What is Fear and how do you handle it?

There are moments in life that completely shift your perspective—moments where gratitude doesn’t just sit in your heart, it overflows from your soul. Publishing my book was one of those moments.

After months of reflection, writing, rewriting, and baring my most vulnerable truths, I finally released my words into the world. Hitting “publish” wasn’t just about seeing my name on a cover—it was about courage, healing, and allowing myself to be seen in a new light.

The journey to this point wasn’t easy. There were days filled with self-doubt, where I questioned whether my story mattered. There were nights I stared at the page, tears mixing with hope, wondering if my words would touch even one person. But I kept going. And now, to see readers connecting with my message, finding comfort, courage, and clarity through my story—it’s more rewarding than I ever imagined.

The gratitude I feel is beyond words. I’m thankful for every person who believed in me when I didn’t fully believe in myself. I’m grateful for the lessons that came from pain, for the growth that came through reflection, and for the opportunity to transform my journey into something that could help others find their own healing and truth.

To everyone who has read, shared, or supported my book—thank you from the deepest part of my heart. You are part of this journey. Every kind message, every conversation, every moment of resonance reminds me why I wrote this in the first place.

This experience has taught me that gratitude is not just about appreciating what we’ve achieved, but recognizing the beauty in the process—the challenges, the breakthroughs, the quiet moments of faith that carried us through.

If you’ve ever dreamed of sharing your story, I encourage you to do it. Not for validation or recognition, but because your words might be exactly what someone else needs to hear.

Today, I stand in extreme gratitude—not just for the finished book, but for everything it took to get here.

Whether you were told negative things as a child or you experienced trauma as an adult, it takes time to flip that script and unlearn that negative mindset. A few things you can do to help: 1) Fill your home or office with words of affirmation and positive sayings. 2) Surround yourself with people that lift you up and are a positive influence. 3) Speak kind words to yourself, whether in the mirror or silently in your heart. For more tips and ways to get rid of your ‘stinkin thinkin’, reach out to me to discuss.

You might witness me facing numerous struggles, but rest assured, you will never witness me giving up! With each challenge, we not only grow but also gain a deeper understanding of ourselves. Through these trials, we discover our inner strength and resilience. We learn to rely on ourselves and realize that we have what it takes to rise again after being knocked down.

Don’t lament over the hardships and trials in life. Instead, see them as opportunities for personal growth. No matter what you are going through, remember to never give up!

Do you need to remove your shades or do you simply need to open your eyes to certain things? Maybe you need to open your eyes to the beauty that is around you. But maybe you need to open your eyes to how someone may be treating you. Maybe you need to take the glasses aka blinders off. I think sometimes we choose to keep our eyes hidden for fear that we will see something that we suspected all along. A natural trauma response to avoid dealing with certain things is to simply act as though it doesn’t exist. If it doesn’t exist, it won’t be real and maybe the pain won’t be there. In order to get past the pain, sometimes we need to take the blinders off and face reality. Facing our situations head on, although likely uncomfortable, will allow us to move on past the trauma or thing you are hiding from. What do you need to open your eyes to today?

Do you ever feel sad or down because of something someone else has said about you or done to you? Do you allow that to hang around and affect your mood for the day or even longer? If so, then you are allowing someone else to hold the key to your happiness. Of course it is hurtful when you hear someone talking about you in a negative light. And it is sometimes heartbreaking when you go through trauma where someone has done something to you that you didn’t ask for. But, if we stay there in that pain and allow it to affect the way we view or treat others, then we have relinquished control of our happiness to someone or something other than ourselves. It is really easy to do, I have done it a million times. Being in control of your own happiness is easier said than done when you are hurting. It is a daily struggle that I found takes daily, conscious effort to get in the right mindset. The mindset that no matter what comes my way I am going to find good in it. The mindset that I am worthy and I am loved no matter what anyone else may say about me. Start today, fresh, renewing your mindset and taking control of your own happiness. You’ve got this!

What makes you tap your hands or feet to the beat? What makes you stop and take a second look? What makes you feel a sense of peace and tranquility? Whatever it is, do those things… as often as possible. Those are the true things that set your soul on fire!