Hi Aiyana,

Hope all is well with you. I had an email from tiny buddha the other week notifying me of a new link to your book. I have been battling depression pretty badly lately so I haven’t had a chance to get back to you earlier. I would love to read it though! I read what you had last time and you are certainly talented!

You are also the most kind, upbeat and positive person I have routinely noticed here. Thank you for that. It is always refreshing to see good people around.

Hi!!!

It makes my day seeing your responses!!! I am sorry to hear that things went a little south for awhile. I understand how frustrating things can be but it really sounds like you are doing an excellent job at keeping things together. Congrats on scoring an interview for a physical therapy job!

Your reply came at the perfect time. I have been struggling with keeping my head up through this job search. That, and I am in a relationship with someone who doesn’t understand that his occasional rage hurts me mentally and kills my emotional security. I suffer from ptsd as a result of multiple serious traumas in my life so when we fight, it opens many old wounds and takes me back a step or two sometimes. I tell him that, but it seems to go in one ear and out the other when he feels threatend of any sorts. I am also in recovery for alcoholism. I will be sober for three years this July and while I am grateful at this second chance in life, it is difficult for me to build self esteem when insults are thrown around. I feel more lost now thsn when I started out, despite my serious efforts to improve. I was hoping in this time I have had out of work, I could pursue my talents as a writer and artist but in juggling many things at once, I have lost all direction and most motivation, fearing I should just give up on my natural talents and go back in to what I was doing before (corporate world). Like you, I know I could change the world, but I don’t know how I could go about that. What are the most effective ways for you to handle adversity?

I smiled when I saw your response yesterday because it came on a “good” day for me. I spent all day thoroughly searching job sites, sending out my resume and applications with a positive mindset, rather than a feeling of dread or fear. Your confidence reminder kept me going through out. I admire your motivation and talent to continue writing and getting it out there. You do a great job and I look forward to reading what you have shared with us!!!

I’m grateful to have crossed paths with you. You appear to be my angel of wisdom when I need one the most. I love your optimism and sincerely hope I have not been a negative nancy through out this. I am learning how to communicate better and am really interested in the steps you take to remain so positive while you are experiencing some similar experiences as me.