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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08Aug 2023 by Manuela Zeitlhofer

Connecting over Garbage

Connecting with Nature, Getting to know your Coach, Mindfulness, Nature
At first, we saw some garbage, the usual, a few discarded food containers, a coffee cup lid, carelessly dropped or lost by the inattentive visitor. Nothing that could not easily be picked up and collected in a small garbage bag later (and I generally do, because it hurts my eye more to see the garbage than it is an effort to pick it up and dispose of it in a designated spot). It was a hot Sunday. We decided to go for a swim at a place along a river, where the water cascading over sheet rock is easy to access and not too deep. Walking on we came across an abandoned campsite, with bottles and aluminum foil in the fire pit. Right next to it was a good sized…
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14Jun 2023 by Manuela Zeitlhofer

Spirit Plants

Connecting with Nature, Mindfulness
When I lived in the Yukon, I was given a handful of Haskap berries. I harvested the tiny seeds and started them. I planted the little plants in a raised bed. They survived winter after winter, and after a three years they produced their first fruit. When I left the Yukon, I took some seeds with me. The whole story repeated itself, and we had our first berries last summer. This summer, we have such an abundant harvest, which made me think that Haskap bushes are definitely my spirit plant: They are easy going, produce fruit very early in the season and for an extended period, they are abundant, appreciative of what I can give them, they are decorative, and they are not of interest to little harvesters like chipmunks…
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06Jun 2023 by Manuela Zeitlhofer

Your Body Has You Covered

Connecting with Nature, Mental Fitness, Mindfulness
When the fog is too thick for you to find your way around, your body knows where to go. That might be a bit of a metaphorical exaggeration. Please bear with me as I unroll my thoughts: Unfortunately, our area is currently experiencing dense smog from wildfires in this and other provinces of Canada. While we cannot really smell it (unlike yesterday, when the smell of a cold fire pit hung in the air), my chest felt heavy this morning, I felt reluctant to take a deep breath, and a headache was (and is) lingering. I pointed out to my daughter that there are people who spend their lives in conditions like this, where the air is polluted all the time. And how lucky we can be that this is…
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10Jän 2023 by Manuela Zeitlhofer

Mental Fitness Snippet: Walking & Breathing

Connecting with Nature, Mental Fitness
The snow is crunching under my feet. I breathe in while I take two steps. I breathe out while I take the next two steps. My mind chatters. I think: “In” (and take two steps), “out” (and take two steps). I let go of the thoughts that want to bubble up. “In…. out” (crunch, crunch, crunch, crunch). https://youtu.be/zzReU25B79Q __________ Manuela Zeitlhofer | Mental Fitness and Nature Coach
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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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30Sep 2022 by Manuela Zeitlhofer

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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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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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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25Jul 2022 by Manuela Zeitlhofer

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

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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