Chapter 1: The Awakening of Conscious Choices

This narrative revolves around the themes of love, gratitude, and compassion, particularly focusing on the deep-seated trait of high sensitivity. There came a pivotal moment in my life when I was presented with the opportunity to make a deliberate decision. This decision marked the beginning of a series of conscious choices that would pave the way for further positive transformations. I chose to embrace language that resonated with the highest frequencies of thought—words filled with love, appreciation, gratitude, and kindness, which I like to refer to as the "Feel-Good Five."

Initially, I consciously decided to eliminate words that no longer served me or those around me. In that extraordinary moment, I made a choice to erase a particular word from my vocabulary—the word "should."

Why did I choose to discard this word? It held the power to make both myself and others feel inadequate. I resolved that I would no longer contribute to this negativity. That first conscious decision led me to adopt a new and unfamiliar practice, one that I could repeat continuously. I soon realized that every conscious choice we make requires repetition, and there would always be opportunities to practice new choices.

Welcome to what I like to call a new paradigm of conscious choice! If you choose to engage in what is known as "active listening," you open the door to deeper understanding. This newfound appreciation for conscious choices inspired me to express this quote:

"Active listening is the highest form of kindness; self-compassion is its close relative." ~ Diane M. Burton

I have a friend who has a deep affection for zebras and shares the innate trait of high sensitivity. One of the many gifts of this trait is an enhanced ability to notice subtleties and patterns in our surroundings. This gift allows her to be profoundly moved by the beauty that envelops us.

For my sensitive friend, the stunning black and white stripes of a zebra's coat are a source of immense beauty. The question remains—are those stripes white on a black background or black on a white one? Only someone with high sensitivity could truly discern that.

What connection does this new paradigm of conscious choice have with wild zebras? That's where the story takes an intriguing turn. When I discussed my strategy for eliminating the term "should" from my vocabulary, my friend recalled that someone in her life had also recognized the value of removing this word. How fortunate it was for her—and now for me to learn from her experience!

One day, she confided that she had attempted to eliminate "should" from her vocabulary. Everything we know comes from practice—repetition is key. Inspired by this, I decided to create a unique teaching tool to support her in cultivating a more positive practice, one that would instill confidence in her ability to let go of "should."

Not long after our conversation, an exciting idea struck me. I felt compelled to search for the sound of a wild zebra. After all the discussions about zebras, my curiosity was piqued. What happened next felt like a divine gift! I quickly realized that the sound, known as a "bray," resembled someone rapidly repeating "coulda woulda" in a high-pitched voice. I couldn't contain my laughter, overwhelmed by joy and the uplifting feelings associated with the "Feel-Good Five."

This revelation led me to an even better idea! I could create a QR code containing the audio of the wild zebra's sound. This way, my friend could easily access the reminder of the power of "coulda woulda" whenever she needed it.

With great enthusiasm, I found a cardboard button and adorned it with a charming image of a zebra holding its own QR code. My friend was now just a button away from the "call of the wild zebra," a reminder she would never forget!

Through self-compassion, we cultivate empathy. To know oneself is to understand oneself, and with that understanding, we can learn to appreciate others. Understanding another leads to connection, and this is how empathy flourishes. Coulda Woulda.

The first video titled "Woulda-Coulda-Shoulda by Shel Silverstein" explores the playful yet poignant reflections on missed opportunities, reinforcing the idea of embracing the present and letting go of regrets.

The second video, "Jodi Wellman - Getting Rid of Coulda's, Woulda's, and Shoulda's in Your Life," offers practical insights into eliminating these negative phrases, encouraging viewers to focus on empowerment and positive decision-making.