Passionately Driven... A Lifestyle and Wellness Blog

Everyday, you go to work, whether it's at home or a long commute. You take care of your business. You take care of your family, from your parents, siblings, children and/or grandchildren. Everyone seems to get your attention, except you... Your body aches, from hours of working, tension from stress, and you can't think of the last time you had a peaceful night of rest. Your mind is constantly filled with a list of tasks, none of which include a moment for you. You're tired, but someone else has asked you to assist with a project, and/or you need to meal prep for the week for your family. You only go to the doctor, when you're making an appointment for someone else, once you've finished being both nurse and doctor to your loved ones. STOP!!! You can't go on like this! It's time to take care of yourself too. Why? Well, let's see: Decrease stress, which will also lead to, A healthier life/lifestyle (physical and mental) A sense of life fulfillment, includin...

She's wild and crazy, some may say... How can she allow herself to be out in public like that, others may think... Once upon a time, I would care so much about what people say or think that I would have difficulty with just being myself. I would change my hair, the way that I dressed or even the way that I acted, just to please others. I was bound. I was bound by the fear of not pleasing others or meeting their standards. Is this you? What binds you? Self-doubt/self-pity? Inability to let go of the past? Fear of not pleasing others? Insecurities?... It's time to let it go. Be liberated! You will never be able to grow and evolve into your true self, as long as you are focusing on your flaws versus your strengths, your past rather than your present and future, and/or whether or not your life (keyword: YOUR) is lining up to be what others want it to be. Having a "people-pleaser" mindset will always set you on a path of illogical thinking and an ...

              Seeking love or companionship, when you haven't learned to love yourself, conquered your own insecurities and embraced your flaws is a dangerous position to put yourself in.... I have this conversation with both women and men quite frequently, actually. The conversation of understanding your decision-making and the power of emotions, self-concept and self-image. If you've ever read any of my other entries, then you know that I'm all about being transparent and honest with yourself. So, let's be honest. Are you someone who feels that you can't be single? Do you feel like you HAVE to have a man or woman in your life, in order to be happy? Have you made decisions to be with someone, because of those thoughts?.... How did that work out?... The first step is to love you, who you are and the skin that you are in. I'm sure you've heard people say "How can you expect someone to love you, if you don't love yourself?"...

"Today is going to be a good day..." "I will complete all of my tasks on today..." "No weapon that is formed against me shall prosper......... Isaiah 54:17" Some of us are in the habit already of "talking to ourselves" when we have a big day or a big event happening in our lives. We are nervous or excited and need some immediate encouragement. Oftentimes, these are the only times that we recognize our need for this positiveness. So, let's BREAK that incessant state of neglect (yes, I said neglect). Feed your mind, body and spirit with that regular dose of positive that it so desperately needs and yearns. I am a big advocate of Positive Self-Talk, because of the power we have within our tongue/mind. We have within us, the power not only to hurt, uplift and encourage others with the words that we speak, but to do the same for ourselves. I began giving my clients this handout in practically every class and/or individual session ...

I sat outside and watched as my boys blew their bubbles and allowed the wind to create huge spheres of bubble rainbows. Mesmerized and entranced by the beauty and mystery of the bubble, I found myself asking "Why?". Why are we so fascinated by bubbles and no matter what our age, why do they make us smile? Could it be how lightly they float- drifting slowly farther and farther away but never saddening us with their departure? Maybe it's the beautiful mixture of color we see swirling incessantly, even dreamily, along their surfaces... Whatever the fascination, on this day I equated the beauty and fragility of the bubble to dreams. Yes, I'm a total dreamer. I believe in chasing after one's dreams and never losing hope. As I watched the bubbles flying out of the bubble wand, I noticed how sometimes huge bubbles were formed and how, from the same wand, lots of small ones. Metaphorically speaking, I am the bubble wand, producing the greatest of dreams both big and smal...