Posts tagged with “wisdom”
How I Stopped Hiding Myself for Love and Approval
TRIGGER WARNING: This post includes a brief mention of childhood physical abuse and may be triggering to some readers.
“The person who tries to keep everyone happy often ends up feeling the loneliest.” ~Unknown
It’s Christmas morning. I’m seven years old. I sit on the hardwood floor with my sisters, in my nightgown surrounded by crumpled wrapping paper. I grab the next present to open. I tear off the paper. It’s a ballerina costume with a pink leotard, tutu, and pale pink tights.
As soon as I thank my adoptive parents, I leave the room with my new gift, keeping …
How I Learned to Trust Myself One Small, Simple Step at a Time
“Sometimes, the hardest person to trust is ourselves. But when we do, everything changes.” ~Unknown
For a long time, I thought the key to changing my life was out there—somewhere.
I thought that if I just found the right program, the perfect plan, or the expert with all the answers, then I’d finally feel in control and like I was doing it “right.”
So, I chased every plan, bought the books, signed up for the courses, and followed all the steps.
And for a while, it felt good—safe, even. But deep down, I still didn’t trust myself. Because no matter …
DBT Wise Mind is the Best Skill for Highly Sensitive People
“Feelings come and go, like clouds in the sky. Conscious breathing is my anchor.” ~Thich Nhat Hanh
On the day my daughter Zoe turned seven weeks old, she burst into tears while I was changing her diaper. But why? What had I done? I remember panicking, confused, scared, and instantly guilty.
Eventually, I noticed her pinky was twisted up in her pony-print pajamas. I freed the little digit like my life depended on it and tried to kiss her pain away. As I gently rocked and soothed my wailing child, big tears poured down my own cheeks.
That’s when my …
What Happened When I Stopped Ignoring My Body
“When we listen to our body with kindness, we honor the present moment and give ourselves the care we truly need.” ~Thich Nhat Hanh
It started back in middle school for me—the need to feel thin in my English riding breeches. I’d compare myself to others at the barn—the ones with the long, slender legs and tiny waists. My thirteen-year-old self wasn’t willing to be chubby; though, looking back, I realize that was only in my own eyes.
What I didn’t know then was that by ignoring my hunger, my cravings, and my body’s messages, I was also silencing my
The 5 Qualities You Need to Change Your Life
“In any given moment we have two options: to step forward into growth or step back into safety.” ~Abraham Maslow
Have you ever wondered what true personal development requires? What it truly takes to change your life?
I have, and it’s a question I have been asking myself for years.
As someone who was on a journey that could better be described as personal decline than personal development, I felt stuck living a life I hated.
Around two years later, after having improved or completely changed every aspect of myself that I didn’t like, I can honestly say I am …
The Truth About Rainbows: Hope Doesn’t Always Look Like We Expect
“If you have ever followed a rainbow to its end, it leads you to the ground on which you are standing.” ~Alan Cohen
There’s nothing more exhilarating than riding in a Jeep through masses of standing water. With each push forward, my friend Angela expertly maneuvered through enormous puddles, sending fountain-like arcs of aquatic glory past my passenger-side window.
This was joy to me.
It was a welcome reprieve considering the past couple of years had unraveled in ways I never saw coming. In fact, this watery wonder, cruising through the quaint streets of the beloved beach island I …
How to Change Your Bad Habits by Accepting Them
“If you don’t like something, change it; if you can’t change it, change the way you think about it.” ~Mary Engelbreit
“So, what do you think?” my husband asked, the dinner table lit by the soft glow of the overhead light. He’d been talking for a while, and I knew I should have been listening.
“What do you think?” he repeated with a hint of frustration.
My mind raced trying to piece together the last few minutes. All I could say was a weak, “Huh?”
It was the worst possible response. Normally, I’d be right there with him, sharing my …
Beyond Coping: How to Heal Generational Trauma with Breathwork
“Healing doesn’t mean the damage never existed. It means the damage no longer controls our lives.” ~Akshay Dubey
The realization came to me during a chaotic day at the Philadelphia public school where I worked as a counselor.
A young student sat across from me, her body language mirroring anxiety patterns I knew all too well—the slightly hunched shoulders, shallow breathing, and watchful eyes scanning for threats that weren’t there. She responded to a minor conflict with a teacher as though she were in genuine danger.
Something clicked into place as I guided her through a simple breathing exercise. The …
How I Stopped Overthinking and Found Inner Peace
“You don’t have to control your thoughts. You just have to stop letting them control you.” ~Dan Millman
For as long as I can remember, my mind has been a never-ending maze of what-ifs. What if I make the wrong decision? What if I embarrass myself? What if I fail? My brain worked overtime, analyzing every possibility, replaying past mistakes, and predicting every worst-case scenario.
Overthinking wasn’t just a bad habit—it was a way of life. I’d spend hours second-guessing conversations, worrying about things beyond my control, and creating problems that didn’t even exist. It felt like my mind …
4 Ways to Get Better Sleep for Increased Spiritual Wellness
“Happiness in simplicity can be achieved with a flexible mindset and nine hours sleep each night.” ~Dalai Lama
It happened again. I got up after being awake all night, wondering where I’d gone for the past nine hours. I remember laying my head on the pillow, exhausted, happy to finally close my burning eyes. My body settled sweetly into the mattress, and I thanked the universe for our heavenly bed.
Just moments away from slumbering bliss, I said my prayers and did my usual practice of releasing energy from the day and honoring my blessings. For the
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