Mary Tess Rooney, Author at Mary Tess Rooney

Insight Timer

EP205: Shining a Light on Beacons

Recently, I’ve been on a fitness kick, incorporating yoga, strength training, walking, and even some hula hooping into my routine. As someone who prefers outdoor activities to gym workouts, I’ve been exploring different ways to stay active while enjoying nature.

My sister Heather, who’s also been focused on well-being and fitness, joined me in an interesting adventure. We decided to climb the St. Augustine lighthouse – all 219 steps of it, reaching a height of 165 feet.

The experience was more than just a physical workout. Standing at the top, with the powerful wind and panoramic views of waters, landscapes, and buildings, I was struck by the profound purpose of lighthouses. These structures serve as beacons, guiding ships safely through potentially hazardous waters and helping them navigate to their destinations.

This realization led me to reflect on how we, as individuals, can act as beacons in our life and other’s lives. We have the ability to shine a light on challenges, offer guidance through difficult times, and illuminate paths forward. Moreover, like the phrase “beacon of hope” suggests, we can also highlight and celebrate the positive aspects of life.

For today’s Wise Walk, I’d like us to take a moment to consider this metaphor. Let’s explore some questions about how we embody the qualities of a lighthouse in our personal and professional lives.

- In what areas of your life do you feel like a beacon?
- Do you shine a light to illuminate hazards and dangers?
- Are you shining a light to illuminate areas to celebrate?
- As you notice what becomes your tendency, how does that make you feel?
- What are you training your brain to do, and how does that resonate with you deep in your heart?
- Does being a beacon feel aligned to you?
- Where in your life are you pushing yourself too hard?
- Could you benefit from a beacon of reason or beacon of releasing expectations?
- What intentions are you setting and how are you making sure that you enjoy the win?

As we wrap up today’s episode, I hope you take some time to reflect on the beacons in your life. Consider what type of beacon you want to be for yourself and for those you love. Also, think about who around you acts as a beacon, safely guiding you through life’s ups, downs, and everything in between.

I’d love to hear what you took away from today’s episode. Go ahead and flash some beacon light my way! I look forward to our next wise walk.

In this episode:

[04:23] I share a story of a coaching client who was responsible for quality assurance. Always on the lookout for problems, and it weighed on others.

[05:06] If all you see is problems, then you help others see hazards and navigate around them.

[05:42] Train your brain to be a beacon of celebration or a beacon of warning.

[06:24] Both spectrums are equally valuable. There are times when we need to be a beacon of warning and awareness.

[07:22] We have the ability to be a beacon of hope and inspire someone that’s in despair.

[08:03] We have to pivot, evolve and change with life or the tides of life.

[09:47] There is also a beacon of reason that reminds us to slow down and celebrate what we did today.

[10:46] It’s important to be a beacon of reason and not burn out.

[12:00] The lighthouse has brought so many individuals to safe harbor, and you can feel the energy.

[12:43] We enjoyed the win without overdoing it.

[13:09] Sometimes it’s about releasing unrealistic deadlines or expectations.

Memorable Quotes:

“We don’t have to be in a lighthouse in order to shine a light and bring awareness to challenges or difficult times or rocky waters.” – Mary Tess
“We train our brain either to be a beacon to avoid disaster or a beacon to celebrate, to be a beacon of hope and light and reassurance, a beacon of comfort even.” – Mary Tess
“There are times where we need to be a beacon of warning and awareness and make sure that we safely guide ourselves or others to safe harbor.” – Mary Tess

Links and Resources:

EP204: What’s Fueling Your Mood?

Have you ever taken the time to ask what’s fueling your mood? In our last episode, we explored the powerful concept of retreat – recognizing when we need to step back, regroup, and realign our energies. Your feedback was incredible, and a common thread emerged: many of you resonated with feelings of heaviness.

Today, we’re going to explore this shared experience. As someone who’s personally navigated through periods of feeling stuck or depressed, I understand the weight of these emotions. Over the years, I’ve developed strategies to shift my energy in a more positive direction, and I’m excited to share these with you.

In this episode, we’ll slow down, check our reality, and focus on what’s fueling our moods. Join me as we embark on another Wise Walk, exploring practical ways to lighten our emotional load and move forward with renewed purpose.

- What is fueling your mood right now?
- What sounds, environments, or stimulations are impacting your mood?
- How are outside influences or noises affecting your energy and mood?
- As you notice your mood shifts based on the stimuli around you, what are you doing to be intentional about what you listen to?
- As you reflect on this past week, what are the things you are inviting into your life that have been affecting your mood, whether that’s positive or negative?
- What are you doing to change the channel if whatever you’re absorbing or whatever is being pushed upon you is negatively affecting you?
- How can you shift your energies outside of the influences, noises or situations around you, and can you make a better choice for yourself?
- What events are coming up or occur regularly in your life?
- How can you incorporate fuel to enhance your mood or create desired experiences?
- As you incorporate voices or tunes, how do they nourish you and affect your mood?
- Do you give yourself permission to tune out misaligned influences or uninvite others to be more intentional about what fuels you?

As we conclude our Wise Walk today, I encourage you to be conscious of what’s fueling or affecting your mood. Consider the choices you can make to create an enhanced experience, and don’t hesitate to cut ties with things that weigh you down or feel heavy.

Focus your energy on gaining clarity and intention around the things that are life-giving and bring in more healthy, abundant life force energy.

I’d love to hear your takeaways from today’s episode. What’s fueling your mood in positive ways? Share your thoughts and experiences with our community. As for me, I’m excited to see what choices I’ll make today as a result of our wise walk.

In this episode:

[01:23] Last episode we talked about the importance of retreating and recognizing signs and steps we need to move in a different direction.

[02:01] I received a lot of feedback on this episode. A common theme was the idea of feeling heavy.

[03:35] Intentional Listening, Music’s Power as a Channel of Communications a TEDx at Livermore talk by Donna Stoering.

[04:17] Music can heal our mood for the positive or the negative and so much more.

[07:02] There’s a lot to be said for using music as a channel of communication.

[09:22] I’ve also been using music to shift my energy. There’s dance music that really brings me joy like Pitbull radio on Spotify.

[10:25] I’m also being very conscious about what I’m watching.

[11:13] It’s scientifically proven that music can spark brain activity.

[14:38] There are so many outside influences that affect our mood including food and exercise which can all affect us at a cellular level.

[15:09] I’m cutting stuff from my life that feels heavy, because I don’t want to feel this way.

Memorable Quotes:

“Music does have healing abilities and you can see music as a channel for joy and sadness. You know, if we’re going through grief, there’s different music that might help us cry and release that grief.” – Mary Tess
“I don’t need to absorb any negativity that I don’t want in my life related to whatever I’m experiencing.” – Mary Tess
“There was specific music I would listen to in order to feel like I was connected more deeply to that writing flow.” – Mary Tess

Links and Resources:

Intentional Listening, Music’s Power as a Channel of Communications

EP203: What Does Retreat Mean to You?

This has been a super challenging and draining week for me. At first, I tried to push through, struggling with a long to-do list while feeling stuck in mud or sludge. Everything felt heavy and hard. It took time to accept my situation, as my mind clung to all I wanted to accomplish.

This episode is about retreat. What it means to you, and signs that it’s time to do so. Some of the things I discuss include recognizing the signs that tell us it’s time to pause, reassess, and find a better path forward. These signs can be subtle – like lacking energy for activities we usually love, feeling short-tempered with those close to us, or sensing we’re stuck in an emotional quagmire.

Sometimes, retreat looks like a peaceful, zen-like experience where we create space to realign with ourselves. Other times, it feels more like escaping from overwhelming situations. Either way, retreat gives us permission to step back from our normal routines and the expectations we place on ourselves.

When I finally released those expectations and decided to prioritize rest, retreat, and self-care, things began to feel lighter day by day. For today’s wise walk, I thought we would slow down and we would check our reality and ask ourselves these questions:

- Do you know what signs indicate that you need to rest or retreat or regroup?
- Do you have a consistent pattern of recognizing those signs?
- Do you give yourself permission to feel and listen to them?
- And then what steps do you take to honor where you are?
- Do you actually know what your well-being needs to retreat and to slowly make strides in the right direction?
- Do you recognize when retreat would be a healthy choice for you?
- Are you aware of situations that you’ve experienced recently where those signs have cropped up and maybe you need to implement some self-care, self-love and self-acceptance so that you can find another direction to move forward?
- It doesn’t mean you’re giving up on your dream, but what’s a way you can save yourself some strife or internal conflict in order to reposition yourself and set yourself up for success in a different way?
- What are the opportunities you can give yourself to change perspective, to shift that energy and incorporate retreat in a blissful environment, sanctuary space that you could create for yourself? Basically, where do you seek refuge when you know that there is a life circumstance that is weighing you down and you need to retreat from?
- How can you honor and accept that feeling?
- Where can you create more space and grace in your life, and withdraw from the normal activities so you can have more peace during your major transition or when you feel emotionally stuck?
- What are other healthy choices that you can make that will support you instead of sabotage you?

I hope you’ll take away from this episode the importance of being mindful of your signs when you need to retreat. Once you notice those signs, consider what practices you can put in place to create space and grace for yourself, allowing you to feel lighter even during heavy times.

I’m grateful you listened to this vulnerable share. No one likes to admit they had a bad week, but I did. I love that we can connect – or reconnect – on this level and continue to support each other along the way.

Please tune in to next Thursday’s Wise Walk. I don’t know what it will bring, but I’m excited to see what unfolds for both you and me. As you enter this next week, remember to prioritize fun as you read the signs, direct your path, and get your stride on.

In this episode:

[03:03] – When you look at the stress or the weight of the conflict you’re in and the only thing to do is to acknowledge it and retreat for your own well-being.

[03:39] – “We are not retreating. We’re advancing in another direction.” General Douglas MacArthur

[04:10] – Retreat doesn’t mean failure.

[05:00] – Knowing when to retreat are signs that come up and say, hey you better stop and figure out a better path forward.

[05:37] – Mary Tess talks about warning signs and red flags, including not having the energy for what she normally loves to do and being really short with something she loves, like her dog.

[07:07] – Another sign when I’m going through a major transition or have just exited a transition is knowing that I’ve given all of my energy to that transition. Also, feeling stuck or depressed.

[08:55] – The word retreat has different meanings and also different visualizations.

[09:21] – The peaceful zen retreat experience is very positive. You are creating space to get back in touch with yourself and in alignment.

[10:34] – This past week I felt like I was getting hammered and had to escape from a very difficult situation. I had to accept it and release the expectations of what I thought I would get done this week.

[11:29] – I was stuck on an emotional level and felt like I needed to retreat from difficult situations.

[12:59] – Think about moments in your life when you feel tired and overwhelmed and give yourself permission to retreat and choose another direction.

[15:48] – You do what you do in order to manage the chaos that you are feeling.

[16:46] – When we retreat from our normal activities, and the expectations we put on ourselves, then we have more space to just feel lighter.

Memorable Quotes:

“We acknowledge when we can’t just push through and push forward and will our way to be. Sometimes we have to regroup and then look at alternative paths or look at alternative options in order to move in alignment with ourselves” – Mary Tess
“Once we accept where we are, once we acknowledge what we’re facing, then and only then can we decide to move in a different direction. Then we can make different choices for ourselves.” – Mary Tess
“If I just feel stuck or depressed, these are big flashing warning signs for me to retreat, to regroup, and figure out what’s another path or direction I can take in order to regain my momentum and my stride.” – Mary Tess

Links and Resources:

EP202: Weathering Storms

Wherever you are in geographical space, I hope that you are not weathering any literal or metaphorical storms right now. But if you are, I think this episode might interest you because I’m in the midst of managing a literal hurricane approaching Florida, Hurricane Debby. Also, I am metaphorically going through a big transition, and it feels like I’ve been managing a storm for a while now.

When a storm is heading your way, do you recognize the emotional and physical things you’ll need to prepare for, and do you make a plan to control what you can? Do you also accept what you can’t control? Because storms have a way of surprising us. We can only control so much, right? So, do you manage what you can and accept the things you can’t?

Storms can make us feel weighed down, but they also have a way of blowing through, passing over, or going around us. We don’t always know the full impact until they hit, whether it’s landfall or on an emotional level. But as long as we stay self-aware, go inward, and continue to take these wise walks, we will be able to manage them in a way that strengthens us.

If we focus on controlling what we can before the storm actually hits—whether that storm is literal or metaphorical—then we have the opportunity to clear out, to remove any obstacles or hazards that might cause chaos or damage. We can create a space that supports us through the storm, so when it finally passes, we emerge stronger and more resilient.

What better time for us to go on a wise walk today, slow down, check our reality, and ask ourselves some important questions about how we manage our storms—or how we weather them?

- When a storm is heading your way, do you recognize the emotional and physical things to prepare?
- Do you make plans to control what you can and accept what you can’t control?
- Do you carve out time for self-care?
- Do you have structural things in place to feel supported during this chaotic or heavy experience?
- Do you have clutter-free zones?
- Have you taken care of paperwork that seems to be weighing you down?
- Are there things within your home environment that feel heavy, and can you move them out of the way?
- What are the things that you can control in your environment, whether that is physical or emotional, so that you feel really supported?
- Maybe as that storm is approaching you, maybe part of that is just eliminating things that you sign yourself up for?
- Are you going inward?
- Are you recognizing your emotions?
- Are you making a plan to minimize the impact of the storm to yourself as well as those around you?
- Are you staying informed?
- Are you staying connected with the community so that you can support each other and know what’s in your heart?
- Are you willing to say yes and no to those things that will help you through this period of transition in a way that feels most aligned?
- Are you going to be kind to yourself to learn from this experience and this storm that you’re currently weathering?

As we wrap up, remember that by controlling what we can before the storm hits—whether literal or metaphorical—we have the chance to clear out anything that might cause chaos or damage.

Our environment plays a big role in how we weather the storm, so take a moment to assess and manage your space. Whether you’re facing an actual hurricane or navigating an emotional storm.

Join this inspiring community to uncover a new sense of freedom, and be sure to follow and review the True Stride podcast as we continue to exchange our light and Heart Value with each other.

I would love to hear what you took away from today’s episodes. Feel free to reach out and tune in next Thursday as we go on another wise walk. Until then, please be sure to prioritize fun as you read the signs, direct your path, and get your stride on.

In this episode:

[00:04] – When a storm is heading your way, recognize the emotional and physical things that you’re going to need to prepare for. Control what you can control.

[07:54] – Part of my emotional storm preparation or planning is all about creating space in my home.

[11:23] – The ability to communicate or express yourself and stay connected, even if you are battening down the hatch, is super important for our well-being, for our sense of community, and for those around us that love us to know that we’re okay.

[15:08] – I have some inward practices that really support me, whether there’s a physical or emotional storm coming my way. I’m going to pull them out and make sure that I slow down.

[17:01] – While you face the storms, know that I’m sending lots of love and light your way. Until our next wise walk, please be sure to prioritize fun as you read the signs, direct your path and get your stride on.

Memorable Quotes:

“We don’t always know the full impact until storms hit, whether it’s landfall or on an emotional level.” – Mary Tess
“Storms can make us feel weighed down, but they also have a way of blowing through, passing over, or going around us.” – Mary Tess
“If we focus on controlling what we can before the storm actually hits, then we have the opportunity to clear out, to remove any obstacles or hazards that might cause chaos or damage.” – Mary Tess

Links and Resources:

EP201: Leading with Info & Intuition

This week has been one of those weeks, you know the kind where you get these intuitive hits, feel resistance in certain areas of your life, and find yourself wondering, “What am I supposed to do with this information? How do I move forward?” That’s exactly what I’ve been navigating lately.

I’m in the middle of a business deal, and at first, everything felt aligned—everyone seemed to be operating in good faith, coming to the table with transparency. It was that good feeling of mutual respect and honesty. But then, something shifted.

You know the feeling when the energy changes, and suddenly you realize the other party isn’t being upfront? They’re not coming to the table with the same integrity, and that’s when the alarm bells go off.

So, I had to take a step back and ask myself, “How do I protect my best interests in this situation?” Because at the end of the day, while we can’t control how others behave, we are responsible for how we show up and how we respond. We can only hope that others meet us at that same energetic level and reciprocate, but if they don’t, it’s up to us to pay attention to our emotions and act accordingly.

In today’s wise walk, I invite you to slow down with me and check our reality and ask

ourselves these questions:

- When you intuitively feel like something is off, either in a business transaction or in some type of relationship or agreement that you made with yourself or with someone else, do you honor those feelings?
- Do you pay attention when you sense that something is off?
- When something feels off, do you communicate that, or do you figure out a way to protect yourself?
- Do you give yourself permission or freedom to choose again if your original plan or agreement is not in good faith?
- If someone is not operating in good faith with you, do you give yourself permission to pivot, saying, “Okay, it seems like this deal or opportunity has taken a unique turn, so what is my response to that”?
- When people show up differently than they did in the beginning, do you let that information in, process it, and move forward with your best intentions in mind?
- When was the last time you made an agreement or pursued an opportunity that initially felt in flow?
- Did you reach a crossroads where you started to question if it was right for you?
- Did you begin to doubt whether the other party had the best intentions?
- When you sensed a disconnect, did you stand up for yourself?
- Did you communicate that you felt a shift in the situation?
- What aspects of the transaction or opportunity left you with unanswered questions?
- As you sought answers, did you experience anxiety or unresolved feelings?
- If your concerns were ignored, how did you show up to protect yourself?

Join this inspiring community to uncover a new sense of freedom, and be sure to follow and review the True Stride podcast as we continue to exchange our light and Heart Value with each other.

In this episode:

[6:47] – Asking listeners to reflect on a time when they were pursuing an opportunity that initially felt right but later led to questioning the other party’s intentions.

[8:46] – Discussing a preference for direct communication with the source in business deals, rather than relying solely on lawyers, as long as conversations remain productive.

[10:18] – Explaining the decision to reach out to a lawyer to understand contractual responsibilities and options when communication with the other party broke down.

[11:34] – Acknowledging the need to speak with the lawyer to understand responsibilities and options before making a decision.

[12:06] – Emphasizing the importance of slowing down and gathering information as a position of power, using both the brain and heart to make decisions.

[13:06] – A personal anecdote about my mother who was a lawyer but always sought to mediate and encourage communication outside the courtroom.

Memorable Quotes:

“We can show up with our best selves and hope that they meet us on an energetic level and they reciprocate. But we are still responsible for how we feel and paying attention to those emotions and energies.” – Mary Tess
“When communication breaks down, when information becomes limited, that’s when leaders make bad decisions. And you are a leader in your life. You are the main character, the heroine or the hero of your life.” – Mary Tess
“We as humans, we know what is right inside of us. And if we’re dealing with someone that is showing up with the best of intentions for themselves and for me, the other party, and for the transaction, if you will, then we should be able to come to reasonable agreements.” – Mary Tess

Links and Resources:

EP200: Feel Your Way Forward

This is a monumental milestone—episode 200 of the True Stride podcast! Can you believe it? Two hundred episodes of taking wise walks on this path together, sharing stories, insights, and personal growth.

When this journey began, I was in a period of major life transition, having left corporate America and embarking on the adventure of writing my book, Heart Value. In planning to publish a book, I received feedback to voice my message and beliefs in a more public and accessible way. Thus, this podcast was born.

In the early days, I had no idea how long I’d keep the podcast going. I started with the intention to feel my way forward. And here we are, four years later, still walking together. Through these episodes, I’ve embraced this theme of going with the flow and stepping into a more aligned, self-guided journey.

It’s been a blessing to connect with you, to receive your feedback, and to hear how you are making positive changes in your lives. As we reflect on the past four years, I invite you to ponder: How have you evolved? What are you most proud of? What new practices or beliefs have you adopted?

Your stories of career transitions, setting healthy boundaries in relationships, and practicing self-love have been a source of joy and inspiration for me. We’ve shared in each other’s struggles and triumphs, and I am deeply grateful for your vulnerability and trust.

As I look ahead, I see no end in sight for the True Stride podcast. We will continue to feel our way forward, giving ourselves permission to reinvent and align with our highest selves at every juncture. So, as we embark on our 200th Wise Walk, let’s celebrate our journey, our growth, and the beautiful connections we’ve made.

Thank you for being part of this incredible path. Please share your thoughts on what has been most meaningful, surprising, and what you are most proud of. Until next time, Striders, prioritize fun as you read the signs, direct your path, and get your stride on!

- As you reflect back on the past four years that we’ve been on this journey together, how have you evolved?
- What are you most proud of?
- What’s something that stands out to you, a new muscle or a new belief or new self-love practice that you incorporate now?
- How does that make you feel?
- As you think about all of the Wise Walks that we’ve gone on together, what has been surprising to you?
- What’s something you took away that you didn’t even know you needed at the time?
- What has been illuminated that has become meaningful to you?
- As you reflect back on your 200 episodes or the past four years, how have you evolved as a human?
- What crossroads or unique paths that presented themselves made you pivot?
- What made you reinvent yourself? Are you enjoying that new version of you as much as I am?
- Are you giving yourself the freedom to choose again?
- Are you loving who you were exactly as you were back then, because you needed to be that person to get to where you are today?
- As you look back and you appreciate where you are, are you doing it from this mindset of self-love and self-appreciation for who you are at all phases of your life and who you are stepping into more and more with each Wise Walk that you take with yourself?

Join this inspiring community to uncover a new sense of freedom, and be sure to follow and review the True Stride podcast as we continue to exchange our light and Heart Value with each other.

In this episode:

[00:29] – Mary Tess expresses surprise at reaching 200 episodes, reflecting on the uncertainty and growth experienced since the podcast began.

[01:08] – Mary Tess discusses leaving corporate America in 2018 and the transition period that followed, including writing her book, Heart Value.

[03:23] – The concept of “feeling my way forward” is introduced, highlighting the shift from structured goals to a more intuitive approach.

[04:18] – Reflecting on the past four years, Mary Tess invites listeners to think about their own evolution and the practices they’ve adopted.

[06:03] – Stories from listeners about career transitions and setting healthy boundaries are shared, showcasing the impact of the podcast.

[09:12] – Mary Tess acknowledges the challenges faced, including COVID-19, and the resilience of the podcast community in continuing despite these obstacles.

[11:26] – Emphasis on the freedom to reinvent oneself at every juncture and the importance of self-love and self-appreciation.

[14:06] – Mary Tess reflects on her move to St. Augustine, Florida, and how it has been pivotal for her personal and professional growth.

[16:02] – Being surrounded by love, because at the end of the day that’s what really matters.

Memorable Quotes:

“Thank you for showing me what I’m capable of, showing me that I love this connection with you so much that I kept coming back. Regardless of what happened, I knew that we would continue to get stronger.” – Mary Tess
“We’ve faced many challenges together, from personal losses to the global pandemic, yet we never missed an episode. This unwavering commitment to each other is a testament to the strength of our community.” – Mary Tess
“One of the super cool things about continuing to feel our way forward is that we’re giving ourselves permission to choose again and reinvent ourselves at every juncture, in every crossroads, in every unexpected delay or path” – Mary Tess

Links and Resources:

EP199: Keeping Cool

I hope that wherever you are, you’re listening to this episode in a cool, calm, and supportive environment. I wish that for you because here in St. Augustine, Florida, we’ve been dealing with some crazy heat lately. It’s not your typical hot Florida sun—it’s that humid air that feels dense and almost hard to breathe.

Over the past few nights, things have taken it up a notch. I’m dog-sitting for my sister, so my two pups and I moved into her home to watch her dog. When her AC went out, the situation became downright oppressive. As I manage this in various ways, I thought, what better opportunity for you and me to go on a wise walk together?

Let’s slow down, check our reality, and reflect on how we stay cool, calm, and collected when we’re under pressure or feeling the heat.

So, the questions on my mind are: When you find yourself in a pressure cooker situation, what ways do you embrace to chill out and feel grounded and centered, even if you can feel the heat coming towards you?

What’s a situation you’ve recently experienced where you’ve noticed different qualities or responses in how you handle heat? And what are some things you want to do to manage it better in the future?

In this episode we’ll reflect on stress management strategies and consider how they can improve our reactions in future high-pressure scenarios.

We’ll underscore the importance of finding balance, staying centered, and approaching life’s pressure cooker moments with a cool, collected demeanor.

These wise walk questions can help guide you through reflecting on and improving your responses to high-pressure situations, ensuring you maintain calmness, empathy, and composure.

- When you find yourself in a pressure cooker situation what ways do you embrace in order to chill out?
- What’s a situation you’ve recently experienced where you’ve noticed different responses to how you handle heat?
- What are things you want to do in order to manage high-pressure situations better?
- When was the last time you got hot and bothered by a situation in your life?
- How did you respond?
- Are you proud of how you handled the situation or are there opportunities to shift your energy?
- What situation are you grappling with right now that has you triggered?
- Can you identify the trigger and choose to approach it in a more compassionate and supportive way?
- When are we making decisions in our life from a hot and bothered standpoint?
- When are we making decisions from the cool, calm and collected energy?
- Can we be intentional about how we’re moving through our day?
- Are we realizing that our normal tendency to react may not serve us and instead go into a place of stillness?
- What are the different ways you find your center?
- Can you express yourself and create space from the heat?
- How do you speak your truth and get the results that you want in a kind, cool and compassionate way?

Join this inspiring community to uncover a new sense of freedom, and be sure to follow and review the True Stride podcast as we continue to exchange our light and Heart Value with each other.

In this episode:

[04:54] – Mary Tess talks about how she was able to catch herself and realize she was creating her own stress when seated next to a sick person on a plane.

[08:32] – When the breaker went out, Mary Tess tried to find a calm way to solve the problem.

[09:51] – One of the ways she was managing the heat was by finding her center and being still.

[10:43] – The polar opposites of hot and bothered and cool, calm and collected.

[13:31] – Mary Tess talks about being a people pleaser and letting things slide, she now isn’t afraid to speak up and correct someone.

[16:22] – How do you speak your truth and get the results that you want in a kind cool and compassionate way?

Memorable Quotes:

“At the end of the day, I always want to try and be kind even when I can feel the heat or the pressure on.” – Mary Tess
“We have the ability to help create the environment that our bodies, mind, and heart needs. Even if we’re in a pressure cooker situation.” – Mary Tess
“I love it when you can approach any tough, hot situation with a cool, calm and collected truth settling response.” – Mary Tess

Links and Resources:

EP198: Sending Blessings & Intentions

Even when we’re met with a crossroad, life around us continues. It’s up to you to honor the transition you’re facing. This episode talks about sending blessings and intentions while moving forward in life.

I have some loved ones that are in a period of transition. Some of them are selling homes and looking towards new homes, which can be a little stressful. In my own experience, I’ve bought four homes and sold three. Each time felt different, but what stayed the same is this idea of releasing the old before moving into our new dream.

I’m here to spend quality solo time with you for EP198’s Wise Walk as we discover our True Stride. The process of transition and reinventing ourselves has brought up different things for me since I also feel I’m at a juncture of big transitions. I’m letting go of what once was and moving forward with a new version of myself, which I’ll share more about in a future episode. For today, I’m talking about how I don’t want anyone to feel the stress or burden of feeling stuck when you’re ready to move on.

On our Wise Walk, we discuss sending blessings and intentions as we move into a new era. You can thrive in the process of your transition. Come with me as we reflect on these Wise Walk questions:

- Wherever you are in this moment, are you living the dream that is near and dear to your heart?
- Is there a goal that you have your sights set on?
- Can you start calling in support for making your way towards that transition?
- What ceremonies can you integrate into your life to bless that future transition?
- Are there different ceremonies in your life that you’ve been introduced to that feels aligned to you?
- Will you explore other ceremonies or celebrations to bless your transitions and alignment?

Before you embark on a new journey, it’s important to send yourself off with a blessing and good intentions. This extra support helps you stay grounded when there are bumps or detours along the way.

Get prepared for your transition. Bless your path with these Wise Walk questions:

- What is one blessing or intention that you want to set for yourself today?
- Where do you feel like you could use a little extra support?
- What can you incorporate into your routine to honor your intention?
- What blessing or intention do you want to set for someone you love?
- How can you express that energy to that someone you love?

Join this inspiring community to uncover a new sense of freedom, and be sure to follow and review the True Stride podcast as we continue to exchange our light and Heart Value with each other.

In this episode:

[00:23] – Welcome to the show!

[01:09] – Mary Tess talks about making room for transitions.

[03:44] – Do you see a transition in your near future?

[05:52] – Mary Tess explains her method of calling upon saints and the Universe to support our dreams and needs.

[08:51] – Which ceremonies feel aligned for you?

[11:14] – Bring playful practices into your transition.

[13:53] – It feels amazing to have support.

[15:19] – Thank you for listening!

Memorable Quotes:

“Look at what you can do and look at the different ways you can feel empowered when you feel a bit more supported.” – Mary Tess

Links and Resources:

EP197: Reform Perfectionism

If we’re not careful, perfectionism can slow us down and bury our potential. There has to be an easier way. This episode talks about how you can reform perfectionism.

I completely love reading something, whether it’s an article, book, or social media post, and it strikes a chord as I’m reading. For example, I have a friend who has a history of struggling with her weight and body image. She posted on social media her revelation of finally accepting her fuller physique, including brave pictures of herself in all her glory. It’s inspiring.

I’m here to spend quality solo time with you for EP197’s Wise Walk as we discover our True Stride. My friend’s post struck a chord with me when I think about my relationship with being a perfectionist. It was useful sometimes and draining during other times. At each phase of our life, we can appreciate the capabilities and the abilities available to us at the time. Let’s celebrate our current capacity.

On our Wise Walk, we discuss how you can reform perfectionism. You can find a more flexible approach to achieving your True Stride. Come with me as we reflect on these Wise Walk questions:

- Where in your life are you holding yourself to a high, unattainable standard?
- Where can you release that tension?
- Where in your life are you being critical because you’re comparing yourself to others?
- Where can you let that comparison go?

Give yourself the grace and space to set a new standard that honors your current capacity. Imagine how much better you’ll feel and more you’ll get done when you let go of your rigid and unattainable standards.

Join this inspiring community to uncover a new sense of freedom, and be sure to follow and review the True Stride podcast as we continue to exchange our light and Heart Value with each other.

In this episode:

[00:23] – Welcome to the show!

[02:33] – Striving for perfection sometimes ruins the magic within the fun.

[03:32] – “Not everything in life has to be perfect.”

[06:11] – Being happy with where and what you can get right now.

[09:04] – Thank you for listening!

Memorable Quotes:

“Embrace our flaws, embrace our strengths, and everything in between.” – Mary Tess

Links and Resources: