How to Live an Authentic Life—Be a Detective! Track Your Own Truth.

Today the loudest voice, whether truthful or not, can divide and sway public opinion. We are bombarded on social media with its stream of tweets, requests to ‘friend’ this person or ‘like’ that post, and by opinion talk shows and podcasts. The line between truth, half-truths and lies is so blurred that it’s difficult to tell the difference between what’s accurate, a little white lie, or blatantly false. If you fall under the spell of external influences, it becomes difficult to recognize what is real in your own life. Turn off your cell phone, computer, and other digital devices. Change your focus inwards to discover your own inner truths—and your authentic self.

Decide that you are in charge of your own life. Fully inhabit yourself! And don’t let anyone else walk in your shoes! You will undoubtedly find others—a family member, colleague or friend—who want to make decisions on your behalf, “for your own good.” Since everyone has different genes, gifts, circumstances, and challenges, you are unique! Your truths will be different from others and an unfamiliar path may present itself to you. Be willing and courageous to follow your inner calling.

Recognize the clues that come through your body. You may have been taught to “Use your head! Think things through!” when faced with a challenge. This advice is useful, but it is not enough. Your physical body, feelings and hunches are contributing significant information at all times. Your body is a truthful barometer, constantly guiding you. Ignore it at your peril! It sends signals when you are thirsty or hungry. If you override this information, perhaps over-eating when you are not hungry or indulging your sweet tooth, you must live with the consequences. Heeding the clues shared by your five physical senses is an ancient survival skill. If you don’t know food has gone bad, your senses will shout, “Don’t swallow this,” If you don’t pay attention, you may get severely ill or even be poisoned. Any part of your physical body can convey a message to you and, if you ignore its milder messages, it will escalate the intensity of discomfort to severe pain.

Your miraculous body also speaks in metaphor—conveying emotional and intuitive messages. Not all upset stomachs are due to what one has eaten! It might reflect your emotional upset after an unpleasant conversation. Our intuition is recognized as our ‘sixth sense’—we know immediately whether it is safe or not to be in an elevator with someone, without a single word being spoken.

Being fully present, precisely observing the situation and tenaciously following clues is the mark of a good detective. To uncover what is working and what is not working in your life, like your favorite detective, you can use these and other detective skills such as following hunches, challenging conventional views, making educated guesses, testing out a hypothesis until proven or disproven; and getting help when needed.

Practice using these “detective skills.” You can also use them to discover your personal “culprits”, that are leading you astray from being your authentic self: i] Ask “Do I want to continue or release old habits that no longer serve me? If you constantly apologize, even though you haven’t really done anything wrong, ask, “How may I change that? What new habit may I adopt in order to live with more confidence? Then you can choose to initiate a new behavior.

ii] Investigate any dissonance between your words and actions. Are your actions in accord with your words? Do you encourage others to limit sugar, while you still secretly indulge? Are you willing to commit to change either your words or your own actions so that they are not contradictory?

Iii] Examine how you respond when you are asked to make a decision. Are you tempted to make a decision to please others, but not yourself? Have you said “yes” when you wanted to say “no,” and vice-versa? If you have felt pressured to make a hasty decision, do you take time to check in with yourself before agreeing to a commitment? If you are unsure, say, “I’m not ready to give an answer yet. I will get back to you.” That way you will contribute more clearly to any future conversation or decision.

iv] In unexpected situations, how have you responded in the presence of some injustice such as bullying or racist comments? Have you remained silent, spoken up, taken some other action? If so, how did you feel about your action/inaction- at the time? How do you feel now?

The mystery of truth beckons us towards integrating love, beauty, and kindness and away from deception, collusion and pain in our personal lives and in society.

Personal integrity remains the cornerstone value on which to build our lives.

Puja Thomson's Interview with Wall Radio by Van Ritshie

On August 21, 2018, Puja Thomson was interviewed by Wall Radio’s Van Ritshie to discuss her newest book, Track Your Truth: Discover Your Authentic Self.

VAN: Now, tell us, tell us about your books. Now, now, you know, as I look at this, one of your books is entitled My Hope and Focus: Cancer Organizer, another one is My Health and Wellness Organizer, Roots and Wings: For Strength and Freedom, it’s a CD and Workbook, and Aftershock: From Cancer Diagnosis to Healing. All quite interesting books.

PUJA: Well these started as, I was encouraged to write them as health resources because I was always focused on helping people to stay healthy from a holistic perspective.

VAN: I kinda figured that out, yes.

PUJA: So body, mind, emotions, and spirit. So, the first one was a CD of guided imagery and meditation because we can use our mind and we can use our imagination to help healing. And it was also for helping us understand our past. I chose the words “Roots and Wings” for my business as a matter of fact because in Scotland where I was brought up, it’s all about roots and when I came to this country it’s all about wings and space and outer space. And actually you need both: you need the roots to be grounded in your life and then you need from that grounded place you need to be able to take off and follow your inspiration and then move outwards. So, that is where I am grounded in roots and wings together and out of that the body, mind, emotions, and spirit, the inclusive perspective of using all parts of ourselves came for healing or for making decisions are now with my latest book to hone in on your truth and what’s true for you.

VAN: You know what, I kind of go along with what you say and what you write. As a holistic healer, I am sure that is what you are yourself, I want to say this to you, and tell me if I am correct in my synopsis of this, what I am about to say: I am one who firmly believes that if you focus on something, no matter what it is, if you focus on something happening in your life, let’s say you want to change something in your life and you really, really focus that, you know you focus on changing and focus and just putting all these good adaptations into the back of your mind, into your subconscious, that it will eventually manifest on its own. Does the same hold true for holistic healing?

PUJA: It does in a way that we have different parts of ourselves, and our culture tells us to use your head, think things through, and so if it’s only that that’s not enough. You need to allow the body to give you messages that tells you where something might be wrong and follow that through. And your enthusiasm and your non-physical senses can also help you. So, starting with the body that gives you messages and it can also give you messages about how you’re feeling through an ache and a pain, that could be literal, that could be overexertion or it could be that you’re holding onto an old hurt that gives you a pain in your body. And then also spirit, and that’s where intuition and hunch come in, and really seeing beyond the literal, physical, and mental, and emotional capacities. So, we have to get them all in balance, in a way.

VAN: Makes sense to me, you know what I understand that, sure. So, you can have a combination of holistic healing methods in the way of natural, foods whatever it may be, foods, vitamins, etc., etc. etc., combined with a strong mental outlook, you know, focused on what it is that you are trying to do with your body. If you combine them, you have a much better chance, I would think, of accomplishing what you set out to do.

PUJA: Yeah, there’s an energy principle that says: whatever you feed grows larger, whatever you starve shrinks. So, we often emphasize a particular part of ourselves, so some people wallow in their feelings and other people need to pay attention to their feelings. So, if you are too much of one to the exclusion of the others, then, it’s not so healthy. And food and so on is an important part of being holistic.

VAN: Now, it says here, future readings in the pipeline. Now, you refer to readings instead of like, a seminar?

PUJA: Well, I do seminars and readings. If it’s at a library, people are coming to be introduced to my new book, so it tends to be a reading and an explication of how the book came about and reading some introductory parts of it. Now, if it’s a seminar then they will be coming and going and interaction between the participants and working through the themes.

VAN: Okay, you have some readings coming up in September for Retired Men of New Paltz and then you have the Study Club of New Paltz on the 11th. And one of my favorite places in October, on the 7th, you got the Gardiner Library. You’ve got the Warwick Library reading coming up on October 8th and Oncology Support Program in Kingston on the 23rd. That’s all very interesting.

PUJA: That’s kinda combing the theme of the new book, Tracking Your Truth, applying it to tracking your cancer journey.

VAN: So, this is your latest book then? Track Your Truth?

PUJA: Yes, new last month.

VAN: Okay wonderful! Well, you know what, I want to wish you all the very best with this! I just opened it to a random page, and I see two categories: one is Get a Gut Reactions, Heartfelt Feelings, and Blind Spots, and the other is Health, Wellbeing, and Wholeness. So this, I can tell you right now, this is a book that I am definitely going to read because I like stuff like this, I really do.

PUJA: Well I love detective stories, so it’s applying the being a detective to your own life. Because a detective is tenacious, they have to be open to all possibilities and they have to start with where the clues are and follow the clues and even see what the culprits are. So, that’s what I am encouraging people to do in their own life because there are so many distracting voices that take us outside ourselves, you know? And so, this is to help people focus back inside themselves and to their own experiences and their own truth.

VAN: For me a lot of those distractive voices come at night sometimes, when I am trying to fall asleep. I can’t believe what goes on in my noggin sometimes, you know really? Anyway, I want to wish you all the best of luck with your new book. Is there anything else you’d like to add?

PUJA: Well, I’d just like to add that we do have, we can take responsibility and while this book can be for young people setting out, it can be for older people because it’s like we live three lifetimes now within one lifetime so that exponentially increases our capacity to go through change. So I am encouraging people to welcome change into their life and trust their own truth.

VAN: That’s wonderful, that’s very well said actually. Where is your book available?

PUJA: Well, it’s available from me, it’s available in book stores, it’s available on Amazon, it’s also an e-book, so one could go online to get it. It’s the first e-book I’ve done. It can be on Kindle or other e-books.

VAN: Track Your Truth is the name of the book folks. You know what, if you’re into this stuff, it’s kind of a must read for you, you know, get it. I’m sure you’ll enjoy it, I’m looking forward to reading it myself. And Puja Thomson, I want to thank you so much for coming in and being with us on the air.

PUJA: Well, it’s been a pleasure Van, I’ve enjoyed this conversation.

VAN: Thank you so much, and you have a wonderful day.

PUJA: Thank you.

"TRACK YOUR TRUTH" SNEAK PREVIEW OF STEP FOUR: WELCOME CHANGE, LIVE YOUR TRUTH

Change can be scary and difficult; often, we get so caught up in the way we do things that when there is a difference in routine it can be hard to accept it and move on. But when we resist change, we are not welcoming a chance for something new and exciting to emerge. For example, when my college roommate of three years graduated early, I had to find a new roommate. I decided to move in with an acquaintance, but I was still daunted by the change and nervous that my new roommate and I would not get along well. However, once my things were in place in my new room and I got to know my new roommate better, I found she and I were quite compatible and we have since become good friends! By being willing to accept change, I discovered how many more unexpected possibilities can open up. Although at first it may be tough to go through a transition, I have realized it is crucial to not view my situation as purely negative. Instead, I need to look at what has happened as a stepping stone to new opportunities. While my roommate leaving was not in my control, finding and accepting a new roommate was and in taking a chance with an acquaintance, I have now developed a new friendship.

By listening to your inner voice and paying attention to that energy and the actions that may result, you can get a better idea of what makes you truly happy. This can then lead you to make decisions based on your truth. As Puja writes:  “Remember you are the protagonist in your own life, not the victim of it.” You have the power and control to make the decisions you want in your life and with this ability, you can really look at where you want to be and how this will make you feel. I think what Puja has to say is very powerful; not to sound too cliched, but you are the author of your own story and it is up to you to decide how you would like your life to play out. Keep in mind, you can always ask for help when things get tough. Support can be found in many different forms and when you reach out to others, you may discover a new insight or way of understanding your situation.

At the end of Step Four in Track Your Truth, there is a guide that will help you create your own plan to find your truth, something only you can find when you are being open to yourself as you experience life.

Written by Allyson Macci, Roots & Wings SUNY New Paltz Intern

"TRACK YOUR TRUTH" SNEAK PREVIEW OF STEP THREE: TAP INTO ENERGY PRINCIPLES

We can all use energy principles to change how we are feeling and how we think and act. We are energy beings, not just physical beings and we have internal senses that can guide us. Paying attention to them, you will also become more familiar with your emotional, mental, and spiritual self. An example of how you can use your internal energies is if you listen to the little voice inside your head; this voice is your self-talk. By tuning in to self-talk that is positive and healthy, you can encourage yourself with whatever task or goal that you are trying to accomplish. Sometimes, self-talk can even entertain you, especially when you use your imagination! If you allow yourself to have negative self-talk though, you leave yourself open to discouragement, gloomy, or even harmful thoughts about yourself. While it can be difficult to talk your way out of these dark places, it can be done because you have the power to change how you feel and what you tell yourself!

In my own life I have to remind myself that I have the ability to change the direction of my thoughts and feelings to more optimistic ones. For example, when I have to give an oral presentation, I get anxious and my self-talk becomes negative; I tell myself I will probably stumble over my words, stutter, or say something incorrect. So, instead, I tell the voice in my head to think positively and confidently. I say things such as, what I am presenting to the class is helpful and informative and that I have worked hard and know what I’m talking about. This not only changes my mood but it also improves how I feel physically. When nervous, I tend to breathe heavily and my voice shakes, but as I talk encouragingly to myself, my breathing calms down and I become steadier. In Track Your Truth, Puja writes: “Just a little bit of self-confidence can make a huge difference and can help you seize opportunities in front of you…The really good news is that we can develop inner strengths such as resilience, confidence, and insight by actively decreasing our focus on the negative and increasing our focus on the positive.” Simply by transforming your thoughts, you can improve your entire outlook on who you are and how you want to feel.

With skills like changing the way you speak to your inner self, you can improve your understanding of your internal senses and energies. When this happens, you can develop a greater sense of how interdependent your thoughts, feelings, spirit, and body are.

Written by Allyson Macci, Roots & Wings SUNY New Paltz Intern

"TRACK YOUR TRUTH" SNEAK PREVIEW OF STEP TWO: FOCUS ON YOUR "HEAD, HEART, HAND, & HUNCH"

Step Two of Puja’s upcoming book, Track Your Truth, discusses the inter-relationship of mind (head), body (hand), emotions (heart), and spirit (hunch). I really love this powerful quote: “When the physical body provides clues about emotions through heart-felt feelings and gut reactions, pay attention because these clues are part of the miraculous way you are guided to truth, happiness, and well-being.”

The body is incredible and what we often overlook is how each memory it stores has a feeling, both emotional and physical, to accompany it. With this in mind, it is important to remember that your emotions can influence your physical state of being. The way you feel emotionally can cause your body to react in a physical way. For example, sometimes my stomach feels queasy but this does not always mean I’ve eaten something bad or have a cold. Instead, this physical sensation can be connected with an emotion like anxiety or nervousness.

I also think it is important to acknowledge what Puja writes: “Since everything that has happened to you is stored in your body, memories of all the events in your life including your feelings may be hidden from your consciousness, but they are not lost. They may resurface later.” Every feeling, intuition, or hunch you experience is important, no matter how small you think it is. If you ignore or repress these clues, both physical and intangible, this could have negative effects. All aspects of yourself are valid, and the sooner you acknowledge and listen to them, the easier it will be to live your truth.

Written by Allyson Macci, Roots & Wings SUNY New Paltz Intern

"TRACK YOUR TRUTH" SNEAK PREVIEW OF STEP ONE: START WITH YOUR MIRACULOUS BODY

Paying attention to what is happening in your body will help you track and live your truth. When you focus on what your body is telling you, you will pick up on its signals sooner. By quickly responding to a pain or an off-feeling, you not only take care of your physical being, but your mental and emotional self as well. Connecting to your body and acknowledging the signs it presents to you can also help you when you interact with others. For example, your gut feelings will tell you who to trust and who to be wary of. Instead of relying heavily on others to tell you how you are feeling or how to feel, knowledge of your body will lead you to make your own authentic decisions.

I find it is easy to become preoccupied with what I am involved in that I forget to take care of not only my mind, but my body. As a busy, and often overwhelmed student, all too often do I ignore the signs my body makes when it needs some tender love and care. It can be difficult to drag myself away from an assignment, and sometimes it gets to the point where I can feel my eyes drooping while reading or hear my stomach growling. When these things happen, I know it is time for a break, so I will go for a walk or have a snack like an apple. My body is my home, a vessel that will be with me for a very long time and needs the attention it deserves in order to flourish.

One aspect in Puja’s new book, Track Your Truth, that stands out to me is when she writes: “If you’re not connected to yourself, someone with a strong negative influence is more likely to take advantage of you. In an unbalanced state, you may be influenced by the persuasive demands, needs, or wishes of others who do not have your best interests at heart, and thus lead you to make decisions you may regret later. It is not safe to pay more attention to others than to yourself.” I think this last sentence is very significant; it really resonated with me and is something that readers, and I myself, must remember.

Written by Allyson Macci, Roots & Wings SUNY New Paltz Intern

Sneak Preview of TRACK YOUR TRUTH: Discover Your Authentic Self

In Puja A.J. Thomson’s upcoming book, Track Your Truth: Discover Your Authentic Self, she guides the way to you leading your best, most meaningful life. Throughout her writing, she explores the ways in which you can be a detective of what works and what doesn’t in your life, and how this can affect the way you live. Puja helps you to learn how to welcome change and create healthy habits, all of which will aide you in learning how to live your truth. Her book is broken down into four helpful steps – Step One: Start with your Miraculous Body, Step Two: Focus on Your “Head, Heart, Hand, & Hunch,” Step Three: Tap into Energy Principles, and Step Four: Welcome Change, Live Your Truth. Within each step there are chapters that outline different aspects that will bring you closer to truly understanding and connecting with your mind, body, emotions, and spirit. These steps will teach you how to focus your own energy, and in the end, show you how important it is to listen and acknowledge your true self.

I had the privilege of getting a sneak peak at Track Your Truth. I will discuss the parts that stood out and resonated with me the most in four blogs, each dedicated to one of the four different steps.

In the meantime, have a look at the Coming Soon! section under the “Store” tab on the Roots & Wings website, to see Advanced Reviews for Track Your Truth.

Stay tuned – each week I will be posting blogs about the four steps!

Written by Allyson Macci, Roots & Wings SUNY New Paltz Intern