The Change Agents Podcast With Dr. James Rouse

Give yourself permission to have courage and discipline. Cut away all that does not matter. Give yourself to what has meaning. Demonstrate in dharma (purpose/truth), not drama.

Today's message comes from Martin Seligman, and it's about the power of self-efficacy. This simply means, doing what you said you would do, and being present while you do it. It's about following through and making good on your good intentions.

The world could be so good if we just loved one another. This is the great work of all of our lives. Broadcast hope, love, and moderate, delusional optimism. Do not acquiesce to the present state of average. You are not alone. 

We need to dispel the myth that empathy is walking in someone else's shoes. Compassion is fueled by understanding. No one is immune to pain and suffering. Returning to self allows us to see others and respond with compassion and empathy.

Meaning is one of the most important things we can bring into our lives. Cognition, resilience, mental health, finances (just to name a few) - all improve under the influence of meaning. Give yourself permission to be deliberate and predictable with your life meaning.

What areas of your life have you worked on creating change and transformation? What were or are you no longer willing to postpone? As you look at your life today, is there something our community can affirm and hold for you? You deserve a life that you love.

We have an opportunity to re-assess how we want to show up fresh, with greater vision, forgiveness, and a chance to reassess relationships. Consider your relationship with yourself. Lean into worthiness, compassion, self-love, and not holding back.

What does it mean to be spiritual? Anything that brings you closer to your peace, your truth. And when you are living your truth, you have a greater likelihood of expressing love, purpose, vulnerability. Living in a state of human flourishing or eudaimonia is one way we lean into our spirituality.

Give to others with no expectation in return. When we are sharing openly and encouraging openly, our oxytocin levels go up. And with that our levels of trust, inclusion, and acceptance go up. Couldn't we all use a little more of all of these?

Did you know resentment, grudge-holding, and regret increase our risk for heart disease? They decrease the functionality of our immune system. These feelings increase our risk for anxiety and depression. They will shorten our lifespan. The treatment? Forgiveness. Empathy. Love.

Today's message is all about your personal credo, your personal philosophy. You have so much greatness inside of you. You are a great soul. Be like an onion, with layers and layers of greatness, waiting to be peeled back and discovered. 

True belonging is the practice of belonging to yourself and to others. This is about being a part of something bigger than yourself in community, and also being able to stand by yourself. Love, belonging, and community are needs of all people. In their absence, we will suffer. 

Are you putting your highest good out into the world? It comes down to decision-making. Pay attention to how you make others feel in your presence. Step back and be THAT courageous, that kind, that loving. Be seen, be open, be vulnerable. 

Yes, today I am talking about sex, and more specifically, easy things to do that may help stimulate our libido. These will be food-based strategies, but as I'm sure you know, much of sensuality and sexuality have to do with health and vitality, so we need to keep that in mind.

Look around your life and notice what's possible. Is what you are presently experiencing an expression of all that you desire? Are you settling for mediocrity? Unrealized potential is a calling to something uncomfortable and leaning into the next evolution of ourselves.

Every morning when you wake up, put yourself in a place of reverence. Open up and receive the blessing of nature. Move into the power of awe that allows us to exhale.

The human soul wants to be seen and heard. As an empath, it is natural to be compassionate. When we see someone hurting we want to go in and "fix" them. Today, let's consider being a simple witness, to yourself and others.

Emotional rawness is really coming up for me these days. I am more easily brought to tears. And under the influence of tears, there is great good happening beneath the surface. Emotional detoxification, cleansing, and releasing of stress are just the beginning.

What are you here for? What gets you up in the morning? This is all about getting caught up in the stuff of love. Re-engage with the sacredness of life. Do not let go of the high watch.

“For there to be art, for there to be any aesthetic doing and seeing, one physiological precondition is indispensable: Rausch. Rausch must first have enhanced the excitability of the whole machine: else there is no art.” (Twilight of the Idols, Nietzsche)