One of the keynote speakers at the conference I attended recently was Eduardo Briceño, who founded Mindset Works together with Carol Dweck, PhD. One anecdote I found fascinating related to his experience with Cirque du Soleil. As you know, Cirque du Soleil dazzles audiences around the world with flawless performances.

One of my favorite sessions at the International ADHD conference earlier this month was facilitated by Dr. Christopher Willard, psychologist, author and educational consultant specializing in mindfulness. He asked us, “Are you mind full or mindful?” Is your mind full of random thoughts or are you paying attention in real time with kindness and curiosity? We reach for our phones on average 150 times per day. How many of those times are necessary? Or even conscious choices?

The participants were amazing. They were all engaged, curious and willing to share. Moreover, they were all open to new ideas and eager to grow. They were brave and adventurous in their conversation.

Do you find benefit in spontaneity?

Yes, spontaneity is fun! It can be associated with risk, adventure and discovery. Sometimes letting go and acting on a spontaneous decision can bring joy and exhilaration.

Long term goals are necessary to make sense of the everyday grind. Why are you doing these daily sometimes difficult tasks? We need a vision (and the feeling that accompanies that vision) for a life long plan. Short term goals are stepping stones to get there.

What are a few obstacles that could’ve set you back, yet you persevered? Breast cancer was a bitch. It was like I was forced to take on another job in addition to everything else I was doing. I had never felt healthier in my life and suddenly I was told that I had cancer! It was just so time consuming, researching treatment options, shopping around for doctors and getting second opinions, endless hours in waiting rooms. Then days after my bilateral mastectomy I was told I needed radiation therapy! I wanted to punch someone, only I couldn’t lift my arms.

It all began with a question on Saturday morning. “Mami, how fast can you run a mile?” I didn’t know. I knew I was fast, used to be fast, had been fast. Definitely past tense. I also knew that I was terrible about speed work, fartleks, and all that other stuff you’re supposed to do. I’m more of the slow and steady wins the race type. But my daughter wanted to know. She’s on the middle school track team and talks about this stuff daily. She had a growth spurt, has legs longer than mine, and wanted to race me. I was still in my running shorts and thought I could use one more mile that day, so I agreed. I had nothing scheduled except for “Mom time” anyway…

Perhaps you've seen the famous TED talk by Carol Dweck, PhD, "The Power of Believing That You Can Improve," in which she explains her research on motivation. She found that, in general, people have two mindsets: a fixed mindset or a growth mindset…

“This is it, Mami!,” exclaimed my daughter. My son knew exactly what she was talking about it. “This is the place from the picture! We found it!” And yes, I definitely knew what they were shouting about. Only I had trouble responding because I had tears in my eyes, was awestruck by its beauty and dumbfounded by the fact that we had made it. My heart swelled with pride because I had made it happen. We were there...

I usually alternate my runs with yoga classes, but this week my husband is out of town, so it’s up to me to exercise the dogs every morning. Just like me, they need to get their wiggles out to be calm and focused the rest of the day…

My legs are sore, but in a good way. This weekend I took the family camping and hiking in Tunica Hills, north of St. Francisville. For someone used to living below sea level, the steep bluffs of Clark Creek Natural Area provide a welcome challenge.

Here’s another article for those of you that like brain research like I do: "Effects of gratitude meditation on neural network functional connectivity and brain-heart coupling." Practicing gratitude meditation on a regular basis makes you feel better.

Last week I attended a talk by Tulane graduate Dr. Ned Hallowell, author of the classic international best seller, Driven to Distraction. After a trip down memory lane recalling his Tulane days, he shared his New England childhood struggles with learning differences and how those led to his years of research and successful treatment of both children and adults with ADHD.

Mindfulness for empowerment? Yes! Take 5 minutes now or 5 later, but try this today. In the excitement of work, family and life, I have to consciously make time for self-care. There are times when I find it difficult to believe that I deserve to be so happy and am not as open as I should be to receive love. This is human, yet something I can work on.

Many people seek a coach to help reduce their anxiety. It’s a common problem in our day and age, with the media inflicting images of doom, and gloom glowering from every corner of our cobwebbed minds in the middle of the night.

I’ve had a few interesting conversations lately with clients about days off. One client was back at her childhood home for a vacation and the other was easing into the weekend. Both are in the early relationship stages with their planner. Yes, days off are for relaxing and letting the mind wander: both necessary activities for inciting juices to flow and innovation to spawn.

Studies show that pursuing goals that are in alignment with our core values is a key to happiness. That sounds so simple, doesn’t it?  But what are your core values? If someone asked you now, would your answer be the same tomorrow? What do you value in life?

I recently read an interview with Drew Brees, in which he said, “Focus on moving the chains, man. You move the chains and everything usually works out.” I love this idea! You can make anything happen by consistently taking small steps. Just get that first down.

Happy New Year!

Are you ready for a new and improved you? Let's start the new year off right with some self-reflection. Take a few minutes (or a few pages) to think about how you would answer the following questions:

It’s the end of the quarter, the end of the semester, the end of the year. How did you do this year? Take some time to reflect on what you were able to accomplish. Celebrate everything that you did! Do you keep a planner, agenda or calendar? Look back at all that those tasks you crossed off, all those meetings, all those appointments, all those fun activities that made you you.