Some people consider their problems to come from outside conditions. They try in vain to change the world surrounding them in hope things will improve. This seldom works because their thoughts are out of alignment.

It was the French-born novelist Anais Nin who said: “You do not see the world as it is. You see it as you are.”

What you hold in mind comes to life irrespective of your preferences.

Life is a mirror; its reflection shines your image back to you.

“External conditions mirror internal conditions, so straightening your room settles internal disorder” affirms authors Charlene Belitz and Meg Lundstrom in, The Power of Flow: Practical Ways to Transform Your Life with Meaningful Coincidence.

If you agree the world is volatile, you will look for evidence to substantiate this.

You might tune into the news and hear of unfortunate incidents that confirm your beliefs.

Conversations with Thomas is produced by Adam Ma.

Glimmers are those tiny, seemingly insignificant moments when you feel a sense of joy, pleasure, peace, and gratitude. They’re often catalyzed by simple, daily things like petting an animal, taking a hot shower, or listening to the rain outside your window.

The term “glimmers” was coined by Deb Dana, a licensed clinical social worker who specializes in complex trauma.

In her 2018 book, The Polyvagal Theory in Therapy, Dana notes that glimmers aren’t grand experiences, she says, “They’re micro moments that begin to shape our system in very gentle ways.”

If we pay attention, we’ll see that glimmers are everywhere. Everyone experiences them differently.

Think of a moment you had—no matter how fleeting it might have been—where you felt safe and connected, whether with yourself or with others. Glimmers will feel a little different in everyone’s bodies, but they’re generally those warm-and-fuzzy feelings where you feel cozy and safe.

Conversations with Thomas is produced by Adam Ma.

During this podcast I share some thoughts on resilience - what it is, what it isn’t.

I challenge the notion that we always have to be resilient, but what if being tough isn’t always the answer.

And l share some tips - in what I call “The Bounce Factor,” my 4-steps to “bouncing back.”

Resilience will help you find joy in self-transformation, showing you ways to become more positive, hard-working, and face hardship with the kind of bravery and optimism that will get you through any challenge.

Resilience helps to build skills to have you endure hardship and it means being able to adapt to life's misfortunes and setbacks.

When something goes wrong, do you tend to bounce back or fall apart?

When you have resilience, you harness the inner strength that helps you rebound from a setback or challenge, such as a job loss, an illness, a disaster or a loved one's death.

If you lack resilience, you might get stuck on problems or feel like a victim. You might feel burdened or turn to ways to cope that aren't healthy, such as drug or alcohol use, eating disorders, or risky behaviors.

Resilience won't make your problems go away. But resilience can help you see past them, find ways to enjoy life and better handle stress. If you aren't as resilient as you'd like to be, you can learn skills to become more resilient.

Conversations with Thomas is produced by Adam Ma.