Why Struggle? Podcast w Barbara J. Faison Barbara J. Faison

All the links - LINKTR.EE/BARBARAFAISON

2024 - Week 16 - Take a Breath

You can listen to this on my podcast - 8:13 mins or click the link above for the YouTube Channel version (audio only)

Wouldn't it be nice to have people do what we want them to do all day long? Good luck with that. We live in a society of free will. Every day we make choices. Each person takes a path that will be filled with learning experiences for that individual.

You can't make anyone do anything they don't want to do. The only behavior you can control is your own. A reminder of this is watching a two-year-old or any child have a tantrum. The child will stop when ready, no matter what anyone tries to say or do to him or her



We can't control anyone as much as we may think we can learn to accept people for who they are, not who you want them to be. Learn to manage your ability to respond to others and check in with yourself. Learn to step back and check your expectations.



Practice: before you ask anyone to change his or her behavior, think about your expectations. Is this change for your benefit because it would make you more comfortable? How would you feel if someone wanted you to change your behavior?



Affirmation: I accept people for who they are in my life.

That was an excerpt from my book/e-book/audiobook Why Struggle? life is too tight to wear tight shoes is the Deep Breathing Practice.



Suzanne is my oldest friend and we usually chat a few times a week. Whenever I get annoyed because "someone didn't do something I thought they should do," she reminds me that people have their own priorities that take up space in their head. And that is a very valid point. lolWhen I woke up this morning I had things on my mind that I wanted to do. I bet you did as well.  What I plan or need to do, where I want to go, who I plan to reach out to and so on. Unless you are working on something together, people may not be thinking about what you have on your mind. I know what's wrong with them right? Don't they know my priorities?

Expecting someone to make your thoughts a priority is futile. They are not in your head thinking your thoughts. I've gotten better about stopping my mind from creating stories which may or may not be true. What helps me is to take a few breaths. Hmmm, sounds like a great time to practice taking a breath.

Let's do it. What we'll do is take four breaths in through the nose and eight breaths out through the mouth. It's simple and easy and takes just over a minute. You can do a few rounds of this breathing while driving or walking, too.  It's a great way to relax your mind and your body. You can practice this a few times during the day as well.

I'll do the counting and you do the breathing.

Are you ready? Let's begin.

Breathe in 234 out 7654321

In 234 out 7654321

In 234 out 7654321

In 234 out 7654321

In 234 out 7654321

In 234 out 7654321

In 234 out 754321

Take a moment to notice how you feel right now in this present moment.

This breathing technique is very powerful. Whenever we breathe out longer than in, we're sending a signal to our brain to calm our body down.

Maybe the next time you find yourself moving into a state of annoyance because someone isn't reading your mind, try breathing out longer than you breathe in to keep yourself in a calm place. This was 4 in and out 8, you can do any number that works for you. As long as the exhale is longer than the inhale, you will feel the benefits of the breathing practice.

So how do you feel after taking a few intentional breaths? Let me know by leaving a comment wherever you are listening to this podcast.

You can also email me at barbarafaisonllc@gmail.com. And if social media is better for you, LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram, are best.




All the links - ⁠LINKTR.EE/BARBARAFAISON






---

Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/barbara-faison/message
Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bar

All the links - LINKTR.EE/BARBARAFAISON


2024 - Week 15 - Celebrations!

This is a podcast about celebrating friendships and enjoying life.

My dear friend Bonnie is celebrating her birthday and a group of us will go salsa dancing on Friday. When I was chatting with her earlier this week, neither one of us could remember exactly when we met. Well, we remembered when we met, we just couldn’t remember the year. We’re pretty sure it was around 2000ish. Lol

At that time, I was dancing once or twice a week around various places in Atlanta. One Friday night while I was at the Duplex listening to music and dancing in place, Bonnie came over and struck up a conversation. That act started the beginning of our friendship.

Over the next 20+ years, we experienced a lot! Whenever I had a program and needed support, Bonnie was there. She would be there early, stay for the program, and help me clean up afterwards. In fact after I got married, my husband noticed whenever something was taking place whether it was people coming over to the house or an event that I was part of, Bonnie was there. I told him, we should all have a friend like Bonnie. If she can be there, she will be there from the beginning to the end.

We have had countless meals together and laughed until we couldn’t stop. We have traveled together and danced salsa in Miami and Puerto Rico until the wee hours of the morning. As we grew older, we would laugh the next day after we stayed out way too late and remind ourselves that we were not 25, 35, 45, or even 55.

I have lost count of all the times Bonnie was there. Whether it was helping get my mom to an event because I needed to be there early or I checking on her when she was in the rehab center. I’m so grateful my mother got a chance to meet her. After my mother passed and when it was time to go through her things, Bonnie’s support and presence was like a healing balm.



All the links - ⁠LINKTR.EE/BARBARAFAISON



---

Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/barbara-faison/message
Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/barbara-faison/support

All the Links - Linktr.ee/barbarafaison


2024 - Week 14 - Staying Grounded

This is a podcast about how I stay grounded.

Last week I mentioned using your phone to remind you during the day to stop and check in with yourself. 

Are you checking in with yourself? Are you noticing how you feel and paying attention to how you are moving through the day?



I notice when I’m rushing or moving fast I drop things. I might have too many things in my hand as I’m walking to the car and I drop something. Maybe if I put my water bottle down and make another trip that wouldn’t happen. Lol. So lately I have been noticing and stopping and putting my hand in the center of my chest and taking a few breaths and lovingly saying to myself, “Barbara, slow down.”



Spring brings a different energy than winter. When the weather is nice it makes me want to be outside more and do a lot.  New ideas and adventures are naturally a part of spring since we were more inside and closed off during the winter months.  I’ve learned it’s important to stay grounded during the day so I can be more focused on what I desire.



Here are a few ways I stay grounded with life during the spring.


I take a few minutes to sit outside and be with nature


I press my feet into the ground and remind myself that I am safe and grounded


I limit myself to no more than three major activities a day





I’ve recently released a five minute grounding meditation that also uses your voice. I hope you enjoy listening. 



Check in with your body and notice how you feel now. You can also find this meditation on my YouTube channel under videos.



I’d love to know how you felt after practicing the grounding meditation. Leave a comment where you are listening to this podcast. 

You can also email me at barbarafaisonllc@gmail.com. And if social media is better for you, LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram, are best.

Our Breathe with Barbara LIVE sessions start next week on 4/10. If you are interested in joining us, you can register on my website at barbarafaison.com/store/ live meditation, you can also use MONEY for 10% off your order as a promo

The card I pulled for us today from my Relax, Listen and Trust Your Inner Guidance Card Deck in this moment is:

#8 - LISTEN - My body TELLS ME what it NEEDS

It sure does. It might be movement, food, rest, water. Learning to listen to your body is a PRACTICE and Practice. Keep Practicing.


Linktr.ee/barbarafaison






---

Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/barbara-faison/message
Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/barbara-faison/support

LINKTR.EE/BARBARAFAISON


2024 - Week 13 - Deep Breathing


We are officially in spring. Yay! And there’s still a lot going on in the world. I don’t know about you, but I’m starting to really have to remind myself to stop and take deep breaths during the day even more.

One of my practices is to have my phone alarm at different times during the day. I change the word alarm to an affirmation or something I want to be reminded of, like take 5 deep breaths. I call this my Affirmation Alarm Practice.

My alarm at 1:11 PM is All is Well with high-fives emojis and hearts. At 4:44pm the alarm prompts me to Take. Deep. Breaths. The 10:30 PM alarm is Thank You for This Day with emojis as well. Emojis remind me to be less serious… Yes, I have to be reminded of this often. lol

After over 25 years meditating daily, practice is what it’s all about. It’s also the little things like connecting with your breath and your body and finding moments of beauty and presence.  Did you know that taking a few deep breaths during the day regularly helps reduce stress and overwhelm? You probably know what’s next. Lol. Yep, it's time to practice.

The excerpt from my book/e-book/audiobook Why Struggle? life is too tight to wear tight shoes is the Deep Breathing Practice.

Deep Breathing Practice

Sit comfortably with your back straight if possible. Gently close your eyes and begin to become aware of your breath. Simply breathe in and breathe out. Pay attention to your breath as you breathe in and out and allow your body to settle into this practice.

Just breathe in and breathe out. Place your hands on your stomach as you continue to breathe.

On your next in breath take a deep breath in while pressing your belly out as if you are trying to push your belly button out as far as you can. On your next exhale, press your belly button back into place.

Continue pressing out your belly button on your exhale and pressing your belly button back into place on the inhale.

Once you are comfortable with this belly breathing begin counting to 3 on the in breath as you expand your stomach. Hold your breath for a count of 3, then contract your stomach for the count of 3. You should feel more air moving through your body.

Continue breathing deeply for up to ten minutes. When you are ready to return to the present moment, open your eyes and allow your breath to return to normal.Continue using this deep breathing technique during your day or whenever you want a reminder to be in the present moment. This deep breathing is also very helpful to reduce stress or anxiety.

Purpose: Reminder to be present.

End of excerpt






---

Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/barbara-faison/message
Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/barbara-faison/support

All the LINKS - linktr.ee/barbarafaison


You can listen to this on my podcast - 9:11 mins or click the link above for the YouTube Channel version (audio only)

This is a podcast about taking in all that is happening in the moment and flowing with life.



When I have my live meditation sessions I often talk about the infinity symbol and how it is a lovely reminder to flow with life. The word infinity is from the Latin word 'infinitas' and it means 'unboundedness' or 'endless'.

The infinity symbol reminds me of the ebbs and flows of life. All the perceived ups and downs and the waves of emotions we may feel throughout the day. The symbol looks like a sideways number eight. I draw the infinity symbol in the air and I share what I see as a flow; going with the changes of life as they come. Feeling down and then rising up and falling back down then coming back up again, and the cycle repeats. 



Life is lived in moments. In one moment I can be filled with immense joy and in another I may receive news that knocks me down to my knees.

I asked my husband, TD, for an infinity necklace and I received a beautiful infinity necklace from him. The necklace reminds me to go with the flow. To allow myself to align with life and all that is happening around me. When I touch the necklace I remember to RELAX and F.L.O.W. - For me, flow means, Feeling. Loving. Open. Willing.



The seasonal changes of moving from winter to spring is also a nudge to notice and for me to notice moments even more.

Have you seen the beauty all around you? What have you noticed? 

I recently had to stop and take in the trees in my backyard… they are called loropetalums. As we say in the south… Laura Petlums. Lol. They came with the house and come in various hues and ours are a vibrant fuchsia. Simply breathtaking.  

As I was backing out of the driveway, I noticed a few magenta calla lilies that TD planted around the mailbox. I am so grateful for him sharing beauty where I can notice it around the house. I pulled over and just stopped for a moment to smile and appreciate those flowers and the others he planted. It was a moment.

Right now this in this moment,  the excerpt from my  book/eBook/audiobook, Why Struggle? Life is too short to wear tight shoes being shared is,  This Moment.

This Moment

Stop. What are you doing right now? What you are doing right now is this moment. If you are reading or listening to this book, be in the moment. Pay attention to what is NOW. THE PRESENT MOMENT!

If you find your thoughts drifting back to the past or into the future, STOP and BREATHE. Breathe in and breathe out. Conscious breathing connects you with the present moment.

Feel all the emotions life has to offer – joy, pain, sorrow, happiness, peace, etc. The past is over. No matter what is happening, I guarantee that you will feel another emotion before you even realize it.

The future is not certain. You only have this moment. There will never be another moment like this one.

Practice: For one day, take the time to notice things around you. Be in each moment by stopping during the day to be aware of your breath. Breathe in and breathe out. Take a slow drive, look at nature, and revel in the beauty that surrounds you.

Affirmation: I feel all the elements of this moment and revel in the beauty of life.

End of excerpt.

As I was looking out of my window typing this post, I noticed those vibrant loropetalums once again and smiled. They looked even more magical today, it felt like they knew I was talking about them. Seeing them prompts me to look for more beauty everywhere. I mean after all, spring is here!

Leave a comment where you are listening to this podcast and share what you saw, smelled, heard, tasted or touched in this moment.

You can also email me at barbarafaisonllc@gmail.com. And if social media is better for you, LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram, are best.


REMEMBER - 10% OFF ALL PRODUCTS

 Use MONEY (not case sensitiv

All the links - linktr.ee/barbarafaison


This is an episode about patience and acceptance.

Do you know the expression patience is a virtue? I never got that virtue. lol I must've been missing on the day that they were giving that out to people. I remember my father teasing me growing up, calling me his pet nickname for me, Doll. “Doll you just gotta be patient.” He would tell me. Yeah, me, not so much.



Well, what I've learned in all of these decades of life is whatever I need to stay in practice with is what I will have the opportunity to practice even more.  Teaching keeps me accountable.

There's nothing like a fever blister on my lip to remind me of the my relationship to patience, acceptance and wisdom. I’ve gotten fever blisters my whole life. I woke up a few days ago with a big, juicy fever blister on the right side of my lip, the usual spot where I have a fever blister show up.

One thing a fever blister has taught me is acceptance and divine timing. The fever blister goes through the stages it goes through before it goes away.  I have to look at it for however many days as I use a topical ointment on it. So what do I do?



Wait and accept.

I heard years ago asking for patience is asking for more opportunities to be patient. So I ask for wisdom. I connect with the wisdom I feel in the moment. And I accept where I am knowing that I will not be there forever.  I've learned over the years that if I have a fever blister, it is likely because I have not been expressing myself in important areas of my life and/or not eating well.



It could be something as simple as not saying something to a friend, holding back on expressing something to my husband. Or fill in the blank.



The excerpt from my my book/eBook/audiobook, Why Struggle? Life is too short to wear tight shoes is Acceptance.

Acceptance“Grant me the serenity to change the things I can, the courage to accept the things I cannot change and the wisdom to know the difference.” These words by Reinhold Niebhur can change your life if you choose to live them.Acceptance isn’t resignation. Acceptance is receiving what has been presented. When my grandfather and father died within two weeks of each other, I had to accept that as a fact. Denying the obvious would not change what happened. I felt all the emotions that would be expected in that situation.Allow yourself to accept things so you can move forward with your life. Remember you don’t want to walk around with a hot coal in your hand, so learn the art of accepting each moment and movingforward. We will never understand everything that happens.When something happens, accept the event as a fact. Let the next moment come into play and be present to that moment.Practice: When someone does something that you don’t agree with, repeat the affirmation, “I cannot change the way that person is. I accept the beauty they have to offer.” Try this for one day, one week,and one month; then make it a life practice.Affirmation: I am open and accepting of all people.

End of excerpt.

Being impatient shows up for me in many areas, including moving too fast and not appreciating the moment. Yes, I am a meditation teacher and that is still something I continue to work on. It’s practice and A PRACTICE. Teaching keeps me in my practice of having the wisdom to know when I may not be patient.



I laugh when I am thing of one of the expressions my mother used to say..."Baby, I can live in hell if I know when I'm getting out." it makes me smile and allows me to accept where I am for the moment.



What allows you to accept what is right now? Let me know your thoughts you can leave a comment wherever you are listening to this podcast.

You can also email me at barbarafaisonllc@gmail.com. And if social media is better for you, LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram, are best.
All the links - linktr.ee/barbarafaison

PROMO CODE: MONEY







---

Send in a voice message: https://po