Self Empowerment Archives - Teresa Wolfe

Wednesday Rant, 10/23/24: Exploring Trauma Drama and Cognitive Decline

We’ve all experienced emotional stress at some point, but lately, I’ve been reflecting on a question: Could trauma drama—a tendency to engage with emotional chaos—contribute to cognitive decline later in life? While I don’t claim to have the answers, this inquiry feels relevant. Given what we know about chronic stress and mental health, I wonder: Could the emotional highs and lows we experience today have long-term impacts on our brain health?

What Is Trauma Drama?

Trauma drama describes the pattern of repeatedly engaging in emotionally charged situations. This might involve personal conflict, high-stress work environments, or constant exposure to negative media. The emotional rollercoaster can be addictive, with ups and downs stimulating adrenaline. But can emotional chaos affect the brain in ways similar to PTSD?

Could Trauma Drama Lead to Cognitive Decline?

Research shows that chronic stress impacts cognitive function, especially in people with PTSD. Stress hormones like cortisol, when elevated for long periods, can shrink the hippocampus, a brain region critical for memory. Could engaging with trauma drama, over time, cause similar long-term damage?

It’s worth asking if our exposure to high-stress environments today could influence mental clarity as we age. Read more about how stress and emotions impact cognitive function.

Breaking the Cycle of Trauma Drama

The effects of trauma drama and cognitive decline may not be well understood, but it’s essential to consider how our emotional habits influence mental health. Living in a constant state of emotional upheaval can drain us mentally and impair emotional regulation over time.

For more insight into emotional well-being, read my post on Non-Judgmental Self-Awareness: Discovering Your Food Story.

What Can We Do to Protect Mental Clarity?

If trauma drama contributes to cognitive decline, there are steps we can take to reduce emotional chaos and maintain mental clarity:

Set boundaries: Limit exposure to negative media or stressful environments.
Reflect on emotional patterns: Identify recurring stressful behaviors.
Focus on emotional well-being: Strengthen your emotional resilience through supportive relationships and self-care practices.

Read more about how staying true to your word supports emotional health: Be True to Your Word.

Conclusion: A Question Worth Reflecting On

While I’m not suggesting trauma drama directly causes cognitive decline, I believe it’s worth reflecting on: Could emotional chaos shape brain health as we age? And if so, how can we change our patterns now to protect our mental clarity later?

Our emotional well-being today impacts our long-term mental health. What emotional patterns are you engaging in? Are they serving you or draining you? Share your thoughts or experiences—I’d love to hear from you.sequences of trauma drama addiction contribute to cognitive decline in later life? I’d love to hear your thoughts—drop a comment below or share your story.

Wednesday Rant, 10/16/2024: Seeing the Golden Heart: How Compassion Transforms Our Connections

Blog Post, Self Empowerment, Wellness

In a world often divided by differences, we sometimes forget to look for the golden heart in others. What do I mean by “golden heart”? It’s the idea that everyone carries goodness within them—qualities like kindness, compassion, and the desire for connection. Your golden heart represents the positive traits that exist beneath the surface, even if they’re not always immediately visible. When we choose to see people through this lens of shared humanity, we transform not only our relationships but also the energy we bring into the world. Seeing the golden heart in others allows us to connect more deeply and build bridges where there were once walls of judgment. This is the power of compassion—an energy that can shift the way we relate to one another.

Seeing the ‘Golden Heart’ in Others Mitigates the Negative Energy of Judgment

When we approach others from a place of judgment—whether it’s because of differences in opinions, lifestyle, or background—the energy we create is tense, divisive, and heavy. Judgment tends to put up walls and isolate us from meaningful connections.

Seeing someone’s ‘golden heart’ means we approach others from a place of love and compassion. When we consciously look for the similarities between ourselves and others, the energy we generate is light, warm, and connective. Compassion fosters empathy and deepens relationships by focusing on our shared humanity rather than our differences.

This is something I emphasized to my own children when they were little. If they ever picked up a negative opinion about someone—perhaps from a schoolmate, friend, or even the media—I always counseled them to “look at the person’s golden heart.” I would encourage them to search for something good and focus on that instead. The idea was simple: by shifting their focus to something positive, they would have a better opinion and, more importantly, a better interaction with that person.

In my blog post, “Did the Fish Thank You?”, I shared an experience that opened my eyes to the diversity of perceptions. When we allow ourselves to see the world through someone else’s eyes, we often find deeper meaning in even the simplest experiences. This is where the magic of compassion begins—when we let go of judgment and see others through their golden heart.

Seeing the ‘Golden Heart’ in Others Shifts You from Judgment to Love

It’s easy, and all too common, to fall into the habit of judgment. Our minds quickly categorize, label, and define people based on their appearances, actions, or beliefs. But when we make an effort to relate to people through a heart-centered connection instead of our minds, something beautiful happens: we begin to understand that we are more alike than we are different.

We all want to be seen, heard, and valued. When we look for the golden heart in others, we acknowledge the common threads of humanity that bind us together. We recognize that, at our core, we share the same desires for connection, love, and belonging.

When we approach others with positive expectations, as described in this article from Psychology Today, we create a powerful ripple effect of positivity. These expectations shape our experiences and relationships for the better. Instead of assuming the worst, we can assume the best in people, allowing their goodness to shine through.

The Heart as a Connection Point

The heart is more than just an organ that pumps blood; it’s a powerful emotional and energetic center. Studies have shown that emotions such as compassion and empathy can positively influence heart health, creating a deeper mind-body connection. According to an article by Abbott, relating to others through the heart not only benefits our emotional well-being but also contributes to a healthier heart.

By seeing the ‘golden heart’ in others, we shift the dynamic of our relationships. This doesn’t mean ignoring differences, but rather, seeking out the shared values and qualities that connect us. Authenticity is key here, too. In “Be True to Your Word”, I discussed the importance of being genuine in our words and actions. When we interact authentically, we allow our golden heart to connect with others on a more meaningful level.

How to See the “Golden Heart” in Others

So, how do we start seeing others’ golden heart? It begins with small, intentional actions:

Pause Before Judging: When you feel the urge to judge someone, pause and ask yourself, “What can I learn from this person?” or “What qualities do we share?”
Lead with Compassion: Make a conscious effort to approach others with empathy. Instead of reacting defensively or critically, respond with understanding.
Look for the Good: Whether it’s a simple smile, a kind gesture, or a shared value, look for the goodness in people. It’s there—you just have to choose to see it.
Relate Through the Heart: When interacting with others, focus on heart-centered connections. Acknowledge your shared humanity and let that guide your conversations.
Be Authentically You: Relating to others through the heart requires authenticity. Be true to your word and actions, and encourage others to do the same. Authenticity creates a deeper connection that goes beyond superficial judgments.

Conclusion: Let Your Heart Lead the Way

In a world that often feels divided, make a conscious choice to see others through their golden heart. When you look for the good in others, you elevate your energy, improve your relationships, and ultimately, create a more compassionate world.

Remember, what you focus on grows. So, let’s focus on the love, compassion, and connection that we all have the potential to share. It’s time to let love lead the way and transform how we relate to one another—heart to heart.

Mindful Eating During the Holidays

Blog Post, Nutrition, Self Empowerment, Wellness

A Mindful Approach to the Holiday Feast

As we wrap up our transformative 5-day Mindful Eating Challenge, our thoughts inevitably meander toward the holidays. Envisage tables graced with sumptuous fare, surrounded by your nearest and dearest. But here lies the question: How can we enrich this holiday season through the lens of mindful eating?

Reflections on Our Journey

If you’ve been a part of the recent challenge or are just tuning in, we’ve been diving deep into the conscious way of consuming food. This isn’t merely about choosing nutrient-dense ingredients, but also enhancing our awareness around the hows and whys of eating—tuning into each bite, each flavor, each sublime moment.

Feasting, Not Frenzy

The holidays bring an abundance that can be both a gift and a dilemma. It’s an arena where the food is not merely sustenance but an extension of our social and emotional worlds. Mindfulness serves as our guide here, enabling us to fully engage without surrendering to overindulgence.

group of young adults at a lovely table with lots of holiday food celebrating the season. — group of young adults at a lovely table with lots of holiday food and candles raising their glasses in a toast. They are wearing santa hats. There is a part of a Christmas tree in the background and window with sheer white curtains.

The Gift of Mindful Presence

As you approach the holiday festivities, I encourage you to sustain the mindful eating momentum. Let each meal be an occasion, a moment to connect with your inner self as much as with those around you. With this practice, we not only savor our food but also enrich our lives.

Unlocking the Science of Mindfulness and Eating for Holistic Wellness

Blog Post, Nutrition, Self Empowerment, Wellness

Introduction

If you’re earnestly working on your well-being, understanding the interplay between mindfulness and eating could be a game-changer for you. Let’s delve into how science substantiates this remarkable synergy.

Mind-Microbiome Dialogue

Ever get a “gut feeling”? There’s science at play. The brain and gut are in continuous chatter, and mindful eating fine-tunes this dialogue. This results in heightened body awareness, allowing you to discern your genuine nutritional needs.

Chemical Messengers and Satiety

By engaging in mindful eating, you influence the body’s hormonal responses that regulate feelings of hunger and satiety. This isn’t hocus pocus—it’s grounded in biochemistry. Practicing awareness while eating helps you decode your body’s true hunger and fullness signals.

Emotional Equilibrium

Let’s face it, eating is often tied to our emotional state—something that science is only now beginning to decode. Mindful eating cultivates emotional awareness, offering a countermeasure to the cycle of emotional eating.

Planetary Stewardship

Being more conscious of how and what you eat doesn’t only serve you—it serves the Earth. Mindful eating often leads to more responsible food choices, thus contributing to a sustainable lifestyle.

Finding Joy By Helping The Planet

Blog Post, Self Empowerment, Wellness

AS MOST OF YOU KNOW, I am a laser-focused environmental advocate, and that laser is focused on helping YOU!

I have spent the last 35+ years helping people build a healthier life and concurrently promoting a lifestyle that is more connected to and aligned with a healthy eco-system on the planet.

All of my experience…as a Food Scientist, Eco-herbalist, environmental educator and Wellness Consultant, has created the belief that

Hands on a globe — Image by © Royalty-Free/Corbis

“A healthy you equals a healthy planet.”

Care for the world by taking care of yourself

Earth Day is in April, right? Why are you talking about helping the planet now?

This conversation isn’t about Earth Day.

Ok, so yes, it is, but no, it isn’t.

Yes, it is!

But…

No, it isn’t!

This conversation is about VALENTINES DAY!

Valentine’s Day is celebrated as a day for expressing your affection and appreciation for family members and friends, as well as love between romantic couples.

What better person to express love and affection for than yourself? This may be a novel idea for some, but I ask you to entertain the thought.

Individual health and the health of the planet are intricately interwoven

When people are not healthy, by Grand Design their body’s energy will turn inward to return the body’s systems back to a state of healthy balance.

Once that state is achieved, this incredible, healing, energy is released outward – and always in a positive way! This outflowing of positive, uplifting energy can be directed toward better family relations, community activities, and ultimately, making the world a better place!

What difference does it make?

There is a sense of satisfaction and reassurance derived from even the smallest effort to stop the chaotic and rampant destruction of the planet.

Any action, however large or small creates a ripple of energy, like the energy of a drop of water falling into a puddle. A tipping point of people with a shared vision can create a tangible environmental impact, and an intangible shift in global awareness and perception of Mother Earth – from a monetary resource and a place we have dominion over to a place we conserve and have stewardship of.

Taking care of yourself is a key first step toward helping the planet. It is no small one either. We all know that we feel better when we are in balance. It’s like waking up from a great night’s sleep or getting an unexpected gift in the mail. There’s a surge of happy energy that just must be expressed!

Do something positive for yourself every day

Set an intention to do something positive for yourself every day and notice how you feel.

Here is one way to listen to your body’s wisdom and hear what it needs:

Settle. Get quiet and breathe. This creates space in your mind for new thoughts and ideas to come in. We do this unconsciously while sleeping, which is why people say they came up with a solution for a problem they were working on in a dream or immediately upon waking. Getting quiet to listen within is an awake and active form of the same process. It is making a moment (creating space) to allow new thoughts to enter your mind. Try to make space to allow new thoughts about what your body needs to be healthy every day.

If you receive good-feeling impulse that stays with you beyond the first few minutes once you are up and moving on with your day, take it seriously.

DO IT. Or at least take steps towards making it happen.

Making any change, however small, requires focus

All our efforts are important and make an impact, no matter how large or small. My goal is to create a movement that evolves into a paradigm shift in how we view our relationship to the Earth.

I believe that paradigm shift with our relationship to the Earth needs to begin with a paradigm shift about our relationship with our health and well-being as an individual.

windshield frost with a heart pattern reflecting the sky above

Look for the goodness around you

There is a lot of unpleasant ‘STUFF’ happening in the world today. And a lot of talk about doom and gloom. And a LOT of ‘finger-pointing’.

It doesn’t get as much press coverage, but there is a lot of good happening in the world as well. If you start noticing good things around you, you will start to notice them everywhere.

If you look for things that make you feel uplifted, you will find them. In time, it will become second nature and you see more beauty and wonder in the world than discord and unpleasantness.

It doesn’t mean they aren’t there.

But why would you want to direct your attention (i.e. focus) towards things that make you feel stressed and depressed, when there is a MUCH greater amount of goodness in the world? You have the power of choice. Your ‘attention’ is a precious commodity that advertisers and media vie for all day every day. (I am doing it right now.)

Your attention is your power.

Something to think about, yes?

Wishing you everyday joy!

Tuesday smiles,

Teresa

Joy From Setting Definite Goals

Blog Post, Self Empowerment

Setting definite goals helps you to be a better person, and that feels good!

There is a sense of direction and reassurance derived from setting definite goals. While pondering what goals I wanted to set for 2023, I ran across this provocative quote:

“So what is a paradigm?

It is a habitual way of thinking and behaving that leads to the results you get in life. Everyone has a paradigm. It’s just a matter of whether yours works for you or against you.
The great news is if you’re feeling stuck in any area of your life, you can change your paradigm so that you can finally move toward what you really want“

Sandra Gallagher, President/CEO & Co-Founder, Proctor Gallagher Institute

This begs the question:

What paradigms do I hold that don’t serve me anymore?

With the new year just beyond us, many of us instinctively wonder what resolutions (if any) we wish to make. A useful question is “What paradigm do I hold? Does it serve me? If your life is generally unpleasant and you feel stuck, it’s time to change your paradigm! You must take definite action to create a more positive paradigm.

Setting a definite goal to change your paradigm to be more positive will, in time, improve your life overall.

Set definite goals with achievable baby steps to them.

Change is a process.

First you have to

create a vision (sometimes big, may be minor)
commit to the vision (aka goal)
focus on that vision until it becomes your reality 😊

Making a decision, setting a definite goal, and focusing on that decision/vision/goal opens up new opportunities that weren’t in your awareness before. It brings clarity and that feels good.

Did I mention that it will change your paradigm to a more positive state?

Permanent change (aka changing your paradigm) requires focus.

Did you know that the success of any change is 100% dependent upon your ability to commit to and stay focused upon the desired shift?

Using your internal GPS to navigate to a state of feeling good all the time is a powerful tool to help you. When you do not feel good about the progress you are making towards your vision, it is a reminder that your focus has drifted from your goals.

Use your internal GPS

Over time, feeling good becomes second nature to you. Congratulations! Your paradigm has shifted! Before you know it, you have real-ized your new vision (or are clearly on the path to it), which also feels good.

You have the power of focus to help you feel good, and you have the power of feeling good as a visceral GPS to keep you focused on your new goals. Use it!