Every morning at breakfast I do about 5 – 10 minutes of reading out loud to Paul. I love reading out loud.

We have 2 books we read from. The first one will be a “daily reading” type of book, the kind that has the date at the top of the page and a message for every day of the year. We pick a new book every year. Last year we read “The Daily Stoic” by Ryan Holiday and this year we are reading “Daily Reflections on Addiction, Yoga and Getting Well” by Rolf Gates.

The second book will be some sort of non-fiction topic that is for personal growth or interest. The books we read in 2021 were “Untamed” by Glennon Doyle, “How to Be an Anti-Racist” by Ibram X. Kendi and “Big Magic” by Elizabeth Gilbert.

This year we have started on Brene Brown’s most recent book, “Atlas of the Heart.” We’ve read so many of her books and this one is filled with pictures and eye candy quotes. I’m enjoying it so far.

I love this morning ritual because it keeps us growing, learning, reflecting as a couple and sometimes it spurns a good discussion which deepens our understanding of each other.

I highly recommend this practice for those of you in a couple relationship. Pick a book that you both agree on and just begin. See what happens.

In Atlas of the Heart, Brene shares her research on pretty much every emotion we feel or experience as human beings. This is so interesting to me because I am fascinated by human behavior and how we process emotions. I think a lot about this because I help my clients to make lasting changes while they experience personal and professional transformations.

We’ve all experienced transformation at some point. Some of these experiences are huge and powerful and yet some transformations are small, things that no one would notice about you, but you know you are different now because of a spiritual experience you’ve had or perhaps an emotional trauma.

Right? Sometimes life changing events occur that we have no control over, and sometimes we experience a personal resolution or a shift in the mind and the heart that profoundly effects life and how we live it.

So when it comes to comparing your experience to someone else’s, well, it’s just silly! It’s often not productive at all because we are trying to be where we are not, in order to fit in or be better than the other.

When I compare myself to someone that is further along on a path or has reached a goal that I have yet to achieve, my attitude about that comparison is critical. I can think “poor me, I’m not there yet” or I can think “I’m so inspired because if they can do it, then I can too!” Can you see and feel the difference in the energy of those two thoughts?

So when you find yourself comparing or when you recognize you are feeling envy, jealousy or having a negative response, like not feeling good enough, well, that just slows you down to actually reaching your goal.

Stop comparing! Yet, since you’re human, I know you will anyway. But when you catch yourself doing it, remind yourself that you are a unique, worthy person who is exactly where you supposed to be, doing the best you can with what you’ve got.

Then think of what you can celebrate about yourself. You’ve overcome so much already. We all deserve a pat on the back for how we made it through this pandemic (so far).

On the podcast today . . .

I invite you to listen to the podcast today as I share about my life before my transformation at 24 years old . I lived a painful life before I woke up and got into recovery from my addictions. I’m celebrating my 37th sober anniversary on February 3rd! Clean and sober since 1985.

I think it is important to share this information and also share some tips on how to celebrate your unique, priceless self.

No one in the world has been through what you’ve been through or has the same perspective, skills, experiences, values, attitudes, beliefs or goals that you have.

Celebrate that and all the milestones you can along the way of this precious life you’ve been given.

I would love it if you hit “Reply” and shared 3 things about you that you are proud of. Tell me! I really want to know.

Life is not always hunky dory and we don’t have control over pretty much anything except the way we can direct our attention and focus our minds and attitudes.

Focus on your accomplishments. Give your attention to the positive aspects of your life, the dreams that you are dreaming, and feel the love and gratitude for having the choice to decide who you are and how you live.

All my best,

Maureen

P.S. Need help with your goals and making your dreams come true? Check out my Recovery@Work program and let me know if you want in. I’d love to help you with a personal transformation, one that creates awesome benefits in all your relationships and often results in increasing avalanches of abundance. Book yourself a conversation with me if you want to talk about how.

P.P.S. Don’t forget to create your vision board for 2022 too! It’s so much fun and gets you focused on what you love and all your desires you wish to manifest this year. Here’s a peak at mine: