03Dez 2024 by Manuela Zeitlhofer

How to Embrace The Aging Journey

About your Coach, Mental Fitness, Mindfulness, Personal Development
Yesterday I went for a health check. The doctor told me that everything is mostly fine. There are just a few small things that could be counteracted. For example, the natural aging process. Hormone deficiency, fat around the middle, and muscle loss were mentioned. Medication was contraindicated. Suggestions for optimal nutrition were made. The doctor also suggested endurance and strength training twice a week. In addition, one could counteract the hormone deficiency, preferably with creams. As I sat listening to the wealth of information and suggestions, I also asked myself to what extent Western medicine attributes positive aspects to the aging process, or whether the focus is purely on the body bending to life. That sounds rather deterministic, doesn't it? What about, for example, wisdom, empathy, and a greater sense…
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02Feb 2024 by Manuela Zeitlhofer

Gratitude Changes Life As We Know It

Mental Fitness, Mindfulness, Personal Development
Are you a glass-half-full or a glass-half-empty person? Whichever one you are, you are right, and this perspective likely shapes how you see the world in general. Another metaphor is that every object casts a shadow in the daylight, and depending on your perspective, you might stand in the shadow or see the shadow that something is casting as dominating the whole picture. Gratitude compares to stepping into the sunshine and seeing the “other side” of things. It is just a matter of perspectives. Every position is subjective. We are free to change our perspective. What are you grateful for today? Photo by Mayur Gala, Unsplash 2024 ________________________________ Manuela Zeitlhofer | Mental Fitness & Nature Coach
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29Sep 2023 by Manuela Zeitlhofer
An Invasive Species?

Invasive Art?

Connecting with Nature, Mindfulness, Nature, Personal Development
A few years back I was asked to raise three newly hatched starlings that had been found at the foot of a big tree by an old lady. Reluctantly, I took on those birds, and lo and behold I was able to raise and release them successfully. Whenever I see or hear starlings since then, I like telling my daughter that those are our three starlings saying thank you. Today, a extraordinarily big flock of starlings landed around the house and well beyond the creek. They were so loud it was both amazing and a little bit intimidating. Afterwards I thought about writing about this, as in "I had rescued the starlings and they came back with all their friends to thank me", when I remembered that European starlings are…
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16Aug 2023 by Manuela Zeitlhofer

Finding Your Wild Self & Living A Full Life

Mental Fitness, Mindfulness, Personal Development
Manuela & Anya, 2022 The doors to the world of the wild Self are few but precious. If you have a deep scar, that is a door, if you have an old, old story, that is a door. If you love the sky and the water so much you almost cannot bear it, that is a door. If you yearn for a deeper life, a full life, a sane life, that is a door. ― Clarissa Pinkola Estés (Photo by Sandra Grünewald, Unsplash, 2023) One of my doors is behind the pain and loneliness I experienced when I was a toddler, in a hospital, for several months, tied down so I would not fidget with my leg (it was in a cast), or stand up (which might have jeopardized the…
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05Jun 2023 by Manuela Zeitlhofer

When Life Happens

Mindfulness, Personal Development
We live on the side of a beautiful creek. In the spring, the water level is fairly high and the current is fairly strong; strong enough so I can swim in it without moving in relation to the shore line. It is perfect: cool, refreshing, clean. The birds are singing, the mosquitoes cannot get to me, and all I see is nature. I have a tendency to forget this beautiful setting, when the water level drops radically later in the season and the flow comes to a halt, until the creek is full of long algae. That is partially due to the fact that this creek drains from a lake that is dammed up so the people with cottages around it can enjoy the water all summer, when there is…
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14Dez 2022 by Manuela Zeitlhofer

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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02Dez 2022 by Manuela Zeitlhofer

Playing to our strengths

Connecting with Nature, Mental Fitness, Mindfulness, Personal Development
Playing to your strength means doing what you are able to do well, rather than doing other things. 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 ourselves in?- How can we create the lives that make it possible for us to…
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23Sep 2022 by Manuela Zeitlhofer

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

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

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

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

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

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

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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21Jul 2022 by Manuela Zeitlhofer

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

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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13Jul 2022 by Manuela Zeitlhofer

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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29Jun 2022 by Manuela Zeitlhofer

Identity

Personal Development
“It is easier to live through someone else than to complete yourself. The freedom to lead and plan your own life is frightening if you have never faced it before. It is frightening when a woman [editorial comment: ...or man] finally realizes that there is no answer to the question 'who am I' except the voice inside herself.” ― Betty Friedan __________ What makes you unique? What does the voice inside tell you? Manuela Zeitlhofer | Mental Fitness Coach
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