What if the challenges in your life were invitations to become the person you want to be? How might greater intentionality help you move through change with less fear? Could a simple daily meditation practice transform the way you lead, love, and respond to stress?

In this podcast episode, Jennifer Froemel speaks with Dr. Colleen Cira about meditation, change, and turning problems into opportunities. 

Meet Dr. Colleen Cira

In This Podcast:

• Moving into change with a little less fear 
• How to meditate for the most benefit 
• Use problems as opportunities for change

Moving into change with a little less fear

For Dr. Cira, the clearest way to step into and through change with less fear is to be intentional about your decisions and actions. 

 Be intentional about it … Like, you’re deliberately trying to learn how to surf, rather than just flapping around in the water hoping you don’t drown. I’ve certainly done both, but I have tried to be really intentional about it.

Dr. Colleen Cira

You can bring significant intentionality when you have to move through periods of fear in your life by using tools such as: 

• Practicing detachment from initial thoughts and emotions, which is another form of compassionate self-observation
• Meditation 
• Observe your thoughts rather than just “being” them 

It’s fundamentally changed my life: I don’t pick the same kind of arguments I would unconsciously pick with my husband. As a result of that, I’m a more patient mother. I feel like I’m a sturdier leader. So, meditation is one of those things that absolutely changed my life.

Dr. Colleen Cira

How to meditate for the most benefit

While there is no black-and-white right-or-wrong way to meditate, there are ways you can use it to achieve the desired results. 

Some of these include: 

• Meditating first thing in the morning or at least once a day 
• Not being rigid about meditation 
• Commit to sitting for 10 minutes, because your thoughts are at their loudest for the initial few minutes, so the benefits only kick in after some time meditating

Dr. Cira’s bottom line for meditating is: commit to at least 5 to 10 minutes, and do it at least once a day. 

Use problems as opportunities for change

Dr. Cira’s unconventional approach to problems is to see them as portals to becoming the person she wants to be. 

When Colleen encounters a problem, she knows that she can approach it the same way she’s always done and then remain the same person, or change her approach to become a new version of herself. 

This challenging moment is an opportunity for me to show up as the person I’ve always been, or to become the person I’d like to be, and I get that choice every time I have a problem.

Dr. Colleen Cira

In this way, problems can become invitations for you to evolve through and become the person you want to be, and believe you can be.

RESOURCES MENTIONED AND USEFUL LINKS

Visit Cira Centre and connect on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.

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ABOUT THE FEAR OF CHANGE PODCAST

Change can be scary, but it doesn’t have to be. The Fear of Change podcast is all about helping you embrace change and live a more fulfilling life. Hosted by Jennifer Froemel, LCPC, a therapist with nearly 30 years of experience, we cover topics like mental wellness, holistic health, and improving relationships.

Jennifer’s down-to-earth approach makes it easy to understand why we fear change and how to move past those fears. Whether you’re dealing with anxiety, relationship issues, or just feeling stuck, there’s something here for you.