THIS IS A REPLAY OF 2024 - WEEK 23

All the links: LINKTR.EE/BARBARAFAISON

This is a podcast about knowing yourself and having sustainable practices.

Developing and sustaining a daily meditation practice for over 25 years helped me gain a deeper level of self-awareness. I have learned that the more I practice the more I gain a level of self-mastery with what I am practicing. Being self-aware and having personal insight allows me to recognize when I need to focus on a specific tool or technique, MORE.

I remember when I was at dinner with a few former colleagues in 2017 and an active shooter entered the restaurant. We were ending dinner when we heard the words, “Everybody down.” I was with three much younger ladies reminding them to breathe and affirming that we would be okay.

Was I concerned as we were underneath the table waiting for more news? Of course. I also had a strong sense that we would all be fine.

As the scene dispersed and the police arrived we found out that the person who instructed us to get down was a retired police officer. Time passed and the shooter was apprehended and we all left to return safely to our homes.

One of the definitions of trauma is a “deeply disturbing or distressing experience.” Yep, I would say it was a traumatic experience. When I arrived home I checked in with TD and I immediately went to my living room and lay flat on my back on the floor. I found a sound vibration recording on YouTube that focused on healing, safety and feeling grounded. I listened to the recording and felt my body begin to release some of that energy and relax.

The next day as I told my brother about what happened he reminded me to rest. After our conversation I felt my body physically releasing some of the stress and I had a very long nap. I also felt achy later that day. I knew I needed help processing what happened so I called the Employee Assistance Program and I was able to schedule counseling. I also called the ladies to suggest they reach out for support via their Employee Assistance Program as well.

This quote from Bessel A. van der Kolk, author of The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma, reminds me to be truthful with myself.

“The greatest sources of our suffering are the lies we tell ourselves.”

My nervous system was impacted by that experience. I learned a lot in

the therapy sessions about processing trauma and how the book title states, “the body keeps score.” We feel trauma in our bodies and it helps to have ways to release what the body is holding on to.

I have different practices I use to keep grounded, stay centered and to release energy that is stuck in my body. Practice is the opportunity to fine tune our skills so when we are called to use them, we can use them effectively. Here are a few practices I do regularly to reduce stress on my nervous system.

• Emotional freedom technique (EFT) also known as tapping- specifically for trauma or an experience. I found Regulate Your Nervous System After Trauma by Julie Schiffman. Here is a ⁠link⁠.

• Schedule a counseling session,

• Sound vibration meditations to shift the energy in my body - Jhene Aiko’s ⁠Trigger Protection Mantra⁠ is a staple for me to have playing in the background. It’s very soothing and she has several available for different lengths.

Life has unexpected detours ALL the time. In addition to breathing practices, meditation, laughter, and approaching experiences with curiosity helps me practice less judgment of myself and others.

What are some of the ways you navigate life’s unpredictable journey? 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

All the links - LINKTR.EE/BARBARAFAISON

This is a podcast about taking five minutes to be present.

May is National Meditation Month so check out my YouTube channel and look for the meditation playlist. There are over 31 meditations out there and you can give meditation a try.

I would say we are back into the business of the” busyness” of life after the pandemic. Time is a premium for most of us and we all have the ability to make choices about where and how we spend our time. When I say that I use my voice to heal, educate and inspire as a voice talent, meditation guide and trainer, I usually get a few responses like:

“I could never meditate, I can’t stop my mind.”

“Meditation is so hard.”

“I don’t have time to meditate.”

“People tell me I have a great voice.”

“I’ve always wanted to be a voice actor.”

“I want to learn to meditate, I just don’t know where to start.”

Meditation is a practice. Think about a snow globe. When you shake it up, eventually the snow settles to the bottom, that’s what meditation feels like. The thoughts in your mind begin to settle more and more with practice. There are still days my mind has thoughts swirling around and around, and other days I feel very settled. It’s still practice.

I really tried to do the 30 minute meditation practice. It didn't work for me. I started doing 10 - 15 minute meditations where I would sit on my own and that worked much better.

Sometimes we just need a place to start. Let’s start where you are.

Breathing is the foundation for a meditation practice. Enjoy this five minute breathing practice that can be done anytime and help with calming your nervous system and focusing on the present moment.
It's a series of breaths. This is audio only it can help you focus more without having your eyes open.

All the LINKS - LINKTR.EE/BARBARAFAISON

2025 - Week 19 - Private Bubble

This is a podcast about managing your mind.

If you are new to the podcast, welcome and if you are listen regularly, thank you!

Life can be overwhelming. Many of us jump out of bed and we are off and running until we fall back into bed exhausted at the end of the day. During the day between emails, texts, phone calls, meetings, scheduling, errands and making decisions all day long, we rarely get to take a moment to ourselves. Listening to the radio or people talking about politics and the news can also send you into various emotional states.

I am very sensitive to sounds, loud noises and chatter. Well, most of life has all those things right? I am continuing to learn how to navigate through situations when I am around any of those things. Here’s the truth. If you are somewhere there will most likely be music, people talking or something going on that you cannot control, right?

So what is helpful to manage all this input that we can’t stop or control? I mean, if you are around people, they will likely be talking. lol

I do my best to stay in my own private bubble. Yep, that’s what I call it. I see myself surrounded by a protective white light inside a bubble. And in that bubble I do my very best to keep my energy contained and my thoughts focused on my desires. This is when using my breathwork and having affirmations, scriptures, favorite quotes or whatever you want to call them come in handy. I call them my Go To Phrases, GTP’s. I take a few deep breaths and I may start mentally saying any of these phrases or another one that comes to mind, depending on the situation I’m in:

• I feel safe and all is well in my world

• Things always work out for me

• I am in the right place at the right time with the right people doing the right thing.

• My timing is always divine

• I can’t wait to see how this will work out - that’s from my friend, Regenna

If we don’t stop ourselves we can easily end up on scary street, anxious avenue or down right depressed circle. It’s important that we learn to manage our thoughts then we can begin to manage our lives and feel like we are the ones creating what we desire. It is time we stop allowing our brain to hijack our lives.

As wonderful as our brain is, it is only as great as our direction. It is easy to become a creature of habit because that is what the brain loves to do. Our brain wants to take the same route to work, eat the same food for breakfast and chill. Scientists used to think the brain stopped growing at the age of 21. Now they know that the brain never stops growing. The brain wants to be guided, studies have proven that “a wandering mind is not a happy mind.” So WE have to guide our mind, and not just during meditation.

When we learn to train our brain, mind our mind, and pay attention to what we think about we are able to manage our lives in different ways. Simple things such as trying a new food, driving a different route home and learning a new language engages your brain and takes it away from its routine. When you do this consistently, the brain adapts. One way to train your brain is to practice affirmations. Affirmations are thoughts that you believe or desire to be true.

To learn more about affirmations, check out 2024 - Week 48 - Your Mouth and Mindfulness!