In order to move forward, I had to visit the past. I planned to go to my storage Pod to get my fall and winter clothes to take back to Los Angeles. Visiting the Pod meant visiting the past which I didn’t want to do. Dad let me use his SUV. Before I left his … Read more
When I’m in emotional overload, nothing seems to make sense. My emotions come on like a storm and overwhelm me. And although I try to do self-care (journaling, going for a walk, getting to bed early) it doesn’t always seem to work. I experience emotional overload as intense feelings of panic. I feel trapped, boxed … Read more
Dating provides an opportunity for us to use the simple self-care strategy of taking things slow when getting to know potential romantic partners. Maybe your defeat isn’t one of a failed passion or dream but one of dating or having a romantic relationship. For some of us, dating and love relationships may be more challenging … Read more
Panic and fear can strike like a lightning bolt when a person or situation triggers you. In their most acute form, the feelings are paralyzing. There are many ways to cope and process these feelings, however, when their onset overwhelms you, the best way to deal with them on short notice, is to pray. Not … Read more
Reactions and feelings about seemingly innocuous information can sometimes last for days. A simple way to help ourselves is by becoming aware of our reactions and accompanying feelings. This creates space for us to choose new responses when triggered. Recently someone’s behavior unleashed a reaction that seemed to spill over into my whole week. I … Read more
After passions fail and you begin the work of moving on it can seem like nothing’s happening despite your best efforts. Goals and direction seem unclear because the pieces aren’t fitting into place. It feels like nothing’s happening. The truth is, movement is occurring just beneath the surface. This movement is called growth. But more … Read more
After trying to get my way in pursuit of my passion, well for that matter, in just about everything, I have been thinking about Al-Anon’s third step. It says, “Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him.” Surrendering our will has everything to … Read more
When your passions fail and facing defeat, you’re likely feeling a storm of emotions. As hard as this place is to be in, it’s sacred, fertile soil in which healing and growth happen—despite ourselves and our circumstances. Freedom and relief sprout as defeat’s first gifts. After having lost almost everything launching my motel business, I … Read more
Do you ever find yourself thinking about your present circumstances and judging them as not being good and before you know it, your anxiety kicks into action? This short article shares a simple way to challenge self-defeating thoughts. My anxiety tends to manifest itself in two ways: It either worriedly looks for something that is … Read more
Remembering that things do indeed sometimes work out for me, even when I’m in the middle of loss and defeat, begins with doing the most simple every day tasks of living. Anthony made me promise to write down yesterday’s good news and call it a “win.” It’ll serve as a reminder when I get … Read more