Today is a day which only comes around every 4 years! Today, “Leap Day”, exists to correct the scientific calculations of our current western calendar. But, I’m not writing about the scientific reasons for this day. Instead, I imagine great possibilities that this extra day provides us.

I tend to look at this day as a gift given us to be used wisely. I figure that a day which only comes around every 4 years deserves to be treated in a unique and special way. This day is not like any other day, although I fear most people don’t recognize the uniqueness of this day. Why is it that a day which happens only once every 4 years becomes overlooked by most of the population? Personally, I don’t have an answer to that question. But the answer is not as important if we now come to the realization that we have been given a unique gift in this day.

So, we need to celebrate this day in a special way! This is extra time given to us in our very busy lives. What shall we do with this gift?

1. My first suggestion is to acknowledge the specialness of this day, understanding that today is a gift given to you.
2. Make a list of the top five things for which you are grateful. Set aside a specified time today to acknowledge your gratitude.
3. What one thing do you typically not have time to do? Write down the time that you will do that one thing today. If your one thing cannot be accomplished today, then begin to work on preparations to make that one thing happen soon. Use today as your extra time for those preparations.
4. If you don’t regularly meditate,  set aside a time today for at least 10 minutes of quiet meditation. If you are unsure how to meditate, either do an internet search, or check out my website which has suggestions.
5. Do something special for yourself which you normally either would not do, or do not typically have the time to do.

If you happen to see and read this post too late in the day, or not even on the day, don’t fret. These suggestions work on any day as long as you have the motivation and the desire to make them happen. Please share with us what you were able to do, or if you had any difficulties in making this day special. We will learn from each other.

Happy Leap Day!

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One of the rationales I hear from busy people is “I would take time to meditate if I knew it would help me, but it’s just a fad, right?” If your definition of a “fad” allows for the practice of meditation lasting thousands of years, than yeah, it’s a fad. I believe that our culture sees meditation as a “fad” because it is “new” to our culture, and the practice of meditating has been relegated to the “new age” genre. As such, some don’t feel the desire to try something that will “eventually go out of style”.

But what if mindfulness meditation were scientifically, and medically, shown to be healing and transformative? A few months ago I shared with you a study from Harvard which demonstrated that meditation generated new grey matter in the brain. Well, we now have the results of a study done at Carnegie Mellon University which “for the first time shows that, unlike a placebo, it [mindfulness meditation] can change the brains of ordinary people and potentially improve their health.” This is what the authors of the study wrote:

Click here for the link to the New York Times article summarizing the study

Click here for the link to the actual research article

Please share with us your thoughts on this topic, and if you practice meditation, do you find positive health results?

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ONLINE video sessions available!  

…. a thought from Chris Shea:

My goal, and the mission of “Lifesjourney”, is to guide us toward finding self-awareness and inner peace. I encourage us to view our lives from varied perspectives trying to find what daily practices strengthen us along our journey.

Lifesjourney’s philosophy for finding inner peace lies in two basic concepts: keeping our thoughts on the present moment, and practicing some form of daily meditation.

“Mindfulness” is a word I often use in my writings, on my social media, and a concept I use with my clients. One of the pioneers in the mindfulness movement, Jon Kabat-Zinn, defines mindfulness as:

Personally, the two key phrases in this definition which I feel are important are “on purpose” and “nonjudgmentally”. To find our inner-peace we need to consciously make the choice to spend time every day focusing our attention on what is happening around us and within us. Our focus is not meant to judge what is happening, just to notice it.  As we become aware of our surroundings and our inner self, we will become aware of life’s joys and potential. In our state of focused awareness, we are enabled to see solutions; to see hope.

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Ms. Amanda LePore

The “voice” of Lifesjourney & On Finding Peace is Ms. Amanda LePore. Check out her work by clicking her photo

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Upcoming Scheduled Events

— October 4 @ 8:00pm EDT: Live talk with myself and my guest, Ben Rolnik. Topic: “Can Suffering Cease to Exist? Here’s How”. Click here: https://goo.gl/Yl6pUF

— October 7-11, 2016: I’m attending the NAADAC annual conference in Minneapolis, MN. Details click here

— October 16 @ 8:00pm EDT: Live talk with myself and co-host, Lisa DeLay. Topic: “Practical Strategies for Coping With Anxiety”. Click here: https://goo.gl/BjI45K

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Maybe you’ve been diagnosed with a mental illness and wish to talk to someone about dealing with your illness. If these, or other issues, are of concern, then counseling is for you.

I have been working with clients in a clinical setting for over 20 years. My approach to counseling is based on the Cognitive Behavioral Therapy model, proven to be the most effective at helping eliminate troublesome life issues.

As part of the process, I will help you identify the thoughts and behaviors that are healthy vs. unhealthy for daily living and transform those behaviors into healthier, more realistic ways of dealing with life.

As appropriate, handouts, readings, and worksheets will be assigned to assist in the process. In my sessions, I use various techniques to really educate and guide you towards better habits of thinking and acting in healthier ways.

If you’re ready to explore life coaching and how it can help improve your life, please reach out. You can email me at booking@lifesjourneyblog.com or call directly 240-587-7854.

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General information:  info@lifesjourneyblog.com

Booking information:  booking@lifesjourneyblog.com

Phone

Office:  301-850-2177

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PO Box 87

Leonardtown, MD 20650

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Throughout my life, I’ve had my ups and downs, and the life lessons I’ve learned, combined with my education, influence my approach to life coaching and counseling.

Lifesjourney Life Coaching, LLC grew from its founding as a blog into the coaching, counseling and consulting group it is today. In an effort to guide people to find inner peace, I speak at conferences and gatherings nationwide and am proud to be published in medical and clinical journals, as well as on various internet sites. Professionally I’m a nationally and state certified addiction counselor as well as a nationally certified life coach, having graduated from St. Hyacinth College-Seminary and the Washington Theological Union in DC.

I divide my time between Lifesjourney, serving as the Director of Campus Ministry at a high school in Maryland and as an adjunct professor in the Family Studies and Community Development department of the school of Liberal Arts at Towson University as well as McDaniel College’s Graduate School of Counseling. 

I have spent over 20 years in the addiction counseling field as a clinician and administrator, responsible for the implementation of treatment program models while integrating evidence-based treatments to promote lifelong recovery. My counseling experience is preceded by an almost decade-long pastoral ministry as a hospital chaplain in DC and a retreat leader in the New England region.

I currently serve as the chairperson of my county’s Alcohol Coalition, a member of the county Behavioral Health Action Committee and sit on the advisory board for the National Alliance for Drug Endangered Children.

I live in Leonardtown, MD enjoying the people and the great outdoors of the rural life.

If you’re looking for life coaching, you can either visit me in my office or worldwide via the internet. I am also available for public speaking and corporate consultation. I look forward to working with you!

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