The Change Agents Podcast With Dr. James Rouse

Engagement, Relationships, Meaning, and Achievement - These are the practices that lead to flourishing. Be intentional. Commit to being fully present. Lean into each of these practices and allow yourself to be fully present and fully seen.

I'm fascinated with body language. Today's message is inspired by the social psychologist Amy Cuddy. Amy studies nonverbal behavior and her research dives into how we understand others through body language. She inspired the "power pose" Ted Talk - you're going to want to watch that.

This is all about you and what happens under the influence of kindness. How do we build bridges, build trust, and bridge the distance between ourselves and others? Though kindness. Tune into your heart. Kindness builds oxytocin. It keeps us young.

Meditation, Expressing or Receiving Love, Taking Enough Action in Things that give you purpose, Creativity, Getting Outdoors, Being Appreciated, Long-range Goals, Sweating (movement), Getting clear about routines and habits, and Service - all of these things can uplevel your genetic expression.

Tears are healing. I am so quickly moved to tears these days. Back in my teen years, I couldn't even force the tears. I was so defended. Life felt so heavy. Today I want to share the science behind the healing power of crying.

The power of forgiveness can have remarkable effects on our well-being. Holding onto resentment, anger, and resentment only serves to cause us more harm. When we choose forgiveness over holding a grudge, it is like unblocking ourselves from the pain that had been weighing us down. Not only do we free ourselves from suffering, but forgiveness also allows us to trust again, to move on, and to open up our hearts to love. Resentment can be a hard feeling to shake off but forgiveness brings us the peace of mind we need for a healthy life. Choose forgiveness, choose inner peace, and trust that you will find your way back home.

This is for all of us who can use a bit more resilience. Here are three practices to help you learn, adapt, and grow. It's all about Character, Contribution, and Connection.

I'm really excited about this research out of UCLA dedicated to spirituality and the positive effects that spiritual practices have in our lives.

Abraham Maslow said, “A musician must make music, an artist must paint, a poet must write, if he is to be ultimately at peace with himself. What a man can be, he must be. This need we may call self-actualization. . . . "

Today I want to talk about getting vulnerable, going all in, and risking love, risking being hurt. When we cultivate love, we allow the deepest of our souls to be seen. Nurture and grow love between all beings.

Presence is about being in the here and now, embracing our wholeness and presence in this world. Mindfulness can help us to focus on the present moment and break free from past pains that may still be holding us back. Through presence, we can recognize that we are enough as we are right now in this very moment - no matter what we have been told or feel sometimes. We can tap into the power of our true selves and shine with love, acceptance, and grace. By embracing presence and recognizing self-love, we open up a beautiful world of infinite possibilities.

When we give ourselves permission for self-discipline, we can lean into the appointments we set with ourselves, like prioritizing self-care and following through. Be a witness to loving yourself with self-discipline and self-care. 

Ikigai encourages us to lean into the meaning of our lives by connecting our values, needs, aspirations, and skills so that we can find purposeful work.  It is through this understanding that we can discover our own ikigai and create an impact on the world that is bigger than ourselves. 

Just like you..... I feel so many emotions that call into question my commitment to myself and my belongingness. Allow this community to help you to heal. Reclaim and own your story. I am so grateful for the time we have together. 

Smiling is an incredible tool we all possess and can be a powerful act to positively affect our moods, health and relationships. Unleash your smile today and see how it will change your life for the better! Studies have shown that smiling not only has psychological benefits, but physiological benefits as well. Smiling triggers oxytocin, a hormone associated with positive emotions and stress-relief, which in turn can lead to improved longevity. By starting each day with a smile, you can take advantage of oxytocin's protective effects and increase your overall well-being.

I've been studying happiness for decades now, but a recent feature on one of my favorite weekend shows, CBS Sunday Morning, featured Robert Waldinger, a true expert on happiness. You can catch his Ted Talk here which has garnered over 23 million views: https://youtu.be/8KkKuTCFvzI Happiness doesn't come from making a lot of money, having a perfect physique, the coolest car or largest home. True happiness comes from developing and maintaining meaningful human relationships. Write down the name of one or two people that you could call at 2am or anytime for any reason. Give thanks for that person or those persons every day. They are your key to happiness.

Arambhashura, "A Hero at the Beginning," in other words, this is about being energetic or bold only at the outset. The average person who sets an intention for the New Year has lost his/her/their way by February 2. We have an opportunity to change this statistic.

More than 75% of our aging is influenced by lifestyle. Telomeres, the caps of our DNA, may hold the key. Longer telomere length is linked to longer life and greater life expectancy. I'll share how to help lengthen and strengthen telomeres and live a life of purpose and fulfillment.

Today's message is inspired by the stoic philosopher, Seneca. Pretend today is the end of your life. Postpone nothing. Let us live whole today. Wake up. There's work to do.

What is the vision you are holding for yourself? Do you know how to set your intention in action and make manifest the principles that help you realize your goals? Write down your goals and intentions every single day - there's a place to begin.