Anam Nostos House Blog

The fire within you.

Those four little words spark curiosity, wonder and movement in me.

What sparks in you?

Do you ever consider what the fire in you wants to say?
Do you allow for the fire to burn your truth?

I think we are all guilty of holding back our true passion at times. I think the intensity of the world around us often silences our voice. It is not that we want it to or it is one taking the easier path. It is just that sometimes when it comes to our voice it is more complex than others may understand. There are many directions of fallout that we know can occur.

When I find a moment where I am wanting to have my voice shout from all that is within me; I know it could be too much for others. Though, isn't that ok? Isn't that what is true for me? It is what is living within me.

I want to honor my voice. 
I want to honor my fire.
I want to be true to the person within.

How are you holding back from your inner fire, your inner voice today?
What spark are you ready to share with the world today?

​To all the kids who do not feel seen or heard this time of year and a reminder to all the adults around them…

This time of year, we see endless proud and obligatory posts about the accomplishments of our children. Rightfully so, we want to celebrate their accomplishments for the year past and honor their/our efforts.

One of my children asks me repeatedly to ‘just not be so proud of me this time’ as to say to please not post on social media. I laugh and give a gentle reminder that it is ok to celebrate the hard work that they have achieved. At the same time, I am acutely aware while they walked the journey, it can feel like a parenting win. One can feel like they are doing everything wrong at times: especially as a single mom. The witness can be validating.

I am aware that I am blessed in having two young adults who love school and work very hard for their accomplishments. I am also aware that is not the case for every child or every parent.

I remember being one of those children who fought so hard in a less than easy home life and with my studies but did not always come out on top. I did not discover a learning disability until my twenties at a vastly different time decades ago.

That is to say, we need to remember that for some kids just showing up to school is a win. There are countless children whose home lives are incomparable to others and the fact that they came to school at all should be recognized.

There are the kids who put everything into every project, test, quiz, and problem put in front of them and continually come up short. They win for the effort that they brought to the table and not giving up.

There are kids for reasons no one can explain get bullied, teased, and left to the side throughout the year, but they still show up. They win for being the bigger person and emotionally fighting those kids and walking in their own steps.

There are the kids who come to school hungry and are playing catch up physically. They bring to the table whatever energy they have left in that moment. They win.

There are the kids who work so hard, give it their all and when they do get an acknowledgement do not have a support person to say, ‘good job.’ We see you and are proud of you, even if you are not one of our kids.

And maybe consider the over achiever kids who do get all the awards and participate in every activity…maybe they are trying to tell you something as well. Can you pause and listen to them? Maybe they need permission to not have to do it all, all of the time.

Our kids are speaking to us in so many different ways. We need to pause, listen, and see them. Then we need to see the kids next to them.

When you hear the word 'wholeness' what do you hear?

I know that it is common to consider wholeness as unreachable. It seems to be a state of mind that is for those without wounds, without story. But, wholeness, in reality is something I believe is within.

It is true our story defines a big part of our journey. At times the wounds, the holes, the deep gashes where we fell so hard we never believed we could stand again, sometimes can decide how or where we walk next.

Though that same story is ours to own. It makes each step, each phase and each stage so meaningful that it allows us to go deep into a part of ourselves and our journey that we once feared walking towards...in wholeness. We hold ourselves together and lift ourselves up.

I find it fascinating how we can feel alone. Are we ever really alone? Someone out there in the world is feeling the same emotion as we are and considering a path that we too are trying to walk.

The next time you feel lost, wounded, broken or alone...remember you are as alone as you allow yourself to be.

You are whole within your own story.

​Meeting Humility
 
"As we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same." -Nelson Mandela

Humility: a modest or low view of one's own importance; humbleness.

There is an irony to me wanting to talk about this subject. In order to get my point across, it almost comes off as the opposite of humility.

How do you meet humility in your life?

At some point along the way I began to realize that humility was something that both captivated me, challenged me and at my core brought me peace.

Early on I was raised with the importance being placed on how well you shined in the world. Appearances were everything and accomplishments defining. It never felt right to me, and essentially guided me down the traumatic path I walked before coming to my own acceptance of self. Later I would see that this false sense of humility ingrained in me was asking others to ‘look at the good I am, or I do’ was intrinsically dangerous pride.

Pride is what kills all.
Pride wounds.
Pride scars.
Pride keeps us from loving ourselves.

I knew from the beginning; my work had a purpose. My work took a different approach than others who did similar work. I started out vulnerable, and I consistently used that as a measure to how I progressed with my overall goal in my work. Bottom line, I wanted to help people.

I knew that the only way I was going to be able to do that was to be vulnerable and in truth tell my story as it is. Not everyone had been doing that when I started out. People wanted to look perfected in order to gain status. I wanted to look real, for I knew I was living it. I knew the help I could offer others was going to come from me meeting them on the same path. Me meeting humility; this brought me peace.

Today, I do the work I love. I create retreats, author books, and speak to women (and men) all over the world knowing I am offering something. I by far do not always make what I need, but that was never the point. I want to share my story in order to help people. I find an incredible passion for leading others on their called path to exploring their journey.

I was offered to take my work to another level. I had publishers who were interested in my work, but I chose to self-publish. I had folks who wanted to represent me with my speaking tours, but I opted to keep it simple. I keep my rates to a bare minimum despite the constant pushback to raise them higher, for I do not believe in turning anyone away.

This is how I meet humility. I am not a saint by far. This is what is comfortable for me along the lines of my work.

How can you speak of your own humility?

There are eight marks of humility that can take focus: authenticity, confidence, gratitude, love, praise, empowerment, mentoring and breaking barriers.

It is not as simple as one would first presume. I heard it said somewhere that humility is the truth about ourselves loved. That statement in itself is rather beautiful and difficult for many. Loving ourselves is one of the hardest things we humans can do. We can be our own worst enemy on most days.

Authentic love dares to see the whole of the person and accept it unconditionally. That is where confidence builds, and gratitude follows. From there our self-empowerment can come naturally, we find ourselves mentoring by simply living well in this truth and essentially we break barriers.

A truly humble person is most often well-grounded in the truth about themselves. While true, isn’t that a work in progress to be grounded and aware in who we are at our core? Do we ever really get there 100%? Embracing this idea is key, but it can be a bumpy road.

Developing humility can come as a journey. When we spend more time actually listening to others, not just humoring them, we understand presence. It is with this mindfulness that humility comes outside of ourselves to be there for another. Finding gratitude for this time and so many pieces of our day is key. I think people often look too hard for gratitude; they assume it needs to be grand, when just the other day I was so grateful for seeing a butterfly on the trail that reminded me of my beloved beagle who passed away recently. So small, but my heart was overflowing.

Humility can put ourselves at the center, but it is how you stand in that center that defines you. Can you ask for help when you really need it? Or does pride get in the way of this basic need? Can you seek sincere feedback from others seeing it as a helpful guide, rather than an attack? What are characteristics of humility for you? Walk through your journey thus far and consider how you have approached humility.

When we are situationally aware of who we are and accept this part of ourselves our intentional life unfolds. We find we can retain relationships that support and lift us up. A once difficult decision-making process now flows with ease.

Our first thought is to put others before ourselves. We want to listen humbly to those in our path and be of support or service to them. When we speak in humility, we speak words that do not wound others, but share the lessons we are grateful to have learned along the way. But, most importantly, those who embrace humility say, ‘thank you,’ often.

Humility is having an honest opinion of oneself that will thus put everything else into perspective. In the twelve steps, step 7 asks us to humbly remove our shortcomings. I remember this so well in my recovery days from anorexia. Every time I heard it aloud, I felt the empowerment within the act. Had I never asked these questions before? It came down to me embracing that the change was in my hands. It is here I return to the phrase I mentioned, humility is the truth about ourselves loved. What was/is my truth? That, maybe, when I accepted this truth, I could finally find a love for myself within

Can you set aside your fears and allow yourself to walk into the presence of your own humility?

In all things I always say, it is a journey not a destination. I humbly ask you to walk the path that is true for you today.

What is the truth about you loved?
How do you want to meet yourself and others in humility?

Rewritten.

What a powerful word.
Consider it.
Read it aloud.

What is the first thing you think about when you read this word?

Have you ever wanted to re-write a part of your story?

Many walk paths of trauma and wounds that have defined their paths today. I know I have been asked endless times if I could change my story, would I?

My answer is always a resounding, 'no!' The story I have walked has brought the pieces of my life together. I can't even imagine not having those I have met along the way not a part of that story. I can't even imagine what that story would look like.

Though, I am realizing there are pieces of the puzzle from my journey that I can re-write.

I can re-write how I consume my trauma.
I can re-write how I allow my trauma to consume me.
I can re-write my body story.
I can re-write the steps I want to take.
I can re-write an aspect of my story that I wish.

Pause.
Consider it.
Re-write what you need to today.
Begin again.

3 Minute Retreat - Dancing with Good vs Evil

It is but a dance is it not? 

Good.
Evil.

How do you define them for your journey?

I am someone who has always believed there is a positive in every negative that crosses our path.

It has helped me heal old wounds.
It has taught me to embrace silent wisdom.
It has shown me that there is more to every story.

Good and evil have always danced together. It is our job to cut in and ask the deeper questions, reflect on the outcome either way and open our minds to the possibility that we have not yet seen or heard what is meant for us.

What is a moment through good and evil you have walked on your journey?
How can you see it in a new light?
What direction can you take this newfound knowledge on your path?

Dance today...in wisdom.

These simple prompts were placed here at the end of the last retreat I led. It seems simple enough, right? Or is it? We all want to be brave, but we don't often think we can be. Brave can seem like such a gigantic word with an even more intimidating meaning.

Remember the infamous quote from the movie WE BOUGHT A ZOO? "You know, sometimes all you need is twenty seconds of insane courage. Just literally twenty seconds of just embarrassing bravery. And I promise you, something great will come of it." Benjamin Mee There is so much real hard truth here. Do you have the courage to be embarrassed to risk something bigger being received on the other end?

That brings us to the next word. BREATHE. It seems simple. It sounds simple to some, though terrifying to others. Though in all proven paths when we pause to take a deep breath in any situation, we can change a moment into one of acceptance after that deep breath. Our body welcomes it, and our mind embraces the clarity that it brings. One breath creates a pause in all other anxieties that we may be experiencing. One breath changes the story. One breath changes our step forward.

RISE. Rise. Do you let yourself rise up? Do you need permission? I am giving it to you.
Rise today.
Rise in the moment.
Rise in the bravery that is within you.
Rise to live free. Rise to live true.
Rise to live in your power, voice, and story!

Be brave. Breathe. Rise.

​Truth.

I am certain that most fall into this category. People mean well, but never say what we truly need or want to hear. Most people around us can't understand the journey we walk, nor should they; it is our journey alone.

So, maybe, we need to stop reaching out, and begin to reach within. That doesn't mean stopping asking for help, support, kindness when we need it. But it does mean that we need to remember we are our first and greatest support person.

We need to have more confidence in the knowledge within that has gotten us to this day we are walking.
We need to believe in the part of ourselves that has gotten us through to today.

Consider it when that darkness feels too big to share in the moment. It doesn't mean you have to be there alone always, but don't be afraid to be there in the pause when it is asking you to trust the strength within.

As you are walking through your day do you feel confined, or do you feel liberated? It is an easy question, really. Are you living a life that you want or are you living a life you think you should be living? How often do you take a risk and step out into the unknown and uncharted area? It is not unusual for most of us to stay in the 'safety zone.' It is easier. There is less unknown. There is predictability, which face it most of us thrive on. Today, I challenge you to take a tiny step into the uncharted area and do one thing outside of your routine. Take notice how it changes your mood, the rest of your day and guides you into a new challenge going forward.

"What if all the setbacks, side roads and delays were simply an alternative pathway to reach your vision?" - Sarah Boyd

Think about it for a moment...

How can you look with new eyes for your vision?

When we hit a setback, get knocked off our path to the side of the road or are forced to sit in a delay we most often turn back, get discouraged, name it as failure and stop.

What if we could see it as an alternative path, an alternative vision?

We seem to think we know what a vision should look like, as it there is only one way to walk down the path in life. But, what if we stopped to consider and go deeper into those moments that pull us back, pull us off the road and are shouting at us to pause?

Do you ever just sit in the pause?
Or are you someone who needs to find the answer immediately?

I found that the pause can be filled with hidden gifts and gems we didn't otherwise see when we were too busy doing it 'our way.' Maybe, it is time to get out of your own way for the pause. And in that pause the real vision will come forward.

Consider it the next time you are pushing your own agenda onto the path.

I was talking to someone recently about this thought...we all look over our lives at times and find ourselves sinking into unanswerable questions. We live in a moment today where we think we can have all the answers; better we think we can direct our lives to exactly where we want them. Truth be told; today is no different than 50 years ago. We all have a story. We all have wounds. We all have a journey walked. Our stories help others to walk through their stories. We keep going because that is what life asks of us. We keep going because we trust on the other side of our story there are lessons, gifts, and gratitude's to be embraced. We tell our stories for those who have not yet found their purpose or voice. We keep each other alive. We keep each other walking on the journey. Don't silence what could be a light for someone else.

I saw this floating around the internet recently. I am not sure where it came from, but I know its truth is incredibly powerful this time of year...and always. Society has an issue with bodies of all colors, shapes, and sizes. That doesn't mean you have to own their delusional ideas. It is your body. It has always been your body. You were born into its makeup. You decide how you want to walk into this world in it. You decide. You define beauty. You own your worth. You claim your power. YOU SAY WHAT IS BEAUTIFUL. You. No one else. Be you. Embrace you. Love you. Celebrate you. Love....you.

Coming home from a retreat has so many different emotions. While the first is exhaustion, it is quickly followed by profound gratitude for being able to do this work. Months go into the planning of one retreat; I host anywhere from 3-5 a year. Each one is created very especially for the weekend. And once I get to know my participants via email sign ups, little communications; I tailor the retreat quite specifically to the journeys being walked. I never know how it will turn out; I am often my worst critic as I can say we all have that in common. In the end I am left in awe and reflection for days if not weeks to come, as little gems come back to me in offerings shared.

What I find as the greatest gift is that these women come from so many different and diverse backgrounds. This past weekend we were represented farthest in this group from MA MI OH VA TN to NC, truly remarkable. Our age range went from 51 to 85 with a 75th birthday celebration in the middle. I had my childhood friend for over 40 years who we have stayed in touch with, I had not seen in 30yrs attend, and we picked up from where we left each other! The diverse stories and voices brought gifts and blessings for each journey. We all walked away blessed in hearing these new voices and making new friends for life. The eagerness to stay connected post retreat warms my heart even more.

The season has come to a close and I will return at the end of September for an entire new round. In the meantime, you will hopefully hear more about these incredible stories through posts, essays and creating new work with the beautiful takeaways from these weekends. I love this work. Not everyone always understands what I do or counts it as real work. But my voice, my passion and my journey is shining brighter than ever and I am not stopping. Thank you, thank you, thank you for allowing me into your lives.
​

​Breaking Open Healing
 
When we take a moment to reflect on how times have changed over the decades; a true turning point is shown to us in the depths of our core as to how we react to the world around us.

I embrace a sense of gratitude that we have finally reached a point of change and acceptance around emotions, mental diversity and that not all paths are equal.

What do you hear when someone asks you to break yourself open?

I was raised in an era where we were taught not to share our feelings, counseling was shameful and mental illness had extraordinarily different notions than it does today. It was a lonely time.

I have had to pause to honor and allow my grief in this turnabout for taking so long. I sincerely believe my life would have been hugely different and my struggles would not have gone on as long as they did if I were raised with an understanding that expressing my feelings was healthy.

I imagine if someone honored my emotions and validated my tears by just sitting with me, I may not have taken such a dark road through self-discovery that stole much of my life. Today, I can find gratitude in those experiences.

Just the word ‘healing’ can bring an intense reaction for many. It is terrifying for some and simple for others. There was a time when I would never consider this idea. That was a time of my youth locked away in the ideals of my upbringing that you do not talk about anything ever; hold it all in and never show yourself. That literally nearly killed me in a 14-year battle with disordered eating and body image and haunts me still in a journey walking through anxiety and depression that most individuals face. We just are not talking about it.

Hear that again; most people are struggling and yet are productive human beings. There is no shame in mental illness. The shame that has been placed on the idea of mental illness comes from those themselves who are afraid.

It took many years and pains for me to be able to put words on to my experiences, wounds, and feelings; it took longer to be able to express them safely. The ability to cry today says so much about those who walked with me on my journey; sat with me in the healing and taught me to live in this newly discovered expression of strength, hope, and light.

When we open ourselves up we grow, we heal, we learn, and we become who we are meant to be. 

When we trust ourselves, we become free.

We must first break  ourselves open in order to break through to our core identity. Learning to stay with ourselves during this unravelling of lies is the heart of our healing; it is the definition of courage.

Healing is not black or white.
Healing is not equal.
Healing is personal.

There are many stages of healing. I do not know anyone who walks through every stage with ease. Truer is we see people who tend to skip over some of the more intricate and painful phases hoping for relief. Unfortunately, we only continue to come back repeatedly to the wound until we are able to stop ignoring the pain that brings our levels of fear to an entirely different level at our core. Until we face those stories, those wounds, we cannot break the cycle.

Some of the stages are clearer than others.

Profound Sadness is the start of the journey. It can come from a crisis state present or past, a loss and following grief, struggling with a situation that does not have a clear answer, or general feelings about the confusion around the meaning of life for oneself. It can look vastly different from person to person, and it can be experienced in deep and mysterious ways.

Cocoon Stage is a desire to be alone, to not engage in small talk or activities that feel distracting or empty. A lot of time spent reflecting. To someone who is in this stage, they often feel a sense of protectiveness.
Aha Moments draw us towards and eagerness to learn or try new things stepping outside of our comfort zone. I relish these moments and recognize how they kept me walking through the process knowing I was receiving peace and strength as I took risks.

Adjusting to awareness is when we are knowingly feeling different than those around us…. We accept. We embrace. This can be both liberating and terrifying. It can make us feel like an outcast wanting to go back to the cocoon stage for a bit; or it can inspire us to embrace the light and truth that we can live in the world.

Re-birth of new self. When we are ready to honor the entire path of breaking open our healing, we come to know an updated version of who we are. This re-birth allows us to use our story to continue to heal and live more fully on the journey of life. This most often will change and shift relationships as those around you begin to see you in a new confidence. New interests, behaviors, beliefs that are consciously chosen are seen as a threat to those surrounding you in the pain who knew you before.

Healing is not linear.

We may have to repeat this process often along the way. But when you keep showing up, you get to see the gift in living.
You are allowed to be proud of how far you have come even if it is not where you thought you would be by now.
You are allowed to start over.
You are allowed to voice your story.
You are allowed to heal at any stage of your life.

It is time to take back your power, right the wrongs and fight the demons of your darkness.
It is time to recognize the elephant in the room, even though no one else wants you to. You have one life; you deserve to live it free.

You deserve to heal.

I see your braveness. I see your heart. I see your wounds. I will walk with you either way.

The choice is yours to allow the hurt to hurt you any longer.
The choice is yours to allow the light to heal you today.

I live by a quote I once saw that said, ‘be the adult you needed as a child.’ This changed my entire outlook on my life. I am my own parent today, as are you. It is time to take care of yourself in all the ways that have been stolen from you along the way.

It is time.

This is an idea I write about often. My talks are based off this belief; and you will find all of my retreats and workshops touching on it. Why? Because it is so damn important that we hear it, embrace it and understand it.

Beauty is not our skin, our body, our hair or even our accomplishments.
Beauty is within. Beauty is how you are in the world to others.
Beauty is what you leave behind when you leave this earth.

In the era of social media it is nearly impossible to embrace one's own body and beauty in the moment without questioning it. Every direction you turn from ads, to post and articles we are being told our life will be better 'if, when or after' we do this or that. It exhausts me, but now I am even more infuriated by it.

Who wrote the laws of beauty?
Who decided that it had to look a certain way?
Who defined beauty for you?

Our bodies change, age and become. 

We shouldn't look 30 when we are 50. 
We shouldn't make ourselves something we are not.

You are UNAPOLGETICALLY BEAUTIFUL as you are in the moment you breathe.

Eat the cake.
Drink the glass of wine.
Enjoy the meal that brings you joy.

I am never saying to do anything to extreme, but in moderation we are meant to live this life we have today.
We are not guaranteed tomorrow, we simply are not.

I am 52 years old. I am ok looking 52 years old. 

For the first time in my life, I am embracing this body.
For the first time in my life, I am understanding what this body is asking of me.
For the first time in my life, I am learning to love who I am...
and in the process love and live the best life I know I deserve.

This is a first.
When will it be your first?

Living this every day. Seriously, aren't we all? How often are we completely spent by asking endless questions about why we are standing in the pain of that moment? I know it is hard to consider, we want a straightforward way out. If we are to pause and force ourselves to walk through the confusion, consider the gifts we will receive? Yes, gifts? Life isn't meant to be easy; we are meant to work hard towards living to our full potential. When those moments get too intense, pause and take a breath knowing that it will all be revealed.

This conversation is ongoing in my retreats, workshops, and talks. I recognize often when I am not listening as I have walked the road of body healing. It is not easy when the world around you is shouting the opposite of what is real body love and care. It is easy to get caught up in the negative voices, ads, and body shaming as we approach nicer weather. We all go there to that place; I know I do. How about today we listen with love? How about we listen to the whispers that our body is a gift which carries us through this journey, it is asking to be fed. How about instead of listening to all the negativity around our body, we embrace the acceptance of different sizes with self-love? Sometimes we just need to simply listen to the whispers. Your body is speaking. Can you listen?

You are the poet of your own life.

​You write the words that are mirrored of the life you are giving out to the world. So many times within a day we all feel broken, defeated or just beyond our ability to do more. But it is at those times I noticed we often give the most.

Brokenness is beauty.
Brokenness is light.
Brokenness is strength.
Brokenness is hope.

Embrace and celebrate your brokenness, for they often teach you the greatest lesson of your life.

What are little victories? One of our biggest mistakes is that we are always looking for the grand in change. We think a big move, a job change or something radical will help us feel lifted up, supported and as if we are doing the work in the world. I want to challenge you to consider the smaller victories. I am going to risk offering that every day, you have at least one small victory on the journey. It can be difficult to see, for we are always looking for the life changing moments. What if we were to pause, take a moment to recognize that our small victory today is lifting us up in the same or even bigger ways. What if that small victory was having the greatest impact? Pause today to celebrate what you are doing right on the journey.

It's Monday. There is something about starting off the week that can be intimidating. I honestly don't know many who jump up with enthusiasm at the prospect. It is not a negative, it is reality. We are starting our week over with challenges, work deadlines, endless children's activities or just responsibilities. Wherever you find yourself, there is likely something being asked of you right off. It is ok to stumble. It is ok just not to have it together. It is ok to have a second cup of coffee or take an extra break in the day. It's ok. Give yourself a break, take a deep breath and let your light flicker. When it is ready to come back on...you will shine!

We see these three little words often floating around. People share them faithfully. People recite them aloud with consistency. I love these three words. My question to you is, 'are you listening?' Do you embrace these words? If the answer is no, then why not? We doubt ourselves; we compare ourselves; we beat ourselves up all more than we love ourselves, validate ourselves and cheer ourselves on. Enough already, I say, enough! You are enough TODAY. You are enough AS YOU ARE. You are enough in all the beauty that makes you who you are in the moment. Stop trying to be someone other than who you have always been meant to be. You.

II am sharing a bit today about Pilgrimage. Many know that I have led and ministered through multiple pilgrimages from the Holy Land to my long-time ministry in Lourdes, France. It has my heart. 

The Camino more specifically has been a call to walk for many years. As I have shared before my dearest friend Mary, since passed away, walked half of the Camino not knowing she was dying and the other half knowing she was walking in her final days of cancer. Several weeks before she passed away, she made me promise to walk it with her in Spirit, I agreed. I had intended to walk it for my 50th then Covid hit. It is still my plan and goal to do so in the next few years.

The movie The Way with Martin Sheen came out during her final months. It was released limitedly in theatres, and I drove in a snowstorm two hours away to connect to my friend. I fell in love with the Camino that evening and understood finally what Mary meant by the enormity of this beautiful spiritual pilgrimage. Well, TONIGHT, another movie (documentary) is being released for one night only. Like The Way if enough folks attend, it will be picked up and opened for a longer time.

Not in my practice as of late, I am doing this one thing for myself and driving to Charlotte for this special prayer and screening. It is that special. We all walk pilgrimages daily in our lives; some more intense and further than others.

What does Pilgrimage mean to you? 

Would you ever consider walking such a beautiful journey to go deeper into your true calling as to why you are here?

Wherever you are tonight I strongly encourage you to go see this movie! I can honestly say you will not be disappointed, I trust this message that much.

Breaking ourselves open. Sounds scary for some and simple for others. There was a time when I would never consider this idea. That was a time of my youth locked away in the ideals of my upbringing that you don't talk about anything ever; hold it all in and never show yourself. That nearly killed me in a 14-year battle with disordered eating and body image and haunts me still in a journey walking through anxiety and depression that most individuals face; we just aren't talking about it. Hear that again; most people are struggling and productive human beings. There is no shame in mental illness. When we open ourselves up, we grow, we heal, we learn, and we become who we are meant to be. Consider these ideas today and I will bring this back more in depth next week with a blog post. 

Are you paying attention? I came across this the other day and full on stopped. How often do we approach any relationship with our own ideas, before taking into account who they were before we met them? No one loves the same. No one walks the same journey. If there is any one thing I have learned over my life; it is that we each come to know love in vastly diverse ways with past experiences guiding us. Some come from deep pain and wounds that meet love in very different circumstances. They need to be approached with gentle care and concern. Imagine taking the time to understand how someone needed to be loved? That is a relationship that will grow into a deep connection with respect and optimism.