Protect Your Peace

🎧 Episode 132: Protect Your Peace

In this episode of Evoke Greatness, I talk about the topic of protecting our mental and emotional well-being in an increasingly noisy and negative world. Drawing from personal experiences and backed by recent research, I offer practical advice on how to guard your heart and mind while still being a positive influence on others.

I share valuable insights on:

• The interconnectedness of our emotions and the energies we absorb from others
• The importance of being mindful about what we allow into our "ear gates" and "eye gates"
• How to protect ourselves from negative influences without becoming isolated
• The power of intentionally spreading positivity in our daily interactions

🔑 Key takeaways:

1. We have the ability to absorb emotions and energies from those around us
2. Limiting exposure to negative news and media can significantly reduce anxiety and depression
3. Short nature walks can effectively reduce stress and improve mood
4. Guarding your heart doesn't mean isolating yourself, but being intentional about influences
5. We have the power to shape our reality and positively influence others

💡 Quotes to remember: "Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it." - Proverbs 4:23

"You have the power to protect your own peace and at the same time, be mindful of others' peace too."

📚 Resources Mentioned:

• Journal of Happiness Studies (research on news consumption and mental health)
• University of British Columbia study on nature walks and stress reduction

Whether you're struggling with negativity in your environment, seeking to improve your mental health, or aiming to be a more positive influence on others, this episode offers practical strategies and inspiration. Remember, by guarding your heart and mind, you're not just improving your own life, but potentially uplifting those around you as well!

A rising tide raises all ships, and I invite you along on this journey to Evoke Greatness!

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Chapters

• 0:05 Protecting Peace
• 7:35 Spreading the Message of Greatness

Transcript

Speaker 1: 0:05

Welcome to Evoke Greatness. We are officially entering year three of this podcast and I am filled with so much gratitude for each and every one of you who've joined me on this incredible journey of growth and self-discovery. I'm Sunny, your host and fellow traveler on this path of personal evolution. This podcast is a sanctuary for the curious, the ambitious and the introspective. It's for those of you who, like me, are captivated by the champion mindset and driven by an insatiable hunger for growth and knowledge. Whether you're just beginning your journey or you're well along your path, you're going to find stories here that resonate with your experiences and aspirations. Over the last two years, we've shared countless stories of triumph and challenge, of resilience and transformation. We've laughed, we've reflected and we've grown together. And as we've evolved, so too has this podcast. Remember, no matter what chapter you're on in your own story, you belong here. This community we've built together is a place of support, inspiration and shared growth. Where intention goes, energy flows, and the energy you bring to this space elevates us all. So, whether you're listening while commuting, working out or enjoying your morning coffee, perhaps from one of those motivational mugs I'm so fond of, know that you're a part of something special. Thank you for being here. Thank you for your curiosity, your openness and your commitment to personal growth. As we embark on year three, I invite you to lean in, to listen deeply and to let these stories resonate with your soul. I believe that a rising tide raises all ships, and I invite you along in this journey to evoke greatness.

Speaker 1: 1:57

Welcome back to another episode of Evoke Greatness, the podcast that inspires you to step into your best self and make a positive impact on the world around you. I'm your host, sunny, and today I want to talk about a topic that is crucial for both our mental health and our emotional well-being. That's, being mindful of the energies we absorb and protecting our peace. We've all experienced it. You know that feeling. After spending time with someone who's constantly negative or complaining. You walk away feeling drained, maybe even a little down on yourself, but on the flip side, you think about how you feel after being around somebody who's upbeat and encouraging. It's like their positive energy is contagious. Right, it's because we're all interconnected and we have the ability to absorb the emotions and energies of those around us, and while this can be a beautiful thing when we're surrounded by positivity, it can also be detrimental if we're not careful. The Bible speaks to this in Proverbs 4.23, and it says above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. Above all else, guard your heart for everything you do flows from it. This scripture reminds me of the importance of protecting our inner selves, our thoughts, our emotions and our spirit, protecting all of those things from negative influences.

Speaker 1: 3:16

I want to share a story that really drove this point home for me. Recently, I was having a conversation with my son about music and about his music and its ability to influence our mindset. We talked about how the lyrics and the rhythms we consistently expose ourselves to it can really shape our thoughts and attitudes. And the thing is, it's not just about music, though. It's about being cautious of what we allow through our ear gates and our eye gates, in other words, what we listen to and what we watch. Brings me into another important point, and that's, you know, something that we're constantly exposed to in today's world.

Speaker 1: 3:52

We are constantly being bombarded with information, and, unfortunately, a lot of it is negative. The news, social media, even casual conversations can be filled with just pessimism and drama, and then Lord have mercy. Right now it's the election season. It's even worse Intentionally negative narratives flying from all directions. And so here's my advice Do yourself a favor and limit your exposure to these sources of negativity. Shut your TV off, take a break from the doom scrolling, from scrolling through news sites. Instead, pick up a book, go outside, get some fresh air, go for a walk, go for a hike, listen to a great podcast like this one, and sprinkle some good into your brain. Recent research shows that this approach is really actually pretty darn effective. The Journal of Happiness studies found that individuals who limited their daily news consumption to 10 minutes reported significantly lower levels of anxiety and depression compared to those who consumed news for longer periods, and another study from the University of British Columbia showed that a 15-minute nature walk can significantly reduce stress levels and improve your overall mood.

Speaker 1: 5:14

Now it's important to note that being mindful of our energy doesn't mean we have to be isolated and ignore the realities of the world around us. It's about finding a balance and being intentional about what we allow to influence us. Remember some people. They just might be committed to misunderstanding you. Some people might try to invite you into their negativity or misery. Here's the thing Don't let them. You have the power to protect your own peace and, at the same time, be mindful of others' peace too. You have the incredible ability to be a positive influence that can change someone else's day for the better.

Speaker 1: 5:50

As we wrap up today's episode, I want to leave you with this challenge, a challenge to step into your higher self, that version of you that wants to contribute to making this life better, not just for you, but for everyone around you. Ask yourself how can I guard my own energy while also being a source of positivity for others? Maybe it's by starting your day with meditation or prayer, quiet time where you really get intentional and you set the tone for your day, before the rest of the world kind of comes barreling at you. Perhaps it's by consciously choosing to compliment someone each day. I went through this phase where, when I would see someone with, like, a beautiful outfit on or a great smile, I would make sure that I complimented them every time. And what is so fascinating is to see someone's whole body, their physicality, change when you compliment them. What a gift to be able to give away freely. It could even be as simple as smiling at strangers when you pass them by on the street, like whatever it is, commit to it for the next week and see how it changes not only your own outlook but the energy that you put out into the world. Remember you have the power to shape your reality and influence those around you. So choose wisely around what you allow into your heart and mind and let your positivity ripple out to touch the lives of others. Guard your heart, spread positivity and be intentional as you go out there each day and step into your greatness. Thank you so much for listening and for being here on this journey with me. I hope you'll stick around If you liked this episode.

Speaker 1: 7:35

It would mean the world for me if you would rate and review the podcast or share it with someone you know. Many need to hear this message. I love to hear from you all and want you to know that you can leave me a voicemail directly. If you go to my website, evokegreatnesscom, and go to the contact me tab, you'll just hit the big old orange button and record your message. I love the feedback and comments that I've been getting, so please keep them coming. I'll leave you with the wise words of author Robin Sharma Greatness comes by doing a few small and smart things each and every day. It comes from taking little steps consistently. It comes from making a few small chips against everything in your professional and personal life that is ordinary, so that a day eventually arrives when all that's left is the extraordinary.