Start Enjoying Life Again?

Do you know anyone who is “doom and gloom” most of the time? Always finding the worst in every situation, or playing the martyr or victim? Pointing out what could go wrong and continuously talking about how miserable they are? And no matter what evidence they’re confronted with to the contrary, they find a way to turn it back to what’s wrong, rather than what is (or could be) right? Is that someone you know who is like this you?

Despite popular belief, suffering is optional. We can choose to find the worst in every situation or we can choose to find the best. Those who opt for door #1 (the negative) will see the world, other people, and themselves with this filter of negativity. Those who opt for door #2 (the positive) will see the world, other people, and themselves with that filter of positivity. What will you choose?

If you’re ready to shift your mindset and let go of suffering, please join me for July’s FREE Teleseminar… “Suffering is Optional: Your Mindset Creates Your Reality.”

In this teleseminar, I’ll cover:

• The Connection Between What You Think, What You Do, and How You Feel
• Why Language is So Important in Shifting Your Perspective
• 3 Steps to Creating a Winning Mindset

Don’t delay. Sign up today. The live call is coming soon. But don’t worry, if you can’t attend live, you can still sign up and get access to the recording. Simply go to the REGISTRATION page and enter your name and email to get signed up.

You Are What You Think: Understanding How Thoughts, Feelings, and Actions are Connected

Ever hear the saying “you are what you eat?” Our physical bodies can certainly be affected by what we put in our mouths. The fuel we feed our bodies affects our energy level and our overall health. But how often have you really thought about the fuel you put in your mind? And how that fuel can affect what you do and how you feel?

Thoughts are the fuel of the mind. From a simple thought such as where to place your foot as you step forward to more complex thoughts involving making life-altering decisions, make no mistake that your thoughts help create your reality. We are constantly thinking. Even as we sleep, our brains are processing information that sometimes come out in the form of dreams. We wake with thoughts – what do I need to do today, or what am I going to have for breakfast. We go about our day having a millions thoughts involving what we will do, what we will say, where we will go, etc.

Our thoughts give us clues about how we feel about ourselves, others, and the world around us. Try this little exercise: take out a piece of paper and write down 10 words that describe you. I’ll wait…(you’ll want to write the words down before reading further).

Now look more closely at your list. Do the words you wrote down describe your physical self (how you look, your body) or your character (who you are, your believes, values)? Do the words have a more negative or positive spin for you? In other words, did you describe yourself in critical terms, things you don’t like about yourself? Or did you describe what you like about yourself? This is a quick little test to see where you are RIGHT NOW in your thoughts.

Once you know where you thoughts are, you have a better understanding of what drives your feelings and your actions. When we think negatively about ourselves, we typically feel bad (sad, hurt, angry, frustrated, worried, confused, etc.). And if we feel bad, we are more likely to make poor choices about everything – what we say and do, the food we put in our mouths, the amount of sleep we get, etc. Conversely, when we think positively about ourselves, we generally feel good (happy, content, peacful, at east, etc.) and make better choices.

For tips on how to use your thoughts to feel better and make better choices, please join me for my next monthly FREE Telseminar, “Suffering is Optional: Your Mindset Creates Your Reality.” Simply go to the REGISTRATION page at https://krylyn.com/free-teleseminars/suffering-is-optional, and enter your name and email to get signed up. Even if you can’t attend the live call, you will get access to the recording of the call, but only if you register.

Photo: Smile © by romainguy

Improvisation, Creativity, and Living in the Moment

“The key to improvisation is motion—you keep going forward, fearful or not, living from moment to moment.” ~ Bobby McFerrin

It’s no secret I idolize the great Bobby McFerrin, vocalist and most famous for his song “Don’t Worry Be Happy.” Aside from being a huge fan of his music, I am also a fan of his philosophies about life, fun, and improvisation. There’s a lot to be learned in how he creates music, taps into creativity, and goes with the flow. Learn more for yourself by reading an interview with Bobby as he shares some of his wisdom.

And just in case you don’t know the magic of Bobby, check out this video, just ONE of many amazing performances illustrating his wicked talent.

11 Ways to Crush Your Creativity

While inspiration may be fickle, there are certainly things that can help it, and things that can hurt it. Over the years, I’ve become intimately familiar with things that get in the way of my own creativity, as well as things that seem to help it flourish.

But this is not your typical “how to” list. Hold onto your hats for the lighter side – as humor is actually something that HELPS. Enjoy. And if you have any other ideas for what NOT to do to help your creativity, please post a comment below.

1. Act serious all the time. No silliness, playing, smiling, or laughing…ever!
2. Let hours and hours go by without taking breaks, eating, drinking water, or moving from one spot.
3. Always err on the side of caution and avoid taking any risks.
4. Do the same things every day, day in and day out, without variation.
5. Let other people make decisions for you.
6. Work in a job that requires not much more of you than showing up and being physically present.
7. Skip vacations and weekend getaways to do extra work.
8. Avoid fresh air and being in nature.
9. Listen to that inner voice that criticizes everything you do, think, and feel.
10. Stay away from all physical activity.
11. Delay going to bed until you’re about to pass out from exhaustion.

Remember, this is a list of what NOT to do if you want to boost your creative spirits. Any other ideas? Leave a comment below.

Review: Journey Through the Chakras

Being in the present moment is a cornerstone to good healing work. Therapists, counselors, coaches, lightworkers, and alternative healing practitioners all talk about being able to get in touch with the here and now. But this can be easier said that done, as we live in a society that is goal-driven and focused more on the future.

While we can learn to get centered and be in the present moment on our own through practice, attending workshops, taking classes, etc., I find that the more tools I have at my fingertips, the easier it is to practice being in the present (or any skill for that matter).

One of my favorite tools for getting in the moment is Colette Baron-Reid’s “Journey Through the Chakras” CD, filled with 7 meditations set to music as well as her song “Love is the Answer.” These chakra meditations are powerful, as they combine Baron-Reid’s soothing voice guiding you through an experience, along with the added elements of color (associated with each chakra), visualization, and music. She helps draw you in with different senses – sight, sound, and touch. When I use these meditations, I notice myself able to slow down, focus on my breath, and get to a more centered place. And that feeling seems to last me throughout the day, helping me balance the ups and downs of day to day life.

When I have time, I listen to each of the 7 meditations consecutively, traveling from the root chakra at the base of my spine to the crown chakra at the top of my head.  But that only works if I have 35+ minutes to spare, which I don’t most of the time. I also pick and choose based on what chakra I’d like to focus on. Each meditation lasts from 4 to 6 minutes, a much easier, bite-sized chunk of time to spare.

For help in choosing which chakra meditation to focus on in your spare time, here’s a guide:

• Chakra 1: associated with self preservation and survival
• Chakra 2: associated with sexuality and creativity
• Chakra 3: associated with personal power, identity, and individuation
• Chakra 4: associated with compassion, love, and healing
• Chakra 5: associated with self expression and communication
• Chakra 6: associated with psychic perception, imagination, and intuition
• Chakra 7: associated with consciousness and spirituality

Enjoy your journey through the chakras.