Peggy La Cerra, Ph.D. has written an excellent article on how you become what you practice for Spirituality and Health (online). She denotes six factors that lead to becoming exactly who you want to be . . . .

1.  Frequent and Regular Practice

Intentional practices, whether spiritual or secular, are encoded in your brain most quickly when they are practiced frequently and with regularity.

2.  Stilling the Mind

Using techniques such as breathing exercises and meditation to quiet your “monkey mind,”  you are able to access a broader base of activated neural networks.  This state is what is often referred to as the surfacing of your “higher self.”

3.  Creating Self with Intent

During your practice, it is helpful to remain focused on the values and characteristics that you wish to instill or strengthen in yourself.

4.  Observing and Correcting for Internal Alignment

Transformational practices of self-creation typically include awareness of a non-judging inner state trained to observe and note your internal alignment with the values and characteristics that you wish to instill.  This state is referred to by many names including “Little Professor,” “Witness,” “Inner Guide,” or simply “your conscience.”

5.  Identifying Motivations and Feelings

Feelings tell us what we want and need.  And, memories are strongly attached to feelings.  By identifying what motivates you i.e. what you want and need, and learning to cultivate those same feelings at will,  you will be able to choose more often which feeling states you reside in and which memories you are most likely to retain.

6.  Choosing Intentional Behaviors

By intentionally choosing new behaviors in service to that higher self that you want to become, you will be expanding your repertiore of the new you.

Peggy does an terrific job of explaining some of the neuroscience involved in becoming what you practice.  I would encourage you to take the time to read her article entitled How We Become What We Practice.

And, if you are struggling with making the changes that you desire, call me at 303-660-4989 to find out how I can support you on your journey.

The portal of healing and creativity always takes us into the realm of the spirit.”   ~ Angeles Arrien, author of The Nine Muses: The Mythological Path to Creativity

Feeding your creativity is critical to feeding your spirit.  Here are three terrific websites to feed you on your journey.

SARK Journal

The Creative Circle Cafe

Eric Maisel Creativity Central

Do you have a favorite website that feeds your creativity?  If so, I hope you’ll share it with us below!

I am a fan of listography. There’s a book by this name, The Listography Book. And, there’s a web application by this name.  But what I’m talking about is the use of list-making to document your ideas, to document your journey, and to help you get started (or re-started) with your journaling.

Have I got your attention, yet?  If so, perhaps you would like to get started! Here’s an idea for that first journal entry . . . . How about a list of lists?  Just take the time to brainstorm a list of things that you think might be of use or interest to you down the road . . . . Later on, when you feel like it or whenever you get stuck and don’t know what to journal about, you can return to your listography,your  list of lists, choose one and begin to create it!.

Better yet, share your list with me right here!

People come to therapy for lots of different reasons.  If you are considering working with me as your therapist, it’s likely that you fall into one of these categories:

• Perhaps you are a seeker . . . always looking for ways to stretch and grow . . . fine-tuning who you are along the way;
• You might be ready for a jump start for your creativity and intuition;
• You may be trying to untangle yourself from a really difficult situation or relationship;
• Life may be just a bit more complicated than you need it to be right now;
• Maybe you’re sick and tired of your life story;
• Perhaps, you are wanting someone to hold you accountable for the changes you are ready to make;
• Or, maybe you’re ready to create and live a new and brighter life story.

Regardless of your circumstances, if you are looking for someone to support you on your journey . . . and if you think I might be able to help, I hope you’ll call me.  We can talk a bit to see if we are a “good fit.”  If not, I’ll be happy to try to help you find someone other than me to accompany you on your way.