Goodness Gracious

This past weekend I had the opportunity to attend a workshop with Toni Powell. Toni Powell is an "award winning film maker, story teller and cheeky upstart". She uses "true stories, short films, scientific research, fun and surprise" to deliver her message about the inexhaustible purposes for and practice of gratitude and happiness. As Toni's message relates to the empowering realities of neuropsychology and neuroplasticity, attending this workshop was a no brainer (is that a pun?). The practical concepts of neuropsychology and neuroplasticity are surprisingly easy to get and fold into your life, the bottom line is: You Are What You Think. If you feel like you are in a thinking/being rut, just think your way out of it. That of course, is not meant to trivialize our tragedies, as certainly we all have been in the thick of rough weather patches, some having been smouldered by heavier clouds than others. But, as Toni describes, if your thoughts end up as runaway trains, going round and round your mind, pulling you deeper and deeper into depression towards a dead end, then perhaps you need a lifeline, and Toni's suggested techniques are simple, practical and gimmick free. These concepts, of real change through the simple practice of thought, are roiling the world over: check out a talk given by neuropsychologist Rick Hanson (not the famous Canadian paralympian Rick Hansen, but just as inspiring) at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jA3EGx46r4Q&feature=share, or read Norman Doidge's Book "The Brain That Changes Itself"(http://www.normandoidge.com/normandoidge/MAIN.html), or check out my Yoga for Chronic Pain blog from Nov, 19, 2013...better yet, come to a class! Toni Powell caught the wave a decade ago, and is pulsing the change she wants to see in the world, sharing her straightforward, yet profound life changing messages in such a fun and unique way, you can't help but learn how to surf (Byron Bay is rubbing off on me). Check out her Ted Talk at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2zBiDaSuIRw#t=12. In a couple of weeks I will be attending another of her Goodness Gracious Me: The Gratitude Lifeclass. Can't hardly wait!