“Gas light from parents can reach into adulthood, but it may have been particularly harmful to you in your childhood. Children have to learn to trust themselves, and being taught that what they see, hear or feel is not real can lead to a life of self-doubt. "~ Suzannah Weiss Some of us grew up in families where our feelings…
"Don't waste time looking back at what you've lost. Keep going because life shouldn't be traveled backwards." ~ Unknown When I was thirty-eight, I was diagnosed with aggressive breast cancer. One thought persisted during my treatment: "I can't wait until this is over and life is back to normal." I held the belief that things would go back to the…
"Everyone wants to live on the mountain, but all the happiness and growth occurs while you climb it." ~ Andy Rooney Three months ago I had a great opportunity – a free weekend trip to Snowdonia, Wales. After I had chronic illnesses in the last six years of my life, I had hibernated. My days were a black and white…
"We appreciate the beauty of the butterfly, but rarely admit the changes it has gone through to achieve this beauty." ~ Maya Angelou I have always been a "fixer". I was happy to fix people's problems. Someone who feels depressed? Let me fix that by trying to get rid of her pain. Someone on the wrong path in life? Let…
"Use only what works and take it from wherever you can find it." ~ Bruce Lee thing. The meditation timer sounds, and with a little miracle of willpower you managed to get through an agonizing ten-minute meditation session. What you should feel is a sense of achievement. After all, you often skip it completely. But instead you are frustrated because…
"Disneyland is the star, everything else is the supporting role." ~ Walt Disney "Just take a shower, I'll text you before I leave x." I had received this text only ten minutes ago. What the hell was wrong with me? I stood there like a crazy woman in my kitchen and had a panic attack. My thoughts were furious with…
One of the paradoxes in learning how to deal with fear is that you are often prepared for chaos and crises. Oddly enough, when everyone else is affected by the insecurity, you are at home because it is not as far from your everyday reality as it is from yours. I often joke that people with fear in times of…
"Wherever you are, be there. Lifestyle is not what we do; it is something we experience. And until we learn to be there, we will never master the art of living well. "~ Jim Rohn I have been told time and time again that our time is our most valuable asset. But I disagree. The blogosphere is full of tips…
"To set limits, you have to have the courage to love yourself, even if we risk disappointing others." ~ Brené Brown It is difficult for me to say no. Be it for a loved one or a stranger, for work tasks or for a new hobby, something that I enjoy or despise. So I say yes instead. I say yes…
"The dark night of the soul is a journey into the light, a journey from your darkness into the strength and hidden resources of your soul." ~ Caroline Myss Growing up in a household with both parents, my grandmothers and pets, people often assumed that we were the perfect family. I took part in dance classes and sports and we…