In this special holiday podcast, I ask the central question: Are You Peace on Earth?

We live in an externalized society where everyone seeks peace but fails to find it. We fight, we strive and we even go to war, chasing that ever-elusive desire for "Peace on Earth."

However, true peace begins in our hearts.

Listen in to my podcast that breaks down the meaning of peace and invites you to experience it for yourself. Be sure to stay tuned till the end of this podcast. You'll want to meet a host of listeners and friends who share their holiday wishes with you!  

#PeaceOnEarth #Holidays #Happiness #NewYear

It’s easy to get caught up in stereotypes, those widely held but preconceived notions we use to categorize people or ideas into fixed boxes.

Stereotypes provide us with easy ways to identify each other and communicate in general terms, but they also contain a downside. When improperly applied, they cause us to limit our understanding of others and run the risk of having others limit their understanding of us.

We often find ourselves assimilating into one group, culture, ideology, religion or philosophy. We enjoy being part of a clan or associated with like-minded or familiar groups. However, without opening ourselves to inquiry and generous reflection, we can sometimes wrongly assume that one member of a group is exactly like another.

In this podcast, I share two ways in which I experienced the use of stereotypes in my own life. May they help you explore your own thoughts, attitudes and belief systems. Doing so may cause you to open the doors of light of your own identity plus revisit notions you’ve held concerning other people’s identities.

Then, listen in to Bryan Rivera from the Bronx, NY share what makes him happy from the inside out, too.  

#Stereotyping #Labeling #PoliticalCorrectness #Happiness #EmotionalIntelligence #Culture

If you’ve ever felt disenchanted, disillusioned or even critical of experts and authorities, consider looking to yourself as a new source.

In a busy world, we often surrender our talents and ideas to others. We take a passive approach to the greater world, viewing it like observers watching an on-stage performance rather than actively playing a role of our own.

Listen as I share two seminal personalities from the past and how they helped inspire me to play a role in our current culture and marketplace of ideas. Then, I invite you to use your own imagination. Ignite some of your latent talents and untapped abilities to “be who you really want to be” in the world.

Afterward, listen in to music maker Vicky Fulop share what makes her happy from the inside out, too.

#SelfDevelopment #Leadership #SelfGovernance #Authenticity #Happiness #Maura4u

We all look forward to receiving gifts that excite our senses and surprise us in positive ways. But what happens when the “gift” we encounter has nothing to do with our perceptions of good?

In this podcast, we explore how life’s curve balls can actually bring us some unexpected gifts in the form of personal benefits. In it, I share a story from several years ago that turned a good portion of my life, thoughts, spirituality and even sense of self on its head. During the process, I was forced to face certain personal issues and hidden fears that needed some introspection.

As painful and grievous as the process felt, I gained greatly and emerged far freer, stronger and happier.

Whether you’re facing separation, sickness, economic loss or something else that stings you today, tune in to this inspiring and hopeful podcast.

Don't forget to share this podcast with a friend who may be in need!

Also, check out my additional resources on this topic:

My Huffington Post blog: The Flip Side of Giving Thanks

My Maura4u YouTube video: Do You Know What a Gem You Are

Then, listen in to Nick from Manchester, U.K. who shares with us what makes him happy from the inside out, too!  

#Thanksgiving #Gratefulness #Spirituality #Attitude #EmotionalIntelligence #Happiness #Peace

The contrast between polarity and peace came into sharp focus recently with the 2016 U.S. Presidential election process and the division and strife that followed.

In this timely, yet evergreen, episode, we take a look at the distinctions between what it feels like to live in polarity and what it’s like to abide in peace.

Discover how peace is not the opposite of someone else’s position. Instead, it paves a third path for anyone seeking inner happiness. Choosing to live in peace provides us opportunity to think, envision and operate in ways that promote new outcomes and increase our sense of personal agency.

Learn more about living in peace here.

Then, find out what makes a street drummer on NYC’s High Line happy from the inside out, too.

#PresidentialElection #Trump #Hillary #Peace #Inspiration #Empowerment #Hope

When it comes to living happy from the inside out, inspiration plays a major role in the process.

In this podcast, we’ll explore several meanings for the word that help provide familiarity with the emotions, energies and atmospheres that accompany inspiration.

Next, I share two personal stories that demonstrate how inspiration (or the lack of it) plays a part in our human experience. As I talk about both a private discourse and a public event, you’ll learn how individuals felt, responded and reacted as a result of feeling more -- or less – inspired.

Be empowered in your own life as you grow more mindful and cognizant of the power of inspiration. Not only will you find it a means to greater happiness, but you’ll see how it opens the door to so much more in the realm of positive possibilities.

Then, listen to Alex Okoroji from Nigeria as she shares what makes her happy from the inside out, too.

 #Inspiration #Happiness #Peacefulness #Empowerment #Mindfulness #Empowerment #Maura4u

When defining yourself as generous- or not - do you restrict the meaning of the word to giving others big presents or large sums of money?

The concept of generosity carries far greater meaning, one that starts with the heart. In fact, when distilled down to its earlier roots, generosity actually points to the “great soul” within us, one that finds varied ways to express itself liberally in the world.

In this podcast, learn some of the finer attributes that constitute generosity. Discover also how we can see ourselves in grander and more gracious fashion, even when others around us are having trouble viewing themselves well.

Expect to connect with peace, happiness and a greater measure of well being.

Then, listen in as Diane Kutz shares with us what makes her happy from the inside out, too.

#Happiness #Spirituality #SelfDevelopment #Gratitude #Generosity #Peace

Most of us absorb and assimilate into cultures that surround us, but did you know you have a role to play in creating culture, too?

We don’t often think about the word, but it provides a powerful topic for anyone wishing to influence positive shift or desiring a more satisfying life experience.

In this podcast, we’ll explore some of the definitions of culture. I’ll also share two of my personal stories about how I’ve been a recipient of positive culture and how I had to become a creator of one as well.

Prepare to be inspired, empowered and uplifted as you imagine ways you can create culture in your world.

Then, listen in to University of South Florida student Sebastian Blumberg share what makes him happy from the inside out, too.

In an externalized world, we often seek life everywhere but at its source: our essence!

Discover some of the intriguing and powerful definitions for this little referenced word. Learn how it addresses and points to some of the intrinsic and desirable properties of who we truly are. If you’ve been looking to increase your sense of happiness and connect with your true life, tune in to this latest podcast which is all about your “be-ing” rather than your do-ing.

Then, listen to Guy Djoken, director of the UNESCO Center for Peace, share what makes him happy from the inside out, too.

If you’ve ever baked cookies with a cookie cutter, you’ll know exactly where this message is heading.

In this light hearted podcast, I talk about the well-intentioned but sometimes limited paths we occupy because of our upbringing and “cookie cutter” social training. As a result, many of us leave extra cookie dough on the kitchen’s cutting room table. We’ve forgotten to cook up our life with self-expressed flavorings, spices and flair.

Listen as I share a bit about zumba instructor Debbie Rivas who grew out of her own cookie cutter upbringing. Drawing upon an early but unfulfilled desire to become a teacher, she continues to grow and express her life in new and fun ways toward that end. Doing so, she’s become her own kind of cookie – a happy one.

Then, listen to author Brenda Martin share what makes her happy from the inside out, too!