Self-empowerment
Articles to inspire bringing out the best in us, living the life of our dreams!
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Rose Colored Glasses
Published February 5, 2012 | 
Dear Rose Colored Glasses,
Do I dare put you on?
The world may mock me and peg me as idealistic and pollyannish…
For only a fool would see the world through colored lenses that paint one’s world with love and optimism…
It is not wise, “they” who are “wise” would say-
When the world is full of strife and troubles.
“In such times as these we need to wear a sharper lens as to focus on the reality of things”…they would have me believe.
At the end of the day,
whose definition of reality is really my own?
I choose to wear you
Dear Rose Colored Glasses.
For if I don’t I will be just as foolish as one who sees the world only in black and white.
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Five things I am letting go of now. What would you like to drop, release, and let go of… ?
Published January 30, 2012 | 
Right now, I am choosing to let go of:
1. the need to control or change my husband.
2. being upset when things don’t go as I originally intended
3. self criticism
4. negative images and stories in the media (Just don’t need them!)
5. doubt
What would you like to let go of? Here’s a little secret: we can let go of anything we want in our lives anytime we choose to do so. It is very liberating when we do let go of things, people, beliefs, and circumstances that no longer serve us. It feels very good, as a matter of fact!
So, what would you like to let go of right now?
Write it down in your journal. Do it. Let it go and don’t look back.
Good night.
In Peace,
Debra
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Posted in Happiness, Journal Prompts, Positive living, Self-empowerment | 
journal writing, letting go, release | 
Leave a commentThree affirmations for your day.
Published January 22, 2012 | 
Three simple but powerful affirmations to focus on today:
1. I Am supported.
2. I Am loved.
3. I Am enough.
Have a blessed day!
Debra
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CLAIM IT! (your joy-filled life that is…)
Published January 19, 2012 | 
A happy thought: there are no limitations on what we are, what we can be, do, or go……
Just imagine…
What if?…..
The joy filled life is already ours.
So….CLAIM IT!
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Overworked? Six ways to deal with work stress
Published January 18, 2012 | 
Stress at work can be a huge cause of anxiety and loss of sleep.
In today’s business world, employees are expected to take on more and make themselves more available after hours.
There is great pressure on public employees as well (local government, public school teachers, etc.). The current economy has left many things unfunded and yet the workers are expected to do more with less.
If you are a stay at home parent, you may not have a job outside the home currently, but you are certainly working too! You have the demands of raising your precious babies, keeping the household running smoothly, and trying to take care of yourself.
Here are a few ideas for all of us (no matter what kind of work we do) to deal with the stress and pressures we are facing these days:
1. Write a list of a few things down the night before or first thing in the morning of the most important things you need to get done during your day. Don’t make the list too long! Cross them off as you accomplish them. Tell yourself that if you at least do the task on top you will have had a successful and productive day.
2. Take breaks throughout your day. Take a walk. Stretch and get away from your desk and computer for a few minutes. If you are a stay at home mom, sign up at a gym that has a nice nursery and give yourself an hour to work out or attend a fitness class.
3. Remember: you can’t please everyone. Don’t even try!
4. Do your best not to take work home with you. In my experience, we train others how to treat us. In other words, if employers or family members know they can encroach upon your personal time they will.
5. Watch our modern devices such as cell phones, Ipads, laptops, etc. These days we can stay plugged in 24/7 if we choose. These time bandits can really suck up a lot of our time and life.
6. Always remember that tomorrow is another day. What you don’t get done today? Don’t sweat it. The world will continue to function. Rest and sleep well. You did your best today.
In Peace,
Debra
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My dream home and other dreams…a journal writing and visualization exercise
Published January 16, 2012 | 
What we focus on grows.
I believe in the power of visualization. If we are clear on what we want we will attract it into our lives. Back when I was an 18 year old college student I can remember journaling about my dream home as a young married person raising a family.
When I was in my early thirties gazing out at my view of Mount Rainier (at the time we lived on a beautiful property in Washington State) I realized that I was living in the home that I imagined many years ago as a much younger version of myself. That day I dug out that old journal and sure enough, I had the house, the tall fir trees, and the mountain all drawn out..
Well, I am enjoying a new chapter in my life now. I am now in my forties with a new husband, two teenagers, and two cats. I live in beautiful North Florida near the beach. Although we love our current residence, it is not our dream home.
I am visualizing that dream home now and writing about it in my current journal.
You can do the same. You can visualize and write about your dream home, dream career, dream partner, dream vacation, or anything else you want in your life.
This kind of journal writing is a favorite of mine because it gets me excited about my life and all the possibilities.
A few things to note:
1. Be as specific as possible
2. Feel gratitude about all the good you have now
3. Be thankful for whatever it is you are dreaming about as if you have it now.
Just play with it and have fun. Write. Draw and sketch. Getting out some paper and paints or magazine pictures and a poster board would be fun as well.
Some good resources I recommend:
Creative Visualization by Shakti Gawain
The Secret Of Creating Your Future by Tad James
The Secret and The Power by Rhonda Byrne
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What would happen if you stopped hiding yourself from the world? Dealing with social anxiety
Published January 14, 2012 | Courage doesn’t always roar. Sometimes courage is the little voice at the end of the day that says I’ll try again tomorrow. ~Mary Anne Radmacher
Courage is being afraid but going on anyhow. ~Dan Rather
Who and what are you hiding from?
Many of us with an introvert bent or struggle with issues of social anxiety tend to shield ourselves from the world to some extent.
This shield or mask may take on many forms in our daily lives such as:
1. A smile frequently on our faces (whether we are feeling cheerful or not. Frequently we may be feeling nervous but oh, do we smile nevertheless!)
2. Say yes to things (obligations such as volunteer projects, tasks for work, social invitations, etc.) that really we would prefer to say no to.
3. Not pursuing things that we would like to do (it could be hobby related, work related, or relationships) because we are afraid of how we will be perceived by others.
4. Accepting a position of underemployment even if we are highly educated
5. Stressing about having family and friends over to our home because we fear their judgment
If you can relate to any of this, I invite you to ask yourself a few questions:
1. What would it feel like if I took my “mask” off?
2. Does it matter whether everybody likes me or approves of me?
3. What if my smile reflected a genuine joy from within me rather than a plastic people pleasing nervous smile permanently etched on my face when out in public?
4. What would I do in my life if I was not afraid to just be myself?
5. What is the worst thing that can happen if I just “go for it”! (as it pertains to anything you may be holding yourself back on).
I will leave you now to reflect…
A blessed and peaceful day to you!
Debra
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Posted in anxiety, Positive living, Self-empowerment, worry | anxiety, people pleasing, self confidence, shyness, social anxiety | 2 CommentsAre you too hard on yourself? Today is the day to begin easing up…
Published January 10, 2012 | 
Why are we so hard on ourselves? We often would not treat other people the way we treat ourselves.
Do you ever:
1. over think things to death and end up not being able to make a decision or take action?
2. not go somewhere or not buy yourself some much needed new clothes because you’ve gained a few pounds?
3. Avoid mirrors or think negative thoughts as you see your reflection?
4. Worry about being or getting older?
5. Worry that you are not a good enough parent or employee?
6. put so much on your plate on a daily basis that you are stressed and burned out by the time the weekend comes around?
7. find it hard to receive gifts or compliments
8. settle for underemployment and not getting paid what you are worth?
These are just a few examples of how we are hard on ourselves. If you can relate to anything on this list you are not alone. We are a society of perfectionists, multi-taskers, achievers who are obsessed about being materially successful, young, and thin.
Phew! No wonder we are wound up so tight at times.
Today, I want you to just focus on one idea:
How can I be more easy and gentle on myself?
That’s it.
I am not going to offer any ideas as to how to do that right now for I want you to see what ideas or insights surface for you.
I will follow up with you later.
You can write in your journal this morning affirmations such as:
I take care of myself by__________
I Am gentle
I Am at my ease
I go through my day taking it easy
I Am enough
In Peace,
Debra
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“I Am an original because…” A journal writing exercise
Published January 8, 2012 | Always be a first-rate version of yourself, instead of a second-rate version of somebody else. ~Judy Garland
It takes courage to grow up and become who you really are. ~e.e. cummings
Definition of original: Not derived from something else; fresh and unusual (from TheFreeDictionary.Com)
In your journals, write on the top of the page “I Am an original because:”….
Then write a list of all the wonderful unique qualities that make up YOU.
Ready?
Let’s see, I would like to try this tonight as well..
I Am an original because…
1. Who sings silly love songs to her cats the way I do? ; )
2. I have a way with language and write with a voice that is all my own.
3. I whip up things in the kitchen that are truly my own creations (no recipes, thank you very much)
4. I excel at games such as Jeopardy and Scrabble yet I have a mechanical disability and I find it difficult to put together the simplest of things.. (they had me in mind when they invented the dumb blond screw in the light bulb jokes. Ha! lol)
5. Nobody has my smile or
6. My way with children
I will stop here for I feel fantastic, tall, confident, and happy about the unique qualities that make up ME.
Your turn, sweet friends..
a blessed night to you all!
Debra
I DON’T HAVE TO APOLOGIZE FOR BEING MYSELF
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Drift off to sleep tonight with the knowledge that you are loved
Published January 4, 2012 | 
As I get closer to bedtime I think of all the love in my life.
Love comes in many forms and all of them are the stuff of sweet dreams and a rich life.
As you drift off to sleep tonight think of all the love you have in your life.
You are love.
You are loved.
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