Living in the Miracle Zone Marci Shimoff

Today we dive into the heart of transformation and resilience with our amazing guest, Leila Reyes. Leila is a remarkable woman. And as you’ll hear in this episode, her life journey truly exemplifies the extraordinary power of the human spirit. She has courageously embraced the shadows of childhood trauma and now lives a life filled with grace, unconditional self-love and miracles. Her story is a true testament to the indomitable nature of the human soul. Leila is also a very dear, dear, dear friend, colleague, and a fabulous cheerleader and support in my life. 
Leila’s rich life experience shows up in her gifts as a coach. She was actually the very first coach for my Your Year of Miracles program more than 11 years ago and continues to this day. She also has a master's degree in social work. Most recently, she’s the author of  Freedom From Shame: Trauma, Forgiveness, and Healing from Sexual Abuse. And she’s the brilliant host of a new podcast called Courageous Conversations.
In this episode, Leila shares the profound experiences that have sparked her passionate mission to light the way for others who seek happiness and fulfillment, but seem to have trouble finding the way. She opens up about her own traumatic past and shares how she found her way through the darkness and into the light.. Above all, she shares the steps she has taken in her life that have helped others live their own miraculous lives. 
“Life's greatest wounds bring wisdom and compassion, which can bring healing to many people. You can turn your wound into a contribution which makes a difference in the world.” – Leila Reyes
 
What we talked about:
“I did not always live this life.” (05:24)
How Leila confronted her father over sexual abuse and released herself from a state of victimhood (08:13)
Existential shame and learning to forgive through radical responsibility (09.38)
The importance of finding a  Beautiful Circle of friends who believe in you (13:13)
The benefit of having  a vision that’s bigger than your fear (16:02)
How to ease your own pain through self-compassion (17:28)
The three steps to the miracle zone: Self-compassion, the circle of friends, and practicing gratitude (18:54)
Leila’s podcast Courageous Conversations (22:23)
The story of the Chowchilla prison women and how Leila helped them overcome their own traumas to live beautiful lives (24:02)
Leila’s final words of wisdom from her book, Freedom from Shame (26:34)


Favorite quotes from the episode:
Okay, I'm gonna be scared. I'm gonna take a step forward and I'm gonna do it anyway – Leila Reyes
This challenge that I experienced is across the board. It's a human experience – Leila Reyes
The biggest challenge to living in the miracle zone is to really get out of victimization. I had to remind myself over and over again that the difficult experiences that happen in life are not happening to me, but they're happening through me and for me – Leila Reyes
How someone treats you is not your responsibility, but leaving or staying in an abusive relationship is your responsibility. So I had to really get underneath that so that I could see what's mine and what isn't mine. And then I could take responsibility for what was mine and let the rest go. –Leila Reyes
There's a lot of different ways you can forgive, but it's not about condoning the behavior, right? – Leila Reyes
I've learned that treating yourself with compassion is hard for everyone, everyone, not just survivors of abuse. And so the first way to start bringing more compassion to yourself is to fake it till you make it – Leila Reyes
Just continue, continue, continue, because if I can get out of this experience, if I can free myself from shame, you can too – Leila Reyes

 
Connect with Leila:
leilareyes.com
 
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The first big happiness question to ask is, are you a victim in your life? Or are you a victor? – Marci Shimoff
Happiness is what everybody wants, and we can all have it. It's actually our birthright. And being happy is really about living in the Miracle Zone.
In today's episode, I’ll dive into my 25 years of research into happiness and what I learned from unconditionally happy people and people like Holocaust survivor Victor Frankl. I’ll share with you what I mean by happiness, and then I'm going to share with you what I think is a deep foundation for both happiness and a miraculous life: showing up in your life as a victor.
Finally, I’ll guide you through a breathing practice that will keep you grounded in the present moment.
 
What I talked about:
My years of trying to be happy inside by “lining things up” on the outside, and my 25-year journey to discover true happiness (1:29)
Learning what happiness is and what it isn’t through studying unconditionally happy people (3:42)
Learning to take responsibility for your life as the key to unconditional happiness; learning from the Happy Hundred and Jack Canfield; and how Victor Frankl chose to be a victor even in the Holocaust (04:55)
The three patterns of playing the victim – blaming, shaming, and complaining – and how to break through them into happiness (10:42)
Guided meditation to connect to Mother Earth (14:03)
 
Favorite quotes from the episode:
The first big happiness question to ask is, are you a victim in your life? Or are you a victor? - Marci Shimoff
What I mean by happy…doesn't mean that you're walking around 24/7 with a silly grin on your face or that you're in some Pollyanna state of denial. But what it does mean is that you have that inner unshakable happiness that nothing or nobody can take away. - Marci Shimoff
The idea of taking responsibility can sound like a lot of work, but I promise you the moment you let go of the belief that other people or outside circumstances have the power to make or break your happiness, then you're free because you call the shots for your happiness. - Marci Shimoff
We who lived in concentration camps can remember the men who walked through the huts comforting others, giving away their last piece of bread. They may have been few in number, but they offer sufficient proof that everything can be taken from a person, but one thing, the last of the human freedoms: to choose one's attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one's own way. - Victor Frankl
It's not the events in our lives that determine our life, but it's our responses to those events that determine our outcomes in life. - Marci Shimoff
When we are present, we are happiest. We are not stuck in blame, shame, and complaining. We are in the victor mode rather than the victim mode. And that's when we are happy. Happier for no reason and living in the miracle zone - Marci Shimoff
 
Connect with Us:
 Happy for No Reason Certified Training Program 
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Today I'm joined by the wonderful and amazing Matt Kahn. Matt is a renowned spiritual teacher, a highly acclaimed empath and best-selling author. He's known for his transformative insights into the journey of awakening. Matt’s teachings really focus on love as the ultimate path to self-realization and the importance of emotional freedom and self-awareness. His books include the spiritual classic, Whatever Arises, Love that. 
Matt is a beloved figure in the world of contemporary spirituality, and with a dedicated following worldwide, his teachings have inspired millions.  
Matt's message is simple yet profound, which is to embrace every moment with love and kindness to unveil the divine within. In this episode he shares his insights into how to do just that.  
Everything was preparing me for something greater that would happen in my life. And so as I started to live more in synchronicity with circumstance, I found that instead of a miracle for me being defined as the fulfillment of a super duper desire, I found everyday life I found the breath, I believe, fact when I open up a faucet and water flows out to actually be part of life's infinite miracles, and I started to see everything as miraculous, and not just the things I was holding out for.
 
We talked about:  
Matt’s awakening to the miracle zone and seeing the miraculous in everyday life (03:43) 
The importance of letting go of controlling life (06:53)
Moving past the fear of being one’s authentic self  (11:47)
Matt’s ideas on the nervous system and loving the fearful part of you as the key to action in life (15:29)
Matt delves into the making of his film Healed by Love exploring the role of love in leading a miraculous life.
Matt’s closing insights into accessing the miracle zone.  (27:24)
 
Favorite quotes from the episode:  
Miracles are always occurring. We just have to become aware of it - Matt Kahn
We don't have to try to do everything in one 24-hour cycle. If we actually allow ourselves to take time and move at the speed of love, we allow the miracles to unfold slowly but surely, like beautiful flowers blossoming in the garden - Matt Kahn
One of the main ways people can really get into the miracle zone is when we are not quite focused on what needs to happen - Matt Kahn
In order to be excited by authenticity, we have to be willing to accept our fears and then step forward anyway - Matt Kahn
To first love ourselves is to say that it's safe for me to be the focus of attention. It's okay for me to be the focus of attention, it doesn't mean I did anything wrong and it's not going to lead to punishment even if I carry that memory from the past - Matt Kahn
 
Connect with Matt:  
Matt’s new documentary, Healed By Love
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In today's episode, I am sitting down with the wonderful Dr. Richard Shuster. He's a clinical psychologist, philanthropist, highly sought-after TEDx speaker, and cutting-edge CEO who harnesses the power of habits, positive thinking, and love to help people and organizations achieve their full potential. 
AND Dr. Shuster has had 3 near-death experiences!
Today, he shares why he feels like the luckiest person on earth and how he lives in the Miracle Zone after nearly dying 3 times. He talks about creating new neural pathways in your brain and his best tips for experiencing your full potential by following your heart's passion.
If you struggle to do what you love because of doubt or those nagging voices that say it's a terrible idea that will never work, listen closely. Richard explains how silencing those voices allows the Universe to bring the people and experiences you need exactly when you need them.
In these times, when world events and provoking headlines can drain our energy and cloud the love that surrounds us, it’s important to be careful not to indulge on social media, the news, or other people's opinions.
Join us as we learn what it takes to live a balanced life, follow your heart's passion, and create new neural pathways that lead to a truly miraculous life.
“There is incredible potential that lies within each and every one of us to create positive change in our lives and the lives of others while achieving our dreams” - Dr. Richard Shuster.
 
We talked about:  
Living in the miracle zone despite having three near-death experiences (3:08) 
Staying positive amid perceived chaos and strife (8:17) 
Retraining the brain to create new, positive neural pathways (16:04) 
Richard's experience of shifting into a life of miracles (20:31) 
Advice for those ready to face their fears and shift to doing what they love  (23:33)  
 
Favorite quotes from the episode:   
“It's okay to close the laptop. It's okay to have a life. It's okay to let the work wait till tomorrow because there will always be more work” - Dr. Richard Shuster.  
“Be intentional about who is in your world, period. If you have the right people around you, anything is possible” - Dr. Richard Shuster.   
 
Connect with Richard:  
Website 
The Daily Helping Podcast  
 
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How do you stay grounded when faced with the overwhelming realities of what's going on in the world? In today's solo episode, we'll explore how to stay in the Miracle Zone amidst the world's challenges without spiritual bypassing.
I'll show you how to remain connected to your heart and humanity. And I'll guide you through a breathing practice for connecting with your inner strength and anchoring your body, mind, and spirit in unconditional love and compassion.
A lot is going on in the world. It can feel challenging to stay rooted in loving awareness in the face of so much desensitizing cruelty and negativity. Many people feel pulled between ignoring the world's challenges so they don't disrupt their vibration or staying glued to social media and the news. But the news floods you with fear, anger, confusion, and adrenaline. So what do you do?
Well, there's another way to stay anchored in possibilities and inspiration without turning away from the challenges happening in the world, and that is the Miracle Zone way.
The Miracle Zone way is remaining in and showing up in unconditional love despite the pervasive negativity in your environment. It's a powerful expression of light that our world desperately needs right now. Everyone across the planet is witnessing significant atrocities happening in the Middle East and feeling the collective grief for the innocent caught in the crossfire.
And in the face of a monumental level of suffering and oppression, it's natural to ask the question: What do we do? How do we hold space for the hurting and stay sane while moving through the darkness?
These are some of the questions we’ll begin answering as we explore the tools I have for you today to help you keep your heart open while living through challenging times. Living fully in the Miracle Zone is all about knowing that to shine your light and show up in unconditional love with compassion, unattached to any specific outcome other than liberation, takes courage.
In our courageousness, we can be blessed, and, in turn, be a blessing to others. Kindness still abounds and staying hopeful in humanity is the way forward.
Join me today for heart-based guided meditation to anchor into a place of love and inner strength and step out of the loop of fear and adrenaline.
“May the fragrance of the love that you've cultivated, even in this short meditation, spread across your life and ripple through your community and our world.” - Marci Shimoff 
 
What I talked about: 
Staying grounded and inspired amid global challenges (0:50) 
Stepping into your power to step out of the loop of fear and adrenaline (2:16) 
A guided meditation for anchoring into a place of love and inner strength (4:59)   
Opening up to the possibility of miracles through heart-focused breathing (8:23) 
An invitation to ground the love and wisdom of the meditation (12:10)   
 
Favorite quotes from the episode:  
“When we want to take action, we take action from a place of greater compassion and love when we are emanating love. And when we're sending out blessings, we are contributing to that energetic field. And it's really from the energy of love that miracles can happen.” - Marci Shimoff. 
“Only turn on the news when you are already very strong in yourself and you're in a state of great compassion because then you can deal with it in a way that is most helpful. And she said that when you come to find your place of inner strength and compassion, then you become a blessing.” - Jean Houston. 
 
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In this episode, I’m delighted to be joined by my dear friend and colleague, the amazing Dr. Robert Holden. Robert Holden’s innovative work on psychology and spirituality has been featured on The Oprah Winfrey Show, Good Morning America, a PBS special Shift Happens!, and in two major BBC-TV documentaries on happiness - The Happiness Formula and How to Be Happy.  He has presented two popular TEDx talks.  As a student of A Course in Miracles, he and  his wife, Hollie, host EVERYDAY MIRACLES – an online membership for A Course in Miracles. 
Robert is a New York Times best-selling author of 14 books including Happiness NOW!, Shift Happens!, Loveability, and Life Loves You (co-written with Louise Hay). His brand-new venture is PURPOSE CLUB – which offers a year of mentoring and support for living a purpose-centered life.   
Today, Robert and I unpack the nature of miracles through a discussion I believe to be a beautiful example of aligning with Higher Purpose and how to live from a place of love and faith in the Universal plan. Robert offers great insight as he shares his experience of the miracle zone.  
Robert speaks about how shifting from fear to love is key to discovering the miracle zone, and why true discovery begins with recognition and awareness of what already is. As a practical stand for showing up in life committed to love, Robert takes us through some of his favorite exercises for recognizing the miracles available to us and opening to receiving them.  You won’t want to miss this one, so tune in to receive this gift of a message from my fellow Miracle traveler, Robert Holden!  
“The miracle zone is here. The question is, where am I?”  - Robert Holden
 
What we talked about: 
Robert’s definition of a miracle and what A Course In Miracles is (4:01) 
Shifting from a fearful mindset to an energetic state of love (11:22) 
 Practical keys for leading from love by remembering Life Loves You (14:30)  **Life Loves You exercise 
 Robert’s concept of destination addiction and skipping over the life we're currently living (20:28) 
 The role of purpose in living a miraculous life (24:57) 
 
Favorite quotes from the episode: 
  “Miracles happen when we shift our mindset from fear to love in any given situation.”  - Robert Holden 
“If you can be emotionally honest, you’ll become even more spiritually clear. Emotional honesty boosts spiritual clarity” - Robert Holden 
“You simply have to be aware. And the awareness itself starts to make you more porous, more open, more receptive, and more spontaneously available to miracles.” - Robert Holden  
 
Connect with Robert:  
Purpose Club
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