action

by

Taming your monkey mind

It’s often called the monkey mind – that endless chattering in your head as you jump from thought to thought in your mind, even while you daydream, analyse your relationships, or worry over the future. Eventually, you start to feel like your thoughts are spinning in circles and you’re left totally confused.

group of monkey on dirt road

Photo by vishnudeep dixit on Pexels.com

One way to tame this feral creature in your head is through meditation – although the paradox is that you invite the monkey in your mind to play when you clear your mind for meditation. This is when you are given the opportunity to tame this mental beast by moving beyond thought – to become aware of that thought instead of thinking a thought. The difference is subtle, but significant. When you are aware of your thoughts, you can allow them to rise and float away without letting them pull you in different directions. Being able to concentrate is one of the tools that allows you to slow down your thought process and focus on observing your thoughts.

To help develop your concentration, you may want to start by focusing on your breath while you meditate. Whenever your monkey mind starts acting up, observe your thoughts and then return your focus to your breath. Some breathing meditations call on you to focus on the rise and fall of the breath through the abdomen, while others have you concentrate on the sound of the breath. Alternatively, fire can be mesmerizing, and focusing on a candle flame is another useful tool for harnessing the mind. Keep the gaze soft and unfocused while observing the shape, colour and movement of the flame, and try not to blink. Close your eyes when you feel the need and continue watching the flame in your head. Chanting, singing, and mantras may also still the mind. However you choose to tame the monkey mind, do so with firm kindness. The next time the chattering arises, notice it and then allow it to go away. With practice, your monkey mind will become quiet and so will you.

When you are ready to learn to relax and have more fun in your life and less stress,  contact me and begin your journey. I would love to work with you.

I offer coaching and mentoring to you – for you to make the changes you want to in your life. Build your confidence in your abilities.  Read my clients’ testimonials here. To help you to have more fun, more freedom and less stress. That is it. There is no catch. I believe in you.

Maggie Currie

maggieheart

Professional Transformational Coach, Consultant
Founder of MAGGIE CURRIE COACHING

Website:       http://www.maggiecurrie.co.uk

Facebook:    https://www.facebook.com/maggielifecoach/

Email:            hello@maggiecurrie.co.uk

by

Blaming Others

When we understand that the world outside of us is a reflection of the world inside of us, we could feel confused about who is to blame for the problems in our lives. If we had a difficult childhood, we may wonder how we can take responsibility for that, and in our current relationships, the same question arises. We all know that blaming others is the opposite of taking responsibility, but we may not understand how to take responsibility for things that we don’t feel responsible for. We may blame our parents for our low self-esteem, and we may blame our current partner for exacerbating it with their unconscious behaviour. Objectively, this seems to make sense. After all, it is not our fault if our parents were irresponsible or unkind, and we are not to blame for our partner’s bad behaviour.

orange and white shoes

Photo by Aidan Roof on Pexels.com

Perhaps the problem lies with the action of blaming. Whether we blame others or blame ourselves, there is something aggressive and unkind about it. It sets up a situation in which it becomes difficult to move forward with the feelings of shame and guilt that arise. It also puts the resolution of our pain in the hands of someone other than us. Ultimately, we cannot insist that someone else take responsibility for their actions; only they can make that choice when they are ready. In the meantime, if we want to move forward with our lives instead of waiting around for something that may or may not happen, we begin to see the wisdom of taking the situation into our own hands. We begin to trust our innate thinking.

We do this by forgiving our parents, even if they have not asked for our forgiveness, so that we can be free. We end the abusive relationship with our partner, who may never admit to any wrongdoing, because we are willing to take responsibility for how we are treated. In short, we love ourselves as we want to be loved and create the life we know we deserve. We leave the resolution of the wrongs committed against us in the hands of the universe, releasing ourselves to live a life free of blame.

When you are ready to learn to relax and have more fun in your life,  contact me and begin your journey. I would love work with you.

I offer coaching and mentoring to you – for you to make the changes you want to in your life. Build your confidence in your abilities.  Read my clients’ testimonials here. To help you to have more fun, more freedom and less stress. That is it. There is no catch. I believe in you.

Maggie Currie

maggieheart

Professional Transformational Coach, Consultant
Founder of MAGGIE CURRIE COACHING

Website:       http://www.maggiecurrie.co.uk

Facebook:    https://www.facebook.com/maggielifecoach/

Email:            hello@maggiecurrie.co.uk

 

by

Don’t Be a Target

When we are confronted in a hurtful way this often leave us feeling drained and confused. When someone attacks us emotionally, we often wonder what we did to rouse their anger, and take their actions personally. We might ask ourselves what we could have done to prompt them to behave or speak that way toward us. It’s important to remember that there are no real targets in an emotional attack and it is usually a way for the attacker to redirect their own uncomfortable feelings away from themselves. People will be overcome by strong emotions, like hurt or anguish, and may see themselves as victims and lash out at others as either a means of protection or to make themselves feel better. You may be able to protect yourself from an emotional attack by not taking the behaviour personally. First, however, get into a state of detachment that will provide you with some protection from the person who is attacking you. This will allow you to feel compassion for this person and remember that their behaviour isn’t about you it is about their need to vent their emotions.

green yellow and black round dart board with black background

Photo by icon0.com on Pexels.com

It can be difficult to remain unaffected by someone’s behaviour, but take a moment to breathe deeply and remind yourself that you didn’t do anything wrong, and you aren’t responsible for other people’s feelings. It may be this person is indirectly expressing a need to you—whether they are reaching out for help or wanting to be heard— and you may be able to stop the attack by getting them to talk about what is really bothering them.

You cannot control other people’s emotions, but you can control your own. If you sense yourself responding to their negativity, try not to let yourself. Keep your heart open to them, and they may let go of their defensiveness and yield to your compassion and openness.

When you would like find out more about your emotions, contact me and begin your journey. I would love work with you.

I offer coaching and mentoring to you – for you to make the changes you want to in your life. Build your confidence in your abilities.  Read my clients’ testimonials here. To help you to have more fun, more freedom and less stress. That is it. There is no catch. I believe in you.

Maggie Currie

maggieheart

Professional Transformational Coach, Consultant
Founder of MAGGIE CURRIE COACHING

Website:       http://www.maggiecurrie.co.uk

Facebook:    https://www.facebook.com/maggielifecoach/

Email:            hello@maggiecurrie.co.uk

by

Laughing Meditation

You may be surprised to think of laughter as a form of meditation. Yet not only is laughing meditation one of the simplest forms of meditation, but also it is a very powerful one. The physical act of laughing involves the body, emotions, and the soul within the action. When we laugh, we give ourselves over to the immediacy of the present moment. We also are able to momentarily forget minor physical and mental stresses. Practiced in the morning, laughing meditation can lend a joyful quality to the entire day. Practiced in the evening, laughing meditation is a potent relaxant that has been known to inspire pleasant dreams. Laughter also can help open our eyes to previously unnoticed absurdities that can make life seem less serious.

woman holding baby smiling

Photo by Singkham on Pexels.com

Mindful laughter has three stages. Each stage can last anywhere from 5 to 20 minutes. The first stage involves breathing deeply and stretching your body just like a cat. Your stretch should start at the hands and feet before you move through the rest of your body. Stretch out the muscles in your face by yawning and making silly faces. The second stage of the meditation is pure laughter. Remember funny jokes, Imagine a humorous situation, or think about how funny it is to be laughing by yourself. When the giggles start to rise, let them. Let the laughter ripple through your belly and down into the soles of your feet. Let the laughter lead to physical movement. Roll on the floor, if you have to, and keep on laughing until you stop. The final stage of the meditation is one of silence. Sit with your eyes closed and focus on your breathing.

Laughter brings with it a host of positive effects that operate on both the physical and mental levels. It is also fun, expressive, and a way to release tension. Learn to laugh in the present moment, and you’ll find that joy is always there.

When you would like find out more about living in the present moment, contact me and begin your journey. I would love work with you.

I offer coaching and mentoring to you – for you to make the changes you want to in your life. Build your confidence in your abilities.  Read my clients’ testimonials here. To help you to have more fun, more freedom and less stress. That is it. There is no catch. I believe in you.

Maggie Currie

maggieheart

Professional Transformational Coach, Consultant
Founder of MAGGIE CURRIE COACHING

Website:       http://www.maggiecurrie.co.uk

Facebook:    https://www.facebook.com/maggielifecoach/

Email:            hello@maggiecurrie.co.uk

by

There is no wrong response

Our view of the world is largely determined by our experiences. It is when we are caught off guard by the spontaneity of occurrences that we are most apt to respond authentically, even when our feelings do not correspond with those of everyone else. Events that arouse strong emotions with us or are surprising in nature can be unnerving, for it often is in their aftermath that we discover how profoundly our histories have shaped us. The differences that divide us from our peers are highlighted in our reactions when these differ from the mainstream, and this can be highly upsetting because it forces us to confront the uniqueness of our lives.

cheerful close up coffee cup

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

When our response to unexpected news or startling ideas is not the same as that of the people around us, we may feel driven by a desire to dismiss our feelings as irrational or incorrect. But reactions themselves are neither right, nor wrong. The forces that sculpted the patterns that to a large extent dictate our development are not the same forces that shaped the development of our relatives, friends, colleagues, or neighbours. There is no reason to believe that one person’s reaction to a particular event is somehow more valid than another’s. How we respond to the constant changes taking place in the world around us is a product of our history, a testament to our individuality, and a part of the healing process that allows us to address key elements of our past in a context we can grasp in the present.

Life’s pivotal events can provide you with a way to define yourself as a unique and matchless being, but you must put aside the judgments that may prevent you from gaining insight into your individual way of interpreting the world. Try to internalise your feelings without categorising or evaluating them. When you feel unsure of the legitimacy of your reactions, remember that cultural, sociological, spiritual, and familial differences can cause two people to interpret a single event in widely dissimilar ways. Examining your responses outside of the context provided by others can show you that your emotional complexity is something to be valued, for it has made you who you are today.

When you would like find out more about your responses, contact me and begin your journey. I would love work with you.

I offer coaching and mentoring to you – for you to make the changes you want to in your life. Build your confidence in your abilities.  Read my clients’ testimonials here. To help you to have more fun, more freedom and less stress. That is it. There is no catch. I believe in you.

Maggie Currie

maggieheart

Professional Transformational Coach, Consultant
Founder of MAGGIE CURRIE COACHING

Website:       http://www.maggiecurrie.co.uk

Facebook:    https://www.facebook.com/maggielifecoach/

Email:            hello@maggiecurrie.co.uk

by

Questioning Everything

Many people feel threatened if they feel they are being asked to question their long held beliefs or their perception of reality. Yet questioning is what keeps our minds supple and strong. Simply settling on one way of seeing things and refusing to be open to other possibilities makes the mind rigid and generally creates a restrictive and uncomfortable atmosphere. We all know that person who refuses to budge on one or more issues, and we may have our own sacred cows that could use a little prodding. Being open-minded means that we are willing to question everything, including those things we take for granted.

ask blackboard chalk board chalkboard

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

Being willing to question everything, even things we are sure we are right about, can shake us out of complacency and reinvigorate our minds. It will open us up to understanding people and perspectives that may have been alien to us before. This alone is good reason to remain inquisitive, no matter how much experience we have or how old we get. This willingness to question has a way of generating possibilities we couldn’t have seen from the point of view of knowing something with certainty. The willingness to question everything doesn’t necessarily mean we don’t believe in anything at all, and it doesn’t mean we have to question every single thing in the world every minute of the day. It just means that we are humble enough to acknowledge how little we actually know about the mysterious universe we call home.

Nearly every revolutionary change in the history of human progress came about because someone questioned some time-honoured belief or tradition and in doing so revealed a new truth, a new way of doing things, or a new standard for ethical and moral behaviour. A commitment to staying open and inquisitive in our own individual lives can lead us to new personal revolutions and truths, truths that we will hopefully, for the sake of our growth, remain open to questioning.

If you would like to begin to change your world,  then contact me and begin your journey. I would love work with you.

I offer coaching and mentoring to you – for you to make the changes you want to in your life. Build your confidence in your abilities.  Read my clients’ testimonials here. To help you to have more fun, more freedom and less stress. That is it. There is no catch. I believe in you.

Maggie Currie

maggieheart

Professional Transformational Coach, Consultant
Founder of MAGGIE CURRIE COACHING

Website:       http://www.maggiecurrie.co.uk

Facebook:    https://www.facebook.com/maggielifecoach/

Email:            hello@maggiecurrie.co.uk

by

Laughing is good for us

As children, we laughed hundreds of times each day, revelling in the new things in life. When we reached adulthood, however, we tended to not allow ourselves to let go in a good belly laugh. Inviting laughter back into our lives is simply a matter of making the conscious decision to laugh. Although most of us are triggered to laugh only when exposed to humour or the unexpected, each of us is capable of laughing at will. A laugh that comes from the belly carries with it the same positive effects whether prompted by a funny joke or consciously willed into existence. When our laughter comes from the core of our being, it permeates every cell in our physical selves, beginning in the centre and radiating outward, until we are not merely belly laughing but rather body laughing.

happychildren

Laughter has been a part of the human method of expression since before evolution granted us the art of speech. Through it, we connected with allies while demonstrating our connection with people we didn’t know. Today, in the now, laughter allows us to enjoy positive shared experiences with strangers and loved ones alike. Yet solitary laughter carries with it its own slew of benefits. An energetic and enthusiastic bout of whole-body laughter exercises the muscles, the lungs, and the mind in equal measure, leaving us feeling relaxed and content. When we laugh heartily at life’s ridiculousness instead of responding irritably, our focus shifts. Anger, stress, guilt, and sadness no longer wield any influence over us, and we are empowered to make light of what we originally feared. Laughter also opens our hearts, letting love and light in, changing our perspective, and enabling us to fix our attention on what is positive in our lives.

It is easy to laugh when we feel good, but it is when the world appears dim that we most need laughter in our lives. Our laughter then resonates through our hearts, filling the empty spaces with pure, unadulterated joy. We regain our footing in the moment and remember that no sorrow is powerful enough to rob us of our innate happiness. When we understand that uninhibited laughter is the food of the soul, nourishing us from within, we know instinctively that life is worthwhile.

If you would like to begin to change your world,  then contact me and begin your journey. I would love work with you.

I offer coaching and mentoring to you – for you to make the changes you want to in your life. Build your confidence in your abilities.  Read my clients’ testimonials here. To help you to have more fun, more freedom and less stress. That is it. There is no catch. I believe in you.

Maggie Currie

maggieheart

Professional Transformational Coach, Consultant
Founder of MAGGIE CURRIE COACHING

Website:       http://www.maggiecurrie.co.uk

Facebook:    https://www.facebook.com/maggielifecoach/

Email:            hello@maggiecurrie.co.uk

by

Be open and listen to nature

Whether we like it or not, much of the world we experience is dominated and controlled by human beings. We spend our days in houses, cars and buildings,and inside these structures, we are in control. We manipulate our environment and assert our wills. Within the context of the human world, this is natural. However, we often carry this attitude with us into the world of nature. as we enter the forest, or sit on the edge of a pond, we forget  that we are moving into another realm, one that asks us to drop our baggage and surrender to a different sense of order and meaning.

bloom blooming blossom blur

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

When we move into the world of nature from our everyday world, we may not even notice at first. We might continue talking loudly into our mobile phone or to people who are with us. We might walk quickly as if we are on a busy street, our eyes downcast, our thoughts hectic and hurried. In the best case, if we are sensitive to our environment, we will soon notice that it has changed. We may hear wind moving through the leaves on a tree or ducks calling. If we notice the shift, we will naturally shift as well. If we don’t, we may get all the way through a beautiful park without having lowered our voices or slackened our pace. Next time you find yourself in the presence of wildlife—even if it’s just a duck pond in the midst of urban hustle—try to move into a receptive state of openness and listening, no matter how much or how little time you have. Allow yourself to be captivated and calmed by the energy of the wildlife that covers this earth. Teaching our children to be respectful of nature and to stop and observe is a gift they can always cherish.

We preserve pockets of nature in our urban centres and large expanses of nature in our parks because of the magic we feel in its presence. It reminds us of our smallness and calls us back to a deeper, quieter part of ourselves. When we honour nature by being respectful in its presence, we honour the mystery and wild beauty of our origin.

If you would like to begin to change your world,  then contact me and begin your journey. I would love work with you.

I offer coaching and mentoring to you – for you to make the changes you want to in your life. Build your confidence in your abilities.  Read my clients’ testimonials here. To help you to have more fun, more freedom and less stress. That is it. There is no catch. I believe in you.

Maggie Currie

maggieheart

Professional Transformational Coach, Consultant
Founder of MAGGIE CURRIE COACHING

Website:       http://www.maggiecurrie.co.uk

Facebook:    https://www.facebook.com/maggielifecoach/

Email:            hello@maggiecurrie.co.uk

by

The Importance of Napping

In this modern world, we’re often compelled to be as productive as possible during as many hours of the day as we can. While this can lead to great feats of accomplishment, we may become exhausted and find ourselves craving rest and rejuvenation. We may feel like taking a nap but feel guilty about indulging in even ten minutes of rest. This need for personal downtime, which many people experience in the early afternoon, isn’t a sign of laziness nor is it necessarily related to how much sleep you had the night before. There was even a time when taking a nap was considered a natural part of everyone’s day.

animal cat close up cute

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

Napping is a pleasurable if brief period of sleep when our minds and bodies can take a break. Though usually thought by many to be a pastime for children or the elderly, napping can benefit people of all ages. The desire to nap is a trait shared by many mammals, and napping is still an important part of the day in some countries. Snoozing for a half-hour can promote physical well-being, and naps have been known to improve mood and memory. A 20-minute nap can sharpen your senses and revitalise you, while a ten minute nap can leave you feeling more cheerful. Falling into a light sleep during the daytime can feel meditative. The thoughts you have as you are taking a nap and the dreams you experience may offer you insights about your life that you may not have at night when you are in a deep sleep.

In order to fully enjoy the benefits of napping, you may need to give yourself permission to nap. Feeling guilty about snoozing or worrying about your to-do list won’t do you much good when you are trying to take a nap because your thoughts or feelings will keep you awake. Try to nap at the same time each day, and use an alarm clock to ensure that you don’t sleep for too long. Learning to nap and enjoy its restorative benefits can help you wake up restored, rejuvenated, and ready for the rest of your day.

If you would like to begin to change your world,  then contact me and begin your journey. I would love work with you.

I offer coaching and mentoring to you – for you to make the changes you want to in your life. Build your confidence in your abilities.  Read my clients’ testimonials here. To help you to have more fun, more freedom and less stress. That is it. There is no catch. I believe in you.

Maggie Currie

maggieheart

Professional Transformational Coach, Consultant
Founder of MAGGIE CURRIE COACHING

Website:       http://www.maggiecurrie.co.uk

Facebook:    https://www.facebook.com/maggielifecoach/

Email:            hello@maggiecurrie.co.uk

by

My coaching learning from day 1 – You may be inspired to work with me

In 2004 I was offered some free distance learning courses in life coaching and so I took up the offer. I thoroughly enjoyed learning all about how life coaching changes lives, how the mechanics of coaching work, practising on various people and of course receiving my certificates to tell me that I was now a qualified life coach. So now I could go out and change the world! Not quite.

In 2005 there followed some more learning with The Coaching Academy which involved an upfront cost, several weekends attending lectures (extra cost of travel and accommodation) and then loads of workbooks to complete and a dissertation to write. The workbooks were simple enough, the dissertation took time. There was very little ongoing support and I qualified as a corporate coach. So now I could go out and change the world! No.

2006 came and I decided that NLP would be useful. I undertook a three day course. This involved more upfront expense, (extra cost of travel and accommodation) interactive lectures every day and at the end of those three days I was a qualified NLP Practitioner. No support afterwards. That was it. Was I ready now to go out and change the world? No, there was still something missing.

iStock_000004524893XSmall (2)

Still in 2006 I trained with Dawn Breslin who had worked in television and had a slightly different approach to coaching. Her style was gentle and worked loosely on emotions and boosted self-esteem and confidence. This involved a lot more upfront expense, 5 days of interactive lectures and I qualified as a confidence coach and group trainer. Very little ongoing support.  This worked for me on several levels and I changed some people’s lives for the better, but there was still something missing. I needed more, but I wasn’t sure what.

maggieanddawn2007

In the same year I trained with The Association for Thought Field Therapy and loved how it all worked.  I am qualified in the Callahan Techniques of Thought Field Therapy.

Also in the same year I trained with Healing Hands School of Natural Therapies in Indian Head Massage and qualified with a Level 3 Diploma.  This has been very useful when working in festivals as I have helped many people get rid of their headaches, creaky necks from sleeping in tents, and generally relaxed them over the past twelve years.

iStock_000000309009XSmall (2)

In 2007 I qualified with the School of Natural Sciences with a diploma in Sports Psychology.  A great subject that works well with coaching.

In 2010 I was intrigued by some information I found on Twitter about an emotion based coaching programme that offered something different. I contacted the person who was tweeting and she put me in touch with the creator of the programme. This was Maia Berens. We talked on the phone, I found out about how the programmed worked – online. I found out that there would be ongoing phone support weekly – a real person to talk to and bounce ideas off and learn from. I found out I could work with other coaches and enhance my learning on weekly calls too. So that was learning online with two calls per week to support and teach too. And allegedly there was support and contact going on long after completion of the course. There was an upfront expense and I signed up there and then.

Six months later I graduated and although I was promised that teaching would continue for the rest of my life and at no extra cost, this did not happen.  The person who ran the courses was really doing them for her own benefit, to stop her feeling lonely and to boost her own self-esteem.  So once I had graduated I was basically shunned from the organisation and my name does not appear anywhere on the list of qualified coaches.

Also in 2010 I achieved an Edexcel Level 4 BTEC Professional Award in Preparing to Teach in the Lifelong Learning Sector (PTTLS) which helps with planning and delivering workshops and training sessions.

graduated

In 2011 I achieved a Diploma in Distance Tutoring from The Learning Institute and began tutoring distance learners to help them achieve the qualification of Life Coaching Diploma with the Blackford Centre.  I love working with these students, who come from all different backgrounds and always work hard to achieve their aims.

Also in that year I worked with Susan Jeffers, author of Feel the fear and do it anyway.  I met her in London and we chatted for ages about what she does and how she liked to meet people who want to do her work.  I completed all the necessary training and became accredited to deliver her courses.  Susan read the manuscript of my book ‘What you believe creates your reality’ and commented “A really good book”.  A great accolade indeed. Sadly Susan died in 2012.

meandsusan (2)

In 2015 I achieved a Cognitive Behavioural Therapy Diploma from the Centre of Excellence and have worked with some lovely clients.

In 2016 I achieved a Mindfulness Diploma from the Centre of Excellence and this works really well with coaching.

In the same year I achieved a Special Educational Needs & Disability Diploma (SENDS) from the Centre of Excellence which has given me a greater understanding of the needs of people with additional needs.

Also in the same year I worked with Jamie Smart over a period of months, which involved several whole weekends of lectures, plus the additional expense of travel and accommodation, plus online lectures and achieved becoming a Clarity Coach using the three principles and working from the inside out.  Something which works very well with my coaching skills.

It is my choice to be a life coach and I am very happy with my profession. My career definitely reflects my passions and life purpose. My purpose is to help people to change their way of thinking so that they learn to love themselves and by doing that they learn to live their lives authentically as themselves. This of course has a ripple effect, as other people change their reactions and perceptions and they see a whole new person and want to change too.

My major influences have been Kelvin (my husband) who supports me in all that I do, me because I believe in myself and am learning more and more how to be ME, my friends in deed (fellow coaches) and everyone who has taught me something throughout my life.

I am finding it totally realistic to want to change the consciousness of the world, one person at a time. I want to impact the lives of one million people either directly or indirectly.  We are all emotional beings who have been conditioned to think of others first. Yes, we must consider others in the world, but we must also look after ourselves first. If we don’t look after ourselves we cannot look after other people. I am changing the world, one thought at a time.

If you would like to begin to change the world, or change your world,  you like my story, then contact me and begin your journey. I would love work with you.

I offer coaching and mentoring to you – for you to make the changes you want to in your life. Build your confidence in your abilities.  Read my clients’ testimonials here. To help you to have more fun, more freedom and less stress. That is it. There is no catch. I believe in you.

Maggie Currie

maggieheart

Professional Transformational Coach, Consultant
Founder of MAGGIE CURRIE COACHING

Website:       http://www.maggiecurrie.co.uk

Facebook:    https://www.facebook.com/maggielifecoach/

Email:            hello@maggiecurrie.co.uk