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Posts Categorized: Developing a New Focus

Why It’s Important to Define What You Believe In

Posted by Marlene Anderson, MA, LMHC, NCC

There is a spiritual side to all of us, whether we believe in a God, are a Christian, an atheist, or agnostic.

If you look online you will find numerous definitions and descriptions of spirituality. Basically, it is a recognition that there is more, something greater, than just us.

What do you believe and why? Perhaps you never considered the importance of asking yourself this question. And yet our beliefs influence every aspect of our life – the decisions we make, the people we hang out with, and the lifestyle we choose.

Are you able to define what you believe in and the value you place on those beliefs?

Where Do You Find God?

Posted by Marlene Anderson, MA, LMHC, NCC

God has been intervening, loving, instructing, forgiving, and rescuing his people from the beginning of time.

Today on my podcast and blog, I’ll share stories of how God intervened in the lives of Elijah, Naaman, Job, Joseph, Paul, Peter, and Dietrich Bonhoeffer.

If you are struggling right now, reach out to God and discover His comforting arms. The book of Psalms can help you learn how to talk with God.

Lessons We Learn From the People of the Bible

Posted by Marlene Anderson, MA, LMHC, NCC

The Bible is full of stories about people who do hurtful, vindictive, and destructive things. So why should we read it?

Today on my podcast and blog, we’ll discuss what we can learn from each of these biblical people, that will benefit us:

  • Cain
  • Noah
  • Jacob
  • Joseph
  • Samson
  • Rahab
  • Gideon
  • David

Mini-Relaxation Exercises

Posted by Marlene Anderson, MA, LMHC, NCC

Last week on my blog and podcast, you learned how the process of deep breathing releases tension and stress.

Today I share several mini-relaxation exercises that will help you maximize your performance and minimize the time to complete stressful tasks. It is helpful to do these exercises when you have time free from interruptions from the phone or people.

Build on the suggestions or create your own.

Let Go and Breathe

Posted by Marlene Anderson, MA, LMHC, NCC

In order to make the changes we want, we need to let go of bad habits that keep us from accomplishing those goals. Letting go is where we learn to relax, release tension, and reduce the stress in our life.

Letting go might seem terrifying at first.

We are action-oriented and want to be in control of everything. Relaxing can be construed by our conscious mind as laying down all our defenses and opening ourselves up to being vulnerable.

Today on my podcast and blog, I’ll introduce you to a simple relaxation technique that will help you let go of tension.

Choose to Be Happy

Posted by Marlene Anderson, MA, LMHC, NCC

Seek happiness as if your life depended on it – it does!

Life hurts! What is the cure?

Happiness.

But how can we feel good about life or ourselves when everything keeps going wrong? How can we assume a happy disposition when we are always feeling angry or frustrated or scared inside? I have problems to solve – I don’t have time to try and be happy!

Today on my podcast and blog, we’ll explore why it’s important to develop a happy disposition, how negative and positive emotions impact us, and five ways to make happiness happen.

Prolonged Stress: How it Impacts Your Body and Mind

Posted by Marlene Anderson, MA, LMHC, NCC

Personalized Stress: The Stress we Create | FocusWithMarlene.com

We can’t live without stress. It is the energy that enables us to get up in the morning, go to work, make vacation plans, solve problems, and live. It enables us to respond to whatever is happening in the moment.

We can handle most stressful things because they happen irregularly. It’s when stress becomes prolonged, without some way to reduce tension, that it takes its toll.

Today on my blog and podcast, we’ll discuss several causes of prolonged stress and its impact on our physical and emotional health. We’ll also look at ways to use our stress energy productively.

From Motivation to Results

Posted by Marlene Anderson, MA, LMHC, NCC

Every day we have the opportunity to begin again.

Every day is a new day – to pursue your dreams – to start over – to put a new habit in place – to designate time for your loved ones – to write a new chapter in your life story.

How can we take charge of our day? Today on my blog and podcast, I’ll give you helpful tips for changing what needs changing, setting boundaries where needed, and choosing your attitude so you can move forward.

Expand Your View

Posted by Marlene Anderson, MA, LMHC, NCC

When you try to expand your potential, is your view constrained by predetermined beliefs about yourself and the limitations you believe you have?

How can you rise above those limitations to see beyond the moment to how you can bring life to your dreams or long-forgotten passions?

As we read stories of people who started with enormous handicaps and have done extraordinary things, we wonder:

When were they able to expand their view of possibilities to begin such a lifetime work? What was the trigger for them to go beyond thinking about it as just a possibility to actually acting upon it?

Today on my blog and podcast, read four true stories of individuals who took what they were handed, expanded their view of possibility and overcame enormous obstacles.

Become the Director of Your Life Story

Posted by Marlene Anderson, MA, LMHC, NCC

Become the Director of Your Life Story | FocusWithMarlene.com

Directors determine what is essential to bring life to a script – who will play the different roles, what problems need to be worked out, staging, etc. When you go see a play at a theater, you see that script come to life on stage.

A director takes a screenplay, and reworks or rewrites it as necessary to achieve the outcome wanted. The director knows the strengths and weaknesses of the players involved, and achieves a positive outcome by bringing together all the elements required for that desired ending.

Today on my blog and podcast, I’ll share the story of a woman who felt locked in a life with no future. Together, she and I created a plan that enabled her to become the director of her life. Read on…