The Change Agents Podcast With Dr. James Rouse

Amori fati = Love of Fate.  Fate comes our way whether we want it or not. We get a chance to forecast what comes to our life. Much of our life is predictable. What are you willing to curate in your life that allows you to love what you have? Decorate your life with real friends, not deal friends. 

This is all about the intensity of exercise in relation to life extension. Two minutes of vigorous (intense) exercise, equivalent to just 15 minutes per week can cut overall mortality risk by up to 40%. Raise your vigor, your light, and your vibrancy with high-intensity training!

Nostalgia, music, connection, and memory help us stay connected to what brings us joy, peace, and love. Transmit a sense of love, connection, building bridges, and positive energy simply by surrounding yourself with images of those you love and connecting to a shared song.

What is the most powerful way to stay motivated? Motivation comes from within - from ourselves for ourselves. Studying the brain and what lights up during motivation revealed that by feeling good about ourselves, we step up and take better care of ourselves.

There are so many different hormones and neurochemicals that are released when we listen to sad songs that are deeply personal to us. Emotional resilience is fortified and a deeper level of intimacy can be formed with a loved one.  They open the channels that allow grieving to come.

Aristotle coined the term, Eudaimonia, which means full alignment with one's deepest values. Show up with conviction and live your deepest values. Eudaimonia helps us mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.

Are you choosing drama or your dreams? Discipline is the channel to freedom. The more we lean into what we love, the more we give ourselves the freedom to choose a life we love. Choose a path of dharma.

This is all about leaving the space that is comfortable and moving into the space that is true. Don't be afraid to stand for principles and experiences that are yours to fulfill. We have the role of modeling permission and standing in our truth. 

Who do I want to be in the end? That all depends on how I choose to live today. I want to be fully awake, fully present, unafraid. We're not heroes at the beginning. We are heroes at the end of life - because we were present to what truly matters each day. Stay awake. Be present for life, for those you love. 

Einstein said, "The measure of intelligence is the ability to change." No change means no growth. Make sure human interactions are the fulcrum of all that you do. Allow your genius and eccentricity to shine.

There is a subtle sadness when we find ourselves playing a role that we no longer are. Epictetus encourages us to examine and uphold the standard we set for ourselves. Are your actions consistent with your dreams and desires? Love yourself into your highest potential.

Self-love is at the root of social activism. When we love ourselves, we naturally want to extend that love to others. We see the interconnectedness of all beings and we feel called to protect and defend those who are vulnerable. We become the change we want to see in the world. We show up. We can't help but want to be a part of the solution. Let's be better at being good humans. The world needs us now, more than ever.

Mayo Clinic experts say that gratitude may be one of the most important factors in achieving optimalism. Expressing gratitude has been linked with better physical health, improved psychological well-being, and increased resilience in the face of stress.

It is time to get out of our own way. Remember how much power you have to change your mind, your body, and the world around you through your living example of gratitude and thankfulness. When we do this, our hearts respond immediately. Blood pressure drops, oxytocin increases, and endorphins flow. Our bodies become calmer and our minds more clear. From this space of peace, we can make better decisions for ourselves and the world around us.

We all have those days where we feel like we can't get out of bed, let alone face the day. We're tired, cranky, and just overall burned out. It's easy to see kindness as a waste of time in these moments, but new research is showing that even small acts of kindness can make a big difference.

Whether we're facing economic uncertainty, geopolitical turmoil, or any sort of adversity, keeping love alive during times like these can feel like an uphill battle. At the same time, though, there are certain things we can do to build oxytocin levels and strengthen our relationship with those we care about. One key is to cultivate a spirit of trust and empathy. By being unconditionally accepting of one another and considering each other's points of view even when we disagree, we can help build feelings of intimacy and connection. Another important step is to show compassion towards each other in difficult moments. Whether it's through warm words or supportive actions, practicing compassion can go a long way in helping us weather tough times together. And finally, perhaps most importantly, it is crucial that we make time for each other amid the chaos of everyday life. Whether this means setting aside dedicated "quality time" for one another every week or simply carving out quiet spaces for talking and listeni

We often find ourselves spinning our wheels, getting nowhere. If we want to change the things in our lives that are within our control, we must first take an honest inventory of what those things are. This is the first step in making any lasting change.

Kindness is a source of strength. It can help us overcome difficult times and challenges. When we are kind to others, we are also being kind to ourselves. Being kind has a host of benefits that are supported by science. When we are kind, our brain releases oxytocin, which is sometimes called the "love hormone." Oxytocin has been linked with lower blood pressure, reduced stress levels, and increased feelings of happiness and well-being. What's more, oxytocin has been shown to boost immunity and even help to slow the aging process. And it's not just our own health that benefits from acts of kindness. Kindness also fosters trust and cooperation, which are essential for any successful relationship.

A type of Buddhist meditation, Metta meditation is based on Pali. "Metta" in Pali means good energy and compassion for others. The practice is also known as loving-kindness meditation. Living-kindness meditation may actually help lengthen our telomeres. Telomeres are the caps on our chromosomes that protect our DNA from deterioration. A study published in Frontiers in Psychology found that people who regularly practiced metta meditation had longer telomeres than those who didn't meditate at all. Metta meditation has also been shown to increase levels of oxytocin, the so-called "love hormone" that plays a role in social bonding, trust, and attachment. Metta meditation is a practice that can be done anywhere, anytime. All you need is a comfortable place to sit or lie down. You can close your eyes if you like, but it's not necessary.

So many of us have worked on things in our life that we needed to keep to ourselves until it was ready. Maybe we were worried that people wouldn't understand, or maybe we thought they would judge us. But the truth is, when we keep our work to ourselves, we're not giving people the chance to help us improve it.