Recently, I spoke and performed at the Metamorphosis Retreat in Phoenix. My friend from high school, Liz Michael, is the founder of this transformative gathering. I was one of several speakers including Debbie Brannan, Michele Vrabel, Vicky Lynn Andritsch, Shannon Eastin, and Liz.
During the retreat she jotted down a lot of nuggets from the various speakers including her own. I thought you’d enjoy gleaning a few of them for your own transformative journey:
- You can’t think your way out of a feeling BUT you can feel your way into a new way of thinking.
- Your brain doesn’t always believe what’s true, it believes what you repeat.
- Your thoughts shape your feelings.
Your feelings drive your actions.
Your actions become your identity.
- Your brain is always rewiring toward the negative or toward the positive based on what you allow in. So who you are is changeable. You get to choose.
- If you say something often enough with enough emotion then your brain starts to believe it. That’s why self-talk really matters. It’s not harmless, it is extremely powerful.
- The way you speak to yourself shapes how you feel about yourself and your life will always reflect who you think you are.
- When you visualize the calm, capable version of you, you’re literally wiring your brain for it.
- If you don’t own your thoughts, they’ll own you.
- Emotions that don’t get processed, stay stored in your nervous system. Your body always keeps a score.
- Your brain guesses what’s next based on previous experiences.
If you change the data, you can change the future.
- Gratitude and Anxiety can not exist at the same time.
- What does God say about you—-what is His truth?
- The person least open to being deceived is someone who loves the truth more than they fear their pain.
- We too often focus on the past BUT it doesn’t exist. So, why spend so much emotional energy on something that literally does not exist? Rather, learn from the past, apply it to the present (the only thing that actually exists) to positively impact your future.
- The most radical growth happens in the quiet, the calm.
- Metamorphosis is never about going backward but always about moving forward.
- Surrender is not weakness. It is releasing what is not ours.
- What steps would I take if I trusted God completely?
Ways to Keep People Stuck:
- Focusing on Things They Can’t Control: This can lead to feelings of helplessness and frustration since it’s impossible to change things that are beyond our influence.
- Fixating on What They Lack: Constantly thinking about what we don’t have can create a sense of scarcity and dissatisfaction.
- Living in the Past: Dwelling on past events or regrets can hinder progress by preventing us from moving forward.
Ways to Break Free from Feeling Stuck:
- Focus on What We Can Control (Ourselves): Directing energy towards aspects of our lives that we can influence empowers us to take action and make positive changes.
- Practice Gratitude and Recognize Abundance: Acknowledging what we do have cultivates a sense of contentment and appreciation for the resources and opportunities available to us.
- Look to the Future: Setting goals and envisioning a positive future can provide direction and motivation, helping us move forward with purpose.
- No where in the Bible does it call us to be comfortable. In fact, the opposite is true. We are constantly called out of our comfort into the uncomfortable.
- CHANGE—is the only constant. What if we expect change and instead of allowing the change to cause us anxiety, cause us to be sick, cause depression—-we spend our time, energy, and prayers on what God is leading us to or through? What if, instead of saying, what else could go wrong–we could make the mind shift and say, What if everything turns out great? How would that change our being—our mindset–our energy–our calling?
Thriving instead of Surviving Metaphors and Analogies
- Treading Water vs. Swimming Forward
- Surviving: Like treading water in the middle of the ocean, you’re expending energy just to stay afloat, not moving anywhere.
- Thriving: Like swimming towards a beautiful island, you have direction, purpose, and hope of reaching a wonderful destination.
- Surviving: Like treading water in the middle of the ocean, you’re expending energy just to stay afloat, not moving anywhere.
- Running on a Hamster Wheel vs. Running a Marathon
- Surviving: Like a hamster on a wheel, you’re running fast but not getting anywhere, stuck in a cycle of monotony.
- Thriving: Like running a marathon, every step you take moves you closer to your goal, and though it’s challenging, it’s rewarding and purposeful.
- Surviving: Like a hamster on a wheel, you’re running fast but not getting anywhere, stuck in a cycle of monotony.
- Existing in a Dark Room vs. Walking in the Light
- Surviving: Like being stuck in a dark room, you’re feeling around, trying to avoid obstacles, and not sure of the way out.
- Thriving: Like walking in the light, you see the path ahead clearly, moving confidently and joyfully towards your destination.
- Surviving: Like being stuck in a dark room, you’re feeling around, trying to avoid obstacles, and not sure of the way out.
- Barely Hanging On vs. Blooming Like a Flower
- Surviving: Like a wilted plant, barely hanging on with just enough water to survive.
- Thriving: Like a well-tended garden, blooming beautifully, receiving all the nutrients and care needed to flourish.
- Surviving: Like a wilted plant, barely hanging on with just enough water to survive.
- Living on Autopilot vs. Flying a Plane
- Surviving: Like living on autopilot, going through the motions without much thought or direction.
- Thriving: Like actively flying a plane, you’re in control, navigating challenges, and reaching new heights.
- Surviving: Like living on autopilot, going through the motions without much thought or direction.
- Being a Passenger vs. Being the Driver
- Surviving: Like being a passenger in your own life, letting circumstances drive your actions and decisions.
- Thriving: Like being the driver, steering your life with intention, direction, and control.
- Surviving: Like being a passenger in your own life, letting circumstances drive your actions and decisions.
- Holding Your Breath vs. Deep Breathing
- Surviving: Like holding your breath underwater, you can’t keep it up for long and you’re desperate for air.
- Thriving: Like deep, satisfying breaths, filling your lungs with life and energy, feeling rejuvenated and strong.
- Surviving: Like holding your breath underwater, you can’t keep it up for long and you’re desperate for air.
- Just Getting Through the Day vs. Seizing the Day
- Surviving: Like just getting through the day, checking off tasks without much joy or fulfillment.
- Thriving: Like seizing the day (carpe diem), making the most of every moment with enthusiasm and passion.
- Surviving: Like just getting through the day, checking off tasks without much joy or fulfillment.
Bible Verses for Personal Transformation
“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” – Jeremiah 29:11
“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” – Romans 8:28
“He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.” – Psalm 147:3
“But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” – 2 Corinthians 12:9
“And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 4:19
“The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.” – Psalm 34:18
“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” – Matthew 11:28
“I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” – Philippians 4:13
“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” – Isaiah 41:10
“But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.” – Isaiah 40:31
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” – John 14:27
“For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.” – 2 Timothy 1:7
“Cast your burden on the Lord, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved.” – Psalm 55:22
“He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” – Revelation 21:4
“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” – Psalm 23:1-4
“But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.” – Isaiah 40:31
“Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” – Romans 5:1
“But the Lord is faithful. He will establish you and guard you against the evil one.” – 2 Thessalonians 3:3
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” – Joshua 1:9
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.” – 2 Corinthians 1:3-4
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.” – Proverbs 3:5-6
“The Lord is a stronghold for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble.” – Psalm 9:9
“And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 4:7
“The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; he knows those who take refuge in him.” – Nahum 1:7
“He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed.” – 1 Peter 2:24
“But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds, we are healed.” – Isaiah 53:5
“For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” – Romans 8:38-39
“I sought the Lord, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears.” – Psalm 34:4
“But he knows the way that I take; when he has tried me, I shall come out as gold.” – Job 23:10
“The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?” – Psalm 27:1
“Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.” – James 1:2-3
“And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.” – Galatians 6:9
“But Jesus looked at them and said, ‘With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.'” – Matthew 19:26
“Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.” – James 1:12
“And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 4:19
“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” – Romans 8:28
“But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.” – Isaiah 40:31
“Do not be anxious about anything but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” – Philippians 4:6
“When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears and delivers them out of all their troubles.” – Psalm 34:17
“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” – Psalm 23:4
“For the mountains may depart and the hills be removed, but my steadfast love shall not depart from you, and my covenant of peace shall not be removed,’ says the Lord, who has compassion on you.” – Isaiah 54:10
“And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.” – 1 Peter 5:10ps companies and organizations create unforgettable events for their employees and clients. www.TucsonMentalist.com
