Category: Empowering Discussions

Empowering Discussions

The 30 Days of Gratitude Challenge from the Love Warrior Community

Impower You

This November the Love Warrior Community has started a 30 day gratitude challenge. I LOVE this kind of challenge. In a world with so much pain, fear and anger, finding gratitude can give us the extra energy we need to be the change we want to see.

“When you make a commitment to a gratitude practice – it’s healing… November’s Self-Love Diet Writing prompt is to make a commitment to gratitude, and then witness what manifests.” Read More at lovewarriorcommunity.com/30-day-self-love-diet-gratitude-challenge

Gratitude is quite a radical idea these days. We constantly absorb messages that we need more, we need new, we need something that we don’t have if we want to be happy. How loco is that?  I learned that happiness comes from within. It’s a seed that you water and cultivate until it is ever-present in your life.

For those of us who always want more why is it so hard to appreciate what we have?

I was never much into the idea of gratitude until I spent many years being so unhappy that my existence became a chore. So much so that I wished for oblivion, though I never attempted suicide. Experiencing the pain after a close friend kill himself when I was 14 convinced me that was a pain I could never inflict on my loved ones. I simply wished for a quick accidental death. By practicing gratitude and many other therapeutic exercises(read my D.I.Y. Therapy posts) I learned to create a healthier mind with thoughts that build me up instead of tearing me to pieces.

I’ve learned to be grateful for past pains, for current obstacles and for whatever future comes my way. Now there are more happy and grateful days and fewer unhappy and ungrateful days. Now I wish for as much time as possible so I can actively create the world I want to see.

The 30 day gratitude challenge offers 3 different ways to practice gratitude including a gratitude jar, gratitude journal and morning gratitude exercise. Check it out at Lovewarriorcommunity.com/30-day-self-love-diet-gratitude-challenge

Here is my first statement of gratitude.

“I AM GRATEFUL FOR MY FAMILY”

1. They are always there to help me.

2. We don’t judge or degrade each other.

3. We love each other unconditionally.

4. We have fun when we are together.

5. I feel comfortable and happy when I’m with my family.

Join in, and tag your posts on Facebook with #SLD30DayGratitudeChallenge

Join the challenge: Lovewarriorcommunity.com/30-day-self-love-diet-gratitude-challenge

DO YOU HAVE A GRATITUDE PRACTICE?

IF SO LEAVE A  COMMENT!

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Find inspiring books I wrote on Amazon.com and Bookemon.com.

Looking for books that support your personal development? Read my book reviews.

Check out my T-shirt and greeting card designs on Zazzle.com/OviedoStyle.

Want ideas for a healthy lifestyle free of depression? Read my D.I.Y. Therapy posts.

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D.I.Y. Therapy

D.I.Y. Therapy: Move Over Anxiety, I Choose To Be Happy

Impower You

Anxiety seems to come out of nowhere, knocking me backwards into the fear zone. I suddenly don’t want to continue with whatever it is I need to do. I want to go hide under a rock and give up. Physically I feel sick in my stomach. Mentally I start thinking about all that can go wrong and begin visualizing scenarios of myself failing miserably. Next are tears building up and ready to pour. My thoughts turn dark, “what’s wrong with me”, “why can’t I do anything right”, “how can I be such a loser”.

Goodby balance! Hello panic attack!

Do you ever feel like this? I know from talking with friends that anxiety comes in different forms with different feelings. One thing that is the same though is how difficult anxiety is to stop. Sometimes I don’t even realize I’m getting sucked into the fear zone. It’s so uncomfortably familiar, as if I never left.

Slowly I’ve been teaching myself to stop anxiety as soon as I feel the dull ache and dark clouds. I have a mantra and I’m sharing it with you in hopes that you can utilize it or be inspired to create your own. This is what I tell anxiety.

“I RECOGNIZE WHAT IS HAPPENING.

MOVE OVER ANXIETY!

I CHOOSE TO BE HAPPY.

I AM OKAY.

I AM OKAY.

I AM OKAY!“

textgram_1445392647Does it really work?

Yes. It really does. Because this is a trigger mantra for me.

Once I say this I can remember that I’m strong and that mistakes and wrong turns are just lessons. I tell myself that I’m safe, I’m loved, I’m skilled, I love life and that life is an adventure. Oftentimes I remind myself that the anxiety I’m feeling is about something that HAS NOT HAPPENED so I need to relax.

My next step is to slow my breathing back to normal and either continue with my task at hand or take a break and focus on something peaceful. Remembering positive experiences where I took control of my life or successfully completed a project really helps me to KNOW that I really am okay now and I will be okay no matter what happens.

IF YOU TRY THIS PLEASE SHARE IF IT WORKED FOR YOU OR NOT?

IF NOT, WHAT DOES WORK FOR YOU?

This is just ONE of many lessons I’m learning as I heal and grow. If you’re ready to heal, read my other posts about D.I.Y. Therapy.

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Find inspiring books I wrote on Amazon.com and Bookemon.com.

Looking for books that support your personal development? Read my book reviews.

Check out my T-shirt and greeting card designs on Zazzle.com/OviedoStyle.

Want ideas for a healthy lifestyle free of depression? Read my D.I.Y. Therapy posts.

*If you like this blog share it…

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Empowering Discussions

The Temptation of Sirens – How To Become Aware of Disastrous Desires

Impower You

I really enjoyed this blog post about taking control of your destiny by learning to be aware of when the sirens(your thoughts/desires) are tempting you with songs that drown out your truth.

“It takes courage to admit a weakness. It takes throwing out the lies of your experience to see the Truth. And it takes preparation to stop the cycle. Stopping the cycle does not mean we no longer here the seductive song of the Sirens, beckoning us not to the realization of our dreams, but to death; rather it means that once we learn to live at peace with our own selves, in our own right of who we are, just as we are… the song becomes less seductive. Why is that? It is because in that continuing awareness of who we are (not the fleeting thoughts), the all-encompassing need/desire recedes yet at the same time, I think, is actually met.…CONTINUE READING at the Treasure Trove blog

 

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Find inspiring books I wrote on Amazon.com and Bookemon.com.

Looking for books that support your personal development? Read my book reviews.

Check out my T-shirt and greeting card designs on Zazzle.com/OviedoStyle.

Want ideas for a healthy lifestyle free of depression? Read my D.I.Y. Therapy posts.

*If you like this blog share it…

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D.I.Y. Therapy

D.I.Y. Therapy: Setting Intention and Committng to Heal. Are You Ready?

Impower You

Are you ready to heal?

You must answer YES for any of my guidance to help. If you aren’t ready and willing to end your depression the following advice and resources won’t help. The hard truth is real sustainable healing starts within your own mind and body.

I wasn’t ready for a long time, but there came a day when I realized that the only thing I was ready for was to heal. Without healing my depression, my grief and my fears I knew nothing I created would ever be whole. I would never really be happy or balanced.

Be prepared. You must create a solid attitude adjustment if you want to heal. Ending depression doesn’t happen overnight. You might feel great after reading this and doing the exercises in my D.I.Y. Therapy Series, ut if you don’t commit to long-term action your depression will return. For most of us depression is a life long issue. It may never go away completely, but we can continue to live through each stage and move forward for better futures. Each time you’re able to stop depression from taking hold you will get stronger and it will become easier to stop.

Life is filled with stress, failures, grief and loss. These will knock you off-balance and bend you into a pretzel, but with determination you can always straighten yourself and return to center. Remember that only you are in control.

Say it out loud!

“I’M IN CONTROL”

“I CHOOSE BALANCE”

“I WILL THRIVE”

The dirtiest job will be facing your fears.

For me it was facing the fear of failure. I used to allow that fear to stop me from trying very hard. More and more though I am able to stop my fear and remind myself that it is okay to fail. It is okay because I love myself unconditionally and refuse to allow fear to beat me down.

So….. are you ready to heal?

If you answered YES start reading my D.I.Y. Therapy Series.

 

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Find inspiring books I wrote on Amazon.com and Bookemon.com.

Looking for books that support your personal development? Read my book reviews.

Check out my T-shirt and greeting card designs on Zazzle.com/OviedoStyle.

Want ideas for a healthy lifestyle free of depression? Read my D.I.Y. Therapy posts.

*If you like this blog share it…

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D.I.Y. Therapy, Empowering Discussions

D.I.Y. Therapy: It’s Time To Heal By Releasing Those Expectations

Impower You

Life is going to give you all sorts of expectations. Some are great, like expecting to be respected and being happy. Others like expecting people to change for you or the idea that if only you had that one ‘important thing’ you’d be happy.

textgram_1398055224If you want to heal, you must release the expectations that life owes you anything other than the opportunity to be alive. Release the thoughts that others should be more considerate, that you should be happier, that life should be easier. Don’t SHOULD all over yourself.

So you had a bad day and everyone is in your way? Release the expectation that others should feel your pain or get out of your way and be nice to you. They have their own stuff to deal with and have a right to be here. Change your attitude. Watch a funny video or meditate.

So you don’t like your job, but need to keep it while you actively find something better? Release the expectation that you should have found a better job already. Embrace the moment you are in and allow yourself to be happy while you wait for and work toward this new transition.

So your grief is too powerful for smiles and sunshine? Release the expectation that you must put on a brave face. Allow yourself to feel the sadness of loss. It’s okay for others to know you are sad. Being sad is not a weakness. It is a valid emotion.

Remember there will be days and moments when life is devastating or annoying. That’s okay. You are capable of overcoming obstacles and moving forward! RELEASE the expectation that you deserve an easy path in life.

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Support FREE SELF DEFENSE Classes through my new campaign, Gofundme.com/freedefense

Want ideas for a healthy lifestyle free of depression? Read my D.I.Y. Therapy posts.

Find inspiring books I wrote on Amazon.com and Bookemon.com.

Looking for books that support your personal development? Read my book reviews.

Check out my T-shirt and greeting card designs on Zazzle.com/OviedoStyle.

*If you like this blog share it…

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Empowering Discussions

Is the Intimidation of Change and the Great Unknown Slowing You Down? Maybe it’s Time for a Pilgrimage.

Impower You

Life. What an adventure!

I’ve been slowly changing my career focus from freelance administration to something with more creativity(and less time staring at a computer) to feed my waning lust for life. It’s been a very slow process because change is intimidating and the unknown is a bit unnerving.

With a mother who liked to relocate, I was raised on constant change. Even though it took many adult years of growing braver(I teach self-defense after all) this did eventually teach me to brave and search out adventure. Sometimes though I get so distracted by the comforts of the familiar or exhausted by my struggle that I go TOO slow and get mired in doubt.

Just a few minutes ago I was feeling the need for a break from work that was putting me to sleep so I visited the Virtual Vinyasa​ site. There I found inspiration in the words of the founder, Jaimie, who I recently met through my friend Kelly. She invited me to attend Jaimies bon voyage celebration as she set off on a pilgrimage for her new yoga project. Smartly I had bookmarked her site in my browser so it was easy to rediscover on this slow-moving day.

Her story of how she prepared for a new project reminded me that to move forward I must take action. This means not focusing on actions that I feel obligated to do because it’s “normal”, but to focus my intention on the change I want to see. Maybe she will inspire you too. Virtualvinyasa.com/new-blog/2015/5/18/the-pilgrimage-part-2

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Support FREE SELF DEFENSE Classes through my new campaign, Gofundme.com/freedefense

Want ideas for a healthy lifestyle free of depression? Read my D.I.Y. Therapy posts.

Find inspiring books I wrote on Amazon.com and Bookemon.com.

Looking for books that support your personal development? Read my book reviews.

Check out my T-shirt and greeting card designs on Zazzle.com/OviedoStyle.

*If you like this blog share it…

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Empowering Discussions

Back and Better Than Ever: The Hollaback App Allows Women to Instantly Share Street Harassment on Social Media

Impower You

I don’t know any women who don’t have at least one story of being harassed or disrespected as they walk on the sidewalk. Street harassment happens to little prepubescent girls as well as full-grown women, women in hijabs, women on bikes, and women of all ages, colors, religions and backgrounds. Eventually I became resigned to this as a fact of life until…. iHollaback!(read my interview with founder Emily May here).

 Hollaback encourages women to do exactly as the name implies and record and report street harassment. Now they have a revved up app that helps women and girls to do even more. This new app allows users to map and track their experiences of street harassment and share their personalized “street harassment maps” on social media.

“We know that movements start because people tell their stories. In the last 5 years, we’ve seen the public conversation on street harassment change drastically as people stand up and share their experiences. This new app not only allows for individuals to share their stories, but to map and share their daily realities of street harassment on social media – that’s taking the conversation to the next level.” Emily May, executive director and co-founder of Hollaback!.

GET THE APP on ITUNES or GOOGLE PLAY. Get involved at ihollaback.org

As a self-defense instructor I highly recommend using the app and protect yourself. Harassment is wrong and with your help we can put an end to the idea that it’s just a fact of life.

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Support FREE SELF DEFENSE Classes through my new campaign, Gofundme.com/freedefense

Want ideas for a healthy lifestyle free of depression? Read my D.I.Y. Therapy posts.

Find inspiring books I wrote on Amazon.com and Bookemon.com.

Looking for books that support your personal development? Read my book reviews.

Check out my T-shirt and greeting card designs on Zazzle.com/OviedoStyle.

*If you like this blog share it…

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Empowering Discussions

The Sharing Community – The First Step in Gifting Vegetable Plants to My Neighbors

Impower You

 We all have gifts to give. I’m not talking about things that you can buy, but unique talents that shine through to make life better, happier, easier and more fulfilling for ourselves and others. One of my gifts is gardening. I LOVE digging in the soil, planting, pulling weeds, discovering bugs, finding beautiful rocks and seeing a patch of dirt transform into a leafy green, vibrant food ‘factory’.

For the past few years my focus has steadily turned to the pressing need for fresh food in our urban areas. Our cities have become food deserts, condemning millions of us to eating processed food laden with artificial flavors, pesticides, and unlabeled GMO’s. We deserve better than this. I intend to be one of many leaders who bring fresh, whole food back to our cities so that everyone, no matter their economic situation or where they live, can create healthier lives and be part of the food revolution.

For a while now I daydreamed of being able to create organic vegetable gardens in yards and apartment balconies throughout San Diego. I never really knew how to do it, but I had a dream. After a while I decided it was time to make this happen. Why wait any longer? I decided to be brave and ask for help. As adults we’re taught that we should be able to handle anything and succeed on hard work alone. More often than not we need much more than hard work and luck to succeed and this stops most of us from ever following through on our passions, moving forward in our careers or healing from our wounds. Asking for help is NOT a sign of weakness, but instead shows we are not afraid to step up and say we can’t do something on our own. Together we are so much more!

I’m so often amazed at how powerful asking is. Once I began to garden and grow my own food, I decided to grow vegetable seedlings that I could gift to my community, but I didn’t have money for seeds, containers and good soil. So I sent a request on Facebook asking friends and fellow group members for seeds. The responses were so positive. I received over 20 packets of organic vegetable seeds and a few flowers, from strangers! I asked for soil and received a large bag of dirt. I needed containers and looked online for advice on free containers. I learned that clean, paper egg containers make great starter plugs. So I salvaged some out of my neighbors recycle bins.

Now I have tomatoes, parsley, lettuce and radishes sprouting in my room. I’M ACTUALLY GROWING FOOD!

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When these grow bigger they’ll be moved outside where they can get sun and grow big enough to gift to others. Once those move outside I can plant more seeds and continue the cycle of gifting food to my community. This only happened because I asked. Are you wiling to ask for what you need to move forward?  Use these resources:

FREE STUFF IN YOUR COMMUNITY: The Buy Nothing Project

INSPIRATIONAL TED TALK: The Art of Asking by Amanda Palmer

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Support FREE SELF DEFENSE Classes through my new campaign, Gofundme.com/freedefense

Want ideas for a healthy lifestyle free of depression? Read my D.I.Y. Therapy posts.

Find inspiring books I wrote on Amazon.com and Bookemon.com.

Looking for books that support your personal development? Read my book reviews.

Check out my T-shirt and greeting card designs on Zazzle.com/OviedoStyle.

*If you like this blog share it…

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D.I.Y. Therapy, Empowering Discussions

D.I.Y. Therapy: Finding Your Happiness and Following Your Truth

Impower You

Life is challenging and how we react to this is what decides our happiness. We can give up or we can move forward. For many years I gave up. I barely tried and ended up wallowing in pain and depression that lasted way too long.  Luckily I woke up and realized that my life was in my control. I taught myself to be happy by learning my own truth, trusting my struggle and staying focused on creating a life that I would enjoy.

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How did I find my truth? By asking myself questions and then taking action.

What makes me happy in the long run as opposed to instant gratification?

What are my true passions?

Am I willing to move forward beyond my fear and live a life that resonates as true happiness with my inner self?

Once I began to answer these questions I began to take action. I started writing, published books, became a self-defense instructor, read every self-help book I could find and asked for help. It wasn’t easy. Some days are hard and I forget my truth, but I always come back. I know that you can do this too. You just have to make the choice to find your truth and LIVE IT!

 An important aspect of staying happy is to find things and activities that make you feel good AND are also good for you. You probably won’t find happiness at the bottom of a tequila bottle or immersing yourself in angry depression movies, books and music. When I was in the process of healing I gave up those things for more positive entertainment. If you also choose positive reinforcement throughout your daily life, you’ll see a change in your thoughts which will in turn change your feelings.

 When I’m feeling mentally strung out I really like HUGS, positive affirmations and time with people who love me without judgement. To keep my physical body feeling good I gave up the daily sodas and twinkies and instea choose flavorful healthy foods and lots of movement.  Yoga, swimming, paddbleboarding and walking really keep my energy up and on par with my positive mental state.

Remember there will be days and moments when you won’t be happy. That’s okay. You’re an imperfectly perfect being. Embrace that reality and RELEASE the expectation to always be bright and cheerful.

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Support FREE SELF DEFENSE Classes through my new campaign, Gofundme.com/freedefense

Want ideas for a healthy lifestyle free of depression? Read my D.I.Y. Therapy posts.

Find inspiring books I wrote on Amazon.com and Bookemon.com.

Looking for books that support your personal development? Read my book reviews.

Check out my T-shirt and greeting card designs on Zazzle.com/OviedoStyle.

*If you like this blog share it…

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Empowering Discussions

Happy Women’s Equality Day! JUST KIDDING! – We’ve STILL Got Action to Take!

Impower You

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I’ll keep this rant as short as possible.

I see a lot people who look as white as me having an issue with recognizing they have white privilege. It can be hard to see unless you actually go out in the world and talk to people who AREN’T white. The bottom line is we still have racism, it’s just so institutionalized and sneaky, you have to actually examine our policies and the way people are mistreated to see it and you have to give a damn in the first place. Here’s a recent article about illustrating this major problem, http://billmoyers.com/2014/11/03/voter-id-laws-affect-women-color/

Here is a brief history lesson on the right to vote for women and African-Americans, http://www.socialstudies.org/system/files/publications/se/5905/590503.html

Women are still paid less than men, our reproductive health care is still under attack, we’re still more likely to be blamed for sexual assault, most of our political leaders are still white MALES, we’re still ridiculed in the gaming industry and our bodies are still over sexualized and used to sell products and services. All this and we’re almost to the 100 year mark of celebrating our right to vote. Ooops, I mean MY pale-skinned right to vote.

Less than 100 years ago it was illegal for Asian-Americans and Native Americans to VOTE. That means white women could vote! In some southern states black women couldn’t vote due to many obstacles, including unjust laws and violence, purposely planned to discourage voting. http://massvote.org/voterinfo/history-of-voting-rights/

Luckily many in the feminist community are learning to check their white privilege at the door and create truly equal spaces for ALL women(transsexual included). I learned about this privilege at a young age because my lineage is not pure white, and because not everyone in my family is white. Not that it matters to most people since what others SEE is my skin color and they treat me differently than those around me who have darker skin or slanted eyes! Sometimes it is is overt and others much quieter, but I SEE it. I knowingly receive white privilege and it makes me sick!

It’s time to recognize your privilege. Sometimes you need to set it aside and create open ended dialogue and other times you must use it to support others so they can create equal change.

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 Support FREE SELF DEFENSE Classes through my new campaign, Gofundme.com/freedefense

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Want ideas for a healthy lifestyle free of depression? Read my D.I.Y. Therapy posts.

Find inspiring books I wrote on Amazon.com and Bookemon.com.

Looking for books that support your personal development? Read my book reviews.

Check out my T-shirt and greeting card designs on Zazzle.com/OviedoStyle.

*If you like this blog share it…

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Preview this book on Amazon.com

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Fight.Back.New.Kindle.CoverPreview this book on Amazon.com

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Available at Bookemon.com

Read this book before you buy at Bookemon.com/book-profile/word-art-and-affirmations/153646

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Get your copy at Amazon.com

Find this and more empowering books at Amazon.com/Leah-Oviedo/e/B007LMUEJ2

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