Posts tagged with “wisdom”
How I’ve Found Relief from Panic Attacks
“Don’t assume I’m weak because I have panic attacks. You’ll never know the amount of strength it takes to face the world every day.” ~Unknown
I was just eighteen when it happened. Sitting in a crowded school assembly, my heart pounded, my chest felt constricted in a vice, and the air seemed to vanish from my lungs. As my surroundings closed in on me, my inner voice muttered, “I think you are dying.”
That was the day I experienced my first panic attack.
Terrified, I fled from the hall. “I need to see a doctor now,” I gasped tearfully …
How Gratitude and Mindfulness Gave Me My Life Back
“Train your mind and heart to see the good in everything. There is always something to be grateful for.” ~Unknown
I used to rush through life, constantly ticking off to-dos, feeling like I was always chasing something just beyond my reach. My days were a blur of deadlines, errands, and commitments. And yet, in the quiet moments—when I finally lay my head on the pillow at night—there was this heaviness, this emptiness I couldn’t shake.
I kept telling myself that once I finished the next big project, once I achieved the next goal, I’d feel better. But that “better” feeling …
Why Relationships and Service to Others Matter More Than Money
“Whatever possession we gain by our sword cannot be sure or lasting, but the love gained by kindness and moderation is certain and durable.” ~Alexander the Great
I remember when I was younger, my relatives on my mother’s side would visit our house almost weekly—not to check on us but to borrow money. We lived in a long house, with relatives and neighbors occupying different rooms, and since we were at the innermost part, they had to walk in to reach us. My parents were so accustomed to these visits that the moment they saw certain relatives, they knew …
I Had Enough: What’s Happened Since I Quit My Job
“Sometimes, the bravest thing you can do is walk away from the things that no longer serve your growth or well-being.” ~Unknown
I’ve always been a very independent person with an adventurous spirit, so no one was surprised when I moved away from my small town in Ontario, Canada, to become a nanny in Spain the second I graduated from high school.
It was a whole new world with ancient streets, delicious food, and friendly people. I knew that I had made the right choice to adventure away from the place where I was raised.
I’m someone who has itchy …
Trauma Lies: Why Survivors Feel Like They’re Bad People
“Trauma is not the bad things that happen to you, but what happens inside you as a result of what happens to you.” ~Dr. Gabor Maté
I used to have this pervasive empty feeling inside. I tried filling it by eating, working, being a wife, making my life look great on socials—anything really to make it go away. I went to church, worked hard, and tried to be a good person, hoping the hole would fill and my life would feel whole and complete.
I went to therapy for the first time when I was sixteen years old. I remember …
An Unexpected Lesson on Boundaries and Putting Yourself First
I just dropped off a rider—her name is Mariel.
When I picked her up, she got into the car and said she was headed downtown. I casually mentioned that I live downtown, near the Walt Disney Concert Hall. She smiled, said, “That’s fire,” and then, just like that, she put on her headphones.
And I got angry. Yeah, I’m admitting it. That stupid, bubbling rage started to rise. Why? Because I’m insecure.
My mind started spinning: How could she put on her headphones like I don’t matter? Isn’t that rude? I caught myself thinking she should be giving me attention, …
For the First Time in a Long Time, She Says Yes to Herself
“You owe yourself one hour a day of self-maintenance. It can include reading, writing, yoga, exercise, dancing, meditation, painting, or whatever, but you owe it to yourself. One hour, 1/24 of your day. That is less than 5%. It matters, it really does. Make it count.” ~Sarah Brassard
The alarm rings at 5:45 a.m. She’s been awake for half an hour already, her mind running through everything she has to get done. Her son’s project is due today, her daughter has a well-visit appointment, and her inbox is bursting with urgent requests from work. She’s exhausted, but there’s no time …
The Truth About Repressing Emotions: Lessons from a Child’s Meltdown
“Cry as often as you need to. It’s the all-purpose healing balm of the soul.” ~Karla McLaren, The Language of Emotions: What Your Feelings Are Trying to Tell You
A few years ago, a good friend invited me to his six-year-old daughter’s birthday party.
As I walked through his front door, I was greeted by the cheerful sound of children running around, their tiny feet pounding on the hardwood floor as they expertly avoided the table full of gifts in the living room.
Their parents looked just as excited, many enjoying the opportunity to finally have adult conversations (even …
Liberate Yourself: 5 Reasons to Share Your Truth
“When we deny our stories, they define us. When we own our stories, we get to write the ending.” ~ Brené Brown
Do you ever feel like a character in someone else’s play? More so, a victim in your own story?
I spent many years of my life this way. I was so consumed with what others thought about me, I didn’t even know how to be myself. I would put on a show I thought everyone else wanted to see. I’ve learned we don’t have to perform in life; we just need to be ourselves. Speaking with openness and …
Why We All Need to Pause More Often and How to Do It
“Taking time to do nothing often brings everything into perspective.” ~Doe Zantamata
I have always been that person who just cannot seem to slow down. An overachiever? That’s putting it mildly. In every aspect of my life—work, relationships, personal goals—I have always pushed myself to the absolute limit. It is like I have this internal drive that just won’t quit.
At work, I am always the first one in and the last to leave. Deadlines? I would meet them days early. Projects? I would volunteer for extra ones, even when my plate was already full. And don’t even get me …
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