The Change Agents Podcast With Dr. James Rouse

Self-recognition is pure gold. Reward circuitry helps to reset and build a steady flow of confidence and energy (via our mitochondria). Today's message includes homework and dedication to self-love and self-awareness.

The antidote to being a hardaholic is more joy, more lightness. Incorporating more joy, play, and pleasure in our lives helps lower stress, and increase happiness. When we have pleasure in our life, it helps us overcome negative bias, helps with imagination, mindfulness, and motivation.

I want to lead with love every chance that I get. I've realized that every opportunity is an opportunity to lead with love. Love is not something we get or we give. It is something we nurture within one another. We can love others only as much as we love ourselves.

Under the influence of meditation we get an opportunity to react differently. It helps us to be more mindful so that when we are ready to speak, to act, we do so with a greater consciousness. Meditation helps us stop ruminating and start living more exceptionally.

The power, beauty, and blessing of practicing self-love run deep. It impacts our immune systems for the better (potentiates our immunity). It helps expand our life expectancy and improves our gene expression.

A mantra is a sacred utterance. It is a word or small phrase that lets your brain know that you are going to live connected to your purpose. What gives you inner peace and tranquility? Choose a mantra that catalyzes that energy.

This isn't about being a great dancer. This is all about dancing greatly - ecstatic dance. This is an awesome way to augment short- and long-term memory, lower cortisol and inflammation, and decrease symptoms of depression and anxiety.

There are several things we can do throughout our day to become more "zesty." Beginning with quality sleep, nocturnal nudity is one way to add zest and well, a lot of other things to improve our well-being.

Characteristics of Self-Actualization: Self-actualizers practice accepting themselves and others. They are task-oriented and focused on using their unique gifts for problem-solving. They are deep wells. They have a continuous freshness of how they appreciate life 

I want to practice being more open, more loving, and focusing on what I can control. I am giving myself to be "less connected," and "less addicted" to trying to change the things outside of myself that I cannot control. My internal locus control is about me being a positive influence where I can.

The power of gratitude is here to stay. Yes, I am truly grateful for your presence. I am grateful for the opportunity to serve and to share my truth with you every day. Begin with gratitude every day and witness your life experience transform.

I don't think we ever really "arrive." There is always more to learn, to love, and to evolve. One of the most courageous acts of love we will ever commit for ourselves is to end relationships with versions of ourselves that we no longer find kind, authentic, inspiring, or beautiful.

I want to share with you about a state of appreciation for oneself that supports our physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual growth. This is the state of self-love. I want to expand on this idea with you today.

This isn't about writing down a list that is going to make you feel bad if you don't complete all of your check-offs. The distinction is all about the power of virtues. What qualities would you like to invite into your life? Practice the virtues that bring meaning to your life.

There's a whole hormonal, neurochemical cascade that happens when we emotional connect to sad songs. It can help with metabolism, mental and emotional well-being and more. Nourish your mind, body, and spirit, and go ahead and download those songs that get your emotional juices flowing.

Research shows what happens in our brains when we use certain words. I like to say, our words are our wands. Using our words more mindfully will help us all navigate our lives for the better. Phrases like "I can't" or "I won't" ... are actually toxic. Here's how to reverse that energy.

There are several things we can do each and every day to help us with our willpower. I've talked about three of these before and today I'm adding three more. These things are going to help improve our mental, emotional, and physical health. 

Do you believe in the power of prayer? Have you asked yourself, "What would love do now?" This is a prayer that we all can be answering each and every day of our lives.

This is a way that people are willing to engage: What are you here to do in relation to what fires you up - the unique way that brings you to life? Herein lies the power of hope.

Today I'm talking about three things that are clinically proven to help us reap the benefits of a great night's sleep. This is your prescription for your best life.