“What are some tips that you have found useful in managing grief, both for yourself, and for someone in your household?”
Category: Empowering Discussions
Are You a Pathetic Loser?
-Pathetic. Loser. Freak. Ugly. Stupid. –
I said these words to myself for most of my life. My self hate was learned from bullies at school, fashion magazines, TV and the internet.
Luckily as I reached out of my comfort zone and sought help for depression, I found positive messages and was able to cultivate a sense of self-respect.
I slowly escaped from the idea that I needed makeup or a perfect body to be considered beautiful.
I chose to change my thoughts from seeing myself as a failure, to a risk taker.
It took time, but I finally love myself. Despite the occasional bad day, I refuse to return to a world of self-hate.
There is so much emphasis on looking “ideal” and being “perfect”. Let’s start a revolution of self-love and self-acceptance.
When I think negative thoughts about my self I can choose to change it up.
I am beautiful because…
I love my…
My value is based on my…
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Need more support? Listen to my conversation about healing from depression with the talented Deb Bailey on Women Entrepreneurs Radio.
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Want more? Print and enjoy my FREE COLORING BOOKS!
Grief is a Life Transformation
“Grief is a life transformation.”
Grief is a powerful transformation. Losing our loved ones to death changes our life.
That person is no longer there, our plans together, our interactions and the future we saw with each other are gone.
All the times I’ve experienced grief have been different. Some times have been similar, but my life has changed in varying degrees. Friends and family that were such a presence in my life have left me with voids. Make no mistake, for the most part, these are sad, lonely voids. However, they’ve also given me inspiration to live more profoundly, in a way that resonates with me, not with expectations I had or that society portrays. Each day I am present to this inspiration is a day where I feel myself growing into the most perfectly imperfectly person.
My life has been transformed by grief so often. So, while I’m not completely comfortable with death, I am less afraid. I’ve become less worried about dying. With this new strength, I can honestly tell my abuela that when she’s ready to go I will be ready to let her go. Grief is still painful, but in a way I know what to expect. And yes this makes it a little easier, not easy, but easier.
Today would be my mothers birthday. We would celebrate with something fun like dancing or cake at the beach for sunset. Yet while I do feel sadness, my overwhelming emotion is appreciation for the beautiful friends and family I’ve seen and talked to today.
For a while now I have been working on a book about grief. This experience has opened my heart to just how much my life has transformed from grief. Grief is a powerful gift, but truthfully I’d return it for my deceased family and friends to be alive and dancing with me again.
Any thoughts on grief? Has your life been transformed? Are you caring for someone who is terminal? Or are you more comfortable to ignore the idea of grief all together?
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“D.I.Y. Therapy: Healing Depression is available trough Amazon as both an e-book and a paperback. This is not my first book, but it is my most personal. I share my struggles and pain honestly. Openly and honestly sharing healing is my gift to the world. With 1 in 4 people in the USA suffering from mental illness I hope my story will help others to start their own journey to better health. Unlike a broken bone which heals in a matter of weeks or months, healing mental illness takes much more time and a whole lot of self-love.
If you’re suffering from depression I strongly encourage you to seek help. If you can’t afford a therapist find a supportive mentor, teacher or healer who can help you discover inner peace. Healing is possible IF you are open and willing to commit to a self-care plan. You’re life only has value if you decide it does.
And it’s okay to stumble and fall along the way. Healing takes time so BE GENTLE WITH YOURSELF!
Peace and Hugs, Leah
Want more? Print and enjoy my FREE COLORING BOOKS!
Taking Notes on Death
Healing and grieving seem to be an ongoing process on our life journey.
I welcome both with an open heart.
This week I’m taking notes.
Have you ever tried meditation by coloring?
Print out my FREE COLORING BOOKS with positive affirmations.
Coloring while focusing on a positive affirmation allows you to take a break and sit still without distractions. It’s a very easy form of meditation.
8 Things You Must Do BEFORE Buckling Down to Write that Novel
A list of hilarious things to do when you’re ready to write a novel. Must heed advice from the talented J.A. Allen, (https://jaallenauthor.com)
“Rip the third copy of your idea into five perfectly even parts and mail a piece to Santa Clause, the Tooth Fairy, the Easter Bunny, Mary Poppins, and just for kicks, one to Satan himself.”
It happens all the time. People read a crappynovel and think, hey, I can do better than that. A fraction of those people have an idea for aplot that potential readers might find interesting—if it’s raining. And a Tuesday. Because people love reading on Tuesdays, especially if it’s less than seventy degrees and the wind is coming from due north.
A fraction of that fraction of would-be authors decide to sit down and plot the idea out. A fraction of that fraction of that fraction is able to fend off the inevitable self-doubt monsters whispering that the book is going to suck, and churn out a reasonable first draft. And,a fraction of that fraction of that fraction, of THAT fraction is able to outlast the procrastinatory distractions offered by the interwebs, members of their real-life family, and pesky employment obligations to COMPLETE a (somewhat) viable book.
If that book…
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Nature Meditation for Depression
One of the many ways I’m healing my depression is through nature. I live in the city with lots of parks, canyons and the ocean, but it’s still mostly concrete, pollution and a constant rushing of life. Since I don’t have many opportunities to escape into the mountains I escape into the garden where I volunteer and “ground” or “meditate”. Here is a simple meditation I’ve been using for over a year now.
Nature Meditation
Find a spot. Sit down or stand still.
Look at your surroundings. Is this a safe place to stop and rest?
If so, find a plant or tree to direct your focus.
Notice your thoughts and tell them that it’s time for a break. Just focus on the plant or tree you chose. Notice the shape and size. What is the color of the plant? What’s unique about it? Imagine what insects, reptiles or animals might live in it or like to nibble on it. Just allow your focus to be totally absorbed by the plant.
Every time you start thinking, bring yourself back with the word “return”. It doesn’t matter how long you’ve been on a train of thought, just notice that you are out of focus. Allow yourself to release any thoughts, especially those concerned with what you need to do or what is causing you pain. Imagine all the unwanted things seeping out of you and into the soil. Let your worries dissolve into the earth.
Just be present. When you feel ready to move forward with your day then gently return to the world around you. Bring with you the felling of peace that you cultivated today.
The first time I tried this, I only lasted a few minutes, but gradually with practice I can allow myself to sit still and be present for much longer. Practicing mindfulness and meditation is a core for healing. If we don’t take time to slow down and allow ourselves to shut down we will constantly be working on ourselves and that is tiring.
Want more? Check out my DIY Therapy Posts or buy my book, “D.I.Y. Therapy: Healing Depression” on Amazon.
“D.I.Y. Therapy: Healing Depression” is available through Amazon; as both an e-book and a paperback.
If you’re suffering from depression I strongly encourage you to seek help. If you can’t afford a therapist find a supportive mentor, teacher or healer who can help you discover inner peace. Healing is possible IF you are open and willing to commit to a self-care plan.
Want more? Print and meditate with FREE COLORING BOOKS!
Anger and Love, Shaming and Mocking
Some of us consistently feel intense anger, some of us consistently feel an abundance of love. Let’s stop shaming those with anger and stop mocking those with love. Instead we can respect each others emotions and perspectives.
We can support each other to heal what is broken without fighting hate with hate. We can encourage each other to be more openly loving without fear of teasing.
How can we take these actions into our life today and moving forward into the future?
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“D.I.Y. Therapy: Healing Depression” is available through Amazon; available as both an e-book and a paperback.
If you’re suffering from depression I strongly encourage you to seek help. If you can’t afford a therapist find a supportive mentor, teacher or healer who can help you discover inner peace. Healing is possible IF you are open and willing to commit to a self-care plan.
Want more? Print and enjoy my FREE COLORING BOOKS!
My New Book is Here! “DIY Therapy: Healing Depression” is Finally Published
For several years I have been working on healing my depression. It’s been a bumpy journey, but is slowly bringing me home to my true self. For a few years now I have been sharing my healing process through my DIY Therapy posts, which are free to read, here on my blog. I’m elated to finally share how I have healed in book form. Hopefully this will help me reach more people who are in pain.
I published through Amazon so it’s available as both an e-book and a paperback. This is not my first book, but it is my most personal. I share my struggles and pain honestly. Openly and honestly sharing healing is my gift to the world. With 1 in 4 people in the USA suffering from mental illness I hope my story will help others to start their own journey to better health. Unlike a broken bone which heals in a matter of weeks or months, healing mental illness takes much more time and a whole lot of self-love.
For seventeen years I suffered in silence because the fear of a mental illness stigma is SO strong. I hid it even from my closest family and friends, “knowing” they would not understand. Well as it turns out, my family and friends and event complete strangers, care a lot about my mental health. It is with their support and encouragement that I was able to openly share my own pain and the struggles of depression.
If you’re suffering from depression I strongly encourage you to seek help. If you can’t afford a therapist find a supportive mentor, teacher or healer who can help you discover inner peace. Healing is possible IF you are open and willing to commit to a self-care plan. You’re life only has value if you decide it does.
And it’s okay to stumble and fall along the way. Healing takes time so BE GENTLE WITH YOURSELF!
Peace and Hugs, Leah
Want more? Print and enjoy my FREE COLORING BOOKS!
The Most Fantastic, Awesome and Wonderful 31 Day Self-Love Diet Writing Challenge
How would your life be different if you regularly offered yourself loving thoughts, encouragement, actions and intentions to live your best life?
For about 20 years, self-care wasn’t a part of my life. I thought drinking (often too much), doing things and acting a certain way to be liked, and misguided self-care ideas (like the debt hole of ‘retail-therapy’) was self-care. Turns out what I really needed was to delve deeper into what brought me joy on a non-material level. It wasn’t things or attention, but self-love.
I invite you to let go of what doesn’t serve you and immerse yourself in a month of self-care with this simple challenge. I participated last year and it was the extra push necessary to being more authentic and balanced.
Join me the free, 31-Day Self-Love Diet Writing Challenge! http://www.lovewarriorcommunity.com/31-day-self-love-diet-writing- challenge/
Here are the official links and tags to help you accomplish and share this challenge.
-7th Annual 31-Day Self-Love Diet Writing Challenge Facebook Event Page: https://www.facebook.com/events/1615358152093749/
-Self-Love Diet: The Only Diet That Works Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/SelfLoveDietTheOnlyDietThatWorks
-Twitter: @selflovewarrior https://twitter.com/selflovewarrior
-Love Warrior Community website: http://www.lovewarriorcommunity.com/
-Self-Love Diet website: http://theselflovediet.org/
-Official Hashtags: #SelfLoveDiet #LoveWarriorCommunity
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Affirmation for Following Your Heart:
I follow my heart because I know what I need and that is love. I give and receive with love. I grow and evolve with love. My heart guides me to self-love. I am following my heart.
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“Peace Love and Weirdness” is offbeat and includes positive affirmations for cultivating healthier thoughts.
Grab your FREE coloring book at: https://impoweryou.org/color
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You might also enjoy my book of word art and affirmations.
#MomentOfTruth – Share Your Story of How This Election Has Effected You
Electing Trump as president is terrible, but our fight is not over till we stop caring and stop working for equality! I’m happy to learn that Hollaback(one of my all time fave orgs) and 15 other nonprofits have banded together to launch #MomentofTruth: a campaign to document a rise in post-election hate and violence. People can submit stories documenting their own experiences, or stories where they witnessed hate or violence and tried to intervene. You can find the campaign at momentoftruth2016.tumblr.com.
“The election is over, but its impact is not. The 2016 presidential campaign exposed us to the deep racism, sexism, and power imbalances that are still entrenched in the United States,” said Emily May, Co-Founder and Executive Director of Hollaback!, the nonprofit that uses individual stories to spur new global conversations about harassment. “American citizens and noncitizens alike are feeling anxious, exhausted, and deeply unsafe. Our new campaign is designed to show people what is wrong, so that they can begin to see where we need to go next.”
The #MomentofTruth campaign is powered by Hollaback! and its partners Rhize, The Dinner Party, Women, Action and Media, CTZNwell, The Harry Potter Alliance, Uplift, Sadie Nash Leadership Project, Paradigm Shift, TMI Project, The Network Innovation Fund, Breakthrough, The Faith Matters Network, The UnSlut Project, StoryCorps, and Take Back the Tech.
Visit Tumblr, watch and use the #MomentofTruth hashtag, and visit the Moment of Truth StoryCorps Community page for more information on this campaign.
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“Peace Love and Weirdness” is offbeat and includes positive affirmations for cultivating healthier thoughts.
Grab your FREE copy at: https://impoweryou.org/color
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You might also enjoy my book of word art and affirmations.
Individual Empowerment 