A Space to Pause & Re-Align With Your Own Wisdom

14Dec 2022 by Manuela Zeitlhofer No Comments

The 3-To-1 Positivity Ratio

Mental Fitness, Mindfulness, Personal Development
Research shows that our brains are hard-wired to over-emphasize the negative experiences we have. Due to an evolutionary survival mechanism called the “negativity bias”, the human brain holds on to and amplifies the negative much more than the positive. It was more essential for our distant ancestors to remember the experience with the dangerous bear, than the beautiful field of flowers. According to Dr. Barbara Fredrickson (University of North Carolina, 2009), we need three positive experiences for every negative emotional experience in order to keep a positive mindset. According to her, we can actively build a collaborative relationship between our survival minds and our thrive minds. This 3-to-1 ratio should be maintained both in thoughts and feelings, as well as in interactions with people that matter to us. 1 2…
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02Dec 2022 by Manuela Zeitlhofer No Comments

Playing to our strengths

Connecting with Nature, Mental Fitness, Mindfulness, Personal Development
What Playing to Your Strength is Playing to your strength means doing what you are doing well and with passion, rather than doing other things that drain you with a lot more effort. An example: A friend’s son was assessed for ADHD. In the process, it was found that he is simply a kid who needs more physical exercise than he was getting in school and at home. It was not easy, but the school and the parents found ways for him to get more play time outside and more time when he is unplugged from any technical devices. This story led me to think about people in general: - Are we living our lives playing to our strengths or are we just playing along with the structures we find…
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01Dec 2022 by Manuela Zeitlhofer No Comments

Unique Animals

Connecting with Nature, Getting to know your Coach
We have been enjoying the very unique personalities of several domestic ducks. It all began with a few barnyard-mix ducklings in 2021. In 2022, two Magpie-Cayuga ducklings followed. A number of them were males, so we found them loving new homes where they have been enjoying their own flocks of duck-ladies. At the end of this summer, we had one female (Sunny) and one male (Magnum) left. For the second time in her life, Sunny was in the process of laying eggs, and for the second time in my life, I was collecting those eggs. Sunny did not want to accept the fate I had chosen for her – that is, not to have ducklings in late fall. I kept reminding her that it is much more sensible to raise…
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01Dec 2022 by Manuela Zeitlhofer No Comments

What goes around comes around

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The expression What goes around comes around is backed up by neurological research. Because of neurons in our brain, if we are in sage mode, like joy, curiosity or peace, the person interacting with us will gradually shift to the same mode, which then will fuel our own sage, creating a virtuous cycle. If you look into a happy face and genuinely connect with that person, you will feel happier. How can you easily and authentically make people - and yourself - happy? It can be small things: Really connect with people from your heart, for just 10 seconds. Bring a smile to the people in everyday encounters. Tell someone you know a thing you recently appreciated, but have not mentioned yet. Tell a co-worker a strength in them that…
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30Sep 2022 by Manuela Zeitlhofer No Comments

Coaching with #ManuCoach4You

About your Coach, Getting to know your Coach
I work with people with a strong environmental conscience, who want to live a sustainable and responsible life without sacrificing what they love doing and thereby creating and strengthening their authentic self. My target group feels stuck between the responsibilities of (mid-)life, while yearning for more self-determination and connectedness to the natural world and the freedom of their younger years. There might be stress, anxiety, burn-out, and other internal or external conflicts that seem daunting. Through mental fitness training and coaching in, around and with the help of nature, I assist them in carving out time and energy to step into their full potential and experience their autonomy and authenticity. I do that by assisting them in reframing the problems into opportunities for growth. I have a long history of…
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23Sep 2022 by Manuela Zeitlhofer No Comments

Judgement is Disconnecting

Conflict Management, Mental Fitness, Mindfulness, Personal Development
Judging others, circumstances, or oneself is stripping an event of its embeddedness into the system it occurred in. – Manuela Zeitlhofer (2022) (photo by Eskay Lim, Unsplash, 2022) Have you ever noticed yourself judging others, circumstances and yourself (!) with a very sharp and self-righteous mind? And has it ever happened, that – in comparable situations – you found yourself full of compassion, or curiosity over the mistakes and wrongdoings of others and yourself? If you can relate to both, you might sense that... …judgement comes from within, because ever external circumstance can lead you to either be judgemental or compassionate. (Some contributing factors might be the self-care you treat yourself with, and how full your reservoir of self-love is.) …there are factors inside of you that sabotage you, your…
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14Sep 2022 by Manuela Zeitlhofer No Comments

The Magic of Persistence

Mental Fitness, Personal Development
Nothing in this world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent. The slogan 'Press On!' has solved and always will solve the problems of the human race. ― Calvin Coolidge __________ Many times our inner critics keep us from achieving our fullest potential. Imagine what you could do if you were not concerned about failure, but if you saw every failure as a teachable moment that can only advance you toward your goals? __________ Manuela Zeitlhofer | Authenticity & Mental Fitness Coach
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12Sep 2022 by Manuela Zeitlhofer No Comments

Don’t Throw In The Towel!

Goals, Mental Fitness, Personal Development, Problem Solving
“You can throw in the towel, or you can us it to wipe the sweat off your face!” (Gatorade) This metaphor was used in a Gatorade slogan in 2003. It seems to have a wide range of applications, from physical exercise to mental fitness, to goal orientation and endurance. What does it mean to you? Where and when are you tempted to throw in a towel, and what happens when you persevere? One area of such turmoil for me is going out into the world and approaching strangers, telling them about my services, so they have a chance to get to trust me as an ally on their self-development journey. (photo by Dim Hou, Unsplash, 2022) __________ Manuela Zeitlhofer | Authenticity & Mental Fitness Coach
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03Aug 2022 by Manuela Zeitlhofer No Comments

My Animal Teachers

Connecting with Nature, Mindfulness, Personal Development
Minding The Little Things Series Dora & Speckles, June 21, 2021 After I had written my previous two posts, a racoon attacked and killed one of our ducks: Dora, a little black female. I was reminded that nature is neither good nor bad, nature just IS. The racoon needs to eat. The ducks don’t fight back. (And I failed to keep them safe, as our electric netting fence was not strong enough to keep the racoon out.) We have been planning to get a dog in September. Too late for Dora, but hopefully the dog will deter any predators and keep our remaining ducks safe. I am still sad about loosing that little bird. And I am contemplating what it means to be human, and to have the choice to…
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28Jul 2022 by Manuela Zeitlhofer No Comments

Animal Communication

Connecting with Nature, Mental Fitness, Mindfulness, Personal Development
For many people, animal communication is something that only the 'gifted few' can achieve. This of course is entirely untrue as we were all born with the ability to talk to and hear animals. Holly Davis, Animal Communication With All Species __________ Challenge: Communicate with the next animal you see. Then drop me a note! What have you learned? “Starlings”, by Manuela Zeitlhofer, May 28, 2020 __________ Manuela Zeitlhofer | Authenticity & Mental Fitness Coach
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28Jul 2022 by Manuela Zeitlhofer No Comments

Animal Teachers

Connecting with Nature, Mindfulness, Personal Development, Philosophy
How frequently do you interact with animals in your daily life? – Chances are that those interactions are scarce, or limited to pets. Our societies might have separated humans from animals, seeing humans as superior to animals. Yet, we admire certain qualities in specific animals. What can we learn from animals? How about patience, living in the Now, connectedness with the intricate web of life we are part of, responsibility, attentive listening, living in tune with the natural world, and sticking together. (inspired by 10 Important Life Lessons we can Learn From Animals) __________ Can you guess which animals possess then traits listed above? – This can be a rewarding activity to do with your child! Also, you might want to observe animals around you to see which traits they…
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28Jul 2022 by Manuela Zeitlhofer No Comments

My Wealth

Getting to know your Coach, Mental Fitness, Mindfulness, Personal Development, Philosophy, Self-Reliance
Do you associate wealth with money? I do struggle with the concept at times. Then I remind myself that I have enough. For me, it comes down to making the conscious decision to be happy in the Now. Because NOW is all we have. The past is a memory and the future is an imagination. Most of the time, I have all I NEED in the very moment I am in. It is often the WANTS that I want (!) to pursue. To remain still and just be, let the moment be all I want - that is happiness for me. My wealth is my happiness, the feeling of being enough, and of having enough (or more than enough), right now. __________ How about you? Where lies your wealth? And…
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25Jul 2022 by Manuela Zeitlhofer No Comments

What is Wealth?

Cultural Awareness, Mindfulness, Philosophy
Once there was a wealthy father who was concerned that a privileged upbringing might give his son a limited view of life. He decided his son needed to see how the other half lived. To do this, he asked his personal assistant to find a very poor family who would be willing to allow him and his son to visit and stay with them. After weeks of searching she found a very poor farming family who lived in an impoverished country area and organized for her boss and his son to live with them for a couple of days and nights. At the end of the visit, as they were driving back to their expensive suburban mansion, the father asked his son, “What did you think of our stay on…
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21Jul 2022 by Manuela Zeitlhofer No Comments

In My Own Way

About your Coach, Mental Fitness, Mindfulness, Personal Development
Have you battled internal obstacles – problems that were entirely created by your way of approaching the world in your thinking and actions? – I have! For more than a year I had been bothered by a digestive issue: There was a knot in my intestines, always in the same spot. It never went away. The intensity of the discomfort varied. I consulted my family doctor. I consulted an Ayurvedic doctor. Nothing. I researched online. – A partial breakthrough was achieved when I found a useful video how to alleviate the symptoms temporarily. But no solution appeared. I started to despair. Then, we went on vacation and I did not drink my tap water. The discomfort was gone. I had stumbled upon the solution. The problem – or obstacle –…
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18Jul 2022 by Manuela Zeitlhofer No Comments

Changing Course Fluidly

Mental Fitness, Mindfulness, Personal Development, Problem Solving, Self-Reliance
Flexibility is the key to common sense and success A battleship had been at sea on maneuvers in heavy weather for several days. The captain, who was concerned about the deteriorating conditions, stayed on the bridge so that he could keep an eye on all activities. One night, shortly after dark, [the fog was getting even thicker] the lookout on the bridge suddenly shouted, ‘A light, captain, bearing on the starboard bow.’‘Is it steady or moving astern?’ the captain asked.The lookout confirmed that it was steady, which meant that the battleship was apparently on a dangerous collision course with the other ship.The captain then called to the signalman, ‘Signal that ship: “We are on a collision course. Advise you change course 20 degrees north.”’Back came the response from the other…
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15Jul 2022 by Manuela Zeitlhofer No Comments

Doing Little Things That Matter

About your Coach, Connecting with Nature
Do you remember the story “The Star Thrower” who was rescuing starfish one at a time, and even it did not seem to make a difference in the big picture, it made every difference to the starfish he did rescue. Here is how this story resonates with my life: I believe in minimizing my footprint and taking care of nature. I own a little piece of land – 4 acres – and I feel that I am the steward of this land. I am responsible for, but I am not entitled to do any damage to this land. I have the right to live here, to grow my plants, to live in my house, to be who I am. I see this stewardship as our calling as humans. We have…
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13Jul 2022 by Manuela Zeitlhofer No Comments

Change – Perspective – growth … Obvious?

Mindfulness, Personal Development, Philosophy, Problem Solving
If you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change. - Wayne Dyer In the end, it is important to remember that we cannot become what we need to be by remaining what we are. - Max De Pree Do you remember the metaphor about the two caterpillars looking at a butterfly I shared a few days ago? – It can be found at: https://creeksideinspirations.ca/two-caterpillars/ __________ Question: What change are you resisting and what might become obvious if you change your perspective? (photo by Jeffrey Dungen, Unsplash) __________ Manuela Zeitlhofer | Authenticity & Mental Fitness Coach
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11Jul 2022 by Manuela Zeitlhofer No Comments

Two Caterpillars

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Two caterpillars were sitting on a cabbage leaf having a chat. Suddenly, they heard a loud swishing noise, and looking up, saw a beautiful butterfly flying overhead. The first caterpillar looked to the other, shook his head and said, ‘You’ll never get me up in one of those things.’ (by Scott Simmerman) __________ Question: What represents the butterfly (or change) for you? __________ Manuela Zeitlhofer | Authenticity & Mental Fitness Coach
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