• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Home
  • We’re The Maples!
  • Get Organized
  • Instagram
  • YouTube
  • Contact Us

Its The Maples!

Adventures of a 🇨🇦 Expat Family in Portugal 🇵🇹

Top 10 Byron Katie Quotes To Live Your Best Life

I was introduced to Byron Katie in 2014 by my cranial therapist.

Contents hide
1 Fear and Anxiety
2 The Work of Byron Katie
3 My Top 10 Byron Katie Quotes

With an old neck injury that I had ignored for far too long, and was causing me chronic pain, I had come to a point where I was no longer able to move my head from side to side. Saying that it was affecting the quality of my life was an understatement.

So I walked into the cranial therapist’s office that day, knowing that CST could help my neck (as well as the TMJ and ear-ringing that I was experiencing) as I used to have CST done when I lived in Toronto about 10 years back. What I didn’t realize was that in addition to the pain relief I was hoping to get out of this appointment, I was about to discover the Work of Byron Katie.

Fear and Anxiety

As I lay there, talking with my CST therapist, she started asking me questions.

At that point, I was feeling very down.

The pain and ear issues I was experiencing were causing me a lot of anxiety.

I explained that I felt like I was living in fear; fear that my situation with my body would get worse – honestly, I never knew that ear issues could cause such overwhelming anxiety and isolation – and that I was also coming off some severe PTSD from our son having been ill the year before.

I won’t go into any of the details here, but our son is now doing really well but having a sick child is obviously a parent’s worst nightmare and it was very scary, very sad, and very overwhelming. I think I was still reeling.

The Work of Byron Katie

Discovering The Work changed my life.

I was introduced to the “4 Questions” which started me questioning my thoughts (you can grab the worksheet here if you’d like to go through them – I highly suggest it)

I was then sent home with the book, “Loving What Is.”

From that point on my mind had been cracked open – the light was let in, and I couldn’t go back.

Over the next several appointments, as I talked through my emotions with my cranial therapist, I started to realize that a large part of my current suffering was that I was resisting what “was.”

The realization that if I were to let go of the “story” I was telling myself, then maybe I could start to make some emotional progress and finally start to feel better.

As the months marched on, and I continued to have work done on my neck, my cranial therapist walked me through my emotions, the 4 questions, and the turnarounds for various thoughts.

And the more I also worked on my inner thoughts, the stranglehold that my neck had on my physical body lessened, and the stranglehold that my thoughts had on me emotionally started to lessen.

I felt like I could breathe again, despite certain things still being exactly the same. What had changed were my thoughts “around” what was happening.

So today, instead of getting into all the things that I worked through and continue to work through (as it’s all a work in progress and right now even writing about this is another indication of we teach what we need to know) I would love to share my top 10 favorite Byron Katie quotes.

These quotes as I found them, resonated with me on a deep level.

The quotes have all nourished my soul and they have tied directly into some of the things I needed to heal.

I by no means claim to know very much about Byron Katie – I’ve hardly scratched the surface. I’m getting better but I still have a long way to go.

Some days I take several steps back, but I do know that The Work has changed my life or should I say my “reactions” to life.

The Work has helped me cope with life’s twists and turns.

The Work makes me look at things and gets me to “wonder” about them before I panic, or jump to a conclusion and tell myself a story.

Now before I give you the 10 quotes that really resonate with me and help me live my best life, I wanted to write out the 4 main questions of The Work that get you to start questioning what you “believe”, challenging the negative thought and putting it up for inquiry:

“1. Is it true?

2. Can you absolutely know that it’s true?

3. How do you react when you believe that thought?

4. Who would you be without the thought?

Grab the full worksheet here.

My Top 10 Byron Katie Quotes

  1. “All the advice you ever gave your partner is for you to hear
  2. “Don’t believe everything you think.”
  3. “Nothing external can disturb us. We suffer only when we want things to be different from what they are.”
  4. “Everything happens at exactly the right moment.”
  5. “There are no mistakes.”
  6. “As I often say, if you argue with reality, you lose—but only 100 percent of the time.”
  7. “The basic realization that other people can’t possibly be your problem, that it’s your thoughts about them that are the problem—this realization is huge. This one insight will shake your whole world, from top to bottom”
  8. “We don’t hear what someone said; we imagine what they meant.”
  9. “The unquestioned mind is the world of suffering.”
  10. “The world is your perception of it. Inside and outside always match – they’re reflections of each other. The world is a mirror image of your mind.”
  11. NOTE: I had to throw this one in here, too: “You’re either attaching to your thoughts or inquiring. There’s no other choice.”

So after reading these, how do you feel about them? What resonates with you?

And by the way, in wrapping up this post, I wanted to mention there is a great children’s book for The Work.

My cranial therapist gave it to my son to read.

This was a few years ago and it has helped him question his own thoughts and whether or not they “serve” him. For a child that had to deal with illness, I felt like it helped him heal as well.

The book is called, “Tiger, Tiger, Is It True?” and it is a great read for the little ones. It’s a lovely book and one I think all children would benefit from reading.

and get no FX fees!

Primary Sidebar

The Maples Trailer

https://youtu.be/StAQsxV7HR0

instagram

itsthemaples

I lied. I said I would be posting more pictures so I lied. I said I would be posting more pictures soon after my last post and now it's literally been another month and a half! 🤦🏻‍♀️
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
I still really underestimate the time it continues to take us to get settled in a new country and all the stuff we need to do (yup, we are still in our car 🚗 dilemma but hoping to get it resolved tomorrow - after today's holiday!) 
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
As I mentioned in my last post, which contained the only family picture we took from our first beach day ☀️🌊🇵🇹 in Portugal in November 2021, it has taken me almost 5 months to recover from all the "newness" to start posting on a regular basis. 
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
So here you go, some more of our "other" pictures from this beautiful day that found us discovering this gorgeous beach but also getting stranded there at nightfall. ✨🌘
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Thank goodness, the owner of the beach restaurant drove us home after taking pity on us, but that's a story for the blog and another day! 😅😅😅
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Thanks to you all for following our adventures (mainly on FB right now) and if you feel inclined, I'd love to know what "oops" type situations you've found yourselves in when travelling! ✈️🧳
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
#portugal #portugaltravelers #portugaltravels #portugal🇵🇹 #familytravelblog #portugalguide #familytravelbloggers #portugaltravel #familytravel #familytraveltips #movingtoportugal #learnportuguesewords #travelingfamily #portugal_lovers #familytravelblogger #portugal #portugaltravelling #portugalfoodandtravel #portugaltravelpt #travelfamily #travelfamilyblog #familytravelling #learnportuguese #movingtoportugalsoon #learnportugueseportugal
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Sent via @planIoly #planoly
Hello from Portugal!! 🇵🇹
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
If you've been following "It's The Maples" you know that we are a Canadian family who up until recently lived in our beloved Nova Scotia after making a spontaneous move from downtown Toronto almost 13 years ago!
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Well, new news...Back in late September/early October of 2022 we made another BIG decision to move our family to Portugal.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Since my husband and I have worked full-time from home since University, with our online marketing and content creation company, the move was easy enough to make - at least from a work standpoint because all we need are our phones, laptops and internet connection- but more on the many other unforeseeable hiccups we encounter later!
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
That said, the minute I stepped off the plane I, of course, thought that I would start sharing our experiences right away...but with the excitement, the ups and downs and the complete culture shock, it has taken me over 4 months to even begin to write my first post here on Instagram and my blog post. 
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
So today, writing from a different lens, one that isn't quite as emotional and now has some distance between when we first arrived, I am thrilled to share our journey and this sweet and beautiful life we have built here over the last few months.  So stay tuned as I share more pics! 
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Sent via @planoly #planoly #portugal #portugal #portugaltravel #portugalguide #portugal_lovers #portugal🇵🇹 #portugal #portugaltravelers #portugaltravels #portugaltravelpt #portugalfoodandtravel #portugaltravelling #movingtoportugal #movingtoportugalsoon #familytravel #travelfamily #travelingfamily #familytravelblog #familytravelblogger #travelfamilyblog #familytraveltips #familytravelbloggers #familytravelling #learnportugueseportugal #learnportuguese #futebol #thebeautifulgame #canadianstravel #canadianfamilytravels
These boys make my heart sparkle like champagne! 💗 Happy National Sons Day! 
.
.
#nationalsonsday #nationalsonsday💙 #happynationalsonsday #happynationalsonsday💙 #boymama #boymamalife #lovemyboys #lovemyboys💙 #myheart #myboysmyworld #sonsandmothers #grateful #blessed #blessedandhighlyfavored #myloves
Monstera friends, is this a new baby leaf? . . #m Monstera friends, is this a new baby leaf? 
.
.
#monsteracare #monsteracareguide #monsteralovers #monsteralove #monsteraleaf #monsteraplant #monsteradeliciosa #monsteramonday #monsteraplants #monsteraplantsofinstagram #monsterainstagram #indoorplants #indoorplantsdecor #indoorplantsofinstagram #plantmama #plantmamas #monsterapropagation #plantsmakepeoplehappy #plantsmakemehappy🍃 #plantenergy #plantlover
Monstera love 💗 . . Share your Monstera pics wi Monstera love 💗
.
.
Share your Monstera pics with me pleeeeaaase! 😊🪴🪴🪴!
.
.
#monsteradeliciosa #monsteralove #monstera #monsteramonday #plantmama #plantmom #plantlove #plantloversofinstagram #swisscheeseplant #swisscheesemonsteraplant🌱 #plantsofinstagram #plantlover #plantsmakepeoplehappy #plantsmakemehappy #plantsmakemesmile
Peach picking. . . #summer #fruitpicking #peaches Peach picking.
.
.
#summer #fruitpicking #peaches #peaches🍑 #summerdays #novascotiasummersaremagic #novascotiasummers #peachtrees #peachfestival #farmsofns #dempseyscornerorchard #peachpicking
My 12 year old wrote this on the kitchen board las My 12 year old wrote this on the kitchen board last night. I just found it this morning since I wasn’t feeling well yesterday and went straight to bed. He’s such a light in my life.
.
.
#hopeandfaith #hopeandfaithandlove #blessedandgrateful #blessedbeyondmeasure #howdidigetsolucky❤️ #ourkidsteachus #ourkidsteachusaboutlife #ourkidsteachussomuch #ourkidsteachusmanylessons #joy #thursdaythoughts #thursdaymorning
Browsing through my memories and this pic came up. Browsing through my memories and this pic came up. 
.
.
It doesn’t seem so long ago, but this beautiful boy will be a teenager in just a few short months. How quickly the time goes.
.
.
Lately, I find myself staring at his face, realizing how much he’s changed. It’s so bittersweet because no matter how amazing it is to watch him grow, I also miss him being little enough that I could scoop him up in my arms, as I still do with his little brother.
.
.
#lovethiskid #timegoesbysoquickly #watchhimgrowingup #boymama #throwbackpic #mybabyboy💙 #couldnotloveanythingmore #solongagobutfeelslikeyesterday #theygrowuosofast #feelinghappyandsadatthesametime #blessedandgrateful #blessedbeyondmeasure #myboy❤️ #myboy #mamabear #specialtimes #pumpkinpants
Choose to be kind. . . #kindnessmatters #kindnessc Choose to be kind.
.
.
#kindnessmatters #kindnesscounts #kindnessiscontagious #bekindtoeverykind #kindnesscounts #itsimportanttobekind #lovingkindness #compassion #compassionandkindness #compassionandlove #bekindalways #bekindtooneanother #quotestoliveby #dalailama #dalailamaquotes #dalailamaquote #wordstoliveby #wordstolivebyalways
Love this photo of J! . . #footy #adidas #adidasc Love this photo of J! 
.
.
#footy #adidas #adidascanada #soccerkids #soccertraining #soccerislife #soccerplayer⚽️ #onthepitch💚💚💚 #shootingdrills⚽️ #lovethiskid #myboy #boymomlife #soccermom #soccermoms #soccermoms⚽️ #soccermoments #sportpictures
Low key Easter with my 3 beautiful boys! . . Have Low key Easter with my 3 beautiful boys!
.
.
Have to say, I’m loving the Amish Butterprint Pyrex on the table.  It’s a happy day when we use it!  How was your Easter weekend? 
.
.
#easter2021 #easterweekend #easterwithkids #amishbutterprint #amishbutterprintpyrex #amishbutterprintpattern #amishbutterprintmixingbowls #amishbutterprints #vintagepyrex #vintagepyrexlove #vintagepyrexlovers #vintagepyrexcollection #vintagepyrexcollector #vintagepyrexbowls #pyrexcinderellabowls #pyrexcinderella #pyrexcinderellas #easterdinner #easterdinnertable #easterdinnertabledecor #easterdinner2021
Happy Easter! 🐣 . . This is my favourite Easte Happy Easter! 🐣 
.
.
This is my favourite Easter centrepiece.  Used many, many Peeps and pink tulips.  Love the way it turned out!
.
.
#happyeaster #happyeaster🐰 #happyeaster🐰 #peeps #peepsmarshmallows #peepscenterpiece #peepscenterpieces #eastertable #easterdecor #easterdecoration #easterdecorating #peepsmarshmallowbunnies #peepsmarshmello #peepsmarshmallowbunny #easterweekend #easterpictures #eastermood
Our orchid is in full bloom! 🌸🌸🌸 . . #suc Our orchid is in full bloom! 🌸🌸🌸
.
.
#suchabeauty #orchid #orchidsofinstagram #orchids #orchidlover #orchidflower #bloomingorchid #bloomingorchids #orchidbloom #orchidblooms #orchidbloomsofinstagram #newtoorchids #flowers🌸 #flowersofinstagram #flowerdays #takingcareoforchids #orchidcare #orchid101 #orchidmom #orchidmoments #orchidmomma #orchidshare #orchidlove #orchidlovers
This past year during lockdown, we started using t This past year during lockdown, we started using the meal kit service, Chef’s Plate.
.
.
We love to cook in our house but despite our love to cook, getting the meal kit was more of an “event”. Sort of like eating at a restaurant; eating something you wouldn’t normally cook but with all the convenience of eating at home. 
.
.
Check out the blog, because on it I wrote an article on the “ Top 10 Reasons We Use Chef’s Plate” and it’s been a lot of fun, especially for the kids!
.
.
So if you’re looking to break the monotony of weeknight dinners, let me know.  I’ve got $40 off coupons to share and occasionally a FREE box, too!
.
.
Read the blog post and watch the video when the kids get involved and cook the Bavarian Pork Chop meal - such a great experience for the little ones and so delicious!
.
.
#chefsplate #chefsplatemeals #chefsplaterecipe #chefsplaterecipes #chefsplatemenu #mealkitservice #mealkitservicecanada #mealkits #mealkitdeliveryservice #mealkitdeliveryservices #mealkitdeliveryservicediscountcode #mealkitdeliveryservicevouchercodes
My Majesty Palm. 💗💗💗 . . I’m all about My Majesty Palm. 💗💗💗
.
.
I’m all about my plants recently, so you’ll have to excuse the obsession!
.
.
I can’t stop taking pictures!  It must be spring in the air! 🪴🌱🪴🌱
.
.
#majestypalm #majestypalmsofinstagram #beautifulpalms #houseplantsofinstagram #houseplantsofinsta #majestypalmplant #majestypalmtree #indoormajestypalm #tropicalplantsofinstagram #tropicalplants #iloveplants #kidsandplants #plantsofinstagram #indoorplantsdecor
I’ve become the mother of houseplants. I just l I’ve become the mother of houseplants.  I just love my plant babies so much!  What are your favourites? 
.
.
#houseplants #housepanthersofinstagram #motherofhouseplants #houseplantbabies #plantbabies🌱 #plantbabies #bostonferns #bostonfernlover #inamemyplants #inamemyplantsokay #thisisgeorgia #plantsmakepeoplehappy #plantsmakemesmile #plantsmakemesmile🌿
Boys went tobogganing today! . . #outdoorfun #out Boys went tobogganing today! 
.
.
#outdoorfun #outdooradventures  #winterfun #wintersports #getoutsideandplay #getoutsidemore #getoutsidemoreoften #toboganning #toboganningfun #toboganningtime #sledding #sleddingfun #letssled #canadianwinters #canadianwinter #canadianwinters🇨🇦 #winterinnovascotia #winterinnovascotia2021 #wintersunshine☀️
As he was getting dressed to play outside, Henry w As he was getting dressed to play outside, Henry was struggling to put on a glove and he said to me, “Mommy, I don’t think I have enough fingers for this.” 😂
.
.
#snowdays #playinthesnow #thisis5 #5yearolds #lovethisboy💙 #lovethisboysomuch #outdoortime #novascotialife #christmassnow #whitechristmas❄️ #mybabyboyforever #thingskidssay #funnythingskidssay #funnykidstuff #kidssaythefunniestthings #kidssaythefunnieststuff #lovewhathesays #lovewhathesaid
Load More... Follow on Instagram

Follow Our Lives!

  • Instagram
  • YouTube

Recent Posts

  • How to Get a Portuguese NIF
  • Should you buy a used car?
  • Hearts In Portugal
  • LYRA Swimwear
  • How I Discovered “Gentle” Video Games For Kids and What My Kids Are Learning From Them!

Categories

  • DIY
  • Food
  • Holidays
  • Homeschooling
  • Life
  • Mindset
  • Reviews
  • Travel
  • Uncategorized

Recent Posts

  • How I Gained 20lbs in Lockdown and 5 Things I’m Doing About It!

    How I Gained 20lbs in Lockdown and 5 Things I’m Doing About It!

    May 7, 2021
  • Epic Road Trip 2019

    Epic Road Trip 2019

    January 17, 2020
  • Happy 2020

    Happy 2020

    January 17, 2020
We're so glad you stopped by; we're super excited to hang out and share our adventures with you, so don't forget to subscribe and visit us often :)

Whether we're traveling, playing soccer, just being perpetually hungry, or on the hunt for another vintage find, follow along as we figure out life.



You can write a little something about yourself here, or you can customize your sidebar however you’d like! You can add, rearrange, and delete any widgets - the options are endless!

Get A FREE Book Report Worksheet

Perfect for homeschoolers!

Click here to download the PDF

  • Bloglovin
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Reader Favorites

How to Get a Portuguese NIF

Its The Maples! © 2023 · Theme By Coded Creative

Copyright © 2023 · Magnolia on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in