Manifesting Your Desires: Harnessing the Power of Your Mind

As the new year approaches, many people set resolutions to improve their lives, a process I personally refer to as "manifesting." Whether you realize it or not, you are constantly manifesting through your thoughts, feelings, and emotions, which can impact your physical reality.

Your brain can process up to 70,000 thoughts per day. Those thoughts, feelings and emotions can actually affect your physical world.

Think back to a day when you woke up in a bad mood, stubbed your toe, and spilled your coffee on the way to work. You had a feeling it would be a bad day, and it turned out that way. Was it all just a coincidence, or did you manifest it?

Now, imagine if you had woken up and said, "I know today is going to be a great day." What would have happened instead?

Manifesting is not simply imagining or wishing for something to happen and expecting it to magically come true. It involves harnessing the power of your mind to create new thoughts, feelings, and emotions that can change your reality. It is a powerful tool available to anyone, but it is not magic.

The four major components necessary for manifesting are Gratitude, Visualization, Positive Self-Talk/Worthiness and Taking Action. 

Here's how you can manifest your desires:

1. Your Energy Creates Your Reality: To become your manifestation, you need to raise your energetic vibration. Start each day with a gratitude practice, writing down 10-15 things you are grateful for. This practice raises your vibration and helps you recognize more things to be grateful for throughout the day. Remember, you have control over the frequency and energy you choose to operate in.

2. Visualization: Understand that your thoughts can shape your reality. Channel your thoughts towards manifesting better health, harmonious relationships, and success in your career. Once you are clear on what you want to manifest, use visualization techniques. Imagine how it would feel to have what you desire and how it would bring joy to yourself and others. Visualization is supported by neuroscience, as studies show that our brains respond similarly to visualizing actions as they do to actually performing them. Olympic athletes have used visualization to enhance their performance, and it can work for you too.

3. Remove Fear: Believe in your deservingness is crucial for manifesting what you want. Overcome negative self-talk and self-doubt. Our brains are like supercomputers, and our self-talk is the program they run. Utilize neuroplasticity to create new neural pathways and rewire your brain with positive belief systems. Replace negative self-talk with affirmations to generate the energetic momentum needed for manifestation.

4. Take Action: Visualization alone is not enough. Align your actions with your desires. If you want a loving relationship, better health, or a successful career, take steps towards achieving them.

What are you going to manifest this year?

“Unveiling the Controversy: Trusting Your Intuition and Understanding Breast Implant Illness”

In recent months, I underwent breast explant surgery after suspecting that I may have been suffering from breast implant illness (BII). The topic of BII is highly debated and continues to be the subject of ongoing research.

For seven years, I sought help from various specialists for a range of symptoms, including hair loss, weight gain, rashes, brain fog, memory loss, and debilitating joint and nerve pain. Surprisingly, none of the doctors I visited ever considered my breast implants as a potential cause for my health issues. Instead, I was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis and fibromyalgia, which I was skeptical about.

Feeling frustrated with the lack of answers, I decided to trust my intuition and delve deeper into my symptoms. I found a remarkable family medical practice in Nashville, TN, and nurse practitioner, Coty Schmidt of Riverside Village Clinic. With his holistic approach, he helped me realize that my symptoms aligned with BII.

Overcoming my initial hesitation, I scheduled consultations with plastic surgeons and eventually underwent explant surgery. It has been four weeks since the surgery, and I am relieved to say that the pain I endured for years disappeared as early as one day after surgery. I am incredibly happy with the results and how I feel.

However, I can't help but feel anger and disappointment towards the medical professionals who never acknowledged my concerns about my implants. Thankfully, my suspicions were validated by Coty Schmidt and the 185,000 members of a Breast Implant Illness Facebook page.

Unfortunately, seeking coverage or compensation for BII-related issues is challenging. All cases related to breast implant illness have been unsuccessful in court due to preemption, which protects breast implants from liability once approved by the FDA. This lack of awareness about the risks associated with class III medical devices like breast implants is a significant problem.

I urge everyone to advocate for their health and reflect on the decisions they make. In my case, societal expectations influenced my choice to get implants, overshadowing the potential risks. Today, I am grateful for my personal growth journey and the newfound authenticity in my life. It hasn't always been easy, but I have found a supportive community that accepts me as I am. I am excited to fully heal and embrace a pain-free life with my loved ones.

If you or someone you know is going through a similar experience, here are some insights that intuition can provide when it comes to health diagnoses:

1. Listen to your body: Pay attention to any unusual symptoms or changes in your health after getting breast implants and seek medical advice accordingly.

2. Individual experiences vary: Remember that everyone's body is unique, and BII symptoms can vary widely. Trust your intuition to understand your own body's response.

3. Consider the potential risks: Research and consider the potential risks associated with breast implants, including BII. Consult with medical professionals and gather information from reputable sources before making any decisions.

4. Seek support and validation: Connect with support groups or online communities to gain insights, experiences, and emotional support from others who have faced similar situations.

5. Trust your intuition in decision-making: If your intuition tells you that breast implants may not be the right choice for you or that they may be contributing to your health issues, honor that inner guidance.

Bingo With My Oma

The change of seasons has always had such an effect on me. The scents of different flowers, the anticipation of what the summer brings, and just the feeling in the air triggers so many cherished memories for me. 

In particular, joining my Oma (My German Grandmother pictured above with my Opa) at church and then Bingo, Bridge or Canasta card games with her ladies' group. 

I always loved Bingo the best because it was the one game, she would allow me to participate in by carefully placing the chips on her card.

I can remember the excitement as we waited with bated breath to see if I would be the one who could jump up and yell "BINGO!"

Although winning BINGO was definitely the high point of my visit with Oma, I can't help but reflect on how I subconsciously admired the dedication that these women had to each other, and how they cherished their time together.

Every woman had a story. The stories evolved as the seasons in their lives changed. The patterns and origins were different yet there was a certain presence of respect amongst them. They were like one big orchestra moving in an out of their seasons exactly as they were meant to move - similar to the natural way we move into and through environmental seasonality.

Since opening The Haven I recognize the similarities of my "BINGO" days with my Oma.  It feels familiar and safe.

I look forward in sharing these newfound moments with my newfound friends at The Haven. 

Consider joining the fun between May 15th through June 30th at The Haven Yoga & Spiritual Sanctuary for Yoga Bingo. 

See you on your mat!

“The Courageous Peony”

I want to tell you a story about The Courageous Peony. This story is prompted by an oracle card I pulled recently. It was no coincidence after leaving Lowes earlier that day, debating whether or not I wanted to buy some peony bulbs (my favorite flower).  I deliberated over the purchase because of how much time it would take to see a result from the time I’d plant them to the time they’d blossom. The story of The Courageous Peony goes like this... "Flowers don't open and close according to who walks by. They embrace what they are and show it to the world around them. The peony doesn't try to compete with the cherry blossom, and the cherry blossom doesn't try to compete with the tulip - THEY OWN WHAT THEY ARE AND TRUST THE TIMING OF THEIR TRUE NATURE." I began my own personal growth garden back in 2017, and figuratively speaking, I was that bulb that needed to be rooted.  First, I needed to agree to plant myself in the work that I needed to do and find the nourishment I needed to grow. This story is about being called to be open to being seen.  How are you answering that call?  As we approach the month of May and flowers are blossoming all around us, I ask you to consider opening up like a flower petal blooming and be seen too. In the spirit of the Spring Season, The Haven Yoga & Spiritual Sanctuary is continuously growing. We have been manifesting a lot of incredible things that are beginning to fall right into place for our very special studio! Stay tuned for many new updates related to new classes and services including breathwork, manifestation, infrared sauna therapy, and details on our big move to a new location in April 2023! Without all of you, this tremendous growth would never be possible. Thank you for your support over the past two years. Things are happening at The Haven! Thank you for joining us on this very special journey. Namaste

The Rocky Road To Authenticity

For awhile, I didn’t know who I was nor what my purpose is in this life.  I didn’t do what I loved nor loved what I did.  I was a puppet on a string trying to conform to societal expectations. 

My dad would tell me “either humble yourself or life will do it for you”. I never quite knew what that meant until I was faced with some pretty intense situations and experiences. Each of which, gradually peeled a layer away forcing me to examine and consider the rocky road to my authentic self. It wasn’t comfortable nor easy but I learned that I had a choice to contract or expand. I gratefully chose the latter. 

I face many ugly truths about myself, my life and my relationships each day to stay grounded in the process. I shed many people who were my closest friends, turned inward and took years to reflect on where my responsibilities lay in everything I have done and do. I was sad and discouraged about my losses, but letting go of certain people, places and things made room for closer connections with others seeking the same. 

I forgave myself and others. I’ve also been forgiven allowing me to connect and accept myself exactly as I was and as I am in this moment. 

I practice truth, love, kindness, silence and non-judgement and do more each day to sink into my values.  I am a work in progress. I am not perfect, nor do I strive for perfection.  I do what I can in each moment to lean into my goals toward authenticity so I can give everyone I meet, the best version of myself. 

For so long, I cared more about belonging than I did about finding out about who I really am and what I have to offer. I worried how I looked and what I had as opposed to what I have to give. 

Today, I spend more time on myself so I don’t have time to criticize others. I am anchored into my values and boundaries, and my desire for personal growth and abundance is stronger than my desire to belong. I’ve come a long way. I continue to peel away the layers. I feel lighter. 

I know my purpose, and I am passionate about going on this journey with others who are open to gain awareness, and do the work necessary to live their best lives ever.  Are you?  If so, find it at The  Haven Yoga & Spiritual Sanctuary.

Disconnect for Connectivity

Here is one last post before I sign off of social for the month of October…

Spending the day in the park, trying to clear my view through the trees, and it hit me!

Standing in the same spot causes seeing, hearing, speaking of and doing the same things.  Nothing changes if nothing changes. 

When nothing changes, either complacency prevails and there’s a certain comfort within the cookie cutter of life OR the boredom irritates, aggravates and ultimately motivates movement and growth. 

I had originally captioned the first photo “A view through the trees.” I thought, “it would be nice to see the view behind the trees”. Then I had the realization that in order for me to see the view, I needed to change my perspective. 

So I performed my own perspective experiment. 

I stepped back and explored the possibilities!  Check out the different views. 

For the month of October, I plan to practice this exercise in each area of my life and explore the possibilities!  I can’t wait to report the results through journaling. 

Have a beautiful October and please be sure to check www.steppingstonehaven.com for any studio updates. The website will begin updating on October 1st!

Finally, remember if you stop by in person, you will be entered to win a one month unlimited pass!! So come by to say “hey” or “namaste”.

And remember #embracewhatsgood 

Move Your Body, Change Your Mind

I practiced yoga this morning with my tribe. 

The support I open myself up to receive from them, sets the foundation for balance in my life. 

Today, it occurred to me that the more open I am to others’ support, the more supportive I am able to be of myself. 

Ultimately allowing me the opportunity to be a pillar of strength and inspiration for them too. 

I am on an overall health and weight loss journey. This morning I meditated on it and took an impromptu yoga class. 

I stood in front of the studio mirror in a sports bra and running shorts (Not my normal garb for hot yoga). 

My initial thought was “Ewwwww, I’m so fat.”

As I moved through integration, I recognized the impact of my words and quickly shifted my thoughts to more loving and accepting thoughts. 

As I moved with the asanas, so did my thoughts...

I didn’t look back or scold myself for the negative self-talk, I acknowledged, thanked and let go of my self-deprecating words. 

As I flowed through my practice, I moved into a kinder and more gentle vision of acceptance and gratitude for my body. 

For me, yoga is...

-Transformational

-Empowering

-Something to consider if you haven’t tried!