There is so much to learn about the nuances of the mind; how we think and how that in turn affects us, and then the repeated cycle of the next thought.  It seems an ever-changing organism, reshaping and moving like the substance inside a lava lamp. Maybe I’m just a hippie, but it does mesmerize me as if it’s mirroring something profound and mysterious.  

A few weeks ago I watched a TED talk by Amy Cuddy that has stayed with me. I keep coming back to what this data means. Here’s the link. http://www.ted.com/talks/amy_cuddy_your_body_language_shapes_who_you_are?language=en

“Body language affects how others see us, but it may also change how we see ourselves. Social psychologist Amy Cuddy shows how “power posing” — standing in a posture of confidence, even when we don’t feel confident — can affect testosterone and cortisol levels in the brain, and might even have an impact on our chances for success.”

Isn’t that amazing? How you think and stand and decide to “be” affects your brain and how you think about yourself, and in essence changes you.

A few quotes from the talk:

“When we think of nonverbals, we think of how we judge others. … We tend to forget, though, the other audience that’s influenced by our nonverbals: ourselves.”

“Don’t fake it till you make it. Fake it till you become it.”

“Our bodies change our minds, and our minds can change our behavior, and our behavior can change our outcomes.”

I am really encouraged by this; compelled to thwart reacting to my feelings and instead reacting as if my dreams have surfaced to reality. I think it’s somehow connected to faith, hope, humility and confidence.  It’s how they all survive in a synergistic way. We are humbled by our needs,but catapulted into a beautiful response in taking action. We find ourselves in the middle of a choice- to fear or to have faith and hope. I wonder if inserting my present with hope and faith, ultimately brings me to a place of living freely, openly, in a God-given”power-pose”as I use my gifts as he intended.

I couldn’t help but think about a time not long ago when my mind and body seemed to be my enemy.  I was battling disease and begging God to heal me.  If I had known these principles, you would have seen me standing in my bedroom in a “power pose” not for the sake of power over someone else, but in the sense of dominance over my own body, my own mind, over the enemy. I would think about wholeness, strength, centeredness and peace. I would think about this fabulous gift of a mind and body that can affect change. Things can be different than they are now. This is a powerful truth.

For our 25th Anniversary, David got me this pendant that you see pictured, symbolizing purification and healing. I think it’s about right for the road we’re traveling. 

Quite often these days, whether I “feel it” like it or not, you will find me in a power pose while praying and meditating on what is true, honest, just, pure, lovely, and admirable.