Dr. Rick Wallace is the Founder, CEO & Chief Life Mastery Strategist at The Visionetics Institute. He created the Visionetics concept for optimal personal development based on nearly three decades of academic study, research and experience in the areas of behavioral psychology, neuroscience, personal development, metaphysics, quantum physics, neuro-linguistic programming, psycho-cybernetics and spirituality.
Dr. Wallace is one of the leading minds in the area of personal change --- achieving an exceptional rate of success with his clients.
Many of you are probably aware of the fact that I suffered
several heart attacks over the past couple of weeks — culminating with two
major heart attacks that required the placement of a stent in a major artery
leading to my heart. I have to admit that as the Dean of the Schools for Health
& Wellness at Crystal Rain Institute and A.R.O.H. Theological Seminary, as
well as the founder and President of Master Fitness 21, it is a little
embarrassing that I allowed my health to deteriorate to this point.
The truth is that it is not difficult to get caught up in
the challenges of everyday life and begin to neglect even the most important
things. I am not offering up an excuse for not taking care of myself; there
isn’t a valid reason. I am merely saying that we must make a committed effort
to make our holistic health a priority.
I laid there in the hospital having that second major heart
attack, and watching all of the staff members of the rapid response team work
in unison to save my life. I realized that all of my intentions associated with
grinding and working hard would be for nothing if I died before completing my
work. At this moment, I rediscovered the importance of balance in every aspect
of life.
At that moment, I made myself a promise that I would make my
health a priority. Over the next 90 days, I am committed to achieving holistic
health — emotionally, mentally, spiritually, and physically. The goal is to
create the optimal atmosphere and environment to allow my body to heal itself.
So many of us are destroying ourselves from the inside out —
primarily through chronic stress and anxiety. Yes, nutrition and exercise are
essential to achieving physical and mental health goals: however, how we view
life and the negative impact of our fears and concerns have a more lasting
effect on us than you can ever imagine.
According to WebMD,
while periodical stress is inevitable, chronic stress can be quite destructive
to a person’s natural equilibrium — disrupting homeostasis. Chronic stress can
lead to:
Mental
health problems, such as depression, anxiety, and personality disorders
Cardiovascular
disease, including heart disease, high blood pressure, abnormal heart rhythms,
heart attacks, and stroke
Obesity
and other eating disorders
Menstrual
problems
Sexual
dysfunction, such as impotence and premature ejaculation in men and loss of
sexual desire in both men and women
Skin
and hair problems, such as acne, psoriasis, and eczema, and permanent hair loss
Gastrointestinal problems, such as GERD, gastritis,
ulcerative colitis, and irritable colon
I am embarking upon a 90-Day journey where I will transform
my life in multitudinous ways to achieve optimal health. I am inviting you to
take this journey with me. Master Fitness 21 and The Visionetics Institute will
be offering personal planning for health optimization, including meal plans,
cognitive behavioral therapy, psycho-cybernetic interventions, and more. This 90-Day
program will include:
12 individual 1-on-1 sessions with me (each
session — valued at $350.00)
A personal nutritional evaluation ($129.95
value)
A nutritional plan ($229.00 value)
A personalized plan to help meet your 90-day
goals ($499 value)
A chance to win a Platinum Coaching Package (52
sessions over one year, a $10,500 value)
If you are ready to experience a life-changing shift in your
overall health and performance, email lifechange@rickwallacephd.link
and simply type enroll me in the 90-day challenge. You will be sent an invoice
for the enrollment fee of $399.95 via email. Once you pay the invoice, we will
schedule your initial interview and enter your name into the drawing for the
Platinum Coaching Package.
The Night I Almost Died: Recognizing the Signs and Symptoms
of a Heart Attack
Recognizing the signs and symptoms of a heart attack can be the difference between living and dying. Many of you follow me on one of the multitudinous platforms from which I disseminate all of the information and knowledge I believe to valuable and essential to the lives of people. And, you most likely already know that I experienced multiple heart attacks last week — culminating in two major heart attacks last Saturday and this past Monday.
The scariest thing about this experience for me is how many
times I dismissed what I was experiencing as something other than a myocardial infarction (heart attack). Each time
I experienced the pain and discomfort last week, I dismissed it as a workout
injury from a chess workout I did last Monday. I have trained to recognize the
sign of a heart attack for the safety of my fitness clients. So, at least a
part of the reason I missed was just plain denial.
I want to
ensure that everyone knows the signs and symptoms of a heart attack and how to
respond to the first sign. Rapid response is integral to achieving a positive
outcome during a heart attack.
What Is
A Heart Attack?
A heart
attack occurs when blood flow to the heart is interrupted due to the presence
of a blockage. The blockage (primarily in the coronary arteries) is usually the
result of the buildup of cholesterol, fat, and other substances that form plaque
in the arteries. When plaque builds up, it will eventually break off and form a
clot. Additionally, plaque can become so thick that the artery passageway will
simply become increasingly narrow.
Heart
attacks can be fatal; however, the advancement in treatment and responses has reduced
the mortality rate associated with heart attacks. The first few moments are crucial.
Symptoms
It is essential
to understand that people respond to heart attacks; differently, not all of the
symptoms may manifest during an episode. I have heard some people say that they
felt very little pain, whereas my pain was intense.
Common heart attack signs
and symptoms include:
Pressure, tightness, pain, or a squeezing or aching sensation in
your chest or arms that may spread to your neck, jaw or back
Nausea, indigestion, heartburn or abdominal pain
Shortness of breath
Cold sweat
Fatigue
Lightheadedness or sudden dizziness
It is possible to experience a heart attack without developing any
of the symptoms listed; however, the more of the common signs that you experience,
the more likely you are experiencing a heart attack.
While some heart attacks have a rapid, sudden onset, people
often experience symptoms for hours, days, or even weeks. Remember, the longer
you delay getting treatment, the higher the risk of long-term damage or even
death. It is always better to error on the side of caution that to ignore
potential life-threatening signs.
When To See the Doctor
It is vital to take immediate action when you experience any
signs that you may be having a heart attack. Don’t hesitate; get to an emergency
room or physician’s office immediately.
Call
for emergency medical help. If
you suspect that you’re having a heart attack, don’t hesitate. Immediately call
911 or your local emergency number. If you don’t have access to emergency
medical services, have someone drive you to the nearest hospital.
Drive
yourself only if there are no other options. Because your condition can worsen,
driving yourself puts you and others at risk.
Take
nitroglycerin, if prescribed to you by a doctor. Take it as instructed while
awaiting emergency help.
Take
aspirin, if recommended. Taking
aspirin during a heart attack could reduce heart damage by helping to keep your
blood from clotting.
Aspirin
can interact with other medications; however, so don’t take an aspirin unless
your doctor or emergency medical personnel recommend it. Don’t delay calling
911 to take an aspirin. Call for emergency help first.
Heart
disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, and it is one of
the leading causes of long-term and permanent disability. Fortunately, there
are a plethora of ways to reduce the risks of experiencing a heart attack,
including:
What
are the heart disease risk factors that I cannot change?
Age. Your risk of
heart disease increases as you get older. Men who are age 45 and older and
women age 55 and older have a higher risk.
Gender. Some
risk factors may affect heart disease risk differently in women than
in men. For example, estrogen provides women some protection against heart
disease, but diabetes raises the risk of heart disease more in women than in
men.
Race or ethnicity. Certain
groups have higher risks than others. African Americans are more likely than
whites to have heart disease, while Hispanic Americans are less likely to have
it. Some Asian groups, such as East Asians, have lower rates, but South Asians
have higher rates.
Family history. You
have a greater risk if you have a close family member who had heart disease at
an early age.
What
can I do to lower my risk of heart disease?
Fortunately, there are many things you
can do to reduce your chances of getting heart disease:
Control your blood pressure.High blood pressure is
a major risk factor for heart disease. It is important to get your blood
pressure checked regularly – at least once a year for most adults, and more
often if you have high blood pressure. Take steps, including lifestyle changes,
to prevent or
control high blood pressure.
Keep your cholesterol and triglyceride levels under control. High levels of cholesterol can clog
your arteries and raise your risk of coronary artery disease and heart
attack. Lifestyle changes and medicines (if
needed) can lower your cholesterol. Triglycerides are another type of fat in
the blood. High levels of triglycerides may
also raise the risk of coronary artery disease, especially in women.
Stay at a healthy weight. Being
overweight or having obesity can
increase your risk for heart disease. This is mostly because they are linked to
other heart disease risk factors, including high blood cholesterol and
triglyceride levels, high blood pressure, and diabetes. Controlling your weight can
lower these risks.
Eat a healthy diet. Try
to limit saturated fats, foods high in sodium, and added sugars. Eat plenty of
fresh fruit, vegetables, and whole grains. The DASH diet is an
example of an eating plan that can help you to lower your blood pressure and
cholesterol, two things that can lower your risk of heart disease.
Get regular exercise. Exercise
has many benefits, including strengthening your heart and improving your
circulation. It can also help you maintain a healthy weight and lower
cholesterol and blood pressure. All of these can reduce your risk of heart
disease.
Limit alcohol. Drinking
too much alcohol can raise your blood pressure. It also adds extra calories,
which may cause weight gain. Both of those increase your risk of heart disease.
Men should have no more than two alcoholic drinks per day, and women should not
have more than one.
Don’t smoke. Cigarette
smoking raises your blood pressure and puts you at higher risk for heart attack
and stroke. If you do not smoke, do not start. If you do smoke, quitting will lower
your risk of heart disease. You can talk with your health care provider for
help in finding the best way for you to stop.
Manage stress.Stress is linked to
heart disease in many ways. It can raise your blood pressure. Extreme stress
can be a “trigger” for a heart attack. Also, some common forms of
coping with stress, such as overeating, heavy drinking, and smoking, are bad
for your heart. Some ways to help manage your stress include exercise,
listening to music, focusing on something calm or peaceful, and meditating.
Manage diabetes. Having diabetes doubles your
risk of diabetic heart disease.
That is because, over time, high blood sugar from
diabetes can damage your blood vessels and the nerves that control your heart
and blood vessels. So, it is crucial to get tested for diabetes, and if you
have it, keep it under control.
Make sure that you get enough sleep. If you don’t get enough sleep,
you raise your risk of high blood pressure, obesity, and diabetes. Those three
things can increase your risk of heart disease. Most adults need 7 to 9 hours
of sleep per night. Make sure that you have good sleep habits. If you
have frequent sleep problems, contact your health care provider. One
problem, sleep apnea,
causes people to stop breathing (briefly) many times during sleep abruptly. These
interruptions interfere with your ability to get a good rest and can raise your
risk of heart disease. If you think you might have it, ask your doctor about
having a sleep study. And if you do have sleep apnea, make sure that you get
treatment for it.
While there are certain factors that
you have no control over, such as age and genetic predisposition, most of the
factors that influence your risk of experiencing a heart attack are within your
control. It is your responsibility to invest in yourself by being more active
and choosing healthy eating habits. Remember, the more stress you place on your
heart, the higher the risk of you having a heart attack.
The purpose of this article is two-fold:
1. To help you know and recognize the signs of a heart attack to give you or a
loved one a head start to getting treatment in the case of a heart attack. 2.
To encourage you to adopt a lifestyle that will lower your risk of having a
heart attack in the first place. The question is, “what will you do with
this information?” The choice is yours. ~ Rick Wallace, Ph.D., Psy.D.
ENTERTAINMENT 01/29/2020 08:37 pm ET Updated 7 hours ago
Vanessa Bryant Posts First Statement Since Deaths Of Kobe Bryant And Daughter Gianna ~ Giving a powerful, heartfelt tribute to her husband and daughter, as well as recognizing the others who lost their lives in that crash.
The widow of the legendary Lakers player broke her silence to thank “the millions of people who’ve shown support and love during this horrific time.”
In Vanessa Bryant’s first public remarks since the deaths of her husband, NBA legend Kobe Bryant, and their 13-year-old daughter, Gianna, she thanked everyone for showering her and her family with support “during this horrific time.”
“There aren’t enough words to describe our pain right now,” Bryant wrote in an Instagram post Wednesday evening, paired with a photo of her family. “I take comfort in knowing that Kobe and Gigi both knew that they were so deeply loved.”Last chance to become a HuffPost founding member!Sign up for membership to become a founding member and help shape HuffPost’s next chapterBecome a founding member
“We were so incredibly blessed to have them in our lives. I wish they were here with us forever. They were our beautiful blessings taken from us too soon,” she went on. “I’m not sure what our lives hold beyond today, and it’s impossible to imagine life without them.”
Kobe and Gianna Bryant died unexpectedly when a helicopter they were in crashed in Calabasas, California, on Sunday, sending shock waves through Los Angeles and the sports community. Seven other people in the aircraft also died.
In her tribute, Vanessa Bryant paid her respects to the other victims of the crash. “We are also devastated for the families who lost their loved ones on Sunday, and we share in their grief intimately,” she wrote.
Kobe, a former player for the Los Angeles Lakers and a father of four girls, was 41. He and his wife had been married for 18 years.
Earlier Wednesday, Vanessa Bryant had updated her Instagram profile with a photo of Kobe and Gianna holding each other in a loving embrace.
Like her father, Gianna was a dedicated basketball player. Kobe coached his daughter’s team and shared videos and photos of Gianna playing ball on his own Instagram account.
Vanessa Bryant asked the public to grant her and her family “the respect and privacy we will need to navigate this new reality.”
Hours after Vanessa Bryant shared her post, the Los Angeles Lakers released a statement about the devastating loss, sending their love to their former player’s wife and surviving children, Natalia, 17; Bianka, 3; and Capri, 8 months, as well as the families of the other passengers on the helicopter.
The team had not commented on the death except for a brief statement Monday, when they acknowledged the tragedy and announced that Tuesday night’s game against the Los Angeles Clippers would be postponed.
“Words cannot express what Kobe means to the Los Angeles Lakers, our fans, and our city. More than a basketball player, he was a beloved father, husband, and teammate. Their love and light will remain in our hearts forever,” read a message on the Los Angeles Lakers’ Twitter account Tuesday.
Echoing Vanessa Bryant, the team called for donations to the other families affected by the accident and highlighted Kobe Bryant’s legacy through youth sports at his Mamba Sports Foundation.
This article has been updated to include a statement from the Los Angeles Lakers.
Remembering Your Future ~ The Ability to Create Future
Memories
Remembering your future is a revolutionary act that will change your life forever. You are probably looking at the title and thinking that has to be some kind of mistake, right? Nope, it is not a mistake. It is one of the most powerful tools for life change there is. Our brains and our minds are remarkably powerful beyond normal comprehension. The brain is the most powerful supercomputer on the planet. Like any other computer, what your brain is able to do will depend heavily on the programs you download.
Unfortunately, most people are operating on outdated systems
and erroneous programs based on faulty paradigms. In other words, most people
download their environment from birth to around seven years of age. This is
done through a conscious state of theta, which is very susceptible to
suggestion. This is where norms and standards (human conscience) are
established. It is also where a person’s expectations about life are formed.
For instance, a person who grows up in poverty will likely
download ideas about money that will not be conducive to building wealth. This
will be true in any other area of life as well. So, how does someone who has a
history of poor thinking and behavior in a specific area, overcome that thinking
to create the necessary changes in their life? Simply put, they will have to
stop consulting the past and start remembering the future.
It is actually quite simple. If you have a past in which you
have done none of the things that you desire to do, you cannot consult your
past as to whether what you desire to do is possible or to determine how it should
be done. The brain can either be a record of the past or a map of the future.
Most people consult past records known has memories to help predict their future.
This is actually a very accurate tool for predicting the future. If you continue
to consult the past, you will continue to get what you have gotten in the past.
What you have to do is use your imagination to create a different
outcome. You must start to create new memories, not of the past but of your
future reality. You see, that your imagination is so powerful that it can conjure
up realities that can literally stimulate your emotions as if it is actually
happening. The human brain and mind cannot distinguish between what is being
imagined and what is really happening, so when you imagine a different reality,
and you work to create clarity what you are visualizing, the mind and body will
respond to it as if it is really happening. You have literally created an
experience in the future. If you have created an experience, there is now a
memory of that experience.
This is how you remember your future. You create the desired results through your imagination and you consistently live in them until they become real. The more that you do this the more your subconscious will act based on the new data that has been downloaded. So, what are you waiting for? Start creating future memories.
3 Power Steps to Overcoming Anxiety ~ Reclaiming Your Life One Step At a Time
First, it is important to understand that everyone experiences
anxiety from time to time, but chronic anxiety that is uncontrollable can severely
damage your quality of life. When most people think of anxiety, they think
about the manner in which it impacts behavior, but what you should know is that
anxiety can also have an adverse impact on your physical health as well.
Before we get to the part where we discuss the steps that
will help you overcome anxiety, it is probably a good idea to gain at least a
limited perspicacity of what anxiety is. Basically, anxiety is a physiological
response to stress that creates a feeling of fear and apprehension about
something that you believe is about to happen. This is actually a good thing
when a person is following you on a dark sidewalk at night, but when it becomes
uncontrollable and irrational, it can wreak havoc on your life.
If you have been struggling with anxiety for more than six
months or you have frequent prolonged episodes, there is a good chance that you
are struggling with an anxiety disorder. More on this later. Sometimes a major
life event can trigger a stress response that leads to anxiety. For instance,
when my wife lost her mother a few years ago, the anticipation of living her
life without her mother and all that entails triggered an anxiety episode.
While this episode was not a result of an anxiety disorder, it had the
potential of emotionally and socially paralyzing her. Fortunately, she decided
to confront it instead of just coping and she was able to overcome it.
The longer someone suffers from anxiety, the greater the
psychological, emotional, and physical implications. Below you will find some
of the common effects of anxiety, which can become more intense with time.
A sense of doom — Anxiety often causes frequent
feelings of impending doom. It is possible that you will also have trouble concentrating
Panic attacks — These panic attacks can be so
severe that they create physiological symptoms, including heart palpitations,
chest pain, and lightheadedness.
Depression — Chronic anxiety (prolonged or
endless bouts with anxiety) can put you at a higher risk of depression. Symptoms
include social withdrawal, loss of interest in activities you once loved, and
feelings of guilt and hopelessness
Headaches — Constant worry and stress often lead
to headaches
Breathing problems — Anxiety can cause rapid,
shallow breathing and which intensify during a panic attack
Loss of libido — Decreasing sexual desire
Extreme fatigue — Dealing with anxiety can leave
you feeling wiped out and drained (emotionally and physically)
Increase in Blood Pressure — It is common to
experience a rise in blood pressure readings during an anxiety attack.
Pounding heart — The increase in heart rate and intensity.
You can feel like your heart is about to jump out of your body.
This list of symptoms is by no means comprehensive, but it
gives you an idea of how intrusive and pervasive anxiety can be.
3 Powerful
Steps to Overcoming Anxiety
It is important to understand that while the following steps
can be very effective for overcoming anxiety, they are not a substitute for
professional intervention for serious anxiety disorders. There is absolutely
nothing wrong with seeking professional help to assist you in getting your
anxiety under control.
Here are three powerful steps that you can take to help reduce
or even totally alleviate uncontrollable anxiety.
Stop censoring what you are about to say or do
in an attempt to make other people comfortable. When you censor your words or
behavior to protect others, you can often put yourself in harm’s way. This is
not a suggestion to be rude or inconsiderate. It is a challenge, to be honest,
and forthcoming about how you feel at any given time. The proclivity to internalize
things can lead to anxiety. Speaking honestly and boldly about your truth will
also help build confidence, which can help you deal with anxiety.
Practice spending time with people who treat you
well. We have a tendency to associate with people who confirm how we feel about
ourselves. This can be a poor practice during times we are struggling in the
area of self-confidence. When you hang around people who treat us well, it can
change how you feel about yourself, your circumstances, and future outcomes.
Treat yourself the way you treat someone you
love. Love is a force that must begin within. Without self-love, you can never
fully experience love in its totality. As you begin to treat yourself like you
love yourself, there will be an emotional shift that will completely change how
you view the world around you. All of a sudden, things that seemed so significant
and threatening won’t scare you as easily. You will see your ability to handle
what comes at you.
Uncontrolled anxiety has serious implications, but the good news is that you are not helpless. You can do something to overcome your bouts with anxiety and live a very productive and fulfilling life.
Additional Resources:
Get your copy of Critical Mass: The Phenomenon of Next-Level Living
I
absolutely love the work I do with my clients and I have spent years mastering
the disciplines that allow me to be so effective in doing what I do. Because I
have mastered multiple disciplines such as psychology, neurolinguistic programming,
neuro-associative conditioning, psycho-cybernetics, embodied cognition, cognitive
behavioral therapy, and quantum dynamics, some postulate that the complexity of
the brain makes it very difficult to change how the brain operates for a
particular individual.
The
fact that people depend on me to help them change and improve their lives has
driven me to be the best that I can be. Yes, the brain and mind are very
complicated; however, you don’t have to master all of the aforementioned
disciplines in order to get the most out of your brain and mind. The truth is
that the life you are living is the product of the collaboration between you
and your mind. If you are not getting the results that you desire, it is
because you are not effectively collaborating with your mind.
Success
in life is about effective collaboration on multiple levels. Despite the rise
of a culture that emphasizes individualism, the greatest work is accomplished
through collaboration. We are mammals — social creatures by nature — demanding
collaboration. It is my argument that the most important collaboration that
will ever take place is the collaboration between you and your mind. The beautiful
thing about collaborating with your mind is that you don’t have to master its
complexity to be effective. The brain and mind are designed to respond to you
based on what it interprets in best for you. In other words, the brain and mind
are always acting in what they believe to be in your best interest.
The
thing is to not focus on the complicated composition of the human mind but the
simplicity of its functionality. The force of function of the human mind can be
broken down into four simple functional principles. When you understand these principles
and how they work, you will be able to take control of your life in ways you
have never imagined. Here are the four functional principles:
Your mind always does what it thinks you would want it to do —
that which it believes is in your best interest.
Your mind is hardwired to
move you toward pleasure and away from pain
The totality of how you feel about life and the world around you
is broken down into two parts: 1. The pictures you create in your mind 2. The
words you say to yourself (your self-talk)
You are probably thinking, “if my mind is working in my best interest, why are things going so horribly wrong?” What you have to understand is that humans are not born with norms and standards implanted in their minds. Norms and standards establish what is right and wrong, good or bad, and effective or ineffective. These norms and standards for human conscience and play an immense role in governing decision-making and behavior. Your mind is neutral in the assessment of stimuli until you give it what it needs to determine how it perceives something.
If
you are not getting the results that you want in your life it is because you
are not properly and effectively collaborating with your mind.
Your
brain and mind are highly attentive to your self-talk and the language you use
to describe situations and circumstances. If there is something that you know
you need to do to improve your situation, but you are constantly saying things
like, “I hate this, this is killing me, this sucks, etc., you are training your
brain that this particular exercise is not good for you and your mind will come
up with all types of reasons and motivations not to do it. These motivations
will emerge from the subconscious, which controls 96 percent of your daily behavior.
You will be sabotaging yourself and not even be aware of it.
It
has been said that your brain is the most powerful supercomputer on the planet
and your self-talk is the program it will run. You need to form positive speech
and positive thoughts about the actions that are necessary for your improvement.
Make personal declarations that are positive like “I will do…, I am doing… I
have chosen to…, I enjoy doing…, I am exceptional at doing… etc. Your mind will,
in turn, assess these new actions as being in your best interest and something
that you enjoy doing (pleasure).
Hardwired for Pleasure
Your
brain is hardwired to move you toward pleasure and as far away from pain as
possible. What this means is that complaining about something destroys the
collaboration between you and your mind in that area. One of the reasons that
you procrastinate so much is because you have linked many of your progressive
steps to pain. When you link anything to pain, your mind will instinctively and
inherently find ways to move you away from that thing. The beautiful thing
about pain is that it is a concept that each individual defines for themselves.
Think
about it for a second. There are some people who seemingly have immensely high pain
thresholds while others can’t seem to take even the slightest pain. The
marathon runner has redefined pleasure to include the mental, emotional, and
physical pain that takes place over the course of the 26.2-mile run. The weight-lifter
associates the burn during the lifting session with growth and improvements in
strength.
This
is all neuro-associative conditioning is — associating things you want to do
with pleasure and things you don’t want to do with pain.
Images & Words
It
is really this simple when you break it down. The way you feel about life and
the world around you is determined by only two things, the images you create in
your mind and the words you say to yourself (your self-talk). The term “vision”
has become ambiguous because of the casual nature in which it is used; however,
your ability to visualize the life you want and the images that emerge from
this vision play a massive role in setting the course of your life.
The
words you use establish the context in which every situation will be engaged. If
you are saying things such as I dread going to the gym, this workout is going
to kill me, creating this presentation is going to make me miserable, etc. you are
creating an environment in which the mind is going to work against the ultimate
goal of accomplishment, because yourself talk told it that would be in your
best interest. Your mind does not seek to lead you into dread or make you
miserable. So when you declare that something will make you miserable, sad, or
disgusted, your mind will find every reason imaginable not to do it.
Using
a phrase as simple as, “I have chosen to do this, and I will enjoy doing it” will
prove absolutely transformational. This is not simply positive thinking, it is
the foundation of optimal collaboration between you and your mind. The fact
that you have chosen something means that it was not thrust upon you without
your consent (there is an inherent and natural disdain for being forced to do
things we don’t want to do). The fact that you are declaring that you will
enjoy doing it triggers the pleasure center of the brain which now causes the
mind to move you toward it instead of away from it.
It
is really simple. If you examine your life and you are not getting what you
want, it is because you are not communicating properly with your mind.
It is through these images and words that you will either rationalize failure
or talk yourself out of it.
The Mind Loves the Familiar
Much
of the discomfort that you will experience during the process of change and
growth is because the mind is not familiar with the new processes that are
being introduced into your normal routine. It is important to understand that
the mind experiences things and expresses itself in multitudinous ways that
extend beyond abstract or arbitrary thought. Even your body responds to your
mind. Your heart rate can increase or decrease based on your mind. Your sweat
glands can be triggered to go into hyperdrive. So, that uncomfortable feeling
you get when you are trying something new that makes you say, “this doesn’t
feel right” is actually your mind saying this is not familiar.
Because
the mind loves the familiar, you will need to learn how to make what is
familiar unfamiliar and what is unfamiliar familiar. I know it sounds crazy,
but it is simply a shift in your state of mind and perception. With me, I have
actually trained my mind to be most comfortable in uncomfortable (unfamiliar)
situations. It means that I am exploring new things and growing. It means that
I am not being stagnant and complacent.
Conclusion
Remember,
your mind wants to act in your best interest. It is your responsibility to
effectively communicate to your mind what is in your best interest in terms
that provide the proper context for the actions that you will need to take. Simply
knowing that you need to do something will not be sufficient for effective
collaboration with your mind. You need to frame the required action in a manner
that the mind interprets it as being in your best interest and bringing you
pleasure. Going to the gym four days out of the week is obviously good for you,
but if you dread it, the mind will see it as something to avoid (pain) and it
can create an infinite number of excuses not to do it. Many illnesses that
people experience are produced psychosomatically through the mind as a means of
avoiding something the mind deems detrimental to your pleasure and peace.
Find
ways to link what you want and need to a state of pleasure. The mind will naturally
move you toward what is perceived as pleasurable. The more pleasure that is
detected, the harder the mind will work to move you toward it. If you are not
getting what you want out of life, it is because you need to do a better job of
collaborating with your mind.
Additional Resources:
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Rare “Black” new super moon represents endless possibilities. On July 31st, there will be an extremely powerful and potent New Super Moon in Leo, bringing with it an energetic emotional storm that is set to stay for the next two months.
All zodiac signs will be affected by this lunar energy, but in particular, those born with Leo in their chart will feel impacted.
This Super Moon is classed as a “black” moon as it is the second New Moon of July.
The reason for the energy being so intense is that this super moon is the first in a series of three new moon super moons, with the second in August—and the third, which will be the completion of this intense energy portal, taking place on September 28th.
Cosmically, everything happens in sequences, and we have just stepped into one of these sequences—known as a super moon triad.
Unlike regular new moons—in which the energy lasts for a few days—the highly charged, intense, life-altering energy of this trio will be felt consistently throughout this two-month period. Those who are highly sensitive to energy will already have sensed the intensity in the atmosphere.
A super moon occurs when the moon’s orbit is closest to the earth, resulting in the moon being approximately 14 percent closer than normal, around 30 percent brighter, and appearing far bigger in the sky. The moon is known to wreak havoc with Mother Nature, resulting in landslides, higher tides, and earthquakes—and these are often more severe when the moon is at its fullest. When we think about how the moon’s gravity affects the tides, it is easy to see how it also interacts with living creatures.
The gravitational and magnetic push and pull of a super moon can feel like an immense energetic onslaught and causes us to feel emotionally fragile at times; however, if we do not allow the energy to overwhelm and overpower us, it can help us learn some of our most difficult life lessons.
This is most certainly the time to get rid of any habits, patterns, thoughts, obsessions, commitments, dynamics or material items that have been weighing us down and keeping us stuck in a reality that is neither healthy or serving us. Anything that no longer resonates with who we are and how we want to be living will start to dissipate before our eyes.
We will be cutting ourselves free from the low-frequency entities that we have become attached to and burning through old paradigms, as well as setting alight a crumbling bridge or two in the process.
This leaves a gateway for those who reflect the same passion and desire to exist free from chaos, harm, and destruction—and for kindred souls who share a similar passion for co-existing harmoniously and lovingly on this planet to enter our lives.
During this period, we will have a low tolerance for people who are only around to create dysfunction—or to continuously take, with no effort to mutually maintain and build the relationship. Those whose energy radiates with authenticity, integrity, and sincerity are the ones we will feel magnetically pulled toward, and we will discover that as we refuse to settle for less, people with pure intentions will flow our way.
This next chapter is intensely powerful for manifesting exactly what it is we want, where we want to be, and who we hope will surround us.
We will likely be feeling nostalgic due to the accumulation of emotional cosmic energy, so we may find ourselves looking back at our past in an attempt to find answers. This might look like ruminating on why certain relationships ended or why we are struggling to let go of relationships that are shrouded in heartache.
Fortunately, our intuition is at an all-time high during this new moon, so it’s the perfect time to go within and listen carefully to our inner voice. We have an incredible amount of knowledge and wisdom inside us; we just need to silence the doubt and fear and trust that whatever we wish to know, we will find.
Those who are highly sensitive to energy will be far more susceptible to the impact of these celestial events and may feel overwhelmed at times due to the constant influx of emotional energy.
To combat this, it is important to process emotions or old feelings that come up and regularly discern whether the emotions we feel are our own or whether they belong to those around us. If we are absorbing other people’s emotional energy, we could find ourselves easily triggered and far more irritable, fatigued, and moody than usual—so it is important to regularly take time out to re-balance and ground ourselves.
This is an intense phase that will cleanse anything that feels toxic in our lives, which includes bad habits, unhealthy thought patterns, reactive behaviors, outdated beliefs, and irrational fear-based thoughts and feelings that drain our energy and leave us feeling anxious and burnt out.
10 Steps to Improving Your Memory and Boost Your Brain Power
Your brain is the most powerful supercomputer on the planet.
It has the ability to process four billion bits of information per second and
store unlimited memories in multiple categories. One of the fascinating
functions of the brain is recollection. Your brain can store and recall
information in a fraction of a second; however, over time, you can lose your
ability to easily recall things that you have experienced through some form of
sensory perception. I am sure that you know someone who seems to be able to remember
even the most mundane of details effortlessly. Since memory is a huge part of
learning, this same person seems to pick up new skills and appropriate the knowledge
easily.
The truth is that we all have the capacity to use our brains
in the same way. Unfortunately, many have not optimized their brain functions,
and there are many ways to do this. To access and actualize the full capacity
of your brain, it is important to keep it active and acutely tuned. Sitting
still on your sofa while watching the same programming on television every day
is not going to get you the results you are seeking.
Following are 10 steps that you can take that will help
improve your memory and give your overall brain power a huge boost.
Exercise More (Get Your Body Moving)
There is a wealth of empirical and pragmatic evidence that a
sedentary lifestyle contributes to the deterioration of the brain. It has been
proven that obesity has a direct negative impact on brain function. Since blood
flow is essential to the brain, it is important to keep your heart healthy and
your arteries clear. The lack of exercise allows plaque to build up in the arteries,
and it also reduces the efficiency of each heartbeat.
In addition to oxygen, your blood also delivers nutrients to
the brain (more on this later).
Consume Good Brain Food
It should go without saying, but you would be surprised how
many people fail to make the connection between brain functionality and
nutritional intake. There are lots of foods that are great for brain health.
Following are 10 powerful brain foods that can easily be integrated into your
daily diet.
Dark
chocolate (with at least 85 percent cocoa)
Kale
Green
tea
Garbanzo
beans
Red
wine
Fish
with omega-3 fatty acids (mackerel, lake trout, herring, wild salmon, etc.)
Tumeric
(make sure that it is in a bioavailable form)
Sweet
potatoes
Brain
Nutrients
Because of the Brobdingnagian responsibility the brain undertakes,
it is not surprising that it has a high demand for nutrients. Without a sufficient
supply of brain nutrients, your cognitive and mental health will suffer.
However, certain nutritional deficiencies are common, especially in certain geographical
locations. Your brain needs an ample supply of micronutrients — namely,
protein, carbohydrates, and healthy fats. While there is no shortage of carbohydrates
in the average American diet, the deficiency arises because mostly simply carbs
are being consumed. The brain and the body work better with complex carbohydrates
that metabolize and break down slowly. Complex carbohydrates will give your
brain the sustained energy it needs to perform at high levels.
Starchy vegetables such as yams, winter squash, beets,
carrots, and potatoes are excellent sources of complex carbs.
Protein is synthesized and broken down into amino acids — a
major component in hundreds of chemicals in the brain known as
neurotransmitters — allowing brain cells to communicate with one another.
Positive
Peer Group
I constantly remind my clients of the importance of guarding
their periphery. Those in your circle influence your reality. There is an adage
that states that you will be the average of the five people you spend the most time
around. I was always taught that “association” brings about assimilation. We
have what is known as mirror neurons that cause us to emulate and mirror what
we observe in others. If you are around someone long enough, you will begin to
behave like them in multiple ways. Negative ideas, thoughts, and behaviors can
have a negative impact on the health of your brain.
Killing
ANTS (automatic negative thoughts)
Many people rehearse negatively through their habitual
thought patterns. I’m sure that you have seen people behave as if it is
compulsory that they entertain negative thoughts. The need to entertain negative
thoughts has become automatic. These negative thoughts have a negative impact
on the health of your brain. Negative thoughts release negative chemicals that
are destructive to brain health.
Adequate
Sleep
Getting enough sleep is so
undervalued in today’s culture. You constantly here success guru’s talking
about getting up at 3:00 a.m. and about the importance of being on the grind.
Don’t get me wrong; I definitely believe in putting in the work and optimizing your
time. There are 86,400 seconds in a day and believe that each one of them has a
purpose. However, you can’t adequately take advantage of the opportunities
presenting throughout the day without adequate rest.
As you go through your day, your
brain exerts a lot of energy — building up plaque in your brain. Sleep is the
time that the brain cleans itself and heals itself. Sleep deprivation is one of
the most destructive forces that impact your brain health.
Clean
Environment
Some studies have shown that having
a neat work environment supports better brain functions. But a clean
environment constitutes more than just a neat working area. It includes healthy
foods, clean drinking water, and clean air.
Stress
Management
When you experience a moment of
stress, the body release stress hormones like adrenaline and cortisol into the
bloodstream. While these chemicals can be helpful in certain stressful
situations, like avoiding an accident or defending yourself against an attacker,
the longer they remain in your bloodstream, the more destructive they become. Chronic
stress is extremely harmful, and you have to find ways to manage your stress if
you want to get the most out of your brain.
Brain
Protection
Learn how you can achieve holistic health and healing at Master Fitness 21!
When you see brain protection, the
obvious would be wearing a helmet when riding a bike or motorcycle, but there
are so many other ways that you can physically damage your brain in the era of
technology. The electromagnetic fields created by smartphones and tablets can
cause harm to the brain. When reading studies that report that nearly 80 percent
of teens sleep with their cells phones under their pillows, I cringe.
New Learning and Discovery
A very powerful tool for improving
your memory and brain performance is to focus on learning new things every day.
There was a time in which science believed that after age five, our brains were
pretty much wired the way they would remain for life. Science also believed
that once brain cells were destroyed, they could not be replaced. We are now aware
of neurogenesis, the growth, and development of nerve tissue and cells in the
brain. Additionally, we are also aware of neuroplasticity — the ability of the
brain to form and reorganize new synaptic connection, especially in response to
learning or experiencing some new.
Attempting to integrate all 10 of
these tips at once may prove a bit daunting for you. Try adopting one or two of
them a week or bi-weekly. Adopting just one will produce noticeable results.
The majority of Americans are not even close to optimizing their brain
function, which is a shame. You can start today and experience life at an
entirely different level.
Fist, allow me to clarify upfront that this is not an attack
on independent women. This short treatise is meant to be a legitimate
eye-opening process that will illuminate real challenges that independent women
face based on cultural paradigms and erroneous expectations. When you examine
social culture from a historical perspective, it appears that women are supposed
to sit around and wait on some man to discover them.
Even the Bible says, “He who finds a wife finds a good thing
and obtains favor from the Lord.” (Proverbs (18:22)
If you only observed things on the surface, it would seem
that women have historically played an insignificant role in attracting and gaining
the attention of the type of man that they want; however, that could not be
further from the truth.
If we were to stick with the Bible analogy, we would find that
Ruth (the only woman directly declared to be virtuous in the Bible) made her
presence known to Boaz by going into his quarters and sleeping at his feet. We
know that this was not an isolated event because she was advised by Naomi to do
it — indicating that it was a common practice.
Okay, let’s move up to the current time to examine why Ms.
Independent can’t seem to find Mr. Right. First of all, most women who are on
their grind are doing very little to ensure that they are found. They are so immersed
in their careers and passion that they have reserved very little time to engage
in the social side of life.
Like any other endeavor in life, finding a compatible mate
is a proactive process. There is a false notion that women are not supposed to
present themselves to men. While I agree that most men want to be in the position
of pursuing rather than being pursued, there is absolutely nothing wrong with
subtly throwing your hat into the ring.
There is nothing wrong with a little respectful flirting. First,
it ensures that the man knows that you are there, and it also sends him a
message that you are interested in him. I am not proposing that you become
overly suggestive in a sexual manner or that you become too aggressive. Simply make
your presence and intent known.
For instance, my wife initiated our relationship by simply
introducing herself and letting me know that she was impressed with the work I
do. She did not overextend herself nor overexpose herself. Yet, I knew that she
was interested. Her energy was inviting as well.
Here is something that you have to understand. There is a
growing perception that women are less approachable than at any time in the past.
Professional women are often engaged in their quest for upward mobility in
their field. I have heard men say she is beautiful but she has resting “bitch”
face. For those of you who don’t know what resting bitch face is, it is an
unintentional facial expression made by women in which they unknowingly give
the impression that they are irritated, annoyed, contemptuous, or angry — especially
when the individual is relaxed.
What I have found is that a lot of women are used to being approached
by the guy Annie White
refers to as Larry Lame. You know, the guy who is highly aggressive, presumptuous,
and rude. He has no subtlety in his approach and he has been conditioned to
believe that “no” simply means keep trying. Larry Lame brings nothing of value
to the table and most women of value and virtue find him repulsive. The
anticipation of being approached by Larry Lame is one precursor to resting
bitch face.
Allow me a brief moment of digression here. There is a common
misconception that men are intimidated by successful independent women. That
postulation could not be further for the truth for holistically developed men.
In fact, men who are confident in themselves and aware of what they bring to
the table are absolutely turned on by an independent woman. Here is what does
turn off a good man — a woman who says she does not need a man. With the
exception of being respected, there is nothing a good man wants more than to be
needed. Being needed to a man is far more valuable than being wanted and being
respected is far more wholesome than even being loved.
It is imperative that you understand that the needs of men
and women are distinctively different. If you want Gary the good guy (Annie
White) to approach, you have to guide him in. There has never been a time with
as much noise and activity standing between men and women as it is now. You
have to remove the noise.
First, you must develop the confidence to flirt without
being obnoxiously flirty. You also have to be careful of the message that you
are sending. You need to allow your energy and your behavior to reflect the
fact that you are looking for a husband and not a hookup.
Additionally, it is important to understand that how you engage
and date a man sets the boundaries and expectations for the relationship. When
you approach a man first, it sends a message that you are willing to get out
and meet men. Why is this important, it is important because if a man knows that
the last thing in the world you want to do is get out and meet men and go
through the dating process, he also knows that you are more likely to put up
with his crap to keep from starting over.
The more socially astute you appear, the more likely he is
to understand how fortunate he is to be the one that you chose. Just by you
approaching him first, he will perceive you as outgoing. I keep using Annie
White because when I was researching extant data on the topic her explanation
and philosophy was simplistic yet direct. Plus, she had used this approach to
secure her own relationship.
The concept is simple — instead of waiting to be chosen, you
choose and let him chase. You have a right to participate in the process of
determining a life partner. Men pursue naturally, it is your job to point him
in the right direction.
Following is a three-step process that has proven to be
highly effective in not only gaining the interest of men but effortlessly advancing
the process.
Step One: Question
No matter where you are, you can come up with a question to
ask a man that initiates the process. If you are on the supplement aisle in the
grocery store, ask him a question about what supplements he would suggest for
what you are trying to accomplish. Even if he does not know the answer, you
have opened up the dialogue. Just don’t make him feel stupid for not knowing
the answer.
Step Two: Introduction
After a few exchanges in the dialogue, stop and introduce
yourself. You can keep it simple, by simply telling him your name. You don’t
want to complicate things too soon.
Step Three: The Exchange
Don’t wait on him to ask for your contact information, give
it to him. If you have a business card, that is great, but if not make sure
that you give him a way to find you.
Not every man will follow up and that is okay, but at least
you are in the game and you know that if they do call, there is at least some
level of interest.
Finally, make sure that you are on the right frequency. What
I mean by this is that we all emit energy and the frequencies we emit serve to attract
people to us. If you are still discovering who you are, this is not the time to
enter into a relationship. If you are still recovering from a failed
relationship, it is not the right time to start something new. You want to be
your best self because that will play a vital role in attracting the right type
of person.
The one thing that I want you to take away from this is that
you cannot sit around waiting to be found. Get in the game a participate in the
process! ~ Rick Wallace, Ph.D., Psy.D.
“Do not be deceived: God (The Creator) cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.” (Galatians 6:7-8, NIV)
When most people read or hear this they only think about sowing bad seeds, but this is a law with a universal impact that is tied to the law of cause and effect. It applies to both, good and bad seeds.
Some of you have been planting for a while and you have yet to reap your harvest, but trust that the Creator of this universe is batting a thousand and cannot be mocked. Sometimes the gestation period for certain seeds is longer than others. Sometimes it takes time for the harvest to ripen to produce the most profitable and beneficial results.
The problem is that some of you are growing weary in the season of planting.
Let’s take a look at Galatians chapter 6 again… “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” (Gal. 6:9, NIV)
Sometimes our timing is off because we focus on an external situation and we lose sight of the source. We become frenetic and unglued. However, God in his infinite intelligence has perfect timing. You will reap your harvest if you don’t give up.
One final bible verse: 2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 4 Let perseverance finish its work [in you] so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. (James 1:2-4)
Let’s take a quick look at the Amplified version: “2 Consider it nothing but joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you fall into various trials. 3 Be assured that the testing of your faith [through experience] produces endurance [leading to spiritual maturity, and inner peace]. 4 And let endurance have its perfect result and do a thorough work [in you], so that you may be perfect and completely developed [in your faith], lacking in nothing.”
Endurance, patience, and persistence are virtues that are developed in the fertile soil of adversity. If you believe that God designed and developed you for a purpose, you must also believe that God will never leave nor forsake you.
It is important that you do not confuse patience with complacency. Patience recognizes that there is still work to be done — progress to be made. Patience provides the capacity to trust the process and not give up. Complacency accepts the current situation as a future reality — a very perilous point of view.
You may feel alone and forsaken but you are simply being developed. Trust God’s process for your life. In due time you shall reap a harvest that is in direct correspondence with the seeds that you have sewn. Don’t give up. Don’t quit. Don’t surrender. You are designed and built to win. ~ Rick Wallace, Ph.D., Psy.D.
For additional resources, visit https://www.rickwallacephd.link/ #lawofreciprocity #patiencehaspower #reapingaharvest #visionetics