The Uninspired Mind

You know that feeling when everything in your life is fine, but something still feels off? You know what you should be doing, but you just don’t feel like it. You’re not necessarily unhappy—you’re just not excited about anything.

Maybe you’ve got a craft room that’s packed full of supplies, but the motivation to create something just isn’t there. Maybe you’re in a season of transition, like leaving a job, and you’re unsure what’s next. Or perhaps, like one client I recently spoke with, life is going well, yet you still feel a strange lack of inspiration.

Feeling uninspired is more common than we realize, and it doesn’t mean something is wrong with you. It simply means your mind, body, and spirit are signaling for something new. The good news? Inspiration isn’t something we have to wait for—it’s something we can cultivate.

In this post, we’ll explore why we feel inspired, why we sometimes don’t, and—most importantly—how to reignite that spark when it feels like it’s gone missing.

What Inspires Us

Inspiration isn’t random—it’s a psychological and neurological process that lights up specific areas of the brain. When we feel inspired, we experience a surge of dopamine, the neurotransmitter associated with motivation, pleasure, and goal-directed behavior. This is why inspiration often brings a sense of excitement, clarity, and purpose.

The Science of Inspiration

Research in psychology suggests that inspiration has three key components:

1. Evocation – Inspiration is often sparked by something external—a conversation, a story, an experience, or even a simple shift in perspective.
2. Transcendence – We’re lifted beyond our current limitations, allowing us to see new possibilities and dream bigger.
3. Motivation to Act – True inspiration doesn’t just stay in our minds; it propels us forward, making us want to create, grow, or pursue something meaningful.

What Sparks Inspiration?

People often feel inspired when they experience:

• Novelty – New surroundings, ideas, or experiences can refresh our thinking.
• Purpose – Feeling connected to something bigger than ourselves fuels long-term inspiration.
• Creativity – Engaging in creative activities (even if they aren’t related to our goals) can awaken inspiration in other areas of life.
• Resonance – Witnessing someone else’s journey, hearing a powerful message, or reading something that deeply aligns with us can spark inspiration in an instant.

Understanding how inspiration works is key to cultivating it on demand instead of waiting for it to show up. Next, we’ll explore why inspiration sometimes fades—and what to do about it.

Why We Feel Uninspired

We are created in the image of a creative God, designed to dream, build, and bring new ideas to life. So why do we sometimes feel like inspiration is completely out of reach? This lackluster mood can make us question ourselves. Do I have anything meaningful to offer? Is my life really this boring? Why do I feel so stuck? The truth is inspiration isn’t something we either “have” or “don’t have”—it’s something that can be nurtured and reignited. Often, the reason we feel uninspired isn’t random; it’s a sign that something deeper needs our attention.

Common Causes of Feeling Uninspired

🔹 Routine & Predictability – When life becomes repetitive, our brains go on autopilot. Without new stimuli, there’s nothing to spark fresh ideas or excitement.

🔹 Mental Overload & Stress – If your mind is cluttered with to-do lists, responsibilities, or worries, there’s little room for creativity and inspiration to flourish.

🔹 Lack of Rest or Play – Constant productivity without moments of joy, playfulness, or rest can drain us. Inspiration often emerges in moments of stillness or fun, not just in hard work.

🔹 Disconnection from Purpose – When we lose sight of why we’re doing something, motivation dwindles. A sense of purpose fuels long-term inspiration.

🔹 Fear & Self-Doubt – Sometimes, we want to take action, but a deeper fear holds us back—fear of failure, judgment, or not being good enough.

🔹 Comparison & Perfectionism – Scrolling through social media or constantly measuring ourselves against others can leave us feeling unmotivated and discouraged rather than inspired.

How to Recognize When You’re in an ‘Uninspired Rut’

Feeling uninspired isn’t always obvious. Here are a few signs that you might be stuck:

✔️ You feel restless but aren’t sure what you want.
✔️ You procrastinate on things you know you want to do.
✔️ You feel like you’re just “going through the motions.”
✔️ You keep waiting for motivation to strike, but it never comes.

The good news? Inspiration isn’t lost forever—it just needs a reset. Next, we’ll explore how to reignite that spark and get back into a flow of creativity, motivation, and purpose.

How to Reignite Inspiration

Feeling uninspired doesn’t mean you’ve lost your creativity or passion—it just means you need a spark. Inspiration thrives when we intentionally create space for it, and it often expands after just one tiny spark! Here are practical ways to ignite that flame.

1. Change Your Environment

A simple shift in surroundings can work wonders.

🔹 Get outside – Or if you’re in a cold climate like me, LOOK outside or bring the outdoors in. Nature naturally awakens creativity and curiosity. A walk in the fresh air, a sunrise, or even the sound of birds can stir something new within you.
🔹 Switch up your workspace – Rearranging your desk, adding fresh flowers, or even working from a coffee shop can bring a fresh perspective.
🔹 Take a break from screens – Digital overload dulls creativity. Unplug for a bit and allow your mind to breathe.

2. Seek Out New Experiences

Inspiration often comes from the unexpected. If you’re feeling stagnant, introduce something new into your routine.

🔹 Try a new hobby – Painting, cooking a new recipe, or even learning a dance move can spark joy. Even flipping through magazines or books that showcase hobbies can create fresh excitement and ideas.
🔹 Read or listen to something outside your norm – Pick up a book in a different genre, listen to a thought-provoking podcast, or watch a documentary on a topic you know nothing about.
🔹 Take a short trip – Even a weekend getaway or exploring a nearby town can shift your mindset. Applied in the simplest way, I sometimes step away from my work to walk our pups around the block, or to just go watch them romp in the backyard together, before jumping back in.

3. Connect with Others

Sometimes, we need people to reignite our fire.

🔹 Have a deep conversation – Talking with someone who inspires you can bring fresh insight.
🔹 Join a group or community – Surrounding yourself with creative, motivated people naturally pulls you out of a rut.
🔹 Serve others – Volunteering or simply helping a friend can shift your focus and bring renewed energy. A balanced life includes pouring out as well as being poured into. That flow of energy and focus can refill and inspire us when we need it most.

4. Revisit Your “Why”

Lack of inspiration often comes from losing sight of what drives us. There’s neuroscience behind taking intentional time to think about what you want and why you want it. Unlike the popular secular “law of attraction” which implies a magically-woo formula for getting what you want, science shows that focusing our brain on what we want and why, as well as visualizing that process is like mentally rehearsing the outcome. When we set our intentions, the brain more easily recalls our goals and driving motivators when we’re faced with related options throughout the day.

🔹 Ask yourself: Why did I start this? What impact do I want to make? Why is this something I’m (still) choosing to pursue?
🔹 Look back at past successes – Remind yourself of times you did feel inspired and what fueled that passion.
🔹 Pray and reflect – Spending time in prayer, journaling, or meditating on scripture can help realign your heart with God’s purpose for you.

5. Take Small, Imperfect Action

Inspiration doesn’t always come before action—often, it follows it.

🔹 Start small – If you’re waiting to feel motivated before taking action, flip the script. Do something tiny to build momentum.
🔹 Don’t wait for perfection – The first step doesn’t need to be flawless; it just needs to happen. I once heard that famous author Stephen King attributes his success and number of best-sellers to his self-enforced rule that he must write 1000 words per day. That’s any thousand words; not the “best” or the “right” ones. King knows that often just that first action is all it takes to breathe life into the inspiration needed to continue.  
🔹 Celebrate progress – Acknowledge even the smallest wins to keep motivation going.

There’s a caveat to this step! Focusing only on actions will only lead to short-term success. Why? Because actions don’t cause feelings; our thoughts about our actions do! So, take the small steps, but then reflect on that action in a way that inspires you forward. (If I did that, what else is possible?!”)

6. Prioritize Rest & Play

Inspiration flourishes when we’re refreshed.

🔹 Give yourself permission to rest – Burnout kills creativity. Take time to recharge without guilt. If you’re resting while thinking you should be doing something else, you steal from yourself and the process.
🔹 Do something fun—just for the sake of it – Play a game, laugh with a friend, or dance in your kitchen. Doodle while watching a favorite show. Joy fuels inspiration.
🔹 Practice gratitude – Noticing the good in your life shifts your mindset and makes space for new ideas.

7. Ask God for Fresh Vision

As the ultimate Creator, God is the source of all inspiration.

🔹 Ask for guidance – Pray for fresh vision and trust that inspiration will come in the right time.
🔹 Read scripture for encouragement – Verses like Isaiah 43:19 (“See, I am doing a new thing!”) remind us that God is always at work, even when we feel stuck. Here again, simply reading or saying something to yourself (both actions) will only produce short term benefits unless you believe them. (Ultimately, our thoughts are what create our emotions.)
🔹 Surrender the pressure – You don’t have to force inspiration. Sometimes, the best thing you can do is let go and trust the process.

Creating an Inspiration Vault

When inspiration feels distant, it can help to have a system in place to rekindle it. Your Inspiration Vault acts as a safety net, ensuring you always have a well of motivation to draw from when you need it most.

• A “Wins” Journal – Keep a notebook or digital document with small and big accomplishments, breakthroughs, and moments of joy. This might include emails/notes from others who have been inspired by your work, words, or example.
• A Playlist of Motivational Songs, quotes, etc. – Music and powerful messages can instantly shift your mindset.
• A “Lightbulb” List or “Swipe File”– A running list of ideas, even half-formed ones, to revisit when you need a spark. Collect examples, clippings, etc. of work, art, or ideas that excite you—whether it’s design, writing, or business ideas.
• Vision Board – Whether in a Pinterest board, scrapbook, or a poster board on your wall, make a visual collection of words, phrases, and pictures of meaningful experiences, achievements, or places that make you feel alive.
• An “Energy List” – A list of activities, places, or people that energize and inspire you. When feeling stuck, choose something from the list.

Reigniting inspiration isn’t about waiting for a magical burst of energy—it’s about creating space for it to grow. The more we intentionally invite inspiration into our lives, the more naturally it flows.

Bringing Inspiration Back: Key Takeaways & Next Steps

Inspiration isn’t something we either have or don’t have—it’s something we cultivate. Feeling uninspired doesn’t mean you’re stuck forever or that you lack purpose. It simply signals that something needs attention, whether it’s your mindset, your environment, or your connection to what truly fuels you.

Key Takeaways to Reignite Inspiration:

✅ Recognize that inspiration isn’t lost—it just needs nurturing. You were designed to create, dream, and build. Feeling uninspired is temporary.
✅ Change your environment and seek new experiences. A fresh perspective often comes from stepping outside of routine.
✅ Surround yourself with inspiring people. Conversations, community, and service can spark new motivation.
✅ Revisit your “why.” Reflect on what excites you, what God has placed in your heart, and the impact you want to make.
✅ Take small, imperfect action. You don’t need to wait for inspiration—sometimes, doing is what brings it back.
✅ Prioritize rest, play, and gratitude. A well-rested mind and a joyful spirit naturally open the door to creativity.
✅ Ask God for fresh vision. He is the ultimate source of inspiration, always leading us toward new growth.

Take a moment right now to reflect—what’s one small thing you can do today to invite inspiration back into your life? Maybe it’s stepping outside, reconnecting with a friend, or journaling about your dreams. Whatever it is, take that step. Inspiration follows action.

Ready to Bring Inspiration Back Into Your Life?

You don’t have to stay stuck in a season of feeling uninspired. With small, intentional shifts, you can reignite your creativity, motivation, and sense of purpose. If you’re ready to take the next step, here’s how I can help:

🔹 Get my free guide: The Intentional Mind Daily Planner – A powerful tool to help you anchor your thoughts, cultivate inspiration, and move forward with clarity. Download it here!

🔹 Work with me one-on-one – If you’re looking for deeper guidance in this season, I offer coaching to help you gain clarity, manage your emotions, and create an intentional, joy-filled life. Let’s connect!

No matter where you are right now, remember this: you were created to live with purpose. Inspiration isn’t something you have to chase—it’s something you can create. Take the first step today. ❤️🙏🏼🧠

The post Feeling Uninspired? Here’s Why It Happens and How to Get Your Spark Back appeared first on Rise Coaching.

Somewhere along the years, the word “discipline” has joined ranks of these words. If you look up the definition online, it’s now associated with punishment, controlling others, and even abuse. But discipline has been around since the beginning of time and is listed throughout the Bible as something that benefits us and helps us to grow.

It’s no coincidence that the word sounds a lot like “disciple.” Both words come from the Latin root discere, which means “to learn”.  While the latin word for discipline (“disciplina”) means instruction and training, the word disciple (“discipulus”) means student.

Jesus called many to follow Him and learn from Him. Not everyone did. John 6 tells the story of how He preached to thousands, telling them all that it would mean to follow Him and what this growth would produce in them (including power, love and self-discipline). He offered this to all, but many thought it was too much, (too disciplined, one might say) so they walked away. We were created with the free-will to decide for ourselves whether we want to learn and grow.

Discipline = instruction and training
Disciple = student

The majority of the people I work with and hang out with would say they love learning. Who doesn’t? And yet, society today shies away from the concept, and shames parents for “disciplining” their children…not realizing that teaching our children how to learn and be responsible for their thoughts, feelings and actions is a life necessity that helps us succeed.

Most of the things in this life that grow us take discipline. Learning a new instrument, habit, losing weight, gaining strength, writing a novel, running a marathon…. You name it, you need discipline to get it! Psalm 12:1 says whoever loves discipline, loves knowledge. It also says something a bit harsh…whoever hates discipline is “brutish.” (That means unintelligent-like an animal.) We were made for so much more.

So, what does it take to have discipline?

Four steps:

Consistency & Repetition

Commitment

Removed Temptation

Expect & Plan for Resistance

Consistency & Repetition

When we learn something new, the brain fights against it.  This is because the brain is focused on doing things with as little effort as possible. Once we’ve done something repeatedly and consistently for some time, the brain delegates the activity to the subconscious, and we begin to do it on “autopilot.”

If we’re learning an instrument, we first have to focus on the placement of each finger and think through idioms to help us remember the notes. (“Every Good Boy Does Fine!”) With time, those aspects are done without our focus, so we can concentrate elsewhere (like singing along as we play!).

Commitment

We have the ability to choose every day what we will do. As silly as it may sound, reminding your brain of your decision and dedication to follow through will strengthen your will to do so. When your actions don’t align with your values (what you think is important), you’ll feel internal friction and will be faced with a decision…change your behavior or change your mind! So re-mind yourself of why you’re committed to following through.

Instead of thinking about the discipline of doing devotions in the morning, remind yourself that you’re doing this to improve your relationship with God, to improve your ability to recognize His voice, and to feel His presence in your life, so you can show His love to others as well.

Remove Temptation

Not only does our brain want to stay on “autopilot,” it also naturally seeks pleasure/comfort and avoids pain/discomfort. So, if it takes more energy to focus your mind and stay on task, it will offer you all sorts of “alternatives” and distractions.  But here’s the good news. God promises that He’ll always offer a choice and the ability to control our thoughts and behavior.

If you’ve set out to write one chapter of a book each week, silence your phone and put it in another room! Turn off your notifications on your computer and clear your desk of any distractions. If you’re trying to get healthy, stock the kitchen with healthy food rather than your favorite snacks.

Expect & Plan for Resistance

Creating a new habit isn’t easy work. If it were, you’d already be doing it!  But just because it’s not “easy” doesn’t mean it’s impossible. You absolutely can teach an old dog new tricks. Be “onto” your brain.  Expect it to offer you all sorts of silly thoughts about what you deserve, how deprived you are in the moment, and all the reasons why you can do this tomorrow (or why it was a dumb idea in the first place!).  I like to think of this part of my brain as a toddler version of myself whining in order to get what she wants. I lovingly think to myself, “Yep. I hear you. But I’ve already made my decision.”

When my daughter was little, I realized quickly that there were times that I needed her to do what I asked of her without questioning me. Not because her questions were valid.  Not because I didn’t want to answer them, but because of two things:

1-My thought process when making decisions ahead of time was more rational than her thought process during an impulse or urge.

2-I knew there’d be a time when her obedience (another “dirty” word in today’s society) was imperative for what was best for her for the long-term.

Imagine you saw someone dangerous approaching your child and you say, “I need you to come here, please.”  You don’t want her to provide excuses or resist you. Rather, you’d want her to do what you ask now, knowing you’d be open to discussion about her thoughts & feelings later.

This, to me, is the heart of discipline. It was never intended to be abusive or manipulative. It was created for love. For growth and learning. And the biggest bonus of discipline? It’s almost impossible to be disciplined in only one aspect of your life.  When we learn how to regulate our thoughts, feelings and behavior, we’re better able to apply it throughout our life, affecting our body, soul and mind.

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The post Discipline (It’s not a bad word) appeared first on Rise Coaching.

How does an optimist see this glass?              (Half-full.)

How does a pessimist see this glass?              (Half-empty.)

How does an engineer see this glass?             (50% over-produced.)

My husband hates that joke.

He’s an engineer.

I love the joke

because…I’m an optimist.

Quite possibly, I also like it because it references the line of work I’m in. I’m in the business of hope and optimism. I help people take action to change the things they can and to deal with the things they can’t change.  I help them regain a sense of control over their moods and perspective when things aren’t going “as planned.”

Optimism is a choice to be hopeful that there will be a positive outcome.
Anyone can be optimistic if they choose to be.
Hope.

Sometimes I help client’s do this by helping them change their perspective.  I often hold hope for them until they’re able and ready to hold it on their own. This often includes helping them see their circumstances by better understanding God and who He is, so they can feel His love through the worst of times.

When we started this year, there were many references to having 20/20 vision.  This is humorous now, since none of us had a clear vision of what this year was going to be!  Perhaps you’ve heard the adage, “In like a lion, out like a lamb.”  It refers to an old prediction from the Farmer’s Almanac that says if March begins with a blustery dose of winter, it will end in the calm renewal of spring. However, if it begins with a warm calmness, we say, “In like a lamb and out like a lion” and expect for worse weather ahead!

Hope: trusting despite our circumstances

My ability to hold hope and to see the silver lining (or at least the “light at the end of the tunnel”) is not because I have never experienced hard times.  I’m human.  And as I say, no one escapes this life unwounded. In fact, I would argue that a person’s ability to have an optimistic perspective is not despite hard times, but because of hard times.  And one positive thing 2020 has offered us is an opportunity to stretch our resiliency.

I’m guessing you can look back over this year and see losses you’ve suffered. Pain you’ve endured.  Disappointments and loss.  And yet…if you look hard enough, you will also find blessings.  Perhaps you’ve learned to work through disagreements as a family after spending so much time “trapped” together indoors.  Or perhaps you’ve become more appreciative of the people in your life and the time you spend with them.  You may have had to solve problems that you thought had no solutions.

Better days ahead

My hope is that after the rough start of 2020, we’ll finally see the sun on the horizon, so to speak.  But before I say goodbye, I’m taking in the lessons of this year before the lion leaves:

We never really know what the day or year ahead of us will bring…we just think we know.

When we start to loosen our grip on how things “have to be” or are “supposed to be”, we feel less disappointment when things don’t go as “planned.”

• We can live with less than we think we need.
• We really don’t appreciate what we have until it’s taken from us.

And most importantly…

• All I really need for Christmas is the gift Jesus already gave me.

I received a Christmas card this week from a special aunt of mine.  In it, she had included a poem that I thought encapsuled the spirit of “optimism.”

“Worst Day Ever?” By Chanie Gorkin

Today was the absolute worst day ever
And don’t try to convince me that
There’s something good in every day
Because, when you take a closer look,
This world is a pretty evil place.
Even if
Some goodness does shine through once in a while
Satisfaction and happiness don’t last.
And it’s not true that
It’s all in the mind and heart
Because
True happiness can be attained
Only if one’s surroundings are good.
It’s not true that good exists
I’m sure you can agree that
The reality
Creates
My attitude
It’s all beyond my control
And you’ll never in a million years hear me say that
Today was a very good day.

Now read it from bottom to top, the other way,

And see what I really feel about my day.

Hope is trusting and believing with confidence that
God is working all things together for good.

To me, optimism and hope are closely connected, but not the same.  While optimism is looking for the “up-side” of a situation, “hope” is a more spiritual word. I see hope as something that only Christ can bring in the truest and purest sense of the word.  It’s believing that God is working all things together for good.  That things happen for me; not to me.  Biblically, it’s my understanding that the Lion represents Christ resurrected, and the lamb represents His sacrifice for us.  It’s what this season is all about.  Hope is the peace that comes from knowing that no matter what comes, it will be okay. This eternal hope is available to all. It’s your free Christmas gift..with no strings attached.

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The post The Difference Between Optimism & Hope appeared first on Rise Coaching.

“Different” is becoming the “norm” for 2020.

That is, until my husband called the day before Thanksgiving, saying he was headed home early and thought he had COVID. He’d been careful as planned, and yet, had been reminded that only so much is in our control.  He felt awful for “stealing” the day from my mom, aunt, and me. Thanksgiving lunch was cancelled, and instead of searching recipes and googling how long to bake the turkey, I found myself googling “COVID testing sites near me” so I could send my guy straight there before he got home.

In times like these, it’s easy to go into the depths-feeling sorry for ourselves. If you’re feeling like your Thanksgiving was “ruined” this year, or if you’d like to prep your attitude for Christmas just in case your plans get hijacked, try asking yourself my three favorite questions to pull yourself out of a funk.

My 3 favorite questions to pull out of a funk

1. What if nothing’s gone wrong here?

Once I got over the initial chaos of the changed plans, I told myself a nice quiet Thanksgiving at home is something we’ve never experienced before, and I could use a little down time after such a busy two weeks. Since my husband had little appetite, I decided there was no point in me spending the entire morning prepping a massive meal, and decided to stick to the turkey and replace the rest with a book on the couch!

2. How might this be happening for me (or someone else)?

I’d much rather cancel a Thanksgiving meal and movies than to have my mom or aunt get sick. Canceling protected everyone and gave me a chance to show love to my husband. If I knew that this suddenly free day were a gift and not an inconvenience, I would be more willing to accept it with open arms and look for the blessings of a quiet day without the hustle and bustle.

3. What does this disappointment really represent?

I value family and I’m a homebody. This particular aunt taught me the art of loving on people, making them cozy in your home, and enjoying quality time together. Thank God (literally) that I have people I love spending time with and miss when unable to. I still have many opportunities for those things in the future, despite losing one holiday with them.

It’s nearly impossible to feel entitled
and grateful at the same time.

As I write, I’m remembering that somewhere in the process of answering these questions, my mind slowly starts to make a turn. I recognize that my frustration over a circumstance often also shows some entitlement and a lack of gratitude for the blessings I have. After all, there are people in the world who have never eaten a “feast,” and who have no living loved ones to spend the holidays with.

I’m so grateful for a husband/best friend that I can care for when he’s sick.  I’m grateful that I’ve had over forty years of wonderful Thanksgivings surrounded by family, and will likely have many more. I’m thankful that I have a mom and aunt who I love to spend time with. And I realize that if I had never had any of these things, I wouldn’t have missed them. And just like that…my heart is filled with gratitude rather than focused on disappointment.

When I got that unexpected call from my husband, I ran to the store to grab a month’s supply of groceries before he got home. Then on Thanksgiving morning, when my he had the chills and no sense of smell or taste, I built a fire, baked that turkey and immediately turned it into turkey soup. Maybe that’s the equivalent of making lemons into lemonade this season!

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The post Getting Past Holiday Disappointment appeared first on Rise Coaching.

She would nod and listen, waiting for them to finish and then would ask, “No….What are you giving for Christmas?”  This always brought looks of confusion and then much thought.  But she said, if she waited for it patiently, their little faces would light up a second time before they started spilling ideas of what they could make for their parents and do for their friends. She said that their excitement for giving equaled their excitement for getting.

This month in Rising Soul, we’re deep-diving into the topics of
gratitude and generosity…

These two things which are tightly intertwined. We’re practicing generosity in unlikely ways and capturing the moments that we want to remember–reflecting the stories of how God blesses us daily.

Acts 20:35 says it’s more blessed to give than to receive. Sociology says so too.  A 2014 study at Notre Dame, involving 2000 people, showed that those who described themselves as “very happy” volunteered an average of 5.8 hours per month, compared to the .6 average of those who self-identified as “unhappy.” The study showed that there was a catch to this happiness…those who fit the category of “very happy” were more than just occasionally generous. Generosity was a way of life for them, and it didn’t just encompass one area —such as finances, but also with time and hospitality.

If you google the benefits of generosity, you’ll get a wonderful overload of lists, studies, and articles. So why then, aren’t more people generous?  Sociologist Christian Smith (who authored the book The Paradox of Generosity, which presents the findings of the above study) says that he believes it’s fear that makes people less generous than we could be, fearing that by giving to others, we would have less and suffer a loss.

Generosity is a barometer of our faith and trust in God.

It’s for this very reason that I say that generosity is a barometer of our faith and trust in God. When you know God as your generous Father and Provider who loves you and takes care of you well, you know that you can’t out-give Him. When we realize that all we have has been given to us by God, and then bless others as a response to being blessed, something happens that goes against the philosophy of this world. It’s like a parent who’s expecting a new baby.  They can’t imagine how they could possibly love another child as much as the one they already have.  And yet, when they meet that new little being, the love they had is not divided by the two children, but instead doubled. Expanded. It grows.

We can’t manipulate God to get what we want.

This isn’t a slot-machine mentality.  God isn’t fooled and the state and intentions of your heart matter to Him.  He loves a cheerful giver. Greed is not part of this equation. He does not provide for us so that we can “store up all our earthly wealth” or live a comfy and luxurious life. So why does He provide for us?

1. It pleases Him and brings Him joy. (Hebrews 13:16)

2. To generate even more gratitude and generosity. (2Corinthians 9:11)

3. To bless others. (2 Corinthians 9:8-11)

The Bible has a lot to say about God taking our “little” and turning it into “a lot.” –Not for our benefit, but to benefit those around us.  With that said, it’s also true that when we bless others, we GET the blessing of that experience.

“The greatest blessing in the whole world is being a blessing.” Jack Hyles

I’m guessing you spend little time thinking about what you’ll get for Christmas, and lots of time planning out what you’ll give.  (Because…well…that’s part of adulting.) But this year, I challenge you to think outside the box. How what can you give besides material things that can be multiplied by God to bless others?  Each year, one of my favorite items on our to do list is is selecting a gift for my parents (who insist they are down-sizing and want nothing!) from the World Vision catalogue.  Did you know you can buy a safe bike ride to school for a girl in high-trafficking countries, or business training for a single mom, or clean drinking water for a community? I get so excited thinking about those people being blessed and I feel blessed by the thought of it!

After four years of French class, I can barely parle français.  But Madame VanderZanden was certainly on to something, and I’m grateful for her lesson.

Give yourself a gift this Christmas that will help you give to others!

Join the Rising Soul membership wait list and get ready to come on board with us when doors open again on January 1st! We focus on sharing our blessings with others on a regular ongoing basis!

Learn more

The post Best French Lesson appeared first on Rise Coaching.

As a therapist, I help people recover from the throes of their life.
As a coach, I preventively help you prepare your mind so you’re able to tolerate stress well and not suffer from the weight of your circumstances.

In the engineering world, “stress” is defined in (laymen’s) terms of the ratio of pressure or force in relation to the area it is stretched out across.  My engineer-brained husband may have a few qualms with my explanation of that, but it’s close enough to help you apply this analogy to the psychological definition of stress. Mental or emotional strain/tension is determined by three different areas. This is best explained with the Bottom-Up, Outside-in, Top-Down Model. (On a related side-note, if you haven’t seen the Pixar movie Inside Out, I highly recommend it! It’s a cute explanation of your brain and emotions that will put this all into perspective.)

Understanding these three different aspects of how the brain is influenced will also help you build in protection for both your brain and your mood! Let’s look at each one individually.

Bottom-up, Outside-in, Top-down Model

1.  Bottom-up

These are biological/physiological in nature. It’s your genes, DNA, gut health, the nutrition available in your body, pain and sensations.

While some elements of the this realm are predetermined, plenty of areas can be influenced and changed by our choices and behaviors. Eating a variety of fruits and vegetables that span the color spectrum will increase the production of neurochemicals needed to keep us mentally healthy in addition to nourishing the rest of our body. Living an active lifestyle and getting regular cardiovascular exercise releases endorphins and other “feel good” chemicals internally. Even getting outside to absorb the sunshine impacts our health and mood. Together, this makes up a large part of our mental and emotional health and all are within our control.

Sleep is one of the top areas to focus on here, as adults need 7-9 hours of sleep in order to perform at their best. While we are at sleep, our brain is anything but “asleep!”  While we rest and dream, the brain goes through an extensive house-cleaning, removing toxins from the brain, dividing memories into long-term and short-term, deciding what information it needs to keep and toss. All of these things play a role in our ability to regulate our emotions during the day!

2.  Outside-in

Think of this as your environment.  It’s the “nurture” in “nature vs. nurture” and it includes things like stress, support system, upbringing, life experiences, education, etc.

We were created for connection! Our Creator tells us that we were made to love & connect with Him and others.  Having a support system is crucial to us and to our society. Finding places where you contribute to the wellbeing of others, and they do yours will benefit you in more ways than you may realize. Scientists agree that the larger the brain (specifically the neocortex-the area of higher brain functioning), the larger the social group of the animal.

While you likely think of things like taking a class, joining a club, or making new friends when you think of ways to boost this area of support to mental & emotional health, think outside the box as well.  Studies have shown that feel good neurochemicals are released into the blood stream when we connect with others and feel that we and they belong! One study showed that the reward center of the brain was more active when gave ten dollars away than when they received it.

3.  Top-down 

This includes your thoughts, feelings, cognitions, mindset and beliefs.

As a life coach, this is the area that I live in! While there are many circumstances in your life that are beyond your control, we always have the ability to control how we think, feel (through our thinking), and act.  We know that what we focus on grows, so if we focus on the problems of the world and watch the news 24/7, we’re going to believe the world is doomed.  If we focus on what’s going well or the ways I can impact my life and circumstances, I’ll begin to see where change is possible. Philippians 4:8 says whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable–if anything is excellent or praiseworthy–think about such things. And Romans 12:2 tells us not to let the world conform us, but instead, to be transformed through the renewing of our minds.  Our Creator shared with us, in this owners manual, that what we think about matters!

As you review this list, what are three actions you can take today to begin to brace your mental and emotional health?  If you would like some extra support in this area, I’d be honored to be your coach.  Whether through individual coaching, or the Rising Soul membership, where we deep-dive into a new lesson each week in order to live your best life, with Christ is at the center of it all…you’ll not only gain tools and techniques, but learn how to apply them in life-changing ways so that you’re living the life you were created for.  We weren’t meant to do this life alone. There’s a lot going on in our world today. (How tired are you of hearing the word “unprecedented”?!).  Don’t do it alone. You were created for connection.

Need some extra support?

It’s available in many forms! Click below to schedule a free forty-five minute consultation where we’ll take a snapshot of how you’re doing and what support you’d benefit most from. We’ll get you living the life you were created for.

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The post 3 Ways to Protect Your Brain & Mood appeared first on Rise Coaching.

I often have clients tell me that they don’t “feel” their feelings.  They prefer it this way, actually.  They’d prefer to eat them…or drink them…or shop them….you get the picture.

If that’s you, you’re in for a treat.

Today, I’m sharing three ways to process your emotion rather than eating all those left-over pieces of candy the Trick-or-Treaters didn’t touch.

Here are three tricks to processing emotion:

1. The trick is to treat your impulse/urge as a healthy adult.

When you catch yourself reaching for snacks/wine/Netflix absent-mindedly, stop and make a deal with yourself. “I can enjoy this treat fully if I choose to, but first  I’m going to process my emotion.”

2. The trick is to treat your emotions with intentional focus. 

Go somewhere without distractions and get in a comfortable position. Close your eyes and scan through your body.  What do you notice? Tightness in your chest? Racing heart? Shallow breath? Pins and needles across your shoulders?

Physiological sensations in the body like these are caused when our thinking releases neurotransmitters into our bloodstream.  As they travel through the body, they cause thousands (or billions in some cases!) of chemical reactions to occur, resulting in sensations that the brain labels as a feeling.

The better and faster you get at identifying them, the higher the odds of being able to address the thoughts causing them.

3. The trick is to treat your thoughts with curiosity.

As you observe your emotion in your body, you’ll likely begin to “hear” your thoughts as well.  Eavesdrop on your brain with a little curiosity, and without judgment.  What do you notice? What’s it offering you?

When we experience urges and impulses, the lower brain is the most active.  This what I call the “child” part of the brain…because in moments like these, it’s irrational and acts a bit like an overtired three year old throwing a tantrum on your front porch!  It will tell you anything to get what it wants.

“But I WANT it.”

“I deserve it.”

“My husband’s eaten three of them already.”

“If I don’t get one now, they’ll all be gone.”

“One won’t matter.”

What it probably won’t  tell you, is any of the logical things that are forward-thinking:
“This won’t help me reach that goal.”

“Laughing & running with my grandkids is more satisfying than 30 seconds of chewing on something.”

“If I eat one, I’ll likely eat five.”

“I can go to the store and buy one any time I want. It’s okay if they all get eaten.”

If eating/drinking/binging your feelings has become the norm for you, you may want to jot down the thoughts your brain offers up during an urge.

This way you can look at it again later when you’re feeling more balanced emotionally and in control of your actions.

(Remember, when emotion is high, logic is low!)

Look at each thought and assess whether they’re true.

Start a list of thoughts that are true, which you already believe (such as the ones above), and read them regularly to remind yourself and strengthen that belief.

If you need some extra help believing new things, check out this blog post to learn more.

Need even more help with that?

If you’re new to “feeling” things or want help gaining control of your emotions and urges, I’d be happy to help. Schedule a free, no-obligation consultation call with me and I’ll show you how coaching can help you gain control of your mind and behaviors so you can step into the life you were created for.

Schedule Now

The post 3 Steps to Process Emotion (Halloween Style) appeared first on Rise Coaching.

One day, I was talking with my twenty year-old daughter. While I don’t remember the topic, I do remember trying to lighten the mood a bit while giving some direction.  To emphasize my point, I used an expression that (I can’t believe I’m about to type these words…) “in my day”  would have been a “hip” thing to say.  (Seriously not sure when I became my grandmother.)

I was temporarily distracted from my trendiness by the shocked look on her face and slack jaw.

“What?!” I asked her. (I admit I wouldn’t have said this to a child…but she’s an adult now.)

“Mom….I don’t think that means what you think it means.”

“It means drinking two beverages at the same time…one in each hand.” (“Ha! See, you’re mom does know a thing or two!”)

She was completely unamused.

“Nope.  Definitely not what you think it means.”

I thought for a split second before it was my turn to be horrified.

“NO! Your generation does not get to steal sayings that MY generation created, and then turn them into something horrifying so we sound stupid when we say them! That’s now how this works.”

What are you making that mean?

Let’s switch gears a bit, shall we?  (Is it getting warm in here?)

Part of the human experience is that when we are struggling with a circumstance, we forget that our thoughts about the situation are not necessarily rooted truth or being viewed through a spot-free lens.

This leads to two primary issues:

1. Misunderstandings that hurt relationships.

It’s been said that when a conversation occurs between two people, there are actually four conversations at play: What I say, what I mean, what you hear, and what you think I meant by it. We get ourselves (and our relationships) into trouble when we start making the words of another person mean something….without checking for accuracy!

The best way to solve this is by mirroring what the other person has said. Flip your pronouns and check for understanding. (“So, are you saying….?” or “Are you upset with me?”)

2. Misunderstandings that hurt us. 

Sometimes we make things mean things that they never meant at all.  When I was young and struggled in school, I made that mean I wasn’t smart.  When I fail at something, sometimes I make that mean it was a waste of time or that I never should’ve tried it at all.  When a friend doesn’t return a call, I sometimes make that mean I’m not important to her.

And yet…. I also know that there are other possible explanations.  I know I’m only seeing things from my own perspective and I’m missing half the story.

Just because you think something doesn’t mean it’s true.

A question I frequently ask clients is, “What are you making that mean?”  I often get a little head shake in response, along with a look of confusion. But it doesn’t take long before they catch my meaning.  They realize that how we interpret our circumstance is up to us. Now, I’m not talking about just thinking Pollyanna thoughts or refusing to acknowledge and allow our emotions. I am saying it’s important to stop and check our assumptions to see if our view might be obstructed.

Psalm 94:11 says that God knows our thoughts before they’re even formed. So I wonder how often He watches us we go through something…struggling & hurting…or angry & resentful…and thinks:

“Nooo. No. That doesn’t mean what you think it means.”

This doesn’t mean it’s over.

That doesn’t mean you aren’t worthy.

This doesn’t define you.

That doesn’t mean I don’t love you.

It doesn’t mean I’m not with you.

That doesn’t mean I did this to you, or that I’m trying to teach you a lesson.

You’re not seeing it all.  Your view is obstructed. I’m still here. I have a plan. This will be okay in the end. I am working all things together for good. 

Sometimes we cause the very thing that we’re thinking because we’re so sure of what we “see.” 

We think we know where this is going, or how it’s going to end.  We feel hopeless, so we stop fighting…which leads to us giving up something that God gave us to claim.  A restored relationship, forgiveness, health, resilience, a victor’s story that will inspire others or help others to hang onto hope as well.

The next time you catch yourself certain of what’s in front of you, stop and ask yourself: What could I possibly be not seeing? What other possible explanations are there? What might God do with this situation if I trust Him and let Him in? You can’t control what happens to you, but you can decide what we make it mean. 

We can all use a little support and a fresh perspective in life!  Schedule a free, no-obligation consultation call with me and I’ll show you how coaching can help you step into the life you were created for.

Schedule Now

The post What’s It to You? appeared first on Rise Coaching.

I’m in a storm right now.  Of all the troubling circumstances I’ve experienced in life, the ones that are sure to bring out a fight against reality involve my kids.  I storm Heaven with my prayers, release “what is” to God, and then continue a cycle of surrendering and repossessing my worry to/from God until it seems resolved.

Yes. 

I’m a life coach. 

And a therapist.

And every ounce human.

This is part of the human experience.

We get to choose daily to lean on us or God.

Yesterday, I finished reading Sarah Bessey’s book Jesus Feminist. In it, she spoke of the old testament Hebrew word, shalom, and said:

“God’s shalom is complete peace: wholeness, health, welfare, safety, soundness, tranquility, prosperity, perfectness, fullness, rest, harmony. This peace is found in Christ and his Kingdom.” 

These things are all true. And (because of the context she was speaking within) they miss the fact that the soundness exists even in the absence of all these other things listed.  We have shalom (peace) when we have the Trinity of God, and when our life is aligned to Him, and we are also fully aligned with Him spiritually, physically, and mentally. 

This reminds me of a favorite Gandhi quote that hangs in my office: “Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony.”  And yet, even “happiness” does not quite fit.  I am not “happy” when one of my children is struggling.  Nor do I want to be.  I want more than just happiness.  So forgive my audacity for a moment if I try to improve on the words of such a wise man, and say it differently:

Peace is a feeling. And we know that feelings are created by our thoughts.

When I think “This is so hard”, I feel dismayed.

When I think “He/she is hurting so much.” I feel hurt to

Even though these thoughts may seem true, focusing on them does not lead to peace.  Instead, I can choose to remind myself of the thoughts/beliefs that do.

God is faithful and just.

He’ll never leave or forsake them.

He loves my kids even more than I do.

He’s working all things together for good.

When I think these thoughts, I find peace.  Sure, it takes practice. There are times I start by thinking, “I’m working on believing that God is in control of even this. I frequently approach Him with the request, “Lord, help me trust/believe/know that….”  And He does.  I wish shalom for you too, my friend!  It’s available to you now.  Even in “this“.

Feeling stuck in the storm?

I can help with that.

You don’t need counseling to face your current challenges. You just need a coach to help you manage your thoughts around it!

Schedule a free, no-obligation consultation call with me and I’ll let’s get started.

Schedule Now

The post How to Find Peace When You’re in the Storm appeared first on Rise Coaching.

I’m not a big fan of memorized prayers.

They feel unnatural to me.

After all, there’s no one on this planet who I convey the same memorized, rehearsed message to on a regular basis!

I’m pretty sure if I had the same scripted conversation with my husband daily, our relationship would be pretty shallow and stale.

I’d rather talk freely with him and share my heart openly–in my own words.

That’s equally true when it comes to sharing my heart & life with God.

There is an exception though.

I love love love the serenity prayer.

Not the short version we all know.

But the one that delves into the crevices where the human soul gets stuck.

(Not familiar? Click here to get it!)

It embodies all of the work I do with clients, and the way I strive to live myself.

It speaks of the serenity we’re all wanting in this life (especially when things are chaotic and hard).

It offers assurance of the peace we want about the life that comes after this one.

It calls up the courage we need to create and live the life we were created for.

It bolsters deciphering when to change our circumstance, vs. accepting it “as is”.

It leads us to live in the moment and to use the hard times & struggles to learn & grow.

While I don’t recite this prayer verbatim to the Father, I do spend a lot of time exploring it with Him and holding my thoughts captive in order to live it out.

Because I know that we as humans spend too much energy, desire, focus, and time fighting to change things that are out of our control, and questioning whether we’re doing enough.

So often we miss what is because we’re busy longing for something different.

We fail to learn the lessons God’s trying to teach because we’re begging him to show us something else.

We stay stuck in a problem because we refuse to let go of the very thing we’re begging Him to take from us.

This prayer reminds me that the work I do matters.
Because we’re all called to own the things that are our responsibility and to let go, stop fighting, and give the rest to God.

It’s not easy work, and we all need help getting there at times.

We all struggle to believe that He’s making all things right.

That He’s working all things together for good.

If we truly believed that, how much more peace and serenity would we experience on a daily basis?

I’ve created something for you.  It’s a beautiful copy of the extended version of the Serenity Prayer, along with a two page worksheet to help you change your perspective on the circumstances you’re hanging tightly to— thus taking a “pass” on the serenity that’s available to us all. Just click the button below for your downloadable copy of both!

Rest easy, friend.  God’s got you covered.  And if you’re having trouble seeing and resting in that, I’d love to help you get clear on this and free you up to live the life He created you for!

Get my free copy of the Serenity Prayer (extended version) and Worksheets now

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