“I am upset because I see something that is not there.” – A Course in Miracles Workbook, Lesson 6

What if your emotional reactions were not caused by external events, but by the stories your mind creates?

In this episode of Love & Learn, we explore Lesson 6 from A Course in Miracles Workbook. This lesson invites us to recognize that our upsets are often based on distorted perceptions, not reality. When we’re upset, we’re reacting to something our mind has created, rather than what’s truly happening. By acknowledging this, we open the door to peace and a deeper understanding of our emotions.

Key Insights on Lesson 6

1. Distorted Perceptions: This lesson teaches us that when we are upset, we are reacting to a distorted perception rather than the reality of the situation. Whether it’s anger, fear, or anxiety, we are often upset because we see something that isn’t really there—something our mind has created based on past conditioning or fear.

   For example:

   “I am angry at __________ because I see something that is not there.”
   
   By acknowledging this, we create space to question the stories we’ve been telling ourselves and let go of old perceptions that no longer serve us.

2. All Upsets Are Equal: The course emphasizes that all forms of upset—whether big or small—are rooted in the same kind of misperception. Whether we feel frustrated by traffic or deeply hurt by a personal conflict, the cause is the same: we are perceiving something that isn’t truly there. This idea allows us to see beyond the differences in surface-level emotions and recognize the underlying pattern.

3. Practice Makes Peace: The real power of this lesson comes from applying it throughout the day. Whenever you feel any kind of upset, pause and repeat:

   “I am upset because I see something that is not there.”
   
   It might feel odd at first, but this simple practice helps interrupt the cycle of automatic reactions and opens up the possibility for more clarity and calm. This is how we begin to make real shifts in our thought system—moving from fear to love, one moment of awareness at a time. Keep practicing, and notice how it opens space for a new perspective to emerge.

Remember: Your emotional reactions are often based on stories your mind creates, not reality. By practicing this lesson, you can begin to see beyond the surface and access a deeper sense of peace and understanding.

Tune in and join us as we continue our journey through A Course in Miracles.

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"Letting go of exhaustion as a status symbol and productivity as self-worth begins with understanding that play and rest are not luxuries—they are essential." – Dr. Brené Brown, The Gifts of Imperfection

What if we stopped wearing exhaustion as a badge of honor and started valuing rest, play, creativity, and self-expression as essential components of a fulfilling life?

In this episode of Love & Learn, we explore the importance of cultivating play and rest, creativity, meaningful work, and embracing joy through laughter, song, and dance. By letting go of the pressure to be constantly productive, we reconnect with what truly nourishes our well-being.

In this episode, we’ll uncover:

• Why rest and play are antidotes to burnout and essential for joy
• How releasing societal pressures around productivity allows for greater creativity
• The power of meaningful work that aligns with personal values, not external expectations
• How laughter, song, and dance foster connection and freedom from the need to be "cool" or in control

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

1. Creativity is Essential for Meaning and Fulfillment: Creativity allows us to express our true selves and connect with the world in a unique way. By letting go of comparison, we can embrace creativity as a core part of who we are, which brings deeper meaning and fulfillment into our lives.

2. Play and Rest Are Non-Negotiable for Well-Being: In a world that glorifies busyness, it’s easy to view rest and play as unproductive, but they are vital for renewal. Play provides joy and energy, while rest helps us recharge and avoid burnout. Both are essential for living a more balanced, fulfilling life.

3. Meaningful Work Aligns with Personal Values: Meaningful work isn’t about conforming to societal “supposed to’s.” Instead, it’s about aligning your work with your passions and values, which fosters a greater sense of purpose and satisfaction.

4. Laughter, Song, and Dance Foster Joy and Connection: Letting go of the need to appear cool or "in control" allows us to reconnect with our playful selves. Through laughter, song, and dance, we build deeper emotional connections and experience joy in its purest form.

Remember: By cultivating creativity, rest, meaningful work, and moments of joy, we can live more wholehearted lives. These practices remind us to embrace our imperfections and lead with authenticity, love, and connection.

Tune in to hear how these guideposts can help you live a more joyful, creative, and connected life!

ALL CONCEPTS FROM THE GIFTS OF IMPERFECTION

• Letting Go of Living from a Place of UNWORTHINESS
• Letting Go of PERFECTIONISM, PEOPLE-PLEASING, and Numbing
• Letting Go of the NEED FOR CERTAINTY, Anxiety as a Lifestyle, and Scarcity
• Letting Go of EXHAUSTION as a Status Symbol and Productivity as Self-Worth

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“Joy comes to us in ordinary moments. We risk missing out on joy when we get too busy chasing down the extraordinary.” – Dr. Brené Brown, The Gifts of Imperfection

What if joy, intuition, and calm were available to you right now, regardless of life's challenges or uncertainties?

In this episode of Love & Learn, we explore three more guideposts from Brené Brown’s The Gifts of Imperfection. These guideposts remind us that by practicing gratitude, trusting our intuition, and cultivating stillness, we can release scarcity, control, and anxiety, making room for more joy, faith, and peace in our lives.

In this episode, we’ll uncover:

• How gratitude opens the door to joy, even in imperfect moments
• Why trusting intuition and faith requires letting go of control
• The importance of calm and stillness as antidotes to anxiety in a fast-paced world

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

1. Gratitude is the Key to Joy: We often think joy comes after achieving something or when life is perfect, but Dr. Brené Brown reminds us that joy and gratitude can be accessed in any moment—no matter how imperfect. Practicing gratitude, even during difficult times, opens the door to joy by shifting our focus from scarcity to abundance. It’s about embracing the present, and the vulnerability that comes with truly appreciating what we have in this very moment.

2. Trusting Faith and Our Intuition Means Letting Go of Control: Intuition and faith help us navigate uncertainty, yet we often crave control and guarantees before trusting our inner wisdom. Dr. Brené Brown defines intuition as a blend of knowledge, insight, instinct, experience, faith, and reason. By letting go of the need for certainty, we allow ourselves to trust the process and embrace the mystery of life. Faith isn’t about having all the answers—it’s about trusting that we’ll find our way through the unknown.

3. Calm and Stillness Are Antidotes to Anxiety: In a world that glorifies busyness and treadmill to-do lists to nowhere, cultivating calm and stillness is essential for emotional well-being. Dr. Brené Brown encourages us to let go of anxiety as a lifestyle by grounding ourselves in the present and responding to life’s challenges with patience and mindfulness. Calm is contagious, and by practicing stillness—whether through meditation, nature walks, or quiet reflection—we create the space needed for clarity and inner peace.

Remember: By cultivating gratitude, trusting our intuition, and embracing calm, we can transform the way we experience life’s uncertainties and challenges. These practices are the keys to living a more joyful, peaceful, and fulfilling life.

Tune in and join us as we explore how these practices can change your life.

ALL CONCEPTS FROM THE GIFTS OF IMPERFECTION

• Letting Go of Living from a Place of UNWORTHINESS
• Letting Go of PERFECTIONISM, PEOPLE-PLEASING, and Numbing
• Letting Go of the NEED FOR CERTAINTY, Anxiety as a Lifestyle, and Scarcity

CONNECT WITH DR. BRENÉ BROWN

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CONNECT WITH JESSICA FLINT

• Website
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• Instagram