What if our thoughts manifested immediately? No lag time whatsoever?

Imagine.

We could immediately be swimming with dolphins in the Bahamas, or skiing down the best powder run in Colorado, or dining on delicacies with good friends on the patio of our dream home.

Or.

We could immediately be handed a pink slip, or receive a dire medical diagnosis, or stall on the freeway, or lose close relationships due to resentment, misunderstandings and long-held grudges.

Stay with me here. Read more

For the last week I have been sleeping with my head at the foot of the bed. Just for a change of pace. And my brain is enjoying the novelty of it all.

From my new perspective, with my toes up next to the headboard, my brain is so engaged. The dog is snoring. The clock is ticking. The moonlight is coming in the window. But everything is upside down and backwards. How fun is that? Waking up in the middle of the night, my mind pauses. There is this exquisite moment of complete awareness while my brain puts everything into place. And this slight change in orientation makes me feel like I am waking up in a new place. Like being on vacation. Surprisingly it adds to my excitement for the new day.

Being creatures of habit, many of us hold on to the security of routine. We find it hard to change habits, in part, because of the familiarity we have developed with the old ones. Repeated habits wire the brain to form a nice groove. Everything can go on autopilot. But that groove tends to become a rut. Sometimes a really deep rut. And being in a rut stagnates growth and development. Read more

Today I am eating a frog. Yes, right now as I write this I am eating a frog. I am not answering emails or returning phone calls or organizing my office or thinking about what I shall make for dinner or planning my next trip to warmer climes. I am eating a frog. And I am washing it down with a cup of hot yerba mate chai (my current favorite morning beverage).

And tomorrow morning I will get up and eat another frog.

This is my new dietary program for procrastination. And I am finding it to be quite effective. Actually, it is not “my” diet program, nor is it a “new” dietary program. It is new to me however. And although many of you may already be familiar with the “eat a frog each morning” diet, redundancy is a good thing (especially when it comes to tips for changing behavior patterns related to procrastination). And since this is new to me, I am guessing it is still new to others and I wanted to share my newfound tip. Read more

Dear Jess, I’ve tried everything to lose weight, but I just don’t have enough willpower…help!

Sometimes it does seem as if people struggle to achieve change by sheer willpower. This is most uncomfortable and, in the long-run, very difficult to keep up.

Difficulty making desired changes often lies in counterproductive thought and emotional patterns that block the way. Making a positive change becomes a more effortless and rewarding process with a few tips about how to use your thoughts and emotions to work for you, rather than against you. Read more

Dear Jess, I work in an office setting and several of my co-workers always seem to be coming down with colds and other illnesses. Do you have any suggestions for boosting my immune system to avoid getting sick? Thanks much, BA

The immune system is one of the most amazing systems in the body incorporating several of the body’s most complex mechanisms. This entire system works to protect your from foreign invaders like viruses, bacteria, fungi and other micro-organisms. It is also the immune system’s job to scout out and destroy cancer cells.  While most of us are familiar with the consequences of an under-active immune system (frequent colds and infections,  increased cancer risk), there is also the other end of the spectrum – over-activity of the immune system -  that sets the stage for the body to attack itself and is manifested in diseases like allergies, lupus, multiple sclerosis, and rheumatoid arthritis. Both are important to address.

It is a paradox – a robust immune system supports your good health and, conversely, your good health is essential to supporting your immune system. Read more