Life's lessons with Laney: Recent Episodes
Laney Jane MacCormack
This podcast aims to share simplified key points from self development topics for you to apply easily in your own real-life scenarios. Ideas from approaches such as NLP and non-violent communication, and learnings from key personalities such as Deepak Chopra, Brene Brown, and Tony Robbins are explored. In a weekly session, Laney shows examples of how she applies new key approaches in her life and work, offering a simple actionable suggestion about how to apply these in your own life.
Music: (c)Margaret Wilson-MacCormack 2018
Welcome back to Life's Lessons With Laney. To start 2024 off on a positive note, today's session focuses on Manifest by Roxie Nafousi - 7 steps to a better you, be the 'you' you desire. I'll check back in with you in 6 months to share how this worked out for me! enjoy đ
Listen to our latest show for tips on how to turn that 'Time Out' chair into a cosy, reflective, calming corner!
Useful resources to inspire your cosy corner design:
- https://camillestyles.com/design/5-tips-for-creating-a-meditation-space-in-your-home-that-youll-actually-use/
- https://www.thespruce.com/meditation-spaces-that-inspire-4177495
Reflective questions for when you're ready to take note...
- https://donthateyourguts.com/check-exercise-favorite-practice-practicing-mindfulness-every-day-life-increasing-self-awareness/
WHAT AM I EXPERIENCING RIGHT NOW IN THIS VERY MOMENTâŠ
- In my HEART: What am I experiencing emotionally right now in this very moment?
- Specific feelingsââFeeling x.â
- General moodââFeeling x.â
- Use words of emotions such as âjoyâ, âpeaceâ, âdiscomfortâ, âloveâ, âfearâ, âangerâ, âfrustrationâ, etc., as âxâ. See additional handout on emotion words for additional emotion words.
- In my BODY: What am I experiencing sensationally right now in this very moment?
- PostureââFeeling x.â or âNoticing x.â
- SensesâSights, sounds, tastes, skin sensations, and points of contact with the ground/floor/earth, your chair, etc.ââExperiencing x.â
- In myMIND: What am I experiencing mentally right now in this very moment?
- ThoughtsââThinking about x.â or âNoticing my mind going to x.â
- Qualities of the mindââMy mind is doing x.â or âIâm mentally feeling x.â
- In my sense ofCONNECTEDNESS: Am I feeling connected right now in this moment?
- To MyselfâHow connected to myself or disconnected from myself am I feeling right now in this moment? Do I feel close/closer to my feelings, sensations, and thoughts or distant/more distant?
- To Other beingsâTo whom or what are you feeling connected? Acknowledge this person, animal, or other being and how it feels sensationally and emotionally to be feeling connected in this moment.
- To God/Spirit/the DivineâAre you experiencing connection to something greater than any one person or being in this moment? Are you in touch with your sense of spirituality in this moment? If so, notice what it feels like to feel connected to God/Spirit/the Divine.
- To Nature/Natural ThingsâTo what are you feeling connected in this very moment? Acknowledge if there is a place or an image of a natural setting or tree, plant, body of water, rock, etc., to which you are feeling connected in this very moment.
Note: If asking yourself the questions in Section 4, the Connectedness category, is confusing or does not resonate with you, skip it. Working with mind, heart, and body is sufficient.
Questions for Self-Reflection at the end of the week:
- Which part(s) of your experienceâmind vs. heart vs. bodyâwas (were) easiest to access and connect with? Generally, with which part of yourselfâmind vs. heart vs. body vs. connectednessâdo you believe you most readily inform yourself?
- Which part(s) of your experienceâmind vs. heart vs. bodyâwas (were) most difficult to access or did you feel least connected with? Generally, with which part of yourselfâmind vs. heart vs. body vs. connectednessâdo you believe you least readily inform yourself?
- 2-10min: Drag yourself out of bed, no overthinking, and go to sit down near a window or next to your bed (just yourself, your breathe, and the sounds of nature). I keep a cushion at the end of my bed for this.
- Sit outside for 5 min, or by an open window (must be open!). If you want to know why, listen to the Huberman Lab podcast below!
- Reflect with pen and paper, for 10min - your own development, whatever you want to work on at the moment. Pick up pen and paper. There is evidence below as to why this is important... Check out Caroline Leaf's podcasts and Neurocycle app if you want to find a focus for yourself. It's very easy and I use it for 10/15min each morning.
Enjoy your day!
Why daily meditation works: https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/mindfulness-meditation-helps-fight-insomnia-improves-sleep-201502187726
How natural daylight resets our circadian rhythm is we step into it in the morning and at sunset:
https://castbox.fm/episode/Using-Science-to-Optimize-Sleep%2C-Learning-%26-Metabolism-|-Episode-3-id3646122-id345913222?utm_source=website&utm_medium=dlink&utm_campaign=web_share&utm_content=Using%20Science%20to%20Optimize%20Sleep%2C%20Learning%20%26%20Metabolism%20%7C%20Episode%203-CastBox_FM
How writing helps heal the soul, Caroline Leaf mentions scientific evidence that the brain works optimally when focusing on one thing at a time and pen/paper is a great way to enable this: https://books.google.lu/books?id=1N6JD_K9k2cC&pg=PT171&lpg=PT171&dq=caroline+leaf+pen+paper&source=bl&ots=jL4l1G8mvS&sig=ACfU3U3OEKGGG-kjpFRYLKu3PVQtf_3SCQ&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjzn72Qu9rwAhV5AmMBHRffAecQ6AEwEnoECA0QAw#v=snippet&q=process%20of%20writing&f=false
Perspective activity...
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Make a viewfinder: www.pulitzerarts.org/program/art-recess-how-to-make-a-viewfinder/
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Visit your local gallery and choose 3 or 4 paintings to view. For each one, look at three different views using your viewfinder. Try to close your mind to preconceptions and state only what you see from your viewfinder. See how it opens your mind? What else can you see?
For those option for virtual museums: artsandculture.google.com/project/streetviews
Firstly this week reminds us of podcast 3's topic: 'The Zone', it strongly ties in with a TED Talk I came across this week: 'Want to be happier? Stay in the moment.' Matt Killingsworth. I highly recommend giving it a listen! https://www.ted.com/talks/matt_killingsworth_want_to_be_happier_stay_in_the_moment?language=en
and here's his happiness tracking app: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/track-your-happiness/id867266105
This week's podcast topic reminds us of the importance of looking after ourselves - ourSELVES. Stumbling upon something in a book about 'intimacy and desire', I noticed it ties in the areas discussed in podcasts 1, 2, and 3, in a non-relationship context. 'Four Points of Balance', David Starch, BOOK: Intimacy & Desire
Do you find yourself drained and tired from absorbing negative energy and emotions from those around you? Here's a handy tool to cut those cords and free the weight, so you can have a more productive day spending more time on life's little joys and a positive experiences!
Thanks to Negin @ Human Design and Gabrielle @Worthy and Worth It for introducing me to this amazing tool!
Today's session welcomes you to being creative; in your output or in your mindset. Let's get that creativity flowing to find our happy place!!
Ken Robinson: Why creativity is as important as literacy in education... https://www.ted.com/talks/sir_ken_robinson_do_schools_kill_creativity?language=en
Linkedin report on the skill of creativity... https://learning.linkedin.com/blog/top-skills/why-creativity-is-the-most-important-skill-in-the-world
Actions to overcome your creator-block...
- Think like a 5 year old: Write down your goals and deadlines as a brainstorm; be wacky, be blue-sky!
- Get your 5 year old's/kids involved: Have a topic but not sure where to start? Send them hunting for 3 objects to do with the topic and let that inspire you.
- Need a stimulus? Pick up a book, any book; turn to any page if you're not sure. Begin there! Choose a podcast, Watch Netflix, take a walk. THEN just get on with your daily schedule and let the ideas flow to you.
- All else fails... pick up a writing tool and a piece of paper and see what happens!!
- Find someone to CHECK-IN with every day 2. Set yourself a CHALLENGE or join an online challenge with a group. E.g. fitness, healthy eating, mindfulness, work-related, etc. 3. Visually WRITE DOWN YOUR SCHEDULE in places you always see it, remembering to include the challenge and checking in (steps 1 & 2!) App: HAPPYFEED. Join my pod with code 1SHRDP and get the app at https://www.happyfeed.co/invite?code=1shrdp
Let's take a step out of our crazy schedules to think more deeply about those who have contributed to our life: Make a list of 50 people, no less, and choose some to reach out to and connect with whom perhaps you've overlooked or forgotten about.
Remember those who contributed for just that, appreciate them for a moment. Look beyond comparing your life to theirs and being like them, and feel the gratitude within.
In the chaotic times today, it is imperative to prioritise your sanity! Here are a few tips and tricks on sparing yourself some time amidst the mayhem - kids, worry, sickness, etc - to spend some time on something you love.
References and useful links to follow....
Come and join me on a riverside walk and reflect on how to action your New Year's resolutions, business goals, or more long-term life objectives.
More info can be found in 'Kaizen' by Sarah Harvey (book)
Delve into what a S.M.A.R.T. goal is and how to set them: https://youtu.be/1-SvuFIQjK8
Namaste!
Let's make some time in our hectic schedules to appreciate those around us; strangers, friends or family all alike.
Please share your acts with us, especially as we enter the season of sparkle... Remember, it's not all about physical gifts, food and jobs to organise!
Some ideas for the Christmas season: https://www.dynacraftwheels.com/blog/random-acts-of-kindness-holiday-kids-edition/
Niceties token campaign info: http://www.team-nice.co.uk/ http://thekindnessoffensive.com/
And as The Kindness Offensive suggest: "HAVE FUN, BE KIND AND INSPIRE AS MANY PEOPLE AS POSSIBLE TO DO THE SAME!"
The power of kindness: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_DawgEK9muY The beauty of random acts of kindness: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7lQ5m0A3xYw
How friends, family, community, and those we havent yet met can help us feel we belong, keep us motivated, and grow our hearts and minds... Enjoy!
Here's a few nuggets to help you overcome your occasional lack of motivation: from chunking work into smaller, more manageable bites; to yoga and physical activity to shift your physiology. Enjoy!
Whether work or daily life, here are some tips that might help you to feel more organised: 1. Take your task out of your head and CLEAR YOUR MIND, writing them down - try a paper diary, tabletop weekly 'to do' list in a visible place (mine is in the kitchen!), or try the Google Keep app - the result is a clear, relaxed mind because you're not trying to remember what's next continuously 2. ACCEPT what you can't manage, LET THE WORRY GO - the result is a clear focus on the tasks you do need to do, you can be present in the moment instead of worrying. Use the Eisenhower matrix to help remove unnecessary tasks, collaborate or delegate them. Try writing your 'to do' list in his 4x4 matrix - I quite like doing that! 4. WORK WITH OTHERS and have coffee with friends; chat about your life and work, and accept help from them in the form of ideas or collaboration. It makes the tedious, organising of life more enjoyable! 5. AMPLE SLEEP 6. FOREGIVE YOURSELF IF YOU CAN'T DO IT ALL, relax and enjoy the present moment and do what you can, be in the zone with the task at hand
Please feel free to email me if you'd like any specific guidance for your working schedule, i'll happily share some ideas with you but my suggestions vary depending on your industry and structure of a working day.
This week's activity is about the simple core life skill we need to live... breathing. You're here and reading this, so obviously you're breathing to be alive! But do you breathe properly? Let's see...
Calm your mind, find focus... DO:BREATHE is a book by Michael Townsend Williams. Part of the 'DO' book series - check out the other books too! They contain activities to help us enjoy and live better days.
This week's podcast is about Art and Prayer, not in the traditional sense - your art does not have to be physically creative (painting, crafting, writing, etc.); but it is your passion, your purpose, your way to express your soul. And in Prayer we talk about how you express this to the world, reaching out to share it with the universe....
"Make your creative expression a prayer you offer the world" â Alicia Rodriguez âEvery child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once he grows up.â â Pablo Picasso
Your Art is Prayer: https://www.aliciamrodriguez.com/blog/2017/4/25/your-art-as-prayer
Rainn Wilson: https://castbox.fm/episode/Rainn-Wilson%3A-Why-Are-We-Really-Here%3F-id1347950-id82876703?country=us
Unlock your Creative Genius: https://castbox.fm/episode/Steven-Pressfield%3A-Unlock-Your-Creative-Genius-id980204-id118298623?country=us
The Eisenhower Matrix... Link to follow
Categorise your activities in these priorities: 1. Important and urgent 2. Important not urgent 3. Not important and urgent 4. Not important and not urgent
Apologies for the incorrect wording... "Life's Loves", "Life's Learnings" .... I welcome you to "Lifes Lessons" with me, Laney! I'll be back in the world of the living by Sunday. Enjoy this week's and catch you then!
This week's Sunday session talks about slowing down our actions in aim to combat the 'metabolism of time', aka. Aging, as suggested by Deepak Chopra.
The first steps are to get a good nights sleep (here's some guidance, I certainly needed to be reminded to re-set my bad habits!!)
Then you're ready to begin your morning with a short grounding meditation. Pause your day before it starts rolling, and take time to simply be present.
Welcome to taking your time about things, and enjoying the ride!
In the English language there are few words that we can't translate directly; one of which is 'Bon Appétit', and another which is 'Kaizen'... This week's life's learning is about how to grow a little everyday, to feel more secure and fulfilled in ourselves. Welcome some Kaizen into your lives now! NB. The book mentioned by Tony Robbins is called 'Unleash The Giant Within'
Welcome to the first episode of Life's learnings with Laney...
Week 1: Intro & Topic taster - Association and Dissociation
Please excuse the unprofessional recording quality, hopefully you'll enjoy regardless! Please leave your delicately worded feedback below, about the topics we share ;)