Mark here. Here’s what we have in store for this week…
WHAT I’M WRITING ABOUT
Your Thoughts Determine Your Story
The mind is everything. What you think you become. – Buddha
The stories you tell yourself shape your reality. While this may sound cliché, it is a fundamental truth. Those who understand and act on it take complete control of their lives. Think about a challenge you face (and we all face challenges). Often, your thoughts focus on the negative impact, why it’s happening to you, and how hard it will be to deal with. This negative story poisons your ability to find a positive outcome.
In many cases, the story you tell yourself and your emotional response create or magnify the challenge in the first place. I’m not suggesting you caused a natural disaster or the pandemic, but many of life’s anxieties stem from our mind-generated dramas. When we focus on negative thoughts and emotions, we attract similar situations into our lives.
That’s why, especially at this time of year, it’s crucial to recognize that your emotional state, internal dialogue, and mindset are powerful tools in creating your desired future. With those three attributes, you are writing your own history moment to moment, and the results will be dramatically different depending on whether they are positive or negative.
Make it a daily practice to curate your mindset. Cultivate forgiveness, compassion, open-mindedness, curiosity, abundance, and gratitude. These practices send out positive energy that will, in turn, attract positivity. When adversity strikes, face it with those qualities rather than sinking into fear and anxiety. By choosing an empowering narrative over a defeatist one, you can stop contaminating the present with negativity and create a more powerful, positive future.
Thought question: As the author of your own life, what story are you telling yourself right now? That story will define your next chapter.
NEW EPISODE – THE MARK DIVINE SHOW
Inner Space
Episode # 491
Gabriel Charalambide’s journey into engineering wasn’t just about numbers and problem-solving; unique experiences shaped it along the way. In college, Gabe became intrigued by psychedelics and their potential to expand consciousness and foster creativity. This exploration wasn’t just about recreational use; it inspired a deeper understanding of the mind and sparked new ways of thinking. Gabe’s experiments with psychedelics encouraged him to approach engineering problems from unconventional angles and fueled his curiosity about the intersection of technology and human experience. These journeys taught him valuable life lessons and broadened his perspective, ultimately influencing his approach to engineering and creativity.
Podcast Highlights:
Join me and psychonaut Gabe Charalambide for an eye-opening discussion on the powerful link between meditation and psychedelics. Gabe shares groundbreaking research showing how both meditators and those on psilocybin exhibit similar brain activity, revealing deep overlap. We explore psychedelics’ mental health benefits, from kindness to emotional breakthroughs, and share our personal transformative experiences. Whether you’re curious about meditation, psychedelics, or both, this conversation offers key insights into fostering emotional growth and personal transformation.
As the year draws to a close, the theme of gratitude reminds me of the power in appreciating the little things. This season, I encourage you to pause and reflect on the simple joys and everyday moments that often go unnoticed. Cultivating gratitude transforms our mindset, fostering resilience and connection. Let’s embrace the small blessings that shape our lives.
PRACTICE OR HABIT TO TRY
Grounding with the 5-4-3-2-1 Technique: If you’re feeling anxious or overwhelmed, try practicing the 5-4-3-2-1 technique for a week. This practice helps anchor you to the present moment by engaging your senses and shifting focus away from anxious thoughts. Start by noticing five things you can see around you—whether it’s a tree outside or the texture of a nearby object. Next, identify four things you can touch, like the feel of your clothing or the texture of an object in your hand. Then, tune into three things you can hear, such as distant voices or the hum of a fan. Follow this by focusing on two things you can smell—the scent of fresh air or a candle. Finally, identify one thing you can taste, maybe the lingering taste in your mouth or the taste of water as you take a sip. By practicing this exercise daily, you’ll develop a stronger sense of presence, reduce feelings of anxiety, and reconnect with your environment in a calming way.
P.S. If you enjoyed this email, reply here and let me know what you thought. I’d love to hear from you.
MOMENTOUS
If you’re interested in making a true investment in your health, why not join the best in human performance and be part of the change in raising the bar on supplements. Just go to Livemomentous.com and use code DIVINE for 20% off your new routine today. That’s Livemomentous.com with code DIVINE.
SEALFIT ELECTROGREENS
Fuel your body and conquer your limits with SealFit ElectroGreens – a USDA organic superfood packed with over 25 organic fruits, vegetables, and electrolytes. Head to Amazon, search for “SealFit ElectroGreens,” and use code SEALGREENS25 at checkout for 25% off your order.
Mark Divine is a New York Times best-selling author, leadership expert, entrepreneur, motivational speaker, and retired U.S. Navy SEAL Commander. He is also the founder and CEO of Unbeatable and SEALFIT.
