trust

Episode 28: Left-Brain Productivity Tips for Right-Brain Creatives

Posted on by kwyattmd

karensdesk

 

Today Gia and Karen talk about productivity for creative people and finding a balance between the left and right brains! Above (on the show notes page at http://www.itsjustlifepodcast.com) is an actual photo of Karen’s desk taken right after recording this episode – see what I mean about the whirlwind? (You’ll have to listen to find out!)

Karen shares that she will be on her way to Iceland and France just a few days after recording this podcast. Since they have pre-recorded a few episodes, by the time you hear this she will be on her way back home and she’ll talk about her trip on the next episode.

Gia starts with Something Positive: the story of a police officer who saved a life by preventing a man from jumping off a bridge. He talked gently and calmly with the man about football in order to gain his trust and get him to climb back down from the railing. Remember that for every story of hatred we hear there are probably thousands of quiet stories of heroism and love. Look for the love wherever you go!

Karen introduces the topic today by describing her own issues as a “messy creative” – see the proof of that in the photo above. Gia, however, has always been super-organized and efficient so she has struggled a bit more in the past with allowing space for creativity to enter. They each talk about their own solutions to their opposite problems:

  • schedule time each day for creativity – consistency pays off
  • the Pomodoro Technique – do focused, intense work for a period of 25 minutes, followed by a 5 minute break for something fun or nurturing
  • keep a planner or to-do list to help remember what needs to be done but not to dictate a rigid schedule
  • relax into the flow of creative ideas – they will come when they are meant to
  • creativity can flourish in the midst of messiness
  • accept your creative output as it is without judgement
  • The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron helps explain how the inner critic operates and what to do about it
  • Parkinson’s Law: work expands to fill the time allotted
  • each of us is channeling creativity through our own unique body-mind, so don’t judge it and “don’t be afraid to suck”
  • know yourself and how you channel creativity – accept your process as it is and love yourself just as you are (even with a messy desk!)

Thanks for listening in! How does your creativity flow? Share your thoughts with us!

Links for Gia and Karen:

Gia’s website: www.divinelygia.com

Karen’s website: www.karenwyattmd.com

We love you!!

Gia and Karen

xoxo

Episode 27: How to Regain Trust When Life Has Betrayed You

Posted on by kwyattmd

trans101

 

In this episode Gia begins by sharing Something Positive: a program in an elementary school in Baltimore that teaches children breath work and meditation instead of sending them to detention. They send a misbehaving child to a “Mindful Moment” room for reflection and some calming meditation. This program has yielded very positive results for the school – well done!

Next Gia and Karen talk about how to regain trust after you’ve been betrayed by another person or by life itself. It’s important to learn some recovery skills so that betrayals don’t cause us to spiral down into victimhood or fear. The conversation includes:

  • betrayal is a normal part of life – everyone is just human, trying to do the best they can
  • ultimately our trust should be in ourselves and our own Divinity rather than in people or things outside of ourselves
  • if we truly trust ourselves and our higher power then we don’t need anyone else in our lives to be totally trustworthy
  • betrayal can cause us to contract in fear and make ourselves small for self-protection if we don’t learn how to cope with it
  • even if we’ve healed the past we have to be open to betrayal happening again – have equanimity and compassion for others who are just being human
  • be able to take the Galaxy view and recognize that life has no guarantees and offers us many different opportunities to learn our lessons
  • betrayal is one of the biggest lessons we each must learn – so accept from the outset that life is going to bring this experience
  • we can allow others to be who they are when we place our trust within – we don’t require others to be perfect for us
  • we can become bitter if we expect our God to always prevent “bad” things from happening to us – this is a misunderstanding of what life is all about
  • Tips for regaining trust:
    • turn to prayer and meditation when you feel hurt or betrayed
    • accept your feelings rather than judging them
    • trace your own life journey and recognize all of the unexpected things that have happened, both surprises and disappointments; look for patterns in the ups and downs and recognize how life is teaching you certain lessons
    • consider that your current betrayals may be pointing you toward old wounds that still need to be healed
    • focus on loving yourself even more, especially when you feel fear
    • know that you have the power to take care of yourself and to make the highest choices for yourself

Remember: It’s Just Life! with all its crazy ups and downs – the more your emotions rise to the surface the faster you are growing and evolving! Be a Spirit Warrior and a Change Pioneer – join our community and help us forge new territory in life!

Links for this episode:

Gia’s website: www.divinelygia.com

Gia’s YouTube channel (check out her awesome meditation videos): https://www.youtube.com/user/divinelyalign

Karen’s website: www.karenwyattmd.com

As always we love you and send you tons of joy! Thanks for sharing this journey with us! Leave us your comments and go to iTunes to post reviews for this podcast. See you next time!

Gia and Karen

xoxo

 

Episode 25: How to Be Vulnerable and Strong at the Same Time

Posted on by kwyattmd

img_0519

 

In this episode Gia shares Something Positive: the story of blind runners in the Men’s 100m race in the Paralympics. Each runner runs with a guide at his side who helps him stay in his lane and guides him to the finish line. The relationship involves maximum trust and vulnerability on the part of the blind runner and humility and selflessness for the guide. Truly inspiring!

Next they discuss the importance of being authentic and vulnerable and the fact that it takes true strength to be open and real. While our society favors strength and discourages vulnerability it is crucial for our spiritual development that we learn to be authentic. Other ideas covered include:

  • We fear vulnerability if we aren’t sure we are worthy of love
  • Vulnerability is actually a relationship with yourself because only you know your hidden depths
  • Fear of being vulnerable is actually fear of seeing yourself
  • No one judges us as harshly as we judge ourselves
  • We use our experiences to validate our fears and look for proof in others that our fears are real
  • Gia describes a practice to help you make your highest choice rather than acting from fear (see blog below)
  • Self-referring vs. self-reflecting
  • What we really long for is our own Soul’s wisdom rather than validation from another person
  • God is in everything, even in every emotion you experience, so it is safe to be who you are in every moment
  • Your journal is the perfect place to be completely you and practice being vulnerable

Links for this episode:

Gia’s blog: A tip for tapping into your intuition

Gia’s website: www.divinelygia.com

Karen’s website: www.karenwyattmd.com

Sending you much love for your journey!!

Gia and Karen

xoxo

Episode 23: How to Hear Your Guidance (and follow it!)

Posted on by kwyattmd

trans50

 

Gia shares the “22 Pushup Challenge” to raise awareness for the 22 veterans who commit suicide every day. This campaign is to get people to offer more support and create more programs for veterans who are suffering from PTSD. Connect with Gia on Facebook if you would like to participate in the challenge (see the link below.)

In this episode Gia and Karen discuss the challenge of  listening for and following Divine guidance. You’ll hear their own stories of learning how to hear guidance when it comes. They talk about:

  • the definition of guidance
  • how guidance often comes as small nudges rather than earth-shattering revelations
  • how to distinguish soul guidance from the worries of the mind
  • Tips for hearing your guidance:
    • recognize that guidance has a peaceful, soothing energy
    • true guidance brings clarity and a sense of inner knowing
    • directions are simple
    • keep an open and curious mind when receiving guidance
    • let go of attachments to the outcome and trust the guidance you have been given
    • have patience

We love you!! Remember to keep loving yourself!

Links for this episode:

Gia’s website: www.divinelygia.com

Gia’s Facebook profile and page

Karen’s End-of-Life University podcast and website

Karen’s book The Tao of Death (now an Amazon Bestseller!)

Gia and Karen

xoxo

Episode 22: Finding Joy When the World is Falling Apart

Posted on by kwyattmd

04179

 

This episode begins with a discussion of what’s going on professionally for Gia and Karen:

Gia will be playing music for a Grief Workshop on Sunday September 11, 2016 in Encinitas, CA; find out more at www.soulofyoga.com; she will also be playing for a Full Moon Painting Workshop on September 16th at the Lazy Hummingbird in Ocean Beach.

Karen’s new ebook The Tao of Death is on sale this weekend on Amazon.com at this link and the print version will be available next week; she is currently putting together Death Expo a 4-day online interview series about end-of-life issues, November 10-13, 2016. Find out more at eoluniversity.com.

Something Positive is the story of a young man who traveled to Panama for one month with only the clothes on his back and his passport. He found people everywhere willing to help him out with food, shelter, work, transportation, and photography. He wants to tell everyone that the world is a friendly place!

Today’s discussion covers:

  • why some newly-awakened spiritual seekers can feel guilty when they first become aware of the suffering in the rest of the world
  • some people wonder how there can be a benevolent God when there is so much pain in the world
  • how higher consciousness (Galaxy view) can transcend the polarity of this world
  • why you should not compare your path with others
  • that you can still have abundant joy and love even in the midst of suffering
  • why you should face the world with open eyes and heart, without fear, and bring as much love as possible
  • if you focus on light and love you will find it wherever you go
  • God is in everything – there is no place that is without God
  • the “Sunrise Practice”: watch the sun rise every morning and recognize that you are surrounded by light and love, always!

Connect with Gia on her website: www.divinelygia.com

Karen’s work can be found at: www.karenwyattmd.com

Tune in every Friday for a new episode! We love you!!

Gia and Karen

xoxo

Episode 21: The Power of “The Pause” When the Unexpected Happens

Posted on by kwyattmd

womanonshore

 

 

Today Gia shares her current personal situation in which life is “on pause” due to her roommate’s hospitalization after a bike accident. This unexpected event is the stimulus for a great conversation about the opportunities available when life’s tragic occurrences force us to take time out from our day-to-day busy schedules. The discussion includes:

  • why times of crisis are opportunities for transformation
  • reminders that we are not really in control over most of life – we are passengers, not the drivers of our “life vehicles”
  • how hospitals are sacred spaces
  • the process of healing from a conscious perspective: mind vs soul
  • the importance of being still and waiting to see what’s next
  • Take-home messages:
    • respond to every crisis with love, not fear
    • see the blessing in “the pause”
    • embrace whatever happens in your life

As always, we are here to share with you our own personal journeys through life’s ups and downs so that you will know that you are not alone and YOU ARE LOVED!

Take good care of yourself, spread love wherever you go, and remember that It’s Just Life!

Check out Karen’s books: What Really Matters and The Tao of Death on Amazon.

Gia’s website: www.divinelygia.com

Tune in every Friday for a new episode, share with your friends and leave reviews on iTunes!

Love,

Gia and Karen

xoxo

Episode 20: How to Manage Obstacles When They Arise

Posted on by kwyattmd

22859325 - stop sign isolated on white

 

 

Today Gia and Karen start off with Something Positive: the story of a dog who “adopted” an ultra-marathoner by running alongside him during an event in China.

Then they talk about the experience of having unexpected obstacles show up when following clear guidance. They offer their own best tips for coping with these sudden “stop signs” on the path of progress:

  • reframe the situation – see it as a need for better timing or an opportunity to learn more
  • let go of attachments to the outcome of your guidance
  • learn to trust the wisdom of the Universe
  • be curious about life’s mysteries
  • have patience and let life unfold with its own timing
  •  journal about obstacles and the feelings that are arising
  • choose a totem as a daily reminder of your Divine guidance
  • don’t take the obstacles personally

Karen shares this quote by Rumi:

A new moon teaches gradualness and deliberation and how one gives birth to oneself slowly. Patience with small details makes perfect a large work, like the universe. What nine months of attention does for an embryo forty early mornings will do for your gradually growing wholeness.

Link for this episode: Stray Dog Finds Her Human

We love, love, love you and are so glad you are joining us on this journey. Sending you positive energy to help you get through all your obstacles! Be sure to send us your comments and leave reviews on iTunes at this link.

Tune in every Friday for more It’s Just Life!

Gia and Karen

xoxo

Episode 13: How to be Alone Without Being Lonely

Posted on by kwyattmd

trans77

 

In this episode Karen and Gia talk about why they enjoy spending time alone and how they came to feel that way. You’ll hear about:

  • the benefits of spending time alone
  • how introverts and  extroverts might feel about being alone
  • tips for getting used to being alone
  • why loneliness is not necessarily a bad thing
  • why you must spend time alone in order to evolve

Recommended video: How to Be Alone

As always we love you! Send us your thoughts. Please go to our iTunes page and leave reviews for this podcast. Share it with you friends too!

See you next week!

Gia and Karen

xoxo

Episode 9: Am I Good Enough? How to Stop Comparing Yourself to Others

Posted on by kwyattmd

mirrorgirl

 

Today Gia and Karen discuss the universal tendency to compare ourselves to others. There will always be someone who accomplishes more than us, has more wealth, better luck, or less suffering – or it least it seems that way. They share their own struggles with comparisons and how they are still working to overcome that tendency. You’ll hear about:

  • how the ego seeks rewards for accomplishments and clings to expectations (which is a set-up for disappointment)
  • we are each on our own path and get the lessons we need in life
  • other people become mirrors for us, helping us see where we need to love ourselves more
  • we need to appreciate what this life offers us instead of wishing for something different
  • the Galaxy view helps us see the perfection in everything
  • the keys to overcoming the pain of comparison are love and trust: love yourself more and trust that Universe is giving you exactly what you need

Links for this show:

Gia’s song: In Another Life

Gia’s website: DivinelyGia.com

Karen’s website: KarenWyattMD.com

Thanks for coming along for the ride! We love you!!

Gia and Karen

xxoo

Episode 8: Tapping Into Your Creativity: “Don’t Be Afraid to Suck”

Posted on by kwyattmd

lovecrayon

 

Today Gia and Karen talk about the fickleness and frustration of the creative process and share their own stories of awakening the muse within. You’ll learn how Gia manages creativity as a songwriter and how Karen finally found her voice as an author. The conversation includes:

  • how the creative impulse can feel uncomfortable at times
  • that creativity shows up best when we are relaxed
  • what happens when the mind takes over the creative process
  • why some projects are meant to go unfinished
  • the benefits of meditation to get the mind out of the way
  • Tips for enhancing creativity:
    • Spend time in nature
    • Journal
    • Be willing to suck
    • Follow the flow of energy until it is gone
    • Be willing to let go when you are done
    • Take a weekly “Artist’s Date” (per Julia Cameron)

Links for this episode:

Julia Cameron’s book: “The Artist’s Way” (highly recommended!)

Gia’s video: How to Tap Into Your Intuition

Karen’s A.R.T. Handout: Click here to download

We love you!! Don’t forget to share this podcast with others who might find it helpful and leave reviews for us on iTunes!!

Gia and Karen

xxoo