The LightHeart Institute

self-empowerment

Can Fasting Build Self-esteem?

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Woman with her arms raisedThe notion of “sacrifice” is oft unheard of in today’s society. Giving up, or intentionally delaying something pleasurable for a greater good or purpose, doesn’t quite make the front page headlines, or impress most friends. But the act of engaging in delayed gratification or giving something up does build our self-esteem and speak loudly to our soul.

Former Newark mayor and 2013 elected Senator, Cory A. Booker, illustrated this when he chose, after everything else failed,  to fast from food in an effort to break illegal drug trafficking in his district’s neighborhood surrounding poor high-rise projects. Twelve large men, correctional officers from a nearby facility, showed up to protect him from the anger, stones, sticks, food, and feces thrown at his tent the first night. The result…after two weeks of fasting, hundreds of people from all walks of life came together to take their city back…citizens with imams, rabbis, priests, and ministers prayed for peace and activated a plan to improve their neighborhood.

Cory’s act of delayed gratification resulted in great good. When we positively influence others, our self-esteem rises.

Does fasting or sacrificing build self-esteem? Try it and let us know what you think.

The Power of Vulnerability

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Dr. Brené Brown is a research professor at the University of Houston Graduate College of Social Work. She has spent the past ten years studying vulnerability, courage, authenticity, and shame. She spent the first five years of her decade-long study focusing on shame and empathy, and is now using that work to explore a concept that she calls Wholeheartedness. She poses the questions:

How do we learn to embrace our vulnerabilities and imperfections so that we can engage in our lives from a place of authenticity and worthiness? How do we cultivate the courage, compassion, and connection that we need to recognize that we are enough – that we are worthy of love, belonging, and joy?

Click on the link below to hear her speak!

Click on the link below to hear her speak!

The Power of Vulnerability

(Source: TED: Ideas Worth Spreading)

Touch the Sky!

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Come and join us June 28 & 29, 2013 for our event Touch The Sky!

A multi-day conference featuring New York Times best-selling authors, national and local experts, and highly-acclaimed musicians, designed to equip Rochester and beyond with tools of self-empowerment, self-awareness and self-care. Check out our line-up at LightHeart.com/touchthesky.