CHANGE: Transition to Season 2 of Stirred By Words

Welcome back to Stirred By Words!

In this transition episode, Chrissy shares some exciting news about the show! Then she provides guided meditation to help ground the conversation. She defines the word CHANGE, and answers the questions: How can we create meaningful change in our lives, and how does that create a better world?

Chrissy then describes this week's book recommendation: Atomic Habits by James Clear

In the end, Chrissy encourages you to ask yourself some questions:

• How can we create meaningful change in our lives?
• How does change create a better world?
• Why is change difficult but also important?

☀️ My memoir, Finding Sunlight, is here! Learn more & order your copy today

Transcript

Chrissy Holm (00:05):

Do you love words? Are you passionate about diving into meaningful conversations? Hi, welcome to Stirred by Words, a podcast that focuses on words and questions that impact our daily lives. I'm your host, Chrissy Holm health educator, writer, curious creature, and now podcaster. 

(00:42)
Today we won't be starting with a health tip. Instead, we'll be starting with an exciting announcement. Not only is Stirred By Words coming back, but it's leveling up what once started as a passion for talking about words has now evolved into an upgraded format. Why am I doing this? You may ask. Well, I started two podcasts, Stirred by Words and the Nature of Authors, on top of a full-time job editing and book coaching clients on the side, raising a baby, maintaining my relationship, and trying to be a healthy human. Needless to say, I dropped a few balls (ayo!), I wasn't taken care of myself the way I wanted. I also wanted to provide the same value and some, so I simplified. Without further ado, welcome to Stirred by Words, meditations, and conversations about writing and wellness. Next week you'll hear a new introduction, but in each episode, we'll start with a guided meditation to help ground us before the conversation, like Stirred By Words 1.0. 

(01:47)
I'll share a word, definition and fun facts. Then I'll ask a question and share my reflection on it. This is where the nature of authors meets stirred by words 1.0 in the New Stir by words, meditations, and conversations about writing and wellness. I'll introduce my guest for the episode. You'll hear from authors, writers, editors, publishing professionals, yoga instructors, coaches, parents, <laugh>, and other health and wellness professionals. After a short interview, I'll have each of my guests share a unique piece or reflection related to a word of the episode. I'll wrap up the show with questions and a book recommendation for you all. I encourage each of you to grab a journal, a pen and paper, a napkin, a marker, a finger, an and a phone notepad or whatever works for you to write out your thoughts on these questions, and that'll wrap up the show. Are you ready for a sneak peek? We'll start today with a guided meditation inspired by today's word change. Let's start by either closing your eyes or at a soft gaze. Take a few breaths in through your nose and out through your mouth, in through your nose and out through your mouth. 

(03:27)
One more time in and out. Release any tension or stress from your shoulders or your neck. Now imagine you're outside in warm climate or a calm atmosphere indoors. Picture the leaves moving in the breeze, the sun shining down on you. The waves crashing on the shore are a cozy fireplace crackling. Beside you feel the warmth and acceptance that comes from this place. Now focus on the concept of change. Change can be difficult and can throw us off balance. It can also be necessary and bring new opportunities and experiences. Think about the changes you have experienced in life weather, big or small recently or in the past. Acknowledge the emotions that come up, whether it's fear, excitement, sadness, or something else. Take a moment to appreciate the changes you've encountered and the lessons you've learned. And now let it go and breathe. Sit in this feeling for a few moments and keep breathing. Notice if you feel acceptance, openness, or another feeling, take a few more deep breaths and slowly open your eyes. 

(06:31)
Now it's time for today's word change. Miriam Webster has many different definitions for the word change, and it can be used as a transitive verb, intransitive verb, and a noun. And here are a few of the definitions to replace with another, to undergo a modification of, to become different, to put on different clothes, the act, process, or result of changing, such as alteration, transformation, and substitution. Here are a few fun facts about the word change. The word change has been used in English since the 13th century. Change is common theme in literature and art with many writers and artists exploring how people, places, and things can change over time, and the word change appears in many idioms and expressions, such as change of pace or change of heart. Other synonyms for change include adjustment, development, difference, modification, reversal, and transformation. Today's question is a two-parter. 

(07:45)
How can we create meaningful change in our lives and how does that create a better world to make meaningful changes in our life? I believe it really starts with identifying your values and goals. Now, that's not always easy to do because these things change throughout your life, but typically it's something that's deep within you that you can reference. For example, right now, my values are growth and love, and after I identify my values and goals, I try to weigh the pros and cons of a situation, find a support system, and celebrate my successes along the way. Here are two examples of my life. The first example is my weight loss journey. Since I had my child in 2020, I've been slowly trying to lose weight, and I recently hit 15 pounds lost, yay. And though I know I have more that I want to lose, I know I'm on my way by celebrating those small successes, even beyond weight loss, like for example, it feels good to say no to another beer before bed or saying yes to doing laps around the basement for 10 minutes no matter how weird it looks. 

(08:55)
Another example is my book publishing journey. I've gone through so many waves of I don't know if I can do this anymore. I don't know if I should do this, and it's for various reasons, but the support system of my spouse and others cheering me on. That's what keeps me going, and these factors help me remember my goals and my values. So the second part of this question, how does change create a better world? I believe change is an essential part of progress and growth. So if we can change the way we do things, it can help promote diversity and inclusion. For example, if we ask people their pronouns, we're creating a space for people to express who they are and how they wanna be identified. Changing our everyday actions can cause a ripple effect of changes in society. Now, typically the new Stir by Words, meditations, and conversations about writing and wellness. I'll be introducing my guest next and we'd be talking about writing and wellness, but for this episode, we're gonna skip that and we're gonna dive into the questions and book recommendations for the day. 

(10:26)
Today's book recommendation is Atomic Habits by James Clear. James Clear, one of the world's leading experts on habit formation reveals practical strategies that will teach you exactly how to change form good habits, break bad ones, ambassador the tiny behaviors that lead to remarkable results. Before we wrap up the episode, I encourage you to grab a journal pen, paper, napkin, something to write down the answers to these questions. How can we create meaningful change in our lives? How does change create a better world? And why is change difficult, but also important? Feel free to pause the episode or come back to these questions later. If you have any thoughts on this episode, suggestions for a future show, or if you or someone you know wants to be a guest on the show, contact me via my at www.chrissyholm.com. That's C H R I S S Y H O L M. Thanks for listening to this transition episode of Stirred by Words, Meditations and Conversations about Writing and Wellness. This has been your host, Chrissy Holm. Tune in to future podcast episodes and until next time, keep learning new words, stay healthy, and stay curious, my friends.