Have you ever caught yourself in the midst of a negative obtrusive thought? I’m referring to the kind of thinking that feels like it takes hold of you as a prisoner to your deepest worries and resentments?
 
Where you:
 

• Ruminate over the past or a worst case future scenario
• Get down on yourself, focusing on limiting beliefs; I’m not good enough, this is as good as it gets
• Entertain an argument in your head with someone whom you’re angry with, imagining what you’d do or say differently to gain power over them the next time
• Are disappointed by life, a job, boss, partner, friend, family, or the community 

 
Brain scientists have discovered that there’s an association between these negative neuro-patterns and the unconscious memories imprinted by our traumatic (or slightly dramatic) life experiences. When something in your current life triggers an embedded memory, it reactivates all of the old fear based feelings and beliefs associated with it, which then gives rise to unhealthy destructive behaviors.
 
Essentially, it’s like bringing the past back to life in this present moment, while blaming how you feel on current events or making yourself out to be a bad person for the way you think or act (which is so not the case).
 
Think of how images are captured onto film. In photography, film reacts to light and ‘transforms’ itself to record an image…. Called a “negative”. Then the image is transferred onto a canvas, called a picture. Our brain, like the film, reacts to emotions and transforms itself back onto our life experiences.
 
Neuro-patterns are the resulting impressions, not the cause of the problem. When we don’t act to resolve the root (the narrative we created about life because of how we felt during an event) it can seem as if these negative patterns have control over us. 
 
Regardless of where, when, how or why you got them, or whether or not your recall experiencing anything that could have created your patterns, the good news is that the brain has an amazing ability to rewire itself. Meaning that these imprints are not hardwired as permanent fixtures. It is possible to create new pathways by design.
 
As the great Buckminster Fuller once said, “You never change things by fighting the existing reality. To change something, build a new model that makes the existing model obsolete.”
 
What does it take to create new patterns? If you respond in a different way to what triggers you, it can help override the old neural network. I know…. this is waaaaaayyyy easier said than done. But only at first. Often, the hardest part is catching yourself in the initial stage of reactivating old grief before getting carried away by it.
 
 
Transformation involves learning then applying new skills in mindset and actions that generate a new response to old triggers. And learning is much more enjoyable (and effective) when we can have fun with it!

It should come as no surprise to hear that playful behavior is shown to have positive effects on the brain and on our ability to learn.

In fact, play functions as an important, if not crucial, manner for learning.
Studies reveal a link between symbolic, pretend play and the development of skills.  So you know that saying “fake it till you make it?” Turns out that it’s actually good advice, so long as you don’t deny what it is that you’re feeling in the process.

What if….
 
Instead of continuing to abuse ourselves with judgmental negative BS (belief systems) we made a game out of catching ourselves in the act of being triggered? 
 
For example: Do you remember playing that game, hide and go seek? How thrilling it was to find who you were looking for, with a gratifying loud shout, “Gotcha, or tag, you’re it!”
 
Experiment with this the next time you catch yourself when triggered.
 
Recognize it comes from an unconscious old thought pattern, say:

• “come out, come out, where ever you are!”
• “I found you!”

 
Then identify the limiting belief (ex: I’m not good enough)…pretend that you’ve captured it: say

• “Gotcha”
• “I win”
• “Tag”

 
Once you’ve done that, instead of acting in the same old way you’ve always behaved which only reinforces the limiting belief, you can take a new action. Move your body, jump up and down to shake out the energy and sensations associated with feeling triggered.
 
Sound silly? Good. It’s meant to. We take ourselves way too seriously sometimes, and playfulness is a missing part of our healing process. It’s about time we laugh into the depths of our darkness. For me, laughing at myself for how ridiculous I’ve sounded at times has brought enough light to shift my focus and change my view. 
 
In truth, there are many more practical ways we can heal. I think that what’s most important is to not get stuck on one thing or isolate yourself with the attitude of “I can do this by myself”. It’s always a good idea to align with a healer, therapy, or some proven process that you most resonate with that can help you gain the freedom you’re seeking. 
 
 
For more information on how you can create a positive change with Shawna as your guide, schedule a no-obligation conversation at www.ShawnaPelton.com/discoverycall
 
 
 

• The cognitive benefits of play https://www.parentingscience.com/benefits-of-play.html
• Researchers discover neural patterns https://news.uci.edu/2019/04/09/researchers-discover-neural-patterns-key-to-understanding-disorders-such-as-ptsd/

 

Can you get behind the bold idea that every one of us is here on PURPOSE? Do you understand the reason for coming into this world, at this time, through your lineage, having the exact experience that you're having now?

The Divine doesn't create accidents.

We are not prisoners of life, waiting for this wild ride to stop so we can get off and be free from it. We are participants in it... dare I say Creators of it.  

Rather than victims of our circumstances, we are powerful instruments of change. Your very presence causes a difference in the world. I want you to let that sink in.

Like most things, "presence" falls on a spectrum. 

At one end, we're sleep walking through life, completely indoctrinated into the dark matrix,  feeding it with our addictions to negativity.

(Doubt that you're doing this? Try this thought experiement: if you're not dependent on suffering, then why perpetuate it?) 

On the flip side, we are Supernatural beings of light navigating the world with pure intention, certainty and definite of purpose.

​When people come to me because they feel uncertain, sick, lost, stuck or unhappy with life, it's usually because they've exhausted themselves trying to fit into a broken system that gave rise to a profoundly sick society.  

This very system we were born into is designed to be the shell we break through and grow out of so that we can contribute to and evolve society by applying the gifts and strengths we've gained through the process. It's not intended to be the box we grow into into.

You don't feel like you belong here because the world you've been tring to fit in with is insane.... stop trying to find your peace and sanity within it and instead focus all of your energy on aligning with the reason you came here for so that you and our future generations can be set free by your very presence.

Those who do this work will be deemed as heretics, woowoo, crazy, and be MISUNDERSTOOD by those who are too afraid or just not ready to see the light of truth.

That's ok, it's not about what others will think of you. 

It's about falling in love with your authentic self, your life's purpose and mission --- which is bigger than what small minds can comprehend. 

We are designed to do this and are fully supported in this endeaver. 

All of this is revealed to us when we come into aligment; uniting our heart, mind, and body to form an instrument that is to be expressed by the Divine in us through everything we think, say and do. This is the key to working with, not against, the original blueprint encoded within our Spiritual DNA.

(stop and read that last paragraph again)

Our innate potential can be activated through a phenomena called "entrainment" when we stop fighting against our essential nature and learn how to tune into the channel that plays the song of our Soul, and harmonize with ourselves and others to form a symphony; a beautiful masterpiece. 

The funny thing about our essential nature is that is has the power to free us. It is in this place we feel most at peace with our lives and become one with the uni-verse (one rhythm/song) 

So, again I ask.... do you really want to fit in to a system that perpetuates discord, or would you rather learn how to sing in key with the song that you resonate with? 

I believe the answer is already obvious to you. 
​ 
With love, light and harmony - Shawna 

• PS - If you resonate with this message and are ready to experience a life of harmony, meaning and purpose.... I'd like to invite you to take the Life Purpose QuEST with me. Learn more here

 

• PPS - I found this short video to be inspiring and think you will to

(If you like this message, I'd love to hear your comments below and appreciate if you share it on social media!)

Feeling mentally, physically, emotionally EXHAUSTED?!? According to the Mayo Clinic, you're not alone. About 40% of workers report feeling this way on the job. (see the top 10 professions that are prone to burnout)

Many of you have been telling me how stressed out you've been feeling lately, and that it's really taking a toll on your health, relationships, and emotional wellbeing. 

Let's use Gail, for example, who once owned a very unique gift shop in one of the most expensive areas for real estate in town. Where it was becoming increasingly harder for her to keep up with the high overhead and the demands of a growing business while balancing her health, family, work life,

She was in the habit of saying "I'm so busy, I'm so busy, I'm so busy" anytime someone asked, "how are you?"

Of course, what she really was saying was "I'm so stressed out and overwhelmed by my responsibilities that I'm afraid I may go down with this sinking ship because I can't see any way out and I don't know how or who to ask for help!"  

As a result, she drank, ate and spent too much, moved too little, enjoyed life less often, gained weight, and pushed people away with her aggressive attitude and stressed energy. 

Sound familiar? 

Gail didn't know how to escape this soul sucking situation, and what was once an exciting opportunity to fulfill a long held dream became heavy baggage filled with doubt, fear and resentment.  

This type of situation is a prime environment for limiting beliefs to creep in, like "I'm not good enough, I can't do this, I'll never get out of debt, maybe I'm not meant to be an entrepreneur. Which only leads to more of the same self-sabotaging behaviors. 

Of course I'm sympathetic to Gail's situation. Who wouldn't be. But I'm also a firm believer that we are NOT victims to our situations....but creators over our own life. 

What Gail didn't know was what most of have a hard time seeing when we're "in our own way" .... that the cause of burnout stems from our addiction to stress hormones that elevate when we're caught up in a vicious cycle of "busy work" which then triggers our learned unhealthy habits used for coping with life.

Don't believe you could be addicted to stress? Try stopping your busy work and lifestyle habits for a week (without taking a vacation) and let me know how that works out for you. You'll find that it's not so easy to just quit being stressed. 

Busy work isn't what happens "to us", but comes as a result being oblivious to our unconscious motivations and distracted by things that either scream the loudest for our attention or are relatively easy but doesn't produce our desired result.

(I'm personally guilty of doing this by starting household chores instead of engaging more in my online community...sorry you guys 😏)

Here's the thing, every habit of thinking and doing produces an outcome of some sorts. So the habit of being busy is naturally going to create an overwhelming situation. 

The ANTIDOTE to busy work

• Being more organized reduces stress. Take inventory and look at the big picture of what you want, where you are, and acknowledge the habits that stand in the way of your ideal outcome

 

• Create and focus your attention on a daily, weekly, monthly plan of action for overcoming those habits by replacing them with new healthy productive habits that leads to the big picture vision and also keeps you resilient enough to fulfill the vision. 

 

• Follow that plan by completing the result producing tasks within a deadline BEFORE moving onto "busy work". Finish what you start and stay present when making choices. 

 

• Bring more joy into your life by celebrating the little wins. Claim your awesomeness rather than busy-ness.  

If you're curious about what happened to Gail, you should know that she made the conscious decision to close up shop. But that wasn't a sad ending at all.

In fact, after taking inventory, she realized the thing she loved the most about her shop (hosting small culinary events) could easily be run from home without the excess overhead. This choice freed up the time, energy and money needed to pursue her passion by taking on more skill development classes. She's happier, healthier and spends more quality time with her family. 

So how long will you wait to enjoy your life? Need help with taking inventory? I created this free life balance assessment so you can see what areas of your life are in need of the most attention. 

Let me know what you think in the commnents below! 

To your best life! 
xo - Shawna 

PS - My bf and I now enjoy taking very long walks with our dobie, Loki. This helps us connect with each other, feel good, and keep the dog happy all at once!

PPS - People who took this asssessment also signed up for this free discovery call with me