How Faith is Good for your Joy and Your Brain

It's Thanksgiving week and we have much to be thankful for. I am thankful for you who are reading this now. I am thankful for technology, for faith, and for a good mind to be able to write this blog. I hope you find it beneficial. 

Difficulties are part and parcel of life and I want to remind us that it is in these difficult times that what we believe - our worldview - is crucial to how we get through the tough times and how we will emerge. 

Stressed out? Cynical? Dwelling on the negative? Or do you instead look for the silver lining in every difficult situation? Every challenge provides a lesson to learn. I have learned that "It's all gift", good or bad. 

Brain Science and Psychology 

I find an interesting correlation between psychology, brain science, and what the Bible teaches. Brain science is evolving and we are learning that we do, in fact, have some control over how we perceive the world. It has to do with what types of thoughts we think on a daily basis. And this is exactly what the Bible teaches, "think on things that are lovely,  pure, noble, excellent of good report". (Phil 4:8 - 9). 

"Hardwiring Happiness" is a book by neuropsychologist and best selling author, Rick Hanson, PhD, and the gist of it is to focus on the good, to take it in, and absorb it more. This is because the human brain is hard-wired since caveman times to focus on the negatives since it was a matter of survival way back then. With each thought we train our brains to be more either more positive or more negative. With every negative thought, we are programming our brains to continue to see and focus on the negative. But there is another way that has been written about for over 2,000 years. 

The Faith Component 

The key to positive outcomes in our lives is not simply based on our thoughts or our intentions, but also by utilizing the power of FAITH - believing in and trusting in a supernatural, all-powerful being who is able to move the mountains we cannot move. We've all encountered situations that are beyond our abilities to conquer and this is where the power of FAITH comes in. 

Faith and the belief in a loving and caring God gives us strength to persevere and carry on no matter how bad things seem at the time. Faith is both a gift and a choice and it is in the tough times that our faith is tested. It is in times of trials that we need something greater than ourselves to put our hopes in. I am a living testimony of how Faith can bring us out of even the worst of storms. 

Personal Story 

Read my inspiring true story of being raised in a dysfunctional family, leaving an emotionally damaging marriage, an ugly divorce, financial ruin and then raising two wounded kids and watching them struggle with addictions and overcoming all of it by the power of Faith.  "The Power of Faith: a journey to healing, wholeness and harmony"  will encourage and inspire you. Learn how I was transformed from a shy, timid, anxious girl to a woman of faith, confidence, and strength all by the power and grace of God. 

What do you put your hope in, friend? Your job? Your family? Your health? Your 401k? Your smarts? All of these can disappear in an instant  - just look at the story of Job - but faith in God is constant and eternal because God is constant and eternal. 

In fact, Scripture says God rewards those who seek him. Did you get that? REWARDS! I'm up for that. How about you? 

See the Good. 

Instead of dwelling on what is wrong with our life or our world, try focusing on what's right with it. I don't mean being a polyanna because we do need to know what is going on in the world, but we don't have to absorb it or talk about it 24 - 7. Often we take for granted the many gifts we have been blessed with: gifts of freedom, of sight, our abilities to walk, run, cook, dance, be with loved ones and friends, travel and enjoy our children and grand-children. These are all gifts from God. One thing I hope the pandemic taught us was to appreciate all of these more and not take life for granted. 

Let's also remember the Pilgrims who left bondage in England and courageously ventured across the ocean to come to a strange new land and start life afresh and anew. 

Let us do that this season. Let us leave behind us any bondage that keeps us from moving forward and enjoying a life of abundance, peace, and joy. Let us dream a new dream and leave behind any negativity and instead embrace faith, hope, and love. 

Thankful for YOU!

I am thankful for each of you reading and commenting on my blog posts. I am thankful for the gift of faith and the opportunity to write this blog as a way of encouraging and inspiring others. We are all on a journey and I am grateful that you have chosen to travel this journey with me.

Look around you this morning. What do you see? I see the glorious colors of the fall leaves, the sunshine streaming thru my windows, I feel the quiet presence of the Lord after another busy week. The whistle of my new dryer telling me my clothes are dry. The sound of the heat coming from my furnace to keep me warm. Many people struggle simply trying to obtain the basics. I bet if you look around you will notice the same types of things. Truly God is gracious to us!

Let's also make time to reach out, encourage, and bless some who is less fortunate. Donate to a food bank. Take food to an ailing neighbor. Invite a single person over for dinner. We are blessed to be a blessing.

For Reflection
What can you be thankful for this season? What can you do to be a blessing to someone else? Won't you take time today to offer up praise to God, the giver of all good gifts? 1 Thessalonians 5:18 exhorts us to give thanks. "In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus."

I wish you and yours a healthy, happy, and harmonious Thanksgiving so until next time,

Keep looking up!

Ariel Paz

Follow me on Social Media

Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest and Twitter 

4 Practical Ways to Have More Joy

There's a lot going on in our lives and in the world that can steal our peace and our joy, like family, work, health issues, the economy, you name it. There is, however, one thing we can do to stay positive and that is what we will talk about in this week's post. But first let's take a look at the brain. 

The Brain's Negativity Bias 

Did you know our brains have a bias for negativity? This means we naturally pay more attention to negative thoughts, emotions, and events. We bring up the negative past. We worry about "what could happen" in the future. We dredge up unhappy past events and relive them in the present moment stealing our joy and our peace yet again. This bias explains why news coverage is predominantly negative. The media uses this psychological tendency to grasp and focus our attention. It's like a sabotage of our minds and we need to be on guard against it. 

What to Do

Now I am not saying ignore the events of the world or don't watch the news, although some people choose to do just that. What I am saying is that we must realize the impact of the world and the media on our thoughts, emotions and actions. This all means we have to make a conscious effort to keep a positive mental attitude. It is another area where mindfulness can serve us. For a better understanding of how the brain works, some examples of negative bias, and some interesting TEDTalks, check out this link. 

The good news is there are some things we can do to fight against this overwhelming negativity to keep our peace and our joy.

                                    

                                    

                                

Here are 4 tips to help you develop an attitude of gratitude:

1. Appreciate the Every Day Stuff 

Often we take for granted so many things like being able to go out to dinner with friends or family, our water supply, full grocery aisles, our sight, our health, our bodies, even our jobs. My hope is that the pandemic helped us all become more grateful for the every day stuff we usually take for granted. 

I did a guided gratitude meditation this morning and it was so uplifting. The leader reminded us to be grateful for our food and the people who grow it, for our grocery stores, for all the people who work to support us in life. 

Personally

I am thankful that the sun was shining through my windows when I woke up this morning. I am thankful my body is feeling good enough to get back to Pilates classes. I am thankful I am able to write these blog posts so I can be of service to others.

I am thankful for the ability to cook and make nice meals. (Shameless plug for my Mediterranean cookbook :) I am thankful I could afford to replace my 20+ year old HVAC system this week. I am thankful my son moved back to Maryland after 12 years in Texas. Are there tough things in life? For sure. But the trick is what we focus on. 

2. Start a Gratitude Tradition 

There are many ways to become more conscious of our blessings. One is gratitude traditions. 

A tradition I started at my house many years ago was to put out a small basket with a pad of paper and a pen next to it on the first of November. The basket is known as the "Blessing Basket". Each day in the month of November, each member of the household and whoever comes into my home that day is asked to write down one thing for which they are grateful for and put it in the basket. I like to see how people have to stop and think before they find something to write down. 

It can be anything, but the idea is to become more aware of the many blessings we each have on a daily basis. Then on Thanksgiving Day, we read all the slips of paper. They are anonymous of course, but it makes us realize how truly we are blessed despite the challenges we are all going through. 

In our house, there are always one or two blessings that make everyone laugh. One year, my youngest son wrote "I am thankful for pressure or I wouldn't get anything done." Now there's a different perspective. 

                        
                   

3. Appreciate Others
Everyone wants to be appreciated and valued. Too often we take people for granted - our parents, our spouse, our friends, the people who serve us. Take time to tell someone how much you appreciate them today. Make someone feel valued. Thank people for the little things. When we are thankful, we show God we appreciate the blessings and people we have been given and we open the door for more abundance to flow to us. 

A simple complement may turn someone's day around. We never know what people are going through. I make a habit of complementing men on their ties or shirt. I notice when someone has been working out or got a new haircut. I complement women on their hair, their outfit, their nails. I thank the customer service rep no matter if they have been helpful or not. I try to give a bigger tip than is required. When I see a smile on someone's face, I know I have been successful in lifting them up and that increases not only their joy level, but mine as well.  

My latest thing is to not leave someone upset or down. This is not an easy thing to do especially when they or a situation has caused me a lot of aggravation but what good is it to leave someone on a bad note? If the conversation goes south or if I have to bring up a sensitive subject, I try to add an upnote by thanking them, making a joke, or somehow turning to a more positive topic. I get off the phone feeling good about myself as a human being who has not caused another human being to suffer. 

4. Recognize Your Blessings 
It's easy to take people and things for granted. We get used to having them around, having food in the grocery store aisles, being free to travel, but when a crisis such as the pandemic or some other crisis hits, it gets our attention. As in the case of the pandemic, we no longer had the ability or the freedom to get together with family, travel, or find full grocery aisles.  Let's not forget the lesson that crisis taught us. 

These days we are fighting inflation and speaking of groceries, everything has gone up, including gas, eggs, rent, and the price of a haircut. Life has its challenges, that is for sure and it is up to us to decide what we will focus on - the positives or the negatives. If we want to remain joyful, we will choose the former. 

It is a choice we have every moment of every day. Abraham Lincoln once said "Most folks are about as happy as they make up their minds to be." 

Most of all, I am thankful for the love, grace, and constant mercy of God. He has brought me through so much and so I am devoting the rest of my life to sharing that love, grace, and mercy with you through this blog and writing books. 

For Reflection

What everyday things are you thankful for? By taking note of them on a daily basis, we train our brains and our neural pathways slowly but surely to dwell more on our blessings instead of our woes. A positive focus also helps alleviate anxiety, depression, and loneliness. Remember - what you focus on gets magnified. 

If you want to feel more joy on a daily basis, here are some tips to help you get started. Every night before going to bed, name 3 things you are grateful for. I say them out loud or write them in my journal. Gratitude increases your energy and your joy so start and end each day by giving thanks for something or someone in your life. 

When we learn to develop an "attitude of gratitude", our outlook on life changes and we are better able to handle the difficult circumstances of life when they arise. This is why the Apostle Paul encourages us "In all things, give thanks" (1 Thess 5:18). There is always a silver lining to life's challenges. 

If you enjoyed this post and would like to join our community, enter your email address in the box provided to the right. You will also receive a copy of my free e-guide entitled "7 Steps to Finding Your Spiritual Path".  Also, check out my newest ebook, "Ignite the Power Within: 10 Steps to Supercharge Your Spiritual Growth". In it I share ten steps that will help you grow spiritually, become more mindful, and have more peace and joy. Do leave a review when you're done and pass it on to a friend. 

Until next time, remember: you are blessed to be a blessing.

As always,

Keep looking up!

Ariel Paz

This material is copyrighted. 

How to Find Joy in the Present Moment

Do you want more joy in your daily life? I know I do. One way to do this is to live in the now because joy is only found in the now, in the present moment, in today. Let's start with some self-reflection. 

How often do you find yourself revisiting the past or ruminating on some future event? I would like to know the statistics on this but I venture to say many of us spend quite a lot of time in someplace other than the present moment. Do you catch yourself when you are going back to the past or worrying about the future? This is where a mindfulness practice can serve us well. 

We resurrect negative past experiences each time we talk about them or revisit them in our minds. We also create anxiety and fear when we worry about a future event that most likely will never happen. Since we've been talking about joy, gratitude, and energy, today I want to talk to you about living in the present moment, which is where peace and joy are found. 

                                    

Personal Story

When I used to teach a yoga class, during Savassana at the end of class, I would give a short verbal meditation. One of my phrases was the above. We have to make a choice to live in today, and see to it as a gift. Each day provides so many opportunities to be thankful. Like my cup of coffee. My morning walk. My ability to cook a delicious dinner. So many people don't acknowledge their blessings and spend their days joyless. Not going to name any names. Now that is a sad existence. Live in the present and be grateful and joyful. The Apostle Paul exhorts us to "Rejoice always"  and "in all things give thanks", so there ya go. 

Living in the Past 

Many of us are held captive by our past. If you've read my first book, "The Power of Faith" you know I have been through quite a lot of traumatic experiences. But, I choose not to let them hold me back from enjoying my life today. Notice the word "choose". If we want to enjoy our lives on a daily basis, we have to make a conscious decision - say decision - to live in the present moment. It's called mindfulness and I have written numerous posts on the topic. Read them here. It's an important skill to learn because our thoughts can be triggered back to some negative event in the blink of an eye and we have to catch ourselves. 

Living in the Future

When we spend too much time thinking about future events, we get caught up in anxieties and worry. What if this happens? What if that happens? What if what if? It's a mental trap that keeps us in a state of constant anxiety. You and I were not meant to live like this. Jesus said to "take every thought captive" instead of allowing our thoughts to take us captive. Things change moment to moment, even the weather. How often when I comment to a neighbor what a beautiful day it is and they reply "It's going to rain this weekend" or "But tomorrow it's going to ..." I say a silent prayer for them. They are living in anxiety and dread of tomorrow instead of enjoying the beauty of today. Don't let that be you. 

Living in the Present 

Now I am not talking about having a Pollyanna worldview. I am well aware of all the negative things going on in our society today, but that does not mean you or I have to dwell on them 24/7. We are each created for a purpose and if we want to fulfill that purpose we need time and energy to achieve that. I call it destiny because I believe we each have a divine destiny to fulfill to help make this world a better place. It may be a grand purpose or a much smaller purpose, but whatever it is remember what Sister Teresa said "Not all of us can do great things, but we can all do small things with great love." This is one of the reasons I write this blog. It is a small thing, done with great love. 

We cannot, however, accomplish our purpose or find joy, if we spend all our time living in the past or the future, holding on to resentment, anger, or unforgiveness. No matter who has hurt us. We are to keep on forgiving but set better boundaries. These separate us from God and keep us at a lower vibration. 

Jesus came to set us free from all of that. Jesus, my friend, represents reality, living in the present moment and true peace. Joy is only found in the present moment and it is up to us to choose it every moment of every day. 

For Reflection

Try this little exercise. Pick a day to focus on your thoughts. Observe how many times you drift into the past or the future. Watch your conversations as well. You may be very surprised. It takes practice staying in the present moment but being aware of when we drift out of it will help us stay there more often. 

I trust you enjoyed this post as much as I enjoyed writing it. Drop me a note or leave a comment. I enjoy hearing from you. Also, check out my Pinterest boards on mindfulness, peace and faith here. If you have a friend who might enjoy these posts, do share this email with them. They will receive a copy of my free eguide "7 Steps to Finding Your Spiritual Path". After all, we are here to lead others into the light. 

Until next time, 

Keep looking up!

Ariel Paz 

6 Ways to Free Yourself from Anxiety

Are you feeling anxious? Worried? Fearful? If so, you are not alone. With all that is going on in the world today, it is hard not to feel anxious. So many things are out of our control, but there is one thing thing that is within our control and that is our mind. Many people do not realize we can control our thoughts but we absolutely can. Our thoughts are what cause us to be anxious. So today I am sharing some tips on how to reign in our anxious thoughts and live with more faith, more peace, and less anxiety. 

What is Anxiety?

Anxiety is basically worrying about the future. It takes us out of the present moment and into the realm of the "what if"s. We can be anxious about the weather, the elections, our retirement, our kids lives, our health. The list of worries is endless.  

Where are you right now? 
If we pay attention, we will begin to notice we have a hard time living in the here and now. Just yesterday, I mentioned to a woman at the pool what a lovely summer day it was and she replied "Well, next week they are calling for....".
To which I replied, "I prefer to enjoy today."
"That's right. Stay in the present." she said. Apparently she got my drift.

Jesus himself said this "Do not be anxious about tomorrow for today has worries enough of its own." (Matt 6:34).

When we leave the now, we go back to either the past or the future. We lose the joy of today because we are somewhere else mentally, and that place is usually someplace negative or that makes us feel that where we are right now is not as good as "the good old days". 

Personal story 
I remember a Thanksgiving meal I attended at a friend's house. After dinner, certain members of the family insisted on recounting stressful events that had happened years ago. I thought to myself "Why on earth would they bring this up on Thanksgiving of all days?" 

Because it had become a mental pattern for them, that's why. They were used to recounting these tales from the past and Thanksgiving was no different. If you are caught in one of these situations, try to change the subject to something more positive and get the energy flowing in the right direction again. 

Bad things happen, but we don't have to give them life by bringing them up and talking about them over and over. Process the event in your mind or by journaling, take any action you need to, learn the lesson and then let it go. There is absolutely no sense recounting negative events to others. I do my best to not recount difficulties to others unless I need advice on something or I am commiserating about the state of affairs as a mutual joke. We don't need to pollute the present moment by reliving something negative from the past. 

1. Watch out for unhappy people. 
Some people are energy-stealers. These people are unhappy with their lives and they want to suck you into their unhappiness any way they can. I have several people in my life right now who are unhappy. No matter what I say to them to try get them to see things differently, they refuse to change and the patterns keep repeating. At some point, after we have said our peace, given our advice or opinion, we have to let them be. People have to come to their own realizations. In the meantime, don't let them suck your energy. 

Emotions are contagious. When we hang out with negative, unhappy, complaining people we will start to feel negative and unhappy. Negativity drags you down. Don't let negative people make you anxious. Put a positive spin on the topic and watch how much time you spend with them. 

2. Catch Your Thoughts 
Both Christianity and Buddhism encourage us to take control of our thoughts and our minds. When we are aware of our thoughts, we are at the mercy of what buddhism calls "monkey mind". Our thoughts go from here to there and before we even realize it we are dwelling on something negative. This is when we need to catch ourselves. This is where mindfulness comes in. You can search on my blog for my posts on it. We need to take control of our thoughts, not the other way around. 

3. Watch Your Breathing 

When we start to feel anxious, our breathing becomes fast and shallow. To come back to the present moment and calm ourselves, we can start by paying attention to our breathing. Take a few minutes several times a day to just close your eyes and focus on your breath. Pay attention to the rise and fall of your chest or belly. Notice where your shoulders are. Where do you feel tension or tightness? Begin to become more present in your body and your breath and more aware of where you are holding tension.

I like to do some deep breathing along with my prayers first thing in the morning before I get out of bed to ground myself for the day. I'm trying to fit in an daily meditation session later on in the afternoon but so far it's sporadic. I think I might have to add a reminder to my calendar. 

4. Notice the Gift of Today
When I taught yoga, I used to tell my students "Today is a gift. That's why they call it the present". Once today is gone, we can never get it back. Don't allow the negativity or the stress from yesterday to steal the joy of today. 

Living in the present moment is a skill we can all develop. Instead of dwelling on the past or ruminating about the future, how about marvelling at the beauty of today? The trees getting ready to change their wardrobe? The smells of coffee and homemade soup. The sunshine streaming through your windows. The beat of your heart. The deer and the birds.  Each day - no, each moment,  is a precious gift we should not take for granted. 

5. Trust in Tomorrow
This is where faith comes in. We have two choices. We can either live in fear of tomorrow or in faith for tomorrow. I choose the latter. No, it's not being a Polyanna. It's choosing to take a positive outlook on life. It's training our brain. We get what we expect. If we are always expecting something bad to happen, that's what we will get. We have to direct our thoughts and our words towards a positive outcome, regardless of what we see. This is what faith is all about - believing BEFORE we see. 

6. Be Grateful 
Each one of us has so much to be thankful for each and every day. Even through the toughest of times, we can still find something to be thankful for, to appreciate, to enjoy. I think part of suffering is caused by dwelling on the negative. I learned so much from having chronic migraine. Pain can teach us much, so don't regret it or bemoan it. Yes, it sucks, but, like everything, it is a teacher.  What's more everything is a gift both the good and the bad. It is up to us to glean the gift. 

For reflection
This week, try and catch yourself when you leave the here and now. Take time to focus and meditate on your breath. This is a good tool to bring you back to the present. And remember, to notice the beauty all around you instead of taking it for granted.

If you enjoyed this article do sign up for my weekly posts by entering your email in the box provided. Your email is never shared and you will also receive my free eguide "7 Steps to Finding Your Spiritual Path" you are sure to enjoy.

Stay tuned for more positive and practice wisdom on how to achieve healing, wholeness and harmony and discover YOUR destiny!

Until next time,

Keep looking up!

Ariel Paz 

How to Stay Content During the Pandemic

During this pandemic, there is a lot going on that can steal our joy, our peace, and our contentment, if we let it. We can focus on all the negativity, the interruption to our routines, and what is wrong with the world to name a few. Or we can choose a different way. Another way which will lead us instead to more peace, more joy and more contentment during these trying times and that is the topic I want to share on today - contentment. 

The apostle Paul talks about contentment and he says this in Phillipians 4:11 "In whatever state I find myself, I have learned to be content." Get that word - learned. He learned to be content. So how do we do this? First, a personal story that prompted this post. 

Personal Story 

Recently I have found myself in a quandary. So many of my friends and neighbors are moving out of state. Many want to avoid the high taxes here in Maryland. Others long for the beach life. Every time I turn around someone else is moving, which caused me to start thinking "Maybe I should consider moving, too". 

I started living in the future, instead of the present. I began to reexamine my priorities and values, which is a good thing, actually, when we are contemplating a big decision like moving. 

Indecision and living in the what ifs of the future are two sure ways to lose our peace. Waffling about a decision for long periods of time muddies the waters of a contented mind and soul. Being an introvert and a highly sensitive person, I think about decisions deeply and I really started to lose my peace and feel discontented. 

After considering what is really and truly important to me, I realized, I already have everything I need to make me happy. I am content right where I am. My priorities have not changed. I could have moved to the beach years ago with the company I worked for, but I chose not to then. I love where I live and have no good reason to uproot myself other than warmer weather, but right now that's not the most motivating factor. My peace returned. So how do we stay content when things around us try to torment us?

Stay in the Present Moment 

In the yogic tradition, one of the five niyamas or observances is samtosha or contentment.  It is fine to imagine how life could be different for a while, but don't let yourself get caught up too frequently in the future and bring your attention back to the present moment. Take a good hard look at your life right where you are at. Start being more aware of all the positives.

For instance, I live in a very convenient location, close to good shopping, amenities, trails, parks, entertainment, and the car wash. I can walk to most of these if I want. Besides, I don't like driving long distances to go someplace nor do I care to spend my days in air conditioning because it is too hot to go outside. 

Notice and enjoy your surroundings - the sounds of birds chirping and the robins flitting here and there. The sound of the tree foliage rustling as the breeze brushes their leaves. The enjoyment of a good glass of wine and a homemade meal, ingredients provided by the nearby grocery store. Let's not take for granted the simple things in life for they truly matter the most. This is YOUR life, not someone else's, and YOU get to decide what makes you happy. 

Practice Gratitude.

Gratitude leads to the path of contentment. When we are always comparing ourselves to other people, we lose our peace and our joy. Instead practice noticing and being thankful for what is in your life right now. Your loved ones. Your friends. Your health. Your indoor toilet. Running water. As I was sitting on my balcony today, I saw a lady being pushed in a wheelchair and reminded me to be thankful for my body and my legs. When we focus on the positives in our lives more than what is missing or what other people are doing, we will be much more content and at peace.

Control Craving 

Remember the story of Adam and Eve? They had access to every tree in the garden except one. And which one did they desire? And what happened after that? We humans have not changed very much since then, have we? Be careful what you dwell on. 

It is when our focus goes awry that we start to feel discontent, disgruntled, and unhappy. Our minds are like monkeys and need to be trained to stay on the right path of thinking instead of jumping hither and thither. 

It is a concious choice we make to control what we think on. In the same passage of Phillipians, Paul exhorts us to "think on what is true, noble, pure, virtuous, and praiseworthy." 

I hope today's post has given you some things to think about. We all have a tendency to let our minds wander and drift but if we want to feel more content, let's try to be more mindful and practice gratitude on a moment to moment basis. 

If you enjoyed this post and would like to become part of our community, enter your email in the box provided. You'll receive my free eguide "7 Steps to Finding Your Spiritual Path" as well as my weekly posts. 

Stay tuned for more positive and practical wisdom to help you find healing, wholeness, and harmony so you can ignite the power within and discover YOUR destiny!

Until next time, keep looking up!

Ariel Paz