Turn fear into excitement

Hi folks,

Sometimes, when it comes to our perceptions, you just have to fake it til you make it. 

As you all have probably heard by now, Mahalo will be closing in October. As I prepare myself for the transition, I can’t help but feel a nervous excitement of stepping out into the unknown. And as I think about what comes after October, I’m choosing to use curiosity to turn fear into excitement. 

I’m reminded of a study from behavioral scientist Alison Wood Brooks where she found that telling yourself that you are excited during a high stress activity (like giving a presentation or doing karaoke) is enough to transform your experience from anxiety into excitement. As Brooks points out, the physical responses of anxiety and excitement are very similar--but choosing to assign a positive meaning to those responses can not only change how you feel but can actually improve your performance!

So, as we near the end of our time serving you, I hope you choose to be excited about the unknowns of your healing journey. For those of you who have been working with us for a long time, I hope this transition encourages you to seek out new opportunities to learn how to feel good in your body and, above all, to stay curious. 

With care,

Bob