Episode Description:

In this episode of Behind Beliefs, Behaviors, and the Brain, I reflect on the role of completion and new beginnings as we close out a year and look ahead. Instead of focusing on resolutions, I explore how endings in relationships, work, and seasons of life invite reflection, emotional awareness, and growth.

I share why honoring what worked, what did not, and who you became matters as much as setting intentions for what comes next. Tune in to learn how reflection, repair, and intentional practice can help you move forward with clarity and purpose.

Key Takeaways:

Completion Holds Both Grief and Possibility - Completion often brings grief and uncertainty, but it also opens the door to what comes next. When you honor what is ending and reflect on what worked, you create space for growth, clarity, and new possibilities to take shape.

Healthy Respect Comes from Reflection - Taking time to reflect helps us see not just what happened, but how we showed up along the way. Acknowledging what worked and honoring who you became builds respect for your own growth, even when the outcome was not perfect. Top of FormBottom of Form

Emotions Move in Waves, Not Timelines - Change often brings endings and beginnings at the same time, and that mix can stir excitement, grief, and uncertainty all at once. Emotions rise and fall like waves, and they cannot be rushed or controlled. Emotional awareness, flexibility, and courage allow you to name what you feel, honor it, and move through transitions without blocking joy in what is beginning.

Model the Future Through Repair - New beginnings are shaped by how you close what came before. Reflecting on what worked and what did not, taking responsibility for harm, and engaging in repair allows you to model the behaviors, values, and relationships you want to carry forward. Repair is not weakness. It is a courageous practice that creates healthier foundations for what comes next.

Helpful Resources:

• Progress Grows Through Practice, Not Perfection - Every new beginning invites a beginner’s mindset. Growth happens through practice, small consistent actions, and ongoing learning, not by getting everything right. When you give yourself grace and honor your humanity, even small efforts can lead to meaningful progress and lasting change.

• Accountability Sustains Growth - Clarity about what you are committed to is strengthened through accountability. Trusted partners help reflect who you are becoming, support your growth, and remind you to care for yourself along the way. Accountability is not about pressure. It is about shared responsibility that keeps progress moving, even when the pace is slow.

• Intentional Reflection Helps Remap the Future - Pausing to reflect on endings and beginnings allows you to reset direction, clarify priorities, and intentionally shape what comes next instead of repeating old patterns.

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Hosted by: Dr. Maiysha Clairborne

Communication is the foundation of everything and everything happens in communication. If you’re ready to take your communication to the next level, our Communication That Transforms course dives deep into creating psychological safety, handling crucial conversations, navigating conflict, and cultivating trust in a way that truly leaves the people in your life feeling seen, heard, respected and valued. It will transform how you lead and how you show up in all of your relationships. Learn more and register at www.mindremappingacademy.com/ticc. If you are a leader and your employees or teams are struggling with team dynamics, consider taking them through our new “Communications That Transforms” group cohort.

See the full course breakdown and get a free preview of key modules to experience the value. Go to https://mindremappingacademy.com/course-catalogue and schedule a call with Dr. Clairborne at www.mindremappingacademy.com/corporate-programs

In this episode of Behind Beliefs, Behaviors, and the Brain, I talk about why honoring your feelings does not mean letting them run your life. Through lessons from my trip to Japan, I share how frustration, setbacks, and unexpected moments can be met with intention, perspective, and even laughter.

I also explain why choosing joy and play is a form of regulation, not avoidance, and how it helps us stay engaged, clear, and effective in our relationships, leadership, and daily responsibilities when the world feels heavy. Tune in to learn how to make space for your feelings while still protecting your capacity for joy and purpose.

Key Takeaways:

Lemonade and Laughter Require Choice – Joy and connection do not just happen when life gets easier. Without intention and a deliberate mindset, frustration and worry often take over. Choosing to see the lessons in difficult moments and allowing space for laughter turns challenges into opportunities to learn, connect, and restore energy instead of letting circumstances dictate our experience.

Laughter Requires Intention – Life often puts us on tight timelines, with expectations and plans that don’t always go as expected. It’s easy to let frustration take over in these moments, but choosing to bring in laughter and perspective transforms how we experience challenges.

Protecting Joy Takes Intentionality – Feeling good doesn’t just happen, especially with all the stress and chaos around us. By creating intentional spaces at home, in our communities, and even in how we use social media, we can protect moments of joy and laughter. Honoring our feelings without letting them take over helps us stay present, clear, and able to show up fully in life.

Infusing Daily Life with Joy While Respecting Your Feelings – It’s possible to honor your emotions while also creating space for laughter and joy. Being intentional about noticing bright spots and carving out time for play helps you stay balanced and energized. Even if daily moments aren’t always possible, setting aside time once or twice a week can make a real difference.

Helpful Resources:

• Joy Requires Intentional Spaces – Joy and laughter don’t just happen automatically. Creating intentional spaces at home, in communities, or even online allows us to access moments of play and connection, even during busy or stressful times.

• Accessing Joy Supports Giving – Experiencing joy isn’t ignoring challenges. It’s a form of restoration that helps us continue to give, serve, and lead in every space, from advocacy and education to family and community care.

Follow Dr. Maiysha on Social media

Facebook: www.facebook.com/DrMaiysha

Instagram: www.instagram.com/DrMaiysha

YouTube: www.YouTube.com/DrMaiysha

Hosted by: Dr. Maiysha Clairborne

Communication is the foundation of everything and everything happens in communication. If you’re ready to take your communication to the next level, our Communication That Transforms course dives deep into creating psychological safety, handling crucial conversations, navigating conflict, and cultivating trust in a way that truly leaves the people in your life feeling seen, heard, respected and valued. It will transform how you lead and how you show up in all of your relationships. Learn more and register at www.mindremappingacademy.com/ticc. If you are a leader and your employees or teams are struggling with team dynamics, consider taking them through our new “Communications That Transforms” group cohort.

See the full course breakdown and get a free preview of key modules to experience the value. Go to https://mindremappingacademy.com/course-catalogue and schedule a call with Dr. Clairborne at www.mindremappingacademy.com/corporate-programs

In this episode of Behind Beliefs, Behaviors, and the Brain, I talk about why rest is not a luxury but essential for staying healthy, connected, and effective. Inspired by Dr. Sandra Dalton Smith’s book Sacred Rest, I break down the different kinds of rest we often miss and share real-life examples of how constant stimulation, emotional effort, and unplanned time can quietly drain us.

Tune in to learn how to recognize the rest you really need and set up simple routines that help rest become a regular and renewing part of your life, especially during the holiday season and beyond.

Key Takeaways:

Rest Requires Structure – Rest does not just happen when life slows down. Without intention and planning, rest is often the first thing sacrificed during busy seasons. Creating structure allows rest to become consistent instead of optional.

Rest is Multidimensional – True restoration goes beyond sleep or quiet time. Our minds and bodies need sensory, emotional, and social rest to recover from constant stimulation, emotional labor, and social demands. This kind of rest allows emotions to be felt and released, overstimulation to calm, and the nervous system to fully recharge.

The Power of Creative Rest - Creative work consumes significant mental energy, even when it feels fulfilling. Creative rest is not disengagement or laziness. It is the intentional pause that allows ideas to settle, integrate, and mature. Stepping away from active creation creates space for clarity, insight, and more sustainable creativity to emerge.

Structure Protects Your Rest - Rest requires intentional planning and structure. Without scheduling it, daily tasks and “just one more thing” moments can easily push rest aside, reducing its effectiveness and leaving us exhausted.

Helpful Resources:

• Spiritual Rest Requires a Flexible Structure - Spiritual rest looks different for everyone. It may be attending a place of fellowship or engaging in daily rituals like gratitude writing or yoga. The key is to recognize your structure for spiritual connection and allow flexibility, balancing alone time and community practice to feel replenished.

• Rest Doesn’t Always Require Complex Routines - Stepping outside into nature, wandering through a store, or immersing yourself in music can provide mental, creative, and even spiritual rest. The key is to recognize what helps you recharge, have it ready, and intentionally create dedicated time to step away and rest.

• Be Intentional About Your Rest - To truly benefit from rest, start by asking yourself what you need and which types of rest will serve you best. Identify the tools or practices that support that rest, implement them consistently, and create disciplined structures, like an accountability partner, to ensure you follow through, not just for the holidays but for the year ahead.

Resources Mentioned: https://www.amazon.com/Sacred-Rest-Recover-Energy-Restore/dp/1478921676

Follow Dr. Maiysha on Social media

Facebook: www.facebook.com/DrMaiysha

Instagram: www.instagram.com/DrMaiysha

YouTube: www.YouTube.com/DrMaiysha

Hosted by: Dr. Maiysha Clairborne

Communication is the foundation of everything and everything happens in communication. If you’re ready to take your communication to the next level, our Communication That Transforms course dives deep into creating psychological safety, handling crucial conversations, navigating conflict, and cultivating trust in a way that truly leaves the people in your life feeling seen, heard, respected and valued. It will transform how you lead and how you show up in all of your relationships . Learn more and register at www.mindremappingacademy.com/ticc. If you are a leader and your employees or teams are struggling with team dynamics, consider taking them through our new “Communications That Transforms” group cohort.