July 2019

How you choose to handle adversity says a lot about you. At some moment, many of us realize that life is short, not in years but in the opportunity to explore the infinite. This reflection reigns true as last week marked the 30th anniversary of my father’s death. As a little girl without coping mechanisms, the tragedy threw me into a state of depression and withdrawal from life. Life spiraled downwards. It wasn’t until ten years later, senior year of college, that a light bulb turned on. From that point on, living life to the fullest became reality. I chose where I wanted to go. I decided not to pursue a PhD. I chose to explore Europe by train with only a backpack for a month after graduation. That one experience in itself set the stage to travel internationally with ease for the rest of my life. At that pivotal moment, I chose to live a different way. Instead of taking pity on myself, I realized that life is short. I began traveling the world to explore what else was out there. Learning about other cultures provided perspective that few see. My father’s death while tragic led me to become independent and go after opportunities far beyond my reach. The lessons learned in adversity is what makes you grow as a human being. In any situation, we have the choice to let tragedy bring us down or to rise up into something new. Let adversity be a guiding path on your next steps. What will you choose today? Wishing you an abundant, joyful and prosperous day! Lora Polowczuk Chief Energy Officer © Priority Retreats International

Ever dealt with a problem so long it became part of your everyday?​​​​​​​ ​​​​​​​ Jack wakes up every morning with neck pain and achy hips. This has been going on for well over a decade. One morning, the pain was so bad that it caused a migraine headache rendering him unable to work or function as an adult that day. His latest chiropractor adjustment lasted less than 24 hours. Jack screamed to the world, “Enough is enough. I’m sick of this.” ​​​​​​​ ​​​​​​​Jack looked into some new body work treatments. That night barely able to drive, he walked into a mattress store and tested several mattresses. He has wanted a new mattress for well over 3 years but never got around to it. ​​​​​​​ ​​​​​​​The following week after trying a new body work modality and sleeping on a new mattress, Jack felt rejuvenated and refreshed. He learned to not wait to explore something new. How long do you wait before you test a different approach? Hours? Days? Months? Years? The speed of your decisions reflect your willingness to change your path. Wishing you an abundant, joyful and prosperous day! Lora Polowczuk Chief Energy Officer © Priority Retreats International

When you wake up in the morning, does your mind chatter automatically turn into how much you dread the day’s events or activities? ​​​​​​​ Instead, think about what’s going to excite you today. ​​​​​​​ Maybe it’s getting your creative juices going with a new project? Perhaps it’s meeting with a new client, perhaps you’re attending a fundraiser for your favorite charity, or maybe you’re taking a walk with your favorite pal, or, maybe it’s cheering on your child at a sporting event. ​​​​​​​ Wow! The magical ah-ha moment. Choose your attitude. This seems so simple yet how often do we practice this. What is often common sense is rarely common practice. An attitude of dread sets you into a down ward spiral.  Here’s why to shift into a different mindset: ​​​​​​​ Let’s think about this for a minute. What attitude will you choose for the day? You may wonder, why does this matter? ​​​​​​What’s the impact of choosing my attitude? ​​​​​​​ It’s about the energy you bring into the situation or activity. If you’re excited about something, you bring a sense of awe, amazement, wonder, and uplifting energy. You’re present in the here and now. If you’re dreading it, you bring a sense of low energy, don’t care, lack of engagement. The true question is, what type of energy do you want to bring to a conversation, your work environment, your partner, your friends? With excitement, the energy feels inviting and engaging, while dread comes across as stand-off.  Which would you rather be around? Excitement of course! Think about it. Even house cleaning can made fun with some music and dance. I’ve definitely been known shake my hips while mopping the floor. What can you do to bring fun into the mundane activities? How can changing your attitude change the energy of those around you? ​​​​​​​ Want to know more about up-leveling your energy or need help with this? Allow me to assist you in identifying ways to create an excitement filled, fun loving, bouncing for joy type of day! ​​​​​​​ You can do it! I believe in you.  Wishing you an abundant, joyful and prosperous day! ​​​​​​​ Lora Polowczuk Chief Energy Officer © Priority Retreats International ​​​​​​​

Throughout personal development, most people are taught to go after their wants, their deepest desires.  Personal development teaches people to go after their wants and desires. Even the famous Napoleon Hill, gives the 6 Steps to Turn Desire into Reality. Yet, here’s how this differs.  Jill’s biggest want was to get her health back. She’d spent over a year slowly restoring her body. In recent weeks, she felt fabulous, re-energized and ready to take on the world. Jill started testing her capabilities in the mountains were she felt serenity yet challenged herself in new ways. But, soon, Jill overdid it. Her neck and shoulder pain became unbearable giving rise to debilitating headaches. In turn, this kept her from focusing on intently on work tasks, missing commitment, and leaving her home a complete wreck, with dirty dishes and clothes everywhere. Jill took a few days off of physical activity with the hope to hike again the following weekend.  As the weekend approached, Jill wanted to go hiking, even if it was a short distance. Yet, her body needed rest. Jill slept ten hours Friday night, giving her body the rest it truly craved. Gripping with disappointment, she accepted the reality that a walk along the creek would work for physical movement. Jill delighted in seeing the bright pink milk thistle bloom, listening to the creek flowing with power from recent snow melt, and moving at a gentle welcoming pace to allow circulation throughout her body. This was exactly what she needed.  In the end, Jill accepted the reality that her body required rest and not over exertion. In turn, this allowed her to identify that her needs were met over her want to do more in the mountains.  Accepting reality dictates whether you follow your needs versus your wants.  Wishing you an abundant, joyful and prosperous day! Lora Polowczuk Chief Energy Officer © Priority Retreats International

With the smell of Independence Day in the air, most people think about whether they have or don’t have freedom in their lives. Yet, most don’t realize that freedom is a choice. It’s not something anyone, any government gives you. And, most of all it’s up to you to execute your freedom daily. While visiting Robbins Island in South Africa where Nelson Mandela and others where imprisoned for decades, gave true perspective in how they chose to thrive not just survive. If you’ve never been, former prisoners, give you the tour. There’s an awe in how they speak about their experiences. It was a somber reminder that even through torture, prisoners chose the attitude for their day and how they treated each other. After all, he led a country after 27 years in prison. Don’t be a prisoner to your past.  Don’t be a prisoner to other’s thoughts, opinions, or actions.  Don’t be a prisoner to distractions. Despite what you are going through today, remember this:

• You have the freedom to choose how you show up daily.
• You have the freedom to choose if you react to a situation or respond.  
• You have the freedom to contact a loved one even if you have an intense workday.
• You have the freedom to utilize your time on meaningful activities or distractions.

The list goes on.  Choose wisely. This is the best way to express your freedom and give yourself power daily. It’s up to you whether or not you exercise this power.  Wishing you an abundant, joyful and prosperous day! Lora Polowczuk Chief Energy Officer © Priority Retreats International  

Photo by Eric Froehling