Transforming Life's Algorithm

Following a very "dramatic" 2020, I found myself reflecting on what held my focus and fed my soul versus what trapped my attention through worry and depleted my energy, leaving me completely exhausted. Upon reflection, it occurred to me this balancing act of what I allow into my physical, emotional, and spiritual state is not unlike the variables contained in an algorithm.

An algorithm is a process or set of rules to be followed in calculations or other problem-solving operations. Usually algorithms are used for computing some output and many of us hear about the impact of algorithms in social media. Data points are collected to understand what websites we visit, what articles we read, what content or products we consume, and who we “follow” whether they are friends, leaders, or people of influence. Those same algorithms then influence what additional content, adds, or suggestions are put before us to consume. By understanding behaviors of choices, our algorithm brings us more of what it thinks we want and desire. In spiritual terms, like attracts like. What we think about we bring about.

Content that Feeds Discontentment

When we consider the computations' outputs impact our brain, behavioral patterns, and create compulsive desires, do we really want them to be heavily laced with all the negative content? Is the content we consume bringing us greater contentment? I see people taking breaks from social media overwhelmed by the negativity, the messages of fear or hate, and the energy suck it creates in their life. Until recently I never fully understood the need to step away. My social media presence, limited though it may be is magnificent. When I log in I see positive messages and affirmations that inspire and motivate. I read feel good stories that warm my heart. I hear from "friends" and "followers" that I love and who love me. I see content I "👍", "😍" or that makes me "😂". You see within my social media bubble there is light, love, gratitude, and typically calm.

Oh baby did I flounder bigtime in 2020, caught off-guard by distractions and emotions that slowly caused imbalance in my life. My attention was constantly pulled between the pandemic, the momentum of the Black Lives Matter movement, and the divisive US election process. Against better judgement I started watching the news, something I haven’t actively done the past 10 years. I wanted to be informed in order to feel educated or perhaps more accurately, empowered through information. What I didn’t realize was that I introduced new variables to my equation, and thus my outputs began to alter and my reality became infiltrated and disformed. Slowly my algorithm allowed in the ugliness of the world in technicolor. I was not practicing mindfulness so unconsciously my thoughts began to shift because where "attention goes, energy flows."

It's not that the uplifting and loving messages disappeared, they were still present, but now the clarity of my bubble was muddied by debate, division, fear, political unrest, violence, oppositions, anxiety, illness, death, mistrust, and experiences that overwhelm and overstimulate. My positive bubble of light let in negativity, and the obvious contrast to my desired state and actual state left me exhausted. My bubble of loving protection had popped.

Choosing Change Consciously

As I meditated recently it hit me. Just as I allowed the algorithm to mutate based on what I chose to consume, so too could I change my choices, and transform my algorithm. Each moment is a chance to begin a new with conscious intent. In life the slate is never fully wiped clear, but you must let go of what isn't serving you to make space for what matters. In this case I literally went about cutting ties to sites, content, and in some cases people who were feeding an algorithm outcome I no longer desired. I purposefully, carefully, and consciously made choices to shift my attention, and reinvested in the images, stories, relationships, beliefs, and energies that would fuel my body and mind for the better. I sought out a healthier me and began to create a new bubble.

I laugh since it's the new year, because it feels like while others hit the gym to achieve a desired external appearance for wellness, I went on a social media cleanse for my wellness journey. I chose to diet from unhealthy content. Much like eating behaviors, I can't undo the "empty calories" consumed last year or go back to change my lazy behaviors that allowed my emotional state to dim, but I forgive myself and start making better choices now. I can shed what's weighed me down by slowly removing the bad behaviors and fueling myself in 2021 with positive variables. But it can't be a fad diet, temporary and rebounding. It must be sustainable, and for that I need to have clarity on why I'm doing it, and what will motivate me to keep going.

I strongly envision a new algorithm of positive influence on my human experience. I must mindfully and purposefully change what content, life experiences, and most importantly thoughts or ideas I consume. Furthermore, I must understand their impact on my mind, body, and spirit. I must choose what I read, what links I click, what friendships I nurture, what jobs I perform, what organizations I support, what leaders I trust, and what variables I allow to remain in my algorithm. All the while I must keep paying attention to how I feel. When I feel whole, I can be a light for myself and others.

Instead of worrying about "followers" or "friends" (most of whom I haven't seen or heard from in years) I chose to focus on following my internal guidance for my highest good. I can connect to friends, connect with information, and consume content with greater balance, but I will not blindly FOLLOW anymore. I will lead myself. I determine the outcome of my life, the level of my happiness and contentment. I will focus my energy and let it flow toward greater abundance, and joy.

The change within must go beyond changing external conditions in your life. And in my past experience one of the easiest ways to forge a new path and shift my focus is to start with gratitude. A daily practice of gratitude on what I have, what is going well, what hopes remain, and what focused my thoughts on love, abundance, health, and prosperity ground me in the algorithm I want for my life.

How You Shift Focus with an Attitude of Gratitude

Change isn't always immediate, but I promise if you shift focus in the now toward a better feeling thought, you will feel the difference.

Here's how:

Start by making a list of everything you're grateful for, both tangible and intangible. Write about"

• comfort objects in your home you enjoy like your bed, favorite book, or houseplant

• conveniences like hot water, electricity, easy transportation

• people who uplift and support you, and people with whom you enjoy interacting

• places or environments where you feel safe or inspired

• examples of kindness received in the form of generosity, compliments, or unsolicited assistance received, from past or present

• examples of joyful opportunities you've had in your life such as your education, ability to travel, and jobs you've completed or currently hold that helped you grow

• things you like about yourself, the qualities and traits that make up your morals and ethics

• positive qualities or traits you hope others see in you

• your beliefs and truths that positively shape your experience, such as spiritual beliefs, prayers, mantras, or practices that ground you in hope, love, and light and general humanity

And after filling 2-3 pages with gratitude, joys, and positive beliefs, notice how you feel. Do you feel grounded, lighter, empowered, confident, secure, and/or calm? Do you feel connected to the best version of yourself?

Staying Aligned Sustainably

With a vibration realignment rooted in gratitude, a positive shift takes place. For me after a few short weeks my algorithm on social media feels restored, and I feel reinvigorated. I continue to add, consume, and receive content that uplifts me, inspires me to be and do better, helps guide me on a brighter path, and leaves me feeling emotions of love, joy, hope, and gratitude.

There is an immediate benefit in adding new variables to my life, but the long term benefit of taking time to check in and be mindful is invaluable. In practicing mindfulness regularly, and recognizing the imbalance to my emotions or negative influences I’m able to take action. I create and manifest a better tomorrow, by choosing better thoughts and feelings in the now. Any feelings of anxiety, fear, uncertainty, or doubt, that arise, are offset or easily dismissed when I return to gratitude, appreciation for all I have, love and admiration for positive people in my life, hope for a better tomorrow, and renewed motivation knowing my choices and my thoughts are what influence my reality. No external condition, internet influencer, isolated event, should hold more space in my mind, than my internal condition. Nothing is more crucial to my happiness than the thoughts that influence my wellbeing and the action I take to practice mindfulness every day!

Take Action

If like me 2020 got you in a funk, forgive yourself and start taking conscious action to improve your life. If you'd like help in restoring your energetic balance, removing mental barriers to a happier you, or for guidance on building mindfulness practices schedule a free consultation session so we can get discuss a customized plan toward a better and brighter you!