Just like that. Plans are altered, pathways converge or separate, and something else happens. Life is what happens to you when you are busy making other plans.

• I forgive myself for believing that this change has to be upsetting.
• I give myself permission to find the positive and focus there.
• I choose to be present to what is.
• I am free to go with the flow and be excited about where this new turn of events takes me.
• I know what it feels like to be completely present to what is and be open to what appears.
• I am open and present.

With the notice that the radio tech is ill and today’s live show is cancelled and a rerun will be played I had a couple of choices: I could be upset because I had a special guest lined up to interview – a plan that has been 6 weeks in coming together…or I can be open to what excitement will happen for me instead. My choice. I’m going for the “upside”!

And while I am at it, I can be worried about my friend Cameron, or I can send loving, healing thoughts. Choice.

Staying on the upside, regardless of what is happening around you creates an amazing way of BE-ing in the world.

Things change.

What will you choose?

Namaste,

Suze

 I remember a conversation 35 years ago as I was beginning my teaching career. I was at the mall with a girlfriend and she commented, “I don’t know how you can stand working with teenagers – they act as if they own the world!”

My response? “That is exactly why I love working with them! They may not feel that way again for really long time. They are just trying to figure out who they are.”

All of us know what it feels like to forget ourselves, to not act like we know ourselves to be, and the challenges that come with trying to figure out a new situation. What most of us don’t remember is that confusion can be the day-to-day reality for young people as they take the bridge from childhood into becoming a responsible adult.

Although the origins of proverb “It takes a village to raise a child” are unknown, the truth of it is obvious. Conscious adults who are able to stay solid and secure in who they are provide much needed guidance to teenagers as they navigate the demands, uncertainties, and realities of their lives. Coming from the “upside” in our encounters with young people – whether in our families or in our communities is an opportunity to be proactive in creating our future societies.

They aren’t “bad” – someone loves them. They aren’t by nature insolent – they might be confused or scared.

• I forgive myself for believing I need to judge adolescents.
• I give myself permission to focus on their positive attributes, and help them do the same.
• I choose to be a supportive model and mentor.
• I am free to make a difference in the world by “BE-ing there” for a teenager.
• I know what it feels like to try to figure out life when everything is changing so rapidly.
• I am a conscious model for young people – I come from the “up-side” of the line.

Our teens are more aware, more mindful, and faced with more life threatening situations than most of us were at their age.

They need our guidance, and mostly our compassion.

Remember what it was like? Wondering if someone liked you? Not knowing what to do? Feeling as though the adults around you were holding you back? Age provides a perspective that can’t be forced on the young, but by taking an active interest in a young person you can help them figure out who they are becoming… and you just might find yourself benefitting from their enthusiasm, creativity, and fresh perspectives!

Namaste,

Suze

 I remember a conversation 35 years ago as I was beginning my teaching career. I was at the mall with a girlfriend and she commented, “I don’t know how you can stand working with teenagers – they act as if they own the world!”

My response? “That is exactly why I love working with them! They may not feel that way again for really long time. They are just trying to figure out who they are.”

All of us know what it feels like to forget ourselves, to not act like we know ourselves to be, and the challenges that come with trying to figure out a new situation. What most of us don’t remember is that confusion can be the day-to-day reality for young people as they take the bridge from childhood into becoming a responsible adult.

Although the origins of proverb “It takes a village to raise a child” are unknown, the truth of it is obvious. Conscious adults who are able to stay solid and secure in who they are provide much needed guidance to teenagers as they navigate the demands, uncertainties, and realities of their lives. Coming from the “upside” in our encounters with young people – whether in our families or in our communities is an opportunity to be proactive in creating our future societies.

They aren’t “bad” – someone loves them. They aren’t by nature insolent – they might be confused or scared.

• I forgive myself for believing I need to judge adolescents.
• I give myself permission to focus on their positive attributes, and help them do the same.
• I choose to be a supportive model and mentor.
• I am free to make a difference in the world by “BE-ing there” for a teenager.
• I know what it feels like to try to figure out life when everything is changing so rapidly.
• I am a conscious model for young people – I come from the “up-side” of the line.

Our teens are more aware, more mindful, and faced with more life threatening situations than most of us were at their age.

They need our guidance, and mostly our compassion.

Remember what it was like? Wondering if someone liked you? Not knowing what to do? Feeling as though the adults around you were holding you back? Age provides a perspective that can’t be forced on the young, but by taking an active interest in a young person you can help them figure out who they are becoming… and you just might find yourself benefitting from their enthusiasm, creativity, and fresh perspectives!

Namaste,

Suze

Last year I began a tradition with my grand daughter– for her 6^th birthday we went for a movie and lunch date. Last week it was my grandson’s turn to join his cousin and I in this celebratory jaunt to the movie theatre. One of my favorite, early memories of my Gran was being taken to the movie theatre for a matinee, and I wanted to build some of those memories with my grand kidlets.

I’d heard a bit about Inside Out, and knew it invited viewers to “Meet the little voices in your head”. WOW!

Watch a 2 minute excerpt here

After the movie we chatted a long time about some of the other voices – and how they play out for all of us. The kids understood that when Joy is at the controls, things work well – and Joy works even better when Sadness, Fear, and even Anger have their input…and we all laughed at Disgust – we recognized that voice!

• I forgive myself for believing that any of my emotions are “bad”.
• I give myself permission to remember that all my emotions are important.
• I choose which emotions are “at the controls” of my life.
• I am free to use anger, fear, and sadness to point me in the direction of peace, security and joy!
• I know what it feels like to move through sadness to joy.
• I am mindfully creating my emotional well-being.

Rarely do I emphatically recommend anything for everyone – with a well deserved 98% Thumbs Up rating, this movie is making a positive impact on our understanding of how our minds work. Super entertaining, fun, and real – treat yourself and someone you care about to a wonderful movie, and great conversations to follow!

 Namaste,

Suze

We are making all of it up all the time.

Humans are story-making machines.

It’s time to rewrite some of those old stories that have been dragging you down and wearing you out. Shift your perspective and create another possible story – one that is more supportive and life-giving, 

• I forgive myself for believing that there is only one way to remember that event.
• I give myself permission to rewrite that old story – I’m tired of it draining my energy.
• I can hold on to the old story that drains my energy, or I can shift my perspective to something that supports me. I choose to create a story from a new perspective.
• I am free to determine the positive learning from the situation and rewrite the story from that perspective.
• I know what it feels like to change my perspective to something that supports me.
• I am in the process of creating stories that energize and support me.
•  

We are all weaving stories around today’s events. Imagine if today’s stories were all bound in covers of support and encouragement.

Here’s to using our wonderful powerful imaginations to create stories that empower us.  and raise the energy of those we care about!

Namaste,

Suze