Author: Craig Constantine

Vivian Carrasco: Mindset, transformation, and practice →

Published February 24, 2021  ·  All posts on Feb 24  ·  

Vivian Carrasco: Mindset, transformation, and practice

How do individuals navigate transformation and mindset shifts in their personal and professional lives, and what role does reflection and intentionality play in fostering deeper connections and growth?

Transformation is often thought of as a particular turning point, but Vivian Carrasco views it as a daily practice. She discusses stillness, shifting your mindset, and her touch stones. Vivi unpacks her thoughts on transformation, and how podcasting fits into her journey. She shares her personal practices, thoughts on success, and reflections on her beginnings and her own path.

When I was going through my transformation, the biggest pain point for me was when you have a loved one that’s closer. Even my kids are like, ‘Why are you changing? You’re good the way you are.’ That will pull you back. […] The bus is going to come again and you can get on. The one thing that I want to say to your listeners is: You didn’t miss your opportunity. It’s going to come back around. You’re being invited to open, to change, to have a new way of thinking. It’s just going to come again. You didn’t miss the bus.

~ Vivian Carrasco (30:41)

Vivian Carrasco is a wisdom teacher, mindset mentor, and podcaster based in Fort Worth, Texas. She encourages and coaches people to Love.Being.Human(tm), helping them find their truth, overcome fear, and move forward on their heart’s path. Vivian works one on one with individuals, and also created Within (U)niversity, an online platform for people to come together on their journey of living from their core.

The conversation explores the nuanced nature of personal transformation as a gradual process rooted in daily practices. It highlights the importance of stillness, patience, and self-reflection as vital tools for navigating change. The discussion ties these ideas to metaphors such as the “fan belt,” which represents interconnectedness and the continuous flow of energy between humanity and love.

Other topics include the role of movement in childhood and its connection to freedom and identity. Rituals and meaningful moments, such as family dinners, are emphasized as ways to foster connections and align with one’s values. The conversation also goes into the evolution of mindset shifts, viewing life as an iterative process similar to laundry, where growth is incremental and ongoing.

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Reflection: Day 55 →

Published February 24, 2021  ·  All posts on Feb 24

CHASTITY — “Rarely use venery but for health or offspring, never to dullness, weakness, or the injury of your own or another’s peace or reputation.” ~ Benjamin Franklin

Week three was about the practice itself of reflection; becoming aware explicitly that we are— well, practicing being aware.

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Arrived in the middle? Visit the first post, Where to begin?
(The entire series is available to download as a PDF ebook.)

Reflection: Day 54 →

Published February 23, 2021  ·  All posts on Feb 23

PRACTICE DOING NOTHING, EXQUISITELY — “No need to plan, no need to read, no need to watch something, no need to do a chore or eat while you do nothing. You will start to notice your brain’s habit of wanting to get something done. This exposes our mental habits, which is a good thing. Keep doing nothing. Sit for awhile, resisting the urge to do something. After some practice, you can get good at doing nothing, and this leads to the mental habit of contentment and gratitude.” ~ Leo Babauta

Our second week was focused on creating a new habit. Do you have your new habit attached to a trigger?

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Arrived in the middle? Visit the first post, Where to begin?
(The entire series is available to download as a PDF ebook.)

Reflection: Day 53 →

Published February 22, 2021  ·  All posts on Feb 22

TRANQUILLITY — “Be not disturbed at trifles, or at accidents common or unavoidable.” ~ Benjamin Franklin

We’re in our final week together. The first week was about creating space. 2 minutes: Pause life. Read. Think. Resume life.

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Arrived in the middle? Visit the first post, Where to begin?
(The entire series is available to download as a PDF ebook.)

Reflection: Day 52 →

Published February 21, 2021  ·  All posts on Feb 21

AM I SELF-AWARE? — The first step in my journey was realizing I was unhappy. This realization — detecting it, understanding it, believing it, surrendering to it, and finally owning it — was the first piece of bedrock on which I started building.

It’s time for the student to become the teacher. What prompts and triggers are you going to create for yourself as you go through your life being your own teacher?

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Arrived in the middle? Visit the first post, Where to begin?
(The entire series is available to download as a PDF ebook.)

Reflection: Day 51 →

Published February 20, 2021  ·  All posts on Feb 20

CLEANLINESS — “Tolerate no uncleanliness in body, clothes, or habitation.” ~ Benjamin Franklin

Do you recall the beginning of this journey? While I created the prompts and the system which you are now enjoying, how will you continue it yourself? 

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Arrived in the middle? Visit the first post, Where to begin?
(The entire series is available to download as a PDF ebook.)

Reflection: Day 50 →

Published February 19, 2021  ·  All posts on Feb 19

GET CLEAR ABOUT WHAT YOU WANT, AND SAY NO TO MORE THINGS — “We are rarely very clear on what we want. What if we became crystal clear on what we wanted in life? If we knew what we wanted to create, how we wanted to live … we could say yes to these things, and no to everything else. Saying no to more things would simplify our lives.” ~ Leo Babauta

The best choice for medium and method—for prompts, for journaling, for reflection—is whatever reliably triggers you to reflect. Make it yours; change it whenever you wish.

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Arrived in the middle? Visit the first post, Where to begin?
(The entire series is available to download as a PDF ebook.)

Reflection: Day 49 →

Published February 18, 2021  ·  All posts on Feb 18

WOULD I WANT TO GO ON A LONG CAR RIDE WITH ME? — Long car rides are a quintessential American experience. Along with the good however, comes the opportunity for bad. With others present the confined space, lack of privacy, and monotony of rolling vistas create a microcosm of life on a tiny stage. How I share that stage with the others in the car, and what specifically I do while on that stage tells all.

I like to read, and daily-study/daily-devotional books is an entire Genre. But there are also web sites, software, flip cards, … what calls to you?

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Arrived in the middle? Visit the first post, Where to begin?
(The entire series is available to download as a PDF ebook.)

Howard ‘Cosmo’ Palmer: Mindfulness, intention, and cosmonauts →

Published February 17, 2021  ·  All posts on Feb 17  ·  

Howard ‘Cosmo’ Palmer: Mindfulness, intention, and cosmonauts

How can individuals use movement, mindfulness, and intentional living to transform their lives and overcome challenges?

Against all odds, Howard ‘Cosmo’ Palmer survived serious heart problems in his childhood to become a healthy, active athlete into his 40s. he describes his childhood health journey and its effects on his life. Cosmo discusses his thoughts on changing your habits, and his personal intentions in the world. He unpacks the meaning behind his nickname and connection to cosmonauts, and shares his heroes and inspirations.

For myself is to be an example to the world that you can learn to love yourself, through what we have as life, and be whatever that means to you, and then give back.

~ Howard Palmer (13:31)

Howard ‘Cosmo’ Palmer is a self-care, meditation, and wellness advocate. Born in Jamaica, and currently living in Colorado, Cosmo uses his mindfulness and meditation practices to balance his other responsibilities: engineering, parkour, and yoga. He is passionate about helping others improve their lives through intentional, peaceful daily actions.

The conversation explores the transformative journey of overcoming childhood health challenges, focusing on how movement served as a means of freedom and self-expression. From severe early health complications to becoming an advocate for mindfulness and intention, Howard shares how physical and emotional resilience shaped his perspective on life. His philosophy of movement emphasizes the connection between the physical and the emotional, treating it as an art form that reflects internal energy.

The discussion also addresses the importance of mindfulness and intentional living in navigating life’s adversities. Cosmo connects his personal experiences to broader cosmic and philosophical concepts, using these frameworks to inspire others. Topics include the evolving nature of identity, the role of habits in personal growth, and the impact of societal and personal adversities on self-awareness.

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Reflection: Day 48 →

Published February 17, 2021  ·  All posts on Feb 17

FAULT — “So is it possible to be altogether faultless? No, that is impractical; but it is possible to strive continuously not to commit faults. For we shall have cause to be satisfied if, by never relaxing our attention, we shall escape at least a few faults. But as it is, when you say, “I will begin to pay attention tomorrow,” you should know that what you are really saying is this: “I will be shameless, inopportune, abject today; it will be in the power of others to cause me distress; I will get angry, I will be envious today.” See how many evils you are permitting yourself. But if it is well for you to pay attention tomorrow, how much better would it be today? If it is to your advantage tomorrow, it is much more so today, so that you may be able to do the same again tomorrow, and not put it off once more, to the day after tomorrow.” ~ Epictetus, 4.12.19-21

How are you going to continue to trigger yourself to do your morning reflection?

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Arrived in the middle? Visit the first post, Where to begin?
(The entire series is available to download as a PDF ebook.)