The Change Agents Podcast With Dr. James Rouse

Use perfect words that do not hurt. Create more harmony with your words. Let's coexist better together. Abstain from rude and abusive language. Avoid participating in gossip.

Seneca, the Stoic philosopher, reminds us to set out wholeheartedly to welcome each day and make it our own. We must seize what flees. Do not get left behind. Take advantage of waking with the sun. Take time to expand your knowledge and your limiting beliefs.

Positive relationships are directly related to life satisfaction and disease prevention. Microinteractions, whether in the form of eye contact or an authentic smile, can elicit positivity and create a ripple effect throughout communities and beyond.

We've discussed this topic several times before, but I want to talk about why today is the perfect time to lean into some kind of experience that makes us go all in. When you know there is science behind an action, it gives you more confidence. See yourself through the loneliness.

How do you show up every day and serve? Stoic philosophy asks us to get really clear about what stands in the way of our purpose? Get really clear about our integrity. Move forward asking yourself, "How did I live as a good person today? How can I be a better human?"

There is an epidemic going around involving the Default Mode Network. This is where we begin and go through our days on automatic pilot. Rather, do one thing that you are fully present for that motivates you intrinsically. Begin your day with that. Begin your day with purpose and intention.

Kindness is the vehicle to progress. When you work on bringing more light and love into the world, you make progress in every area of your life. Take the focus off your ego and place it on others. Listen more. Practice radical self-care and loving-kindness towards yourself.

Without a doubt, the world is experiencing tough times and it's certainly challenging the mental health of many individuals and large communities - frankly, it's a tough time on the planet right now. I am sharing a few practices that help keep me sane, balanced, and prevent me from going dark.

Dedicate yourself to the practice of a brisk morning walk. Aging is an attitude AND a cellular process that we can disrupt with specific actions that we take. Let's see how we can optimize cellular aging to conspire for our best lives.

Fully open and allow yourself to get fully invested in your purpose. Look within and follow your truth. Honor your soul's knowing and your heart's calling. Self-awareness, self-examination, self-determination - let them guide your way.

Doing the deep work of self-love and self-compassion is well worth the effort and intention. Our hearts are healthier, we live longer ... all under the influence of love of self. Love yourself right where you are and grow yourself into who you want to be. Lower stress and anxiety.

How do you bring forward your return on intention? What about your return on ingestion? Let food be your medicine. Let food be your intention. Allow food to serve you and give you an opportunity to be your very best self. 

The majority of us have noticed that we are either near to breaking or our mental health is more challenged than ever. We've been stretched thin. Here are 5 things that you can do to help rededicate your life to intentional well-being.

Here are three things that are going to help you build energy all day long and help you live a longer, healthy life. It basically comes down to food, movement, and....napping. Lose the sugar. Sugar depletes energy. Eat nuts and seeds. Take a great nap daily. Don't skimp on the workouts. Encourage lean muscle.

Give yourself permission to show up for the micro-moments in life. Purpose and meaning are critical for living a full and happy life. Purpose is our ability to discern and understand who we really are. What brings you that giddy sense of aliveness? Go do that. Be that.

We are a purpose-driven community. You are working at something the fate has called you to. You are alive to the dress that you serve. There is nothing more powerful than purpose. Bring your sacred sauce to the world.

There is a hyper-reactivity to everything that is going on around us. Today I am going to share a 4-minute solution to prevent that less than awesome reaction to common triggers. 

The United Nations recently (however prior to the tragedy in Ukraine) released their latest happiest countries results and the U.S. actually increased its overall happiness rating. Helping others and the kindness of strangers are the contributing factors that lead to the increase.

Now is not the time to go dark - even though it feels like the world is very dark. Gratitude is an essential tool that will give us hope. Gratitude will help us build resilience. It will help our hearts to stay open, decrease inflammation and decrease physical and emotional pain.

I want you to find and express your smile. Maybe you are rediscovering your smile - post hiding under a mask. When we smile, we stimulate our immune system. When we smile, we release endogenous opioids - helping to decrease physical and emotional pain. So many reasons to smile.