Your value is an accrual of experiences! Embrace the good, the bad, the ugly and the downright complicated to awaken your joy!
– Mary Tess Rooney
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Free Resource: Feel-Choose-Act Amplifier
Heart Value Practice
If you feel disconnected from your heart’s calling or confused about what lights you up, I have a valuable gift for you!
EP157: Embrace Your Anomalies
No two people are the same, so of course, our traits and experiences are slightly different from each other too. What makes this interesting is that we all have something that makes us rare. This episode talks about embracing your anomalies.
In 1998, I was living in California, training for an Alaska Anchorage marathon. My physical fitness was in top shape at the time. I had just finished a 20-mile long training run from San Francisco to Tiburon. I was actively playing soccer while training with the Leukemia Society’s marathon TNT team. My Leukemia Society coaches warned me to stop playing soccer, but I didn’t listen to their advice. Not long after, I experienced an injury that was a super rare fracture.
I’m here to spend quality solo time with you for EP157’s Wise Walk as we discover our True Stride. I had to go to multiple doctors to have a few opinions. Turns out the fracture was so rare that many medical professionals had zero experience with this type of injury. Luckily, I found one doctor who had one isolated case. I’m happy it turned out well, and actually, it reminded me that this doctor and I are people who share this unique one in a million experience.
On our Wise Walk, I talk about embracing your anomalies. We all have rare experiences in one form or another that shape what we consider to be our own normal. Come with me as we reflect on these Wise Walk questions:
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- Where in your life are you unique and can see the beauty of it?
- Do you have rare behaviors or habits?
- Can you own your extraordinary anomaly?
- As you look at your unique traits, do you know the baseline for your specific experience?
- Can you get more clarity around your norms?
- Can you accept your norm and gather the support you need?
Always feeling like an outlier can be uncomfortable until you learn the importance of defining and communicating your norm.
Recognize your own unique experiences to create your own baseline. Embrace your uniqueness with these Wise Walk questions:
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- How can you shift to a better norm if you don’t feel your best?
- Where in your life are you defying what’s considered “normal” by most standards?
- Do you take time to appreciate or honor the anomalies in your life?
- Can you be supportive of other people’s unique traits?
- Can you encourage others to step into their rare experiences?
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!
[03:18] – Do you have rare behaviors or habits?
[05:50] – Mary Tess talks about the importance of defining and communicating YOUR norm.
[08:03] – Can you get more clarity around your norms?
[09:40] – Mary Tess talks about finding what works for you.
[11:40] – “Wow, I didn’t know that was possible.”
[14:31] – Thank you for listening!
Memorable Quotes:
- “Each of us is unique in so many ways.” – Mary Tess
Links and Resources:
EP156: Signs, Needs & Actions
“HEADS UP!” If you heard this from any direction, you’d immediately be on alert. You respond quickly to signs that seem loud or urgent, but there are quieter and seemingly neutral signs that call for just as much attention. This episode talks about signs, needs, and actions.
I recently saw a video where two brothers were interacting with each other. The two are toddlers and the younger brother is upset about something while the older brother tries to figure it out. The younger isn’t saying exactly what’s wrong, so the older brother is observing the situation. In the end, the brothers came to a good conclusion since the older brother asked questions about what the younger brother needed.
I’m here to spend quality solo time with you for EP156’s Wise Walk as we discover our True Stride. In the interaction of the two brothers, the older brother’s attention to his younger brother’s needs helped him understand how to show up as someone who cares. The video was a sweet and short reminder of being curious about how we can support each other’s needs and our own.
On our Wise Walk, I talk about signs, needs, and actions. You decide what gets your attention and what doesn’t. It’s helpful if you give attention to signs that guide you towards alignment. Come with me as we reflect on these Wise Walk questions:
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- What signs are showing up in your life right now?
- Do you understand the root cause of your needs?
- Are you taking action to support your needs?
Once you recognize a sign, and take action, it may take you on a new journey. Sometimes the results we get change life in beautifully unexpected ways.
Give yourself a moment to notice the signs around you. Understand how the signs are guiding you with these Wise Walk questions:
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- Do you understand the signs that are appearing in front of 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!
[03:20] – Mary Tess talks about paying attention to the signs and being proactive.
[05:51] – Not all signs look the way we expect them to.
[08:32] – Signs appear to us for a reason, but do we understand them?
[11:32] – Sometimes the results we get change life in beautifully unexpected ways.
[13:36] – “This is the new me!”
[16:12] – Thank you for listening!
Memorable Quotes:
- “I want to be my best self not just here in the present, but for my future self.” – Mary Tess
Links and Resources:
EP155: Relationship Rides & Intuition
Communication involves energy, especially in dynamics where you don’t speak. Learning to communicate within a dynamic can change the level of trust everyone develops. This episode talks about relationship rides and intuition.
If you’ve been listening to this podcast for a little while, you know that I love horses. I started taking lessons a few years ago, and I’ve been riding on and off. These days I’m comfortable with my skill set. Each time I interact with the beautiful horses, I learn something new about myself.
I’m here to spend quality solo time with you for EP155’s Wise Walk as we discover our True Stride. Anytime I work with a new horse, I go into it knowing we have to build trust in this relationship. Horses have a heightened sense of intuition to help them survive, so there is a period of getting to know each other. It almost feels like I’m being held accountable for my energy as I interact with them.
On our Wise Walk, I talk about relationship rides and intuition. Each participant brings an energy into the dynamic, and it helps to be mindful of how that energy shows up. Come with me as we reflect on these Wise Walk questions:
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- How are you showing up to your different relationships?
- Are you using your intuition?
- If you are using your intuition, do you hold yourself accountable for the energy you bring to the dynamic?
- Do you take time to ask questions when a dynamic feels off?
- If you’re energy is off, can you communicate where you’re at clearly?
If something in a dynamic feels off, trust your intuition to ask questions. You can open a conversation to uncover what’s possibly happening.
Let’s be open to remaining fully present and communicating in relationships. Trust your feelings and communicate clearly with these Wise Walk questions:
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- What types of relationship rides are you seeking and inviting into your life?
- As you show up in that relationship, do you keep an open heart for honest communication?
- Are all participants in the dynamic listening to each other?
- As you get in alignment, are you acknowledging the good of keeping open communication?
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] – How are you showing up to your different relationships in life?
[04:32] – Mary Tess talks about when dynamics start to shift in relationships.
[07:21] – Do you take time to ask questions when a dynamic feels off?
[09:23] – Trust is essential in relationships.
[11:44] – Mary Tess talks about figuring out new ways to communicate when dealing with different dynamics.
[14:24] – Thank you for listening!
Memorable Quotes:
- “All relationships are this give and take. We have to trust our feelings. We have to be willing to read the situation with an open heart and open mind.” – Mary Tess
Links and Resources:
EP154: Explore Your Reactions
Situations throughout life can stir a reaction from people. It could be a pleasant or unpleasant experience, but how you respond to your own reaction is more important. This episode talks about exploring your reactions.
Last week, I had a lot of dental work so the dentist gave me numbing agents while there. As I was sitting in the chair, my heart started pounding, my hands were shaky, and I felt like I was freezing. I had a reaction to what was administered, and I didn’t know why until I looked into it later, finding out the exact agent that doesn’t work well with my body. Now, I know to check for it the next time I go to the dentist.
I’m here to spend quality solo time with you for EP154’s Wise Walk as we discover our True Stride. What was interesting was that the dentist originally asked me if the reaction I had was from anxiety or something similar. It wasn’t, it was physical. Still, emotions can cause strong reactions from us, so I started thinking of how reactions show up differently in our daily lives.
On our Wise Walk, I talk about exploring your reactions. Exploring your reactions includes recognizing where the triggers and reactions exist. Come with me as we reflect on these Wise Walk questions:
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- When you feel yourself having a reaction, do you slow down to ask yourself questions about the reaction?
- Do you know what’s triggering you or what brought the trigger in?
- Do you trust that you recognize triggers and reactions?
- Can you share and communicate what support you need?
As you work on your reactions, you’ll notice they can be healed or managed. You can step into your personal power to face your reactions and responses.
“You can come to your own rescue.” Explore your reactions with these Wise Walk questions:
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- Can you be honest about if you’re reacting to something in your present or from your past?
- Can you describe what you’re feeling?
- Can you approach your reactions and triggers from a place of self love?
- Are you open to exploring your responses?
- What will help your body heal from the reaction so you can be your best self?
- Do you distance yourself from anything?
- Can you identify the real issue behind your reactions?
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!
[02:00] – Do you trust that you recognize triggers and reactions?
[04:13] – Mary Tess talks about her journey of getting more focused on bodily health.
[06:37] – Mary Tess talks about emotional reactions and emotional triggers.
[09:02] – Use self-love to get curious about understanding yourself.
[11:54] – Are you open to exploring your responses?
[14:38] – Thank you for listening!
Memorable Quotes:
- “Just get curious.” – Mary Tess
- “You can come to your own rescue.” – Mary Tess
Links and Resources:
EP153: Celebration of YOU
Inside of you is a unique purpose and Heart Value that helps this world stay bright. Please celebrate YOU, your gifts, your contributions and your evolution towards what your life’s purpose means to you. This episode talks about setting intentions to honor and celebrate YOU.
My birthday, August 31, is a time of great reflection for me. I spend time looking ahead and thinking about what intentions I’m going to set so that I can show up and be my best self. Not only for myself, but I want to show up for all the people that I choose to surround myself with, including Striders.
I’m here to spend quality solo time with you for EP153’s Wise Walk as we discover our True Stride. I want to do this year’s reflections as a two-part episode so we can have this experience together. Last week, we focused on looking back at the previous year. Today, we’ll ask ourselves about the upcoming year and our intentions to show up as our best self.
On our Wise Walk, I talk about the celebration of YOU. We can decide how to move forward so we become more of who we are and who we’re meant to be. Come with me as we reflect on these Wise Walk questions:
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- Do you acknowledge that you are a miracle?
- Do you take time to celebrate yourself?
- Can you set a new intention for the upcoming 12 months?
- How do you want to show up?
- Who is it you want to be?
- How can you stay grounded in your calling?
- What examples can you find for yourself to stand in your power?
You deserve to be celebrated and honored. You were born for a reason and the universe is excited for what you have to offer.
Honor your existence for the miracle that it is. Step into inspired action with these Wise Walk questions:
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- What questions can you ask yourself to stay grounded?
- As you feel your way through the questions, what inspired actions will you take to be aligned with your intentions?
- Are you willing to acknowledge that there is only one you?
- Will you share your celebration and intentions with 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!
[02:08] – Do you acknowledge that you are a miracle?
[04:40] – The universe is excited to welcome what you have to offer.
[07:19] – “That’s a big question.”
[08:54] – Appreciate your pursuit of your life’s purpose.
[11:33] – Mary Tess explains how vulnerability is part of her intention to be bold.
[14:25] – Mary Tess talks about asking yourself hard questions to live a more intentional life.
[17:07] – Be brave enough to put yourself out there and live your purpose.
[19:27] – Mary Tess answers a Strider’s question while talking about celebrating birthdays.
[22:17] – “You have value.”
[24:33] – Surround yourself with as much love as you can.
[27:32] – Are you willing to acknowledge that there is only one you?
[29:32] – Thank you for listening!
Memorable Quotes:
- “I want to boldly stand out to those that really matter in my life.” – Mary Tess
- “Each of us entered this earth on our birthday with a unique life’s purpose, gifts, and abilities that are miraculous.” – Mary Tess
Links and Resources:
EP152: Past Year Reflections
Time is always moving. From year to year, what has changed the most for you? This episode talks about past year reflections.
Next week, August 31 marks the day a healthy and happy 10 lb 13 oz baby girl was born… that was me. Every time my bday comes around, I get very introspective about the past year I lived. I also start to think about the year to come. It helps me hold myself accountable to wonder if I’m living intentionally, what are the big developments I made, and what do I need to change.
I’m here to spend quality solo time with you for EP152’s Wise Walk as we discover our True Stride. I want to do this year’s reflections as a two-part episode so we can have this experience together. Today, we’ll ask ourselves about the past year and where we’ve been. Next week, we’ll look at intentions for the next year and what that looks like in action.
On our Wise Walk, I talk about reflecting on how we showed up for the past year. We can rewrite our story at any given time, but we should know where we came from so we can make more aligned choices going forward. Come with me as we reflect on these Wise Walk questions:
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- As you review the past 12 months of your life, do you feel younger or older than your age?
- Are you taking care of yourself so you can be your best self at any age?
- What else in life are you nurturing: your relationships, your profession, your education, or your interests?
- Do you see examples from the past year of time you nurtured yourself well?
Regardless of the years gone by, my birthday has always represented a moment for me to take stock of who I am, where I wanna go, and what I truly feel called to do in life.
Reflect on what you’ve learned this past year so you can confidently step back into your power for the next chapter. Prepare to move beyond this year with these Wise Walk questions:
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- Are there things you need to let go of to be your best self?
- What are ways you can incorporate fun into your life?
- How are you getting creative to show up for yourself and others?
- As you think about the past 12 months, what has surprised you the most?
- As you think about that surprise, what lessons has it taught you?
- What makes those moments memorable?
- How are you reclaiming 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!
[02:20] – Mary Tess explains how this two part episode series will play out.
[05:24] – What age does Mary Tess feel?
[07:52] – When you take care of yourself, you have more energy to live intentionally.
[09:09] – Mary Tess talks about being adventurous the past year by going out more and trying new experiences.
[11:58] – Mary Tess shares a big lesson she learned every time she spoke her truth.
[14:46] – As you think about the past 12 months, what has surprised you the most?
[16:36] – Thank you for listening!
Memorable Quotes:
- “We should be able to be ourselves and be with people who love and support us.” – Mary Tess
Links and Resources:
EP151: Align with Your Legacy
Years from now people may not remember everything about you, but there will always be certain memories about you that leave a lasting impression. This episode talks about being aligned with your legacy.
I was catching up with a friend who knows someone that recently accepted a professorship at a college. When I heard the subject of the class she’s teaching, I thought it sounded so progressive and impressive for the college kids taking the course. It’s a class all about legacy, which will include an assignment where the students write their obituary to reflect what impact they hope to have in life.
I’m here to spend quality solo time with you for EP151’s Wise Walk as we discover our True Stride. I think a class to think about legacy is a great opportunity for these college students. There’s so much going on while in college that people don’t always look further down the path of life. This class allows the students to lead with the end in mind and be intentional.
On our Wise Walk, I talk about being aligned with your legacy. Building a legacy means intentionally staying committed to what you envision. Come with me as we reflect on these Wise Walk questions:
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- In whatever stage of life you’re in, do you know what type of legacy you want to leave behind?
- Are you living intentionally in the present as if what you envision is exactly what’s going to happen?
- What example does your legacy leave for others?
- If how you’re living now is not how you want to be remembered, can you shift your energy to get in alignment?
- What steps can you take to embody the intentions of your legacy?
We’re creating a legacy in every interaction. All the small and big moments leave a trail of who we’ve chosen to be and that impact ripples years after we’ve left this life.
Let’s remember to live from love, not fear, as we make room for the legacy we’re building. Live your legacy today with these Wise Walk questions:
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- Am I in alignment?
- Am I living from love instead of fear?
- Am I supporting myself to increase my vibration?
- Am I speaking my truth?
- Am I giving myself permission 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!
[02:34] – Are you able to embrace the legacy you want to leave?
[05:13] – We’re creating a legacy in every interaction.
[07:19] – What does Mary Tess think her 20-something self would write for her obituary?
[09:47] – Live from love, not fear.
[11:58] – Remember to speak your truth.
[14:44] – Thank you for listening!
Memorable Quotes:
- “Ultimately, each of us are setting an example for others to follow even if we’re not here on earth.” – Mary Tess
Links and Resources:
EP150: Is It Fine?
You have habits you do without questioning them. If you knew a habit was holding you back from fully expressing your thoughts, would you challenge yourself to be vulnerable and face it? This episode talks about learning to express your true feelings instead of saying, “It’s fine.”
For the past two months, I’ve been paying attention to how often I use the phrase, “It’s fine.” I’ve also paid attention to how much my loved ones say it in conversations and in which scenarios they usually say it. There’s something in me that has a heightened sensitivity to that phrase. How often do we gloss over this phrase and not question it?
I’m here to spend quality solo time with you for EP150’s Wise Walk as we discover our True Stride. I realized people say “It’s fine” as a natural response to almost everything. We can’t experience a full life if we constantly downplay or dilute what’s going on with us internally. That’s why it’s important to learn how to express ourselves.
On our Wise Walk, I talk about letting go of the phrase “It’s fine.” You have so many other ways to express yourself. Come with me as we reflect on these Wise Walk questions:
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- Are you willing to pay attention and notice how often you use the phrase, “It’s fine” in your life?
- As you use it, does it accurately describe what you experience?
- Is there anything you’re holding back and have trouble expressing?
- When you’re not fine, can you express what would make things better for you?
- Why do you sweep emotions under the rug when it’s not true to how you feel?
You have a chance to be more curious about how you’re feeling so you can create deeper bonds with the people around you.
Find a new way to open up your mind and heart. Explore how you feel with these Wise Walk questions:
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- What will it take for you to release the need to be guarded?
- What can you do to release some of those old habits and take a new path forward?
- What are the various ways you are using the word “fine” in your everyday conversation?
- Do you have catchphrases that you fall back on that act as a barrier to your emotions?
- Are you willing to open up and challenge yourself to express your true feelings?
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!
[01:53] – Mary Tess encourages you to embrace vulnerability and not deny what you actually feel.
[04:03] – “Tell me more about that.”
[06:22] – In this moment, it’s okay to acknowledge and share how you truly feel.
[09:12] – “This is what is true for me in this moment.”
[11:50] – Are you willing to open up and challenge yourself to express your true feelings?
[13:46] – Mary Tess talks about reflecting on being more honest about her feelings in the moment.
[15:54] – Thank you for listening!
Memorable Quotes:
- “What was true for us in the past, we don’t have to accept that truth in our present. We certainly don’t have to take that truth with us into the future.” – Mary Tess
Links and Resources:
EP149: When Lightning Strikes
Lighting strikes symbolize many things. Among them, the act of nature can represent the spark of an idea or it can represent a release of energy. This episode talks about how releasing and managing stress is similar to when lighting strikes.
This past weekend, I traveled with my parents to New Jersey so we could celebrate my niece’s wedding. I have so many beautiful memories that left me beaming. The time surrounded by laughter, love, and light was time well spent, but I’m also exhausted from all the fun and the long travel. You wouldn’t believe what happened when my parents and I were returning from the trip.
I’m here to spend quality solo time with you for EP149’s Wise Walk as we discover our True Stride. Traveling can be stressful and sprinkled with unexpected moments. This return home became one of those times. My parents and I had a canceled flight on the way back, then drove from Newark, NJ to Philadelphia, PA so we could get another flight.
On our Wise Walk, I talk about self-regulation and how to recover from stressful events. Stress is a healthy response and has a role in our body, yet how we engage this response makes all the difference. Come with me as we reflect on these Wise Walk questions:
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- How are you honoring your cortisol spikes and reactions to stressful situations?
- Do you have a recovery plan to reset your body?
You can find many ways to self-regulate your response to stress. Finding ways to recover and check in with yourself empowers you to get back on track when you feel overwhelmed.
The power of self-study helps support your well-being and helps you manage stressful surprises. Release tension with these Wise Walk questions:
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- What moments can you find to take a break and self-regulate?
- Are there ways to minimize your exposure to stressful situations?
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!
[02:47] – Mary Tess talks about how to handle life when your plans get twisted.
[05:46] – Do you know the signs for your goal’s window of opportunity?
[07:49] – Mary Tess reflects on managing stress in a healthy way.
[10:11] – What moments can you find to take a break and self-regulate?
[11:54] – Mary Tess explains the power of self-study to help support your well-being and self-regulation.
[13:30] – Are there ways to minimize your exposure to stressful situations, and do you know what you need to recover when they do happen?
[16:25] – Thank you for listening!
Memorable Quotes:
- “This is the plan and I hope the plan goes according to my intentions, and if they don’t, I hope I have the capacity to reroute or to manage the stressful event in a way so that we get the best outcome.” – Mary Tess
Links and Resources:
EP148: Music & Mood Mindfulness
Whether we’re happy or sad, music helps us channel what we’re feeling. It takes us into a moment of reflection, memory, or imagination. This episode talks about music and mood mindfulness.
I’m feeling so energized after going to a concert with my mom. We had a great time watching Michael Franti & Spearhead rock out and share their music. It’s not just the tunes that made the experience awesome, it’s the message. Much of their music is filled with positive and encouraging words.
I’m here to spend quality solo time with you for EP148’s Wise Walk as we discover our True Stride. It was my first time going to see this artist, and I’m so glad I took the time to go. Michael Franti & Spearhead did things in the concert that helped concert-goers feel like a community. By the end, my mother and I had these memorable and friendly moments with the people sitting around us at the concert.
On our Wise Walk, I talk about music and mood mindfulness. Music can reflect our mood or help us set the intention of our mood. Come with me as we reflect on these Wise Walk questions:
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- Where in your life are you using music to inspire you, to boost your energy, to shift your mindset, to think about your emotions, and to feel your feelings?
- How can you be more mindful of the different ways that music impacts you?
- Can you invite magical moments from music into your life?
- Can you create new memories with music experiences?
- What songs make you happy?
- What old songs do you like to share with others?
Music is a force that empowers us to fully be present with what we’re feeling.
The joy of music is absolutely contagious. Curate the music of your life with these Wise Walk questions:
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- How can you be intentional about the way you use music in your life?
- How are you using music to enhance an experience?
- What type of music helps you set the tone for a moment?
- Are you allowing music to transport you?
- How can you use music to express the mood you envision?
- Can you make a commitment today to curate a playlist of mood enhancing music for 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!
[01:13] – Mary Tess tells the story of buying tickets for a concert and inviting her mom to have fun together.
[03:38] – Music is powerful and personal.
[05:29] – What songs make you happy?
[08:20] – Mary Tess reflects on how music helps us tap into our emotions.
[11:16] – Mary Tess talks about enhancing moments with music playlists. PART 1
[14:13] – Mary Tess talks about enhancing moments with music playlists. PART 2
[16:41] – Thank you for listening!
Memorable Quotes:
- “Music can shift us. Music can empower us.” – Mary Tess
Links and Resources: