Mary Tess Rooney, Author at Mary Tess Rooney

EP195: Vacation Re-creation

Life can be so repetitive. We find ourselves in routines that start to feel exhausting, robotic or soulless. If your life is feeling a bit draining lately, it might be a sign you need a vacation. This episode talks about taking breaks to recreate.

I remember the first marathon I trained for was a few years after I had foot surgery. At the time, I was still gaining confidence about running. I managed to get my mileage to 13 miles, but a marathon is 26.2 miles. That’s when I decided to visit a podiatrist (who I still see to this day) to help with my approach to this marathon goal.

I’m here to spend quality solo time with you for EP195’s Wise Walk as we discover our True Stride. He asked questions about my running routine. Turns out, my routine put a lot of strain on my body on one side. I realized I may need to take a break and switch up the routes and the routine.

On our Wise Walk, we discuss taking breaks to recreate. You have the ability to pause and shift the harmony of your world when you’re feeling off kilter. Come with me as we reflect on these Wise Walk questions:

- What in your life feels like wear and tear on yourself?
- Where can you step outside your routine or work that’s draining you?
- How can you get excited about shifting your routine?

It only takes a moment to recenter. Once you slow down, you get a chance to recognize what’s starting to feel stressful and like a task. Then, you have the choice to put some space between you and the draining force.

Plan a much needed vacation for yourself so you can recharge. Find ways to renew your energy with these Wise Walk questions:

- What in your life feels like work, but once gave you joy?
- How can you incorporate some recreation into your life and re-create joy?
- What vacation will support your best self?
- Which types of vacations will replenish you?
- How can you recharge and come back stronger than before?

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!

[02:44] – Re-create your harmony.

[04:09] – Mary Tess talks about learning to take a break and switch routines up.

[06:25] – A very needed vacation.

[08:13] – Where in our lives do we need a vacation?

[10:42] – Being supportive while also setting healthy boundaries.

[13:00] – Mary Tess talks about putting a pause on draining patterns.

[14:57] – Thank you for listening!

Memorable Quotes:

“We have to figure out what that healthy boundary is so we can balance and harmonize our life in such a way that we support our highest and best self.” – Mary Tess

Links and Resources:

EP194: Release Your Flip Flop Patterns

Have you ever gotten so used to something that you forget it’s there? You may have habits in your life that come so naturally to you that you don’t give them a second thought. This episode talks about releasing your flip flop patterns.

I had such a lovely morning. I treated myself to a 90-minute massage with an exceptional massage therapist. She is someone that I’ve worked with for a while, so she knows my body well. One of the things that I love about working with her is how she isn’t afraid to tell me what she’s observing and what I can do to improve my overall physical health.

I’m here to spend quality solo time with you for EP194’s Wise Walk as we discover our True Stride. While leaving my massage session today, my therapist requested that I don’t put my shoes on immediately. They were flip flops specifically. The reason she didn’t want me to put them on is so she could show me the imbalanced footprint left in each flip flop. I wasn’t supporting myself properly as I walked and she didn’t want me to slip back into that habit once I put my shoes back on.

On our Wise Walk, we discuss releasing your flip flop patterns. We need to be present enough to take a step away from a situation so we can see the imbalances. Come with me as we reflect on these Wise Walk questions:

- Where in your life do you want to feel supported?
- What are you willing to release in order to support yourself in that way?
- Are there areas in your life that are holding you back?
- Can you see them in the big picture and decide if you need to get rid of them?

You may need a break so you’re not unintentionally settling into a habit that’s well established but not good for you. Inside that break, you can make big changes and get away from patterns that loop you into bad habits.

Put some space between you and the habits that don’t support your best self. Be aware of your patterns with these Wise Walk questions:

- What’s one area in your life where you feel misaligned?
- As you reflect on that misalignment, what choices keep you stuck in that habit?
- What could help you move past that habit?

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!

[02:23] – What are you doing to support your best self?

[04:48] – Is there something worth letting go to of so you have better support?

[06:34] – “We have to be aware of our patterns.” PART 1

[09:20] – “We have to be aware of our patterns.” PART 2

[11:45] – Mary Tess shares this lesson she learned about not forcing help on others.

[14:24] – Everyone is on their own journey.

[17:14] – Thank you for listening!

Memorable Quotes:

“We have to be aware of our patterns.” – Mary Tess

Links and Resources:

EP193: Sacred Space & Time

Life moves so fast. It’s important to intentionally slow down and tap into a space that helps you find your way back to alignment. This episode talks about defining your sacred place and sacred time.

I mentioned on an earlier podcast that I’m studying shamanic reiki to become a master teacher through a year-long apprenticeship. I love learning different healing modalities to support myself and others in healing. What’s wonderful is that I am learning ways to self-discover, remember and heal since shamanic reiki is about using nature and sacred space to honor what we already intuitively know.

I’m here to spend quality solo time with you for EP193’s Wise Walk as we discover our True Stride. As I study shamanic reiki, I’m further reminded of ways to create space and time for the sacred connection we have with ourselves and this life. Discovering a place where you feel calm and grounded is such a gift and an empowering tool in navigating the world.

On our Wise Walk, we discuss finding sacred time for yourself and visiting your sacred place. When we’re able to be in alignment in these sacred moments and release tension, we can be more fully present. Come with me as we reflect on these Wise Walk questions:

- As you live through your day, are you intentionally aware of your sacred space(s)?
- How do you incorporate them metaphorically or physically to support your overall well being?
- Is there a place that gives you an overwhelming sense of calm or peace?
- Can you appreciate that sacred place?
- If you don’t have a place in mind, can you imagine what your sacred place would look like?

Your imagination takes you to a place only you know. Trust your intuition. With it, you can find sacred time to ease into the nurturing energy of your sacred place.

Wander away to where your heart guides you. Take a moment for yourself with these Wise Walk questions:

- What do you plan in your calendar for your sacred time?
- What do you put on the back burner for something else?
- Can you prioritize your needs so it’s not compromised?
- How can you set yourself up for successful sacred time?

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!

[01:47] – Is there a place that gives you an overwhelming sense of calm or peace?

[03:18] – Mary Tess talks about helping people discover what is already true within themselves. PART 1

[05:08] – Mary Tess talks about helping people discover what is already true within themselves. PART 2

[07:00] – Visit your sacred place so you can get back into alignment.

[08:43] – A journey to our sacred place.

[10:55] – Mary Tess talks about making sacred time for what’s important and refreshing for you.

[13:30] – Honor sacred time by teaming up with an accountability buddy or community.

[15:07] – Thank you for listening!

Memorable Quotes:

“I felt safe. I felt at peace. I felt balanced.” – Mary Tess

Links and Resources:

EP192: Unapologetically YOU

Your life will constantly change and so will you. You’re not meant to stay the same. In your life, you’ll continue to evolve to your next version. This episode talks about being unapologetically YOU.

I was so thrilled to get feedback from a fellow Strider. One of our listeners sent me a message about a realization they had around how they’re living life and showing up for themselves. Thinking about it now, their message really warmed my heart since I could feel the care they spent in taking their Wise Walks and trying to figure out their True Stride.

I’m here to spend quality solo time with you for EP192’s Wise Walk as we discover our True Stride. This fellow Strider was inspired to be true to himself. All the way to the point of changing his mind. For example, he changed his Word for the Year. I thought we could all learn to be more unapologetic in our pursuit of our highest alignment.

On our Wise Walk, we discuss being unapologetically YOU. There are times where a change may seem intimidating, but the freedom on the other side of it is so worth it. Come with me as we reflect on these Wise Walk questions:

- Are you noticing shifts in yourself and your life where you are being yourself?
- Are you noticing who and what supports you while being authentically you?
- Is anything creating resistance to your evolution as a person?
- Are you bold enough to embrace changes in your life?
- How does pursuing your authentic self make you feel?

Once you get a taste of stepping into your own power, you’ll always want to stay true to yourself. It’s important to have your own back!

Congratulate yourself on living unapologetically. Feel your way back to your true self with these Wise Walk questions:

- Where do you currently find yourself apologizing for being you?
- Where can you release outside expectations and choose yourself unapologetically?
- Is there a new path that you can more authentically share?
- What will help you to continue to hone that skill?
- Where in life will you stop apologizing for choices that feel aligned for you?

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!

[01:41] – How does pursuing your authentic self make you feel?

[02:39] – The road of evolving for your authentic self is not always smooth. Are you ready?

[05:15] – People can’t hold you back unless you let them.

[08:14] – Who is supportive or judgmental?

[10:35] – Let go of the old idea of yourself.

[12:48] – Mary Tess talks about her learnings in healing through energy and nature practices.

[15:31] – Thank you for listening!

Memorable Quotes:

“That’s the beauty of life. We get to live life exactly as we are from moment to moment.” – Mary Tess

Links and Resources:

EP191: What Are You Over?

There are skills or qualities you have that you hold a special capacity to carry out. You know, those qualities and quirks you do really well. You’re almost so good at it that you end up overdoing it. This episode talks about taking a break from what we’re overdoing.

A friend and I were recently chuckling about our unique quirks. For my friend, one of his quirks is that he’s an overthinker and one of the areas that particular quirk isn’t helping him is dating. During our conversations, we came up with ways to work around our quirks. I suggested for my friend to tell his brilliant brain to go on break so he can feel his way forward when it comes to relationships. He agreed to try and the journey began.

I’m here to spend quality solo time with you for EP191’s Wise Walk as we discover our True Stride. I love that my friend and I could playfully address quirks. We recognize where those quirks give value to our life and where they don’t. More importantly, I love that we don’t shame ourselves for our quirks that we may overdo in some situations.

On our Wise Walk, we discuss taking a break from what we’re overdoing. A chance to step back from a quality or quirk may be the reset you need. Come with me as we reflect on these Wise Walk questions:

- What are you “over”?
- What quality do you feel overspent in?
- Where can you give yourself a break?
- What steps are you willing to take in order to give yourself a break?
- What will free up once you put “overdoing” on a break?
- Can you appreciate the unintended benefits that show up in your life from that quality and from taking a break?

You are the CEO of your life. Offer yourself a sabbatical so you can stop overdoing things. It’s time to release the tension of overcompensating.

Give yourself a break from overdoing so you allow other things to come in your life that are unintentional benefits. Take a step back with these Wise Walk questions:

- Is there someone in your life that you want to thank for how they take on overdoing things for the benefit of your relationship?
- Can you make sure they know that you noticed?

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!

[01:44] – What quality do you feel overinvested in?

[04:28] – Mary Tess is taking a break from overcommitting and over-planning.

[06:32] – What unintended benefits are showing up for you? PART 1

[09:01] – What unintended benefits are showing up for you? PART 2

[11:21] – What will you detox from?

[14:11] – Check if you’re actually overdoing things or if it’s a phase. Why is this important?

[16:48] – Thank you for listening!

Memorable Quotes:

“Giving yourself a break from overdoing can allow other things to come in your life that are unintended benefits.” – Mary Tess

Links and Resources:

EP190: Train & Retain

As people, we love to see progress, but sometimes we don’t fully understand the consistent work involved to get the results we seek. Instead of keeping up with our progress, we can let detours set us back. This episode talks about ways to train intentionally so we retain our progress and results.

I had a light bulb moment this past week. It’s the kind of moment where you’re recapping your life to someone and they casually say something that deeply resonates. The moment from this past week came from talking with my physical therapist about my strength training and progress.

I’m here to spend quality solo time with you for EP190’s Wise Walk as we discover our True Stride. Exercise and training-wise, I was in a great groove. Then, I took time off and it set me back. I am usually very athletic without much effort, so the setback surprised me. Talking to my physical therapist helped me understand why I should prioritize consistent training at this time in my life to retain my progress.

On our Wise Walk, we discuss ways to train intentionally so we retain our progress and results. If we don’t make use of what we gained so far, it could start slipping away. Come with me as we reflect on these Wise Walk questions:

- Is there something you’re trying to improve, strengthen, or train within yourself and your life?
- Are you being consistent in trying to improve?
- Are you getting the results you’re seeking?
- Have you seen yourself have ups and downs on the way to your results?
- What will you make a priority so you can retain the results that you seek?

Of course, it’s alright to take a break and rest. These things are important to our Ebb & Flow. The key point is to pick our rhythm back up so our progress doesn’t wither away.

Find ways to train and retain all the progress you’re making. Preserve your efforts with these Wise Walk questions:

- Is there a container in your life that’s been muddied by negativity and can you switch the main energy to goodness?
- What are you willing to give up or prioritize to make sure you support your highest self?
- Are you willing to go the distance?
- What will you prioritize moving forward so you receive the result you seek over time?
- Are you willing to share your intentions with your support system?
- Will you use your training and progress so you don’t lose it?

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!

[04:03] – Are you training so you properly maintain your progress?

[07:01] – Seeing progress over time.

[09:40] – What are you willing to give up or prioritize to make sure you support your highest self?

[11:13] – Mary Tess talks about retraining her dogs. PART 1

[13:54] – Mary Tess talks about retraining her dogs. PART 2

[16:35] – Thank you for listening!

Memorable Quotes:

“Sometimes we can’t see what’s happening under the surface.” – Mary Tess

Links and Resources:

EP189: What Gears Serve You Best?

Everyone has their own way of moving through life. Do you feel you work better when life is fast paced, slow paced, or in between? This episode talks about knowing what gears serve you best.

My mother and I have an inside joke about me having two modes of operation. In one mode, I’m laser focused and no one can stop me from accomplishing what I set out to do. In the other mode, I’m totally chill and in a relaxed state with nothing else to give. I’m basically an embodiment of “Let’s go” or “No go.”

I’m here to spend quality solo time with you for EP189’s Wise Walk as we discover our True Stride. I’ve learned to accept these two modes of operation for myself. I think there are a lot of different circumstances that have contributed to that reality of mine, so I’d like to discuss that more with all of you.

On our Wise Walk, we discuss knowing what gears serve you best. It’s time to really structure your life for the kind of experiences you want. Come with me as we reflect on these Wise Walk questions:

What are your typical modes of operation?
Do you know which gears you operate in most from day to day?
Do you feel that those gears are serving you well?
Have they served you well in the past?
Do you need to reevaluate whether these gears still serve you?
Can you explore what other modes are possible for you and could enhance your life?

You get to question if you want to continue life the way you have. More importantly, you have the chance to choose again if something’s no longer aligned.

Here’s your moment to set a new pace for yourself. Play with the gears in your life with these Wise Walk questions:

- What’s an example in your life where you’ve gone all in?
- Did you need to recover from that time?
- Have you found a different pace for yourself lately?
- Do you honor your recovery time?
- When you look at how you function, do you know when you’re at your best?
- Are you mindful of how you approach situations so you can be at your best without overwhelming 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:

[00:23] – Welcome to the show!

[01:38] – What are your typical modes of operation?

[03:14] – Mary Tess talks about an upcoming out-of-state event and how she’s preparing to for the trip.

[05:34] – What feels aligned at this time of life?

[08:13] – Do you honor the pace you need for different parts of your life?

[11:56] – Mary Tess talks about changing up her routine and allowing herself to be spontaneous.

[13:55] – Play with the gears in your life.

[15:11] – Thank you for listening!

Memorable Quotes:

“We’re all uniquely wired. We’re all going to go through different phases and times in life.” – Mary Tess

Links and Resources:

EP188: Positive Words = Positive Attraction

Every time you affirm an idea, a dream or a wish that you hold in your heart, it sends out a vibration that brings that intention closer to you. This episode talks about how your positive words attract positive change and results.

I remember reading books that reinforce how powerful our words are. Words ripple through the universe, sending different signals about what we want to attract in our lives. Naturally, this book resonated with me since I already believe in the power of manifestation. To me, positive words bring about positive changes that overflow into all areas of life.

I’m here to spend quality solo time with you for EP188’s Wise Walk as we discover our True Stride. There’s been different situations in my life recently that are coming up and are reinforcing this idea of positive words. It’s a chance to reshape how we speak so we’re intentionally giving energy to positive results.

On our Wise Walk, we discuss how your positive words attract positive results. You deserve to honor what you know to be true for yourself without feeling pressured to pacify others. Come with me as we reflect on these Wise Walk questions:

- How are you using words to attract what you are seeking right now?
- Do you find yourself in a negative headspace where you say things you don’t want but are attracting them?
- Are you able to shift your energy into the positive and affirm what you do want?
- Are you taking time to acknowledge the internal beliefs you hold about what’s acceptable in your life?
- As you reflect on this past week, how many times have you agreed to do something to humor someone even when it didn’t feel aligned for you?
- As you did that thing, what did your heart say to you and how did you feel?
- Is that a feeling you want to keep attracting in your life?
- What was your big takeaway from living in this unaligned situation?

I invite you to think about your words and what signals they’re sending out. Think of how the universe is receiving and interpreting what you share.

Positively attract all the good that’s already seeking you. Create more space for your intuition with these Wise Walk questions:

- Where can you create more space for you to honor your intuition?
- How can you step into your authentic power to affirm and encourage what you do want to see in life?
- Where are we putting our energy?
- How can we bring our most important intentions to the forefront of our focus?
- What are you looking forward to the most and how can you clearly articulate that for manifestation?
- What positive words support the positive changes you seek?
- Can you share your positive intentions with the support system around you?

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!

[01:06] – Be careful what you wish for.

[02:48] – How can you use your words to affirm what you want to attract?

[05:22] – Mary Tess reflects on what she’s doing to affirm an aligned life.

[08:22] – You don’t have to humor people when it goes against your well being.

[10:39] – What are you seeking with your positive words?

[12:50] – Holding intentions and positive words are a way forward in your True Stride.

[15:07] – Thank you for listening!

Memorable Quotes:

“My positive words are leading to positive results in my own self respect, my own self needs, my own self worth, and I love that those are driving positive results in my life.” – Mary Tess

Links and Resources: