http://mysocialpods.com/ My Social Pods - Blog RSS Feed 2.0 en-us Fri, 03 Apr 2026 08:15:03 GMT Fri, 03 Apr 2026 08:15:03 GMT http://mysocialpods.com/userfiles/1652/images/choose%2Dlove%2Ejpg http://mysocialpods.com/ http://mysocialpods.com/blog/73/Why-I-Choose-Love-Every-Day--And-Why-You-Should-Too- blog From rom-coms to romance novels to the latest top 40 hit, popular culture perpetuates the idea that love—the affection, desire and joy we feel for other persons and things in our life—is something that merely happens to us, as opposed to something we choose, as if love itself were a force of nature and we at the mercy of its will. We talk about love at first sight, falling in love, being lucky in love, and all being fair in love and war. In one of the most famous love songs of all time, Elvis Presley croons, "I can't help falling in love with you." This seems to be the overarching theme: Love can't be helped. You either have it or you don't. From When Harry Met Sally to Shakespeare, this idea has permeated our culture, our language and, whether we realize it or not, our beliefs. But here's the clincher: How we talk about love is not how love actually works. At least, it's not how it should work. Love is the beginning of a story, not the ending. And that story also begins with a choice. Love isn't something that acts upon us. Rather, we act upon it. Love is something we choose to do every single day. And most days, that choosing takes work. But what exactly does it look like for a person to "choose love"? With any choice, when we choose one thing it means we also do not choose another. Therefore, we can choose love by deliberately not choosing any number of other feelings or emotions we may experience at any given point in time—anger, sadness, fear—and instead take conscious steps in a direction of patience, compassion and light. If choosing not to feel an emotion seems too difficult to wrap your mind around right now, think of it as choosing to indulge one emotion over another instead. In my own life, I wake up every single day and I choose to indulge love. I choose love for my life, for myself and my children, for my spouse, my parents, my friends, for my community, my career. I choose love for the world around me: every plant, every animal, every life that exists. I choose love for the sheer existence of this beautiful, mysterious universe. Learning to choose love wasn't easy for me at first. It happened over the course of a few very difficult and unexpected events in my life. These events led me through my share of anger, pain and fear, but there was always a choice involved. Choose love or choose anger? Indulge love or choose fear? There is nothing inherently wrong with these other feelings, of course. Fear, in particular, is part of the natural human experience. Sometimes on my journey I ended up choosing fear over love, but it was during those times that I learned the most about why it's important to choose love over anything else. By choosing love over another emotion, you're acknowledging the place where that emotion exists, exploring the root of it and deciding to move in a more productive direction instead. This is the difference between feeling our emotions and acting on them. You may feel fear or anger and still act from a place of love. That is something you can choose to do. Fair warning: Choosing love takes a great deal of vulnerability. It's natural to fear this experience. Being vulnerable with another person means we allow ourselves to risk being rejected or misunderstood. It can be much easier to preserve our ego, self-justify, live in denial or even assign blame rather than live in a state of authenticity and self-truth. But when we deny ourselves the opportunity to be vulnerable, we also limit our ability to be truly seen and known by those around us. So what if we reframe this from a mindset of love? Instead of focusing on the risks of vulnerability, focus on the benefits. For instance, when I allow myself to be vulnerable with another person, I open myself up to the risk of rejection, but I also honor my truth and allow my innermost self to shine. My heart is open to the possibility of their acceptance. And when I receive someone's acceptance from a place of vulnerability, the experience is even sweeter. I also am more accepting of myself. I am aware of who I am. I honor my needs and my wants. I am more empathetic toward other people's needs and wants as well. I celebrate their differences and accept their imperfections. And there is healing in that. By choosing love, you're better able to give grace to yourself, make peace with your past, understand your feelings and motivations, as well as forgive any harm you might have inadvertently done to yourself, your family or your community. Choosing love is an invitation to your soul to roam free and explore its greatest potential. When you approach everything from a place of love, positive energy will begin to bubble up within you. You will be able to tune into your deepest, truest self and share your gifts with the world. And the world around you will seem instantly more marvelous. When we choose love, we choose life. Did you love this post? Consider sending us a little love back! Try out our latest Social Pods Certified Facilitator led support group platform. 1-week free trial and for $25/week attend as many sessions (we call it Pods) you like, register now!   Tue, 21 Dec 2021 06:00:00 GMT http://mysocialpods.com/blog/73/Why-I-Choose-Love-Every-Day--And-Why-You-Should-Too- http://mysocialpods.com/blog/78/7-Steps-You-Can-Take-Toward-Believing-in-Yourself blog "Believe in yourself" is a well-known mantra of the confident, self-possessed go-getters of the world. When you believe in yourself, you trust that your unique strengths and abilities will allow you to come out on top in almost any situation. Your thoughts and actions are marked by courage and optimism, rather than negativity and self-doubt, making you better able to tackle challenges, silence your demons and make all of your wildest dreams come true. But perhaps this is easier said than done, so let's break the idea of "believing in yourself" down into seven simple steps. While your own path may not lead you through these steps in any specific order, you can take my word for it that each of them is a critical part of the journey toward believing in yourself and manifesting your fullest potential. Believe me: They work! 1. Celebrate your strengths and acknowledge your weaknesses. How do you see yourself when you look in a mirror? Do you celebrate what you see or do you only see things you despise or that you wish you could improve? When you talk to yourself, is it empowering or is it disparaging? When you are tempted to speak words of hurt and criticism over yourself, consider doing this instead: Imagine what you would say if you were speaking to a dearly loved friend. Would you say hurtful, ugly things to someone you love? Then neither should you speak such things to yourself! Understand that you can speak words of kindness, love and compassion over yourself while still acknowledging where you fall short. Simply acknowledge where you have room to improve and then believe in yourself that you can be better. 2. Focus on the light at the end of the tunnel. The start of any journey can be scary and full of the unknown, even journeys that are about believing in yourself and celebrating who you are. If you struggle with believing in yourself and frequently give in to negative self-talk, then practice envisioning how you imagine believing in yourself might feel in the future. How would believing in yourself change your thoughts, your decisions, your actions? Focus on your ideal state of being and then begin to take small, methodical steps in that direction, however unfamiliar that new territory might be. 3. Align your mind, body and soul for the journey. Maybe you struggle to believe in yourself because you've felt betrayed by yourself or others in the past. Maybe you made decisions you came to regret. Or maybe a friend said or did something that hurt you. It makes sense that you would therefore lose some faith in yourself or your abilities along the way, but here's the thing: Believing in yourself isn't negated by feelings of failure. Rather, it should be strengthened by your ability to face down challenges and come out the other side, having gained valuable insight along the way. 4. Look deep inside. (Your soul, not your shirt.) Before you can truly believe in yourself, you have to get real with yourself. Take time to consider: Who are you really? What elements of your life give you the greatest joy? The greatest pain? What are you the proudest of right now? What do you feel is currently missing? Are you moving in the direction of your goals or does the rat-race of daily life keep getting in the way of your deepest desires? When you discover what it is you truly want in life and who you want to be, then you can figure out the direction you need to go. Maybe you need to talk to a life coach. Maybe you need to ask a friend to hold you accountable to your goals. Whatever you decide to do, if it's done in service to your most authentic self, you can't go wrong. 5. Adopt a "just do it" mindset. There may come a time in your life when you feel cornered, when life only has one option for you and you must move in that direction, whether you want to or not. In these instances, resist the temptation to over-analyze your circumstances and flounder. Instead, "just do it." Accept the change or transformation process that is coming your way and dive into it with everything you've got. If you really only have one option in front of you, then that's a pretty clear sign from the universe that you are exactly where you need to be. 6. Dig in with determination and balance. Chances are, if you've been able to adopt the "just do it" mindset then you're no stranger to digging in with relentless determination. That's great! Determination is what allows us to live our lives with purpose, conviction and confidence, but it can also can be physically and emotionally draining if we forget to balance out that drive with plenty of rest and self-care. While you are making progress on your journey, be mindful not to burden yourself unnecessarily with projects and commitments. You can't believe in yourself if you don't listen to your body or your mind when it says it's time to take a break. Make it a point to honor those needs. 7. Everyone has beliefs and opinions. Own yours. At some points along your journey toward believing in yourself, you're going to encounter different people who may try to jolt you off course. After doing all of this hard work, the last thing you want to do is let the unwelcome opinions and attitudes of others block your path. So don't. Own who you are and the work that you've done and let the naysayers proceed on their way. Their journey does not have to align with yours. In fact, being able to full recognize and accept this is the last step toward being a true believer in your power and self-worth. Great work! You did it! Now own it! Did you love this post? Consider sending us a little love back!  Try out our latest Social Pods Certified Facilitator led support group platform. 1-week free trial and for $25/week attend as many sessions (we call it Pods) you like, register now! Tue, 21 Dec 2021 06:00:00 GMT http://mysocialpods.com/blog/78/7-Steps-You-Can-Take-Toward-Believing-in-Yourself http://mysocialpods.com/blog/355/Your-Guide-to-Self-Guidance blog From our first day on this earth and every day thereafter, who we are and how we think—aka our psychology—is ever evolving and transforming as we meet new people, learn new things and gather new experiences. Our psychology in turn affects our habits, our beliefs and even the way that we talk to ourselves. All are influenced by our experiences and circumstances. Early formative experiences and relationships often inform how safe we feel presenting our true, authentic selves to the world well into adulthood, which in turn may affect how well we are able to listen to our own inner voice. Other names you may call your inner voice: your intuition, your gut, your inner spirit, your heart. When we talk about a person's self- guidance, we are referring to that person's ability to tune into that inner voice and pick up on any clues the universe might be sending them along the way. This in turn directs a person's values and life goals, as well as the deep emotions of their sub-conscious. It informs their innermost desires and shapes the heart. It also helps a person decide whether an experience is a positive one or a negative one and, therefore, how we'll approach similar experiences going forward, which thereby influences our habits and our beliefs. Maybe for you, your inner voice is something you have learned to quietly deny over the years. Maybe from negative past experiences you have deduced you can no longer trust yourself. Or maybe years of trauma or abuse have left you wondering if you even know yourself at all. This is especially common amongst people who were habitually told while growing up that what they thought, felt or needed was invalid or not real. Think of it this way: If as a child you were told every time you said you were hungry that you were in fact not hungry and were not in need of food, would that make the physical feelings of hunger any less real? Would it make them go away? No, of course not, but perhaps what would go away is your willingness to acknowledge that hunger and ask for what you need. It's the same with your inner voice. Just because you may have learned to distrust or ignore your inner voice in the past doesn't mean that it has gone away for good. It just might take a little extra work to find it again. It is waiting for you. All you have to do is listen. The first step to getting back in tune with your gut and onto the path of self-guidance and discovery is to pause from what you're doing and take inventory of your thoughts. Be intentional! Go someplace quiet and without distraction, a place where you can be free to sit with the overwhelming (for now) chatter of your mind and really dwell on what you feel and what you need. Don't be overly concerned with any one thought that passes through your brain. Envision your thoughts as thought they were nothing more than leaves on the waters of a river. Take time to focus on each one, then let them slowly drift away and out of sight. Are there any "leaves" that you are surprised to see pass by? Any thoughts or feelings that bring you joy or excitement? Embarrassment or shame? As you become more comfortable with this practice, begin to ask yourself why certain thoughts might make you feel a certain way. Any that you readily dismiss or invalidate? Why? Ask yourself what this might mean about where you are in life compared to where you'd like to be. Thank the universe for bringing you these thoughts and express gratitude for the opportunity to send them on their way. After practicing this over time, you will find that your ability to tap into your intuition becomes more natural, even easy. You will be impervious to the ever changing criticisms and opinions of those around you. You will feel hunger and believe that you are worthy of sustenance. You will feel pain and believe that you are worthy of rest. You will feel joy and believe that you are worthy of love. You will have a better understanding of who you are and what you want and you'll go and get it. Additionally, you will find that you are more attracted to healthy, authentic relationships and that you no longer allow yourself to suffer bad behavior. You will find that you are more sensitive to the subtle ways the universe calls you away from one thing and pushes you in the direction of another. Finally, you will trust yourself to listen to its call. Did you love this post? Consider sending us a little love back! Try out our latest Social Pods Certified Facilitators led support group platform. 1-week free trial and for $25/week attend as many sessions (we call it Pods) you like, register now! Tue, 21 Dec 2021 06:00:00 GMT http://mysocialpods.com/blog/355/Your-Guide-to-Self-Guidance http://mysocialpods.com/blog/1338/Mental-Health-and-Mindset--It-s-All-About-Awareness blog Whether you generally identify as someone who is able to always look on the bright side of life or as someone who lives life waiting for the proverbial axe to fall, the way we respond to external stimuli, both positive and negative, in our day-to-day life is due in large part to a combination of genetics and personality traits established early on in life. As it would seem, to most people the glass really is either half empty or half full. It's all in how you look at it—And part of what goes into that is how you are genetically pre-disposed to look at things and how you were formatively taught to look at things at a very young age.   Food for thought: According to a study published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology in 1978, researchers found that a group of lottery winners were not significantly happier or more emotionally well off than a control-group of non-winning participants. In that same study, a group of patients who had suffered traumatic spinal-cord injuries at one point in their able-bodied lives were likewise not significantly unhappier or less emotionally well off than the control group of non-injured participants. Based on this study alone, researchers supposed that every individual is born with and to some extent nurtures a certain "happiness set point" or "behavioral baseline" that the body tends to maintain or revert back to—Like an emotional survival instinct. What goes up must come down, but what goes down must come up. It's similar to the way our bodies chemically self-regulate after periods of great stress or great joy.     The good news is, you are not actually stuck with the behavioral baseline your biology or early formative years have dealt you. Your natural baseline for happiness can be "reset" or transformed with a little diligence and hard work. It's just a matter of knowing in what direction your spirit tends to go and training yourself up in a new perspective. If you've been tracking with us at all throughout this blog, you already know the deal: Change is possible!   I know that when I personally am experiencing a period of extreme spiritual or emotional adversity, I sometimes have to consciously stop the cycle and ask myself, "What is disturbing you this much? What assumptions are you making about yourself or the world that is not sitting right with you?" This is a reality check moment that allows me to honor what I am experiencing while still beginning to make change around what I am experiencing—Or at least the way I am experiencing it.    Why make change? Because especially when it comes to our emotions, we go back to what we know. And what we know, especially what we've learned in early childhood or what is deep within our DNA, can be so powerful as to control us—But only if we let it. Behavioral baselines have a lot of inertia in that way. It can take a lot for a positive person to move to a negative baseline (we see this happen most often through traumatic events or repeated, habitual stressors) and it can take a lot for a negative person to move (or return) to a positive baseline.   Consider, for a moment, how you tend to view your world. Which of these seems most like you? "Great! We're already halfway to our goal!" or "Great, we're only half way to our goal."   In most cases, it all boils down to gratitude. You can be a more positive person today by simply working on the gratitude you show your world on a day-to-day basis. If that sounds overly prescriptive or like some "count your blessings" tripe, think of it this way: Gratitude is the difference between what you feel the universe gives you compared to what you feel the universe owes you. Being honest with yourself about both can help you identify unacknowledged pain while also moving toward a place of spiritual reconciliation within yourself. Begin any meditation practice today by taking some time away to intentionally set a mindset based on gratitude and love, one wherein you move from a place of entitlement and disappointment to one of abundance and joy. Like any practice, this takes time. The Social Pods Lifework Method® is here to help you along the way.   Make no mistake: Our concern here is primarily with general outlook or worldview, not with very serious mental health disorders, which should be diagnosed and treated by a mental health professional. Rather, what we are arguing for here is awareness. Know your baseline. Know yourself. Know your triggers and your pleasures, your passion and your pain. Embrace what you love about you and then never let it go—Because in the times that you feel lost, it can be hard to find yourself again if you don't know who you are to begin with.   Give us a call or sent us a contact request. We are at your service 24 X 7.   Did this post speak to your heart or teach you something new? Social Pods still has spots available to welcome new clients into our community! Email contact@mysocialpods.com if you're ready to find the Connection, Love, Growth, and Support that will allow your inner self to fully shine and embrace all that your life has to offer you! Social Pods supports your life's journey. Did you love this post? Consider sending us a little love back! Try out our latest Social Pods Certified Facilitator led support group platform. 1-week free trial and for $25/week attend as many sessions (we call it Pods) you like, register now!   Tue, 21 Dec 2021 06:00:00 GMT http://mysocialpods.com/blog/1338/Mental-Health-and-Mindset--It-s-All-About-Awareness http://mysocialpods.com/blog/4399/Why-You-Should-Incorporate-Walking-Meditation-Into-Your-Everyday--Today- blog I'm betting that if I asked you to picture a person in deep meditation right now, you might imagine someone sitting alone or in relative solitude, most likely cross-legged on a yoga mat, their palms resting upward and draped casually to the side. Perhaps the golden brass of a gong dissolves through the air every now and then as their lips slightly part, their eyes closed, their mind and soul sinking deep and deeper into a womb-like Zen. Such is the convention of many meditational depictions in the western world. If your image was just the same or similar to the one just described, you aren't alone. While it's true that seated, solitary meditation is a proven way to relax the body and the mind, inviting greater clarity and calm into one's day-to-day, it is, of course, just one way that greater Zen can be achieved. For some, the aesthetic itself is just too much. Maybe you don't own a Tibetan gong (most people don't) or a yoga mat or even a pair of yoga pants. Maybe you spend all day sitting at an office desk or strapped into the seat of a car. Maybe the thought of having to sit anywhere at all for any length of time practically bores you to tears. In these instances, maybe spending ten to thirty minutes of your day sitting down just doesn't have the same appeal. Sitting on top of sitting on top of sitting. As if we don't get enough of that already! While what we describe above is a popular option when it comes to practicing meditation, it is missing the point entirely to focus meditation solely on one's environment and posture. While many meditation apps available on the market today will advise you to find some place quiet and free of distraction in order to meditate, this is only because it helps in general to facilitate the ultimate goal of mindfulness and relaxation—But here's the thing about generalizations: They usually only tell one part of the story. In reality, meditation can be done practically anywhere at any time. One of our favorite ways to meditate is through movement! Walking meditation, also known as kinhin, can be a great way to break up the monotony of a sedentary lifestyle. We find that it is most effective when combined with a seated meditation practice, but are also wary to suggest that meditation be an all or nothing sport. If you're looking for a great way to begin to incorporate mindfulness and meditation into your everyday life—Or if you need a change to your seated meditation routine—Then this life-giving practice is for you! Not so much a practice to completely empty one's mind, the real benefits to meditation center around reducing stress, anxiety, depression and pain while increasing peace, perceptiveness, self-esteem and well-being. Much of this is achieved through the meditational practice of mindfulness, which refers to the quality or state of being conscious or aware of something. So much of the emotional baggage we carry is tied to latent trauma and subconscious insecurity. A mindful meditation practice is a safe way to train your mind to acknowledge these insecurities and, better yet, let them go! It's also an important and intentional part of walking meditation. Keep in mind as you go that mindfulness—as with all changes in deep thought habits—is meant to improve the more you practice it. In other words, don't feel discouraged if your first walk around the block doesn't go so hot. We suggest you start with 10 minute each day for one week, then re-evaluate how you feel! Here's what you're going to do: 1.       Find a Safe Place to Walk For this, the busiest road in your neighborhood may not be the best choice. Find a quiet neighborhood or your favorite park—Some place where you're not likely to be run over by bikes, cars, or skateboards.  Oh yeah, and we almost forgot: For this, put the cell phone on silent and leave the earbuds at home. 2.       Walk! It's really that simple. To start, we recommend taking note of where you begin and choosing a point in the distance—Perhaps a lamp post or simply a set of 10-15 paces in front of you. When you reach this point, turn around and go back to where you begin. Note how the world feels similar yet different as you retrace your steps through this renewed perspective. When you get back to where you began, go ahead and breathe for as long as you deem necessary. Feel the fresh air fill and leave your lungs. 3.       Mind Your Pace Walking meditation is meant to synchronize the body with the mind. Pay attention to how your body feels as you pick up one foot and then the other. Your gait should feel natural and free. In other words, walk the way your body wants to walk. Choose a speed that feels natural. Slowness is key. For the purposes of meditation, we are not concerned with aerobic activity or distance. If you feel led, take a moment to pause and explore these muscles: flex your ankle, lift your knees, squat, swing your arms and shift your weight from one foot to the other. Notice all the things your body does for you on a daily basis without your even realizing it. Acknowledge any aches or pains you might feel. (Note: Do NOT push through any pain! See your doctor if pain persists.) Gently lean into any stretch that feels stiff or uncomfortable. 4.       Breathe Notice how your breathe lines up with your gait. Thank the universe for providing you with this life-giving air to fuel your muscles and feed your brain! As you move along in your practice, briefly experiment with different levels of aerobic intensity. Notice how your breath will follow suit. Overtime, you may find that this awareness extends to your everyday life! Did this post speak to your heart or teach you something new? Social Pods still has spots available to welcome new clients into our community! Email me here if you're ready to find the Connection, Love, Growth, and Support that will allow your inner self to fully shine and embrace all that your life has to offer you! Social Pods supports your life's journey.   Did you love this post? Consider sending us a little love back! Try out our latest Social Pods Certified Facilitator led support group platform. 1-week free trial and for $25/week attend as many sessions (we call it Pods) you like, register now!   Tue, 21 Dec 2021 06:00:00 GMT http://mysocialpods.com/blog/4399/Why-You-Should-Incorporate-Walking-Meditation-Into-Your-Everyday--Today- http://mysocialpods.com/Client-Testimonials testimonial Beginner Meditation was perfect for me and my wife. It is simple under 15 minutes and I am able to sustain and thrive through most of the day. I recommend this to anyone! And also, keep listening to them whenever you have some time and continue the practice for long term sustainability of the peace you experience. Mon, 12 Sep 2022 10:50:30 GMT http://mysocialpods.com/Client-Testimonials http://mysocialpods.com/Client-Testimonials testimonial 7 day meditation is a great first step towards easing into meditation if you are doing it for the first time. These are simple short meditations helped me listen to them everyday and I continue to do so. Highly recommended! Mon, 12 Sep 2022 10:34:10 GMT http://mysocialpods.com/Client-Testimonials http://mysocialpods.com/Client-Testimonials testimonial The 7 day Beginner's meditation and other advance, specialized products offered by Social Pods helped me rewire, focus more on what I really want in life and re-invent myself. Now, I live most of my awake moments with appreciation, gratitude to live in positive energy/emotion and attract positive people and experiences is life. I have also taken private sessions with Krupalini and I would recommend her to anyone who are feeling lost in their life, depressed, anxious about the future, addictive or just want a live life to the fullest. She has the knack of by aligning you to your true north and this come out in her products as well. Mon, 12 Sep 2022 02:01:01 GMT http://mysocialpods.com/Client-Testimonials http://mysocialpods.com/Client-Testimonials testimonial "Working with Krupalini was a life changing experience. She helped me to reach new heights in my career and to finally succeed at long-standing personal goals. She is extremely personable and has the ability to connect with her clients quickly and to begin work with them at whatever stage they're in at the time. She is trustworthy, always encouraging, and a patient and insightful guide through life experiences in pursuit of goals and dreams. She also offers good value and high integrity. I couldn't have asked for a better guide in my life. She has now started to productize her tools, techniques that she has learned by passionately serving many people like me. I will absolutely recommend taking the steps that she advises in her curated products one level at a time. I review the products and it takes you through step by step process to reach your full potential, exactly the way she dealt with me personally. You can avoid all the time, money and energy that would take decades on researching, trying and testing out techniques and practices that actually work." Mon, 12 Sep 2022 01:31:53 GMT http://mysocialpods.com/Client-Testimonials http://mysocialpods.com/Client-Testimonials testimonial " 7 day Beginner's meditation helped me take the first step to start my inwards journey. This has led to get to the know Krupalini personally as well. She is very intuitive, kind, genuine and knowledgeable! I've trusted Krupalini and have always had my expectations surpassed. Her passion for supporting and guiding her clients shines through her dedication and professionalism. She's truly one of a kind! I sincerely recommend any and all products she has curated with loads of love and passion for people and to reach the masses at an affordable cost" Mon, 12 Sep 2022 01:24:05 GMT http://mysocialpods.com/Client-Testimonials