Written by: Aimmee Odom, Executive Contributor Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise. We are usually on autopilot during the day. And as we are unconsciously moving through life, we have these phrases that do not serve us and need to be kicked to the curb. They don’t help us causes these phrases will keep us small. They also do not allow us to grow. Are you curious about what they are? Here are phrases to kick to the curb! Before we get into these unfriendly phrases, let’s dive into what we want. I have three great questions to ask yourself: What do I want out of life? How do I want to show up in the world? What do you want to accomplish? We all need to ask ourselves these repeatedly because, my beautiful friend, we are consistently changing and evolving. This 1st phrase I am about to share with you is so wildly used that you will be shocked cause I know you say it too! This uneventful phrase is “I have to.” Ring a bell? I hear people say this phrase every day! I have to go to work; I have to pick up my kids; I have to clean my house. Get my drift? We must get clear on what we want. When we have clarity, we decide on our outcome. It will no longer be ‘I have to’; instead, it will be ‘I choose to’ or ‘I get to.’ When you say I have to cook or do laundry, it puts your power outside of yourself. When you take back your control and state, ‘I choose to cook dinner tonight,’ you are setting yourself up for success. You are now standing in your power and taking control of want you want. No longer will you be the back seat driver but the one steering the car. Another phrase to kick to the curb is ‘I should.’ When you say, ‘I should, it’s implying that you are supposed to be doing the ‘thing’ you are judging yourself on. For example, have you ever said I should eat better, go to the gym, stop watching TV at night? Again, this phrase signals that you are judging yourself, that you are not enough. So, instead of should-ing all over yourself, change it for ‘I must’ or ‘I can!’ These changes, although small, will make a massive impact on your life. Think of it this way, when you say I have to, doesn’t that feel like an obligation? Even a duty? Or even worse, the baggage of helplessness? Try out these new phrases: I choose to, I get to, I must, I can! Take a spin are the park and chant these empowering phrases. I know you will feel an energetic difference in the way you think because you are changing the energy of the words you speak! So cool, right? Now, It will not happen overnight. You have to be consciously aware of the words you speak. If you slip, that’s okay. Have patience and keep the faith. I have been training myself for a couple of weeks to ditch the phrase, “I don’t know.” The crazy thing is I DO KNOW! When my mind has not articulated what I wanted to say, I have this terrible habit of saying, “I don’t know.” Unfortunately, this has been stumping my growth. So, now that I am aware of it, I am training myself to say, “I’ll get back to you.” Sounds and feels better energetically, right? I invite you to take charge of what you want and energetically align yourself with the words you speak. I am a firm believer that the words we speak create the story of our lives. Mic drop! Until next time laugh, love, and be uniquely you! Want more info? Follow Aimmee on her Facebook, Instagram, and Youtube Channel. You can also visit her website to get in touch. Read more from Aimmee! Aimmee Odom, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Aimmee Odom is on a mission to inspire people to tap into their own uniqueness. To live life to the fullest, we need to look within. After many hardships of life, including weight loss, divorce, and learning disabilities, Aimmee has unlocked the key to fulfillment! Her teachings are a pyramid of change through body, mind, and spirit. This change pyramid will ignite your personal power, get clear on who you want to be, and learn how to listen to that little voice we call intuition. The most powerful key of all is LOVE. Love is the key to enlightenment, joy, and The Uniqueness of You!

Written by: Dr. Denise L. Morrison, Executive Contributor Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise. Yep, you read that right... I have a shameful secret. I am a Certified Life Coach, etc. AND I struggle too. I have been working on overcoming my struggles for my whole life. And, because of those struggles, I have become resilient, determined, and dedicated to helping others overcome their struggles too. My life isn't "perfect" by any definition...or according to what Facebook or Instagram, TV or society says. I didn't have a loving, supportive childhood. I was physically and emotionally abused. I can now celebrate that I am a former perfectionist, binge eater and orthorexic. I am thankful for my struggles as they helped me become the woman, I am today. The most awesome part is that I am no longer ashamed of myself. Once, I had a co-worker say to me, "So if you're a Life Coach, aren't you supposed to have your shit together?" ​ I burst out laughing and told her, "No, being a Life Coach doesn't mean I've reached an enlightened state of being floating around perfectly perfect." Her eyes opened wide, and then I said, "I am a guide, a trusted advisor and helper to those who are ready to put in the time, effort and money to stop struggling." ​ Why am I telling you this? Just because I have certain qualifications and letters after my name, that does not mean I've got it all figured out. ​ Nor am I unaffected by life's ups and downs and I most certainly experience the gamut of human emotions. ​ I am real, I hurt, I cry and scream, and I am vulnerable too! The difference is: now I embrace it!! ​ Once I realized that my secrets were affecting my joy, happiness, health, and peace, I did something about it. I got help. Now, this is where you come in... If you feel that any of the following statements sound like you, I would love to offer you a deep coaching session. ​ I binge eat to numb out, feel better, release stress or shut off my feelings. I overwork, over-shop, over-spend, overeat, over-commit, over-do things. I am my own worst critic, mean to myself or put myself down. I doubt myself and the way that I feel. I was abused/traumatized as a child. I learned self-abusive behaviors because that's what I saw at home. I had to grow up too fast. I had to be an adult at a young age and feel like I missed out on my childhood. I am always thinking too much, worried, or stuck when it comes to making decisions. I am forever looking into the future to the next thing to make me happy (you may say, "I'll be happy when I...) I neglect my self-care needs, put myself last or feel guilty doing what feels good for me. I do not trust how I feel or what my intuition is really saying to me because it's scary and I will have to make changes in my life. ​ Take some deep cleansing breaths if any of those statements triggered emotions in you xo. They were all very real statements for me for most of my life so I can feel how icky and painful they can be. I also want you to know that you are NOT alone, bad, broken, or wrong for having these thoughts and feelings. You are human, you are unique and your story matters. I would love to serve you in a powerful coaching call. Message me Denise Morrison Intuitively Unique Coaching to start the conversation with any thoughts or questions that have come up. ​ I would love to be able to listen to your story and support you in your life. Follow me on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, or visit my website for more info! Read more from Denise! Dr. Denise L. Morrison, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Denise Morrison is the CEO of Intuitively Unique Coaching, her Holistic Brand of Health/Life Coaching. She struggled for decades to overcome traumatic experiences from her own past. She compensated for her lack of confidence with degrees and professional success. She numbed her pain with addictive eating and self-abusive behaviors. And when she finally turned to the right teachers and coaches, she learned that change does not need to take decades. Change can actually be instantaneous. And change can be lasting. After working for many years in healthcare, Denise felt a pull and a passion for working with people on a deeper and more transformational level. Her academic mind was drawn to the evidence-based nutrition and exercise practices, but she was also compelled by the more mystical therapies emerging from neuroscience and quantum healing. Denise sought out the best training in health and wellness, life coaching, and Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) to have access to the most powerful tools to help others change their lives for the better.

Written by: Debbie Gill , Executive Contributor Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise. " What you think about, you bring about ." " Words are powerful; choose wise ones ." " Energy flows where attention goes ." We've all heard these affirmations, but do we believe them? Better yet, do we know they are true? Pause and assess where you are in life; do you have what you desire in all areas? If you are honest, the answer is no. And, if you're like most people, there's an imbalance in the pillars of your life. You may have more invested in your Health and Fitness than your Love and Relationships , or more in your Career , than your Personal and Spiritual Growth. So how do you manifest to balance these Pillars of Life? The first and most essential beginning to this, and any process, is to " clear the clutter " and ground yourself in the present moment. Your energy, or state of being, must emit positive vibrations if you desire positive outcomes, and it's vital to know what you want to manifest. The trouble is, most people know more of what they don't want than what they do want. And they wonder why they keep getting more of it! As a wordsmith, I know the power words have, and yet, I hear so many people use them in a negative light. How often do people respond to your " Thank you " with a " No, problem ?" They don't know they are sending me a problem and grounding it into their subconscious because the universe does not hear a negative. All it hears is " problem ." I tell them they can keep their problem; I don't want it. You may have a manifestation checklist, and you've checked all the boxes, but the words you use every day prevent your creations from coming to fruition. Think about that truth . Other words that may prevent the law of attraction from working in your life are: try, probably, blame, deserve, and entitled. Many years ago, I knew I had to reprogram my thinking, thereby changing my vocabulary. It was simple but not easy. Every time I said the word " try ," I snapped a rubber band on my wrist. Sooner, rather than later, I stopped using the word—my wrist was red and painful. When I chose positive words, I realized I was consciously choosing them. Many people are on autopilot even though they have a meditation practice, set their intentions, have positive affirmations, visualize, journal, and do everything you must do to manifest their desires. If you are doing what is necessary for the law of attraction to work in your life, but you're not receiving it, examine what words you use during your day. Do they empower or disempower you? You can even record them for the best purview. Start choosing empowering words to replace any that weigh you down, preventing you from manifesting your dreams as quickly as you desire. The heavier you weigh psychically, the longer you have to wait physically. So, remember, weight equals wait. Wouldn't NOW be a good time to start? Follow me on Facebo ok , Instagram , LinkedIn , or visit my website for more info! Read more from Debbie! Debbie Gill, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Debbie Gill is the founder of Go Within Spiritual Coaching and Go Within Yoga. She integrates her knowledge and experience as a spiritual coach and yoga teacher with the wisdom of Caroline Myss, a Medical Intuitive and five-time New York Times bestselling author, Anodea Judith, an expert on the Chakra System, somatic therapy, and yoga, and Lion Goodman, creator of the Clear Beliefs® Process. As a Certified Clear Beliefs® Coach, Debbie can assist you with clearing core beliefs that hold you back from becoming your true self and living your true purpose through the Clear Beliefs Process® (CBP). The CBP is a set of tools and techniques that frees you from past limitations so you can freely choose your beliefs and live an empowered and more fulfilling life. Debbie is the author of, Struck by Lightning: My Journey from the Shadow to the Light, where she chronicles her life’s struggles with her shadow aspects and addictions. The spiritual memoir reflects her emergence from the shadow caused by traumatic wounds to the light where truth brings awareness and healing. A grateful recovering alcoholic since June 6, 2000, she lives the 12-Steps of AA and practices its principles in her daily life, and continues her study at CMED with Myss and Judith, and Goodman.

Written by: Robin M. Wilson , Executive Contributor Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise. Who remembers the original television series and movie "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles?" Okay, I know I’m telling you my age. Still, like many of you, I had my favorite childhood superheroes, one of which was Leonardo. He was the ninja turtle in the blue bandanna. Why was he my favorite? He was courageous, cool, and calm all at the same time. Like him, many of us may remain calm in challenging situations. However, if you are honest, there are times when you are not courageous, cool, or calm. The same is true for our children: they need encouragement to be bold, too. Now, more than ever, our children need a healthy dose of courage. Whether it is your child's first time stepping foot into a classroom or they are returning to school, our children need our encouragement and support. With a new school year comes new teachers, peers, and new learning environments. For many parents and young scholars, it also comes with the added concern of COVID-19. As a kindergarten teacher, I am preparing to welcome young scholars into our classroom after Labor Day. While many schools have returned to in-person instruction across the United States, this will be the first time that many teachers and scholars will step foot into a classroom since the pandemic started. That means that there will be an adjustment period for parents, scholars, and teachers who will be face-to-face in the fall. So how can you support your child to ensure that they enter their classroom like superheroes? Here are three bold moves that you can make. Develop Healthy and Fun Routines: When you develop daily routines, it creates consistency for your child. Research has shown that healthy routines can support a child’s sense of safety. Therefore, consider starting your mornings with words of affirmation. You may also consider singing a favorite song with your child while you help them get ready for school. These types of routines can help set a positive tone and great expectations for their day. Furthermore, if you have younger children, give them opportunities to practice washing their hands and putting on their masks before leaving the house. Many school districts are requiring scholars and teachers to wear masks as a safety precaution. Therefore, if you give your children opportunities to practice these habits at home, they will be prepared to physically enter their classrooms. Many superheroes wear masks. So, it may be fun to tap into your child’s imagination and pretend to be superheroes who put on their masks to go out and conquer the world! A little mask action can be a bold move. Read Books that Empower: A great way to inspire courage in your child is to read books on the topic. Consider empowering your little ones with these courageous reads: 1. The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn A little raccoon does not want to part with his mama for its first day of school. Does that sound familiar to you? Maybe your little one is anxious about leaving your side. If that is the case, The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn is a precious gift. It is a good read that will remind your precious little one of your love for them. The story can also help them to understand that new experiences can be good. 2. A Little Spot of Courage by Diane Alber All you need is a spot of courage! This is what Spot discovers in his quest to be courageous like superheroes. If your child needs a little courage, they are bound to enjoy this story about finding courage even amid fearful situations. Young readers will explore what it means to be courageous and kind in the pages of A Little Spot of Courage by Diane Alber. They will also learn positive mindset mantras throughout the story that can help them make bold decisions in scary situations. 3. Brave as Can Be: A Book of Courage by Jo Witek Lions, tigers, and bears! Oh...my! Whether or not your child has a mountain of fears, Brave as Can Be: A Book of Courage by Jo Witek is a story about a young girl who uses singing and her imagination to overcome some of her fears. She reflects on the things that scared her when she was younger. Your young reader may find a little of themselves in the story’s main character. You may also decide to act out parts of the stories for young readers. This brings the stories to life. It also creates a safe space for your child to talk about their fears, gives you an opportunity to affirm your child’s thoughts and emotions, and to reassure them. Use Positive Talk: Have positive conversations with your child. Engage them in conversations about topics that interest them. What brings them joy? It can be something serious or silly. If it is something silly, laugh with them—laughter is good medicine for the heart. The topic that ‘floats their boat’ is bound to bring some level of calm. Therefore, if it’s calmness that you are striving for, focus on conversations that spark joy and hopefulness. Also, be intentional about your conversations. For example, if you talk to your child on your car ride home, turn off the radio and tune into what they are saying. Listening to their thoughts and the events of their day can provide emotional support. This is a great idea for older kids, too. If your child knows that you support them, they will be encouraged to live more boldly, especially in situations that call for it. In this often-crazy world, even if you don’t have a blue bandanna like Leonardo, it's possible to stand calm amid uncertainty. It's okay to have fears, but it’s how you work through your fears that makes you courageous. I am a brave kindergarten teacher, who is returning to the classroom with a courageous mindset. This year, I hope to inspire courage in my young scholars, too. We all need a little spot of courage. Follow me on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and visit my website for more info! Robin M. Wilson, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Robin M. Wilson is the founder and CEO of Robin Wilson Educational Consulting LLC, where she combines her research knowledge and professional experience to guide nonprofit organizations in developing effective strategies for serving youth, especially young girls and women. With more than 10 years of experience working on literacy initiatives and in the nonprofit sector, Robin has worked directly with people from various cultural and ethnic backgrounds locally and abroad. She has trained youth and adults to become leaders and responsible citizens. Robin is a compassionate leader with a passion for uplifting and inspiring young people to lead and thrive.

Written by: Belinda Motaze, Executive Contributor Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise. Health concerns such as diabetes and obesity are on the rise in children 1, especially since the COVID-19 pandemic, with recent studies 2 indicating that the incidence of type 2 diabetes in children has doubled through the pandemic. Two main ways to prevent obesity and diabetes are to look at the foods you feed your child and how active they are, but there are other things that impact weight. Some things that can impact a child’s health include environmental factors. This article looks at a type of chemical you may not have heard of before - obesogens. Read on to learn what they are, where they are found, what they can do to children and how to best protect your child. Obesity among children Obesity is a prevalent concern among adults and children alike. According to a 2012 journal article, almost 17%3 of children aged 2-19 in the United States were obese. The CDC says that obesity now affects 1 in 54 children in the United States. This number is getting higher every year. Obesity is linked to a number of health conditions such as heart disease, diabetes and even some types of cancer5. What are obesogens? But is it just diet and exercise that can tackle obesity, or is there maybe something you’re missing? Obesogens are a type of artificial chemical known as an endocrine disrupting chemical (EDC)6. This means that they can interfere with a person’s hormones7 and bodily functions, and can promote weight gain. They may do this by directly impacting the development (or storage) of fat cells in the body, leading to a higher number of fat cells accumulating. They can also impact appetite8 or a person’s metabolism.9 They have also been linked to type 2 diabetes, due to their impact on a person’s insulin resistance. Some of the chemicals that can do this include: Phytoestrogens - found in some foods, such as soybeans, lentils, and chickpeas. Bisphenol A (BPA) - these are used in plastics such as food and drink containers. Phthalates - an ingredient located in cosmetics, medicines, and even paint. Parabens - these preservatives can be found in food, hair care products, and medicine Where are obesogens found? Obesogens are found in the environment. They are in more places than you might think. They can be found in a lot of products that you may use in your day to day life, and potentially around your children, such as in some10: detergents flame retardants household cleaning products personal care products pesticides/herbicides plastics Children may come into contact with obesogens orally, via inhaling particles, or by having them absorbed through the skin, like in the case of hygiene products. Because children are more likely than adults to put things into their mouths, it is important to ensure that homes are as dust free as possible to prevent them from ingesting obesogens. How can they impact children? The people most susceptible to the negative effects of obesogens are fetuses and newborn babies. This is because this time is when they develop the mechanisms by which their bodies regulate and control their weight. For example, the process of energy homeostasis11. These processes are fully developed in adults but not yet in young children. Therefore, it is important to try to protect your child from the effects of obesogens where possible. Tips to lower the risk to your child Keeping away from obesogens entirely is pretty much impossible. However, there are many things that you can do to minimize the risk of obesogens affecting your child. Some ideas of what you can do include: Choose organic produce wherever possible - many herbicides and pesticides contain obesogens. Swap non-stick pans for cast iron or stainless steel ones. Never microwave plastics as this can cause the chemicals to leach into the food or drink inside the container. Choosing organic and natural cosmetics rather than those with additives that may include obesogens. Vacuum often using a HEPA (high-efficiency particulate air) filter to minimize the amount of air pollution that enters the home. Try to eat fewer canned foods, instead opting for frozen or fresh. Make sure to dust frequently to avoid a build-up of obesogens in the home. Use a damp cloth to do this as dry cloths may just disturb the dust into the air, where you and your child may breathe it in. Use glass or aluminum containers for your food and drinks, rather than plastics. Read the ingredients list on the packaging of the things you bring into your home, whether that be snacks or cleaning supplies. Obesogens don’t directly cause obesity, but many animal and epidemiological studies have found evidence to suggest that they may be linked to processes in the body that can cause weight gain. More research is needed to understand the effects of obesogens fully, but as the initial evidence suggests they can cause issues, it may be worth avoiding them where possible. Belinda Motaze is a certified health coach focused on working with children and their families to help them get started on a path to lifetime wellness. Rather than simply tackling the symptoms of illnesses, Belinda partners with families to ensure that they make changes that will last, and that address the root cause of any concerns they may have. For more information and to find out if the customizable signature program is the right fit for your child and family, book a complimentary discovery call 12 with Belinda today. Visit my website for more info! Belinda Motaze, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Belinda Motaze is a Certified Health Coach and an Environmental Health Coach focused on working with children and their families to help them get started on a path to lifetime wellness. Rather than simply tackling the symptoms of illnesses, Belinda partners with families to ensure that they make changes that will last, and that address the root cause of any concerns they may have. Besides work, Belinda loves enjoying time with her children and family who are also her biggest inspiration at work and in life. References: 1 https://www.annualreviews.org/doi/10.1146/annurev-pharmtox-010818-0213042 2 https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/953816? 3 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3279464/ 4 https://www.cdc.gov/obesity/childhood/index.html 5 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5819889/ 6 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2726844/ 7 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4851574/ 8 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5359373/ 9 https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/B9780123786128001967 10 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5359373/ 11 https://www.scielo.br/j/aem/a/qgMwg5m6HLpDSPDSfZrHXqQ/?format=html&lang=en 12 https://www.belindamotaze.com/schedule-consultation/

Written by: Susanne Venaas, Executive Contributor Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise. It’s very often that most of us are running in Survival Mode, rushing from one thing to another. The mind never stopping, and consistently projecting our worries about the past and the future. When we are in this state of Survival Mode, we are often in a state of Fight or Flight. When in this state, the brain cannot differentiate between an immediate physical threat, and a perceived threat. The brain drops into the sympathetic response system increasing our heart rate, blood pressure, pushing blood to the extremities, increasing our adrenaline, and increasing our cortisol or stress hormones. The body is getting ready to take action! This is great if there is a fire we need to evacuate from, but not so effective in dealing with the projected stress of an upcoming difficult conversation with our boss. Our job is to regulate our nervous system when we start feeling the sensations that may be associated with the Fight or Flight response. Some indicators may be shortness or tightness of breath, raised and tense shoulders, tightness or heaviness in the chest, and a pain or tightness in the pit of the stomach. When we regulate the nervous system we drop into the parasympathetic response system of the brain in turn decreasing the heart rate, decreasing blood pressure, decreasing stress hormones, and allowing blood to flow easily to all of the body systems such as digestive, reproductive, and respiratory. This is when we are in the optimal flow. My belief is that it is important to drop further into the body through four embodiment practices of breath, sound, intentional movement, and pleasure. Breathwork drops us immediately into the body. I work with clients from all walks and stages of life, and I believe that the majority of us are not great breathers. Most of us breathing to the sternum and never more fully or more intently. The simplest breathing technique I give to every single client is the following. Stand, sit or lay comfortably. Set a timer for 1-2 minutes and then close the eyes to draw the attention inwards. Placing the hands palm down onto the lower abdomen draw your inhalations in deeply through the nose, drawing the breath into the lower abdomen, feeling the abdomen expand like a balloon into the lower abdomen. On the exhalations, allow them to move out of the mouth while the lower abdomen softens towards the spine. Repeating with expansion on every inhalation and softening on every exhalation keeping the palms on the abdomen. The palms on the abdomen send an immediate and powerful cue to the brain that you are in fact safe and alive in the body. Continue until the timer stops. Sound is proven to reduce activity in the limbic system. Sound and sound vibrations are something that I incorporate into healing sessions all of the time. The sound vibrates at a different frequency to help shift the vibration within the body and achieve a greater state of peace and calm. Ways in which you can regulate your own nervous system through sound as an embodiment practice can be to hum, chant or sing. Humming and chanting sounds like ‘Om’ are said to resonate with the frequency of our Higher Self. Singing is something that we often quit doing as we get older, but the sound frequencies are both healing through vibration and bring a sense of joy, especially if it is a song with meaningful lyrics or memories for us. Intentional movement helps us to connect fully to our body. Now, I come from a background of growing up playing competitive sport, and an adulthood of training and pushing through my fitness. With this background it becomes easy to move because we know we ‘should’ move, but that doesn’t necessarily equate to intentional movement. Intentional movement happens when we are connected to the sensations within our body as we move. The feel of a rock shift under our feet during a mountain hike, the inhale/exhale paired to the pound of feet as they hit the pavement while running, the expansion of breath and feel of muscles during a connected yoga practice, the strain of the quads and glutes on the up and down of a heavy squat. My most favorite way to move and connect to my body is through dance. I throw on some amazing beats from my youth of the late 90s and early 2000s or something now that has a great beat, and shake it! Literally, I shake my butt, hips, thighs and body, feeling the rhythm of the music and allowing my body to be a physical instrument of it, moving it freely without judgment, restriction or hesitation. Bliss! Being in pleasure immediately drops us into our body. Often when the word pleasure is mentioned the mind immediately associates pleasure with sex. Yes, this can be so. Sex, with or without a partner allows us to connect fully to our body and an orgasm allows for a shift to the energetic state of our body. Sex however is not the only way to access pleasure. Pleasure comes from the ability to embrace, and be present to all our senses as they heighten our experiences. When we ‘turn on’ our senses we also become turned on noticing the sights on our morning commute, hearing the trilling laughter of children as we walk by the park, feeling the crisp autumn air on our skin, or smelling the heavenly scents from the bakery around the corner from us. Once we become more embodied, our senses heighten and we allow ourselves to drop into the pleasures that are available to us at any moment in time. Magic! My belief is that embodiment is the meditation that brings us fully present and connected to our bodies. Follow me on Facebook, Instagram and visit my website for more info! Susanne Venaas, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Susanne Venaas is an International Spiritual Coach based out of St. Albert, Alberta Canada. Susanne works both in-person and virtually connecting with her clients in their transformation and growth. She also supports learning via her online school, and her Rebel Soul Podcast to help them connect to their most authentic selves. Wellness to her is an integrative approach to body mind and spirit. Susanne has been featured in Yahoo News + Finance as one of the top 10 Spiritual Coaches to watch in 2021, as well as featured in CEO Medium as an expert in her field, and her Rebel Soul Podcast made Top 10 Spiritual Podcasts in Canada after it's first 6 weeks of going live in May 2021. Her passion is working with others to cultivate a deeply meaningful and connected life.

Written by: Sonia Ovenden, Executive Contributor Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise. When you reflect on the decisions you’ve made, what feelings come up? Do you lean towards success and relief? Or are you consumed by anxiety and confusion? What we often forget is that decisions are an everyday occurrence, though unless they are tough or huge, many go by unnoticed. And what’s even more compelling is that research shows that as humans we tend remember negative experiences better than positive ones. The truth is, we don’t get to choose to decide! In making, or seemingly not making a decision, that, in itself, is one. Think about it. We decide to brush our teeth in the morning, what to wear, or even whether to roll over and have a duvet day. Decisions are all around us and some will take little thought, and others appear so huge, we don’t know which way to turn. And, when a decision is almost too big to make, it stops us in our tracks. Consider for a moment; we cannot make a decision in the future. If we decide to start a diet next week or quit jobs when we have enough money in the bank it’s still not a decision or commitment. Without the firm decision being taken, it’s merely a consideration. Deciding is a fundamental step to create the results we would love in our lives. Many successful people believe that paring back on the number of decisions they consciously need to work on in any twenty-four hours, helps to free up time and energy to focus on the more important decisions. For example, Steve Jobs became synonymous with the black turtleneck, while you will only see Barack Obama in grey or blue suits. In creating routines and habits with the smaller decisions, they create space to focus elsewhere. That said, as we know, many decisions aren’t as straight forward. Martin Luther King once said, “You don’t have to see the whole staircase to take the first step.” And in deciding to take that first step we have begun the journey. Without a firm decision, no new path, or process, can commence. So, how do we know what’s the right decision for us? Some people want to know every step of the way before deciding. They want to know every finite detail as to how everything will work and more importantly that everything will work out fine. The KEY is that you make a firm decision for what you want BEFORE you will bring things into reality. All it takes is the willingness to decide. Initially, let’s notice what we know in the moments we consider making a decision. We all have an internal compass, some may call it “wisdom”, or “gut feel”, others may call it “intuition” but whatever label we want to give it, it is there in all of us. So, when we ask ourselves, “should I do xyz?” pay attention to your internal compass. Does it feel light or heavy? Does it feel contractive or expansive? Does it feel exciting? When we focus on these emotions, could fear be creeping in? Despite numerous people trying to eliminate fear from their lives, the reality is that fear is a natural reaction to certain conditions and will always be present to some degree. Fear of the unknown, of the lack of certainty, of change, and the list goes on. But in these moments, we have a choice … do we have fear, or does fear have us? For example, what happens if I sign up with a coach and I still don’t see the results I would love? Or what happens if this is a waste of money? When you decide for something it’s the first step to move forwards, without it you maintain the status quo. Choosing to grow through fear and take a decision will help accelerate the results in your life. So, when you’re in the process of deciding, the real question is, “Is the decision worthy of you?” You are going to invest your time and energy into something, and you’ll want to be sure it is worthy of you, so as part of deciding for something, you get to challenge it. Here are 3 questions to evaluate the decision to see if it’s the right one. 1. Does it excite you? When you think about this decision, does it make you feel brighter? Do you become happy when you think of taking this decision? If a decision makes you feel contracted or even neutral, it’s important to understand why. Without an element of excitement and desire the decision can weigh heavy on you. 2. Does it align with your core values? Is there any part of the decision that would conflict with your core values? Is it in alignment with what is most important to you? For example, doing something which takes you away from your family, although spending time with family is one of your core principles; or growing your business through social media, though you may want to be a private person. 3. Does it improve things? What would be better if I do this? What would it cost me if I don’t? Would I regret it, if I don’t do it? What will change if I choose not to do this? Really challenge yourself here. For example, how will you grow your business, if you decide not to use social media? How long will you stay doing what you’re doing without taking this decision? You want a YES to all three questions before you make your decision. If there’s a ‘no’ in there somewhere it’s okay! That only means you get to lean into the decision a little more, but not for too long. Ask more clarifying questions and seek answers. Do this until you can answer ‘yes’ to all three. When you decide either way, it releases a level of confidence in you recognising you’ve made a commitment. Until you take the decision, it is still just an idea. And know, when you make a decision, in the absence of knowing how it will all come together, you’ll experience results, often far greater than you imagined. Piet Hein’s poem is one of my favourites and sums up the power of our internal compass in decision making. Whenever you’re called on to make up your mind, And you’re hampered by not having any, The best way to solve the dilemma, you’ll find, Is simply by spinning a penny. No - not so that chance shall decide the affair, While you’re passively standing there moping, But the moment the penny is up in the air, You suddenly know what you’re hoping. Follow me on Facebook , Instagram , LinkedIn , and visit my website for more info! Sonia Ovenden, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Sonia Ovenden, is a Life Mastery Consultant, a Whole Healing Practitioner and a DreamBuilder® Coach who helps people design and manifest a life they truly love living. For over 25 years, Sonia has been studying and implementing transformational success principles, and as a sought-after trainer, author and certified life coach, Sonia’s masterminds, workshops and coaching programs help people breakthrough limitations and achieve greater results than they’ve known before. She is CEO and founder of Discover the Beauty of You LLC and has featured in Forbes, appeared on UK Radio and mentors’ others in their quest to become a coach. She has written her debut novel, and is a contributing author of the international best selling book, “She Did It! … And So Can You!” Sonia inspires and empowers all those that are drawn to her and her overarching mission is: Discover the Beauty of You, unlock your true potential, achieve outrageous success, and live a life you LOVE living!

Written by: Ana Angelique, Executive Contributor Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise. Have you ever felt completely overwhelmed with the list of tasks to complete or the things that are demanding your immediate attention? Have you ever felt so paralysed with your thoughts and emotions that you just can’t seem to think straight or function properly? Sometimes the pressures of life build up to the point where we’re unable to cope enough to take any action, and whilst there are activities that we can do to take our mind off it, such as going for a walk, exercising or playing sport, have you ever considered just writing it all down? Or at least writing down the most pressing and urgent items that are occupying your mind and the emotions that go with it. Not writing a to-do list but writing out all your thoughts. I’m talking about journaling. Journaling is a form of self-talk therapy and a means of slowing down your thoughts to allow the creation of some order amongst the chaos, so that you free up enough brain space to be able to think clearly and logically; And being able to process and deal with everything that’s going on around you, reduces the overwhelm to make it manageable again. It’s a way to allow yourself to really feel, experience and work through your emotions, as you write them down and try to describe them. This makes journaling a way to learn more about yourself through looking at your triggers, your reactions, and your default responses, and finding the repeating behaviour patterns. Of course, once you can find patterns and understand why they happen, you can choose to start working on changing or altering them. But I’m getting ahead of myself because most people don’t journal in the first place as it’s often viewed as something you do when you’re a child or teen… when you write down all your darkest, deepest thoughts, and something that, as you get older, you simply don’t have time for. But consider the amount of time you would already spend and the energy you use, by allowing your thoughts to race off into the sunset, creating all sorts of tangents and “what ifs” scenarios that can often have you worrying about nothing that’s actually likely to even happen. Journaling doesn’t have to involve a fancy book and pen, although I personally write in my journal with a calligraphy pen, but that’s only because it forces me to write slower, giving me more time to think through and compose my thoughts before I write them down. You can use whatever you have on hand – just try and use the same notebook every time you do decide to write. You don’t have to write in it regularly either. You can choose to write only when things are a little too much to contain, whether that be positive or negative. It’s also not necessary to schedule in time for it every day, unless you find it therapeutic and beneficial for you after you’ve been doing it for a while. For now, just need to start with one entry. Completely spontaneous. Allow yourself around 10 minutes to just write and don’t worry about how you structure your sentences because this exercise is about writing for your mental wellbeing. The aim is to give yourself the time and space to process your emotions and thoughts. Below are a few journaling tips to get you started: Write out all the thoughts floating around in your head, in no particular order. We’re not aiming for perfection here – it’s just about getting it out of our head and into a written format. Stick to the thoughts that are most predominant. This can be in bullet point or full sentences – whatever works best for you. Next, be as detailed as you can about your emotions – what you’re feeling and any physical reactions. Doing this gives you the time and space to experience the emotion and work through it. Don’t judge yourself or try reasoning about your emotions. Just allow the emotions to flow through you so that they can pass. Now write the reason or trigger that you think has caused these thoughts to occupy so much of your current thinking. This is good for going back later to see if there are any patterns that you need to break or triggers that you need to be aware of. Go back to writing about your emotions until they’re all written, then write down any thoughts you have about steps you can take to regain control of the situation. Since you’ve acknowledged your feelings and worked through the bulk of it, you’ve freed up space in your head to think clearly again. Accept and acknowledge that you can’t control everything and that it’s okay if you don’t have an answer to what you’ve just written about. Sometimes it’s simply about learning more about yourself, which is a good thing. Keep your journal private to enable you to write freely and honestly. This is for you to manage what’s going on within you, and not for anyone else to judge, critique or form an opinion about. Once your journal entry is finished, close the book and allow yourself to let go of everything you’ve just written. This enables you to move on to the next thing. Repeat these steps each time you feel like there’s too much going on in your head. I guarantee it’ll make you feel better. Follow Ana on Facebook, Instagram, Linkedin or visit my website for more info! Ana Angelique, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine After overcoming some major life challenges on her own, Ana Angelique believes that others shouldn’t have to struggle in silence; Life is complex enough, but it is also beautiful, and it should be enjoyed. As a wellbeing life coach and mentor, Ana’s positive approach to life, her captivating and addictive energy, and her creative thinking, enable her to empower her clients to take charge of their future and regain control. She has an insider’s perspective - one that’s been gained from an international corporate background, that enables her to relate to and understand, the real challenges faced by people every day. Thought-provoking, persuasive, and inspirational, Ana has natural teaching abilities and is known for her unique perspective on situations.

Written by: Dawn Kennedy, Executive Contributor Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise. July was pretty stressful inside my business, Convoy Road Coffee Roasters. First, the foil-lined 3-ounce bags were out of stock. Then two varieties of coffee from my supplier were out of stock. FedEx lost a 135-pound bag of coffee from Zambia. I had a problem with my commercial roaster lease: I was charged for insurance even though I had already sent them my own insurance binder and they didn’t take a payment on time, so there was a late fee, too. There were a few other things. To be honest, a few years ago, I would have completely melted down in tears, screaming, “Why me?” and complaining about how hard it is to be in business. And to be honest, sometimes it is hard to be in business. I WAS frustrated, really frustrated. I’m typically fine if one thing happens at a time, but these were going on in rapid succession. It didn’t feel fair. But this time, I didn’t melt down. Over the last two years, I have done a ton of mindset work. The best definition I’ve found for mindset is from the website Very Well Mind: “ Your mindset is a set of beliefs that shape how you make sense of the world and yourself. It influences how you think, feel, and behave in any given situation.” The mindset work I have focused on has been around positive perspective shifts, money beliefs, success and abundance. Gratitude is another big component of mindset work. What it isn’t is only thinking positive or never having problems or “high vibes only.” It’s about your response to the things that happen in life and the universe. Learning to respond, and not to react to situations is definitely a work in progress. Defaulting to being in gratitude when things don’t look like they are working is also something I have to practice. A lot. But I have taken steps to change my perspective and have a three-step process I use now in my business to deal with any unexpected event so we stay the course and hold the vision. Because it is the ability to hold the vision when it feels like everything is falling apart that makes you a strong leader and entrepreneur. 1. Step One: What can you control? I immediately started sourcing other suppliers for the 3-ounce bags. I found an alternate; hopefully, it is temporary because I don’t like them as much, but I can keep filling orders. In the future, as we continue to grow, I will source the bags from a different supplier. For us, it is a question of volume, and we have to grow enough now to justify the bigger quantity orders. I’m getting a refund for the lost coffee. I am in control of talking to FedEx and the shipper with respect from a place of the highest respect. We all have jobs to do. What I say to my husband, or under my breath before my third cup of coffee, NEVER has to be said to the customer service people. Taking radical responsibility for your response and holding everyone in the utmost respect are two things that you can control. You may not be able to do much else, but start here. No matter the situation you are in, focus on where you can be in control, and where you can keep the high ground and maintain the ultimate respect in the process. The response you will receive in return is life changing. Your shift will help the problems get solved quickly, and people will be happy to help you solve them. 2. Step Two: What is the worst that can happen? I’m naturally one to catastrophize when things are going wrong. I had a pretty bad habit of thinking about the worst things that were going to happen, and how awful everything was going to be. How we’d never recover, and how we’d lose it all. In reality, thinking realistically about the absolute worst that can happen in the situation can be very calming and give you a perspective shift. When I started thinking about it, I thought the roaster lease issue might end up with some additional fees to resolve. That was the worst. I wasn’t going to lose the equipment or the business. The roaster lease issue ended up costing me an additional $60.00 this month. I was pretty pissed at myself, at them, at the annoyance of it all - but in the greater scheme of things, $60.00 is not worth losing my mind over. My two coffee origins from my one supplier are still not back in stock as of this writing. The worst that happens is that I run out, temporarily, and cannot give my customers the coffee they want. I’m still annoyed about it, but going back to Step One, I can’t do anything about it. As soon as it is back in stock, I will immediately put in an order. And probably a bigger one than before so I can keep it in stock. 3. Step Three: How do you need to adjust? Now, for the other type A’s reading this (I see you), you may struggle a bit with the things that are out of your control but are affecting your business. Like a client who pays late. Or when an ad is rejected by a certain social media platform. Or when a 135-pound bag of curated cold brew green coffee beans from Zambia doesn’t make it to you after you told a few customers it was going to be a summer offering. All three of these examples are real events, that happened all within 5 days, and would have set me off before my mindset work. Truth is, you need to have the ability to adjust your life and business as necessary to respond to the situation with grace, respect, and gratitude. You don’t have to like it. I told you, mindset work isn’t about always thinking positively. It’s about choosing to respond in the way that will serve you and your interests. Instead of anger or frustration that stays with me through the rest of the day, I’m learning to respond with curiosity, a willingness to find the lesson, and then gratitude. It’s a work in progress, but I am able to “bounce back” much quicker to optimism and a positive outlook in day-to-day management of my businesses. One final key for managing the inevitable business frustrations is to know they are going to happen. Sometimes in frequent succession. You can choose how you want to handle them. I’m not saying you can’t have a moment of meltdown or disappointment; sometimes those are absolutely reasonable responses, but don’t stay there. See Step One. Follow me on Fac ebook , Instagram , and visit my website for more info! Read more from Dawn! Dawn Kennedy, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Dawn Kennedy is an attorney, business consultant and mentor, author, and CEO of Convoy Road Coffee Roasters. She has an extensive background in program management and strategic planning, working for the U.S. Army and for companies in both government and private sectors. Dawn began business consulting in 2011 and, since 2017, has focused on small business growth and profitability. She works in a variety of industries, including attorneys, coaches, spas, restaurants, retail boutiques, and e-commerce businesses. She is the CEO of Convoy Road Coffee Roasters, a company she started with her husband in January of 2021 and has grown over 3500% by the end of July. Dawn is the author of "The Profit Accelerator for Small Business" and hosts the Profit Accelerator podcast. She believes above all else that all entrepreneurs have a unique gift to bring to the world, and they should be profitable doing it.

Written by: Joanne Angel Barry Colon, Executive Contributor Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise. What’s in store for you as we move into September? To start off, since April 27, 2021 when Pluto, the planet of destruction, transformation, death, completion and endings went retrograde, many have experienced life altering challenges related to career, health, relationships, self and more. These challenges continue to unfold as four other planets joined Pluto in Retrograde (Saturn, Jupiter, Neptune, Chiron). Each of these planets in Retrograde are helping us to shred a layer of ourselves that no longer serve our higher self. On Aug. 19, 2021, Uranus is the seventh planet to go Retrograde. Uranus is the planet of the “Awakening”, which I refer to as the planet of “the midlife crisis” and depending on what zodiac sign and house Uranus is in on your natal chart will determine “how” you may experience your “awakening” or shall we say, “midlife crisis”. According to Numerology every number has a meaning, vibration and carries a frequency. Let’s take a look at September, which is the 9th month of the year, the number nine carries the meaning, vibration and frequency of completion, letting go, declutter, endings, evolving and transformation. In Numerology each calendar year is reduced to a single-digit number, which carries a unique vibration and its called Universal Year Number. Everyone feels this unique vibration throughout the entire year beginning in January and ending in December, whether you’re conscious of it or not. To get the current Universal Year Number, just calculate all the numbers until you arrive at a single-digit number. The only number that does not get added to a single digit is the number 11, which is known as a Master Number. To get the Universal Year Number, add up all the numbers of the current year 2021 (2+0+2+1 = 5) 2021 adds up to a 5 Universal Year Number What does the 5 Universal Year Mean? The number 5 holds a vibration and frequency of change, freedom, adventure, fun, courage and unpredictability According to Numerology, September 2021, is 5 Universal Month, 9+2+0+2+1= 14 (1+4 = 5). Now both the Universal Year Number and the Universal Month carry the vibration and frequency of 5. As an intuitive Healer and Cosmic Energy Reader, this tells me that most of us will experience a Spiritual Awakening. According to Numerology, every letter in the alphabet is associated with a number from 1 to 9, the letters from the month of September adds up to 4, which means new foundation, balance, stability, and patience. S E P T E M B E R: 40 (4) 1 5 7 2 5 4 2 5 9 September is the ninth month and carries the vibration and frequency to help us declutter, let go, complete projects, end and walk away from jobs, relationships, places and people and experience an evolution and transformation as we build a new foundation that will help us create balance and stability in your life. Everyone experiences a Personal Energy Year Number, this number represents the theme for the current year and what you may experience, learn and heal about yourself in that current year (2021). This number changes every year, just like the Universal Year Number. How to find your Personal Energy Year Number? Take your month that you’re born in and the date you were born on and add to the current year. For example: March 4, 2021: 3+4+2+0+2+1 = 12 (1+2= 3), the number three carries the vibration and frequency of communication, listen, teach, learn, express, truth and creativity. Below are the meanings to numbers 1 to 9, 11 and 22 1 – New Beginnings, New Opportunities, New Possibilities, Independence, Leadership 2 – Partnerships, Relationships, Contracts, Marriage 3 – Communication, Creator, Teacher, Student, Listen, Truth, Creativity 4 – Building New Foundations, Balance, Stability, Hard Worker 5 – Change, Freedom, Unpredictability 6 – Healing, Healer, Caretaker, Family, Harmony, Home 7 – Seeker, Spiritual Awakening, Going Within, Meditation, Quiet Time, Evolving 8 – Abundance, Harmony, Balance, Infinity 9 – Completion, Let Go, Declutter, Transformation 11 – Master Teacher and Healer of Relationships 22 – Master Builder – Create, Build and Take Action For me, I believe those who carry a 5, 7, and/or 9 Personal Energy Year Number and the same energy of the Universal Year Number may experience traumas and life altering changes that lead to transitioning into the best version of oneself, but everyone may experience this energy whether you’re conscious of it or not. With the help of Uranus and the other six planets in retrograde, may will experience an Ascension and Awakening, while transitioning into a 5 Dimension Frequency of compassion, forgiving, love and feeling light hearten. To learn more about your Personal Energy Year and Natal Chart and how each Retrograde may influence your awakening, email healingwithin76@gmail.com. To schedule a Cosmic Energy Soul Forecast, mention this article to receive a special gift. For additional services, visit www.wholisticfitnessny.com Follow me on Facebook, Instagram and visit my website for more info! Read more from Joanne! Joanne Angel Barry Colon, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Joanne Angel Barry Colon has 30+ years in the health, fitness, and wellness industry. She is the owner of Wholistic Fitness located in NY Queens, certified holistic personal trainer, intuitive healer, cosmic energy reader, student of Astrology, Master of Numerology, and Creator of Chakra Balance Numerology Cosmic Energy Forecast Deck. She is the Host of Joanne's Healing Within T.V Show and Joanne's Cosmic Energy Radio Show and Author/Self-Publisher. Joanne's mission: To help women (men by referral) release issues from their tissues as they release emotional weight and fall in love with themselves while witnessing their transformation of being the best version of themselves.

Written by: Dr. Dana Neacsu, Executive Contributor Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise. It was just another regular afternoon in the hospital when I received a call from the ER physician telling me about this unfortunate case: an elderly gentleman was brought in by his side because he could not deal with his advanced dementia anymore. If you have ever had someone dear in your life, or a family member suffering from this disease, you know what I mean. People get lost. They cannot take care of themselves, and they need constant support. Meanwhile, it's quite a frustrating situation for the caregivers. I went downstairs and walked into the room, expecting the usual patient with that lost look on their face; however, what I saw made me think that maybe I was in the wrong room. This was a couple in their mid-60s, dressed nicely, making small talk almost as though they were there just going through a minor check for surgery. Once I started talking to them, however, I quickly realized that he was indeed lost; he was just covering it better than others. He lost interest in our conversation and he was answering my questions without saying anything meaningful. His wife did most of the talking. She started telling me about her story: they married late and had no kids and they work really hard. She was a nurse and he worked for a financial company thinking that they would enjoy their retirement and travel the world. It wasn’t too long ago when she started noticing the early signs: the forgetfulness, the moment of silence... And being a nurse, she recognized that immediately. So, she did her best and took him to the best of the doctors. They tried regular medication but none of it worked. At this point, she couldn't take care of him anymore and she was advised by her primary care physician to bring him to the emergency room not only to make sure that there's nothing else making his illness worse, but also because he needed to be placed into one of the memory units. If you don't know what that is, it's simply a house for people who can't remember who they are anymore. This is when they need close supervision because they are a danger to themselves. It's heartbreaking for everybody involved, but especially for the family. She began to tell me that she started crying – her beautiful blue eyes were crying. I've seen the kind of emotional burden this illness puts on us so many times. I don't know if there is something worse than this, because for most people involved, it feels just like they are giving up and they are the ones making that decision. But this time, something else happened. As she started crying, he became visibly agitated and upset. I thought it was really because somehow, he understood her words and what it meant for him. But listening to what he was saying – the type of broken language that only a broken brain can use – I realized he was actually telling me something or trying to tell someone something, and that something was that he wanted to be with her. He kept saying it again and again, like a mantra. That was the moment I realized he wasn't upset because of his situation; he was upset because he saw her crying. He was upset because beyond all the ravage and the damage Alzheimer's did to his brain, the love for her was still very much present. And after all, the love for her somehow made his brain work, even for a few seconds. At that moment, I felt incredibly helpless and frustrated because I wish I could've done more. I wish I could've done more for them, and I felt like the medicine had failed them. Even then, I knew that there were only so many things that one can do to prevent this from happening. I knew then that it was too late for this gentleman and for his wife, but most importantly, I knew that they did not deserve this. That was also the moment when I learned one of the most important lessons in my entire 20 years of career as a doctor: true love does conquer all, and it's not forgettable. That compassion and love towards your loved one is more powerful and stronger than any illness or any situation. I want every one of you to know that! For more information, follow me on Facebook, Instagram and visit my website! Read more from Dr. Dana! Dr. Dana Neacsu, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Dr. Dana Neacsu is trained in both conventional and integrative medicine and her goal is to offer her patients the best treatment from both medical worlds. Her practice is a unique combination of ancient medicine techniques like Reiki, functional medicine cutting edge protocols and biohacking devices of the future. The core of her practice remains however the patients themselves and their incredible power of self-healing and courage.

Written by: Marlena O'Donnell, Executive Contributor Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise. Is your cup half empty or half full? Do you have a starring role in an adventure film or a disaster movie? Are you a victim or a hero? I don’t know your answers to these questions, but I know what mine are. I used to consider life to be a challenge. I was an Oscar-winning director projecting bigger-than-life images of possible negative outcomes of my endeavors I would worry about what may happen, what people may think about me, about others not liking or accepting who I am. It was tiring, exhausting, and utterly soul-destroying. And then the film about my life changed. Within six months, I lost my job of 17 years. I was bullied by my manager and treated badly by my company. Physically, I was in a lot of pain as I was recovering from two operations. I watched helplessly as my life unfolded in front of me. I could not imagine how this film could ever end well. But it did. Four years on, I now know that losing my job was one of the best things that could happen to me. It made me reevaluate my life, my priorities and look at what my heart truly desires. It gave me a new career and a new outlook on life. I am playing a new role in the film about my life. I am now running my own business, coaching others who, just like me in the past, consider their life to be disaster movies. There is no point in telling them - think positive, keep your chin up, every cloud has a silver lining, there is a light at the end of the tunnel. They would not believe me. If you were at the bottom of a pit of despair, would you believe someone telling you everything will be alright? Probably not. Be in control of your reactions Staying positive in the face of adversity requires a profound change in the way you perceive what happens to you. We find it difficult to cope with life’s challenges when we think that we are not in control of our life. This is true; we cannot control what happens to us, be we can definitely control how we react to life’s events, with the exception of losing someone we love, as it’s only natural to grieve. But if we fail at a job interview, our relationships break down, Covid restricts our freedom, or any number of unwelcome events take place, we can choose to look for a silver lining or stare into the abyss of despair. We can look at things that did not work out for us as a gift of knowledge - we will learn a lesson from our mistakes, a future gift that we don’t know the value of just yet (just like me losing my job turned out to be the best thing in my life) or a gift of acceptance - “I will get through this because I’m a hero, not a victim in the film of my life!”. Be Present Another strategy is to stay in the present moment. Right now, at this moment, everything is OK, and it’s easy to be full of acceptance, contentment and have a positive outlook on life. It’s hard to stay positive when we go over past events or project our fears, anxieties, and doubts into the future. It is up to us to choose where our mind rests - in the past, the future, or the present moment! Be Grateful Staying present also helps us appreciate the many beautiful things in our life. Every day, I express my gratitude for the people in my life, the many beautiful things around me, and my wellbeing. When we focus on beauty and abundance, staying positive is much easier than when focusing on what we don’t or cannot have. I’d love you to see life the way I do. My perception colors my reality, I have a choice of how I approach life’s events, and I can choose to view challenges in terms of gifts of knowledge, unknown value, or acceptance and am grateful for the many beautiful things in my life. The film has a happy ending! You, too, can change how your life unfolds. Don’t wait and live your life with regrets. Let’s talk - you can book a conversation with me via my website: www.resilienceandresults.com Follow me on Facebook , Instagram , LinkedIn , and visit my website for more info! Marlena O'Donnell, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Marlena O’Donnell is a certified life coach, mentor, and motivational speaker specializing in freeing her clients from beliefs that are not serving them well. Marlena has successfully helped many people gain an unwavering belief in themselves, confidence, motivation, and courage to go after what they want in life through individual and group coaching, mentoring, and workshops. Marlena has personal experience of overcoming significant challenges in life and succeeding against all odds. This, combined with her thorough understanding of both business matters and personal issues, puts her in a unique position to help her clients successfully navigate their way through difficulties they face in all areas of life and achieve “the unachievable”. As a motivational speaker, Marlena inspires others to make powerful and lasting changes in their life. She has been a keynote speaker at business events, online conferences, and summits.