Author: thepinkleap

I am a copywriter who is passionate about personal development. I am here to share my journey and what I'm learning. I hope that this blog will help create a positive mindset among my female audience so that they can release their true power and start thriving.
Rising with Christ: The Paschal Mystery as Inspiration for Your Personal Growth

Rising with Christ: The Paschal Mystery as Inspiration for Your Personal Growth

by thepinkleap ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

If you’re feeling lost, broken or hopeless…

If you’re experiencing pain, disappointment, or failure that seems too heavy to bear…

If you’re going through a difficult time right now…

If you’re searching for meaning, purpose, and direction in your life…

I invite you to reflect on the Paschal Mystery this Easter season and discover how it can offer you hope, healing, and transformation.

The Paschal Mystery is the central mystery of the Christian faith, and it tells the story of how Jesus Christ, the Son of God, suffered, died, and rose again for the salvation of the world.

But you know what? It’s not just a historical event that happened two thousand years ago.

It’s a present reality that can touch and transform your life today.

The Paschal Mystery is a concept that is central to the Christian faith, and it can also serve as a powerful framework for our own personal growth and transformation.

In this post, we’ll explore how the Paschal Mystery can help you in your personal development journey and find your way to a brighter, more fulfilling, more meaningful future.

At the heart of the Paschal Mystery is the idea that new life can arise from death and suffering. Christ’s death on the cross was a moment of great pain and anguish, but it was also the beginning of a new chapter in salvation history. The resurrection was a moment of hope and joy, a symbol of the power of transformation that is available to all of us.

In our personal lives, we all face moments of suffering and hardship. It may be the loss of a loved one, a major setback in our career, or a personal struggle that seems insurmountable.

I have experienced the Paschal Mystery over and over in my own personal life.

I can even identify one time in my life when I actually thought I would never laugh or hum a tune again.

I walked around the house like a zombie. It was as if someone had robbed me of my life and my body was but an empty shell.

I was so depressed over the loss of my baby girl that I thought I would never regain my old self.

But I just surprised myself one day when I realized something.

Without any intention of doing it, I was humming a tune!

I realized then that things would get better.

And they did.

Healing took place.

I used to cry every day during those first few months of grief and although that grief would always stay with me, it has taken another form — something that’s life-giving and one that motivates me to live a more meaningful existence.

Giving birth to my dear Sofia Marie and losing her in less than two hours changed me in so many inconceivable ways.

The changes did not come at once nor did they come simultaneously.

They came slowly, like soft ripples.

It was during the Holy Week of 2015 when I went to have a gender ultrasound. Instead, we learned our baby had hydrops fetalis. I had very little amniotic fluid so the doctor could not even tell the gender.

I kept praying for a miracle. I spent all my waking moments praying. I kept waiting for Easter.

Easter Sunday came but I remember thinking that it did not come for me.

Easter only came several months after she went home to God.

I can’t remember exactly when it came but I think that the time I caught myself humming a tune was probably my Easter morning. That told me there was hope.

I slowly regained my self. But it was a different, better, more intentional version of my self.

In our moments of struggle and difficulty, it can be easy to feel lost, alone, and without hope. But the Paschal Mystery teaches us that even in the darkest moments, there is the potential for new life and growth.

One of the key elements of the Paschal Mystery is surrender. Christ surrendered himself to God’s will, even in the face of great suffering. For us, surrender means letting go of our own desires and plans, and trusting in a higher power.

It means accepting our own limitations and weaknesses, and allowing ourselves to be transformed.

I know that this surrender can be a difficult process, and it may involve letting go of things that are comfortable or familiar. But the reward is the potential for a transformation beyond your wildest imagination!

Just as the resurrection was a moment of hope and joy, your own surrender can lead to a sense of peace and renewal.

Another aspect of the Paschal Mystery is the idea of sacrifice. Christ’s sacrifice on the cross was the ultimate act of love, and it is a reminder of the power of selflessness. For us, sacrifice may mean putting the needs of others before our own, or making difficult choices that are in line with our values and beliefs.

Sacrifice can be challenging, and it may require us to step out of our comfort zones. But the reward is the opportunity to live a life that is meaningful and fulfilling, and to make a difference in the world around us.

This Easter, take some time to reflect on the meaning of the holiday, and consider how you can apply the lessons and message of the Paschal Mystery to your own life.

If you can look at your life and relate it to the passion, death and resurrection of Christ, you will always find hope and joy in the resurrection.

Happy Easter!

Holy Week Reflections: The Interconnection between Our Faith and Personal Development

Holy Week Reflections: The Interconnection between Our Faith and Personal Development

by thepinkleap ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

It’s Maundy Thursday and we have just arrived home from our yearly “Visita Iglesia” which is the practice of visiting seven churches where we reflect on the Way of the Cross.

I’m tired but inspired to write something about my faith in connection to personal development.

This is a time for many Catholics like me to reflect on our faith and the role it plays in our lives.

For some of us, our faith is something that we keep separate from other aspects of our lives, such as our personal development journey.

But what if our faith and our personal growth are actually deeply interconnected?

At its core, personal development is about becoming the best version of ourselves. It’s about identifying our strengths and weaknesses, and working to improve ourselves in order to achieve our goals and live a fulfilling life. And as Catholics, we have a unique perspective on what it means to be the best version of ourselves.

The concept of self-improvement is not new to our faith. It is, in fact, at the heart of our spiritual journey.

We are called to become more like Christ, to grow in love and virtue, and to live a life of service to others.

I remember, there was even a time when Jesus told His followers, “Be perfect as your Heavenly Father is perfect”.

And just as we work to develop our physical, mental, and emotional health, we also have a responsibility to develop our spiritual health.

So how can we incorporate and live our faith as we continue on this path towards personal development?

If you’re Catholic or another type of Christian, here are a few ideas to get you started:

1. Pray and meditate.

Just as we take time to care for our physical and mental health, we also need to take time to care for our spiritual health. Prayer and meditation are powerful tools that can help us connect with God, cultivate inner peace, and gain clarity and perspective on our lives.

I remember during the first year of the pandemic, I used to cry almost every day. I kept remembering the Spanish flu documentary I watched years before the pandemic, and the story of one survivor who found himself to be the only surviving student of his class when they were finally allowed to go out of their homes.

I believe that the only thing that kept me sane was my faith and prayer life. It was where I found hope and peace. I don’t think I would have been able to fulfill my duties as a teacher without prayer. I probably would have had a nervous breakdown without it.

Prayer also gives me hope and confidence in my dreams. Whenever I start to feel down, insecure or demotivated, I pray and I gain back my motivation and strength to pursue the things I want.

Some people believe in the power of the universe.

I believe in God who created the universe.

And so I pray to Him to strategically place the things I need in my path and to help me recognize and take advantage of them.

2. Reflect on scripture.

Scripture is filled with wisdom and guidance for how to live a virtuous life. Take time to read and reflect on passages that speak to you, and consider how you can apply these lessons to your own life.

You may want to write your reflection down in a journal so that you’ll have something to go back to later to help you see how far you’ve grown in the spiritual aspect of your life.

3. Practice gratitude.

Gratitude is an essential component of personal development and spiritual growth. Take time each day to reflect on the blessings in your life, and offer thanks to God for all that you have.

I suggest having a gratitude journal or a space in your daily planner where you can list down at least three things you’re grateful for each day. Doing so will help keep you happy. No matter how your day went, if you have at least three things listed down, your day is actually far better than most people.

4. Live a life of service:

As Catholics, we are called to live a life of service to others.

Your talents are God’s gifts to you but how and where you use your talents is your gift to God.

Volunteer your time and talents to those in need, and seek out opportunities to make a difference in your community.

Everyone has something to give. There is nobody who is so poor as to be unable to give anything. You can give in three ways.

You can give your time. This will teach you how to multi-task and manage your time better.

You can give your talent. This will help you develop and improve your talents and skills even more.

You can give your treasure. This will teach you how to manage your tangible resources.

Whether it’s your time, talent, treasure or a mix of all three that you use to serve, you will develop important values that you need to improve your character and become a better individual.

5. Connect with a community.

Just as you need support and accountability in your personal development journey, you also need a community to support you in your faith. Connect with a local parish or faith-based organization, and seek out opportunities to grow in your faith alongside others.

Connecting Our Faith with Our Personal Development Journey Is Incredibly Powerful

Connecting our faith with our personal development journey is not only possible, but it can also be incredibly powerful.

Every religion has a set of rules one has to follow. At least that’s what I know about most religions. Following rules alone already develops self-discipline and moral standards that are important in all areas of one’s life.

Just thinking about the gifts I have received from God already tells me how I should live my life.

One example was when I think about how God has given me a healthy body, I end up with a greater resolve not to indulge in too much sweets or junk food. I always think about how I should take good care of my body because it’s a gift from Him.

Another example was there was one time in my life when I was tempted for a year to live a life of mediocrity because it was where I was most comfortable. But then upon reflection, I told myself, “Wait a minute, what am I doing? God gave me all these amazing gifts and I just want to live small.” I realized it was time to stop “hiding”. I realized that I was not glorifying God with the way I was living my life.

When you take your religion seriously, you will have this deep desire to become the best version of yourself. This comes from your desire to please God whom you love and to attain life eternal.

You see, by incorporating the teachings of your faith into your daily life, you can cultivate inner peace, gain clarity and perspective on your life, and become the best version of yourself – in mind, body, and spirit.

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The Power of Your Story: How Changing Your Narrative Can Change Your Life

The Power of Your Story: How Changing Your Narrative Can Change Your Life

by thepinkleap ♥ 1 Comment

Do you ever feel like you’re stuck in a rut, living the same old story day in and day out?

Do you often feel like you’re a female character in a movie and you’re waiting for things to change so you can be this woman who turns her life around but things just stay the same no matter how long you’ve waited?

Maybe you’re unhappy with where you are in life or you’re stuck in a relationship that no longer serves you. Or maybe you feel like you’re not living to your full potential. Whatever the case may be, it’s time to start telling yourself another story.

As Tony Robbins says, “Your past does not equal your future.”

The story you’ve been telling yourself up until this point does not have to be your story forever.

You have the power to rewrite your story and create a new one that empowers you.

Yes, you can be that woman who turns her life around.

So what does “old story” mean?

Your old story is the narrative you’ve been telling yourself about who you are, what you’re capable of and what your life is like.

It’s the story you’ve been living in.

What about your “new story”?

It’s the story you choose to tell yourself going forward. It’s the story that inspires you, motivates you and empowers you to take the right steps towards the life you want to live and towards the person you want to be.

I understand that changing your story isn’t always easy. It can be daunting and overwhelming. It requires you to examine your beliefs, your thought patterns and your behaviors. It means confronting those parts of you that you don’t like and being willing to let go of that which no longer serve you.

In truth, writing a new story usually means stepping out of your comfort zone and taking a leap towards the unknown.

And that can be pretty scary.

But you know what?

It’s rewarding too! Believe me, I know!

Because when you start telling yourself a new story, you’ll notice a shift in your mindset. You will be more confident, more motivated, more resilient!

You will be empowered!

You will start seeing opportunities where you once saw obstacles.

You will have something like an uncontrollable itch to take action towards your goals.

And ultimately, you will be able to create the life you want — a life that is deeply aligned to your innermost values and desires.

So how do you change your story? How and where do you begin?

Here are a few tips to get you started:

1. Examine your old story. What narrative have you or people close to you been telling you about who you are and what your life is like? Be honest and write it down.

2. Challenge your old story. Analyze it. Is it really true? Will it be possible for you to believe in something else? What parts of your old story no longer serve you? What do you need to let go? Who do you need to let go?

3. Determine the story you want to create. What narrative do you want to tell yourself? What do you honestly want your life to look like if you had access to unlimited resources and opportunities? Write it down in detail and use the present tense.

4. Reinforce your new story. Repeat your story every day in your head. Write positive affirmations to further help you. Visualize yourself living it. Take action towards it. Practice the habits of the person you want to be.

5. Surround yourself with positive people. Who are the people in your life? Are you growing more positive because of them? Good and positive people will serve as good models for you, teach you new strategies, keep you motivated and will inspire you to keep going.

Don’t Just Write on Any Piece of Paper.

It would be a good idea to use a designated notebook for this. That way, you can keep everything together in the same place and you can also have something to look back to later on if you want to see how far you’ve grown.

I actually created and designed a beautiful journal with prompts to help you reflect on your old story and to help you create your new one. It also has quotes that will keep you inspired as you write your new story.

I can give it to you for FREE. All you have to do is subscribe to my blog and I will send it to you via email. Or if you’re in the mood to buy me coffee, you can get it at my Etsy store.

Final Thoughts

Remember, your new story does not happen overnight. It is a journey and one that is not free from obstacles, temptations and challenges. But if you’re truly committed to breaking free from your old story and creating a new one, you will just wake up one day already living in it.

Just don’t forget to ask God to bless your new story.

Sending you love and blessings!

10 Powerful Ways to Boost Your Self-Esteem

10 Powerful Ways to Boost Your Self-Esteem

by thepinkleap ♥ 5 Comments

I used to have low self-esteem.

When I was 7 years old we moved to the city where everyone spoke a different language. The only language I was fluent in was Sambal. I knew and understood age-appropriate English words, but I had difficulty speaking and understanding long consecutive sentences and therefore could not participate in English conversations.

What was worse was it took me a long time to transliterate everything in my head whenever my teachers discussed lessons in English and that was exhausting!

When it came to Tagalog, it was hopeless. I could not understand a word of it so I could not even transliterate from Tagalog to Sambal.

To top it all off, everyone in school was already writing in cursive. I was only writing in print because students in the province only learn cursive at the age of 8.

And so I couldn’t understand my classmates, I couldn’t understand my teachers and I could not understand the cursive words on the board nor could I copy them!

I could not even communicate what I was feeling or thinking!

You can just imagine how I felt in school! I felt so small, and I assumed everyone in school thought I was stupid. And the more I felt that that’s what they thought about me, the more shy and withdrawn I became.

As my grades suffered, so did my self-esteem.

As the school year went by, my English and Tagalog communication skills improved and I learned to write in cursive the same year too. But no matter how much my skills progressed in the succeeding years, I still suffered with low self-esteem for the next 9 years.

I discovered my real power in college and I am proud to say that my self-esteem and self-confidence have grown and soared over the years. But that is another story for another day.

The point I would like to make in this post is that it’s tough to overcome low self-esteem specially if it’s rooted in experiences that happened early in life.

But it’s POSSIBLE.

If you have struggled with low self-esteem like I have, know that you’re not alone.

And remember that there are steps you can take to start building your self-esteem and self-confidence.

In this post, I’ll be sharing 10 ways to improve your self-esteem so that you can empower yourself to go after your dreams and transform your life.

These are ways that have worked for me and for many others who have had the same struggle.

So if you’re ready to start feeling better about yourself and your abilities, just continue reading.

Improve Your Self-Esteem through These Simple Strategies

1.Recognize and appreciate your strengths.

Everyone has been gifted talents, special abilities and skills. What you can do is to take time to reflect on what you do best and identify the areas in which you can make use of them for your own purpose or for the greater community. Knowing that you can contribute something of value to society will make you feel good about yourself.

You may also focus on intentionally harnessing your special talents and abilities and ensure that you’re getting better every day.

It is also good to remember that your strengths are not limited to the talents and abilities that we usually think of like writing, speaking, playing an instrument, crafting, etc.

I remember a time when I asked my students to share their strengths and there was this student who told me that she did not have any. I told her that she just needed more time to reflect or more time to discover the things she was good at. And then I proceeded to ask her, “But then don’t you find it so easy to make your classmates smile and laugh?” She nodded. “That’s one of your strengths,” I said and she beamed.

If you’re good at making people feel good about themselves, if you’re good at giving advice, making people smile, making friends, if you’re committed, persevering, loyal, loving, reliable, etc., these are all valuable strengths that you should be proud of and develop even more!

2. Identify your weaknesses.

As you pause and reflect on your strengths, find time to reflect on your weaknesses too. Identify your weaknesses and accept them. Then proceed to planning a course of action on how you can address them. Identify the ways you can improve yourself in that particular area or think about how you can turn a particular weakness into a strength instead.

3. Embrace a growth mindset.

Train your mind into believing that you can develop yourself and your abilities through hard work and dedication. There are many self-help books that you can read and blogs like The Pink Leap that you can subscribe to that can help you develop a growth mindset.

4. Practice self-care.

No matter how busy you are, take time to ensure your personal needs are met.

Remember to eat wisely. Choose the foods that will keep you healthy. Learn about the foods that can help you boost your mood and improve your mental health so that you can intentionally incorporate them in your daily diet.

Ensure that you are drinking the right amount of water daily and sleep for 6 hours or longer each night to maximize its health benefits.

Wake up earlier than usual so you can exercise before you prepare for work.

A strong and healthy mind and body will allow you to absorb more knowledge, recognize opportunities, help you make good decisions, keep your spirits up, manage your anxieties, keep your skin glowing, your hair strong and shiny and your eyes clear and sparkling.

Your clothes will fit you better and you will have the energy to finish your tasks AND do the things you love.

You will look good and feel good! And you can do more good!

Imagine what this will do to your self-esteem and confidence!

And then think about your weekly or monthly schedule and see how you can incorporate the things you love doing into your weekly or monthly schedule.

Make time to do the things you love. See a movie, read a good book, craft, have lunch with a good friend.

Once you have developed your self-care routine, you’re going to realize that it’s not only keeping you healthy and sane but it’s also a lot of fun. It will also allow you to build stronger relationships with your loved ones and empower you to be the best mom, wife, daughter or friend to them.

When you’re taking good and proper care of yourself, you’re allowing yourself to become the best YOU! And that has enormous impact on your self-esteem and confidence!

5. Set achievable goals.

Setting goals is very important in your journey towards your best self and may benefit you in a variety of ways.

It will be easy to track and achieve your goals when they are SMART (specific, measurable, achievable, realistic and time-bound). So when you write down your goals, it will help if you allot at least an hour for reflection and goal setting.

Setting goals and achieving them will keep you feeling good and powerful.

6. Surround yourself with positive people.

Negative people will only bring you down and give you excuses not to pursue your goals and dreams. Avoid them at all costs. If they are family members, it’s better not to discuss your goals at length with them because they might just cause you to doubt yourself with their negativity.

Positive people, on the other hand, will inspire you, encourage you and keep you motivated. Many of them have experienced and overcome personal challenges too so you can learn a lot from them.

7. Be kind to yourself.

Be compassionate and kind to yourself. Forgive yourself when you make mistakes or when things don’t go as planned. You treat your friend nicely so why would your treatment of yourself be different? Treat yourself the way you would treat a good friend — with love, understanding and empathy.

Remind yourself that you’re doing the best you can but that sometimes there are factors that are out of your control.

8. Practice positive self-talk.

Learn to talk to yourself in a positive way. If it has been your practice to put yourself down and berate yourself, it’s time for that to change.

Remember that your negative language is destructive. Everything you tell yourself is absorbed by your subconscious and it believes everything too!

One of the best things you can do for yourself is to start talking kindly to yourself and to remind yourself of your worth and capabilities. Write positive affirmations and recite them every day. This will rewire and reprogram your subconscious to believe the best about you.

Want to learn more about positive affirmations? Discover how they can help you achieve your goals by reading this post.

9. Learn new things. Learn new skills.

Read and absorb all the knowledge you can. Read, read and read. Learn new skills. You can do so by enrolling in a course or watching YouTube videos.

Your knowledge and skills will make you feel capable, give you a sense of achievement and empower you to create better opportunities for yourself and make a greater contribution to society.

10. Take action.

It’s time to put your fears aside and take the right steps towards your goals.

You already know what to do, all you need now is to act on these strategies so you can finally boost your self-esteem and start the process of transforming your life.

Reminders

Your self-esteem was probably profoundly affected by your life experiences through no fault of your own but it is only YOU who has the power to implement appropriate strategies so you can break free from the chains that keep you stuck in a life that is lacking in fulfillment and joy.

You can do it! Do these strategies and there will be no doubt that your low self-esteem will be turned into a healthy and truly transformative self-pride that will pave the way to unshakable self-confidence.

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The Power of Affirmations: Speak Your Goals into Existence

The Power of Affirmations: Speak Your Goals into Existence

by thepinkleap ♥ 2 Comments

Have you ever talked to yourself?

It might sound funny but I often do!

Whenever I catch myself doing something great, I give myself an imaginary pat on the back and tell myself how great I am and how amazing my work is!

Some people probably think I’m too full of myself but you know what? There’s nothing wrong with giving yourself a pep talk and boosting your self-confidence every now and then.

In fact, the problem begins when you don’t talk to yourself that way.

When all you do is berate yourself for all your mistakes, flaws and imperfections, it can lead to feelings of self-doubt, anxiety and depression.

And you know what makes it worse? Whatever negative thing you tell yourself, you will be!

Your subconscious mind is like a sponge that absorbs everything you tell yourself.

Talking to yourself negatively will reinforce your limiting beliefs and programs your body to fulfill whatever information or belief you have fed your subconscious.

That’s why positive self-talk is important. When you talk to yourself positively, you are programming your subconscious mind to create positive outcomes.

Affirmations for example, are a positive tool to help you reprogram your subconscious mind, shift your mindset and achieve your goals.

In this post, we will delve into the power of affirmations and how they can help you achieve what you truly desire and we’ll also look at how to write affirmations that will support your goals.

Three Ways Affirmation Can Help You Reach Your Goals

Affirmations keep you on the right track. When you’re working towards a goal, it’s easy to get sidetracked or disheartened when things go wrong. Affirmations help you maintain a positive mindset which is essential in your journey towards your goals. When you repeat positive affirmations to yourself regularly, you start to believe in them and this will have a profound impact on your thinking patterns and beliefs. You’ll start feeling more confident, motivated and empowered. And when you are, who can stop you from reaching your goals? I doubt if anyone or anything can.

Affirmations keeps you focused on what you really want. They help you envision what you truly desire. When you repeat them regularly, they help you create a clear picture of what you want to achieve. And this will help you set more specific and achievable goals.

Affirmations help you get rid of your limiting beliefs. Your limiting beliefs are negative beliefs that have been deeply ingrained in your system through your experiences and through the messages you received from other people, specially those that have surrounded you all your life — your family, close relatives, friends, teachers, and classmates. Because they are negative ideas that have been programmed in your brain, they can hamper your growth and keep you stuck.

When you repeat affirmations regularly, these limiting beliefs are replaced by positive, empowering beliefs that will bring you closer to your goals.

How Do You Use Affirmations in Goal Setting?

1.Write specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and time-bound goals.

2.Create affirmations that support your goals and make sure that they are written in the present tense. For example, if you’re a vlogger on YouTube and you want to monetize your vlog, your affirmation can be, “I am a creative vlogger and I am able to create engaging content that attracts millions of subscribers.”

3.Repeat your affirmations regularly. Some people prefer reciting them every morning before they start their day. Aside from that, you may also want to post your list of affirmations on your mirror, at your work station or wherever you can glance at them several times a day.

If you’re interested in the morning affirmations that I use to help me keep going in my journey towards personal development, you may download the list from here.

Reminder

While it is true that affirmations are powerful and that they can help you overcome your limiting beliefs, shift your mindset, keep you motivated and ultimately help you achieve your goals, you will still need to work on yourself.

Develop habits that will improve your mental health. Hydrate and choose foods that are good for you. Find ways and means to learn new things every day.

If you’re continuously working on improving the totality of your person and on improving your craft, it is easier to believe the positive affirmations you tell yourself. There wouldn’t be an inner struggle between the negative beliefs and the positive beliefs that you are replacing them with because you are very much aware that you are intentionally creating a different better version of yourself.

So as you go through your day, be intentional to the way you treat yourself. Be kind to yourself and you will be rewarded.

And if you want to learn more about personal development, please subscribe to my blog.

The Surprising Connection Between Your Goals and Hydration

The Surprising Connection Between Your Goals and Hydration

by thepinkleap ♥ 5 Comments

What would you say if I told you that keeping yourself hydrated can help you reach your goals faster?

It’s fascinating and thought-provoking, right?

You want to pass your exams? Drink water.

You want to get that promotion? Drink water.

You want to have more income? Drink water.

It sounds absurd at first.

But when you really think about what happens inside your body when you are well-hydrated, you’d be a believer like me!

I used to think of water as only something I needed to prevent the formation of kidney stones. 

I never really thought about all the other amazing health benefits of drinking enough water until just a few years ago.

But first, let’s talk about what drinking enough water can do for your body.  Since your body is made up of 60% water, staying hydrated is essential for maintaining bodily functions. 

It can help regulate your body temperature, aid in digestion and improve blood circulation.  Water also serves as a lubricant for your joints, and protects your spinal cord.  It helps your body get rid of toxins and wastes through perspiration and urination.

So how does staying hydrated help you grow into your best self so you can achieve your goals faster?

1.Water is essential for efficient blood flow to your brain. That means your brain gets all the life-giving oxygen, vitamins, minerals and other nutrients it needs to function at its best.  

A healthy and thriving brain can help you think clearly, make good decisions, recognize opportunities and seize them in time, manage your stress, build healthy and meaningful relationships, increase your focus and boost productivity.

Meanwhile, dehydration means your brain is not getting what it needs to thrive.  Magnesium for example, is involved in over 300 chemical reactions in your body and is also responsible for mood regulation and fatigue prevention. But if you’re not drinking enough water, it means your brain is not getting enough magnesium.

Here’s the problem when you’re stressed, your body releases cortisol.  Long periods of stress can cause your body to release too much cortisol which is harmful to your health and may cause your body to use up whatever magnesium that has been stored in your body. 

Talk about going around in circles with things getting worse each time around.

2. Drinking water is the most affordable way to beauty. 

Just imagine all those impurities and toxins flushed out at the cellular level! You will experience a skin that glows! 

You won’t even have to spend thousands of dollars every month for your skin!

When your skin is well-hydrated, it becomes more elastic and moisturized.  This will delay the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines, making you look so much younger!

Aside from that, drinking the doctor-recommended 12 glasses of water (yes, it’s 12 glasses…8 is just the minimum) a day will help you prevent itchy skin, decrease sebum and skin breakouts, tighten skin, prevent sagging and maintain the pH balance of your skin

Don’t you think you’re going to feel more confident with beautiful glowing skin?  I bet you would!

And this confidence boost will surely give you the power to do the things you’ve never imagined you could!

3. Drinking water can help you manage your weight. Do you know that there are many times when you think you’re hungry but you’re not? You’re just thirsty! And so when you’re well-hydrated you can reduce the times you feel the need to eat.

When you’re getting the required amount of water, you will also feel full and this will prevent overeating during meals.

Losing excess weight will give you the confidence you need to chase after your dreams! You won’t have to lock yourself at home just because you can’t fit in any of your clothes!

You won’t have to worry about your chronic aches and pains stopping you from doing all those things you’ve listed down in your planner!

You won’t be exhausted all the time! You will have the energy to set goals, plan and do!

DRINK YOUR WAY TO HEALTH AND ABUNDANCE

When you are generally healthy — no depression, no aches and pains, no health issues, you have the power to go out there and do whatever is necessary to fast track your growth and improve your life. There’s absolutely nothing that can stop you or derail you from getting to your desired destination.

Imagine how much your income can increase with your newfound focus and increased productivity! Imagine all the life-changing opportunities you’ll be able to see and what would happen in your life if you’re able to seize them in time.

If you can manage your stress and you’re not so moody or cranky every time, can you see what kind of relationships you’re going to have? Can you see what kind of person you can be? With less mental issues of your own, you’ll be more open-minded, understanding and considerate. You’ll be able to empathize more! And if you’re wondering about other ways to improve your mental health, you may want to improve your diet.

Imagine if you’re able to keep yourself healthy! Imagine how much you’ll be able to save with less trips to the doctor, less need for counseling and therapy, less expenses on medicines and skin treatments! No more monthly shopping for clothes just to replace the ones that don’t fit!

All those expenses can translate to thousands of dollars in the bank which you can use to fund a business, a house, college education for your kids, a long-needed vacation with your family, a comfortable retirement! The list is endless! I’m sure you can come up with more!!!

Hydration is a transformational daily habit you need to form if you’re serious about personal development and changing your life.

I understand it can be hard at first, I find it easy to forget to drink when I’m busy and when I do remember, I find the frequent trips to the toilet very inconvenient. However, I know that the benefits are well worth it so I try my best by having a tumbler filled with drinking water on my desk when I’m working.

Drinking water keeps you looking good, feeling good and doing good. What’s more is that it builds self-discipline which is something you need in all areas of your life!

By drinking enough water, you don’t only make yourself physically and mentally healthy, you’re also setting yourself up for the transformation you desire.

REMINDER:

Of course, hydration is just part of a big process called self-care. You need more than water to survive and really thrive! If you’re seeking other ways of taking good care of yourself, check out other habits you should form here.

So what are you waiting for? Grab a glass of water and subscribe to this blog for more valuable content on personal development.

The Power of Goal Setting and How It Can Transform Your Life

The Power of Goal Setting and How It Can Transform Your Life

by thepinkleap ♥ 1 Comment

Have you ever felt like you’re going everywhere yet you’re going nowhere?

Do you wake up every day thinking that you’re just going through the motions without any real purpose?

If your answer is yes, you’re not alone. Many of us have felt that way at one time or another.

I, for one, felt like that for a very long time.

You see, when I was still in school, nobody ever taught us how to set goals. Sadly, even my parents (not that I blame them) never talked to me about goal setting.

Goal setting is the process of defining what you really want to achieve and creating a plan of action to make it happen.

Sometimes I wonder what I would have accomplished if I only knew the importance of having goals at an early age.

Instead, I went through almost half my life without any clear idea where I wanted to go. I was like a tumbleweed going in all directions and yet never really having a concrete destination. I was just going with the wind.

The thing is, goals set you up for success, happiness and fulfillment. And without a goal and a plan, you’re basically just setting yourself up for nothing.

In this post, we’ll look into the different benefits of goal setting and how it can help you transform your life.

A goal provides you with a roadmap and tells you which direction to go. It gives you a clear destination and that alone already gives you a sense of empowerment. You suddenly have a sense of control over your life. You are no longer a tumbleweed getting tossed by the wind. You wake up each day knowing that you’re getting closer to your destination. You become motivated to take the necessary steps that will lead you to the accomplishment of your goal.

A goal helps you stay motivated. Finishing a task that leads to your goal gives you a sense of accomplishment. You know that every step you’re taking leads to your goal. The more steps you take, the more motivated you become. And there’s nothing that beats the feeling of pride, satisfaction and fulfillment that you get when you finally accomplish a goal. What’s more is that it will inspire and motivate you to set bigger and more challenging goals.

A goal increases your self-confidence. Working towards a goal means working on tasks. Each task that you’re able to successfully accomplish will boost your self-confidence. Now you know that you can do something well. It helps you believe that you are capable of doing even the most difficult, most challenging tasks.

A goal helps you make good decisions. Having a goal requires a lot of decision making. But with your goal in mind, you can make the decisions that are in alignment with your goal. For example, if your long-term goal is to save enough money to build your dream home, it’s going to be easy to decide against spending money on designer clothes and bags and other unnecessary expenses. And believe me, it’s not even going to feel as if you’re depriving yourself! You’re actually going to feel excited about saving money.

A goal gives you purpose. Having a goal makes you excited about life. You wake up each morning knowing that you’re about to do something meaningful. There is no moment wasted. Even the time you spend resting your body and mind becomes part of the process because you know that the right amount of rest, just like work, will bring you closer to your goals.

Of course, I am not saying that achieving your goals is the only thing that can bring fulfillment and happiness in your life. Actually, the journey you take towards your goals may even be the more important factor that can bring about happiness.

Throughout this journey, you get to meet a lot of people who are most probably on the same journey as you. They will inspire you, and you, them. You will learn from them, and they from you.

The journey is filled with challenges, obstacles and roadblocks. And overcoming them is what’s going to give you a sense of fulfillment. Your personal growth and development will bring you happiness.

Setting goals is an important part of personal development. It’s how you can take control of your life.

Your goals help you become your best self so you can live your best life.

Just remember to set goals that align with your values and principles.

Make sure that they are SMART (specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and time-bound) goals and then you can watch your life transform in surprising ways.

Start Your Journey Towards Self-Awareness Today

Start Your Journey Towards Self-Awareness Today

by thepinkleap ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

So you want to grow. But you don’t know where or how to start.

Well, you’re on the right place.

I am not a guru. I am not an expert.

But I have done the work on myself. I am in the process of growing too, maybe just a few steps ahead of you.

But I can help you.

Growth and development never ends. Because we’re human, it is natural to evolve, to want to level up, to want more achievement.

I have grown a lot in the past year, but the journey is far from over.

And it’s no fun going on a journey without a companion, so let’s grow together, ok?

If you don’t know where to start, take a look at yourself. That is the best place to start.

Self-awareness is very important when you want to develop and grow as a person. It is a fundamental step towards personal development. The more self-aware you are, the more growth you will enjoy. We’ll talk about that another day.

For today, I suggest you take 15 to 30 minutes of your time to do some self-reflection.

Get a piece of paper, or better yet, an empty notebook that you can keep as your journal from now on and answer the following:

  1. What are my values? What do I consider most important in my life? How do they affect me when I make decisions?
  2. What are my goals? What do I want to achieve personally and professionally? What steps should I take to reach these goals?

Journaling is a good way to be self-aware. As you grow in your personal development journey, your journals will serve as a record of your past story and of who you used to be. Going back to them will help you understand the past more and enable you to create a more compelling, more beautiful future.

Tony Robbins usually talks about the concept of “old story” and “new story” and based on that concept, I created a beautiful journal that helps individuals confront and make sense of their old story so they can move on to writing a new story that is filled with growth, happiness and fulfillment.

If you want a copy, subscribe to my blog and I will send it to you. But if you want to buy me a drink, you may go to my Etsy shop and download it from there.

Eight Nutrient-rich Foods to Boost Your Mental Health

Eight Nutrient-rich Foods to Boost Your Mental Health

by thepinkleap ♥ 2 Comments

A certain multi-talented young man I personally know once commented to me that he wished he could go back to the time when he didn’t have OCD. He wistfully said that if he only had the clarity he had then, he would have probably accomplished so many of his goals by now and that there’s no telling what else he could have achieved.

His statement reinforced my belief that mental health is one’s greatest ally in the pursuit of success and fulfillment.

Most of the time, people think about counseling, therapy and even taking the pills prescribed by their doctors to manage their mental health issues.

I’ve attended a lot of mental health seminars in schools and online and nobody has ever mentioned other ways of managing mental health issues or how to improve mental health.

For instance, I can’t remember a time when someone in these seminars explained how enough sleep, exercise and water can help combat mental health issues.

I can’t remember anyone talking about gut health and its relationship to mental health.

It’s only now when I have become passionate about personal development that I’m learning about these things!

It turns out that your stomach is directly connected to your brain!

That’s why if you want your brain to be healthy and to function at its optimum level, make sure to focus on your gut health.

While there are other factors like sleep, rest, exercise, family and social support that affect your mental health, your daily diet plays a very important role in keeping your mind healthy.

For this post, let me share with you some of the foods that can help keep your brain in tip-top shape so that you can focus on achieving your goals and dreams in life.

Salmon is a wonderful addition to your diet because it is rich in omega-3 fatty acids. The DHA and the EPA, two kinds of omega 3 fatty acids help regulate your cortisol and adrenaline whenever you’re tense or stressed. In addition, it is a great and delicious source of Vitamin B-12 which is important in the production of the brain chemicals that affect mood.

Salmon is very versatile. You can grill it, fry it and, my favorite, bake it.

Kimchi is a staple in any Korean kitchen and has become a staple in my own home. Aside from it being rich in nutrients, it also contains probiotics which is important in keeping your gut healthy and helps in improving your mood.

It amazes me that 90% of serotonin, which is a mood-regulating hormone, is produced in your gut! That’s why you need to help your gut be as healthy as possible.

Nuts like almonds, pistachios, walnuts and cashews are not only delicious to snack on but they’re also your allies in improving your mental health. They a treasure trove of vitamins, minerals, fatty acids and antioxidants that are essential to brain health.

Almonds, for example, are rich in magnesium which helps your muscles relax and is a wonderful stress-buster.

Pistachios are rich in vitamin B6 which helps regulate your mood. They also helps promote the production of butyrate which helps strengthen your gut lining and keeps your gut and brain healthy and happy.

And walnuts, like salmon, contains omega-3 fatty acids. Some studies also link them to an increased level of melatonin, which regulates your body’s circadian rhythm and fights insomnia. Remember, anything that helps you sleep better will help you keep your mind healthy.

Cashews are said to be rich in tryptophan, which the body turns into serotonin. They are also a wonderful source of magnesium and vitamin B6 which are both essential in controlling mood swings.

My favorite way of cooking nuts is roasting them in the oven with a sprinkle of olive oil and a dash of salt, black pepper, cayenne pepper, paprika and a sprig or rosemary.

Dark chocolate is a source of serotonin and N-acylethanolamines, both of which are known to have positive effects on your mood.

So next time you’re craving for dessert, grab some chocolate and make sure it’s the dark one. Milk chocolate with all its added sugar is bad for your overall health.

Green leafy vegetables are rich with all the wonderful vitamins and minerals, antioxidants not to mention, fiber that your body and brain need to perform at their best.

Some of my vegetables for mental health are kale, romaine lettuce, spinach, broccoli and the amazing superfood that is moringa!

Oysters are my favorite appetizer. Just like salmon, they are rich in omega-3 fatty acids. Aside from that, they are also said to be abundant in zinc, a lack of which, may lead to mood disorders.

Strawberries can help lift your mood not just because of their vibrant red color but also because the seeds contain alpha-linolenic acid, an omega-3 fatty acid, which can help in boosting mood.

Remember to eat them fresh and without added sugar.

Bananas are not really known to boost mood. However, they contain high amounts of tryptophan which your body converts into serotonin. What’s more is that it is also a rich source of vitamin B6 which the body needs in order to produce more serotonin.

Just a note of warning: Eat your bananas fresh and unprocessed. Desserts with bananas are full of added sugar which is bad for your mental health and overall health.

A Few Reminders

These foods I mentioned here are actually my favorite foods which also happen to be good for your mental health.

I have talked about them only in terms of their benefits to your mental health. But they are actually rich in other vitamins and minerals which are good for boosting your immunity and preventing other health problems such as diabetes, fertility problems, heart problems and different types of cancer.

A good rule of thumb is always eat a balanced meal and ensure that you incorporate these foods in your diet…or if not these specific foods, then other foods that contain the vitamins and minerals I mentioned.

It is also important to note that most of these vitamins and minerals work in conjunction with one another. If one is lacking, the others may not be able to do their function properly.

As you have probably understood from this post, you are not completely helpless or powerless when it comes to keeping yourself healthy or keeping your anxieties at bay. Eating right is just one of the many ways you can take control of your mental health.

If you’re looking for other ways to improve your mental health, I have 10 healthy habits I would like to share with you.

So keep your chin up and smile! Hope is all around.

You got this!

Disclaimer: I am not a dietician, a nutritionist or a doctor. I am just a mom who is passionate about health, personal development and the relationship between the two.

10 Habits to Help You Improve Your Mental Health

10 Habits to Help You Improve Your Mental Health

by thepinkleap ♥ 3 Comments

Mental health is just as important as physical health.  It is just unfortunate that it is not given the attention and care it needs and deserves.  When you really think about it, your mental health has a lot to do with your accomplishing the goals you have set.  If you have mental health issues, you won’t be able to focus on the things you want to accomplish.  Chances are, you’ll even have a hard time determining what you really want. 

The thing is, maintaining good mental health requires more than just the occasional self-care practices.  To have good mental health, you need to develop new habits that promote positive thoughts and elicit positive feelings.

In this post, we’ll explore simple habits that can help you feel happier and improve your mental health.

Get the recommended 7 to 8 hours of sleep every night.  Aside from all the other amazing health benefits that sleep brings, it is important to note that sleep reduces stress, improves mood and helps prevent mental health disorders.

Exercise.  There are many ways you can do this.  You can run, swim, attend an aerobics class, dance, ride a bike, etc.  Do whatever it takes to release those happy hormones.  If you need to wake up earlier just to have time for it like I do, you have got to.   You’ll get to lose weight too!  That’s hitting two birds with one stone. It will not only allow you to release endorphins, it will also make you look and feel good.

Keep a gratitude journal.  Write two or three things you’re thankful for every day.  Knowing that good things are happening for you on a daily basis will improve the way you feel about whatever situation you’re in and help you develop a more positive outlook on life.

Spend less time on social media.  While social media brings a lot of benefits, it can also cause comparison, negativity, anxiety and toxicity.  So if you want to stay away from negative thoughts and feelings, it will be good to evaluate your use of social media and cut back on the time you spend on it.  Better use that extra time you have for developing real and meaningful relationships with those around you.

Eat healthy.  Choose your food and drink wisely.   Enjoy your greens every meal and snack on fruits and nuts.  Go for foods that support mental health like berries, bananas, beans, and salmon.  At the same time, stay away from added sugars, alcohol and other foods that may make anxiety symptoms even worse.

You have to remember that your stomach is directly connected to your brain. Healthy food choices will help your brain function the way it’s supposed to.

Soak up some sun.  Get your share of the morning sun. Five to Ten minutes under the morning sun will give you Vitamin D which, according to studies, can do wonders for your attitude and mood.  Just remember to apply some sunscreen to protect your skin from the sun’s harmful rays.  

Pray.  I find that prayer helps me feel less alone and gives me the courage to face my anxieties and fears. Knowing that someone powerful and all-knowing is by my side brings me peace of mind.

Keep your living space and workspace clutter-free.  Make it a habit to put things back in their proper place after you use them.  Don’t leave things just lying around on tabletops and counter surfaces where they shouldn’t be. A clutter-free environment can help you think clearer, focus more, feel lighter and ultimately feel so much happier.

Engage in deep breathing exercises. You can do this before you even get out of bed in the morning. Inhale for four counts, hold for four counts, exhale for four counts then repeat. Some recommend inhaling for 6, holding for 7 and exhaling for 8. Whatever way you choose, deep breathing can do amazing things not only for your mental health but also for your physical health.

List down your tasks. When I was still working as a grade school teacher, academic and co-curricular activities of the kids always overlapped. At the time, I was not yet used to listing things down. And so everything was jumbled up in my mind like a tangled and knotted up ball of yarn or like I used to call it “cobwebs” in my mind.

It was a heavy burden to bear. I would go through my lunch hour sitting with the kids, making sure they ate while going through the cobwebs inside my head and making sure I didn’t forget anything.

In 2015, I discovered the magical world of planners. I started listing down my to-do’s and for the first time in years, my mind became clearer. My mind finally had the space to breathe because everything was listed down on paper. Life became so much lighter.

So, these are 10 habits that I hope you’d try. They’re working for me and I hope they’ll work for you too.

Keeping yourself mentally healthy can be tricky sometimes,  but when you are committed and do your best to develop healthy habits, mental health care will just be second nature to you.