Restoring Balance

Good morning!

You can feel the relief in the air today. The August-like heat wave is gone and it feels cool and lovely outside.

Yesterday, I had my second appointment with the sports orthopedic surgeon who is going to help fix my ankle and I feel very confident that I've made an excellent choice to go through with the repair. To reiterate, I have torn ligaments and I've been compensating for the injury for years. As a result, I've been thrown out of alignment and balance and became injured throughout other parts of my body, plus, I've had to forego sprinting, fast lateral movements, jumping, sports like soccer and basketball, and, gasp, high heels (either to dance in or wear for style purposes).

I asked him point blank yesterday -- So if I was a member of the Women's National Team and needed to play soccer again, is this the surgery I would need? He chuckled! :) Whatever. He said, Yes. I said, Great, let's do it asap then.

It is fascinating to me and I wish I could stay awake during the surgery (but still not feel it) and watch. Maybe I can get a take-home copy on DVD. I actually used to watch surgeries on television when I was a kid and wanted to be a doctor.

So, this process will help bring me back to balanced, which is of course applicable to other areas of my life. Last night, while balancing in bow ("dancer's pose") during bikram yoga (which I'm cleared to do as long as I modify some poses), I realized how amazing it is that I can balance the way I do and I got so excited thinking about balancing on both legs at equal strength.

Btw, yes, I am a loyal bikram yoga practitioner now. I got over the smell of soggy, Pringles potato chips and while I can't say I really enjoy it yet, I feel tremendous benefits and embrace the 90-minute hot box challenge. I've done about 15 classes since starting and am finishing up a 10-pack before my surgery on July 16th. If you don't practice any yoga, I really suggest trying some. Getting all flexy bendy has many benefits.

I really liked the bikram teacher last night because she was friendly, accessible, pretty, in incredible shape and most importantly she had a strong and commanding voice that engaged me enough and helped me focus. She sounded more like a coach than some of the others. Turns out -- synchronicity -- she was a soccer player who played at Fordham and sustained, count 'em, 7 surgeries for her knees including 2 reconstructions. Since hanging up the cleats and doing yoga, she's had no surgeries. She hasn't played soccer in 10 years but all I can say is I understand how she kept trying to get fixed up so she can still play. I don't have intentions to play competitive ball but certainly if I needed the surgeries back in my high school or college days, I am sure I would've gotten them, too. When you love something so much, it's that hard to walk away.

A bunch of us were chatting after class. It turns out the girl who was practicing next to me is a Physician's Assistant at Hospital for Special Surgery and she knows the doctor well who is doing my surgery. She is going to try and come in and visit me in two weeks when I have the procedure. She said my doctor is excellent. Love my little winks from the Universe that everything is OK!

I can't wait to have a new set of wheels. Just watching all the World Cup soccer players do their thing motivates me to get my body restored to a much greater physical capacity and while I am not intending a return to competitive ball, at the very least I want to get my soccer skill set back and do some light scrimmaging. The thought of kicking balls and taking shots on goal is beyond exciting to me. It is thrilling!!!

I am already starting to design my rehab period which will consist of rest and then physical therapy plus powerful visualizations exercises and meditation. I will also be watching athletes and dancers in action! Why?

"Our findings suggest that once the brain has learned a skill, it may simulate the skill without even moving, through simple observation," says UCL's Patrick Haggard. "An injured dancer might be able to maintain his skill despite being temporarily unable to move, simply by watching others dance." (Study done at University of College London and published in the journal Cerebral Cortex)

Yes -- studies show that by watching you can actually keep your motor neurons in shape while your body is temporarily at rest. Read more about the findings on the PBS NOVA scienceNOW site:

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/sciencenow/3204/01-resup.html

I am wishing you a great day today and hope you can find the empowered position in any challenge you are facing! Be careful to steer clear of people who just want to heap more fear and doubt onto your plate. It's okay to say, No thank you, I am full and be content in your own faith and confidence, which is enough.

Closing thought: I choose the empowered stance today and restore myself to balance. I stand for excellence!!

With xo and gratitude,

Lindsay

Work With The Elements

Good morning!

Well, I did decide to redesign my blog and I'm playing with some of the new, cool Blogger templates. What do you think of this one I chose? I really like it but need to sit with it a few days and see if it feels right. I've retitled it "Through" and you can see the new description on the top of the page.

:) I like it. I also like the title Through because it means being done with some behavior or way of thinking. I like to use this space to work through ideas and issues as well as to release and let go in order to make room for the new ways of being. I hope it's facilitating the same process for you or something equally useful.

So, moving right along! I wrote yesterday about how to be less hard on yourself and I had an interesting situation come up at work that I'll share. I got my period yesterday (which explains some of my PMS induced feelings and writing over the last week) and I had the most ridiculously painful cramps. I was seeing stars while at my desk at work, my brain was fuzzy and at a few points thought I felt woozy and like I may pass out.

I'm sure the heat wasn't helping! Even though my office is air conditioned and after a few Advil, cold water and deep breathing, I was still in such pain that I let my boss know I wasn't feeling well. I spared him the details because, well, he's a proper British man and last think I wanted to do was give TMI, but I think after he saw my face had taken on a pale, almost lime-green hue, he kindly advised me to go home.

As soon as I knew I had the option to leave I started packing up but then caught myself. It's funny in retrospect because it's like once I knew I had the out to go home, all of a sudden I became more motivated to try and handle the problem without leaving for the day! Funny how that goes. :) I checked in with my thinking and recognized it was entirely negative and consisted of the following repetitive one-liners:

• Omg, I think I'm going to die.
• No, I'm REALLY going to die.
• I am so nauseated.
• I'm sick. I feel so sick.
• Are those gummy bears on my her [my coworkers] desk? I want some.
• Why don't men get this?
• Seriously, if men got their periods the world would be a vastly different place.

Instead of repeating this swan song and Googling Gloria Steinem's "If Men Could Menstruate", I decided to do an experiment. What if I changed my mindset completely and took some actions -- what will happen? After IM'ing with a coworker who told me about a great health food store around the block (45th/2nd Avenue) that sold a B complex which help with her period symptoms, I took a deep breath and hauled myself to it knowing that I don't even take a multi and it was time to go shopping.

I bought myself vitamins. Then, I went to CVS and stocked up on just about every feminine hygiene product available, including disposable heat packs, which they make for this express purpose and should be placed properly over your clothing and not on your skin (note to the manufacturer: THANK YOU). I had no appetite but picked up a turkey sandwich with vegetables on multigrain for lunch and a huge bottle of water. Then, I started thinking more positively:

I'm okay

I feel alright

I am breathing

I breathe normally

This is going to pass

I have the power to heal from inside me

Summer time and (NYC might feel like a furnace but) the living is easy...

About an hour later, I felt about 75% better which, based on how sick I felt, was a significant and awesome improvement. I finished the day at work. I fulfilled one obligation that night. I did have the plan originally to do bikram at 9:45pm but realized doing yoga in an 105 degree room in a city that was at about that temperature and 100% humidity could qualify as kinda crazy. I tabled it for today (I hope it cools down a bit) and I went home to have dinner and go to sleep.

So, I guess I could've just gone home, watched the Brazil v. Chile game on my couch, slept off the pain all afternoon, and done nothing that night. Or, I could've struggled all day at my desk by complaining, pulling out big drama like a hospital patient on Grey's Anatomy or ER, skipped the Midol because "aren't I tough enough to do this w/o it" or judged myself harshly for feeling like this was hard. Yep, I could've pulled out the W label for Wimp and not Warrior but I'm glad I didn't. What I tried on for size was, Yes, for certain women at certain times, for me, my monthly guest can feel awful but let's try dealing with it head on and see what happens.

Can you find some kind of new middle ground by changing your thinking and taking some actions? It's these kind of little successes that give you the confidence to take on other areas that could benefit from more aligned thinking!

The key is to catch yourself thinking negatively today and do a little positive thought experiment. What about starting with how you're thinking about the heat if you're in NYC? Putting together some cool, calm thoughts about temperature, drinking extra water and wearing really lightweight and light colored clothing may really do the trick. Also, be on the lookout for what your self care choices are because usually there are more than a few options. It's so great to feel your freedom of choice, right?

Closing thought: I ease my way into a new way of reacting to a situation. I work with the elements. I have choices, choose wisely and find relief!

With xo and gratitude,

Lindsay

Empowered To Rise: Handle With Care

Good Morning!

As a writer, I feel like an explorer. It's my job to be truthful. It's my job to write from a place that feels most real to me at the time no matter how uplifting (or not) and I realize that while I've titled this blog in such a way that a reader would think s/he is going to get inspired or empowered from reading it, maybe that is a false promise. I think for the integrity of my work to stay in tact, I need to free myself up from having any predetermined effect and just write from my heart, come what may...

I may have to re-brand this thing! :)

What I need these days is to be gentle with myself -- probably the most gentle I've ever been with me in my life. Less sarcasm, less perfectionism, less judgment, less harshness, less criticism...more softness, gentleness, care, genuine freedom to be imperfect without punishment or blame...

It's really simple. Or, rather, I'm keeping it really simple this morning.

I am also learning that being honest with my friends about how I feel in the moment is an exceptionally freeing thing to do. I am grateful for my friends, readers and students who are teaching me how to do this. Thank you. If I say I feel sad, gross, criticized, low, etc., it doesn't mean I'm complaining. I think the goal is to express the sentiment in a mature way and come from a place of honoring whatever it is I'm experiencing.

If you constantly tell someone you feel fine and great when you do really have some stuff going on, you're not being fair to yourself or your friend, right? It seems like such a basic principle but it's one that I am really just now learning because part of my mo was to keep this front up so that most people thought I was fine. Pick and choose who you're honest with, but just realize that you aren't just giving yourself the gift when you're honest, you're also giving someone else the gift of connecting with you on a more meaningful level than the surface.

And in case you are like me and can take all these feelings so seriously (thank you, Erin, for reminding me to let go and laugh), I hope you can get a little breathing space in there with the help of this clip:

Closing thought: I handle myself with great care. I share honestly with people I trust. With the help of others, I really lighten up!

With xo and gratitude,

Lindsay

Empowered To Rise: Stand Up

Good morning!

Before I begin delving into my stuff, allow me to just say that if you're celebrating today -- HAPPY PRIDE -- and I hope you have an amazing, colorful, festive, safe and blissful day today!!

I spent time with my friends from childhood yesterday. These are ones who I grew up with and feel very close to today, despite our very different lives and one living in Boston not New York. Whenever I get together with these old friends, things come up and I experience a whole mix of feelings. Two of these friends have young children who are absolutely adorable and all three are in relationships with lovely people. They are each doing incredibly well in their lives and careers. I love them like family and am very happy they are happy.

None of that is lip service at all but it doesn't preclude my feeling another host of sentiments. The big one is the confusion and disappointment about why I don't have a husband and family yet. I get so bothered, so ridiculously and intensely bothered by the fact that I'm single. This is a pattern I'm working on changing (hence the writing about it -- awareness) because it has eroded my self esteem in the past and I recognize the importance of rebuilding it up.

Admittedly, and because I mentioned pride earlier, there is some sort of ego thing going on here for me, too. Pride is great but too much of it can lead to emotional reactions comparable to my friends' kids (the ones approaching 4 years-old) and the sort of sulking or sitting in a perceived state of loss, not unlike what the US Men's Soccer team looked like after yesterday's heart-wrenching, thrilling game against Ghana. Their reaction was warranted and while, yes, it hurts that I am not loved and doted on by a wonderful man in my life, I am feeling that my expression should be different than Donovan's in this scenario.

I know that as we grow and mature we are supposed to evolve beyond our sensitivities and insecurities but it's easier said than done. Adults are certainly not exempt from feeling and acting like frustrated teenagers sometimes. My late grandma's retirement community in Ft. Lauderdale seemed like it had the same issues with groups, popularity and clicks as my old junior high school.

Digging even deeper, I look at some of the habits I practice -- things like money mismanagement, resistance to the real kind of self care I know I need, even pining for people or situations that don't meet my needs -- and what I can identify this morning is my resistance to becoming a fully in tact, competent, secure and strong independent and single adult. Accepting the identity frightens me even as I KNOW that it will feel better to live fully in this stage.

The same way I am in the process of regaining stature on my own two feet as I heal two lower extremity injuries, I am metaphorically coming to stand on my own two feet. I spent a long time running. It feels to me, ironically, like I am being asked to shine from a state of failure. Isn't that amazing how I can judge?! I really wonder how many 30 something year old single females feel like a failure for being single or for a host of other reasons because there are a lot of pressures on women. A lot. "Failure" is such a harsh judgment and one I want to release once and for all. I encourage you to do the same.

So, all I can say this morning is that one step at a time I am committing to doing my best to inch my way into the full expression of the life stage that I am in and to accept and embrace myself and circumstances. I have a feeling I will find acceptance and love being single and empowered, and eventually end up thinking, What was all the fussing and fear about?

Closing thought: I lovingly approach myself and my life gently and with the intention to grow, strengthen and stand solid on my own two feet.

With xo and gratitude,

Lindsay

Empowered To Rise: Anticipate

Good morning!

You've probably heard about "the mind/body connection" as it pertains to health, wellness and healing. It's the idea that your bodily health and functions are influenced by how you think. So, when it comes to positive thinking, the benefits are not just mood regulation, achieving victories and accomplishing goals, or being known by friends and coworkers as the one with a sunny disposition. You're also going to improve your physical health.

I love this summary of a few research findings which support the connection between positive thinking and good health:

http://www.livestrong.com/article/75627-health-benefits-positive-thinking/

I'm keying in on this because now that I am healing a stress fracture and facing a surgery next month to repair my ankle ligaments, I can see EXACTLY how this could play out if I let myself get depressed. This is my third ankle surgery and the ones I had previously were about 5 years ago and before I practiced intenSati, yoga and my other strong supports. What happened was I felt very grief stricken from the injury. I felt I would never play soccer again in top form and this was a very upsetting projection. I was very fear based about my weight and how I would manage it with less exercise and knowing I could turn to food to comfort me and relieve physical pain. I did not have a big interest in feeling and coping with the emotional pain that comes with the any kind of injury or illness.

The whole thing definitely sent me into a dark place and this is the first time I'm going to pre-pave a health situation outcome with a really positive attitude and the awareness of tools to empower myself. I am saying NO THANK YOU to the thoughts that stream into my head and give me nothing but worry and self-rejection. I'm already thinking a few really great thoughts this morning, which are:

1. My body is already healing and restoring itself to perfect health.

2. I have other wonderful exercise outlets to practice (I swam yesterday for the first time in a lonnng time and it made bikram yoga feel like a walk in the park. I will learn to like it!) and really the only time I will be doing nothing is in the short term following the surgery.

3. I will do exactly what I suggest to my intenSati students in a healing phase -- go in the room, stand in the back or wherever, modify all your moves but SPEAK THE AFFIRMATIONS and FEEL THE ATTITUDES because you will get great benefits!! :)

4. I love my life a lot and have so much going for me that this is a minor distraction not a major roadblock.

5. I can tolerate discomfort. I am powerful and strong!

With respect to INTENTION, one of Patricia's first intenSati affirmations was, "Do you know where you want to go? Then go!" So, if you want to GO to full recovery from an illness or injury, if you want to GO to empowered during a potentially disempowering situation, then by all means, you have to declare it IN ADVANCE.

I have to tell you, these caps are for me. This entire post this morning, which I'm happy and grateful you are reading, is totally for me. I'm a procrastinator and I don't often plan or look ahead, particularly if I'm not looking forward to what's coming up. I often just do things in the moment, usually with intensity and a lot of passion, and without knowing what will come of it. It's like why I enjoy blogging -- there is no editorial calendar. I'm digressing. The point is this is not the most useful habit, this lack of planning thing, and maybe the first lesson I'm really learning here IS to look ahead, because it is coming, I AM having surgery, and I am limited now due to the stress fracture, soooooo, it's high time and a GREAT thing I'm not going to accidentally wander into my future.

I'm planning it, baby, and it's going to be very VERY good and successful, thanks to my ATTITUDE, which is my choice, because I'm not a victim of my thoughts. At all. Not anymore, because I have tools. We like tools! I'm going to print this post and hang it on my mirror so I am reminded every day what I'm doing.

Closing thought: I can anticipate a challenge on the horizon -- one that is two hours, two weeks or two months away. I see it. I pave my reaction to my circumstances and anticipate approaching with positivity, strength and serenity. I am grateful!

With xo and gratitude,

Lindsay

Empowered To Rise: Evidence and Abundance

Good morning!

Yesterday afternoon I heard from my sports orthopedist (www.stephenfealy.com) with the results of an MRI I had on my left leg. He confirmed what we both thought -- that I have a stress fracture in my tibia. There is something very validating and calming, even, about a situation that has a clear result. They took a picture of my bone and the evidence confirmed my hunch. I felt relieved to know that the pain I was feeling was based on something real. When a situation is black and white, it can be easier to just find acceptance and take proper steps or in my case, refrain from taking any steps in a high impact fashion and give myself very adequate rest.

I have a career success to share with you this morning! One of my intenSati affirmations this month is, "With passion I create great opportunities!" and I am grateful to report one very definitive result. I am writer (as you know) and a music junkie (as I think you also know) and I work as an Executive Assistant for a large, international media company that is comprised of many properties, including a cable TV channel and accompanying website. Well, I decided a few months ago during the month of April when I devoted my intenSati series to PASSION that I want to inject passion into all areas of my life, including my "day job" at this company where I spend 40 hours a week! I no longer wanted to feel this dichotomy between the day job and the passionate activities I do outside of the office.

I began asking through my desires and intentions to be creative and have opportunities to share my talents at this company, not knowing how it could or would come about, and not knowing when. I started practicing more awareness of when I was whining to myself about my job and I worked on replacing a negative thought with a positive one. I tried to accept and hear when friends and family would tell me that I am lucky to have this job and challenged me to see what I can do to improve this situation. I'm skilled in setting intentions and manifesting, right? Well, bring it!

I am also a bit self-righteous so sometimes I try to use that to my benefit. I started feeling convinced in my head that the more just and appropriate scenario is one in which I am contributing GREATLY to this company based on my talents, abilities and passions. This is not just about my career, it is about justice! :)

So, I asked a few different people at the company about writing opportunities and one came through for me to blog for the website and when we discussed what subject I could cover I initially suggested soccer and the World Cup. That was taken. Good thing because I realize now after reading the other blog posts about the WC that I don't think I would have wanted to do the kind of coverage our readers want. Maybe something more along the lines of a highlight reel or one interview with a player who has an amazing, inspirational and triumphant story about his path to being on a World Cup team and how it feels to play under the South African sun.

What I was given was the subject of music! Not just music, though, music out of the United Kingdom. England. Britain. Bring it!!!

So, please check out my blog post on the Anglophenia section of the BBCAmerica.com website, which was posted yesterday. :) I am grateful!!

http://www.bbcamerica.com/content/23/anglophenia.jsp

I could have talked myself out of doing this writing assignment for a bunch of reasons, starting with the fact (brace yourself) that I have never even been to the UK and concluding with the idea that since I've never written about music from the UK before, I was somehow not qualified. I am really glad I didn't listen to those ridiculous excuses. Rather, I said to myself that my journalistic perspective is perfect as an outsider and proceeded to immerse myself in British music for a month while I would sit at my desk doing the administrative work for my EA job. I learned what I needed to learn to prepare myself to write and got down to business -- done.

So, don't let your excuses talk you out of trying something new, OK?! If you are not sure if you're making an excuse or not, I suggest trying something I learned from Laurie Gerber at a Handel Group coaching seminar, which was to try holding up your reason in a court of law and making the case. What would the jury say? If you can convince a jury then maybe you've got something legitimate but if not, there's a good chance it's just a little fear and that can be released. Another great resource I recommend is Wayne Dyer's book called "Excuses Be Gone".

Closing thought: I see evidence that affirms my gut feelings and helps me grow. I create and welcome abundance into my life. I stay committed to my passions and continue to create GREAT opportunities for myself and others!

With xo and gratitude,

Lindsay

Sati Update

I am still going to teach my intenSati class in Central Park without jumping around but with plenty of PASSION. I am asking for my students to step it up so please be there tomorrow morning and ready to do YOUR best!

The WARRIOR CHALLENGE is on and I won't be teaching but I encourage you to join and get in on the FUN!! RSVP@satilife.com to apply. You will receive a free 1-month pass to EQUINOX in order to take 4 intenSati classes a week with 2 of them being at 6:30AM. An amazing challenge with incredible rewards for you!! RSVP by June 29th -- thank you!

Empowered To Rise: Easy As An Exhale

Good morning!

I feel like just jumping right in to letting you know that I successfully sang my original song "Painting Underneath" at Googie's Lounge last night and by successfully I mean I did it, did my best, didn't judge myself too harshly after the fact, sat with the feelings and thoughts ("did they like it? was it weird? did my voice shake the whole time? I hope it was 'good!'") and embraced the overall experience as a wonderful one for me and my very talented friends who I met at Good Commons (www.goodcommons.com) just a few short months ago.

Last night encouraged me once again that singing and song writing is totally calling me right now and I want to be doing a lot more of it here in NYC. Even as I'm nervous while doing it, there is this ease I am drawn to because it feels so personal and real. Writing feels like this for me as well so I guess I'm starting to figure out some things that make me tic and feel the most authentic. I loved hearing and watching people give honest expressions of who they are and what they feel which was communicated in their heartfelt songs and lyrics.

Have you thought about this for yourself, lately -- the times when you feel the most real? I know we all play a lot of roles in our lives. Certainly in the professional realm, we can spend time in environments that seem to persuade or encourage certain behaviors, demeanors and attitudes. I work during the week as an Executive Assistant and find myself playing this role, for example, in ways that sometimes feel inauthentic but necessary. Even as a fitness instructor, I have sometimes resorted to putting on a certain front and can always tell when I'm doing that as opposed to just being real. It comes with a deepening of awareness and with sensations in my gut and chest.

I really believe that being yourself in this world should feel as easy as an exhale.

I think part of what contributes to a sense of aloneness or apartness, as opposed to union or oneness, is this disconnect from the core of who we are as individuals. So, while community and bonding and groups and connections between people are wonderful, amazing and necessary, so is bridging whatever gap might currently exist between the way you are playing roles in the real world and the real world that exists inside you.

Closing thought: Today I rely on my awareness to let me know if I'm moving away from my core to play a role or people please. I come back to myself and feel the ease of just being myself.

With xo and gratitude,

Lindsay

Empowered to Rise: Embrace What's In Front Of You

Good morning!! I'm a little behind schedule this morning but I want to share the affirmation and attitude that I will be practicing on this hot summer day in NYC:

I AM GRATEFUL FOR ALL THAT IS IN MY LIFE TODAY.

I woke up realizing that I have so much abundance in my life. This comes after a few days without said awareness. I don't know why it can be so easy to forget how good I have it but I do sometimes. I think it has something to do with my taking things for granted or having such high standards/expectations that I can feel I'm falling short against what I am striving to accomplish. From a state of ingratitude, everybody else seems like they have what I want and "compare and despair" syndrome can take over, which we all know is not fun.

I am grateful to be back to feeling grateful. It's like returning to 98.6 after a fever. Job, roof over head, great friends, family, goals, dreams, beautiful summer weather in a city that has everything I want and need if I take the time to find it -- yeah, it really is all good.

On another note, I may be taking a break from teaching intenSati. I have a possible stress fracture in my tibia (waiting for MRI results from yesterday) and it's been recommended by another top sports ortho (I'm on my third opinion now and they all agree) that I have ligament reconstruction on an ankle that's been injured for a while. It's been very challenging to face the facts of this situation but I realize that I have to deal with it straight on and do what's best for me. No whining or drama, right? Just go for acceptance and maturity and strength.

I love teaching and am not sure yet what the best and wisest course of action but I will certainly keep you posted. I will be teaching in the park on Saturday but doing less movement and more coaching and verbal cueing. It will still be an awesome class, I promise. I will not be subbing for Erika on Sunday as planned but Darbi will be and she has guest passes if you want to attend!

Thanks for reading and I hope you have a great rest of the day. If you're in NY and free tonight, I am singing at Googie's lounge (154 Ludlow above the Living Room) and the show is going to be an incredible mix of talented singer/songwriters. So much fun and I hope to see you there!!

Closing thought: I have so much to be grateful for in my life today. I may not have everything I want but I certainly have all I need.

With xo and GRATITUDE,
Lindsay

Empowered To Rise: Acceptance and Change

Good morning,

God grant me the serenity

to accept the things I cannot change

the courage to change the things I can

and the wisdom to know the difference

-The Serenity Prayer

This prayer is what I need to be saying this morning and today so I gratefully share it with you. It's taking me a long time to wrap my head around acceptance. I think it's an art. The people I know who can adopt a posture of serenity inside really tough circumstances that they're powerless over are just so inspirational. I know for some people it's their faith that sees them through. If something is "wrong" in their mind they try letting go of that judgment and practice their belief which leads them to feel things are exactly the way they're supposed to be.

I realize that I would be more at peace if I would just accept the things that I cannot change instead of trying to change them. Then, I can take some of that energy I was putting into trying to change what I'm powerless over and apply it to changing the things I CAN change! I know I can feel instant relief in the moments I just realize, Oh, I'm trying to change something or someone here over which I have ZERO control.

Mental energy spent wishing or wanting something to be different is draining. When I stop doing that and practice acceptance -- this person/place/thing is what it is and completely not my business to adjust or change -- I typically feel much lighter.

In my experience, it can be challenging to figure out just when and what I DO have the power to change. It can be tricky. Maybe I DO have the power to change something but I DON'T have the power to do it myself or in the ways I've been trying to change.

Example: You want a new job. You do have the power to change the situation but maybe there is a certain kind of help needed here such as a headhunter, career coach, or other "tool" that you need to use in order to bring about the change you desire. So, the "courage to change" is there inside you but you're not going to access it and take action without a specific kind of help. People can spend years and lifetimes intuiting they do have the power to change some aspect of themselves or their lives but fall short because they don't ever ask for and find the help they need. Then, they may even think they just have to resign and accept the situation as is, which can be demoralizing if it's not an attractive situation.

Do you need to find serenity and acceptance over a situation or aspect of yourself over which you have no control? Or, are there places you do have agency but perhaps have to just find a little help or assistance? Even if you don't know what that help is, the recognition that you need it and intention to receive it is a GREAT place to start.

Closing thought: I practice the serenity to accept the things I can't change. I ask for the courage and help to change the things I can.

With xo and gratitude,

Lindsay

Sati update!

Join the beautiful and powerful Elise Green tonight for Tuesday Night intenSati! She's teaching from 6:30-7:30 at 500 Eighth Avenue (between 35th and 36th street). Class is $10 and on the 12th floor in room 1211. I hope you go and enjoy class tonight!!

Empowered To Rise: Focus and Intent

Good morning!

Happy Monday! I'm getting focused on my positive intentions and invite you to do the same. What are your goals for today? Do you have them broken down into manageable amounts and can you feel yourself fulfilling them with power and ease?

If the intention is to stay on a food plan, it takes focus. I am going to be making some changes in mine with the help of a health coach and I know it's definitely going to take some focused attention. There are going to be distractions everywhere every day which creep in and can be justifications to eat in an unhealthy way. Yesterday, while out for dinner with my family to celebrate Father's Day, I had a funny and somewhat ironic experience at the French bistro in Chelsea. I ordered bok choi for an appetizer. I asked for it steamed. The waiter brought it, I said it looked oily, he said, No it's steamed and that's just the bok choi juices. Well, it doesn't take a rocket scientist and even the slightly dimly lit restaurant, I could tell that it was in some oil. It wasn't too bad so I let it go but then, at the end of the meal and to make up for his mistake, the waiter brought a creme brullle to the table on the house.

I now had a distraction from my goal of eating healthy and skipping dessert. It was dessert. After one teaspoon I made a quick list in my head about why I was better off without it for tonight and proceeded to skip it. I had my own "dessert" later in the form of an apple and Siggs vanilla yogurt, which is really good. That mental checklist kept me focused. I can remember Patricia saying you have to connect with the WHY. Why are you choosing to do something that could be uncomfortable or take some work? If you know and that WHY is alive and well in you, it can be easier to stay on point.

As is often the case, the food talk is a great a metaphor and perhaps you can come up with your own version of the healthy food plan and creme brulee. Whether it's your career pursuits or dating, thinking positive and uplifting thoughts instead of complaining, there are going to be distractions all day that enter your path but as soon as you recognize the power is in you to choose where you want to place your focus, you can move about with skill and ease.

Finally, I was fortunate enough to see not one but two incredible works of theater this past weekend and I suggest you check them out -- talk about focus! The actors were so engaged and present that I think they could've worked if there was a 3 ring circus going on in the same theater. It was incredible. The first is "The Elaborate Entrance of Chad Deity" playing at Second Stage and the second is "Fences", starring Tony Award winners Denzel Washington and Viola Davis. Astounding performances.

Closing thought: I keep my focus on my intentions. If I am faced with a distraction, I recognize my power to choose where to put my attention and I let it land on that which is best for me and for my highest good.

With xo and gratitude,

Lindsay

SUMMER WARRIOR CHALLENGE
RISE AND SHINE!
SIGN UP BY JUNE 29

Here's your chance to be one of "those people" who jump out of bed motivated to work out while most others are hitting "snooze!" IF NOT NOW, WHEN?

Make this your best summer yet! We challenge you to kick start your summer with a Rise and Shine intenSati Warrior Challenge.
It's common knowledge that exercising in the morning boosts your metabolism, improves your mood, and lays the foundation for feeling empowered all day long! Are you willing to take the responsibility for living your best life now?

Here is the challenge. For the month of July, you commit to 4 intenSati workouts a week... 2 of them MUST be 6:30am classes, no matter what!

You make the commitment to take on this challenge... We provide you with a one-month all-access membership to participate.

Requirements:
Only open to non members who have never participated in previous challenges.

If you are a member of equinox you must be an all access member
Pay it forward. Before you activate your pass you must order an intenSati DVD and send it to a friend. Go to our Store to order.

Kick off class is Friday July 2nd at 6:30am Equinox 17th and 10th
Wrap up class is Monday August 2nd at 6:30am Equinox 50th and Broadway
For a full schedule of classes Click Here- (only Equinox classes count)

You MUST activate your pass at Equinox at 19th and Broadway between June 30 and July 1. Ask for Sharie.

You will receive a warrior bracelet for every class you take and to complete your challenge you must have 16 warrior bracelets.
To sign up email RSVP@satilife.com.

Empowered To Rise: Father's Day Lessons

Good morning! Happy Father's Day!

I want to share a few things with you that I've learned from my dad...

1. You can always find time to exercise. My dad is an excellent athlete. He's an avid tennis player and has been playing all his adult life. Apparently, he is still taking names on the Eisenhower Park courts on Long Island -- names that are sometimes 10 years his junior! Throughout my entire life, my dad would get up at the crack of dawn to work out. He used to jog, too, and would go through the streets of my neighborhood and school tracks as part of his daily routine. I have memories of him in a navy blue, hooded sweatshirt doing laps around the block in the snow. In the rain. In the sleet. He'd go to the tennis courts no matter what Al Roker said the day was going to bring, just to see who might be there looking for a game. My dad got back to working out very quickly after surgeries and doesn't really understand the language of excuses when it comes to getting his fitness on.

2. Music will consistently make you feel really good, especially when sung out really loud. In a car. My father has a nice voice and great musicality -- he used to sing in a barbershop quartet growing up -- and he is like me (or, rather, I am like him) in being lyric obsessed and knowing the words to tons of songs. Sinatra, The Beatles, Stones, Dylan, Billy Joel, anything Motown, all the oldies like Frankie Valley and the 4 Seasons, Tony Bennett, the Beach Boys, Michael Jackson -- he LOVES them all. He's got some serious music PASSION, no doubt. He's always done a lot of driving for his work and I understand that part of why it doesn't phase him is because he just throws on the music he loves and time flies. We had one time a few years ago when we sang Dylan's "Like A Rolling Stone" at the top of our lungs in his convertible. We unabashedly belted the rousing conclusion in our driveway and I can remember and hear us like it was yesterday.

3. Enjoy your favorite movies over and over again. Godfather Part 1. Godfather Part 1. Godfather Part 1. Endless viewings, lines by heart, characters and voices down pat -- never gets tired of it, ever.

4. Age is just a number. My dad started his own small business when most fathers are transitioning into retirement. It was something he always wanted to do but it took a while for the timing to be just right. He is going strong and the business is thriving.

5. Know your vulnerabilities and ask for help. I think my dad has a good sense and awareness of certain areas that are not his strongest suit. When he needs to, he is able to delegate certain responsibilities and tasks, which is a great skill, or work on them until he improves and feels more confident. (This might be a good time to mention that my parents have very different personalities and skill sets that really compliment each other.)

6. When you really like something, it's okay to get a little obsessed with it. My dad's the kind of guy who if, for example, he found a kind of Italian ice in a store 2 towns over that only keeps hours between noon and 3pm, but he LOVES those Italian ices, well, you can bet he's going to that neighboring town between noon and 3pm every day for a month to have his ices. Maybe longer than a month. Until he gets sick of it or finds the next thing. It's more than just being a creature of habit, which he is, and I should make that number 7, but it's just a question of liking and having what you like until you don't.

7. When you love or need something or someone, you stay committed NO MATTER WHAT.

So, ices are ices but then there are things like family and other matters of the heart. My father is a hugely devoted dad to me and my brother. He would do anything for us, really. My mom and dad have been married more than 30 years (so embarrassed I don't know the exact number but I think it's 34) and my dad has friendships and additional meaningful relationships that are still alive and well in his life thanks to his commitment to them.

8. Don't ever try to make someone like you. People pleasing is a huge waste of time. If it's one thing my dad is NOT, it's a brown nose. He doesn't need to kiss anybody's arse and usually the more he can sense or tell a person is expecting that kind of treatment due to their own pomp, the farther he retreats and refuses to offer it. My dad had very humble beginnings and for this and a few other reasons he doesn't elevate others to a level of godliness.

9. Finding the humor in it all is essential. The family that laughs together stays together. My dad can be incredibly witty and self deprecating. He has jokes about aging, "Well, any age is better than the alternative, I guess!" and has a few hilarious shticks about my mom, from her Chinese wok cooking back in the early days of their marriage to the amount of time it can take for her to reach a fashion decision. I think he's kept a tally of how many hours he's spent hanging out on shoe store sales floors while my mom decides between pumps and mules. We laugh, we laugh, we laugh.

10. The most important thing in life is your family and the people you love. Nothing in this world is more important to my dad than me, my brother and my mother. When Max (our Bichon Frise) and Spike (our Shitzu) were alive, they were included, too. At the end of the day, no matter what is happening in my dad's life, he has his love and commitment to family that trumps anything else and he would go to any lengths for us.

For this, the above lessons, and so many, many, many more, I am very grateful for my dad this Father's Day.

Closing thought: I reflect on my relationship with my father or any father figure in my life with deep appreciation.

With xo and gratitude,

Lindsay

Empowered to Rise: I Love It!

Good morning!

I had a few "I love it!" moments yesterday and almost broke out into a shimmy! Last night, the cast and production team behind the short film I'm in (plug: it's called "The Smirk" and you can watch it here -- http://vimeo.com/groups/beyondthestill/videos/12477983) came over to my apartment for a potluck dinner-wrap party-screening. I haven't hosted more than 2 people in my apartment in the 10 months I've lived here and it was so nice! I loved it! I appreciated having a home I can open up to people. Everybody brought food and drinks, we walked down to the river, watched the film on my wall using this very fine Canon projector (see photo insert) shared some laughs, talked film shop a bit, la la la...

Affirming -- I took an important action step to counter some feelings of isolation I've been having in my apartment. It's been too quiet here! :) It can be SO easy in New York City to just stay in your own world, right? I guess that is fine for some but I've been craving company and some new energy in my place so I jumped with PASSION at the GREAT opportunity (working my intenSati attitudes before class this AM) to have this party in my apartment.

I'm continuing my willingness this coming Wednesday when me and my Vermont singer/songwriter friends are performing (plug #2: 7:30 pm/Wed June 23/Googie's Lounge at 154 Ludlow, NYC) and 3 coming into town need a place to stay. I said, Stay here with me! I was happy to realize I had enough spare sheets and pillows to provide a comfortable stay at l' chateau Davis. But seriously, whatever your vision is for your life -- and for me it includes being surrounded by a lot of really nice, cool, interesting, trustworthy and fun friends -- are you keeping your eyes open for opportunities that allow you to have what you want?

The second "I love it!" moment happened yesterday when I was taking intenSati led by the dynamic Jolynn Baca and energetic Greg Stockbridge in a park along the Hudson River. The class was raising money for Broadway Bares, a performance this Sunday night that raises money for Equity Fights AIDS (lots of money being raised, yay!). People were watching as they always do when we work it out outside -- some looked like they were having a blast right along with us. Others looked at us and their expressions suggested they thought we're crazy or maybe just really silly! I realized how much perception is the rule.

If so many people can have different points of view and opinions, then there must be a few places that I am viewing myself and my life through another person's pov filter. I spotted two areas. The first is my non-conformity and the second is my body. Re: the former, I choose to see that I am doing exactly what I want and need to do to achieve my goals as opposed to thinking I'm doing something "wrong" and characterizing myself as a hobbyist who should have a husband and kids already with a house in Rockland County. Then, I said to myself what people have been saying to me for 15 years: STOP letting society's point of view and definition of The Body Beautiful dictate how you feel about you and your body. There are some very disturbing images of beauty out there being fed to us daily and if we're mindless, we can digest them and believe in their value. It takes a certain mindset to let them go but this is doable and so worth it!

So, I encourage you today to open yourself up to creating more love in your life! Jump at great opportunities and and by all means, shift your point of view. I'm not saying to rationalize something you are doing that isn't healthy or for your highest good. Rather, it is about taking back your power and claiming you will see your life through eyes that view your strength, power, and beauty -- yes!

Closing thought: Today I find many things about my life and myself to love! I take back my point of view and nourish myself with an empowered outlook.

With xo and gratitude,

Lindsay

Sati Updates

See you in Central Park this morning at 9:45AM for free intenSati!

I am subbing intenSati at 19th Street and Broadway Equinox on Sunday, June 27th at 11AM for the amazing Erika Shannon. Message me for a guest pass if you need one!

Empowered to Rise: Practice Makes Progress

Good morning!

Happy Friday :)

Last night, I performed a scene from the movie "Very Bad Things" in my acting class. It was a short, 3-minute comedic piece and for reasons of which I am not yet completely aware, I did not rehearse enough in advance. Every actor is different. Everybody needs different levels of prep, obviously -- for me, I must do improvisation work and learn my lines by drilling them front and back. I need to know them so well I can do them in a yoga headstand. That's actually how I got comfortable doing my Shakespeare monologues. Standing on my head.

I used to study with an acting coach who made us buy a counter clicker and drill our lines 250 times. 250 was the magic number because apparently that's what Laurence Olivier said to Anthony Hopkins and it got passed down. It worked for me, really well. I think I did this past one around 40-50 times max.

The reason I bring this up is because after I got through performing last night and doing a job that reflected how much work I put into it, I, how do I say this, I was just waiting to get ripped into by my teacher. Even though his mild mannered and positive approach to coaching should've told me I wasn't going to get chastised, a part of me was just expecting and wanting that response because I am so used to being hard on myself.

My teacher said nothing negative. He simply acknowledged that on Monday we'll be running through scenes again, at which point I'll have the chance to perform and build on the work I just did in class. Btw, on the third run last night I did get into my character and really felt connected. Now, I feel at ease going into my preparation because I feel like I know who she is and what she really wants and needs. I'm reminded how important it is to do enough of that prep as opposed to just diving into rote memorization which is boring and feels like a chore if I don't know the inner workings of my character.

I'm not sure why I didn't prepare adequately for class when it is so important to me that I become the best actor I can be but I will say that what's cool, what's really cool, is that because I am integrating my practice of self affirmation and self care into all aspects of my life, I was able to leave class last night and process some of what happened without punishing myself. I recognized feeling angry, frustrated and disappointed and that I wanted to beat myself up about it, yet, gratefully I can report that I just came home, had a snack that was healthy and went to sleep.

Maybe the most important thing I needed to learn last night was I can let myself down a little bit and then accept the consequences. I can just let go what happened as opposed to making any kind of huge drama about my acting abilities. This morning, I still trust in my talent and abilities and can just use this as a learning experience. I will be sure to carve out adequate time for the rehearsing I need so that come Monday night I am ready and solid.

Are you honoring yourself and your heart's desires by investing time and care into the work you love? If you need to learn a lesson about what works for you, can you be firm and honest with yourself in the absence of chastising or punishing language and behavior? Are you willing to be gentle with yourself?

Closing thought: I learn and integrate new informations and lessons with grace. I am grateful I am getting to know myself well and understand what I need to do to be my best self.

With xo and gratitude,

Lindsay

intenSati announcements!

Today (FRIDAY) at 3pm is an intenSati benefit class led by Jolynn and Greg to help raise money for the charity "Broadway Bares". I will be out there today -- it's on the Hudson River pier at 23rd STREET -- and I hope to see you there! Class is free w/ donations accepted. It's going to be great to Sati by the river!!

Tomorrow (SATURDAY) it is going to be a sunny, gorgeous, stunning day for Central Park intenSati and I can't wait! Meet at 9:45am at the gold-topped Columbus Circle statue. See you there!

MONDAY I am teaching at 6:30am in Central Park for all you early risers!! I want to know who will be joining me so if you plan on coming, please RSVP. davis.lindsay@gmail.com

WARRIOR CHALLENGE

Registration for the "Rise & Shine Warrior Challenge" is ON!! Email RSVP@Satilife.com to participate in this incredible opportunity to take intenSati at EQUINOX for FREE throughout the month of July! You'll be required to take 4 intenSati classes a week and 2 of them must be at 6:30AM. That's right! Just jump in and you will experience ALL the benefits that intenSati at a morning exercise practice bring! Msg me for details and remember that my 6:30AM class at EQ starts in July at 50th/Bwy, YES

Empowered to Rise: Forgiving and Living

Good morning!

My post this morning needs to be short and sweet because I have an appointment in an hour and need to get ready. I am performing a scene in acting class tonight and want my character to have a good hair day because she's getting married, so I'll be spending a little extra time getting ready.

My goal is to orient us to the present moment so that we can get really focused on the GREAT we want to create in our lives. How do you know if you're letting your past control you and get in the way of your present moment manifesting mojo? Here are a few things I've learned:

1. You react with anger or fear to certain people/situations if they at all mirror or remind you of people/situations that angered or scared you in the past. Perfect example might be a boss or authority figure who asks you to do something in a tone that reminds you of one of your parents. If you're still hung up with mommy/daddy stuff, you might react to your boss in a way that is disproportionate to the present situation.

2. Your present moment problem solving skills are compromised. One of the things which keep people successful and happy is an ability to trouble-shoot a situation. Certain people just identify what needs fixing or modifying and take the necessary action with the finesse of a figure skater and precision of a surgeon. I want to be like that one day! :) Now, if you're acting like a statesman in rural South Carolina sittin' on his porch with a confederate flag in his hand who's still fightin' the Civil War, how can you really be focused on the moment? You can't be. The war is lonnnng over. So, problems are going to get bigger or remain unsolved until you let go of the past and apply your energy to what's going on in your life right now.

3. You have a hard time forgiving people. So, I was reading this Bible sermon on line last night (don't ask) about the power of forgiveness and in it the author talks about the story of Joseph (Book of Genesis but don't ask me chapter/verse). Joseph was sold into slavery in Egypt by his brothers. Now, I'd say this warrants or justifies a grudge, right? Did he hold one? Of course not -- he's a Bible star -- but what he did was accept what happened and view his experience as one which made him more useful and able to help others. The author of the sermon describes how Joseph moved on:

He never speaks of being thrown in the pit, what it felt like to be sold and bought like an animal. No, Joseph isn't imprisoned by the bitterness of his past. Instead, he is living in the present with eyes focused on the future.

Ok, so whether you've really let your stuff go, truly (Yes!), or you know you've got some letting go to do, can we all just agree to break it down and go one person or thing at a time? I hope so. We've got to work through the forgiving and get down to living!!

From Joseph to Elvis -- we've got it all going on this morning, don't we?! :)

Closing thought: Every day I release more and more of my past through the power of forgiveness. What's done is done. I feel my growing energy, power and strength that comes from living in the moment. I love it!

With xo and gratitude,

Lindsay

Sati Updates!

Friday (tomorrow, 6/18) at 3pm there is an exciting intenSati event happening on the Hudson Pier 63 at 23rd St led by Jolynn Baca and Gregory Stockbridge to support the charity "Broadway Bares"!!! Go out for free intenSati and an incredible cause! Search "Broadway Bares Gets IntenSatisfied" on Facebook for the invite and full details or msg me!

Registration for the "Rise & Shine Warrior Challenge" is ON!! Email RSVP@Satilife.com to participate in this incredible opportunity to take intenSati at EQUINOX for FREE throughout the month of July! You'll be required to take 4 intenSati classes a week and 2 of them must be at 6:30AM. That's right! Just jump in and you will experience ALL the benefits that intenSati at a morning exercise practice bring! Msg me for details and remember that my 6:30AM class at EQ starts in July at 50th/Bwy, YES!

Empowered to Rise: One of Those Days

Good morning!

The intenSati Summer Warrior Challenge is on! Take intenSati for the month of July for free at Equinox! All the details can be found at the bottom of this message but the most important thing to know is it's the "Rise and Shine" Challenge and 2 out of the required 4 weekly intenSati classes you take must be at 6:30AM. That means you'll get to take class with me on Monday's at 50th St EQ and with Darbi (Thurs) and Natalia (Wed/Fri)! Trust me, if I can become a morning person, anybody can -- you will love the benefits of a morning exercise routine! Full details at the bottom of this message...

*

I just started thinking about some of the ways we accept pessimism without even really being conscious or aware of the choice. There's the phrase "I'm just having one of those days", right? You know how you bring it into your descriptions of what's happening -- Oh, I woke up late. The train got delayed. I left something important I needed for the day back at home. I spilled iced coffee on my shirt...

I'm just having one of those days.

If you believe, which I do, that "what you think about you bring about", then you can agree that even a description like that which can seem benign can actually be a projection for more trouble.

So, why don't we just take that phrase and change it? Let's coopt it! Coopt is a word I used in every freshman college paper. It means "to appropriate as one's own; preempt". That and the word "hegemony" are my two takeaways from my English writing seminars.

Ok, I have one more scrabble word -- imbue. Can you imbue "I'm just having one of those days" with positivity? Change the tone and cadence with which you say it and maybe tag a little "Yes!" on the end of it so you feel its new meaning -- Today is just the kind of day when everything seems to be going RIGHT. I am efficient, effective and going with the flow. Things are working out around me and for me with ease.

I'm just having one of those days, yes!

Closing thought: I am on the lookout for ways to orient my thoughts towards the positive. I can always shift my perspective and create thoughts that are full of optimism!

With xo and gratitude,

Lindsay

Sati Updates:

Summer Warrior Challenge... Rise and Shine! Here's your chance to be one of "those people" who jump out of bed motivated to work out while most others are hitting "snooze!" IF NOT NOW, WHEN? We challenge you to kick start your summer with a Rise and Shine intenSati Warrior Challenge. It's common knowledge that exercising in the morning boosts your metabolism, improves your mood, and lays the foundation for feeling empowered all day long! Are you willing to take the responsibility for living your best life now? Here is the challenge. For the month of July, you commit to 4 intenSati workouts a week... 2 of them MUST be 6:30am classes, no

matter what! You make the commitment to take on this challenge. We provide you with a one-month all-access Equinox membership to participate.

Requirements:

Only open to non members who have never participated in previous challenges
If you are a member of Equinox you must be an all access member
Pay it forward. Before you activate your pass you must order an intenSati Dvd and send it to a friend. Go to
Satilife.com to order.

Kick off class is Friday July 2
at 6:30am Equinox 17th and 10th

Wrap up class is Monday August 2 at 6:30am Equinox 50th and Broadway
For a full schedule of classes go to Satilife.com only Equinox classes count

You MUST activate your pass at Equinox at 19th and Broadway between July 30 and August 1. Ask for Sharie.

You will receive a warrior bracelet for every class you take and to complete your challenge you must have 16 warrior bracelets.

To sign up email
RSVP@satilife.com.

DON'T DELAY - THE TIME IS NOW!

Empowered to Rise: Build Your Positive Thinking Muscles

Good morning!

I was just outside for a short morning walk. I stopped for coffee and fell into line behind an absolutely gorgeous guy who had a baby son in a stroller. Both seemed so easy going. This happy baby was just chillin' out and smiling at me. His father had a great voice -- really kind and patient. He was wearing a Columbia University tee shirt and I started imagining that this very intelligent guy is probably the best father and husband in the whole world. Then I landed in fantasy land -- I bet this little toddler never cries, ever. I bet their lives are perfect. That's right. Mr. Perfect Father and Son, no issues, no problems, none....

I caught myself. But, alas, I did choose to work with it and gratefully accept what the Universe kindly put in my path! I felt gratitude and chose to experience it as a reminder of what's on the way...

Old thinking -- I'm never going to meet someone like this. All the good ones are taken.

New thinking -- Thank you, Universe, you just showed me someone very attractive and I ask for that in my life! It is done. I can feel what it feels like to have it now. Thank you for fulfilling my intention!

Getting into the place of feeling great and forming intentions or declaring affirmations isn't always easy. I get that -- I reaaaaaallly get that! -- and it's why I'm so grateful for the intenSati practice and other activities I do that shift my mood so powerfully and align my thinking. When I realized how much more effective it is to form intentions while I feel great, I started becoming less tolerant of holding onto feeling like crap.

There's a saying, "Move a muscle change a thought"and I can see how after I got moving, my thoughts did as well. I woke up feeling a little zonked which is why I went out for coffee instead of staying inside. I wanted to breathe in some fresh air by the Hudson. It helped! So, maybe if you're feeling stuck in any kind of thought loop that is lowering your mood, you can address it by getting up and moving around.

Also, are you taking breaks at work to refresh your mind, especially if you work in front of a computer? Are you giving yourself time to just have interactions with people in the flesh or on the phone? So important.

Thinking positively and feeling great are skills. Letting go of anger, resentment, jealousy, shame, judgment, ingratitude, confusion, doubt, and sadness takes practice and I think it's cool that there are so many resources available to support anybody who is seeking help with this process. I find one of the most effective resources is to spend time with people who share the same intention and are living or very much want to live in love, joy, gratitude, health, integrity and kindness. I am grateful to renew this commitment and shared intention each and every morning with you!

Closing thought: I build my positive thinking muscles today. I am always on the lookout for healthy, uplifting mood shifters and when I'm feeling great I use my power to set intentions that are for my highest good!

With xo and gratitude,

Lindsay

ps One week from today (Wed., June 23rd, 7:30pm-9:30pm) I am singing at Googie's Lounge (located above The Living Room, 154 Ludlow St) along with a bunch of VERY talented singer/songwriters I met at Good Commons (www.goodcommons.com). I absolutely would LOVE to see you there and promise it's going to be an incredible night of entertainment! :)!!