Mary Tess Rooney, Author at Mary Tess Rooney

EP145: Celebrate Your Way

Holidays are beautiful ways to commemorate and remember milestones, but what if you want to do things differently. We walk around with certain beliefs and traditions since we never thought it could ever be any other way. This episode talks about allowing yourself to celebrate your way.

This week we have America’s Independence Day, the 4th of July, and I was thinking a lot about this holiday since I evolved how I choose to celebrate it. Honestly, the different ways we choose to celebrate milestones evolve with us as people. I started to wonder things like: What are the new practices we want to establish to feel fully aligned with whatever holiday we’re commemorating?

I’m here to spend quality solo time with you for EP145’s Wise Walk as we discover our True Stride. I have many good memories about the 4th of July, but it no longer aligns because my two pups really don’t like fireworks. I’ve come to a point of exploring my other options of celebrating while including my pups.

On our Wise Walk, I talk about allowing yourself to celebrate your way. Some people like surprises and some don’t. Some people like intimate gatherings and some like grand parties. It depends on what aligns for you. Come with me as we reflect on these Wise Walk questions:

- As you think about significant holidays in your life, are you going through the motions upholding old traditions or are you clear about where you are in this moment of celebration?
- Is there a holiday in your life that has been causing an internal conflict?
- Can you express what you’d like to change to the people around you?

Each of us has a way that we want to honor milestones in our life. It needs to feel safe for you and something that keeps your vibrations high.

Celebrations help you commemorate what’s important in your evolution or the evolution of your surroundings. Change up your holidays with these Wise Walk questions:

- What celebrations give you joy?
- Can you hone in on the characteristics that make you feel the most connected to celebrations?
- As more holidays come, how can you bring more of that to other celebrations?

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:

[01:21] – Mary Tess has vivid memories of celebrating the 4th of July while growing up, and she reflects on changes she is embracing to honor her evolution and milestones of holidays lately.

[04:07] – What are your new traditions?

[07:04] – Mary Tess recalls how we sometimes celebrate based on societal norms.

[10:04] – What celebrations give you joy?

[11:49] – Thank you for listening!

Memorable Quotes:

“We are honoring the fact that we’re constantly evolving.” – Mary Tess

Links and Resources:

EP144: Ask & Openly Receive

You never know how the universe will set you up for success. Sometimes the things we view as random overlaps are the gifts the universe wants to offer us. This episode talks about how to ask and openly receive.

I feel so energized and happy today since I received wonderful news that reminded me just how powerful the universe is when we call upon it to support us. We have those moments where we ask the universe about what’s on our hearts, and the universe shows up for us to co-create the life that we seek. We just need to pay attention and be willing to put ourselves out there.

I’m here to spend quality solo time with you for EP144’s Wise Walk as we discover our True Stride. My friend recently told me about a wonderful moment they experienced where the universe conspired in their favor. They sold a house they loved years ago, but a coincidence allowed my friend to reconnect to that cherished home. It’s a great story of setting clear intentions and following the paths that open to us.

On our Wise Walk, I talk about how to ask and openly receive. I reflect on the experiences of how the universe supports you when you ask, act, and stay open to resources sent by the universe. Come with me as we reflect on these Wise Walk questions:

- Where in your life are you asking the universe for a sign, for help, or for support?
- How are you being present to receive those requests?
- What questions are you asking, yourself and the universe, to co-create the life that lights you up?
- Where in your life can you be grateful for getting answers and signs of the universe conspiring to give you everything that you want?
- Have you seen evidence of the universe conspiring lately?
- If you can’t think of an immediate example of the universe conspiring, can you take a moment to reflect on how you’re asking the universe?

The universe conspires to give you what you’re asking for. Be willing to expect miracles.

When you express your honest intentions, the universe moves to match up with you. Seek what’s in your highest and best good with these Wise Walk questions:

- Do you know in your heart what it is you seek and are you willing to bravely express that?
- As you consider what you’re seeking, what is the first thing that comes to mind?
- Do you want to ask the universe for guidance so you can tap into your intuition?
- Are you being clear about what you want and remaining open to where the answers appear?

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!

[01:10] – How are you being present to receive from the universe?

[02:12] – When you express your honest intentions, the universe moves to match up with you.

[05:04] – Be willing to expect miracles.

[07:02] – Mary Tess reflects on the times the universe showed up for her.

[09:02] – “It just sort of came to me.”

[12:04] – Clearly communicate what you want and why you want it.

[14:12] – Thank you for listening!

Memorable Quotes:

“I got exactly what I wanted; but if I didn’t have that clarity, and I didn’t trust my vision, and I didn’t trust my heart enough to know what I was truly seeking, then how could it become possible?” – Mary Tess

Links and Resources:

EP143: Lifted By Light

Sometimes you run into moments that lower your vibe. We don’t have to let those things define the vibrations we know are available to us. Give yourself permission to radiate. You are meant for something higher and better. This episode talks about how to be lifted by light.

Over 5 years ago, I had a traumatic experience that awakened me. When I look back now, I can have this conversation with you in this full, radiant, light energy, but back then it was really hard on me. I entered a negative, dark space. I share this story today not to relive the trauma, but for people who I think the story can help, especially after having recent conversations about dealing with mean energy.

I’m here to spend quality solo time with you for EP143’s Wise Walk as we discover our True Stride. My story involves working with individuals who I thought were friends only to learn they had a hidden agenda. Similarly, you may find yourself surrounded by people, places, or experiences that distract you from living your best life. Let’s remember that we are capable of rearranging our life to fully support our True Stride.

On our Wise Walk, I talk about how to be lifted by light. I share ways to bring yourself back into the alignment that supports your higher vibration. Come with me as we reflect on these Wise Walk questions:

- What are the ways we can release a traumatic experience and get lifted by light?
- If you’re feeling down, can you shift your energy so you can be lifted to the light?
- Where in your life are you struggling with life’s highs and lows?
- Can you explore the idea of noticing moments when you drop to a vibration that doesn’t match your highest self?

Perhaps you like to sing, dance, hike, play games, sculpt, or prove math theorems to shift your energy to a higher vibrational state. What helps you feel like you?

We hold the key to our hearts and our minds. Keep your vibrations high with these Wise Walk questions:

- What activities, people, and places naturally raise your vibration towards your naturally radiant self?
- How can you keep that momentum and continue to live near your highest vibration?
- Do you have a list of what helps you shift from darkness into the light?
- How can you find ways to minimize the stress in your life?
- If you notice your energy is down, can you give yourself the freedom to choose again?

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!

[02:32] – Stop giving negative experiences energy.

[04:59] – What can you do to support your higher vibration?

[07:36] – Mary Tess talks about bringing yourself back into alignment to support your higher vibration.

[10:04] – Do you have ways to reduce the stressors in your life?

[12:56] – Thank you for listening!

Memorable Quotes:

“I want to keep channeling my energy, my vibration, and my frequency to the highest best possible self.” – Mary Tess

Links and Resources:

EP142: Magnify What Matters

It’s true that not everything deserves our attention. Sometimes our focus becomes blurry, but we can get back on track if we remind ourselves of the important things in life. This episode talks about how to magnify what matters.

I am the proud new owner of reading glasses. I have reached this milestone of life where I need support to read menus and other tasks. It’s a whole new world of wearing and carrying around glasses. This made me reflect on the way I view the world and how our vision of our True Stride can become fuzzy at times.

I’m here to spend quality solo time with you for EP142’s Wise Walk as we discover our True Stride. Sometimes when we are in a rush or feeling the pressure of constraints, we’re not able to show up as our best selves. There’s so much available to us that we ignore. Resources are waiting for us to magnify our focus and redirect our attention.

On our Wise Walk, I talk about how to magnify your focus and hone in on what matters. Focus helps you notice what surfaces and becomes clear as a result of intentionality. Come with me as we reflect on these Wise Walk questions:

- Where in life are things out of focus?
- Where can you get supportive new equipment to help the blurred vision get clearer?
- What do you really want to focus on in life?
- How can you allow what you envision to be seen and acknowledged clearly?
- How are you being intentional about your focus on whatever task or experience is right in front of you?
- As you’re in the moment of intentional focus, can you distance yourself from the distractions around you?

When you focus on what matters, you realize there is so much to explore. You can go inward, slow down, and expand into more of what actually aligns with your True Stride.

Shift your reality and energy so you can step into a new perspective on what really matters. Inspire intentionality with these Wise Walk questions:

- How does meditation support you to get greater clarity on the things that really matter?
- What meditation are you doing on a regular basis that allows you to exist authentically?
- Are you able to step away from distractions to recenter yourself?
- Where in your life can you sharpen your vision and seek additional clarity?
- How can you magnify the information that’s right in front of you so you can focus on all that’s available to 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!

[02:14] – Mary Tess talks about a new balance mindset she’s incorporating into her life these days.

[03:53] – Practice being intentionally present with one thing “in focus” at a time.

[06:12] – Can you get yourself to be fully focused and fully present?

[07:56] – Mary Tess talks about how meditation helps you to deepen experiences.

[09:44] – Connect deeper within so you can expand and show up as your best self.

[12:21] – Are you able to step away from distractions to recenter yourself?

[14:24] – Thank you for listening!

Memorable Quotes:

“Each of us has to be authentic to ourselves in order to feel aligned.” – Mary Tess

Links and Resources:

EP141: Be Present, Not Perfect

Perfectionism is a tricky trait. We can convince ourselves that it increases our worth without noticing how it can drain our zest for life. This episode talks about being present, not perfect.

I worked in Corporate America for decades and had a great gig. Early in my career, I was a bit of a perfectionist. I really worked hard to make any project the absolute best it could be. I had a vision, and I thoughtfully followed through with it to make that vision a reality. That high level of performance came with an unnecessary set back that I’d like to talk about today.

I’m here to spend quality solo time with you for EP141’s Wise Walk as we discover our True Stride. I got attached to the identity of making things seem perfect. My perfectionism was so visible that my boss shared a quote with me that changed my view of what’s “good enough.” The conversation we had about the quote helped me reflect on how perfectionism can stand in the way of what good we are already doing.

On our Wise Walk, I talk about being present, not perfect. It’s okay to be honest about where you are in the moment and appreciate what you have to offer at that time. Come with me as we reflect on these Wise Walk questions:

- Where in your life are you holding onto unrealistic expectations that you set for yourself?
- How can you make more room for being present without heavy expectations?
- Where in your life have you been holding back because of unrealistic expectations?
- How would it feel if you could release what’s holding you back?
- Do you feel lighter when releasing those expectations?
- Where can you let go of the ideal of perfection?
- How can you protect “the good” from perfectionism?

Perfectionism can be heavy. Don’t let perfectionism hold you back from sharing and experiencing life.

Think of “good enough” as whatever is realistic for you to tackle at the moment. Release unnecessary expectations with these Wise Walk questions:

- Where can you free yourself from the idea of perfectionism projected on you by society?
- What really matters to you?
- Where in your life can you stop apologizing unnecessarily?
- Can you let go of your inner critic?
- Where can you give grace for the messiness of life?
- Can you reevaluate if you’re putting unrealistic expectations on others?

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!

[02:22] – Where in your life are you holding onto unrealistic expectations that you’re setting for yourself?

[04:41] – Mary Tess talks about improving on the art of being present.

[06:30] – What is “good enough” for you today?

[09:24] – Let go of unrealistic demands.

[12:20] – Mary Tess reflects on the habit of saying “sorry” more than needed.

[14:39] – Thank you for listening!

Memorable Quotes:

“It is good enough if this is all I can do today.” – Mary Tess

Links and Resources:

EP140: Coming Back to Center

We sometimes show up as our own worst critic. As soon as we feel off we’re quick to give it meaning instead of taking a step back from it. This episode talks about coming back to center.

A buddy of mine recently confessed an experience he had when he went surfing. He told me how he couldn’t find his balance for some reason. He was wondering why he felt off, and came to the conclusion that it was not his day. Once he came back to shore, he realized his board was missing the center fin. He chuckled to himself realizing why he couldn’t find his center and was relieved that it wasn’t his fault.

I’m here to spend quality solo time with you for EP140’s Wise Walk as we discover our True Stride. My buddy has me thinking about how many times we have self-doubts, limited beliefs, and questions towards our capabilities on any given day. When we’re not performing in the way we know we can, we question ourselves. We get critical without looking around us.

On our Wise Walk, I talk about giving yourself space to come back to center. There’s no need to criticize or doubt yourself the moment you feel off. You can change from day to day. Come with me as we reflect on these Wise Walk questions:

- Where in your life can you laugh at this story because some of it reigns true?
- Are you able to laugh at yourself when you find yourself in similar situations?
- Can you look at the bigger picture to shift your energy in the direction you want to go?
- Where in your life are you wanting to accept a new identity?

Thinking about it, there are so many distractions that come our way. It’s natural for us to slow down and check our reality to get back into alignment.

Every single experience creates expansion and you are constantly gaining value. Come back to center with these Wise Walk questions:

- How do you want to release past performance expectations that no longer feel aligned in the present?
- How can you embrace this present moment and explore your current capabilities?
- If you’re having an identity shift, how can you come back to center and release emotional triggers?
- What triggers surface when you think of coming back to center?
- What are you facing in life and how can coming back to center serve you and those around you?
- What experiences help you feel aligned versus experiences of people pleasing?
- How can you reclaim your power?

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] – Can you look at the bigger picture to shift your energy in the direction you want to go?

[04:08] – Release past expectations and surrender to how you can show up today.

[07:09] – “I’m still me.”

[10:09] – Are you embracing what feels aligned in the moment?

[12:37] – Honor where you are as you navigate life.

[15:05] – Thank you for listening!

Memorable Quotes:

“Coming back to center means we fully appreciate whatever is happening on that day, whether that’s internally or externally influencing how we show up in the world.” – Mary Tess
“Every single experience creates expansion and you are constantly gaining value.” – Mary Tess

Links and Resources:

EP139: What Vows Inspire You?

Fully committing to an intention shows deep care. Stepping into a declaration sparks a new chapter in your life. This episode talks about vows that inspire you.

We’re quickly approaching the time of year where it seems like weddings are upon us. I know I have two weddings this summer, and I’m so excited for these individuals. I look forward to hearing them say their vows to one another and to the community that will gather together to support them in the promises they’re declaring. Thinking about the sincerity of vows has me reflecting on the promises we make to ourselves.

I’m here to spend quality solo time with you for EP139’s Wise Walk as we discover our True Stride. Wedding vows represent promises of what is meaningful to couples in the moment and carries forward. It’ll serve as a guidepost in the relationships of the couples. Self-promises act in the same way, allowing you to stay connected to your values and your True Stride.

On our Wise Walk, I talk about vows that inspire you to become more of yourself. We can find freedom in the declarations and promises we’re making to ourselves, for ourselves. Come with me as we reflect on these Wise Walk questions:

- What vows are you making for yourself that you intend to honor?
- Would you consider sharing these vows?
- How have pledges you made in life served you?
- Do you want to tweak any of your pledges?
- As you hold space for that commitment, how does it make you feel?
- Where do your commitments show up in life?

More often than not, the promises we make to ourselves become milestones or landmarks in our journey. They symbolize a shift in the way we navigate the world.

You can always tweak a promise or change your mind if you realize it’s no longer serving you. Embrace your current intentions with these Wise Walk questions:

- What vows have you made that light you up?
- What vows have you taken that led to evolution or self-realization?
- As you live out your commitments, what are you noticing in 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!

[01:48] – How have pledges you made in life served you?

[03:47] – Mary Tess explores the vows and commitments that help you become more of yourself.

[06:27] – Mary Tess says she’s committed to loving and honoring the health of her body.

[08:00] – Mary Tess talks about her commitment to Striders and the True Stride podcast.

[10:11] – What vows have you made that light you up?

[13:02] – Which path are you choosing to live?

[15:49] – Thank you for listening!

Memorable Quotes:

“Whatever I’m going through, I can give myself love and give myself self-care.” – Mary Tess

Links and Resources:

EP138: Accepting Where You Are

There’s nothing wrong with admitting you’re not feeling your best. Life doesn’t require you to be everything to everybody all the time. This episode talks about accepting where you are in each moment.

I’m managing health challenges lately and feeling better. During this journey, I felt like crap from time to time, but this path taught me a lot about my changing needs and availability. The ups and downs gave me the opportunity to accept where I am in each moment.

I’m here to spend quality solo time with you for EP138’s Wise Walk as we discover our True Stride. Accepting where you are means that you communicate your needs and priorities with those who are around you. Starting to embrace where you are also means you learn to be present whether you’re by yourself or loved ones. Your needs change, the moment you acknowledge a change is a step towards honoring your priorities.

On our Wise Walk, I talk about accepting where you are so that you can take care of yourself. Honestly, I’m witnessing my own evolution as I navigate the medical issues and release expectations. You can offer yourself the same grace as you continue your True Stride. Come with me as we reflect on these Wise Walk questions:

- Where in your life can you apply the lesson of accepting where you are, from moment to moment?
- What are you filling your calendar with and are those activities bringing you joy?
- Do you have opportunities to give yourself grace and release expectations?
- How are you honoring yourself in this moment so your future self can be even stronger?

Doesn’t it feel great to get in touch with your best self? When you pay attention to self care, you’re more likely to have other opportunities to embody the best version of yourself. If you don’t pay attention, you stay out of alignment longer than needed.

Give yourself permission to honor yourself and your condition in this moment so your future self can be even stronger and freer. Take care of yourself with these Wise Walk questions:

- Are there opportunities to release self-limiting beliefs?
- Can you be more vulnerable to receive support?
- If you have plans coming up, are they aligned with your #1 priority?
- Are you honoring your priorities with healthy boundaries?
- In what ways are you taking care of yourself in each moment?

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!

[02:17] – Be in this moment.

[03:42] – Mary Tess looks back on not showing vulnerability while growing up.

[05:55] – How can you communicate what you’re experiencing at the moment?

[08:13] – Give yourself permission to see things play out.

[10:01] – Do your plans support your priorities?

[12:58] – Are you honoring your priorities?

[14:20] – Thank you for listening!

Memorable Quotes:

“There are so many different priorities that each of us hold in different moments in time.” – Mary Tess

Links and Resources: