Ingrid Mathieu's Blog, page 3

Are You the Villain or Victor of Your Life?

So many times, when we want our lives to change, we only want things on the outside to change. But for real change to occur, we have to change. The obstacles are vehicles for change. They are necessary. They are perfect. They are not signals that you're doing something wrong, they are actually stepping-stones to your own freedom.

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The Illusion of Control

No matter how hard we try to convince ourselves that we shouldn���t be having a particular response���it doesn���t remove the underlying emotional experience. What it does create is a large gap between what you are telling yourself and what you are actually feeling. The dissonance between the two creates so much tension that we often end up acting in self-destructive ways.

The Illusion of Control

No matter how hard we try to convince ourselves that we shouldn’t be having a particular response—it doesn’t remove the underlying emotional experience. What it does create is a large gap between what you are telling yourself and what you are actually feeling. The dissonance between the two creates so much tension that we often end up acting in self-destructive ways.

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Power of the Posse

Power of the Posse

We are relational beings—hard wired to connect with one another. As infants, we need others to reflect back to us in order to know that we exist. That’s why we all coo and make silly faces when we see a baby. We’re saying, “I see you, I hear you,” and simultaneously fostering growth and development in the child.

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The Secret to Serenity

There’s a saying that our serenity is inversely proportional to our expectations. In other words, the extent of our entitlement or need for things to look a certain way determines the extent of our unhappiness. This makes sense for the simple fact that when we focus on what we don’t have, we feel distraught and disappointed.

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Being Open

Opening up to life and all it has to offer, without opportunities and adventures getting trampled on by fears of the unknown or what we think we know.

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Starting From Where You Are

I don’t know about you, but I usually wish that I were five steps ahead. There is this idea that “further along” is better. I imagine that I’ll feel more settled, have more resources, more smarts, less fear and less of a desire to be further along. But then I arrive those five steps and I feel the same way. I’ve “arrived” but I’m still longing to be somewhere down the road.

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Authenticity Unplugged

Can you remember a distinct, personal and private moment from your past? One where you felt connected to yourself, your purpose, or your essential nature?

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To Thine Own Self Be True

"To thine own self be true" is one of the underlying tenets of recovery. But how do we honor this wise sentiment by Shakespeare? One way is to check in with the "me" that I'm trying to be true to. Checking in can involve slowing down, writing, meditating, and noticing what we are experiencing rather than running on autopilot.

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