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1<link rel="preconnect" href="https://artist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net"/><meta name="next-size-adjust" content=""/><title>Blog â Angela Howell | Angela Howell</title><meta name="description" content="Essays and reflections from Angela Howell on resilience, reinvention, creativity, and the daily practice of exchanging comfort for courage."/><meta name="application-name" content="Angela Howell"/><link rel="author" href="https://www.angelahowell.com"/><meta name="author" content="Angela Howell"/><link rel="manifest" href="/site.webmanifest"/><meta name="keywords" content="Angela Howell,abstract artist,Nashville artist,Nashville-area abstract artist,transformational coaching,keynote speaker,women's retreat,Finding the Gift,Exchange Comfort for Courage,personal sanctuary,daily inspiration"/><meta name="creator" content="Angela Howell"/><meta name="publisher" content="Angela Howell"/><meta name="robots" content="index, follow"/><meta name="googlebot" content="index, follow, max-video-preview:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-snippet:-1"/><meta name="category" content="art"/><link rel="canonical" href="https://www.angelahowell.com/blog"/><meta name="google-site-verification" content="ht_5rRRaqsOS4gDoyjGzBM8ER2wZv_hShr-7tQ1huJo"/><meta property="og:title" content="Blog â Angela Howell"/><meta property="og:description" content="Essays and reflections from Angela Howell on resilience, reinvention, creativity, and the daily practice of exchanging comfort for courage."/><meta property="og:url" content="https://www.angelahowell.com/blog"/><meta property="og:site_name" content="Angela Howell"/><meta property="og:locale" content="en_US"/><meta property="og:image" content="https://www.angelahowell.com/opengraph-image"/><meta property="og:image:width" content="1200"/><meta property="og:image:height" content="630"/><meta property="og:type" content="website"/><meta name="twitter:card" content="summary_large_image"/><meta name="twitter:title" content="Blog â Angela Howell"/><meta name="twitter:description" content="Essays and reflections from Angela Howell on resilience, reinvention, creativity, and the daily practice of exchanging comfort for courage."/><meta name="twitter:image" content="https://www.angelahowell.com/opengraph-image"/><link rel="icon" href="/icon-192.png" type="image/png" sizes="192x192"/><link rel="icon" href="/icon-512.png" type="image/png" sizes="512x512"/><link rel="apple-touch-icon" href="/apple-touch-icon.png"/>
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All rights reserved. Any unlawful redistribution or reproduction without the prior express written authorization of the copyright owner is strictly prohibited. To purchase artwork, please<!-- --> <a style="color:rgba(255,255,255,0.8);text-decoration:underline" href="/contact">contact Angela</a>.</p></div><div class="footer-bottom"><div class="ah-container footer-bottom-inner"><p>© <!-- -->2026<!-- --> Angela Howell. All rights reserved.</p><ul class="footer-legal"><li><a href="/art">Art Site</a></li><li><a href="/return-policy">Return Policy</a></li></ul><p class="footer-credit">Site Designed by <span>Fountainhead.LLC</span></p></div></div></footer><!--/$-->
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1<script>self.__next_f.push([1,"1b:[\"$\",\"div\",null,{\"className\":\"ah-container\",\"style\":{\"padding\":\"0 clamp(1.25rem, 5vw, 3rem)\"},\"children\":[\"$\",\"p\",null,{\"style\":{\"fontSize\":\"0.72rem\",\"lineHeight\":1.7,\"color\":\"rgba(255,255,255,0.55)\",\"textAlign\":\"center\",\"maxWidth\":760,\"margin\":\"0 auto 1.5rem\"},\"children\":[\"All artwork, paintings, writing, and other content on this site are the exclusive copyrighted works of Angela Howell. All rights reserved. Any unlawful redistribution or reproduction without the prior express written authorization of the copyright owner is strictly prohibited. To purchase artwork, please\",\" \",[\"$\",\"$L5\",null,{\"href\":\"/contact\",\"style\":{\"color\":\"rgba(255,255,255,0.8)\",\"textDecoration\":\"underline\"},\"children\":\"contact Angela\"}],\".\"]}]}]\n1c:[\"$\",\"div\",null,{\"className\":\"footer-bottom\",\"children\":[\"$\",\"div\",null,{\"className\":\"ah-container footer-bottom-inner\",\"children\":[[\"$\",\"p\",null,{\"children\":[\"© \",2026,\" Angela Howell. All rights reserved.\"]}],[\"$\",\"ul\",null,{\"className\":\"footer-legal\",\"children\":[[\"$\",\"li\",null,{\"children\":[\"$\",\"$L5\",null,{\"href\":\"/art\",\"children\":\"Art Site\"}]}],[\"$\",\"li\",null,{\"children\":[\"$\",\"$L5\",null,{\"href\":\"/return-policy\",\"children\":\"Return Policy\"}]}]]}],[\"$\",\"p\",null,{\"className\":\"footer-credit\",\"children\":[\"Site Designed by \",[\"$\",\"span\",null,{\"children\":\"Fountainhead.LLC\"}]]}]]}]}]\n1d:[\"$\",\"script\",\"script-0\",{\"src\":\"/_next/static/chunks/0_3jaiv7q~skq.js\",\"async\":true}]\n1e:[\"$\",\"$1\",\"c\",{\"children\":[null,[\"$\",\"$L2\",null,{\"parallelRouterKey\":\"children\",\"error\":\"$undefined\",\"errorStyles\":\"$undefined\",\"errorScripts\":\"$undefined\",\"template\":[\"$\",\"$L3\",null,{}],\"templateStyles\":\"$undefined\",\"templateScripts\":\"$undefined\",\"notFound\":\"$undefined\",\"forbidden\":\"$undefined\",\"unauthorized\":\"$undefined\"}]]}]\n25:[[\"$\",\"meta\",\"0\",{\"charSet\":\"utf-8\"}],[\"$\",\"meta\",\"1\",{\"name\":\"viewport\",\"content\":\"width=device-width, initial-scale=1, maximum-scale=5\"}]]\n22:null\n"])</script>
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1<script>self.__next_f.push([1,"He will always be feral. Youâll probably never see him again after today!\n\nWell, thatâs what they said about one particular tomcat we took in to get neutered. She was wrong. Turns out nearly the whole feral colony living in the woods behind our home is now âformerlyâ feral and ⦠ours! The mama of the brood, Sandi, birthed approximately six litters before we came into her life a year ago and had her and the rest of them fixed. Sheâs really âdoneâ with being a mom. Sheâs extremely friendly to humans, but can be quite testy with all of her grown kittens.\n\nWe can learn from role models and reverse role models.\nToday the cats have reminded me about acceptance, most importantly selfacceptance, by reminding me of my own unhealthy patterns.\n\nAll the cats who call her mama still go up to her to test the water and see if sheâs feeling loving by some miracle that day, or that moment. Usually she isnât but every now and then she will graciously give a sniff. If itâs a really lucky day, they might get a lick or two. On a not so good day, she will hiss and growl and charge her âbabiesâ who love her so much.\n\nGlenâs New Mom\nI witnessed this again today with Glen, the tomcat referenced above who does it the most. Heâs easily twice his motherâs size so Glen could certainly stop and let her know whoâs bigger but he doesnât. Glen just wants his momâs love so bad. But he turns to me when Sandi rejects him. Glen has a new mama ready to embrace him and tell him how special he is as often as he will let me.\n\nThere are people in my life where I have done the same thing. Their love, their approval, their ability to esteem me and confirm that Iâm enough arenât at the level I would like to experience. Rather than continuing my advances, hoping maybe this time will be different, Iâm better served to surround myself with people who can genuinely support me and offer love and encouragement.\n\nContinuing to Seek Bread from the Hardware Store\n In Finding the Gift, I remind all of us that if we need bread, we need to go to the bakery not the hardware store which is full of nuts and bolts! Observing Glen today, my own continual approach for acceptance from the unaccepting came to mind. I was in the throes of having imaginary conversations with someone who has a knack for stirring up my own feelings of inadequacy. Notice how I worded that. I wanted to say, âShe makes me feel inadequate.â But if there wasnât an original wound, then this person couldnât trigger me. So she is just a resource, a gift to remind me of the wound and the need to practice healing that part of meâa reminder to give myself the validation that I need while also surrounding myself with other people who do nurture my soul.\n\nLike Glen, there is part of me that insists on going back again and again to these types of people to receive their blessings, their encouragement. Rejection plays a funny role in relationships. Maybe not with ânormalâ people if there are any?!, but for those of us who grew up without all of our basic emotional needs being met, rejection challenges us to try harder to win the approval of the very ones who are most resistant to offering it.\n\nWho Decides My Worth?\nI want to ask this person for a favor of sorts, but Iâm already having imaginary conversations combating the anticipated rejection, based on her historical responses to me. And worse, Iâm ready to allow her answer to define my worthiness. If she says yes, Iâm good. If she says no, Iâm worthless.\n\nPutting my worth in someone elseâs hands is a persistently insecure way to go through life. And mental arguments about projected conflict are a sure way to stay out of the present and miss the joy in the moment.\n\nChoosing a Better Way\nDwelling on the past or jumping into the future is not where I want to be today. This moment that Iâm in is far better than all of the anticipated conflict inside my head. Iâm writing this early morning as the world is waking up, all the inside and outside cats are stirring. and a calmness fills the air when I exit the âargumentâ and return to whatâs true right now. I feel so much better coming back to the present to receive the gifts waiting for me to notice.\nFor today, I forgive the people who originally created the wound. I forgive myself for seeking out people to reopen the wound. And I commit to being my own best advocate. To turn to God with my hurt and to remind myself frequently of my inherent goodness, my âgood enoughness.â I hope you will also. What presents surround you right now?\n\nTo your gifts,\n\nAngela"])</script>
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1<script>self.__next_f.push([1,"2c:[\"$\",\"span\",null,{\"className\":\"text-sm font-medium text-primary\",\"children\":\"Read More »\"}]\n54:T433,How many of you said YES last week to something you might have normally said âNoâ to? The above photo is what YES looked like for me last week, as I embarked on a spontaneous, 36hour advance notice backpack adventure to Norway with my son. Did you miss last weekâs email about Saying YES? If so, click here.\n\nThroughout our seven day/six night trip that was planned by my son in one day, literally the day before we left, I stayed amazed that it was really happening. I couldnât believe I left everything behind, except what was on my back, and that my body could keep up. Being absent of baggage was lifechanging in many ways. Oh thereâs so much still to unpack about this experience!\n\nOne lesson that became evident during a hike in Finse, Norway heaven on earth is the importance of blazing our own trails, going off the beaten path when necessary. Thatâs exactly what my son and I had to do when we came to a place where the trail unexpectedly ended. This photo was taken after we decided to keep going and were rewarded in a big way for being bold and brave.2d:[\"$\",\"$L5\",\"7b4b98d3-c7f0-4f73-8073-37f995f4724c\",{\"href\":\"/blog/the-domino-effect-of-yes\",\"className\":\"block group rounded-xl bg-white shadow-sm hover:shadow-md transition-shadow overflow-hidden\",\"children\":[[\"$\",\"div\",null,{\"className\":\"aspect-[4/3] overflow-hidden relative\",\"children\":[\"$\",\"$L2a\",null,{\"src\":\"https://artist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net/images/ffe6a99b-b281-417c-8116-808719de8e55.jpg\",\"alt\":\"The Domino Effect of YES\",\"fill\":true,\"sizes\":\"(max-width: 640px) 100vw, (max-width: 1024px) 50vw, 33vw\",\"className\":\"object-cover transition-transform duration-300 group-hover:scale-105\",\"style\":{\"objectPosition\":\"50% 50%\"}}]}],[\"$\",\"div\",null,{\"className\":\"p-5\",\"children\":[[\"$\",\"h2\",null,{\"className\":\"text-lg font-bold mb-2 leading-snug\",\"style\":{\"fontFamily\":\"var(--ff-serif)\"},\"children\":\"The Domino Effect of YES\"}],[\"$\",\"p\",null,{\"className\":\"text-sm text-muted-foreground leading-relaxed mb-3 line-clamp-3\",\"children\":\"$54\"}],[\"$\",\"span\",null,{\"className\":\"text-sm font-medium text-primary\",\"children\":\"Read More »\"}]]}]]}]\n"])</script>
1<script>self.__next_f.push([1,"2e:[\"$\",\"$L5\",\"bd7302a6-e45d-4802-82c9-ce443e814c08\",{\"href\":\"/blog/a-serendipitous-commission\",\"className\":\"block group rounded-xl bg-white shadow-sm hover:shadow-md transition-shadow overflow-hidden\",\"children\":[[\"$\",\"div\",null,{\"className\":\"aspect-[4/3] overflow-hidden relative\",\"children\":[\"$\",\"$L2a\",null,{\"src\":\"https://artist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net/images/a1dfd8a1-421b-4f16-8ca2-7f9533dd4e6c.jpg\",\"alt\":\"A Serendipitous Commission\",\"fill\":true,\"sizes\":\"(max-width: 640px) 100vw, (max-width: 1024px) 50vw, 33vw\",\"className\":\"object-cover transition-transform duration-300 group-hover:scale-105\",\"style\":{\"objectPosition\":\"50% 50%\"}}]}],[\"$\",\"div\",null,{\"className\":\"p-5\",\"children\":[[\"$\",\"h2\",null,{\"className\":\"text-lg font-bold mb-2 leading-snug\",\"style\":{\"fontFamily\":\"var(--ff-serif)\"},\"children\":\"A Serendipitous Commission\"}],[\"$\",\"p\",null,{\"className\":\"text-sm text-muted-foreground leading-relaxed mb-3 line-clamp-3\",\"children\":\"Iâve been blessed with several commissions recently and I am so excited to tell you this story. Midsummer, I
1worked with gallery clients who wanted to purchase Coffee Date36Ã36, but it was too tall for over their fireplace. They loved the colors and boldness of this piece, and needed something equally exciting, but in a shorter height. We embarked on the commission process and pure magic happened! \\n\\nIntroducing⦠Concierto No. 1 24Ã36\"}],[\"$\",\"span\",null,{\"className\":\"text-sm font-medium text-primary\",\"children\":\"Read More »\"}]]}]]}]\n"])</script>
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1<script>self.__next_f.push([1,"Professional Identity: Angela Howell is a transformation coach, keynote speaker, bestselling author, and abstract artist who bridges the gap between creativity, mindfulness, and healing.\n\n The Struggle and the Shift: Angela spent years in a highpressure corporate sales career, where she initially used workaholism to cope with underlying trauma. Her body eventually âbroke downâ under the stress, leading to a debilitating physical injury that forced her to leave the corporate world.\n\n Overcoming Trauma: Her journey is marked by overcoming significant challenges, including childhood trauma, âchurch hurtâ religious abuse, and eating disorders that led to multiple hospitalizations. She describes these experiences as some of her âgreatest teachersâ.\n\n Finding the Gift: Her core philosophy, as detailed in her book Finding the Gift: Daily Meditations for Mindfulness, is that hardships often contain hidden insights. She uses the metaphor of a plain brown paper package that, when unwrapped, reveals âlife abundantâ.\n\n The âBridgeâ to Healing: Angela advocates for 12step programs and mindfulness as tools to reconnect with a higher power. Through her 12week coaching program, âA Life Worth Having,â she helps others root out âthe junk the world gave usâ and find the beauty that was always there.\n\n Key Message for Readers: No matter how difficult life looks, stay the course. Angela believes everyone has a âseedâ of potential that can thrive given the right environment and support.\n\nFinding the Gift"])</script>
1<script>self.__next_f.push([1,"2f:[\"$\",\"$L5\",\"6ada26b8-4468-4586-bc91-f1a4a7fd42a5\",{\"href\":\"/blog/finding-the-gift-in-trauma\",\"className\":\"block group rounded-xl bg-white shadow-sm hover:shadow-md transition-shadow overflow-hidden\",\"children\":[[\"$\",\"div\",null,{\"className\":\"aspect-[4/3] overflow-hidden relative\",\"children\":[\"$\",\"$L2a\",null,{\"src\":\"https://artist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net/images/ae628c8f-657b-47d3-b0d1-e90345d74127.jpg\",\"alt\":\"Finding the Gift in Trauma\",\"fill\":true,\"sizes\":\"(max-width: 640px) 100vw, (max-width: 1024px) 50vw, 33vw\",\"className\":\"object-cover transition-transform duration-300 group-hover:scale-105\",\"style\":{\"objectPosition\":\"50% 50%\"}}]}],[\"$\",\"div\",null,{\"className\":\"p-5\",\"children\":[[\"$\",\"h2\",null,{\"className\":\"text-lg font-bold mb-2 leading-snug\",\"style\":{\"fontFamily\":\"var(--ff-serif)\"},\"children\":\"Finding the Gift in Trauma\"}],[\"$\",\"p\",null,{\"className\":\"text-sm text-muted-foreground leading-relaxed mb-3 line-clamp-3\",\"children\":\"$55\"}],[\"$\",\"span\",null,{\"className\":\"text-sm font-medium text-primary\",\"children\":\"Read More »\"}]]}]]}]\n30:[\"$\",\"$L5\",\"fc716339-7a72-4861-b61f-330537ed1437\",{\"href\":\"/blog/perfectly-imperfect-blog\",\"className\":\"block group rounded-xl bg-white shadow-sm hover:shadow-md transition-shadow overflow-hidden\",\"children\":[[\"$\",\"div\",null,{\"className\":\"aspect-[4/3] overflow-hidden relative\",\"children\":[\"$\",\"$L2a\",null,{\"src\":\"https://artist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net/images/4512d102-6e21-41d0-b304-a6061ee11afd.jpg\",\"alt\":\"Perfectly Imperfect Blog\",\"fill\":true,\"sizes\":\"(max-width: 640px) 100vw, (max-width: 1024px) 50vw, 33vw\",\"className\":\"object-cover transition-transform duration-300 group-hover:scale-105\",\"style\":{\"objectPosition\":\"50% 50%\"}}]}],[\"$\",\"div\",null,{\"className\":\"p-5\",\"children\":[[\"$\",\"h2\",null,{\"className\":\"text-lg font-bold mb-2 leading-snug\",\"style\":{\"fontFamily\":\"var(--ff-serif)\"},\"children\":\"Perfectly Imperfect Blog\"}],\"\",[\"$\",\"span\",null,{\"className\":\"text-sm font-medium text-primary\",\"children\":\"Read More »\"}]]}]]}]\n56:T9c1,"])</script>
1<script>self.__next_f.push([1,"Happy New Year! I hope your first few days of 2017 have been blessed and contemplative. What went well? What would you do differently? What did you learn? What do you want to be true one year from now? Three years? What do we feel good about and where do we need to shift perspective? If we donât learn and grow from what happened in 2016 and tweak our course appropriately, history tends to repeat itself and generously gives us similar lessons over and over until we find the gift it was offering.\n\nEarlier today, someone told me they canât wait to say goodbye to 2016 and pretend it never happened. I had to think for a moment because the last five months have also been incredibly tough for me personally, including the suicide of my sweet baby brother. I miss him every day but if I discard the whole year, I would have to return all the lessons and gifts it brought me as well. Pain enlightens us and propels us forward in a way unlike anything else. Since I canât change what happened in 2016, Iâll take it all to heart and trust the gifts will continue to unfold. I hope you will too.\n\n Not Everything Feels Like a Gift\n\nLast night I tripped over a post on social media that made me sit down on my garage steps and read it on the spot. It was a beautiful and courageous story about a young girl named Sara and her lifethreatening battle with cancer at age ten. I was struck by her insight and skill at findingthegift, something we all can benefit from, especially in less than ideal situations.\n\nThe gift doesnât always appear right away, but what matters is training our minds to trust the gift is there, unfolding in the midst of the chaos. And even if a gift never appears, itâs about believing there was one. How much better do trust and hope feel than chalking bad things up to fruitless bad luck? Too many times in my life, the âbadâ things have actually brought the best things.\n\nI actually know Saraâs family and used to live across the street from her grandmother, Doris. Everyone was devastated and in shock when Dorisâ 10year old granddaughter was diagnosed with neuroblastoma in August, 2009. The struggle was fierce and very bleak at times.\n\nSeven years have passed and Sara has decided to reveal what her journey was like and share her gratitude ⦠and her secret shame. I hope you are as touched as I was and encouraged by her ability to share the gifts of battling cancer at ten years old. In her own words, here is Saraâs story.\n\n Saraâs Diagnosis"])</script>
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1<script>self.__next_f.push([1,"From December 8 in âFinding the Gift: Daily Meditations for Mindfulness.â\n\nHave you ever asked yourself, What do I need to get done today? In other words, what do I need to have finished today? Past tense. Fast tense. I do, and often. I just realized that reflects how I feel a lot of the time. What do I have to do and how fast can I get it over with? For what? To get to the next list of have toâs, ought toâs and shouldâs?\n\nToo often I am racing to some mysterious finish line. If Iâm not careful, I can get in a rut and view everyday life as one big chore I must check off my list so I can get to the good stuff. How crazy is that?\n\n Everyday life is the good stuff! A life is the sum total of many single days.\n\n What do I WANT to do today?\n\nIt occurred to me to ask a different question today: What do I WANT to do today? This reflects me running my life, not letting my life run me. This question nurtures empowerment, rather than fostering a victim or martyr outlook. I do have a few appointments and other obligations today, but I created those. Iâm the one who made a choice to say âYesâ to those.\n\nWe each design our lives, voluntarily or involuntarily. Life feels a lot better when we take ownership for ourselves and our circumstances. We may not get to choose every circumstance we will ever encounter, but one hundred percent of the time we do get to choose how we feel about it. How we talk to ourselves and others about it. How we think about it. And what weâre going to do about it. What actions will we take?\n\nToday, Iâm going to own my day. Itâs all mine. I get twentyfour hours. If Iâve created obligations and commitments I donât like, itâs my choice to honor them or not, and to agree to them again, or not.\n\nIf I have agreed and given an employer a portion of my day, itâs my choice. Regardless of how I earn income, I can go to work and earn money, or I can stay home and embrace the consequences of that decision.\n\n We are only âstuckâ if we decide itâs easier to be a victim than to take responsibility for ourselves and live our lives on purpose.\n\nI am in charge of me and help is available as often as I seek it. As the Serenity Prayer suggests: âGod, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.â\n\nAmen and amen. Enjoy your day. Enjoy your life.\n\nCan you relate? I would love to hear from you! Please leave a comment and start the discussion! Be sure to grab my free eBook while youâre here, if you donât already have it, and you will be notified of upcoming events and new blogs. Have a wonderful time owning your day today!"])</script>
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1<script>self.__next_f.push([1,"Hello friends, I hope you are Finding the Gift today! I havenât blogged in a long time. Some of you know I lost my baby brother, Jubal, to suicide on August 7, a terrible blow to my family and his huge circle of friends and music fans. I have felt incredible pressure to write the âperfectâ blog post in response to this devastating loss. Selfimposed pressure plus a lot of grief has kept me from sharing anything at all.\n\nWhile Iâm not ready to blog about this crushing event and how it has impacted my family and life, I have written some thoughts about perfectionism which I would love to share. This foe has plagued me all my life and on this particular day, I won the battle! If you struggle with trying to be perfect or you respond by not doing anything at all, this blog is for you.\n\n Never Good Enough\n\n Perfectionism is the devil of the worst kind. It kills my joy. It steals my peace. It destroys my ability to enjoy all the good things that are happening in my life.\n\nToo often, I focus all day long on a feeling of not being enough, not doing enough. Consciously and subconsciously, I pummel myself with this message day in and day out.\n\n But Iâm a transformation coachand I know better than this! \n\nI can tell other people all day long how detrimental this practice is and how they must turn their minds and thoughts to more kind and loving selftalk. Itâs easy to dole out this kind of medicine, but itâs much harder to take it myself.\n\nOn my walk today, I had this epiphany once again: I must be my own best friend! And talk to myself as I would speak to any other close friend in need of support, acceptance and encouragement. This concept is a critical point in my free eBook, Ten Secrets to Finding the Gift. If you havenât downloaded that yet, please look for the box to sign up for my updates and Iâll send it to you immediately.\n\nRecently, to help contend with the immense grief and depression Iâve been feeling, I committed to send my own coach a daily gratitude list naming at least three things I was grateful for. My list tended to consist of gestures or events that happened to me or for me, but not by me. I find it easy to praise others but I usually donât think about the need to build myself up. Today, Iâve decided to amend my assignment. I will focus on what went right and also specifically, on anything I did or didnât do that deserves a pat on the back.\n\n What Went Well\n\nFor instance, yesterday\n\n I managed to put a flea collar on a skittish, community cat.\n\n I got dressedÂâyes, some days thatâs reason to celebrate in this season of grief.\n\n I went to the store and returned two items to finally get them out of my car.\n\n I made it to the post office to mail four different packages so those todoâs arenât weighing me down anymore.\n\nHowever, I ended the day with the familiar focus on all that I did not accomplish, with another dose of âI should be able to get back to life as usual by now.â In hindsight, especially compared to many other recent days where cement shoes kept me from moving at all, yesterday sounds like a pretty victorious day! Nothing has changed, except I put on a new pair of glasses. Looking at what went well feels a lot better than dwelling on the alternative.\n\n Taking Action, Resting and Receiving Unexpected Gifts\n\nGoing forward, I will focus on the grace, inspiration and strength I am given to spend my time in ways that produce joy, peace, love and fulfillment. I will recognize the ability to mark even just a few things off my list. And I will also celebrate the moments I spend resting, recuperating, and playing with the many freeroaming cats hanging out in my new backyard. Yes, we moved on September 4th. We were in the process of just starting to pack when Jubal passed away. After packing up his life in St. Thomas, I boxed up mine as soon as I got back.\n\nWe were greeted at the new house on Day One by a sweet, pregnant kitty we now call Sandi. Our own precious, 18 year old Fancy cat passed away the day after I returned from St. Thomas. When Sandi appeared with an abundantly loving demeanor like Fancy, we agreed she was heavensent. We fed Sandi and she spread the word to the rest of her feline family at the property we back up to. Besides food and care, these new furry friends need love. My service to them is as important as all the other âlooking goodâ todoâs on my listâthose items which are more socially acceptable ways to be productive like work, grocery shopping and laundry. Today, why not expand our lists to also include activities that feed our souls and contribute to our wellbeing and othersâ furry or otherwise?\n\n A day well spent is how it feels on the inside, more so than how it looks on the outside. \n\nLetâs put more focus on how we feel at the end of the day rather than the tangible fruit created for everyone else to see. Today letâs celebrate good selftalk and take special notice of all our personal victories, big and small!\n\nA slight disclaimer: I spent more time than I would have liked editing and reworking this post. However, I choose to celebrate progress not perfection and for today, blogging at all is a huge victory. We didnât become perfectionists overnight and we wonât undo that tendency overnight either.\n\n Are We Kindred Spirits?\n\nIf anything I write helps you, challenges you, inspires you, or if you have encouragement to share on the topic, I want to know! Please leave a comment on my s
1ocial media page or on the blog post itself and letâs talk about it! Weâre in this together.\n\n Cheers to your gifts and the many gifts you bring to others!"])</script>
1<script>self.__next_f.push([1,"33:[\"$\",\"$L5\",\"995af00f-4b66-4407-9151-146aea69bce3\",{\"href\":\"/blog/perfectionism-a-perfect-enemy\",\"className\":\"block group rounded-xl bg-white shadow-sm hover:shadow-md transition-shadow overflow-hidden\",\"children\":[[\"$\",\"div\",null,{\"className\":\"aspect-[4/3] overflow-hidden relative\",\"children\":[\"$\",\"$L2a\",null,{\"src\":\"https://artist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net/images/eb79d9bb-a325-44f2-a678-4602d049ad17.jpg\",\"alt\":\"Perfectionism: A Perfect Enemy\",\"fill\":true,\"sizes\":\"(max-width: 640px) 100vw, (max-width: 1024px) 50vw, 33vw\",\"className\":\"object-cover transition-transform duration-300 group-hover:scale-105\",\"style\":{\"objectPosition\":\"50% 50%\"}}]}],[\"$\",\"div\",null,{\"className\":\"p-5\",\"children\":[[\"$\",\"h2\",null,{\"className\":\"text-lg font-bold mb-2 leading-snug\",\"style\":{\"fontFamily\":\"var(--ff-serif)\"},\"children\":\"Perfectionism: A Perfect Enemy\"}],[\"$\",\"p\",null,{\"className\":\"text-sm text-muted-foreground leading-relaxed mb-3 line-clamp-3\",\"children\":\"$5a\"}],\"$L5b\"]}]]}]\n"])</script>
1<script>self.__next_f.push([1,"34:[\"$\",\"$L5\",\"c4753d93-8c6e-44e0-b10b-377805f03a9b\",{\"href\":\"/blog/to-save-a-mockingbird\",\"className\":\"block group rounded-xl bg-white shadow-sm hover:shadow-md transition-shadow overflow-hidden\",\"children\":[[\"$\",\"div\",null,{\"className\":\"aspect-[4/3] overflow-hidden relative\",\"children\":[\"$\",\"$L2a\",null,{\"src\":\"https://artist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net/images/f30f172e-a1bc-49b6-a7c8-03382b8472e7.jpg\",\"alt\":\"To Save a Mockingbird\",\"fill\":true,\"sizes\":\"(max-width: 640px) 100vw, (max-width: 1024px) 50vw, 33vw\",\"className\":\"object-cover transition-transform duration-300 group-hover:scale-105\",\"style\":{\"objectPosition\":\"50% 50%\"}}]}],[\"$\",\"div\",null,{\"className\":\"p-5\",\"children\":[[\"$\",\"h2\",null,{\"className\":\"text-lg font-bold mb-2 leading-snug\",\"style\":{\"fontFamily\":\"var(--ff-serif)\"},\"children\":\"To Save a Mockingbird\"}],[\"$\",\"p\",null,{\"className\":\"text-sm text-muted-foreground leading-relaxed mb-3 line-clamp-3\",\"children\":\"Tis the season for nests and baby birds everywhere! We were fortunate when a finch family nested in the floral arrangement hanging on our front storm door. We had first row seats to all the action, and the lessons were abundant. I also had an encounter with a baby mockingbird who took a premature fall, but allowed me to help him find his wings. He taught me a valuable truth along with the finch family.\\n\\n Be Expectant\"}],[\"$\",\"span\",null,{\"className\":\"text-sm font-medium text-primary\",\"children\":\"Read More »\"}]]}]]}]\n"])</script>
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1<script>self.__next_f.push([1,"Hello FTG Friends,\n\nAs my good friend Todd Cecil would say, I hope you all are smiling wherever you are in the world today!\n\n Ups and Downs Are Guaranteed and Necessary\n\nThis week has had some wonderful developments and yet, has also been exceptionally challenging on a personal level. Have you ever felt like dancing on the table to celebrate with ecstatic joy, yet simultaneously felt the impulse to open the floodgates of grief and pain and give the floor or bed a good soaking? Well, this week Iâve done both.\n\nIâm not at liberty to discuss either situation but the point is I honored my internal experience, both my joy and my pain. I recognize that life is life and we are going to have ups and downs, and on some days we will have both! Time promises change and my goal is to remain as present as possible in every circumstance.\n\n Nothing lasts forever, the pain or the joy, and Iâve learned to give thanks for the contrast which makes it possible to really appreciate all of lifeâs gifts.\n\n Huffington Post\n\nWhat else?! Iâve also enjoyed a wonderful visit from my college roommate recently and managed to do some guest blogging as well. Thanks to an amazing connection, I am excited to be the newest contributor to Huffington Post! Please visit my home page on their website any time to see what Iâm sharing with the world. You can also subscribe to the feed to be notified of new content immediately. Already Iâve had two articles published which I invite you to please read and leave your comments for me so they keep me on board a while.\n\n To go straight to my Huffington Post articles, just click the title:\n\nWhen I Prioritize Me, I Will Be Freehttp://www.huffingtonpost.com/angelahowell/wheniprioritizemeiwib9625938.html \n\nWhy We Say Yes âTill It Hurts And How To Start Saying Nohttp://www.huffingtonpost.com/angelahowell/whywesayyestillithub9578542.html\n\n A few other recently published articles:\n\nHow to Stop Feeling Like a Victimhttp://everydaypowerblog.com/2016/04/03/stopfeelinglikevictim/\n\nThree Ways to Meditate at the Officehttp://everydaypowerblog.com/2016/03/21/threewaystomeditateattheoffice/\n\n Maybe Iâll see you at one of my upcoming speaking events:\n\nApril 27 Hendersonville Rotary\n\nApril 28 Nashville Breakfast Club\n\nMay 17 Gallatin Morning Rotary\n\nJune 2 Hendersonville Key to the City Luncheon\n\nJuly 19 Private book club\n\nJuly 22 Women in Business for the DonelsonHermitage Chamber of Commerce\n\nI have several other speaking engagements in the works. If your group isnât listed, letâs change that! You can find more information here.\n\nNew content is being added all the time at Finding the Gift! Your voice is always wanted and welcomed in the comments. We are a community! Let us hear from you! If you didnât already, check out the awesome new video book trailer for Finding the Gift: Daily Meditations for Mindfulness!\n\nAs always, I am incredibly grateful for each one of you. Thank y
1ou for connecting and may your gifts be many! Hint: they already are!\n\nCheers,\n\nAngela\n\nPS. Woop Woop!!! Go Trent Harmon! I am a happy American Idol fan but LaâPorsha deserved it too."])</script>
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1<script>self.__next_f.push([1,"Half empty? Half full? Or maybe someone forgot to pour you a glass?\n\nMy past involved a lot of chaos and trauma and more than once, Iâve been a victim of unfortunate circumstance. However, Iâve come to realize that my suffering isnât that much different than anyone elseâs. We all have obstacles to overcome and we all know people who have been hurt more than us. At times I wanted to believe my pain was greater, but Iâve been challenged to embrace the notion that suffering is ordinary. Still, I frequently find myself facing a choice between victim thinking versus empowered thinking. How I choose to see my life carries far greater weight than reality itself.\n\n âWe could spend weeks, months, even years ⦠trying to change our attitudes and behaviors and not even begin to approach the phenomenon of change that occurs spontaneously when we see things differently.â âStephen R. Covey, âThe Seven Habits of Highly Effective Peopleâ\n\n Perspective vs Reality\n\nIt might be easier if perspective and reality were the same thing but theyâre not. One situation can be viewed multiple ways by multiple people, as well as by the same person. Perception dominates reality every time. I think when the consequences of feeling like a victim are negative enough, weâre forced to adopt a different mindset.\n\n What does victim thinking produce in my life?\n\n Hurt feelings perceived negative emotions\n\n Perceptions of abandonment\n\n Perceptions of rejection\n\n Perceptions of loneliness\n\nDo you see the trend? Theyâre all perceptions. I choose to feel hurt. I allow myself to feel abandoned and neglected. Someone may reject me, but I decide to feel rejected and maybe even unloved and unlovable. I might take on a feeling of shame. If I indulge the bad emotions long enough, I may even progress to feeling hopeless. In victim thinking, I believe the world will never be a safe place to let down my guard. Rarely do I feel happy, because thereâs no room for happiness under the umbrella of victim thinking.\n\nItâs time for a huge disclaimer. I am not saying donât feel your feelings. We must feel our feelings or we will have to work very hard to keep them buried and repressed with substance and process addictions, or other means of escape.\n\n Feelings are real, but not necessarily indicative of reality.\n\nWe need to honor our feelings and acknowledge the wounded parts of ourselves. The tricky part is not allowing our feelings to overshadow our reality and dominate all our thoughts.\n\nBad things happen. Horrendous things happen. I understand and have walked through my share of them. Still, I decide what story to replay in my head about the negative things in life. I can choose to stay stuck in a bad story, or I can choose to accept and forgive. I can even explore how to be grateful for what Iâve learned in tough situations and foster appreciation for the person each of those encounters has allowed me to become. With acceptance, forgiveness and gratitude, I can decide to move on so the person, place or situation doesnât hold me captive any longer.\n\n When I decide to see myself as an overcomer, I am choosing to stand on several powerful truths:\n\n I am enough.\n\n I choose how to experience my life and the circumstances that happened.\n\n I choose how to embrace each day.\n\n I choose not to indulge my own arrogance, thinking everything that happens is being done to me personally.\n\nOuch that last one hurts, but itâs true. Arrogance doesnât just mean I think Iâm better than other people. It simply suggests inflated selfimportance, such as making up in my head that âthisâ happened and âtheyâ did it to me on purpose. I might embellish the story even further and say it happened because I wasnât good enough or because I said the wrong thing. To me, these thoughts are the essence of victim thinking. Itâs warping everything that happens around me to make it about me. Again and again and again.\n\n Victim thinking is an addiction to feeling bad about my life and about myself.\n\nThe opposite is choosing to walk through my life moment by moment, knowing everyone is doing the best they canâincluding me. If I choose to stay in victim thinking today, so be it. Maybe thatâs the best I can do today. Perhaps I need another day of experiencing what itâs like to live as a victim. It takes what it takes and when Iâve had enough, Iâll gain the willingness to make other choices.\n\n Empowering beliefs when weâre ready to move on â¦\n\n For today,\n\n I choose to believe Iâm not as important in everyone elseâs world as I sometimes think I am.\n\n I choose to believe that most of the things that happen today are not going to be personal.\n\n I choose to not give away my peace for pennies, but instead to guard my selfworth, selfesteem, and daily serenity.\n\n I will adopt beliefs that nurture my wellbeing, instead of painful or selflimiting thoughts.\n\nToday I choose to see myself as a competent adultâan equal in the world of adults. I surrender the feeling of being a child who continues to experience terrible things. I must be willing to grow up and step into my adult shoes, while nurturing those wounded, childlike parts of me.\n\n I have to acknowledge my pain but I donât have to relive it every day.\n\nToo often we set ourselves up for circumstances in our present lives that resemble how we were hurt in the past. Life has a funny way of showing us reruns. The names and places may be different but the obstacles seem to have the same theme. The same troublesome boss, coworker or neighbor seems to be everywhere we go. Life is handing us a gift! Itâs giving us the opportunity to make different choices or to view whatâs happening from a different perspective. When we finally get the lesson, that particular rerun stops playing and we progress to the next opportunity for growth.\n\n I must become willing to be happy and content.\n\nIf I want to stop victim thinking, I must gain willingness to end my addiction to feeling bad. Instead, I become willing to love myself and validate my wounds, yet with my adult voice, speak the truth into my life and into my mind.\n\n Powerful truths\n\nOur subconscious minds believe whatever we tell them. If you doubt thatâs true, try an experiment. Say a few of these declarations out loud. I like to call them powerful truths:\n\n I am in charge of my life today.\n\n I get to decide how I feel today.\n\n I feel great today and I am excited about my ability to make good choices.\n\n Today I am powerful enough to show up in the world as a strong, brilliant beautiful soulâ no better than and no worse than anyone else here.\n\n Today I realize that I will do my best and so will everyone else around me.\n\n Today I will not feel sorry for myself but I will give thanks in everything, for the blessings and the lessons. Both are working for my good.\n\nHow did that feel? My subconscious likes powerful truths a whole lot better than the other chatter that too often runs on autopilot in my mindâchatter that only beats me down and makes me think Iâm constantly swimming upstream.\n\n Conclusion\n\nNot living like a victim is a choice, one we get to make one day or one moment at a time. Hopefully more days than not, we will surrender our need to feel bad. This only perpetuates how we felt about ourselves and our lives as a result of circumstances in the past. Those situations are long gone. We are the only ones keeping ourselves down, continuing to suffer.\n\nWhen we can embrace that suffering is ordinary, and that no matter what weâve been through, there are people who have been through that and worse, then we can be free. If we have built our identities around trauma and pain, thatâs all we know. Of course it only makes sense we want to hang onto themâuntil life becomes too miserable.\n\n Ask yourself, âAm I ready to move on? Am I ready to embrace a life of wholeness and wellness?â\n\nThe choice is mine. The choice is yours. For today, letâs choose to be free and let some joy in. Letâs focus on how we
1can be a blessing to others. When Iâm so focused on what people are doing to me, how can I focus on being kind and loving to others? Once again, arrogance is playing the same old tune: itâs all about me. I think we need a new song!\n\nPlease join me in letting go of victim thinking today. Letâs do a random act of kindness for someone else and enjoy how nice that feels. Letâs feed our subconscious minds several powerful truths, allowing hope and joy to seep into the hurt places. Letâs take one behavior that seems to perpetuate feeling bad and today, try something new. Letâs choose to see ourselves as survivors instead of victims. Survivors are very strong, empowered people. Letâs embrace our true identities todayâtheyâve been buried long enough.\n\nP.S. If you have a Finding the Gift story, I want to hear it and so does the rest of our FTG community! Please send me a message through my âcontact Angelaâ tab. Not an FTG member? Look for the orange box to the right and sign up! Iâll send you a free eBook immediately, Ten Secrets to Finding the Gift! Depending on your device, you may need to scroll down to the bottom of the page.\n\nP.P.S. Do you have your own copy yet? Find out why Finding the Gift has been featured in the Sunday Tennessean five weeks in a row, as part of the top ten bestselling books. Shop awesome booksellers like BookManBookWoman and Parnassus, or you can find it herehttps://www.angelahowell.com/books."])</script>
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1<script>self.__next_f.push([1,"37:[\"$\",\"$L5\",\"4469c3e6-c7e8-45d4-afa4-f0503acf92d6\",{\"href\":\"/blog/what-you-never-knew-about-eating-disorders-and-suicide\",\"className\":\"block group rounded-xl bg-white shadow-sm hover:shadow-md transition-shadow overflow-hidden\",\"children\":[[\"$\",\"div\",null,{\"className\":\"aspect-[4/3] overflow-hidden relative\",\"children\":[\"$\",\"$L2a\",null,{\"src\":\"https://artist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net/images/10542797-b85d-4372-886b-a1d61906a013.jpg\",\"alt\":\"What You Never Knew About Eating Disorders and Suicide\",\"fill\":true,\"sizes\":\"(max-width: 640px) 100vw, (max-width: 1024px) 50vw, 33vw\",\"className\":\"object-cover transition-transform duration-300 group-hover:scale-105\",\"style\":{\"objectPosition\":\"50% 50%\"}}]}],[\"$\",\"div\",null,{\"className\":\"p-5\",\"children\":[[\"$\",\"h2\",null,{\"className\":\"text-lg font-bold mb-2 leading-snug\",\"style\":{\"fontFamily\":\"var(--ff-serif)\"},\"children\":\"What You Never Knew About Eating Disorders and Suicide\"}],[\"$\",\"p\",null,{\"className\":\"text-sm text-muted-foreground leading-relaxed mb-3 line-clamp-3\",\"children\":\"Recently I was interviewed by an editor at Cosmo regarding my past battles with an eating disorder. Following significant trauma and the divorce of my parents at age eight, I decided I wanted to be thin more than anything else in the world. Sadly, I already was.\\n\\nA preoccupation with my body and my weight steadily increased every year and I began to feel guilty about my food intake. With an athletic build, I felt huge as a fifth grader. I remember weighing a âwhoppingâ eighty pounds while other girls my age seemed to be so much thinner. At thirteen, while pursuing a career in modeling, I began to regularly starve, over exercise, binge and purge.\"}],[\"$\",\"span\",null,{\"className\":\"text-sm font-medium text-primary\",\"children\":\"Read More »\"}]]}]]}]\n"])</script>
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1<script>self.__next_f.push([1,"What follows is an excerpt from my article recently published on Everyday Power Blog. Full article here.http://everydaypowerblog.com/2016/03/03/fiveamazingtedtalksthatwilltransformyourthinkingpartone/\n\nTED Talks are Miracle Grow for the body, mind and soul! They are cutting edge philosophy, psychology, science and insight, among many other wonderful âideas worth sharing.â The very first TED Talks were posted online in July, 2006 and continue to serve as a phenomenal resource for seekers like us who are striving to make ourselves and this world a better place.\n\nI never run out of curiosity, or the need to grow into someone I like more than the day before. As a teenager, I had two choices. I could cave and let hard situations and obstacles drive the essence of me deep into the ground, where not even a flicker of light existed. The alternative was to start asking questions, to seek understanding and greater insight, and to let myself learn from events that might otherwise keep me in dark places.\n\nI searched for answers in books on spirituality, religion, relationships, psychology and all other things selfhelp. I attended seminars, twelvestep groups, webinars, and creative circles to untangle the beliefs I learned earlyâbeliefs and philosophies that no longer served me. Eventually I discovered TED Talks, which continue to disclose the answers I seek.\n\nWhether youâre new to TED or an avid fan, the following TED Talks are a mustwatch and worth repeating. I had a difficult time narrowing down my favorites, so these five are the first batch, with more to follow.\n\n Click here to read the rest of the article and get the links to my first five favorite TED talks.http://everydaypowerblog.com/2016/03/03/fiveamazingtedtalksthatwilltransformyourthinkingpartone/\n\nPlease leave your comments on the article page for me and tell me which of these five you loved most! Cheers to all of us Finding the Giftâ¢!"])</script>
1<script>self.__next_f.push([1,"38:[\"$\",\"$L5\",\"096f3d5a-a487-42d4-af88-3121544a36f7\",{\"href\":\"/blog/five-amazing-ted-talks-that-will-transform-your-thinking-part-one\",\"className\":\"block group rounded-xl bg-white shadow-sm hover:shadow-md transition-shadow overflow-hidden\",\"children\":[[\"$\",\"div\",null,{\"className\":\"aspect-[4/3] overflow-hidden relative\",\"children\":[\"$\",\"$L2a\",null,{\"src\":\"https://artist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net/images/07298f9c-82eb-40bf-90d5-3ba861204af3.jpg\",\"alt\":\"Five Amazing TED Talks That Will Transform Your Thinking, Part One\",\"fill\":true,\"sizes\":\"(max-width: 640px) 100vw, (max-width: 1024px) 50vw, 33vw\",\"className\":\"object-cover transition-transform duration-300 group-hover:scale-105\",\"style\":{\"objectPosition\":\"50% 50%\"}}]}],[\"$\",\"div\",null,{\"className\":\"p-5\",\"children\":[[\"$\",\"h2\",null,{\"className\":\"text-lg font-bold mb-2 leading-snug\",\"style\":{\"fontFamily\":\"var(--ff-serif)\"},\"children\":\"Five Amazing TED Talks That Will Transform Your Thinking, Part One\"}],[\"$\",\"p\",null,{\"className\":\"text-sm text-muted-foreground leading-relaxed mb-3 line-clamp-3\",\"children\":\"$60\"}],[\"$\",\"span\",null,{\"className\":\"text-sm font-medium text-primary\",\"children\":\"Read More »\"}]]}]]}]\n61:T513,I have been asked to develop this topic for Everyday Power Blog, a trusted source for inspiration and motivation. In doing so, I uncovered FIVE 5 KEY PAYOFFS for avoidance and the fears attached. Good newsâthereâs a way to tip the scale!\n\n Read all the way through to see which of these may be hidden reasons youâre holding yourself back, and then give the exercises at the end a try. Cheers to you Finding the Gift in Procrastination and Avoidance!\n\n\n\n âWhy do I feel an urge to do something else whenever I start doing something important? What steps can I take to move forward?â\n\nWe are asking the wrong question, and Iâm as guilty as anyone. Itâs not, âWhy do I put off the things I really want or need to do?â The real question we have to ask ourselves is, âWhatâs the payoff I enjoy by avoiding doing what I say is important?â Our answers may vary but see if any or all! of these apply:\n\n I get to stay comfortable.\n\n I get to stay anxious.\n\n I get to protect my dream.\n\n I get to avoid making a decision.\n\n I get to stay small.\n\nClick here to read more about each avoidance payoff and how to work your way through procrastination.http://everydaypowerblog.com/2016/02/19/whyweprocrastinateandthepayoffsofavoidance/Please leave your comments on the article page for me!39:[\"$\",\"$L5\",\"21c293ad-2b9b-48fe-9873-7f2b89771a99\",{\"href\":\"/blog/why-we-procrastinate-and-the-payoffs-of-avoidance\",\"className\":\"block group rounded-xl bg-white shadow-sm hover:shadow-md transition-shadow overflow-hidden\",\"children\":[[\"$\",\"div\",null,{\"className\":\"aspect-[4/3] overflow-hidden relative\",\"children\":[\"$\",\"$L2a\",null,{\"src\":\"https://artist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net/images/b2272131-b179-46c3-a48e-b0ac04088266.jpg\",\"alt\":\"Why We Procrastinate and the Payoffs of Avoidance\",\"fill\":true,\"sizes\":\"(max-width: 640px) 100vw, (max-width: 1024px) 50vw, 33vw\",\"className\":\"object-cover transition-transform duration-300 group-hover:scale-105\",\"style\":{\"objectPosition\":\"50% 50%\"}}]}],[\"$\",\"div\",null,{\"className\":\"p-5\",\"children\":[[\"$\",\"h2\",null,{\"className\":\"text-lg font-bold mb-2 leading-snug\",\"style\":{\"fontFamily\":\"var(--ff-serif)\"},\"children\":\"Why We Procrastinate and the Payoffs of Avoidance\"}],[\"$\",\"p\",null,{\"className\":\"text-sm text-muted-foreground leading-relaxed mb-3 line-clamp-3\",\"children\":\"$61\"}],[\"$\",\"span\",null,{\"className\":\"text-sm font-medium text-primary\",\"children\":\"Read More »\"}]]}]]}]\n62:T7a4,"])</script>
1<script>self.__next_f.push([1,"Check out this great article by Bethany Ramos. She asked me to collaborate with her on taking a deeper look at career burnout for SheKnows.com. \n\nMost people would say to avoid career burnout you need to develop outside hobbies, take regular vacations and unplug regularly. Those are all great strategies and very needed, but itâs good to be aware of the deeper reasons some of us are more prone to career burnout than others. Thankfully, there are many great ways to proactively get back to loving your job and your life.\n\nBe sure to read the full article and all eight tips to see if youâre in danger for an impending burnout. Hereâs a teaser to get you started!\n\nArticle excerpt:\n\n 5. Pat yourself on the back\n Beyond these bestpractice tips that you can use to keep your career organized and interesting, Angela Howell, speaker and author of Finding the Gift: Daily Meditations for Mindfulness, believes that a simple change in perspective may be one of the most effective ways to thwart job dissatisfaction. Howell explains that many people struggle with being a workaholic because they are looking for external recognition, while true job satisfaction can only be found in learning to give yourself the internal validation you seek. âI have struggled with being a workaholic for much of my life. I was a very successful, 12year corporate sales rep, and I definitely experienced burnout because my entire life revolved around my career. I was so driven for external recognition that I let everything else slide, like my relationships, hobbies and health,â says Howell.\n She continues, âWhen I focus on my own sense of accomplishment and can learn to give myself the praise I need, I am less critically dependent on getting my sense of worth at work. I can allow myself to have a life and live from a more balanced place, nurturing all the parts of me that exist beyond my career. I work to live instead of live to work.â\n\nEnjoy!\n\nAngela"])</script>
1<script>self.__next_f.push([1,"3a:[\"$\",\"$L5\",\"5eace53e-e2d6-4a5a-99ec-44bea7f14462\",{\"href\":\"/blog/8-tips-to-avoid-career-burnout-and-learn-to-love-your-job-again\",\"className\":\"block group rounded-xl bg-white shadow-sm hover:shadow-md transition-shadow overflow-hidden\",\"children\":[[\"$\",\"div\",null,{\"className\":\"aspect-[4/3] overflow-hidden relative\",\"children\":[\"$\",\"$L2a\",null,{\"src\":\"https://artist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net/images/3d6cdb6a-9c92-4818-8c5b-b375f33e93a7.jpg\",\"alt\":\"8 Tips to Avoid Career Burnout and Learn to Love Your Job Again\",\"fill\":true,\"sizes\":\"(max-width: 640px) 100vw, (max-width: 1024px) 50vw, 33vw\",\"className\":\"object-cover transition-transform duration-300 group-hover:scale-105\",\"style\":{\"objectPosition\":\"50% 50%\"}}]}],[\"$\",\"div\",null,{\"className\":\"p-5\",\"children\":[[\"$\",\"h2\",null,{\"className\":\"text-lg font-bold mb-2 leading-snug\",\"style\":{\"fontFamily\":\"var(--ff-serif)\"},\"children\":\"8 Tips to Avoid Career Burnout and Learn to Love Your Job Again\"}],[\"$\",\"p\",null,{\"className\":\"text-sm text-muted-foreground leading-relaxed mb-3 line-clamp-3\",\"children\":\"$62\"}],[\"$\",\"span\",null,{\"className\":\"text-sm font-medium text-primary\",\"children\":\"Read More »\"}]]}]]}]\n3b:[\"$\",\"$L5\",\"dcc57b28-2f6f-4df4-9d69-ffb8102230f0\",{\"href\":\"/blog/breaking-free-from-the-imaginary-leash\",\"className\":\"block group rounded-xl bg-white shadow-sm hover:shadow-md transition-shadow overflow-hidden\",\"children\":[[\"$\",\"div\",null,{\"className\":\"aspect-[4/3] overflow-hidden relative\",\"children\":[\"$\",\"$L2a\",null,{\"src\":\"https://artist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net/images/cb207950-c632-4e1c-80f7-389760cb3d1f.jpg\",\"alt\":\"Breaking Free from the Imaginary Leash\",\"fill\":true,\"sizes\":\"(max-width: 640px) 100vw, (max-width: 1024px) 50vw, 33vw\",\"className\":\"object-cover transition-transform duration-300 group-hover:scale-105\",\"style\":{\"objectPosition\":\"50% 50%\"}}]}],[\"$\",\"div\",null,{\"className\":\"p-5\",\"children\":[[\"$\",\"h2\",null,{\"className\":\"text-lg font-bold mb-2 leading-snug\",\"style\":{\"fontFamily\":\"var(--ff-serif)\"},\"children\":\"Breaking Free from the Imaginary Leash\"}],[\"$\",\"p\",null,{\"className\":\"text-sm text-muted-foreground leading-relaxed mb-3 line-clamp-3\",\"children\":\"Goldieâs leash is real, but Henryâs is imaginary.\"}],[\"$\",\"span\",null,{\"className\":\"text-sm font-medium text-primary\",\"children\":\"Read More »\"}]]}]]}]\n63:T17a8,"])</script>
1<script>self.__next_f.push([1,"Happy New Year! Whew, itâs been a while since I posted. Author talks and book events have kept me jumping, but I am so very grateful for the impact âFinding the Gift: Daily Meditations for Mindfulnessâ is making in peopleâs lives and their perspectives. Weâre all in this together!\n\nJanuary is the biggest month for most of us to think about our lives and make new resolutions. But for many, these are quickly abandoned by February. Too often people resolve to accomplish goals that are too big and daunting, and/or deep down, they donât believe they deserve to have or be âx.â Surprisingly enough, we make progress much quicker by taking baby steps consistently. The turtle beats the rabbit on this track!\n\nIf you are having trouble with any of your New Yearâs resolutions, I have a few suggestions that have helped me in the past. If all I have identified is the ultimate outcome, I can stare at that goal until I am blue in the face, paralyzed to take any real action. However, if I create some smaller resolutions that will cause me to take a step toward the final destination, I can make forward progress.\n\n Excerpt from âFinding the Gift: Daily Meditations for Mindfulnessâ for January 1:\n Sometimes I find it easier to look at a big goal and then work backwards, breaking it down into smaller pieces. Iâll ask myself, Well, if that goal was true one year from now, what else will be true? For instance, if I had aspirations to become more fluent in a foreign language one year from now, I could start by finding other people to regularly converse with. Boom. I just created a tangible action step I can do today, which will help me get where I want to be a year from now. This sounds so obvious, but too often we get overwhelmed and intimidated by the idea of attaining huge goals. We canât think of how to get started and we stay frozen.\n\nIf my goal for 2016 as an author/speaker is simply to reach more people with my book and my message, I could easily remain intimidated by how to actually go about doing that and do nothing, but hope and pray it just happens. Or, I can pretend itâs December, 2016 and that Iâm looking back over the year feeling grateful that I did successfully expand my impact. I can ask myself what must have happened for my goal to be realized? I probably had to identify some groups who could relate to what I have to say. Then I probably had to do some research and make some phone calls or send some emails.\n\nSo now, rather than focus on my big goal, I can start thinking about specific groups or organizations who would be thrilled to have me as a guest speaker. Once identified, I can make another goal to do some research and find out who secures speakers for the event. I can make contact through phone or email. I know this is a very specific example but Iâm hoping you can translate this to your own goals and see that a big resolution needs to be broken down into several, smaller goals. Tasks that can be done in a day. Activities that when put together, lead up to helping you reach your bigger destination.\n\nIf this sounds elemental but you are facing a resolution that is quickly fading, I hope you will give it a try. Just ask the question, âIf this were true, what else would have to be true?â You have all the answers you need inside you. Sometimes we just arenât asking ourselves the right questions!\n\nIf negative beliefs are holding you back, thatâs going to require a different strategy. Write down the three most powerful selfsabotage beliefs that run through your mind. Reasons that deepdown are keeping you from attaining your resolutions. Letâs say you want to increase your income in 2016. Thatâs a great goal, but until itâs defined in detail, it c
1ould easily remain a resolution thatâs just too big. But letâs deal with the negative selfbeliefs because if those are dominating your daily thoughts, the bestlaid actions plans are meaningless.\n\nPerhaps your first negative thought is this: âI donât deserve to make more money,â or âNo one in my family has ever made much money.â If that is an underlying belief, your subconscious will make sure your life backs that up. How would it feel to believe, âI deserve to make an abundant living to be able to provide for myself and my family and have fun doing it?â Can you feel the shift? This isnât hard work, but it does take intentional effort. Change your software programs in your mind and you will change your life!\n\n Excerpt from âFinding the Gift: Daily Meditations for Mindfulnessâ for January 6:\n Take a moment. Stare out a window. Let yourself dream of a life that is to come. If you could do or be anythingâno limits based on finances, present circumstances or past experiencesâwhat would you do? Where would you go? What would you invent? What new hobby or interest might you explore? Who would be in your life? Who would you let go of? Who would you help? How much money would you see in your account? Where would you live? What would your body look like, and how strong and flexible would you be? What charity would you support or create? What would your doctor say at your annual checkup?\n This is YOUR dream. STOP the limiting chatter!\n\nMy book is full of daily meditations to challenge old beliefs, broaden perspectives and offer practical tips that will help us all achieve the lives we really desire from the inside out. I canât say it enough: this is MY handbook for living. I do not have all these lessons mastered! Far from it. I wrote this book to provide reminders for the many issues I still need to work on myself. I just decided to share it with you so we can do it together! We all need traveling companions on this journey of life. Thank you for being one of mine!\n\nIf youâre in the Nashville area, I will be at the Green Hills Library on Thursday, February 4 at 6pm for an author talk and book signing event. Books will be available to purchase and a portion of the proceeds will go to the âFriends of the Library.â I hope to see you there!"])</script>
1<script>self.__next_f.push([1,"3c:[\"$\",\"$L5\",\"8a0ba273-a48e-4d01-90a7-008af6bcfb2c\",{\"href\":\"/blog/some-resolutions-are-just-too-big\",\"className\":\"block group rounded-xl bg-white shadow-sm hover:shadow-md transition-shadow overflow-hidden\",\"children\":[[\"$\",\"div\",null,{\"className\":\"aspect-[4/3] overflow-hidden relative\",\"children\":[\"$\",\"$L2a\",null,{\"src\":\"https://artist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net/images/e19d7051-e5d0-452d-8016-a589b614ef22.jpg\",\"alt\":\"Some Resolutions Are Just Too Big\",\"fill\":true,\"sizes\":\"(max-width: 640px) 100vw, (max-width: 1024px) 50vw, 33vw\",\"className\":\"object-cover transition-transform duration-300 group-hover:scale-105\",\"style\":{\"objectPosition\":\"50% 50%\"}}]}],[\"$\",\"div\",null,{\"className\":\"p-5\",\"children\":[[\"$\",\"h2\",null,{\"className\":\"text-lg font-bold mb-2 leading-snug\",\"style\":{\"fontFamily\":\"var(--ff-serif)\"},\"children\":\"Some Resolutions Are Just Too Big\"}],[\"$\",\"p\",null,{\"className\":\"text-sm text-muted-foreground leading-relaxed mb-3 line-clamp-3\",\"children\":\"$63\"}],\"$L64\"]}]]}]\n65:Td28,"])</script>
1<script>self.__next_f.push([1,"Holidays are supposed to be a joyfilled, happy time with friends and family. Day after day of sparkling euphoria, right?! Donât we all long for the Norman Rockwell experience? What if after the timeless moments are captured, we showed each other what really goes onâthe good, the bad and the ugly, and also the ordinary? I found an interesting book review in the New York Times written in 2013 for a biography written about Norman Rockwell. Reading that and exploring a few other search results for âNorman Rockwell,â I quickly learned that he also did not live the âNorman Rockwellâ experience.\n\nIâve spent many days thinking if I had just come from a ânormalâ family, my life would have been so much better. I grew up believing that what I saw in Norman Rockwell illustrations really existed in most other homes but mine. As an adult now, I know the truth. No one has it good all the time, and no one has it bad all the time. And sometimes, the ordinary moments are the best ones of all. Times like this morning, when my husband and I cuddled on the couch enjoying the glowing Christmas tree at dawn, as he drank his coffee before getting ready for work. Or letting my son show me how swift he can handle his car on back roads, making a night run to the grocery store for milk and bananas, with music blaring from the speakers. And enjoying a peaceful, quiet morning with my furry children, looking out into the majesty of nature surrounding me. Those are the moments I live for now.\n\nAnd most of the time, Iâve stopped the comparison game. Comparing my life to others is a fast road to discontentment and âmissing the gifts.â In the recovery world, we often hear, âDonât compare your insides to someone elseâs outsides.â We only see what âtheyâ let us see anyway. In a thriving socialmediafilled world, it often looks like most everyone is living the good life. Rarely can we see the aches in their hearts or the depths of loneliness common to us all. Common to us allâyes, even I have my bad days too, where Iâm struggling with âFinding the Gift.â I know those days will pass and I personally choose not to use my social media platforms to air my fleeting moments of lost perspective, but I do share those hard days with those closest to me.\n\nLiving a life of âFinding the Giftâ to me means truly believing everything, everything is working for my good. Even when it doesnât seem like it. My best use of energy is always spent redirecting my thoughts to what is going well and celebrating true treasure, the unexpected, ordinary moments of real bliss. Happy Holidays and may your ordinary moments bring you great joy! If you are in Nashville today, please come join me at BookManBookWoman in Hillsboro Village for a Finding the Gifthttps://www.angelahowell.com/books book discussion and signing event from 122 p.m. .\n\nP.S. If you have a Finding the Gift story, I want to hear it and so does the rest of our FTG community! Please send me a message through my âcontact Angelaâ tab. Not an FTG member? Look for the orange box to the right and sign up! Iâll send you a free eBook immediately, Ten Secrets to Finding the Gift!\n\nP.P.S. If you are looking for a special gift for someone, check out the reviews on Amazon from those who have been touched by reading Finding the Gift.https://www.angelahowell.com/books"])</script>
1<script>self.__next_f.push([1,"3d:[\"$\",\"$L5\",\"49297ce1-1405-4fba-8ba1-55f0fb2e5f9a\",{\"href\":\"/blog/the-norman-rockwell-illusion\",\"className\":\"block group rounded-xl bg-white shadow-sm hover:shadow-md transition-shadow overflow-hidden\",\"children\":[[\"$\",\"div\",null,{\"className\":\"aspect-[4/3] overflow-hidden relative\",\"children\":[\"$\",\"$L2a\",null,{\"src\":\"https://artist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net/images/398a3032-914e-49cd-b6c5-b509e7a404d2.jpg\",\"alt\":\"The Norman Rockwell Illusion\",\"fill\":true,\"sizes\":\"(max-width: 640px) 100vw, (max-width: 1024px) 50vw, 33vw\",\"className\":\"object-cover transition-transform duration-300 group-hover:scale-105\",\"style\":{\"objectPosition\":\"50% 50%\"}}]}],[\"$\",\"div\",null,{\"className\":\"p-5\",\"children\":[[\"$\",\"h2\",null,{\"className\":\"text-lg font-bold mb-2 leading-snug\",\"style\":{\"fontFamily\":\"var(--ff-serif)\"},\"children\":\"The Norman Rockwell Illusion\"}],[\"$\",\"p\",null,{\"className\":\"text-sm text-muted-foreground leading-relaxed mb-3 line-clamp-3\",\"children\":\"$65\"}],\"$L66\"]}]]}]\n67:Tadf,"])</script>
1<script>self.__next_f.push([1,"No, I have not finished my holiday shopping! Grrr ⦠I mean, Happy Tuesday! Every year it seems I get more and more Grinchlike when December rolls around. Maybe thatâs not fair. Iâm not really a Scrooge and I have nothing against gifts. I just want to enjoy more of the simple, beautiful parts of the holidays and less of the shouldâs and have toâs. Iâm convinced that the real wonder of the season is felt sitting quietly in front of a sparkling tree or a crackling fireplace, basking in the glow of gratefulness for life exactly the way it is, in that very moment.\n\nEvery year, the idea of going out to spend money we may not necessarily have to buy things that people donât necessarily need or wantâjust to say we did or just to have presents under the treeâfeels so forced and well, just not fun. I try to keep my opinion to myself because I feel I am in the minority. Clearly, many people absolutely love making their lists and checking them twice! If motives are pure, more power to them!\n\n In my dream world we offer meaningful gifts to those we truly want to show love and appreciation for, and we donât put our finances in jeopardy in the process.\n\nHandmade cards and gifts count double! We stand firm against pressure to do things we really donât want to do, or go places we really donât want to go. Our wellbeing is more important than our peoplepleasing. We set aside time and resources to help those less fortunate than us, allowing us the full, unparalleled experience of joy that comes from giving and touching a life. In my dream holiday, you are your best you, and I am my best me.\n\nThe truth is, every year I am more focused on finding the real gifts: love, peace, service and gratitude. And heartfelt connections with others who value the same. Will you join me in celebrating the silent wonders this holiday season? Please leave a comment and tell me what your dream holiday looks like!\n\nP.S. If you have a Finding the Gift story, I want to hear it and so does the rest of our FTG community! Please send me a message. Not an FTG member? Look for the orange box to the right and sign up! Iâll send you a free eBook immediately, Ten Secrets to Finding the Gift!\n\nP.P.S. If you are looking for a special gift for someone, check out the reviews on Amazon from those who have been touched by reading Finding the Gift.https://www.angelahowell.com/books \n\nP.P.P.S. Is that too many Pâs? Well anyway, if you want to see one of my recent, early morning, Finding the Gift moments, check out this video. I was so taken by how perfect the scene looked and felt, I let my cinnamon rolls get cold while taking videos and pictures! Thatâs the thing about Finding the Gift: sometimes we may lose something, only to gain an even bigger reward! Enjoy!"])</script>
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1<script>self.__next_f.push([1,"âAuthentic, captivating, thoughtprovoking! Angela Howellâs insights remind the reader that in every life experience there is a gift waiting to be found ⦠if we only dare to look deeper.â âRachel Martinez, Certified Addiction Counselor\n\nHello FTG Friends! Happy almost Thanksgiving! I hope each of you have a special time planned to celebrate with good food among great family and friends.\n\nI have a question for you to consider as we enter into this season of thanksgiving. If you were to receive a âFinding the Giftâ report card, would you get an A? How well are you able to look at a situation and find the gift, instead of the problem? I read a story once about Benjamin Franklin. Apparently he had a habit of finding fault and when he was strongly confronted by someone he respected, he vowed to never complain again. Oh, if only it were that easy! With practice, however, it does become easier to ask, âWhatâs the gift in this?â versus, âWhy did this happen?â\n\nGratitude is a habit of the mind and with regular use, it can become an automatic response to life. When I experience disappointment, for example, I choose to believe I will find a gift as long as Iâm willing to look for it. Maybe what appears to be a setback is actually some form of protection? Something to keep me from going down a particular path, which ultimately wonât be in my best interest? Maybe Iâll never know why certain events transpired, but I always have a choice in how I perceive what life brings my way. I can choose to believe things are working for my good, or I can get caught up in frustration. Faith feels better to me so I donât let myself wallow too long in how I wish things were. Instead, I begin finding the gift in how things are.\n\nJumping ahead in my book, Finding the Gift: Daily Meditations for Mindfulness, I will leave you with an upcoming entry on gratitude. I sincerely wish you the best Thanksgiving ever, abundant with gifts given, received and observed.\n\nNovember 26: A Daily Gratitude Practice\n\n âThe more you praise and celebrate your life, the more there is in life to celebrate.â\n ~ Oprah Winfrey ~\n\nNovember is the perfect time of year to focus on being thankful: good health, relationships, friends and family, our jobs, our homes, and our freedom. Many of us can count some or all of these as blessings in our lives. What else? What else are you truly grateful for? Look around. Listen. Feel. Take stock of everything you have appreciation for. Holding gratitude in your heart attracts even more good to come your way. Count your blessings often. For extra benefit, make a daily gratitude journal, listing at least five new things every morning or night.\n\nIn addition to whatâs noted above, I am deeply grateful for nature, music, role models, reverse role models who teach me what NOT to do, nature seasons, thick fuzzy blankets and socks, fast cars, adventure, adversity without adversity, personal growth is much slower, my furry loved ones, sidewalks, hot baths, dark chocolate, apple cider, boots, things that sparkle, laughter and piano music filling my home, and much, much more! For a real challenge, make a list of all the people, places and things you are grateful for. Do this alone or with a group. When you run out of things to write, go through the letters of the alphabet to jog your memory some more. Keep this list and your daily gratitude journal handy for rereading frequently. Turkey hunters practice making turkey calls to attract birds to come their way. Practice using gratitude to attract more goodness to come your way. Cheers!\n\nP.S. If you have a Finding the Gift story, I want to hear it and so does the rest of our FTG community! Please send me a message. Not an FTG member? Look for the orange box to the right and sign up! Iâll send you a free eBook immediately, Ten Secrets to Finding the Gift!"])</script>
1<script>self.__next_f.push([1,"3f:[\"$\",\"$L5\",\"2bec6028-15b0-4db4-b16b-5edb68e9cc94\",{\"href\":\"/blog/open-minds-get-more-gifts-to-open\",\"className\":\"block group rounded-xl bg-white shadow-sm hover:shadow-md transition-shadow overflow-hidden\",\"children\":[[\"$\",\"div\",null,{\"className\":\"aspect-[4/3] overflow-hidden relative\",\"children\":[\"$\",\"div\",null,{\"className\":\"w-full h-full bg-muted\"}]}],[\"$\",\"div\",null,{\"className\":\"p-5\",\"children\":[[\"$\",\"h2\",null,{\"className\":\"text-lg font-bold mb-2 leading-snug\",\"style\":{\"fontFamily\":\"var(--ff-serif)\"},\"children\":\"Open Minds Get More Gifts to Open\"}],[\"$\",\"p\",null,{\"className\":\"text-sm text-muted-foreground leading-relaxed mb-3 line-clamp-3\",\"children\":\"$69\"}],\"$L6a\"]}]]}]\n6b:T9a1,"])</script>
1<script>self.__next_f.push([1,"Sneak Peak from my soon to be released book, Finding the Gift: Daily Meditations for Mindfulness\n\nOctober 6 Courage to Be Fully Alive\n\nToday is a special day for a very special man in my life. HAPPY BIRTHDAY! We are going to make a big deal out of it! Did you ever hear someone tell you, âStop making such a big deal about that!â Or, âSettle down now, and stop acting like a child.â As a society, weâve even said that to our children, when acting like a child is the most ageappropriate thing to do. Iâm not discounting the need for discipline, this is just an observation of our language.\n\nAll too often our spirits are conformed to fit into society, into school, into church, even into our own families. Our behavior is regulated so much that we may think itâs not okay to jump for joy and act crazy. To cry when we feel sad. Or to laugh out loud when somethingâs funny. We are encouraged to wear our quiet little masks and politely die a slow, numbing death. We are hardly living, as opposed to celebrating the full spectrum of the human existence. Itâs called a spectrum, which indicates that life is meant to be lived in a range of experiences, not as a safe, uniform spot somewhere in the midst of conformity and oppression. We need all of it to feel alive! Highs and lows. Loud and quiet. Fast and Slow. Celebration and grief.\n\nA pastor once gave a sermon on how weâve all but stripped the masculinity out of our sons and made them ⦠nice. So we have compliant men who are afraid to take risks, make decisions and boldly be who they were created to be. And then we criticize them for it, and wonder what happened to the real men in the world? My husband is a huge fan of Wild at Heart by John Eldredge, who says, âDeep in his heart, every man longs for a battle to fight, an adventure to live, and a beauty to rescue.â Referring to himself, Eldredge says, âI wasnât mean; I wasnât evil. I was nice. And let me tell you, a hesitant man is the last thing in the world a woman needs. She needs a lover and a warrior, not a Really Nice Guy.â\n\nJust for today, stop being so nice and politically correct, and demanding the same from everyone else. Letâs be unashamedly ALIVE, whatever that looks like today. For us, that means a big celebration. We are going to sing really loud and probably do a few Happy Dances. We are all alive, arenât we? That alone is reason to celebrate. Letâs make today something worth remembering."])</script>
1<script>self.__next_f.push([1,"40:[\"$\",\"$L5\",\"efa4bace-d24c-4eb6-be04-340f0f2fbc72\",{\"href\":\"/blog/courage-to-be-fully-alive\",\"className\":\"block group rounded-xl bg-white shadow-sm hover:shadow-md transition-shadow overflow-hidden\",\"children\":[[\"$\",\"div\",null,{\"className\":\"aspect-[4/3] overflow-hidden relative\",\"children\":[\"$\",\"div\",null,{\"className\":\"w-full h-full bg-muted\"}]}],[\"$\",\"div\",null,{\"className\":\"p-5\",\"children\":[[\"$\",\"h2\",null,{\"className\":\"text-lg font-bold mb-2 leading-snug\",\"style\":{\"fontFamily\":\"var(--ff-serif)\"},\"children\":\"Courage To Be Fully Alive\"}],[\"$\",\"p\",null,{\"className\":\"text-sm text-muted-foreground leading-relaxed mb-3 line-clamp-3\",\"children\":\"$6b\"}],[\"$\",\"span\",null,{\"className\":\"text-sm font-medium text-primary\",\"children\":\"Read More »\"}]]}]]}]\n6c:T65d,"])</script>
1<script>self.__next_f.push([1,"Our bodies are such amazing, complex systems, constantly regenerating and renewing themselves. A while back, I had surgery on my knee and in the acute healing process, this knee was very warm to the touch when compared to my healthy knee. I could literally feel how hard my body was working to heal itself. This brought to mind several sayings regarding transformation through heat and fire.\n\nâThe heat is on!â\n\nâHe really brought the heat today!â\n\nâSheâs in hot water now!â\n\nâNothing like a trial by fire.â\n\nWhen the âheatâ shows up in our lives, whatever that looks like for each of us, it can be mildly or extremely uncomfortable. When we feel the temperature rising in our circumstances or relationships, we can trust that a transformation is taking place, or an opportunity for growth is at hand. Resistance is the opposite of acceptance and only serves to make the struggle last longer, or keep me from benefiting fully from an opportunity for change. Iâm always better off asking, âWhatâs my lesson here?â rather than âWhy is this happening to me?â\n\nImagine metal trying to maintain its current shape when surrounded by fire? It would be pretty impossible for it to not be changed. If itâs happening to you right now, get the lesson! Too often, the fires life throws at us seem scary and something we want to avoid, but if weâre seeking and listening to the guidance inside, itâs safe to trust weâll be cared for until we come out the other side. I choose to believe every circumstance is for our greater good, even when it doesnât feel like it. Youâre going to be great, too!"])</script>
1<script>self.__next_f.push([1,"41:[\"$\",\"$L5\",\"81169b1f-ef21-49d4-bb6e-ec863531af83\",{\"href\":\"/blog/the-heat-is-on\",\"className\":\"block group rounded-xl bg-white shadow-sm hover:shadow-md transition-shadow overflow-hidden\",\"children\":[[\"$\",\"div\",null,{\"className\":\"aspect-[4/3] overflow-hidden relative\",\"children\":[\"$\",\"div\",null,{\"className\":\"w-full h-full bg-muted\"}]}],[\"$\",\"div\",null,{\"className\":\"p-5\",\"children\":[[\"$\",\"h2\",null,{\"className\":\"text-lg font-bold mb-2 leading-snug\",\"style\":{\"fontFamily\":\"var(--ff-serif)\"},\"children\":\"The Heat Is On!\"}],[\"$\",\"p\",null,{\"className\":\"text-sm text-muted-foreground leading-relaxed mb-3 line-clamp-3\",\"children\":\"$6c\"}],[\"$\",\"span\",null,{\"className\":\"text-sm font-medium text-primary\",\"children\":\"Read More »\"}]]}]]}]\n6d:T831,"])</script>
1<script>self.__next_f.push([1,"Into Me, See\n\nThe branches of a tree limb grow out in all different directions. They touch, they overlap, they split off into smaller branches. No two limbs are alike, and no two limbs have identical branches, but they are all part of the same tree. That tree is me; itâs each of us.\n\nThere are many facets to my life and I always laugh when someone asks me what I do, because I wear a lot of hats! I used to be in corporate sales, so I understand what it means to be an employee, a salesperson, a boss, the client interface, and a coworker. Today, Iâm a creativeâ photographer, writer, painterâwhile still being wife, Mom, daughter, sister, aunt, friend, business owner, coach, sponsor, sponsee, volunteer and member of a church family. Iâm also a trauma survivor, which means I grew up learning to live fragmented, instead of integrated, and I have a tendency to divide myself and my life into parts.\n\nBecause I had this terrified, insecure side of me and was secretly coping with my life using destructive behaviors like anorexia and bulimia, I learned to put on masks in order to do everything else. I became immersed in external appearance, perfectionism, achievement and control the lookinggood side to make sure I was accepted and liked.\n\nSometimes I can still find myself putting on various roles like a costume, tweaking myself to suit each part, shifting in and out of different identities, and losing the real me in the shuffle. Thankfully, my awareness has grown in this area and Iâm better able to recognize when Iâve slipped a mask on and need to come back to whatâs authentic and true. Iâm learning to trust that person is wonderful and most importantly, she is enough.\n\nToday, I desire to be more fluid, more transparent, one self in all my daily endeavors and relationships, where the hat doesnât change who I am, just decorates the real me! I encourage you to celebrate and embrace yourself too, all the wonderful, unique parts of you, knowing you also have one true identity, with many different branches and colorful hats. Wear them well, but always be you!"])</script>
1<script>self.__next_f.push([1,"42:[\"$\",\"$L5\",\"7abd8cad-e363-4519-8b8c-2077e5cda3a3\",{\"href\":\"/blog/trees-hats-and-masks\",\"className\":\"block group rounded-xl bg-white shadow-sm hover:shadow-md transition-shadow overflow-hidden\",\"children\":[[\"$\",\"div\",null,{\"className\":\"aspect-[4/3] overflow-hidden relative\",\"children\":[\"$\",\"$L2a\",null,{\"src\":\"https://artist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net/images/41861ad7-5e94-4432-8e55-667a01135333.jpg\",\"alt\":\"Trees, Hats and Masks\",\"fill\":true,\"sizes\":\"(max-width: 640px) 100vw, (max-width: 1024px) 50vw, 33vw\",\"className\":\"object-cover transition-transform duration-300 group-hover:scale-105\",\"style\":{\"objectPosition\":\"50% 50%\"}}]}],[\"$\",\"div\",null,{\"className\":\"p-5\",\"children\":[[\"$\",\"h2\",null,{\"className\":\"text-lg font-bold mb-2 leading-snug\",\"style\":{\"fontFamily\":\"var(--ff-serif)\"},\"children\":\"Trees, Hats and Masks\"}],[\"$\",\"p\",null,{\"className\":\"text-sm text-muted-foreground leading-relaxed mb-3 line-clamp-3\",\"children\":\"$6d\"}],[\"$\",\"span\",null,{\"className\":\"text-sm font-medium text-primary\",\"children\":\"Read More »\"}]]}]]}]\n6e:T4d2,Setting goals is great. Getting goals is much better! We can spend a lot of time writing out detailed goals and elaborate action plans, but unless we change something we do every day, we canât hope to see any real movement towards reaching our hopes and dreams. Without action, our best goals will remain wishes. We can plan our lives, but we donât just decide what our future will look like.\n\n We decide what habits and disciplines we will do daily, and those daily practices are what ultimately decide our future. \n\nAs we evaluate where we would like to be in six months, one year, three years, ten years, let us also evaluate what needs to happen daily to bring about the progress we seek. Itâs the small change that leads to the big change. Allow 21 days of repetition for a new habit to form. One day wonât make a difference, but consistency over time will change our lives and we will achieve a lot more of the goals that we set! When it comes to reaching goals, the slow, consistent turtle usually beats the rabbit.\n\nTry taking a few small steps today, even if itâs just ten minutesâ worth of action or one phone call, and let me know how it feels to move closer towards changing your wishes and goals into reality.43:[\"$\",\"$L5\",\"4db37680-9ed3-4855-8efe-2444866f0a00\",{\"href\":\"/blog/setting-goals-or-making-wishes\",\"className\":\"block group rounded-xl bg-white shadow-sm hover:shadow-md transition-shadow overflow-hidden\",\"children\":[[\"$\",\"div\",null,{\"className\":\"aspect-[4/3] overflow-hidden relative\",\"children\":[\"$\",\"div\",null,{\"className\":\"w-full h-full bg-muted\"}]}],[\"$\",\"div\",null,{\"className\":\"p-5\",\"children\":[[\"$\",\"h2\",null,{\"className\":\"text-lg font-bold mb-2 leading-snug\",\"style\":{\"fontFamily\":\"var(--ff-serif)\"},\"children\":\"Setting Goals or Making Wishes?\"}],[\"$\",\"p\",null,{\"className\":\"text-sm text-muted-foreground leading-relaxed mb-3 line-clamp-3\",\"children\":\"$6e\"}],[\"$\",\"span\",null,{\"className\":\"text-sm font-medium text-primary\",\"children\":\"Read More »\"}]]}]]}]\n6f:T6a9,"])</script>
1<script>self.__next_f.push([1,"© Angela Howell\n\nWe hear about overnight success and our brains know the truthânothing happens overnight. Too often something in me still falls into delusional thinking and expectation, not wanting to do the repetition of small steps consistently. I found myself wishing for an outcome today, but then feeling frustrated at the realization that I couldnât just do it. The only way to achieve this outcome is through small, daily repetition. But I want it now! Wow, how many times have I wanted to write a book in one day or take a foreign language lesson, desiring mastery right at the onset? Too often! Whatâs the saying?? Good things take time!\n\n Living in a microwave, fastfood society, my inherent desire to pull up to the drivethru window and have it my way is so much more appealing to me.\n\nBut I have a choice. I can dismiss the urges, desires, dreams, and goals that are going to take longer than one day, or I can do one small thing today and the next, and the next to get me closer to my goal.\n\nIf I make it more about the journey rather than the ultimate outcome, I may be more inclined to take that small step. If I look for the joy in actually doing it, or if I think about what I can get out of it todayâ the reward solely in todayâs actionâ I may be more likely to just do it today. When I slow down long enough to enjoy myself in that activity, I may find the willingness to do it again tomorrow. What is a step you can take toward your goal today and even more importantly, whatâs the gift you can find in doing that today? When I adhere to daily disciplines, I find the Miracle Gro for my dreams and goals! Cheers to us all Finding the Gift by taking one small step today!"])</script>
1<script>self.__next_f.push([1,"44:[\"$\",\"$L5\",\"f5f3d8a4-07dc-4671-86f2-98f4b0342d62\",{\"href\":\"/blog/daily-repetition-just-do-it\",\"className\":\"block group rounded-xl bg-white shadow-sm hover:shadow-md transition-shadow overflow-hidden\",\"children\":[[\"$\",\"div\",null,{\"className\":\"aspect-[4/3] overflow-hidden relative\",\"children\":[\"$\",\"$L2a\",null,{\"src\":\"https://artist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net/images/258e94b5-8638-4c9f-b8ae-0d3f7bc93823.jpg\",\"alt\":\"Daily Repetition? Just Do It!\",\"fill\":true,\"sizes\":\"(max-width: 640px) 100vw, (max-width: 1024px) 50vw, 33vw\",\"className\":\"object-cover transition-transform duration-300 group-hover:scale-105\",\"style\":{\"objectPosition\":\"50% 50%\"}}]}],[\"$\",\"div\",null,{\"className\":\"p-5\",\"children\":[[\"$\",\"h2\",null,{\"className\":\"text-lg font-bold mb-2 leading-snug\",\"style\":{\"fontFamily\":\"var(--ff-serif)\"},\"children\":\"Daily Repetition? Just Do It!\"}],[\"$\",\"p\",null,{\"className\":\"text-sm text-muted-foreground leading-relaxed mb-3 line-clamp-3\",\"children\":\"$6f\"}],[\"$\",\"span\",null,{\"className\":\"text-sm font-medium text-primary\",\"children\":\"Read More »\"}]]}]]}]\n70:T756,"])</script>
1<script>self.__next_f.push([1,"Recently I attended a facilitator training for the Body Project Collaborativehttp://www.bodyprojectcollaborative.com/. Sponsored locally by The Eating Disorders Coalition of Tennessee www.edct.nethttp://www.edct.net, I had heard this was the most successful, researchbased program used to address potentially harmful body image issues and to prevent early onset eating disorders from going any further. Being a 20year survivor of anorexia and bulimia myself, I wholeheartedly support everything we can do to prevent these severe and often fatal illnesses from taking root and growing amidst a culture inundated with the thin ideal media messages.\n\nWe were made a lofty promise at the start of the training that it would significantly change the way we feel about our body image and how we would treat our bodies going forward. In the process of training to be facilitators, we were also able to experience being participants and for me, these goals were realized halfway through the twoday training! But perhaps the biggest surprise for me was seeing that the Body Project Collaborative would be beneficial for every single one of us constantly being exposed to a culture which reinforces unrealistic beauty ideals and puts way too much emphasis on external appearance. I look forward to taking a small part in advancing this movement of greater body acceptance and cultivating a new message, âI am beautiful and already enough exactly the way I am today.â Another great approach to Finding The Gift!\n\nPlease contact me if you are interested in discussing how to personally participate in a communitybased session of the Body Project Collaborative, or how to bring this program to your local group.\n\nClick to read an article Time Magazine published about the Body Project Collaborativehttp://content.time.com/time/specials/2007/article/0,28804,170376317037641810730,00.html."])</script>
1<script>self.__next_f.push([1,"45:[\"$\",\"$L5\",\"8d392b7a-958a-409b-a4f9-46ac6b76c302\",{\"href\":\"/blog/body-project-collaborative-finding-the-gift-through-body-image-acceptance\",\"className\":\"block group rounded-xl bg-white shadow-sm hover:shadow-md transition-shadow overflow-hidden\",\"children\":[[\"$\",\"div\",null,{\"className\":\"aspect-[4/3] overflow-hidden relative\",\"children\":[\"$\",\"div\",null,{\"className\":\"w-full h-full bg-muted\"}]}],[\"$\",\"div\",null,{\"className\":\"p-5\",\"children\":[[\"$\",\"h2\",null,{\"className\":\"text-lg font-bold mb-2 leading-snug\",\"style\":{\"fontFamily\":\"var(--ff-serif)\"},\"children\":\"Body Project Collaborative: Finding the Gift through Body Image Acceptance\"}],[\"$\",\"p\",null,{\"className\":\"text-sm text-muted-foreground leading-relaxed mb-3 line-clamp-3\",\"children\":\"$70\"}],[\"$\",\"span\",null,{\"className\":\"text-sm font-medium text-primary\",\"children\":\"Read More »\"}]]}]]}]\n71:Tfca,"])</script>
1<script>self.__next_f.push([1,"I have struggled with low selfesteem most of my life and lived as a human doing, not a human being, trying to make up for what I felt was lacking. True or not, I grew up feeling like I could never be good enough to please my parents or warrant enough of their love and attention. Iâve spent the majority of my life exploring selfdevelopment and overcoming a very lonely, chaotic childhood. No blame! I am grateful for every single thing that happened, as well as everything that didnât happen. As a result, I am a richlyaware, highconscious soul and am always seeking to better myself and encourage others to grow through their circumstances as well.\n\nOne of my biggest challenges to this day, however, is staying too busy being a super human doing, instead of a human who is being. By doing this, I am continuing the pattern of not giving my self the attention I need and crave. My todo list is frequently on multiple Postit notes. I try to wake up early with the intention to write, pray, journal or meditatesomething centering before starting the rest of my day. Too often I make the mistake of checking email first. Then I spontaneously decide to change the HVAC air filter, because if I donât do it right this second I might forget for another month. Then I will âreally quicklyâ unload the dishwasher, start sorting laundry, and then, and thenâ¦and then the morning quiet time never happens.\n\n Recently in the midst of this alltootypical frenzy, I finally answered the call of my soul to have five minutes of quiet time outside, amidst the soothing sounds of nature. But my attitude was, âOkay, Iâm hereâletâs do this!! Let the amazing, spiritual connection begin! And could you hurry up please? I have a LOT to do!â\n\nObviously, I wasnât feeling much connection with that attitude, but then I had an âahaâ moment. Loving myself and being able to feel connected spiritually isnât something I snap my fingers to get. Rebuilding selfesteem doesnât happen overnight just because the awareness has come that I need to love myself more. Like any true love affair, the love relationship with my self happens over time. It gets richer over time. If I want to develop selfintimacy, I must be committed to the process of making myself available for genuine connection with my self, consistently and repeatedly over time.\n\nWonder how we would feel if a lover said, âOk, letâs go! Iâll give you five minutes. Give me all you got, your very best in five minutesâ because I have a lot to do!â That wouldnât feel good and wouldnât invite true connection. Why would I even begin to bare my soul for a five minute, hit and run encounter? I am worth much more than that! My authentic self will stay hidden until the circumstances are welcoming and it is safe for the real me to come out for meaningful connection. I canât demand my self to love me and have a true spiritual connection, while the minute timer is running!\n\nSo after writing for twenty minutes with the morning sun warming my skin, and the gentle breeze tousling my hair, I had a loving encounter with my self. The real Angela dared to come out when she sensed my full commitment to receive her and be present with her in a relaxed space.\n\n Twenty minutes wasnât much longer than five, in the big scheme of things. Although, intention matters much more than minutes. Five minutes with a familiar lover goes a lot farther than five minutes with an occasional lover. I believe I will get to a point when I can grab five minutes of quality intimacy with my self when thatâs all I have time for, because a foundation of familiarity and safety will have already been established consistently over time. Iâm still building that right now.\n\nWhen I committed to taking the time to be still with me, all other todoâs vanished from my mind and I truly became present. Now once again, I am connected to me, grounded to my heart, and in love with my spirit. I am a human who is being again and can carry that with me into all I choose to do today."])</script>
1<script>self.__next_f.push([1,"46:[\"$\",\"$L5\",\"0206e457-e1be-4c3e-9ec0-062b1ed98c0d\",{\"href\":\"/blog/becoming-a-human-who-is-being\",\"className\":\"block group rounded-xl bg-white shadow-sm hover:shadow-md transition-shadow overflow-hidden\",\"children\":[[\"$\",\"div\",null,{\"className\":\"aspect-[4/3] overflow-hidden relative\",\"children\":[\"$\",\"$L2a\",null,{\"src\":\"https://artist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net/images/6745fe2b-f781-4cf9-aaac-4e4d4002db5d.jpg\",\"alt\":\"Becoming A Human (Who Is) Being\",\"fill\":true,\"sizes\":\"(max-width: 640px) 100vw, (max-width: 1024px) 50vw, 33vw\",\"className\":\"object-cover transition-transform duration-300 group-hover:scale-105\",\"style\":{\"objectPosition\":\"50% 50%\"}}]}],[\"$\",\"div\",null,{\"className\":\"p-5\",\"children\":[[\"$\",\"h2\",null,{\"className\":\"text-lg font-bold mb-2 leading-snug\",\"style\":{\"fontFamily\":\"var(--ff-serif)\"},\"children\":\"Becoming A Human (Who Is) Being\"}],[\"$\",\"p\",null,{\"className\":\"text-sm text-muted-foreground leading-relaxed mb-3 line-clamp-3\",\"children\":\"$71\"}],\"$L72\"]}]]}]\n73:T710,"])</script>
1<script>self.__next_f.push([1,"Today I had the privilege of speaking as a volunteer for the Eating Disorders Coalition of Tennessee www.edct.nethttp://www.edct.net/ with two high school classes to promote eating disorders awareness and to share my personal story of recovery from anorexia/bulimia. I have to be honest, high school kids are a tough audience! Peer pressure is so great that before any personal expression can actually be verbalized in class, a studentâs thoughts have to go through about a hundred filters of selfconsciousness. As a result, many of those thoughts or feelings are not shared out loud, especially anything selfrevealing concerning a deep subject like eating disorders, addiction and body image. Most of the time, a sincere glance from a class member is the best I can hope for, and maybe a suggested âthank youâ or clap at the end from the class, prompted by an appreciative teacher. I do it anyway.\n\nI know that today, I am not harvesting. Iâm not showing up to get that awesome warm and fuzzy feeling that some service opportunities provide when you get to immediately see the effects of your donated time and effort. No, today I am just planting seeds. I may never see the harvest or the fruits of my actions, and Iâm okay with that. My fulfillment comes in knowing I created a solid foundation where awareness, compassion and understanding can grow. I am putting HOPE in the bank for those who may need to recall the information planted today if down the road they find themselves in the grips of an eating disorder, or someone they care about has started to slip into a gray area around food, exercise or diet.\n\nMany years ago, I was desperate for hope. Today I have plenty to share. To whom much is given, much will be required. I am grateful to serve and for today, that means planting seeds."])</script>
1<script>self.__next_f.push([1,"47:[\"$\",\"$L5\",\"1fa58670-e025-4c5e-9d24-b742f7a4e209\",{\"href\":\"/blog/planting-seeds-now-for-harvest-later\",\"className\":\"block group rounded-xl bg-white shadow-sm hover:shadow-md transition-shadow overflow-hidden\",\"children\":[[\"$\",\"div\",null,{\"className\":\"aspect-[4/3] overflow-hidden relative\",\"children\":[\"$\",\"div\",null,{\"className\":\"w-full h-full bg-muted\"}]}],[\"$\",\"div\",null,{\"className\":\"p-5\",\"children\":[[\"$\",\"h2\",null,{\"className\":\"text-lg font-bold mb-2 leading-snug\",\"style\":{\"fontFamily\":\"var(--ff-serif)\"},\"children\":\"Planting Seeds Now For Harvest Later\"}],[\"$\",\"p\",null,{\"className\":\"text-sm text-muted-foreground leading-relaxed mb-3 line-clamp-3\",\"children\":\"$73\"}],[\"$\",\"span\",null,{\"className\":\"text-sm font-medium text-primary\",\"children\":\"Read More »\"}]]}]]}]\n74:T91b,"])</script>
1<script>self.__next_f.push([1,"©findingthegift.com\n\nWe have all heard the phrase, âWe are never given more than we can handle.â I have always applied that to difficult situations and tough times, but I recently heard the idea that itâs also true for our talents, our potential, and thus, our destinies.\n\nIn Nelson Mandelaâs famous inaugural speech, he quoted Marianne Williamson by saying, âOur deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, and fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people will not feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It is not just in some of us; it is in everyone and as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give others permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.â\n\nThe biggest part we will ever be called to play on the stage of life is ourselves! We must not be afraid to trust and follow the mysterious greatness inside us, no matter how unknown, unpredictable or scary it may seem. Change will happen at a speed we can handle. Me being all of ME, you being all of YOU, inherently came with the equipping we would each need to be that person in full. Being all that we are meant to become, letting all of ourselves float to the surface for the world to see is never a mistake. Itâs who we were born to be and itâs our role in the symphony of life. No one else can do it for us. Letâs each play our part loud and proud so we can all be blessed by every individualâs contribution to the music we were born to create together. As we contribute to the whole, the essence of each one of us is also fully realized and fulfilled. While this doesnât happen overnight, we can all take a step in the right direction today by being honest, and asking ourselves if we are thriving or merely hiding out in the roles weâve taken on. I know I have hidden a lot in my life, but Iâm taking small steps to correct that and I hope you will join me."])</script>
1<script>self.__next_f.push([1,"48:[\"$\",\"$L5\",\"347c0ef5-92a2-4a9c-8de1-cf862c6fef8c\",{\"href\":\"/blog/never-given-more-than-we-can-handle-includes-our-potential\",\"className\":\"block group rounded-xl bg-white shadow-sm hover:shadow-md transition-shadow overflow-hidden\",\"children\":[[\"$\",\"div\",null,{\"className\":\"aspect-[4/3] overflow-hidden relative\",\"children\":[\"$\",\"$L2a\",null,{\"src\":\"https://artist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net/images/968b06be-d119-491a-b404-e8b6e85b5425.jpg\",\"alt\":\"Never Given More Than We Can Handle Includes Our Potential\",\"fill\":true,\"sizes\":\"(max-width: 640px) 100vw, (max-width: 1024px) 50vw, 33vw\",\"className\":\"object-cover transition-transform duration-300 group-hover:scale-105\",\"style\":{\"objectPosition\":\"50% 50%\"}}]}],[\"$\",\"div\",null,{\"className\":\"p-5\",\"children\":[[\"$\",\"h2\",null,{\"className\":\"text-lg font-bold mb-2 leading-snug\",\"style\":{\"fontFamily\":\"var(--ff-serif)\"},\"children\":\"Never Given More Than We Can Handle Includes Our Potential\"}],[\"$\",\"p\",null,{\"className\":\"text-sm text-muted-foreground leading-relaxed mb-3 line-clamp-3\",\"children\":\"$74\"}],[\"$\",\"span\",null,{\"className\":\"text-sm font-medium text-primary\",\"children\":\"Read More »\"}]]}]]}]\n75:T584,"])</script>
1<script>self.__next_f.push([1,"Sometimes just moving the dial a little can create a life that feels a lot more comfortable. Winter is upon us! It may be 30° outside and raining, but just on the other side of windows and walls, I am toasty and warm inside. Isnât central heat and air amazing?! I set the dial to create the environment of my choice. Is life really that different?\n\nWe have all made the choices that created our present environment. If we get uncomfortable, we can turn the dial, or in other words tweak our choices. We can seek knowledge, personal growth and development. We can change our habits. We can change jobs, geography and relationships. Perhaps the most powerful change of all also lies within our reach we can change how we perceive our situation.\n\nEven when nothing else is different, we can have a whole new reality based on how we choose to approach and interact with the circumstances and people in our lives, AND where we decide to focus our energy, love and thought. Norman Vincent Peale said, âChange your thoughts and you change your world.â\n\nIf your environment needs to change, pray for the willingness and courage to make some new choices and take action. If your perception needs to change, make a gratitude list of what is working well right now and pray for an open mind, acceptance, and a new way to look at the situation. Be encouraged! A one or two degree shift can make a world of difference!"])</script>
1<script>self.__next_f.push([1,"49:[\"$\",\"$L5\",\"3195fbc1-de77-4497-b7a4-15700d9a24db\",{\"href\":\"/blog/choices-setting-your-lifes-thermostat\",\"className\":\"block group rounded-xl bg-white shadow-sm hover:shadow-md transition-shadow overflow-hidden\",\"children\":[[\"$\",\"div\",null,{\"className\":\"aspect-[4/3] overflow-hidden relative\",\"children\":[\"$\",\"$L2a\",null,{\"src\":\"https://artist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net/images/484cabe6-f539-4a14-99e2-8d1061a3a605.jpg\",\"alt\":\"Choices: Setting Your Lifeâs Thermostat\",\"fill\":true,\"sizes\":\"(max-width: 640px) 100vw, (max-width: 1024px) 50vw, 33vw\",\"className\":\"object-cover transition-transform duration-300 group-hover:scale-105\",\"style\":{\"objectPosition\":\"50% 50%\"}}]}],[\"$\",\"div\",null,{\"className\":\"p-5\",\"children\":[[\"$\",\"h2\",null,{\"className\":\"text-lg font-bold mb-2 leading-snug\",\"style\":{\"fontFamily\":\"var(--ff-serif)\"},\"children\":\"Choices: Setting Your Lifeâs Thermostat\"}],[\"$\",\"p\",null,{\"className\":\"text-sm text-muted-foreground leading-relaxed mb-3 line-clamp-3\",\"children\":\"$75\"}],[\"$\",\"span\",null,{\"className\":\"text-sm font-medium text-primary\",\"children\":\"Read More »\"}]]}]]}]\n76:T4be,Patience is a virtue and never more needed when chasing a feather! Yesterday while cleaning, I noticed a random, red feather had somehow landed on my finger. Without thinking, I threw it up in the air to shake it off me. When I realized I would have to pick it up again to throw it away, I lunged for it and missed. Every time I grabbed for it, the feather escaped me by the sheer force of the air and energy I directed toward it, in my effort to get hold of it. The more rushed my attempt was, the more air the feather floated away on. I realized if I wanted to catch it, I would have to gently follow the featherâs natural direction and be ready to receive it with open hands, when âitâ wanted to land.\n\nI thought of how hard I chase things at times, trying to force something in my life. I was reminded to follow the guidance I receive when I am patient and trusting. As long as Iâm willing to move in sync with my guidance, I will be led to the prize. In fact, it may even land in my hand when I have done my footwork and let go of tr
1ying to make it happen. I wonât have to force anything! What a relief?! And a great reminder to trust in the process, do my part, and patiently surrender the outcome.4a:[\"$\",\"$L5\",\"55eea923-b145-4b5b-9e02-97f341464891\",{\"href\":\"/blog/patience-learned-from-a-feather\",\"className\":\"block group rounded-xl bg-white shadow-sm hover:shadow-md transition-shadow overflow-hidden\",\"children\":[[\"$\",\"div\",null,{\"className\":\"aspect-[4/3] overflow-hidden relative\",\"children\":[\"$\",\"$L2a\",null,{\"src\":\"https://artist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net/images/8a1028eb-4652-4c40-878c-621cf5f5a748.jpg\",\"alt\":\"Patience Learned from a Feather\",\"fill\":true,\"sizes\":\"(max-width: 640px) 100vw, (max-width: 1024px) 50vw, 33vw\",\"className\":\"object-cover transition-transform duration-300 group-hover:scale-105\",\"style\":{\"objectPosition\":\"50% 50%\"}}]}],[\"$\",\"div\",null,{\"className\":\"p-5\",\"children\":[[\"$\",\"h2\",null,{\"className\":\"text-lg font-bold mb-2 leading-snug\",\"style\":{\"fontFamily\":\"var(--ff-serif)\"},\"children\":\"Patience Learned from a Feather\"}],[\"$\",\"p\",null,{\"className\":\"text-sm text-muted-foreground leading-relaxed mb-3 line-clamp-3\",\"children\":\"$76\"}],[\"$\",\"span\",null,{\"className\":\"text-sm font-medium text-primary\",\"children\":\"Read More »\"}]]}]]}]\n77:T424,The profound metaphor of a toothache:\n\nMonday No toothache\n\nTuesday Suddenly a tooth begins to ache. Itâs slightly bothersome, but we carry on.\n\nWednesday The toothache is unbearable. Itâs all we can think about. We feel we would be âso happyâ if our toothache was gone.\n\nThe following Monday Weâve been to the dentist and our toothache is gone. We are âso happy!â\n\nThe following Wednesday Our toothache is long gone and so is the memory of the pain, and the gratitude about the pain relief. We are back to our pretoothache state, as if it never happened.\n\nWe have all walked through pain and suffering. Remember when we longed for the situation to get better? Even if you have a âtoothache"])</script>
1<script>self.__next_f.push([1,"â in your life today, the other ones are gone! Celebrate and give thanks today for all the troubles and aches you no longer have to deal with. Can you think of five reasons to celebrate and be grateful for today? Abraham Lincoln said, âWe are about as happy as we make up our minds to be.â I will choose to be âso happyâ about something, today!4b:[\"$\",\"$L5\",\"6d89712c-72b6-4860-aaf2-48d21126d7be\",{\"href\":\"/blog/grateful-even-for-the-toothaches\",\"className\":\"block group rounded-xl bg-white shadow-sm hover:shadow-md transition-shadow overflow-hidden\",\"children\":[[\"$\",\"div\",null,{\"className\":\"aspect-[4/3] overflow-hidden relative\",\"children\":[\"$\",\"$L2a\",null,{\"src\":\"https://artist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net/images/1901cdec-d2a9-433a-b5b6-7ae8e59dcf52.jpg\",\"alt\":\"Grateful, Even For the Toothaches\",\"fill\":true,\"sizes\":\"(max-width: 640px) 100vw, (max-width: 1024px) 50vw, 33vw\",\"className\":\"object-cover transition-transform duration-300 group-hover:scale-105\",\"style\":{\"objectPosition\":\"50% 50%\"}}]}],[\"$\",\"div\",null,{\"className\":\"p-5\",\"children\":[[\"$\",\"h2\",null,{\"className\":\"text-lg font-bold mb-2 leading-snug\",\"style\":{\"fontFamily\":\"var(--ff-serif)\"},\"children\":\"Grateful, Even For the Toothaches\"}],[\"$\",\"p\",null,{\"className\":\"text-sm text-muted-foreground leading-relaxed mb-3 line-clamp-3\",\"children\":\"$77\"}],[\"$\",\"span\",null,{\"className\":\"text-sm font-medium text-primary\",\"children\":\"Read More »\"}]]}]]}]\n78:T1547,"])</script>
1<script>self.__next_f.push([1,"©Angela Howell\n\nIs compulsive behavior robbing you of joy? Do you say, âThatâs it! Iâm NOT going to do this anymore!â Or, âStarting tomorrow, I am going to do THIS every day!â But then the next time youâre faced with the choice, you act against your intentions? I believe we all have specific areas in our lives where we struggle to do those thingsâor NOT do those thingsâ which keep us true to ourselves. Some of the things we try to do or not do may include: diet, exercise, smoking, biting fingernails, drug or alcohol use, participating in unhealthy relationships, getting enough rest, standing up to unrealistic demands by our boss or our family, letting worry consume our thoughts, spending or managing money responsibly, cruising social media sites when we really need to be doing something else, and many other daily âhabits.â\n\nWe repeat selfdestructive behavior again and again. Sometimes we switch vices or compulsive behavior/nonbehaviors, but the end result is the same. All these unintentional behaviors performed or not performed repeatedly over time can leave us feeling so shameful that we no longer feel we made a mistake, but that we are a mistake. We become filled with selfhatred and selfdoubt, lacking self trust and short on hope that we can ever act in a way that reflects our true desires. How could we possibly allow the greatness we have inside us to be fully expressed with that dark cloud constantly hovering over a corner of our life?\n\nWhen I prioritize me, I will be free! Too often, we are told to put others first. Care and compassion for others are great attributes to possess until they get out of proportion and lead to selfabandonment and selfneglect. Part of us knows weâre doing this to ourselves and we rebel! The abandonedself fights back to get our attention. Just like some children resort to acting out as the only way they know to get attention, part of us starts looking for ways to sabotage our happiness in order to get our attention. That part isnât getting authentic expression so it needs an outlet, a release, or a vice. Compulsive behaviors only provide a temporary escape though, leaving us with the original problem of selfabandonment, compounded now with shame and selfloathing. It becomes a vicious cycle. We act out again and again and have a temporary escape from feeling bad, but we ultimately feel worse so we do it again, still seeking relief.\n\nThe only way I have ever been successful at breaking these destructive cycles is by making one seemingly insignificant decision to make a different choice, while praying for help to be relieved of the compulsion and to see through the seductive lie that doing this/not doing this will âfix me.â Iâm not vowing forever, just one right choice in that moment. Strangely enough, one right action can give me just enough of a selfesteem boost to make another right decision. All the while Iâm reminding myself what I really want, what I really value, and what my true intentions are for my life and daytoday living.\n\nWith each small, seemingly insignificant decision, self trust begins to come back. Selfrespect starts to return. All of me begins to rise up, united again in purpose and intention. The greatness inside me can be more freely expressed without the shackles of shame holding me back. When I prioritize me, I will be free! Cheers to your inner freedom today allowing full expression of all the goodnessâthe Godness, the greatnessâinside you!\n\nMake a list of the many parts of you who need expression. Perhaps a dancer, a painter, a creator, a lover, an angry teenager, a humanitarian, a wild and reckless adventure seeker, someone who likes to build things, a curious wanderer. How can you treat them to safe expression today? Are there some parts of you who just need to be heard and acknowledged? Deep in a hidden corner of your soul, maybe you have some loneliness, sadness, disappointment, envy, anger or grief? These are all valued parts of you. If ignored, they may eventually rebel in an attempt to get your attention, or you may continue to experience an unnamed longing, or a sense of unfulfillment.\n\nWhen we honor and acknowledge all parts of us, we love ourselves more fully and have much more to offer the world around us and the people we care about. Acceptance is key. You cannot reject a part of you without consequence anymore than you can cut off a limb and not miss it. I used to wish away the parts of myself I didnât like. With fantasy scissors, I would cut those parts out of my life forever. Now I have learned to recognize and acknowledge those parts of me. They are valid. They need to be heard. It doesnât mean I act upon every whim, it just means I listen to my needs and I provide nurturing and reassurance to the fearful, rebellious, reckless, angry, naïve, etc. etc. voices inside. I offer comfort to the scared little girl. I acknowledge the angry teenager and provide a way for her safe expression. I can encourage the young adult in me, who still feels like sheâs trying to find her way in a big world. Tuned in to all of me, I offer guidance, wisdom and parenting as needed. Most of all, I offer love and acceptance to all the many wonderful parts of me.\n\nWhen I prioritize me, I will be free! Today, I hope you will stop to listen and say hello to all the valuable parts of you, so you, too, can take good care of your âselvesâ and learn to be free!"])</script>
1<script>self.__next_f.push([1,"4c:[\"$\",\"$L5\",\"72f6a950-f81a-4f79-953d-b52d5db60b0f\",{\"href\":\"/blog/when-i-prioritize-me-i-will-be-free\",\"className\":\"block group rounded-xl bg-white shadow-sm hover:shadow-md transition-shadow overflow-hidden\",\"children\":[[\"$\",\"div\",null,{\"className\":\"aspect-[4/3] overflow-hidden relative\",\"children\":[\"$\",\"$L2a\",null,{\"src\":\"https://artist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net/images/41dfb6e8-fae5-48cb-a282-8d6803b0dd80.jpg\",\"alt\":\"When I Prioritize Me, I Will Be Free!\",\"fill\":true,\"sizes\":\"(max-width: 640px) 100vw, (max-width: 1024px) 50vw, 33vw\",\"className\":\"object-cover transition-transform duration-300 group-hover:scale-105\",\"style\":{\"objectPosition\":\"50% 50%\"}}]}],[\"$\",\"div\",null,{\"className\":\"p-5\",\"children\":[[\"$\",\"h2\",null,{\"className\":\"text-lg font-bold mb-2 leading-snug\",\"style\":{\"fontFamily\":\"var(--ff-serif)\"},\"children\":\"When I Prioritize Me, I Will Be Free!\"}],[\"$\",\"p\",null,{\"className\":\"text-sm text-muted-foreground leading-relaxed mb-3 line-clamp-3\",\"children\":\"$78\"}],\"$L79\"]}]]}]\n"])</script>
1<script>self.__next_f.push([1,"4d:[\"$\",\"$L5\",\"36991c53-9be1-4a59-9172-5bcac569f197\",{\"href\":\"/blog/the-gift-of-choice-in-relationships\",\"className\":\"block group rounded-xl bg-white shadow-sm hover:shadow-md transition-shadow overflow-hidden\",\"children\":[[\"$\",\"div\",null,{\"className\":\"aspect-[4/3] overflow-hidden relative\",\"children\":[\"$\",\"$L2a\",null,{\"src\":\"https://artist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net/images/cf3534f8-e18c-4a3c-bb30-726088644086.jpg\",\"alt\":\"The Gift Of Choice in Relationships\",\"fill\":true,\"sizes\":\"(max-width: 640px) 100vw, (max-width: 1024px) 50vw, 33vw\",\"className\":\"object-cover transition-transform duration-300 group-hover:scale-105\",\"style\":{\"objectPosition\":\"50% 50%\"}}]}],[\"$\",\"div\",null,{\"className\":\"p-5\",\"children\":[[\"$\",\"h2\",null,{\"className\":\"text-lg font-bold mb-2 leading-snug\",\"style\":{\"fontFamily\":\"var(--ff-serif)\"},\"children\":\"The Gift Of Choice in Relationships\"}],[\"$\",\"p\",null,{\"className\":\"text-sm text-muted-foreground leading-relaxed mb-3 line-clamp-3\",\"children\":\"Stress from relationship issues and family interactions can be heightened during the holidays. At times we may feel stuck in old patterns of relating with certain people, and we leave an interaction feeling hurt. We donât have to stay stuck and we deserve to share our heart in a way we have the best chance of being heard. Check out this great article about bringing your choice back into your relationships.\"}],[\"$\",\"span\",null,{\"className\":\"text-sm font-medium text-primary\",\"children\":\"Read More »\"}]]}]]}]\n"])</script>
1<script>self.__next_f.push([1,"7a:T5de,"])</script>
1<script>self.__next_f.push([1,"Skin and Bones is the first fiction book Iâve read which tackles the delicate subject of eating disorders and Sherry Shahan nails it! Personally, I am a 20+ yr ED survivor with 24 weeks total inpatient treatment and countless more outpatient. A speaker and advocate for ED awareness, I believe Shahanâs Skin and Bones MUST be placed in every middle school, high school and public library! This is so incredibly authentic, without being dry and academic.\n\nSherry Shahan really has a gift with words and a knack for being able to leave the reader hanging at the close of every chapter. Because they are short chapters, I kept saying, âOne more! One more!â and then when I was so close to the end, I stayed up till midnight to finish it. I was so engaged and hopeful for a different ending, but she brought about the heartbreaking truth.\n\nI felt a lot of emotion when I reached the last pageâ so angry at this deceiving disease, which I am so grateful to have survived. I also felt that familiar helpless feeling that is inevitable when you know someone struggling with an eating disorder who cannot see reality and does not yet want to get better. I highly recommend this book for family members and friends to take a deep look inside the mind of disordered eating.\n\nShahanâs PR firm provided a copy for me to review, which I have since donated to the Eating Disorder Coalition of TN for their library. Click to read more about Sherry: http://www.sherryshahan.com/http://www.sherryshahan.com/"])</script>
1<script>self.__next_f.push([1,"4e:[\"$\",\"$L5\",\"24f2095d-c675-4bf9-9d7a-e0341c60d6ba\",{\"href\":\"/blog/book-review-skin-and-bones\",\"className\":\"block group rounded-xl bg-white shadow-sm hover:shadow-md transition-shadow overflow-hidden\",\"children\":[[\"$\",\"div\",null,{\"className\":\"aspect-[4/3] overflow-hidden relative\",\"children\":[\"$\",\"$L2a\",null,{\"src\":\"https://artist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net/images/309c376f-259a-474e-b25f-7cec685015ce.jpg\",\"alt\":\"Book Review: Skin and Bones\",\"fill\":true,\"sizes\":\"(max-width: 640px) 100vw, (max-width: 1024px) 50vw, 33vw\",\"className\":\"object-cover transition-transform duration-300 group-hover:scale-105\",\"style\":{\"objectPosition\":\"50% 50%\"}}]}],[\"$\",\"div\",null,{\"className\":\"p-5\",\"children\":[[\"$\",\"h2\",null,{\"className\":\"text-lg font-bold mb-2 leading-snug\",\"style\":{\"fontFamily\":\"var(--ff-serif)\"},\"children\":\"Book Review: Skin and Bones\"}],[\"$\",\"p\",null,{\"className\":\"text-sm text-muted-foreground leading-relaxed mb-3 line-clamp-3\",\"children\":\"$7a\"}],[\"$\",\"span\",null,{\"className\":\"text-sm font-medium text-primary\",\"children\":\"Read More »\"}]]}]]}]\n7b:T5b7,"])</script>
1<script>self.__next_f.push([1,"Buzzard Metaphor: I just saw something Iâve never noticed before. That happens a lot when I take the time to sit in nature without an agenda! I am watching six or eight large birds. Buzzards maybe? When they fly, they rarely flap their wings. Mostly they glide!\n\nBuzzards use the wind in their favor. When they get close enough to me, I can see they shake a little as they are balancing the angle of their wings with the wind. Occasionally they flap their wings two to three times and it seems to take them up or down. Maybe they do it to steady themselves? Then they return to gliding.\n\nBuzzards have such a large wingspan that they can fly much longer just gliding, which is different than a small bird who does the opposite. When a small bird is flying, he flaps his wings most of the time and glides occasionally. Thatâs me, a small bird. As I grow spiritually and as I get better at life balance, I will be able to fly longer with less effort. I will be able to glide effortlessly through the winds of my life.\n\nMy wings powered by my Higher Power whom I choose to call God, my support system, selfcare, daily rituals will continue to expand as long as I put intention in the daily practices that yield growth. Those buzzards sure look like they are having lots of fun! Iâm ready to give up the struggles that sometimes ground me. Meanwhile one day at a time, I will let my wings continue to grow, trusting one day soon I will fly more often with ease!"])</script>
1<script>self.__next_f.push([1,"4f:[\"$\",\"$L5\",\"40427409-d60d-49bc-8166-c804e722257a\",{\"href\":\"/blog/what-the-buzzards-taught-me\",\"className\":\"block group rounded-xl bg-white shadow-sm hover:shadow-md transition-shadow overflow-hidden\",\"children\":[[\"$\",\"div\",null,{\"className\":\"aspect-[4/3] overflow-hidden relative\",\"children\":[\"$\",\"$L2a\",null,{\"src\":\"https://artist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net/images/ecebddc8-e476-4052-bb8f-f880265d9aad.jpg\",\"alt\":\"What the Buzzards Taught Me\",\"fill\":true,\"sizes\":\"(max-width: 640px) 100vw, (max-width: 1024px) 50vw, 33vw\",\"className\":\"object-cover transition-transform duration-300 group-hover:scale-105\",\"style\":{\"objectPosition\":\"50% 50%\"}}]}],[\"$\",\"div\",null,{\"className\":\"p-5\",\"children\":[[\"$\",\"h2\",null,{\"className\":\"text-lg font-bold mb-2 leading-snug\",\"style\":{\"fontFamily\":\"var(--ff-serif)\"},\"children\":\"What the Buzzards Taught Me\"}],[\"$\",\"p\",null,{\"className\":\"text-sm text-muted-foreground leading-relaxed mb-3 line-clamp-3\",\"children\":\"$7b\"}],[\"$\",\"span\",null,{\"className\":\"text-sm font-medium text-primary\",\"children\":\"Read More »\"}]]}]]}]\n"])</script>
1<script>self.__next_f.push([1,"50:[\"$\",\"$L5\",\"0070e0b1-84bb-4608-b4d9-c7a3151a50a6\",{\"href\":\"/blog/simple-pleasures\",\"className\":\"block group rounded-xl bg-white shadow-sm hover:shadow-md transition-shadow overflow-hidden\",\"children\":[[\"$\",\"div\",null,{\"className\":\"aspect-[4/3] overflow-hidden relative\",\"children\":[\"$\",\"$L2a\",null,{\"src\":\"https://artist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net/images/8dca11d2-da2e-442a-a046-a94d248b7e81.jpg\",\"alt\":\"Simple Pleasures\",\"fill\":true,\"sizes\":\"(max-width: 640px) 100vw, (max-width: 1024px) 50vw, 33vw\",\"className\":\"object-cover transition-transform duration-300 group-hover:scale-105\",\"style\":{\"objectPosition\":\"50% 50%\"}}]}],[\"$\",\"div\",null,{\"className\":\"p-5\",\"children\":[[\"$\",\"h2\",null,{\"className\":\"text-lg font-bold mb-2 leading-snug\",\"style\":{\"fontFamily\":\"var(--ff-serif)\"},\"children\":\"Simple Pleasures\"}],[\"$\",\"p\",null,{\"className\":\"text-sm text-muted-foreground leading-relaxed mb-3 line-clamp-3\",\"children\":\"Simple pleasures. We all need them. You know how it feels when you indulge: Delight! Wonder! Content! Serene! Comforted! Secure! Relaxing! Joyful! Your meter reading says âFULL.â\\n\\nIt feels so good to practice a little selfcare and yet I will let days go by, sometimes weeks, without indulging in a simple pleasure that fills me back up and lets me know everything is okay, and in fact, PERFECT right at this very moment.\\n\\nNeed a hint? Light a candle. Listen to music. Catch a fish! Decorate a cake! Arrange some beautiful flowers. Take a walk. Feed a duck. Paint. Sing. Skip. Ride the grocery cart! Sit by the water. Put your toes in some sand. Climb a hill. Race your dog down the street. Make a child laugh. Laugh with them. Try a new recipe. Smile at a stranger. Take the long way home.\\n\\nThe world is a scavenger hunt! Hidden everywhere are the little treasures that make our lives full. Get your bucket out, dust it off if necessary and collect as many experiences as you can hold. Race ya!\"}],[\"$\",\"span\",null,{\"className\":\"text-sm font-medium text-primary\",\"children\":\"Read More »\"}]]}]]}]\n"])</script>
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1<script>self.__next_f.push([1,"On a walk early this morning, I saw a fascinating box on the curb itâs trash day. Partly because of curiosity and partly because I am a salvager, I like to see what my neighbors are throwing away. The box had a picture on it which looked to be some kind of attachment that goes on an adult bike. It was more than the back half of a bike, actually it was everything but the front wheel.\n\nThe bike attachment had a pretend handlebar and a long arm to connect it to the adult bike. Basically it would allow a child to feel like he was riding his bike but actually Mom or Dad would be steering and doing most or all of the work.\n\nImmediately I saw a parallel between myself and what I believe about my relationship with God. I can choose what kind of spiritual bike ride I want to experience. I have my own handlebars and pedals. I have the illusion of control. If the bike starts going a different way, I can tighten my grip on my handlebars and grit my teeth, trying to keep going my own way.\n\nORâ¦.\n\nI can accept the higher guidance and direction, relax and enjoy the ride. What if life really is as simple as enjoying the ride? Exploring new ground? Riding with complete trust in my driver that Iâm going to see a lot of cool stuff and have a great experience along the way.\n\nWhen we go bike riding, we start somewhere and finish somewhere that we could easily drive to much faster. We donât though, because itâs about the ride, not the arrival. If the driver of my âbike attachmentâ takes what seems to be a detour, I will relax and look for the gift. If we hit a rock and the bike turns over, I know my driver is there to pick me up, du
1st me off, kiss the booboos if I am not too proud, and we will get back on the bike and ride some more. I will look for areas where I am resisting and trying to control. I will let go and enjoy the ride."])</script>
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1<script>self.__next_f.push([1,"52:[\"$\",\"footer\",null,{\"className\":\"site-footer\",\"aria-label\":\"Site footer\",\"children\":[[\"$\",\"div\",null,{\"className\":\"ah-container footer-grid\",\"children\":[[\"$\",\"div\",null,{\"children\":[[\"$\",\"p\",null,{\"className\":\"footer-logo-name\",\"children\":\"Angela Howell\"}],[\"$\",\"p\",null,{\"className\":\"footer-tagline\",\"children\":\"Exchange Comfort for Courage\"}],[\"$\",\"p\",null,{\"className\":\"footer-bio\",\"children\":\"One mission expressed through multiple mediums â original art, daily inspiration, transformational coaching, keynote speaking, and intentional retreats. Based in Nashville, TN.\"}],[\"$\",\"div\",null,{\"style\":{\"display\":\"flex\",\"alignItems\":\"center\",\"gap\":\"var(--sp-sm)\",\"flexWrap\":\"wrap\"},\"children\":[[\"$\",\"$L5\",null,{\"href\":\"/contact\",\"className\":\"btn btn-primary\",\"children\":\"Contact\"}],[\"$\",\"ul\",null,{\"className\":\"social-list\",\"aria-label\":\"Angela's social media\",\"children\":[[\"$\",\"li\",null,{\"children\":[\"$\",\"a\",null,{\"href\":\"https://www.facebook.com/angelahowellauthor\",\"target\":\"_blank\",\"rel\":\"noopener noreferrer\",\"aria-label\":\"Facebook\",\"children\":[\"$\",\"i\",null,{\"className\":\"fa-brands fa-facebook-f\",\"aria-hidden\":\"true\"}]}]}],[\"$\",\"li\",null,{\"children\":[\"$\",\"a\",null,{\"href\":\"https://www.instagram.com/angelahowell4life\",\"target\":\"_blank\",\"rel\":\"noopener noreferrer\",\"aria-label\":\"Instagram\",\"children\":[\"$\",\"i\",null,{\"className\":\"fa-brands fa-instagram\",\"aria-hidden\":\"true\"}]}]}]]}]]}]]}],[\"$\",\"nav\",null,{\"className\":\"footer-nav footer-nav-wide\",\"aria-label\":\"Site map\",\"children\":[[\"$\",\"ul\",null,{\"children\":[[\"$\",\"li\",null,{\"children\":[\"$\",\"$L5\",null,{\"href\":\"/\",\"children\":\"Home\"}]}],[\"$\",\"li\",null,{\"children\":[\"$\",\"$L5\",null,{\"href\":\"/about\",\"children\":\"About\"}]}],[\"$\",\"li\",null,{\"children\":[\"$\",\"$L5\",null,{\"href\":\"/art\",\"children\":\"Art\"}]}],[\"$\",\"li\",null,{\"children\":[\"$\",\"$L5\",null,{\"href\":\"/gallery/available\",\"children\":\"Paintings for Sale\"}]}],[\"$\",\"li\",null,{\"children\":[\"$\",\"$L5\",null,{\"href\":\"/commissions\",\"children\":\"Commissions\"}]}],[\"$\",\"li\",null,{\"children\":[\"$\",\"$L5\",null,{\"href\":\"/books\",\"children\":\"Books\"}]}],[\"$\",\"li\",null,{\"children\":[\"$\",\"$L5\",null,{\"href\":\"/blog\",\"children\":\"Blog\"}]}],[\"$\",\"li\",null,{\"children\":[\"$\",\"$L5\",null,{\"href\":\"/retreats\",\"children\":\"Retreats\"}]}],[\"$\",\"li\",null,{\"children\":[\"$\",\"$L5\",null,{\"href\":\"/coaching\",\"children\":\"Coaching\"}]}],[\"$\",\"li\",null,{\"children\":[\"$\",\"$L5\",null,{\"href\":\"/speaking\",\"children\":\"Speaking\"}]}],[\"$\",\"li\",null,{\"children\":[\"$\",\"$L5\",null,{\"href\":\"/trade-program\",\"children\":\"Trade Program\"}]}],[\"$\",\"li\",null,{\"children\":[\"$\",\"$L5\",null,{\"href\":\"/contact\",\"children\":\"Contact\"}]}],[\"$\",\"li\",null,{\"children\":[\"$\",\"$L5\",null,{\"href\":\"/a-life-worth-having\",\"children\":\"A Life Worth Having\"}]}],[\"$\",\"li\",null,{\"children\":[\"$\",\"$L5\",null,{\"href\":\"/micro-magic\",\"children\":\"Micro Magic\"}]}],[\"$\",\"li\",null,{\"children\":[\"$\",\"$L5\",null,{\"href\":\"/sanctuary\",\"children\":\"Creating Personal Sanctuary\"}]}],[\"$\",\"li\",null,{\"children\":[\"$\",\"$L5\",null,{\"href\":\"/books\",\"children\":\"Buy the Book\"}]}]]}],[\"$\",\"p\",null,{\"className\":\"footer-note\",\"style\":{\"marginTop\":\"1.25rem\"},\"children\":\"Based in Nashville, Tennessee\"}]]}]]}],[\"$\",\"div\",null,{\"className\":\"ah-container\",\"style\":{\"padding\":\"0 clamp(1.25rem, 5vw, 3rem) 2.5rem\"},\"children\":[[\"$\",\"div\",null,{\"style\":{\"textAlign\":\"center\",\"marginBottom\":\"1.25rem\"},\"children\":[\"$\",\"p\",null,{\"style\":{\"fontSize\":\"0.72rem\",\"fontWeight\":700,\"letterSpacing\":\"0.18em\",\"textTransform\":\"uppercase\",\"color\":\"rgba(255,255,255,0.55)\",\"margin\":0},\"children\":\"As featured in\"}]}],[\"$\",\"div\",null,{\"className\":\"featured-grid\",\"style\":{\"display\":\"grid\",\"gridTemplateColumns\":\"repeat(5, 1fr)\",\"gap\":\"1px\",\"background\":\"rgba(255,255,255,0.08)\",\"border\":\"1px solid rgba(255,255,255,0.08)\",\"borderRadius\":8,\"overflow\":\"hidden\"}
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1<div hidden id="S:1"><header class="site-header" id="site-header"><div class="ah-container nav-inner"><a class="logo" aria-label="Angela Howell â Home" href="/"><img src="/logo.png" alt="Angela Howell â Ordinary Life, Extraordinary Perspective" class="logo-img" width="1080" height="400" fetchPriority="high"/></a><button class="nav-toggle" aria-label="Open navigation" aria-expanded="false"><i class="fa-solid fa-bars" aria-hidden="true"></i></button><nav class="primary-nav" aria-label="Primary navigation"><ul class="nav-list"><li><a class="nav-link" href="/">Home</a></li><li><a class="nav-link" href="/about">About</a></li><li class="nav-item-art has-dropdown"><a class="nav-link nav-link-parent" href="/art">Art</a><button type="button" class="nav-dropdown-toggle" aria-expanded="false" aria-label="Open Art submenu"><i class="fa-solid fa-chevron-down" aria-hidden="true"></i></button><ul class="nav-dropdown" role="menu"><li role="none"><a class="nav-dropdown-link" role="menuitem" 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Ebook!</button></div><div class="grid grid-cols-1 sm:grid-cols-2 lg:grid-cols-3 gap-6 pb-16"><a class="block group rounded-xl bg-white shadow-sm hover:shadow-md transition-shadow overflow-hidden" href="/blog/a-lesson-in-acceptance-from-a-feral-cat"><div class="aspect-[4/3] overflow-hidden relative"><img alt="A Lesson in Acceptance from a Feral Cat" loading="lazy" decoding="async" data-nimg="fill" class="object-cover transition-transform duration-300 group-hover:scale-105" style="position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;object-position:50% 50%;color:transparent" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, (max-width: 1024px) 50vw, 33vw" srcSet="/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2F9bae0b42-a982-4ad3-8c8b-f3f0d31df039.webp&w=256&q=75 256w, /_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2F9bae0b42-a982-4ad3-8c8b-f3f0d31df039.webp&w=384&q=75 384w, /_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2F9bae0b42-a982-4ad3-8c8b-f3f0d31df039.webp&w=640&q=75 640w, /_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2F9bae0b42-a982-4ad3-8c8b-f3f0d31df039.webp&w=750&q=75 750w, /_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2F9bae0b42-a982-4ad3-8c8b-f3f0d31df039.webp&w=828&q=75 828w, /_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2F9bae0b42-a982-4ad3-8c8b-f3f0d31df039.webp&w=1080&q=75 1080w, /_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2F9bae0b42-a982-4ad3-8c8b-f3f0d31df039.webp&w=1200&q=75 1200w, /_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2F9bae0b42-a982-4ad3-8c8b-f3f0d31df039.webp&w=1920&q=75 1920w, /_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2F9bae0b42-a982-4ad3-8c8b-f3f0d31df039.webp&w=2048&q=75 2048w, /_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2F9bae0b42-a982-4ad3-8c8b-f3f0d31df039.webp&w=3840&q=75 3840w" src="/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2F9bae0b42-a982-4ad3-8c8b-f3f0d31df039.webp&w=3840&q=75"/></div><div class="p-5"><h2 class="text-lg font-bold mb-2 leading-snug" style="font-family:var(--ff-serif)">
1A Lesson in Acceptance from a Feral Cat</h2><p class="text-sm text-muted-foreground leading-relaxed mb-3 line-clamp-3">He will always be feral. Youâll probably never see him again after today! 2 3Well, thatâs what they said about one particular tomcat we took in to get neutered. She was wrong. Turns out nearly the whole feral colony living in the woods behind our home is now âformerlyâ feral and ⦠ours! The mama of the brood, Sandi, birthed approximately six litters before we came into her life a year ago and had her and the rest of them fixed. Sheâs really âdoneâ with being a mom. Sheâs extremely friendly to humans, but can be quite testy with all of her grown kittens. 4 5We can learn from role models and reverse role models. 6Today the cats have reminded me about acceptance, most importantly selfacceptance, by reminding me of my own unhealthy patterns. 7 8All the cats who call her mama still go up to her to test the water and see if sheâs feeling loving by some miracle that day, or that moment. Usually she isnât but every now and then she will graciously give a sniff. If itâs a really lucky day, they might get a lick or two. On a not so good day, she will hiss and growl and charge her âbabiesâ who love her so much. 9 10Glenâs New Mom 11I witnessed this again today with Glen, the tomcat referenced above who does it the most. Heâs easily twice his motherâs size so Glen could certainly stop and let her know whoâs bigger but he doesnât. Glen just wants his momâs love so bad. But he turns to me when Sandi rejects him. Glen has a new mama ready to embrace him and tell him how special he is as often as he will let me. 12 13There are people in my life where I have done the same thing. Their love, their approval, their ability to esteem me and confirm that Iâm enough arenât at the level I would like to experience. Rather than continuing my advances, hoping maybe this time will be different, Iâm better served to surround myself with people who can genuinely support me and offer love and encouragement. 14 15Continuing to Seek Bread from the Hardware Store 16 In Finding the Gift, I remind all of us that if we need bread, we need to go to the bakery not the hardware store which is full of nuts and bolts! Observing Glen today, my own continual approach for acceptance from the unaccepting came to mind. I was in the throes of having imaginary conversations with someone who has a knack for stirring up my own feelings of inadequacy. Notice how I worded that. I wanted to say, âShe makes me feel inadequate.â But if there wasnât an original wound, then this person couldnât trigger me. So she is just a resource, a gift to remind me of the wound and the need to practice healing that part of meâa reminder to give myself the validation that I need while also surrounding myself with other people who do nurture my soul. 17 18Like Glen, there is part of me that insists on going back again and again to these types of people to receive their blessings, their encouragement. Rejection plays a funny role in relationships. Maybe not with ânormalâ people if there are any?!, but for those of us who grew up without all of our basic emotional needs being met, rejection challenges us to try harder to win the approval of the very ones who are most resistant to offering it. 19 20Who Decides My Worth? 21I want to ask this person for a favor of sorts, but Iâm already having imaginary conversations combating the anticipated rejection, based on her historical responses to me. And worse, Iâm ready to allow her answer to define my worthiness. If she says yes, Iâm good. If she says no, Iâm worthless. 22 23Putting my worth in someone elseâs hands is a persistently insecure way to go through life. And mental arguments about projected conflict are a sure way to stay out of the present and miss the joy in the moment. 24 25Choosing a Better Way 26Dwelling on the past or jumping into the future is not where I want to be today. This moment that Iâm in is far better than all of the anticipated conflict inside my head. Iâm writing this early morning as the world is waking up, all the inside and outside cats are stirring. and a calmness fills the air when I exit the âargumentâ and return to whatâs true right now. I feel so much better coming back to the present to receive the gifts waiting for me to notice. 27For today, I forgive the people who originally created the wound. I forgive myself for seeking out people to reopen the wound. And I commit to being my own best advocate. To turn to God with my hurt and to remind myself frequently of my inherent goodness, my âgood enoughness.â I hope you will also. What presents surround you right now? 28 29To your gifts, 30 31Angela</p><span class="text-sm font-medium text-primary">Read More »</span></div></a><a class="block group rounded-xl bg-white shadow-sm hover:shadow-md transition-shadow overflow-hidden" href="/blog/the-domino-effect-of-yes"><div class="aspect-[4/3] overflow-hidden relative"><img alt="The Domino Effect of YES" loading="lazy" decoding="async" data-nimg="fill" class="object-cover transition-transform duration-300 group-hover:scale-105" style="position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;object-position:50% 50%;
31color:transparent" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, (max-width: 1024px) 50vw, 33vw" srcSet="/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2Fffe6a99b-b281-417c-8116-808719de8e55.jpg&w=256&q=75 256w, /_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2Fffe6a99b-b281-417c-8116-808719de8e55.jpg&w=384&q=75 384w, /_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2Fffe6a99b-b281-417c-8116-808719de8e55.jpg&w=640&q=75 640w, /_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2Fffe6a99b-b281-417c-8116-808719de8e55.jpg&w=750&q=75 750w, /_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2Fffe6a99b-b281-417c-8116-808719de8e55.jpg&w=828&q=75 828w, /_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2Fffe6a99b-b281-417c-8116-808719de8e55.jpg&w=1080&q=75 1080w, /_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2Fffe6a99b-b281-417c-8116-808719de8e55.jpg&w=1200&q=75 1200w, /_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2Fffe6a99b-b281-417c-8116-808719de8e55.jpg&w=1920&q=75 1920w, /_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2Fffe6a99b-b281-417c-8116-808719de8e55.jpg&w=2048&q=75 2048w, /_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2Fffe6a99b-b281-417c-8116-808719de8e55.jpg&w=3840&q=75 3840w" src="/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2Fffe6a99b-b281-417c-8116-808719de8e55.jpg&w=3840&q=75"/></div><div class="p-5"><h2 class="text-lg font-bold mb-2 leading-snug" style="font-family:var(--ff-serif)">The Domino Effect of YES</h2><p class="text-sm text-muted-foreground leading-relaxed mb-3 line-clamp-3">How many of you said YES last week to something you might have normally said âNoâ to? The above photo is what YES looked like for me last week, as I embarked on a spontaneous, 36hour advance notice backpack adventure to Norway with my son. Did you miss last weekâs email about Saying YES? If so, click here. 32 33Throughout our seven day/six night trip that was planned by my son in one day, literally the day before we left, I stayed amazed that it was really happening. I couldnât believe I left everything behind, except what was on my back, and that my body could keep up. Being absent of baggage was lifechanging in many ways. Oh thereâs so much still to unpack about this experience! 34 35One lesson that became evident during a hike in Finse, Norway heaven on earth is the importance of blazing our own trails, going off the beaten path when necessary. Thatâs exactly what my son and I had to do when we came to a place where the trail unexpectedly ended. This photo was taken after we decided to keep going and were rewarded in a big way for being bold and brave.</p><span class="text-sm font-medium text-primary">Read More »</span></div></a><a class="block group rounded-xl bg-white shadow-sm hover:shadow-md transition-shadow overflow-hidden" href="/blog/a-serendipitous-commission"><div class="aspect-[4/3] overflow-hidden relative"><img alt="A Serendipitous Commission" loading="lazy" decoding="async" data-nimg="fill" class="object-cover transition-transform duration-300 group-hover:scale-105" style="position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;object-position:50% 50%;color:transparent" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, (max-width: 1024px) 50vw, 33vw" srcSet="/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2Fa1dfd8a1-421b-4f16-8ca2-7f9533dd4e6c.jpg&w=256&q=75 256w, /_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2Fa1dfd8a1-421b-4f16-8ca2-7f9533dd4e6c.jpg&w=384&q=75 384w, /_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2Fa1dfd8a1-421b-4f16-8ca2-7f9533dd4e6c.jpg&w=640&q=75 640w, /_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2Fa1dfd8a1-421b-4f16-8ca2-7f9533dd4e6c.jpg&w=750&q=75 750w, /_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2Fa1dfd8a1-421b-4f16-8ca2-7f9533dd4e6c.jpg&w=828&q=75 828w, /_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2Fa1dfd8a1-421b-4f16-8ca2-7f9533dd4e6c.jpg&w=1080&q=75 1080w, /_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2Fa1dfd8a1-421b-4f16-8ca2-7f9533dd4e6c.jpg&w=1200&q=75 1200w, /_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2Fa1dfd8a1-421b-4f16-8ca2-7f9533dd4e6c.jpg&w=1920&q=75 1920w, /_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2Fa1dfd8a1-421b-4f16-8ca2-7f9533dd4e6c.jpg&w=2048&q=75 2048w, /_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2Fa1dfd8a1-421b-4f16-8ca2-7f9533dd4e6c.jpg&w=3840&q=75 3840w" src="/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2Fa1dfd8a1-421b-4f16-8ca2-7f9533dd4e6c.jpg&w=3840&q=75"/></div><div class="p-5"><h2 class="text-lg font-bold mb-2 leading-snug" style="font-family:var(--ff-serif)">A Serendipitous Commission</h2><p class="text-sm text-muted-foreground leading-relaxed mb-3 line-clamp-3">Iâve been blessed with several commissions recently and I am so excited to tell you this story. Midsummer, I
35worked with gallery clients who wanted to purchase Coffee Date36Ã36, but it was too tall for over their fireplace. They loved the colors and boldness of this piece, and needed something equally exciting, but in a shorter height. We embarked on the commission process and pure magic happened! 36 37Introducing⦠Concierto No. 1 24Ã36</p><span class="text-sm font-medium text-primary">Read More »</span></div></a><a class="block group rounded-xl bg-white shadow-sm hover:shadow-md transition-shadow overflow-hidden" href="/blog/finding-the-gift-in-trauma"><div class="aspect-[4/3] overflow-hidden relative"><img alt="Finding the Gift in Trauma" loading="lazy" decoding="async" data-nimg="fill" class="object-cover transition-transform duration-300 group-hover:scale-105" style="position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;object-position:50% 50%;color:transparent" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, (max-width: 1024px) 50vw, 33vw" srcSet="/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2Fae628c8f-657b-47d3-b0d1-e90345d74127.jpg&w=256&q=75 256w, /_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2Fae628c8f-657b-47d3-b0d1-e90345d74127.jpg&w=384&q=75 384w, /_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2Fae628c8f-657b-47d3-b0d1-e90345d74127.jpg&w=640&q=75 640w, /_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2Fae628c8f-657b-47d3-b0d1-e90345d74127.jpg&w=750&q=75 750w, /_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2Fae628c8f-657b-47d3-b0d1-e90345d74127.jpg&w=828&q=75 828w, /_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2Fae628c8f-657b-47d3-b0d1-e90345d74127.jpg&w=1080&q=75 1080w, /_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2Fae628c8f-657b-47d3-b0d1-e90345d74127.jpg&w=1200&q=75 1200w, /_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2Fae628c8f-657b-47d3-b0d1-e90345d74127.jpg&w=1920&q=75 1920w, /_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2Fae628c8f-657b-47d3-b0d1-e90345d74127.jpg&w=2048&q=75 2048w, /_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2Fae628c8f-657b-47d3-b0d1-e90345d74127.jpg&w=3840&q=75 3840w" src="/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2Fae628c8f-657b-47d3-b0d1-e90345d74127.jpg&w=3840&q=75"/></div><div class="p-5"><h2 class="text-lg font-bold mb-2 leading-snug" style="font-family:var(--ff-serif)">Finding the Gift in Trauma</h2><p class="text-sm text-muted-foreground leading-relaxed mb-3 line-clamp-3">Professional Identity: Angela Howell is a transformation coach, keynote speaker, bestselling author, and abstract artist who bridges the gap between creativity, mindfulness, and healing. 38 39 The Struggle and the Shift: Angela spent years in a highpressure corporate sales career, where she initially used workaholism to cope with underlying trauma. Her body eventually âbroke downâ under the stress, leading to a debilitating physical injury that forced her to leave the corporate world. 40 41 Overcoming Trauma: Her journey is marked by overcoming significant challenges, including childhood trauma, âchurch hurtâ religious abuse, and eating disorders that led to multiple hospitalizations. She describes these experiences as some of her âgreatest teachersâ. 42 43 Finding the Gift: Her core philosophy, as detailed in her book Finding the Gift: Daily Meditations for Mindfulness, is that hardships often contain hidden insights. She uses the metaphor of a plain brown paper package that, when unwrapped, reveals âlife abundantâ. 44 45 The âBridgeâ to Healing: Angela advocates for 12step programs and mindfulness as tools to reconnect with a higher power. Through her 12week coaching program, âA Life Worth Having,â she helps others root out âthe junk the world gave usâ and find the beauty that was always there. 46 47 Key Message for Readers: No matter how difficult life looks, stay the course. Angela believes everyone has a âseedâ of potential that can thrive given the right environment and support. 48 49Finding the Gift</p><span class="text-sm font-medium text-primary">Read More »</span></div></a><a class="block group rounded-xl bg-white shadow-sm hover:shadow-md transition-shadow overflow-hidden" href="/blog/perfectly-imperfect-blog"><div class="aspect-[4/3] overflow-hidden relative"><img alt="Perfectly Imperfect Blog" loading="lazy" decoding="async" data-nimg="fill" class="object-cover transition-transform duration-300 group-hover:scale-105" style="position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;object-position:50% 50%;
49color:transparent" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, (max-width: 1024px) 50vw, 33vw" srcSet="/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2F4512d102-6e21-41d0-b304-a6061ee11afd.jpg&w=256&q=75 256w, /_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2F4512d102-6e21-41d0-b304-a6061ee11afd.jpg&w=384&q=75 384w, /_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2F4512d102-6e21-41d0-b304-a6061ee11afd.jpg&w=640&q=75 640w, /_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2F4512d102-6e21-41d0-b304-a6061ee11afd.jpg&w=750&q=75 750w, /_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2F4512d102-6e21-41d0-b304-a6061ee11afd.jpg&w=828&q=75 828w, /_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2F4512d102-6e21-41d0-b304-a6061ee11afd.jpg&w=1080&q=75 1080w, /_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2F4512d102-6e21-41d0-b304-a6061ee11afd.jpg&w=1200&q=75 1200w, /_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2F4512d102-6e21-41d0-b304-a6061ee11afd.jpg&w=1920&q=75 1920w, /_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2F4512d102-6e21-41d0-b304-a6061ee11afd.jpg&w=2048&q=75 2048w, /_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2F4512d102-6e21-41d0-b304-a6061ee11afd.jpg&w=3840&q=75 3840w" src="/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2F4512d102-6e21-41d0-b304-a6061ee11afd.jpg&w=3840&q=75"/></div><div class="p-5"><h2 class="text-lg font-bold mb-2 leading-snug" style="font-family:var(--ff-serif)">Perfectly Imperfect Blog</h2><span class="text-sm font-medium text-primary">Read More »</span></div></a><a class="block group rounded-xl bg-white shadow-sm hover:shadow-md transition-shadow overflow-hidden" href="/blog/how-a-young-cancer-survivor-can-shift-our-perspective-for-the-new-year"><div class="aspect-[4/3] overflow-hidden relative"><img alt="How a Young Cancer Survivor Can Shift Our Perspective for the New Year" loading="lazy" decoding="async" data-nimg="fill" class="object-cover transition-transform duration-300 group-hover:scale-105" style="position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;object-position:50% 50%;color:transparent" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, (max-width: 1024px) 50vw, 33vw" srcSet="/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2F926e3090-a5ed-4d63-bc30-8d1f1c7aa2d0.jpg&w=256&q=75 256w, /_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2F926e3090-a5ed-4d63-bc30-8d1f1c7aa2d0.jpg&w=384&q=75 384w, /_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2F926e3090-a5ed-4d63-bc30-8d1f1c7aa2d0.jpg&w=640&q=75 640w, /_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2F926e3090-a5ed-4d63-bc30-8d1f1c7aa2d0.jpg&w=750&q=75 750w, /_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2F926e3090-a5ed-4d63-bc30-8d1f1c7aa2d0.jpg&w=828&q=75 828w, /_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2F926e3090-a5ed-4d63-bc30-8d1f1c7aa2d0.jpg&w=1080&q=75 1080w, /_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2F926e3090-a5ed-4d63-bc30-8d1f1c7aa2d0.jpg&w=1200&q=75 1200w, /_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2F926e3090-a5ed-4d63-bc30-8d1f1c7aa2d0.jpg&w=1920&q=75 1920w, /_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2F926e3090-a5ed-4d63-bc30-8d1f1c7aa2d0.jpg&w=2048&q=75 2048w, /_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2F926e3090-a5ed-4d63-bc30-8d1f1c7aa2d0.jpg&w=3840&q=75 3840w" src="/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2F926e3090-a5ed-4d63-bc30-8d1f1c7aa2d0.jpg&w=3840&q=75"/></div><div class="p-5"><h2 class="text-lg font-bold mb-2 leading-snug" style="font-family:var(--ff-serif)">How a Young Cancer Survivor Can Shift Our Perspective for the New Year</h2><p class="text-sm text-muted-foreground leading-relaxed mb-3 line-clamp-3">Happy New Year! I hope your first few days of 2017 have been blessed and contemplative. What went well? What would you do differently? What did you learn? What do you want to be true one year from now? Three years? What do we feel good about and where do we need to shift perspective? If we donât learn and grow from what happened in 2016 and tweak our course appropriately, history tends to repeat itself and generously gives us similar lessons over and over until we find the gift it was offering. 50 51Earlier today, someone told me they canât wait to say goodbye to 2016 and pretend it never happened. I had to think for a moment because the last five months have also been incredibly tough for me personally, including the suicide of my sweet baby brother. I miss him every day but if I discard the whole year, I would have to return all the lessons and gifts it brought me as well. Pain enlightens us and propels us forward in a way unlike anything else. Since I canât change what happened in 2016, Iâll take it all to heart and trust the gifts will continue to unfold. I hope you will too. 52 53 Not Everything Feels Like a Gift 54 55Last night I tripped over a post on social media that made me sit down on my garage steps and read it on the spot. It was a beautiful and courageous story about a young girl named Sara and her lifethreatening battle with cancer at age ten. I was struck by her insight and skill at findingthegift, something we all can benefit from, especially in less than ideal situations. 56 57The gift doesnât always appear right away, but what matters is training our minds to trust the gift is there, unfolding in the midst of the chaos. And even if a gift never appears, itâs about believing there was one. How much better do trust and hope feel than chalking bad things up to fruitless bad luck? Too many times in my life, the âbadâ things have actually brought the best things. 58 59I actually know Saraâs family and used to live across the street from her grandmother, Doris. Everyone was devastated and in shock when Dorisâ 10year old granddaughter was diagnosed with
59neuroblastoma in August, 2009. The struggle was fierce and very bleak at times. 60 61Seven years have passed and Sara has decided to reveal what her journey was like and share her gratitude ⦠and her secret shame. I hope you are as touched as I was and encouraged by her ability to share the gifts of battling cancer at ten years old. In her own words, here is Saraâs story. 62 63 Saraâs Diagnosis</p><template id="P:2"></template></div></a><a class="block group rounded-xl bg-white shadow-sm hover:shadow-md transition-shadow overflow-hidden" href="/blog/choices-what-do-i-want-to-do-today"><div class="aspect-[4/3] overflow-hidden relative"><img alt="Choices: What Do I WANT to Do Today?" loading="lazy" decoding="async" data-nimg="fill" class="object-cover transition-transform duration-300 group-hover:scale-105" style="position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;object-position:50% 50%;color:transparent" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, (max-width: 1024px) 50vw, 33vw" srcSet="/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2F8960ec5a-63bd-4e89-8433-a7c46f2b902b.jpg&w=256&q=75 256w, /_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2F8960ec5a-63bd-4e89-8433-a7c46f2b902b.jpg&w=384&q=75 384w, /_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2F8960ec5a-63bd-4e89-8433-a7c46f2b902b.jpg&w=640&q=75 640w, /_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2F8960ec5a-63bd-4e89-8433-a7c46f2b902b.jpg&w=750&q=75 750w, /_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2F8960ec5a-63bd-4e89-8433-a7c46f2b902b.jpg&w=828&q=75 828w, /_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2F8960ec5a-63bd-4e89-8433-a7c46f2b902b.jpg&w=1080&q=75 1080w, /_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2F8960ec5a-63bd-4e89-8433-a7c46f2b902b.jpg&w=1200&q=75 1200w, /_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2F8960ec5a-63bd-4e89-8433-a7c46f2b902b.jpg&w=1920&q=75 1920w, /_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2F8960ec5a-63bd-4e89-8433-a7c46f2b902b.jpg&w=2048&q=75 2048w, /_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2F8960ec5a-63bd-4e89-8433-a7c46f2b902b.jpg&w=3840&q=75 3840w" src="/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2F8960ec5a-63bd-4e89-8433-a7c46f2b902b.jpg&w=3840&q=75"/></div><div class="p-5"><h2 class="text-lg font-bold mb-2 leading-snug" style="font-family:var(--ff-serif)">Choices: What Do I WANT to Do Today?</h2><p class="text-sm text-muted-foreground leading-relaxed mb-3 line-clamp-3">From December 8 in âFinding the Gift: Daily Meditations for Mindfulness.â 64 65Have you ever asked yourself, What do I need to get done today? In other words, what do I need to have finished today? Past tense. Fast tense. I do, and often. I just realized that reflects how I feel a lot of the time. What do I have to do and how fast can I get it over with? For what? To get to the next list of have toâs, ought toâs and shouldâs? 66 67Too often I am racing to some mysterious finish line. If Iâm not careful, I can get in a rut and view everyday life as one big chore I must check off my list so I can get to the good stuff. How crazy is that? 68 69 Everyday life is the good stuff! A life is the sum total of many single days. 70 71 What do I WANT to do today? 72 73It occurred to me to ask a different question today: What do I WANT to do today? This reflects me running my life, not letting my life run me. This question nurtures empowerment, rather than fostering a victim or martyr outlook. I do have a few appointments and other obligations today, but I created those. Iâm the one who made a choice to say âYesâ to those. 74 75We each design our lives, voluntarily or involuntarily. Life feels a lot better when we take ownership for ourselves and our circumstances. We may not get to choose every circumstance we will ever encounter, but one hundred percent of the time we do get to choose how we feel about it. How we talk to ourselves and others about it. How we think about it. And what weâre going to do about it. What actions will we take? 76 77Today, Iâm going to own my day. Itâs all mine. I get twentyfour hours. If Iâve created obligations and commitments I donât like, itâs my choice to honor them or not, and to agree to them again, or not. 78 79If I have agreed and given an employer a portion of my day, itâs my choice. Regardless of how I earn income, I can go to work and earn money, or I can stay home and embrace the consequences of that decision. 80 81 We are only âstuckâ if we decide itâs easier to be a victim than to take responsibility for ourselves and live our lives on purpose. 82 83I am in charge of me and help is available as often as I seek it. As the Serenity Prayer suggests: âGod, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.â 84 85Amen and amen. Enjoy your day. Enjoy your life. 86 87Can you relate? I would love to hear from you! Please leave a comment and start the discussion! Be sure to grab my free eBook while youâre here, if you donât already have it, and you will be notified of upcoming events and new blogs. Have a wonderful time owning your day today!</p><template id="P:3"></template></div></a><a class="block group rounded-xl bg-white shadow-sm hover:shadow-md transition-shadow overflow-hidden" href="/blog/perfectionism-a-perfect-enemy"><div class="aspect-[4/3] overflow-hidden relative"><img alt="Perfectionism: A Perfect Enemy" loading="lazy" decoding="async" data-nimg="fill" class="object-cover transition-transform duration-300 group-hover:scale-105" style="position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;object-position:50% 50%;
87color:transparent" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, (max-width: 1024px) 50vw, 33vw" srcSet="/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2Feb79d9bb-a325-44f2-a678-4602d049ad17.jpg&w=256&q=75 256w, /_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2Feb79d9bb-a325-44f2-a678-4602d049ad17.jpg&w=384&q=75 384w, /_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2Feb79d9bb-a325-44f2-a678-4602d049ad17.jpg&w=640&q=75 640w, /_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2Feb79d9bb-a325-44f2-a678-4602d049ad17.jpg&w=750&q=75 750w, /_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2Feb79d9bb-a325-44f2-a678-4602d049ad17.jpg&w=828&q=75 828w, /_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2Feb79d9bb-a325-44f2-a678-4602d049ad17.jpg&w=1080&q=75 1080w, /_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2Feb79d9bb-a325-44f2-a678-4602d049ad17.jpg&w=1200&q=75 1200w, /_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2Feb79d9bb-a325-44f2-a678-4602d049ad17.jpg&w=1920&q=75 1920w, /_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2Feb79d9bb-a325-44f2-a678-4602d049ad17.jpg&w=2048&q=75 2048w, /_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2Feb79d9bb-a325-44f2-a678-4602d049ad17.jpg&w=3840&q=75 3840w" src="/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2Feb79d9bb-a325-44f2-a678-4602d049ad17.jpg&w=3840&q=75"/></div><div class="p-5"><h2 class="text-lg font-bold mb-2 leading-snug" style="font-family:var(--ff-serif)">Perfectionism: A Perfect Enemy</h2><p class="text-sm text-muted-foreground leading-relaxed mb-3 line-clamp-3">Hello friends, I hope you are Finding the Gift today! I havenât blogged in a long time. Some of you know I lost my baby brother, Jubal, to suicide on August 7, a terrible blow to my family and his huge circle of friends and music fans. I have felt incredible pressure to write the âperfectâ blog post in response to this devastating loss. Selfimposed pressure plus a lot of grief has kept me from sharing anything at all. 88 89While Iâm not ready to blog about this crushing event and how it has impacted my family and life, I have written some thoughts about perfectionism which I would love to share. This foe has plagued me all my life and on this particular day, I won the battle! If you struggle with trying to be perfect or you respond by not doing anything at all, this blog is for you. 90 91 Never Good Enough 92 93 Perfectionism is the devil of the worst kind. It kills my joy. It steals my peace. It destroys my ability to enjoy all the good things that are happening in my life. 94 95Too often, I focus all day long on a feeling of not being enough, not doing enough. Consciously and subconsciously, I pummel myself with this message day in and day out. 96 97 But Iâm a transformation coachand I know better than this! 98 99I can tell other people all day long how detrimental this practice is and how they must turn their minds and thoughts to more kind and loving selftalk. Itâs easy to dole out this kind of medicine, but itâs much harder to take it myself. 100 101On my walk today, I had this epiphany once again: I must be my own best friend! And talk to myself as I would speak to any other close friend in need of support, acceptance and encouragement. This concept is a critical point in my free eBook, Ten Secrets to Finding the Gift. If you havenât downloaded that yet, please look for the box to sign up for my updates and Iâll send it to you immediately. 102 103Recently, to help contend with the immense grief and depression Iâve been feeling, I committed to send my own coach a daily gratitude list naming at least three things I was grateful for. My list tended to consist of gestures or events that happened to me or for me, but not by me. I find it easy to praise others but I usually donât think about the need to build myself up. Today, Iâve decided to amend my assignment. I will focus on what went right and also specifically, on anything I did or didnât do that deserves a pat on the back. 104 105 What Went Well 106
107For instance, yesterday 108 109 I managed to put a flea collar on a skittish, community cat. 110 111 I got dressedÂâyes, some days thatâs reason to celebrate in this season of grief. 112 113 I went to the store and returned two items to finally get them out of my car. 114 115 I made it to the post office to mail four different packages so those todoâs arenât weighing me down anymore. 116 117However, I ended the day with the familiar focus on all that I did not accomplish, with another dose of âI should be able to get back to life as usual by now.â In hindsight, especially compared to many other recent days where cement shoes kept me from moving at all, yesterday sounds like a pretty victorious day! Nothing has changed, except I put on a new pair of glasses. Looking at what went well feels a lot better than dwelling on the alternative. 118 119 Taking Action, Resting and Receiving Unexpected Gifts 120 121Going forward, I will focus on the grace, inspiration and strength I am given to spend my time in ways that produce joy, peace, love and fulfillment. I will recognize the ability to mark even just a few things off my list. And I will also celebrate the moments I spend resting, recuperating, and playing with the many freeroaming cats hanging out in my new backyard. Yes, we moved on September 4th. We were in the process of just starting to pack when Jubal passed away. After packing up his life in St. Thomas, I boxed up mine as soon as I got back. 122 123We were greeted at the new house on Day One by a sweet, pregnant kitty we now call Sandi. Our own precious, 18 year old Fancy cat passed away the day after I returned from St. Thomas. When Sandi appeared with an abundantly loving demeanor like Fancy, we agreed she was heavensent. We fed Sandi and she spread the word to the rest of her feline family at the property we back up to. Besides food and care, these new furry friends need love. My service to them is as important as all the other âlooking goodâ todoâs on my listâthose items which are more socially acceptable ways to be productive like work, grocery shopping and laundry. Today, why not expand our lists to also include activities that feed our souls and contribute to our wellbeing and othersâ furry or otherwise? 124 125 A day well spent is how it feels on the inside, more so than how it looks on the outside. 126 127Letâs put more focus on how we feel at the end of the day rather than the tangible fruit created for everyone else to see. Today letâs celebrate good selftalk and take special notice of all our personal victories, big and small! 128 129A slight disclaimer: I spent more time than I would have liked editing and reworking this post. However, I choose to celebrate progress not perfection and for today, blogging at all is a huge victory. We didnât become perfectionists overnight and we wonât undo that tendency overnight either. 130 131 Are We Kindred Spirits? 132 133If anything I write helps you, challenges you, inspires you, or if you have encouragement to share on the topic, I want to know! Please leave a comment on my social media page or on the blog post itself and letâs talk about it! Weâre in this together. 134 135 Cheers to your gifts and the many gifts you bring to others!</p><template id="P:4"></template></div></a><a class="block group rounded-xl bg-white shadow-sm hover:shadow-md transition-shadow overflow-hidden" href="/blog/to-save-a-mockingbird"><div class="aspect-[4/3] overflow-hidden relative"><img alt="To Save a Mockingbird" loading="lazy" decoding="async" data-nimg="fill" class="object-cover transition-transform duration-300 group-hover:scale-105" style="position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;object-position:50% 50%;color:transparent" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, (max-width: 1024px) 50vw, 33vw" srcSet="/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2Ff30f172e-a1bc-49b6-a7c8-03382b8472e7.jpg&w=256&q=75 256w, /_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2Ff30f172e-a1bc-49b6-a7c8-03382b8472e7.jpg&w=384&q=75 384w, /_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2Ff30f172e-a1bc-49b6-a7c8-03382b8472e7.jpg&w=640&q=75 640w, /_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2Ff30f172e-a1bc-49b6-a7c8-03382b8472e7.jpg&w=750&q=75 750w, /_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2Ff30f172e-a1bc-49b6-a7c8-03382b8472e7.jpg&w=828&q=75 828w, /_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2Ff30f172e-a1bc-49b6-a7c8-03382b8472e7.jpg&w=1080&q=75 1080w, /_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2Ff30f172e-a1bc-49b6-a7c8-03382b8472e7.jpg&w=1200&q=75 1200w, /_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2Ff30f172e-a1bc-49b6-a7c8-03382b8472e7.jpg&w=1920&q=75 1920w, /_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2Ff30f172e-a1bc-49b6-a7c8-03382b8472e7.jpg&w=2048&q=75 2048w, /_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2Ff30f172e-a1bc-49b6-a7c8-03382b8472e7.jpg&w=3840&q=75 3840w" src="/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2Ff30f172e-a1bc-49b6-a7c8-03382b8472e7.jpg&w=3840&q=75"/></div><div class="p-5"><h2 class="text-lg font-bold mb-2 leading-snug" style="font-family:var(--ff-serif)">To Save a Mockingbird</h2><p class="text-sm text-muted-foreground leading-relaxed mb-3 line-clamp-3">Tis the season for nests and baby birds everywhere! We were fortunate when a finch family nested in the floral arrangement hanging on our front storm door. We had first row seats to all the action, and the lessons were abundant. I also had an encounter with a baby mockingbird who took a premature fall, but allowed me to help him find his wings. He taught me a valuable truth along with the finch family. 136 137 Be Expectant</p><span class="text-sm font-medium text-primary">Read More »</span></div></a><a class="block group rounded-xl bg-white shadow-sm hover:shadow-md transition-shadow overflow-hidden" href="/blog/the-ups-and-downs-of-finding-the-gift"><div class="aspect-[4/3] overflow-hidden relative"><img alt="The Ups and Downs of Finding the Gift" loading="lazy" decoding="async" data-nimg="fill" class="object-cover transition-transform duration-300 group-hover:scale-105" style="position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;object-position:50% 50%;
137color:transparent" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, (max-width: 1024px) 50vw, 33vw" srcSet="/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2F5f3a4f7e-495a-4054-b8f2-11842b2589d4.jpg&w=256&q=75 256w, /_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2F5f3a4f7e-495a-4054-b8f2-11842b2589d4.jpg&w=384&q=75 384w, /_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2F5f3a4f7e-495a-4054-b8f2-11842b2589d4.jpg&w=640&q=75 640w, /_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2F5f3a4f7e-495a-4054-b8f2-11842b2589d4.jpg&w=750&q=75 750w, /_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2F5f3a4f7e-495a-4054-b8f2-11842b2589d4.jpg&w=828&q=75 828w, /_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2F5f3a4f7e-495a-4054-b8f2-11842b2589d4.jpg&w=1080&q=75 1080w, /_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2F5f3a4f7e-495a-4054-b8f2-11842b2589d4.jpg&w=1200&q=75 1200w, /_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2F5f3a4f7e-495a-4054-b8f2-11842b2589d4.jpg&w=1920&q=75 1920w, /_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2F5f3a4f7e-495a-4054-b8f2-11842b2589d4.jpg&w=2048&q=75 2048w, /_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2F5f3a4f7e-495a-4054-b8f2-11842b2589d4.jpg&w=3840&q=75 3840w" src="/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2F5f3a4f7e-495a-4054-b8f2-11842b2589d4.jpg&w=3840&q=75"/></div><div class="p-5"><h2 class="text-lg font-bold mb-2 leading-snug" style="font-family:var(--ff-serif)">The Ups and Downs of Finding the Gift</h2><p class="text-sm text-muted-foreground leading-relaxed mb-3 line-clamp-3">Hello FTG Friends, 138 139As my good friend Todd Cecil would say, I hope you all are smiling wherever you are in the world today! 140 141 Ups and Downs Are Guaranteed and Necessary 142 143This week has had some wonderful developments and yet, has also been exceptionally challenging on a personal level. Have you ever felt like dancing on the table to celebrate with ecstatic joy, yet simultaneously felt the impulse to open the floodgates of grief and pain and give the floor or bed a good soaking? Well, this week Iâve done both. 144 145Iâm not at liberty to discuss either situation but the point is I honored my internal experience, both my joy and my pain. I recognize that life is life and we are going to have ups and downs, and on some days we will have both! Time promises change and my goal is to remain as present as possible in every circumstance. 146 147 Nothing lasts forever, the pain or the joy, and Iâve learned to give thanks for the contrast which makes it possible to really appreciate all of lifeâs gifts. 148 149 Huffington Post 150 151What else?! Iâve also enjoyed a wonderful visit from my college roommate recently and managed to do some guest blogging as well. Thanks to an amazing connection, I am excited to be the newest contributor to Huffington Post! Please visit my home page on their website any time to see what Iâm sharing with the world. You can also subscribe to the feed to be notified of new content immediately. Already Iâve had two articles published which I invite you to please read and leave your comments for me so they keep me on board a while. 152 153 To go straight to my Huffington Post articles, just click the title: 154 155When I Prioritize Me, I Will Be Freehttp://www.huffingtonpost.com/angelahowell/wheniprioritizemeiwib9625938.html 156 157Why We Say Yes âTill It Hurts And How To Start Saying Nohttp://www.huffingtonpost.com/angelahowell/whywesayyestillithub9578542.html 158 159 A few other recently published articles: 160 161How to Stop Feeling Like a Victimhttp://everydaypowerblog.com/2016/04/03/stopfeelinglikevictim/ 162 163Three Ways to Meditate at the Officehttp://everydaypowerblog.com/2016/03/21/threewaystomeditateattheoffice/ 164 165 Maybe Iâll see you at one of my upcoming speaking events: 166 167April 27 Hendersonville Rotary 168 169April 28 Nashville Breakfast Club 170 171May 17 Gallatin Morning Rotary 172 173June 2 Hendersonville Key to the City Luncheon 174 175July 19 Private book club 176 177July 22 Women in Business for the DonelsonHermitage Chamber of Commerce 178 179I have several other speaking engagements in the works. If your group isnât listed, letâs change that! You can find more information here. 180 181New content is being added all the time at Finding the Gift! Your voice is always wanted and welcomed in the comments. We are a community! Let us hear from you! If you didnât already, check out the awesome new video book trailer for Finding the Gift: Daily Meditations for Mindfulness! 182 183As always, I am incredibly grateful for each one of you. Thank y
183ou for connecting and may your gifts be many! Hint: they already are! 184 185Cheers, 186 187Angela 188 189PS. Woop Woop!!! Go Trent Harmon! I am a happy American Idol fan but LaâPorsha deserved it too.</p><template id="P:5"></template></div></a><a class="block group rounded-xl bg-white shadow-sm hover:shadow-md transition-shadow overflow-hidden" href="/blog/how-to-stop-seeing-life-as-a-victim"><div class="aspect-[4/3] overflow-hidden relative"><img alt="How to Stop Seeing Life as a Victim" loading="lazy" decoding="async" data-nimg="fill" class="object-cover transition-transform duration-300 group-hover:scale-105" style="position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;object-position:50% 50%;color:transparent" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, (max-width: 1024px) 50vw, 33vw" srcSet="/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2Fb3589b46-fc95-4dcf-a053-c46ef0d93b3d.jpg&w=256&q=75 256w, /_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2Fb3589b46-fc95-4dcf-a053-c46ef0d93b3d.jpg&w=384&q=75 384w, /_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2Fb3589b46-fc95-4dcf-a053-c46ef0d93b3d.jpg&w=640&q=75 640w, /_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2Fb3589b46-fc95-4dcf-a053-c46ef0d93b3d.jpg&w=750&q=75 750w, /_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2Fb3589b46-fc95-4dcf-a053-c46ef0d93b3d.jpg&w=828&q=75 828w, /_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2Fb3589b46-fc95-4dcf-a053-c46ef0d93b3d.jpg&w=1080&q=75 1080w, /_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2Fb3589b46-fc95-4dcf-a053-c46ef0d93b3d.jpg&w=1200&q=75 1200w, /_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2Fb3589b46-fc95-4dcf-a053-c46ef0d93b3d.jpg&w=1920&q=75 1920w, /_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2Fb3589b46-fc95-4dcf-a053-c46ef0d93b3d.jpg&w=2048&q=75 2048w, /_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2Fb3589b46-fc95-4dcf-a053-c46ef0d93b3d.jpg&w=3840&q=75 3840w" src="/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2Fb3589b46-fc95-4dcf-a053-c46ef0d93b3d.jpg&w=3840&q=75"/></div><div class="p-5"><h2 class="text-lg font-bold mb-2 leading-snug" style="font-family:var(--ff-serif)">How to Stop Seeing Life as a Victim</h2><p class="text-sm text-muted-foreground leading-relaxed mb-3 line-clamp-3">Half empty? Half full? Or maybe someone forgot to pour you a glass? 190 191My past involved a lot of chaos and trauma and more than once, Iâve been a victim of unfortunate circumstance. However, Iâve come to realize that my suffering isnât that much different than anyone elseâs. We all have obstacles to overcome and we all know people who have been hurt more than us. At times I wanted to believe my pain was greater, but Iâve been challenged to embrace the notion that suffering is ordinary. Still, I frequently find myself facing a choice between victim thinking versus empowered thinking. How I choose to see my life carries far greater weight than reality itself. 192 193 âWe could spend weeks, months, even years ⦠trying to change our attitudes and behaviors and not even begin to approach the phenomenon of change that occurs spontaneously when we see things differently.â âStephen R. Covey, âThe Seven Habits of Highly Effective Peopleâ 194 195 Perspective vs Reality 196 197It might be easier if perspective and reality were the same thing but theyâre not. One situation can be viewed multiple ways by multiple people, as well as by the same person. Perception dominates reality every time. I think when the consequences of feeling like a victim are negative enough, weâre forced to adopt a different mindset. 198 199 What does victim thinking produce in my life? 200 201 Hurt feelings perceived negative emotions 202 203 Perceptions of abandonment 204 205 Perceptions of rejection 206 207 Perceptions of loneliness 208 209Do you see the trend? Theyâre all perceptions. I choose to feel hurt. I allow myself to feel abandoned and neglected. Someone may reject me, but I decide to feel rejected and maybe even unloved and unlovable. I might take on a feeling of shame. If I indulge the bad emotions long enough, I may even progress to feeling hopeless. In victim thinking, I believe the world will never be a safe place to let down my guard. Rarely do I feel happy, because thereâs no room for happiness under the umbrella of victim thinking. 210 211Itâs time for a huge disclaimer. I am not saying donât feel your feelings. We must feel our feelings or we will have to work very hard to keep them buried and repressed with substance and process addictions, or other means of escape. 212 213 Feelings are real, but not necessarily indicative of reality. 214 215We need to honor our feelings and acknowledge the wounded parts of ourselves. The tricky part is not allowing our feelings to overshadow our reality and dominate all our thoughts. 216 217Bad things happen. Horrendous things happen. I understand and have walked through my share of them. Still, I decide what story to replay in my head about the negative things in life. I can choose to stay stuck in a bad story, or I can choose to accept and forgive. I can even explore how to be grateful for what Iâve learned in tough situations and foster appreciation for the person each of those encounters has allowed me to become. With acceptance, forgiveness and gratitude, I can decide to move on so the person, place or situation doesnât hold me captive any longer. 218 219 When I decide to see myself as an overcomer, I am choosing to stand on several powerful truths: 220 221 I am enough. 222 223 I choose how to experience my life and the circumstances that happened.
224 225 I choose how to embrace each day. 226 227 I choose not to indulge my own arrogance, thinking everything that happens is being done to me personally. 228 229Ouch that last one hurts, but itâs true. Arrogance doesnât just mean I think Iâm better than other people. It simply suggests inflated selfimportance, such as making up in my head that âthisâ happened and âtheyâ did it to me on purpose. I might embellish the story even further and say it happened because I wasnât good enough or because I said the wrong thing. To me, these thoughts are the essence of victim thinking. Itâs warping everything that happens around me to make it about me. Again and again and again. 230 231 Victim thinking is an addiction to feeling bad about my life and about myself. 232 233The opposite is choosing to walk through my life moment by moment, knowing everyone is doing the best they canâincluding me. If I choose to stay in victim thinking today, so be it. Maybe thatâs the best I can do today. Perhaps I need another day of experiencing what itâs like to live as a victim. It takes what it takes and when Iâve had enough, Iâll gain the willingness to make other choices. 234 235 Empowering beliefs when weâre ready to move on ⦠236 237 For today, 238 239 I choose to believe Iâm not as important in everyone elseâs world as I sometimes think I am. 240 241 I choose to believe that most of the things that happen today are not going to be personal. 242 243 I choose to not give away my peace for pennies, but instead to guard my selfworth, selfesteem, and daily serenity. 244 245 I will adopt beliefs that nurture my wellbeing, instead of painful or selflimiting thoughts. 246 247Today I choose to see myself as a competent adultâan equal in the world of adults. I surrender the feeling of being a child who continues to experience terrible things. I must be willing to grow up and step into my adult shoes, while nurturing those wounded, childlike parts of me. 248 249 I have to acknowledge my pain but I donât have to relive it every day. 250 251Too often we set ourselves up for circumstances in our present lives that resemble how we were hurt in the past. Life has a funny way of showing us reruns. The names and places may be different but the obstacles seem to have the same theme. The same troublesome boss, coworker or neighbor seems to be everywhere we go. Life is handing us a gift! Itâs giving us the opportunity to make different choices or to view whatâs happening from a different perspective. When we finally get the lesson, that particular rerun stops playing and we progress to the next opportunity for growth. 252 253 I must become willing to be happy and content. 254 255If I want to stop victim thinking, I must gain willingness to end my addiction to feeling bad. Instead, I become willing to love myself and validate my wounds, yet with my adult voice, speak the truth into my life and into my mind. 256 257 Powerful truths 258 259Our subconscious minds believe whatever we tell them. If you doubt thatâs true, try an experiment. Say a few of these declarations out loud. I like to call them powerful truths: 260 261 I am in charge of my life today. 262 263 I get to decide how I feel today. 264 265 I feel great today and I am excited about my ability to make good choices. 266 267 Today I am powerful enough to show up in the world as a strong, brilliant beautiful soulâ no better than and no worse than anyone else here. 268 269 Today I realize that I will do my best and so will everyone else around me. 270 271 Today I will not feel sorry for myself but I will give thanks in everything, for the blessings and the lessons. Both are working for my good. 272 273How did that feel? My subconscious likes powerful truths a whole lot better than the other chatter that too often runs on autopilot in my mindâchatter that only beats me down and makes me think Iâm constantly swimming upstream. 274 275 Conclusion 276 277Not living like a victim is a choice, one we get to make one day or one moment at a time. Hopefully more days than not, we will surrender our need to feel bad. This only perpetuates how we felt about ourselves and our lives as a result of circumstances in the past. Those situations are long gone. We are the only ones keeping ourselves down, continuing to suffer. 278 279When we can embrace that suffering is ordinary, and that no matter what weâve been through, there are people who have been through that and worse, then we can be free. If we have built our identities around trauma and pain, thatâs all we know. Of course it only makes sense we want to hang onto themâuntil life becomes too miserable. 280 281 Ask yourself, âAm I ready to move on? Am I ready to embrace a life of wholeness and wellness?â 282 283The choice is mine. The choice is yours. For today, letâs choose to be free and let some joy in. Letâs focus on how we
283can be a blessing to others. When Iâm so focused on what people are doing to me, how can I focus on being kind and loving to others? Once again, arrogance is playing the same old tune: itâs all about me. I think we need a new song! 284 285Please join me in letting go of victim thinking today. Letâs do a random act of kindness for someone else and enjoy how nice that feels. Letâs feed our subconscious minds several powerful truths, allowing hope and joy to seep into the hurt places. Letâs take one behavior that seems to perpetuate feeling bad and today, try something new. Letâs choose to see ourselves as survivors instead of victims. Survivors are very strong, empowered people. Letâs embrace our true identities todayâtheyâve been buried long enough. 286 287P.S. If you have a Finding the Gift story, I want to hear it and so does the rest of our FTG community! Please send me a message through my âcontact Angelaâ tab. Not an FTG member? Look for the orange box to the right and sign up! Iâll send you a free eBook immediately, Ten Secrets to Finding the Gift! Depending on your device, you may need to scroll down to the bottom of the page. 288 289P.P.S. Do you have your own copy yet? Find out why Finding the Gift has been featured in the Sunday Tennessean five weeks in a row, as part of the top ten bestselling books. Shop awesome booksellers like BookManBookWoman and Parnassus, or you can find it herehttps://www.angelahowell.com/books.</p><template id="P:6"></template></div></a><a class="block group rounded-xl bg-white shadow-sm hover:shadow-md transition-shadow overflow-hidden" href="/blog/what-you-never-knew-about-eating-disorders-and-suicide"><div class="aspect-[4/3] overflow-hidden relative"><img alt="What You Never Knew About Eating Disorders and Suicide" loading="lazy" decoding="async" data-nimg="fill" class="object-cover transition-transform duration-300 group-hover:scale-105" style="position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;object-position:50% 50%;color:transparent" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, (max-width: 1024px) 50vw, 33vw" srcSet="/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2F10542797-b85d-4372-886b-a1d61906a013.jpg&w=256&q=75 256w, /_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2F10542797-b85d-4372-886b-a1d61906a013.jpg&w=384&q=75 384w, /_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2F10542797-b85d-4372-886b-a1d61906a013.jpg&w=640&q=75 640w, /_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2F10542797-b85d-4372-886b-a1d61906a013.jpg&w=750&q=75 750w, /_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2F10542797-b85d-4372-886b-a1d61906a013.jpg&w=828&q=75 828w, /_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2F10542797-b85d-4372-886b-a1d61906a013.jpg&w=1080&q=75 1080w, /_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2F10542797-b85d-4372-886b-a1d61906a013.jpg&w=1200&q=75 1200w, /_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2F10542797-b85d-4372-886b-a1d61906a013.jpg&w=1920&q=75 1920w, /_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2F10542797-b85d-4372-886b-a1d61906a013.jpg&w=2048&q=75 2048w, /_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2F10542797-b85d-4372-886b-a1d61906a013.jpg&w=3840&q=75 3840w" src="/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2F10542797-b85d-4372-886b-a1d61906a013.jpg&w=3840&q=75"/></div><div class="p-5"><h2 class="text-lg font-bold mb-2 leading-snug" style="font-family:var(--ff-serif)">What You Never Knew About Eating Disorders and Suicide</h2><p class="text-sm text-muted-foreground leading-relaxed mb-3 line-clamp-3">Recently I was interviewed by an editor at Cosmo regarding my past battles with an eating disorder. Following significant trauma and the divorce of my parents at age eight, I decided I wanted to be thin more than anything else in the world. Sadly, I already was. 290 291A preoccupation with my body and my weight steadily increased every year and I began to feel guilty about my food intake. With an athletic build, I felt huge as a fifth grader. I remember weighing a âwhoppingâ eighty pounds while other girls my age seemed to be so much thinner. At thirteen, while pursuing a career in modeling, I began to regularly starve, over exercise, binge and purge.</p><span class="text-sm font-medium text-primary">Read More »</span></div></a><a class="block group rounded-xl bg-white shadow-sm hover:shadow-md transition-shadow overflow-hidden" href="/blog/five-amazing-ted-talks-that-will-transform-your-thinking-part-one"><div class="aspect-[4/3] overflow-hidden relative"><img alt="Five Amazing TED Talks That Will Transform Your Thinking, Part One" loading="lazy" decoding="async" data-nimg="fill" class="object-cover transition-transform duration-300 group-hover:scale-105" style="position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;object-position:50% 50%;
291color:transparent" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, (max-width: 1024px) 50vw, 33vw" srcSet="/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2F07298f9c-82eb-40bf-90d5-3ba861204af3.jpg&w=256&q=75 256w, /_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2F07298f9c-82eb-40bf-90d5-3ba861204af3.jpg&w=384&q=75 384w, /_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2F07298f9c-82eb-40bf-90d5-3ba861204af3.jpg&w=640&q=75 640w, /_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2F07298f9c-82eb-40bf-90d5-3ba861204af3.jpg&w=750&q=75 750w, /_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2F07298f9c-82eb-40bf-90d5-3ba861204af3.jpg&w=828&q=75 828w, /_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2F07298f9c-82eb-40bf-90d5-3ba861204af3.jpg&w=1080&q=75 1080w, /_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2F07298f9c-82eb-40bf-90d5-3ba861204af3.jpg&w=1200&q=75 1200w, /_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2F07298f9c-82eb-40bf-90d5-3ba861204af3.jpg&w=1920&q=75 1920w, /_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2F07298f9c-82eb-40bf-90d5-3ba861204af3.jpg&w=2048&q=75 2048w, /_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2F07298f9c-82eb-40bf-90d5-3ba861204af3.jpg&w=3840&q=75 3840w" src="/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2F07298f9c-82eb-40bf-90d5-3ba861204af3.jpg&w=3840&q=75"/></div><div class="p-5"><h2 class="text-lg font-bold mb-2 leading-snug" style="font-family:var(--ff-serif)">Five Amazing TED Talks That Will Transform Your Thinking, Part One</h2><p class="text-sm text-muted-foreground leading-relaxed mb-3 line-clamp-3">What follows is an excerpt from my article recently published on Everyday Power Blog. Full article here.http://everydaypowerblog.com/2016/03/03/fiveamazingtedtalksthatwilltransformyourthinkingpartone/ 292 293TED Talks are Miracle Grow for the body, mind and soul! They are cutting edge philosophy, psychology, science and insight, among many other wonderful âideas worth sharing.â The very first TED Talks were posted online in July, 2006 and continue to serve as a phenomenal resource for seekers like us who are striving to make ourselves and this world a better place. 294 295I never run out of curiosity, or the need to grow into someone I like more than the day before. As a teenager, I had two choices. I could cave and let hard situations and obstacles drive the essence of me deep into the ground, where not even a flicker of light existed. The alternative was to start asking questions, to seek understanding and greater insight, and to let myself learn from events that might otherwise keep me in dark places. 296 297I searched for answers in books on spirituality, religion, relationships, psychology and all other things selfhelp. I attended seminars, twelvestep groups, webinars, and creative circles to untangle the beliefs I learned earlyâbeliefs and philosophies that no longer served me. Eventually I discovered TED Talks, which continue to disclose the answers I seek. 298 299Whether youâre new to TED or an avid fan, the following TED Talks are a mustwatch and worth repeating. I had a difficult time narrowing down my favorites, so these five are the first batch, with more to follow. 300 301 Click here to read the rest of the article and get the links to my first five favorite TED talks.http://everydaypowerblog.com/2016/03/03/fiveamazingtedtalksthatwilltransformyourthinkingpartone/ 302 303Please leave your comments on the article page for me and tell me which of these five you loved most! Cheers to all of us Finding the Giftâ¢!</p><span class="text-sm font-medium text-primary">Read More »</span></div></a><a class="block group rounded-xl bg-white shadow-sm hover:shadow-md transition-shadow overflow-hidden" href="/blog/why-we-procrastinate-and-the-payoffs-of-avoidance"><div class="aspect-[4/3] overflow-hidden relative"><img alt="Why We Procrastinate and the Payoffs of Avoidance" loading="lazy" decoding="async" data-nimg="fill" class="object-cover transition-transform duration-300 group-hover:scale-105" style="position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;object-position:50% 50%;
303color:transparent" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, (max-width: 1024px) 50vw, 33vw" srcSet="/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2Fb2272131-b179-46c3-a48e-b0ac04088266.jpg&w=256&q=75 256w, /_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2Fb2272131-b179-46c3-a48e-b0ac04088266.jpg&w=384&q=75 384w, /_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2Fb2272131-b179-46c3-a48e-b0ac04088266.jpg&w=640&q=75 640w, /_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2Fb2272131-b179-46c3-a48e-b0ac04088266.jpg&w=750&q=75 750w, /_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2Fb2272131-b179-46c3-a48e-b0ac04088266.jpg&w=828&q=75 828w, /_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2Fb2272131-b179-46c3-a48e-b0ac04088266.jpg&w=1080&q=75 1080w, /_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2Fb2272131-b179-46c3-a48e-b0ac04088266.jpg&w=1200&q=75 1200w, /_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2Fb2272131-b179-46c3-a48e-b0ac04088266.jpg&w=1920&q=75 1920w, /_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2Fb2272131-b179-46c3-a48e-b0ac04088266.jpg&w=2048&q=75 2048w, /_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2Fb2272131-b179-46c3-a48e-b0ac04088266.jpg&w=3840&q=75 3840w" src="/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2Fb2272131-b179-46c3-a48e-b0ac04088266.jpg&w=3840&q=75"/></div><div class="p-5"><h2 class="text-lg font-bold mb-2 leading-snug" style="font-family:var(--ff-serif)">Why We Procrastinate and the Payoffs of Avoidance</h2><p class="text-sm text-muted-foreground leading-relaxed mb-3 line-clamp-3">I have been asked to develop this topic for Everyday Power Blog, a trusted source for inspiration and motivation. In doing so, I uncovered FIVE 5 KEY PAYOFFS for avoidance and the fears attached. Good newsâthereâs a way to tip the scale! 304 305 Read all the way through to see which of these may be hidden reasons youâre holding yourself back, and then give the exercises at the end a try. Cheers to you Finding the Gift in Procrastination and Avoidance! 306 307 308 309 âWhy do I feel an urge to do something else whenever I start doing something important? What steps can I take to move forward?â 310 311We are asking the wrong question, and Iâm as guilty as anyone. Itâs not, âWhy do I put off the things I really want or need to do?â The real question we have to ask ourselves is, âWhatâs the payoff I enjoy by avoiding doing what I say is important?â Our answers may vary but see if any or all! of these apply: 312 313 I get to stay comfortable. 314 315 I get to stay anxious. 316 317 I get to protect my dream. 318 319 I get to avoid making a decision. 320 321 I get to stay small. 322 323Click here to read more about each avoidance payoff and how to work your way through procrastination.http://everydaypowerblog.com/2016/02/19/whyweprocrastinateandthepayoffsofavoidance/Please leave your comments on the article page for me!</p><span class="text-sm font-medium text-primary">Read More »</span></div></a><a class="block group rounded-xl bg-white shadow-sm hover:shadow-md transition-shadow overflow-hidden" href="/blog/8-tips-to-avoid-career-burnout-and-learn-to-love-your-job-again"><div class="aspect-[4/3] overflow-hidden relative"><img alt="8 Tips to Avoid Career Burnout and Learn to Love Your Job Again" loading="lazy" decoding="async" data-nimg="fill" class="object-cover transition-transform duration-300 group-hover:scale-105" style="position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;object-position:50% 50%;color:transparent" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, (max-width: 1024px) 50vw, 33vw" srcSet="/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2F3d6cdb6a-9c92-4818-8c5b-b375f33e93a7.jpg&w=256&q=75 256w, /_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2F3d6cdb6a-9c92-4818-8c5b-b375f33e93a7.jpg&w=384&q=75 384w, /_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2F3d6cdb6a-9c92-4818-8c5b-b375f33e93a7.jpg&w=640&q=75 640w, /_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2F3d6cdb6a-9c92-4818-8c5b-b375f33e93a7.jpg&w=750&q=75 750w, /_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2F3d6cdb6a-9c92-4818-8c5b-b375f33e93a7.jpg&w=828&q=75 828w, /_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2F3d6cdb6a-9c92-4818-8c5b-b375f33e93a7.jpg&w=1080&q=75 1080w, /_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2F3d6cdb6a-9c92-4818-8c5b-b375f33e93a7.jpg&w=1200&q=75 1200w, /_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2F3d6cdb6a-9c92-4818-8c5b-b375f33e93a7.jpg&w=1920&q=75 1920w, /_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2F3d6cdb6a-9c92-4818-8c5b-b375f33e93a7.jpg&w=2048&q=75 2048w, /_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2F3d6cdb6a-9c92-4818-8c5b-b375f33e93a7.jpg&w=3840&q=75 3840w" src="/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2F3d6cdb6a-9c92-4818-8c5b-b375f33e93a7.jpg&w=3840&q=75"/></div><div class="p-5"><h2 class="text-lg font-bold mb-2 leading-snug" style="font-family:var(--ff-serif)">8 Tips to Avoid Career Burnout and Learn to Love Your Job Again</h2><p class="text-sm text-muted-foreground leading-relaxed mb-3 line-clamp-3">Check out this great article by Bethany Ramos. She asked me to collaborate with her on taking a deeper look at career burnout for SheKnows.com. 324 325Most people would say to avoid career burnout you need to develop outside hobbies, take regular vacations and unplug regularly. Those are all great strategies and very needed, but itâs good to be aware of the deeper reasons some of us are more prone to career burnout than others. Thankfully, there are many great ways to proactively get back to loving your job and your life. 326 327Be sure to read the full article and all eight tips to see if youâre in danger for an impending burnout. Hereâs a teaser to get you started! 328 329Article excerpt: 330 331 5. Pat yourself on the back 332 Beyond these bestpractice tips that you can use to keep your career organized and interesting, Angela Howell, speaker and author of Finding the Gift: Daily Meditations for Mindfulness, believes that a simple change in perspective may be one of the most effective ways to thwart job dissatisfaction. Howell explains that many people struggle with being a workaholic because they are looking for external recognition, while true job satisfaction can only be found in learning to give yourself the internal validation you seek. âI have struggled with being a workaholic for much of my life. I was a very successful, 12year corporate sales rep, and I definitely experienced burnout because my entire life revolved around my career. I was so driven for external recognition that I let everything else slide, like my relationships, hobbies and health,â says Howell. 333 She continues, âWhen I focus on my own sense of accomplishment and can learn to give myself the praise I need, I am less critically dependent on getting my sense of worth at work. I can allow myself to have a life and live from a more balanced place, nurturing all the parts of me that exist beyond my career. I work to live instead of live to work.â 334 335Enjoy! 336 337Angela</p><span class="text-sm font-medium text-primary">Read More »</span></div></a><a class="block group rounded-xl bg-white shadow-sm hover:shadow-md transition-shadow overflow-hidden" href="/blog/breaking-free-from-the-imaginary-leash"><div class="aspect-[4/3] overflow-hidden relative"><img alt="Breaking Free from the Imaginary Leash" loading="lazy" decoding="async" data-nimg="fill" class="object-cover transition-transform duration-300 group-hover:scale-105" style="position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;object-position:50% 50%;
337color:transparent" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, (max-width: 1024px) 50vw, 33vw" srcSet="/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2Fcb207950-c632-4e1c-80f7-389760cb3d1f.jpg&w=256&q=75 256w, /_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2Fcb207950-c632-4e1c-80f7-389760cb3d1f.jpg&w=384&q=75 384w, /_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2Fcb207950-c632-4e1c-80f7-389760cb3d1f.jpg&w=640&q=75 640w, /_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2Fcb207950-c632-4e1c-80f7-389760cb3d1f.jpg&w=750&q=75 750w, /_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2Fcb207950-c632-4e1c-80f7-389760cb3d1f.jpg&w=828&q=75 828w, /_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2Fcb207950-c632-4e1c-80f7-389760cb3d1f.jpg&w=1080&q=75 1080w, /_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2Fcb207950-c632-4e1c-80f7-389760cb3d1f.jpg&w=1200&q=75 1200w, /_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2Fcb207950-c632-4e1c-80f7-389760cb3d1f.jpg&w=1920&q=75 1920w, /_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2Fcb207950-c632-4e1c-80f7-389760cb3d1f.jpg&w=2048&q=75 2048w, /_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2Fcb207950-c632-4e1c-80f7-389760cb3d1f.jpg&w=3840&q=75 3840w" src="/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2Fcb207950-c632-4e1c-80f7-389760cb3d1f.jpg&w=3840&q=75"/></div><div class="p-5"><h2 class="text-lg font-bold mb-2 leading-snug" style="font-family:var(--ff-serif)">Breaking Free from the Imaginary Leash</h2><p class="text-sm text-muted-foreground leading-relaxed mb-3 line-clamp-3">Goldieâs leash is real, but Henryâs is imaginary.</p><span class="text-sm font-medium text-primary">Read More »</span></div></a><a class="block group rounded-xl bg-white shadow-sm hover:shadow-md transition-shadow overflow-hidden" href="/blog/some-resolutions-are-just-too-big"><div class="aspect-[4/3] overflow-hidden relative"><img alt="Some Resolutions Are Just Too Big" loading="lazy" decoding="async" data-nimg="fill" class="object-cover transition-transform duration-300 group-hover:scale-105" style="position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;object-position:50% 50%;color:transparent" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, (max-width: 1024px) 50vw, 33vw" srcSet="/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2Fe19d7051-e5d0-452d-8016-a589b614ef22.jpg&w=256&q=75 256w, /_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2Fe19d7051-e5d0-452d-8016-a589b614ef22.jpg&w=384&q=75 384w, /_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2Fe19d7051-e5d0-452d-8016-a589b614ef22.jpg&w=640&q=75 640w, /_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2Fe19d7051-e5d0-452d-8016-a589b614ef22.jpg&w=750&q=75 750w, /_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2Fe19d7051-e5d0-452d-8016-a589b614ef22.jpg&w=828&q=75 828w, /_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2Fe19d7051-e5d0-452d-8016-a589b614ef22.jpg&w=1080&q=75 1080w, /_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2Fe19d7051-e5d0-452d-8016-a589b614ef22.jpg&w=1200&q=75 1200w, /_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2Fe19d7051-e5d0-452d-8016-a589b614ef22.jpg&w=1920&q=75 1920w, /_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2Fe19d7051-e5d0-452d-8016-a589b614ef22.jpg&w=2048&q=75 2048w, /_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2Fe19d7051-e5d0-452d-8016-a589b614ef22.jpg&w=3840&q=75 3840w" src="/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2Fe19d7051-e5d0-452d-8016-a589b614ef22.jpg&w=3840&q=75"/></div><div class="p-5"><h2 class="text-lg font-bold mb-2 leading-snug" style="font-family:var(--ff-serif)">Some Resolutions Are Just Too Big</h2><p class="text-sm text-muted-foreground leading-relaxed mb-3 line-clamp-3">Happy New Year! Whew, itâs been a while since I posted. Author talks and book events have kept me jumping, but I am so very grateful for the impact âFinding the Gift: Daily Meditations for Mindfulnessâ is making in peopleâs lives and their perspectives. Weâre all in this together! 338 339January is the biggest month for most of us to think about our lives and make new resolutions. But for many, these are quickly abandoned by February. Too often people resolve to accomplish goals that are too big and daunting, and/or deep down, they donât believe they deserve to have or be âx.â Surprisingly enough, we make progress much quicker by taking baby steps consistently. The turtle beats the rabbit on this track! 340 341If you are having trouble with any of your New Yearâs resolutions, I have a few suggestions that have helped me in the past. If all I have identified is the ultimate outcome, I can stare at that goal until I am blue in the face, paralyzed to take any real action. However, if I create some smaller resolutions that will cause me to take a step toward the final destination, I can make forward progress. 342 343 Excerpt from âFinding the Gift: Daily Meditations for Mindfulnessâ for January 1: 344 Sometimes I find it easier to look at a big goal and then work backwards, breaking it down into smaller pieces. Iâll ask myself, Well, if that goal was true one year from now, what else will be true? For instance, if I had aspirations to become more fluent in a foreign language one year from now, I could start by finding other people to regularly converse with. Boom. I just created a tangible action step I can do today, which will help me get where I want to be a year from now. This sounds so obvious, but too often we get overwhelmed and intimidated by the idea of attaining huge goals. We canât think of how to get started and we stay frozen. 345 346If my goal for 2016 as an author/speaker is simply to reach more people with my book and my message, I could easily remain intimidated by how to actually go about doing that and do nothing, but hope and pray it just happens. Or, I can pretend itâs December, 2016 and that Iâm looking back over the year feeling grateful that I did successfully expand my impact. I can ask myself what must have happened for my goal to be realized? I probably had to identify some groups who could relate to what I have to say. Then I probably had to do some research and make some phone calls or send some emails. 347 348So now, rather than focus on my big goal, I can start thinking about specific groups or organizations who would be thrilled to have me as a guest speaker. Once identified, I can make another goal to do some research and find out who secures speakers for the event. I can make contact through phone or email. I know this is a very specific example but Iâm hoping you can translate this to your own goals and see that a big resolution needs to be broken down into several, smaller goals. Tasks that can be done in a day. Activities that when put together, lead up to helping you reach your bigger destination. 349 350If this sounds elemental but you are facing a resolution that is quickly fading, I hope you will give it a try. Just ask the question, âIf this were true, what else would have to be true?â You have all the answers you need inside you. Sometimes we just arenât asking ourselves the right questions! 351 352If negative beliefs are holding you back, thatâs going to require a different strategy. Write down the three most powerful selfs
352abotage beliefs that run through your mind. Reasons that deepdown are keeping you from attaining your resolutions. Letâs say you want to increase your income in 2016. Thatâs a great goal, but until itâs defined in detail, it could easily remain a resolution thatâs just too big. But letâs deal with the negative selfbeliefs because if those are dominating your daily thoughts, the bestlaid actions plans are meaningless. 353 354Perhaps your first negative thought is this: âI donât deserve to make more money,â or âNo one in my family has ever made much money.â If that is an underlying belief, your subconscious will make sure your life backs that up. How would it feel to believe, âI deserve to make an abundant living to be able to provide for myself and my family and have fun doing it?â Can you feel the shift? This isnât hard work, but it does take intentional effort. Change your software programs in your mind and you will change your life! 355 356 Excerpt from âFinding the Gift: Daily Meditations for Mindfulnessâ for January 6: 357 Take a moment. Stare out a window. Let yourself dream of a life that is to come. If you could do or be anythingâno limits based on finances, present circumstances or past experiencesâwhat would you do? Where would you go? What would you invent? What new hobby or interest might you explore? Who would be in your life? Who would you let go of? Who would you help? How much money would you see in your account? Where would you live? What would your body look like, and how strong and flexible would you be? What charity would you support or create? What would your doctor say at your annual checkup? 358 This is YOUR dream. STOP the limiting chatter! 359 360My book is full of daily meditations to challenge old beliefs, broaden perspectives and offer practical tips that will help us all achieve the lives we really desire from the inside out. I canât say it enough: this is MY handbook for living. I do not have all these lessons mastered! Far from it. I wrote this book to provide reminders for the many issues I still need to work on myself. I just decided to share it with you so we can do it together! We all need traveling companions on this journey of life. Thank you for being one of mine! 361 362If youâre in the Nashville area, I will be at the Green Hills Library on Thursday, February 4 at 6pm for an author talk and book signing event. Books will be available to purchase and a portion of the proceeds will go to the âFriends of the Library.â I hope to see you there!</p><template id="P:7"></template></div></a><a class="block group rounded-xl bg-white shadow-sm hover:shadow-md transition-shadow overflow-hidden" href="/blog/the-norman-rockwell-illusion"><div class="aspect-[4/3] overflow-hidden relative"><img alt="The Norman Rockwell Illusion" loading="lazy" decoding="async" data-nimg="fill" class="object-cover transition-transform duration-300 group-hover:scale-105" style="position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;object-position:50% 50%;color:transparent" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, (max-width: 1024px) 50vw, 33vw" srcSet="/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2F398a3032-914e-49cd-b6c5-b509e7a404d2.jpg&w=256&q=75 256w, /_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2F398a3032-914e-49cd-b6c5-b509e7a404d2.jpg&w=384&q=75 384w, /_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2F398a3032-914e-49cd-b6c5-b509e7a404d2.jpg&w=640&q=75 640w, /_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2F398a3032-914e-49cd-b6c5-b509e7a404d2.jpg&w=750&q=75 750w, /_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2F398a3032-914e-49cd-b6c5-b509e7a404d2.jpg&w=828&q=75 828w, /_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2F398a3032-914e-49cd-b6c5-b509e7a404d2.jpg&w=1080&q=75 1080w, /_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2F398a3032-914e-49cd-b6c5-b509e7a404d2.jpg&w=1200&q=75 1200w, /_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2F398a3032-914e-49cd-b6c5-b509e7a404d2.jpg&w=1920&q=75 1920w, /_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2F398a3032-914e-49cd-b6c5-b509e7a404d2.jpg&w=2048&q=75 2048w, /_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2F398a3032-914e-49cd-b6c5-b509e7a404d2.jpg&w=3840&q=75 3840w" src="/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2F398a3032-914e-49cd-b6c5-b509e7a404d2.jpg&w=3840&q=75"/></div><div class="p-5"><h2 class="text-lg font-bold mb-2 leading-snug" style="font-family:var(--ff-serif)">The Norman Rockwell Illusion</h2><p class="text-sm text-muted-foreground leading-relaxed mb-3 line-clamp-3">Holidays are supposed to be a joyfilled, happy time with friends and family. Day after day of sparkling euphoria, right?! Donât we all long for the Norman Rockwell experience? What if after the timeless moments are captured, we showed each other what really goe
362s onâthe good, the bad and the ugly, and also the ordinary? I found an interesting book review in the New York Times written in 2013 for a biography written about Norman Rockwell. Reading that and exploring a few other search results for âNorman Rockwell,â I quickly learned that he also did not live the âNorman Rockwellâ experience. 363 364Iâve spent many days thinking if I had just come from a ânormalâ family, my life would have been so much better. I grew up believing that what I saw in Norman Rockwell illustrations really existed in most other homes but mine. As an adult now, I know the truth. No one has it good all the time, and no one has it bad all the time. And sometimes, the ordinary moments are the best ones of all. Times like this morning, when my husband and I cuddled on the couch enjoying the glowing Christmas tree at dawn, as he drank his coffee before getting ready for work. Or letting my son show me how swift he can handle his car on back roads, making a night run to the grocery store for milk and bananas, with music blaring from the speakers. And enjoying a peaceful, quiet morning with my furry children, looking out into the majesty of nature surrounding me. Those are the moments I live for now. 365 366And most of the time, Iâve stopped the comparison game. Comparing my life to others is a fast road to discontentment and âmissing the gifts.â In the recovery world, we often hear, âDonât compare your insides to someone elseâs outsides.â We only see what âtheyâ let us see anyway. In a thriving socialmediafilled world, it often looks like most everyone is living the good life. Rarely can we see the aches in their hearts or the depths of loneliness common to us all. Common to us allâyes, even I have my bad days too, where Iâm struggling with âFinding the Gift.â I know those days will pass and I personally choose not to use my social media platforms to air my fleeting moments of lost perspective, but I do share those hard days with those closest to me. 367 368Living a life of âFinding the Giftâ to me means truly believing everything, everything is working for my good. Even when it doesnât seem like it. My best use of energy is always spent redirecting my thoughts to what is going well and celebrating true treasure, the unexpected, ordinary moments of real bliss. Happy Holidays and may your ordinary moments bring you great joy! If you are in Nashville today, please come join me at BookManBookWoman in Hillsboro Village for a Finding the Gifthttps://www.angelahowell.com/books book discussion and signing event from 122 p.m. . 369 370P.S. If you have a Finding the Gift story, I want to hear it and so does the rest of our FTG community! Please send me a message through my âcontact Angelaâ tab. Not an FTG member? Look for the orange box to the right and sign up! Iâll send you a free eBook immediately, Ten Secrets to Finding the Gift! 371 372P.P.S. If you are looking for a special gift for someone, check out the reviews on Amazon from those who have been touched by reading Finding the Gift.https://www.angelahowell.com/books</p><template id="P:8"></template></div></a><a class="block group rounded-xl bg-white shadow-sm hover:shadow-md transition-shadow overflow-hidden" href="/blog/the-gifts-of-the-season"><div class="aspect-[4/3] overflow-hidden relative"><div class="w-full h-full bg-muted"></div></div><div class="p-5"><h2 class="text-lg font-bold mb-2 leading-snug" style="font-family:var(--ff-serif)">The Gifts of the Season</h2><p class="text-sm text-muted-foreground leading-relaxed mb-3 line-clamp-3">No, I have not finished my holiday shopping! Grrr ⦠I mean, Happy Tuesday! Every year it seems I get more and more Grinchlike when December rolls around. Maybe thatâs not fair. Iâm not really a Scrooge and I have nothing against gifts. I just want to enjoy more of the simple, beautiful parts of the holidays and less of the shouldâs and have toâs. Iâm convinced that the real wonder of the season is felt sitting quietly in front of a sparkling tree or a crackling fireplace, basking in the glow of gratefulness for life exactly the way it is, in that very moment. 373 374Every year, the idea of going out to spend money we may not necessarily have to buy things that people donât necessarily need or wantâjust to say we did or just to have presents under the treeâfeels so forced and well, just not fun. I try to keep my opinion to myself because I feel I am in the minority. Clearly, many people absolutely love making their lists and checking them twice! If motives are pure, more power to them! 375 376 In my dream world we offer meaningful gifts to those we truly want to show love and appreciation for, and we donât put our finances in jeopardy in the process. 377 378Handmade cards and gifts count double! We stand firm against pressure to do things we really donât want to do, or go places we really donât want to go. Our wellbeing is more important than our peoplepleasing. We set aside time and resources to help those less fortunate than us, allowing us the full, unparalleled experience of joy that comes from giving and touching a life. In my dream holiday, you are your best you, and I am my best me. 379 380The truth is, every year I am more focused on finding the real gifts: love, peace, service and gratitude. And heartfelt connections with others who value the same. Will you join me in celebrating the silent wonders this holiday season? Please leave a comment and tell me what your dream holiday looks like! 381 382P.S. If you have a Finding the Gift story, I want to hear it and so does the rest of our FTG community! Please send me a message. Not an FTG member? Look for the orange box to the right and sign up! Iâll send you a free eBook immediately, Ten Secrets to Finding the Gift! 383 384P.P.S. If you are looking for a special gift for someone, check out the reviews on Amazon from those who have been touched by reading Finding the Gift.https://www.angelahowell.com/books 385 386P.P.P.S. Is that too many Pâs? Well anyway, if you want to see one of my recent, early morning, Finding the Gift moments, check out this video. I was so taken by how perfect the scene looked and felt, I let my cinnamon rolls get cold while taking videos and pictures! Thatâs the thing about Finding the Gift: sometimes we may lose something, only to gain an even bigger reward!
386Enjoy!</p><template id="P:9"></template></div></a><a class="block group rounded-xl bg-white shadow-sm hover:shadow-md transition-shadow overflow-hidden" href="/blog/open-minds-get-more-gifts-to-open"><div class="aspect-[4/3] overflow-hidden relative"><div class="w-full h-full bg-muted"></div></div><div class="p-5"><h2 class="text-lg font-bold mb-2 leading-snug" style="font-family:var(--ff-serif)">Open Minds Get More Gifts to Open</h2><p class="text-sm text-muted-foreground leading-relaxed mb-3 line-clamp-3">âAuthentic, captivating, thoughtprovoking! Angela Howellâs insights remind the reader that in every life experience there is a gift waiting to be found ⦠if we only dare to look deeper.â âRachel Martinez, Certified Addiction Counselor 387 388Hello FTG Friends! Happy almost Thanksgiving! I hope each of you have a special time planned to celebrate with good food among great family and friends. 389 390I have a question for you to consider as we enter into this season of thanksgiving. If you were to receive a âFinding the Giftâ report card, would you get an A? How well are you able to look at a situation and find the gift, instead of the problem? I read a story once about Benjamin Franklin. Apparently he had a habit of finding fault and when he was strongly confronted by someone he respected, he vowed to never complain again. Oh, if only it were that easy! With practice, however, it does become easier to ask, âWhatâs the gift in this?â versus, âWhy did this happen?â 391 392Gratitude is a habit of the mind and with regular use, it can become an automatic response to life. When I experience disappointment, for example, I choose to believe I will find a gift as long as Iâm willing to look for it. Maybe what appears to be a setback is actually some form of protection? Something to keep me from going down a particular path, which ultimately wonât be in my best interest? Maybe Iâll never know why certain events transpired, but I always have a choice in how I perceive what life brings my way. I can choose to believe things are working for my good, or I can get caught up in frustration. Faith feels better to me so I donât let myself wallow too long in how I wish things were. Instead, I begin finding the gift in how things are. 393 394Jumping ahead in my book, Finding the Gift: Daily Meditations for Mindfulness, I will leave you with an upcoming entry on gratitude. I sincerely wish you the best Thanksgiving ever, abundant with gifts given, received and observed. 395 396November 26: A Daily Gratitude Practice 397 398 âThe more you praise and celebrate your life, the more there is in life to celebrate.â 399 ~ Oprah Winfrey ~ 400 401November is the perfect time of year to focus on being thankful: good health, relationships, friends and family, our jobs, our homes, and our freedom. Many of us can count some or all of these as blessings in our lives. What else? What else are you truly grateful for? Look around. Listen. Feel. Take stock of everything you have appreciation for. Holding gratitude in your heart attracts even more good to come your way. Count your blessings often. For extra benefit, make a daily gratitude journal, listing at least five new things every morning or night. 402 403In addition to whatâs noted above, I am deeply grateful for nature, music, role models, reverse role models who teach me what NOT to do, nature seasons, thick fuzzy blankets and socks, fast cars, adventure, adversity without adversity, personal growth is much slower, my furry loved ones, sidewalks, hot baths, dark chocolate, apple cider, boots, things that sparkle, laughter and piano music filling my home, and much, much more! For a real challenge, make a list of all the people, places and things you are grateful for. Do this alone or with a group. When you run out of things to write, go through the letters of the alphabet to jog your memory some more. Keep this list and your daily gratitude journal handy for rereading frequently. Turkey hunters practice making turkey calls to attract birds to come their way. Practice using gratitude to attract more goodness to come your way. Cheers! 404 405P.S. If you have a Finding the Gift story, I want to hear it and so does the rest of our FTG community! Please send me a message. Not an FTG member? Look for the orange box to the right and sign up! Iâll send you a free eBook immediately, Ten Secrets to Finding the Gift!</p><template id="P:a"></template></div></a><a class="block group rounded-xl bg-white shadow-sm hover:shadow-md transition-shadow overflow-hidden" href="/blog/courage-to-be-fully-alive"><div class="aspect-[4/3] overflow-hidden relative"><div class="w-full h-full bg-muted"></div></div><div class="p-5"><h2 class="text-lg font-bold mb-2 leading-snug" style="font-family:var(--ff-serif)">Courage To Be Fully Alive</h2><p class="text-sm text-muted-foreground leading-relaxed mb-3 line-clamp-3">Sneak Peak from my soon to be released book, Finding the Gift: Daily Meditations for Mindfulness 406 407October 6 Courage to Be Fully Alive 408 409Today is a special day for a very special man in my life. HAPPY BIRTHDAY! We are going to make a big deal out of it! Did you ever hear someone tell you, âStop making such a big deal about that!â Or, âSettle down now, and stop acting like a child.â As a society, weâve even said that to our children, when acting like a child is the most ageappropriate thing to do. Iâm not discounting the need for discipline, this is just an observation of our language. 410 411All too often our spirits are conformed to fit into society, into school, into church, even into our own families. Our behavior is regulated so much that we may think itâs not okay to jump for joy and act crazy. To cry when we feel sad. Or to laugh out loud when somethingâs funny. We are encouraged to wear our quiet little masks and politely die a slow, numbing death. We are hardly living, as opposed to celebrating the full spectrum of the human existence. Itâs called a spectrum, which indicates that life is meant to be lived in a range of experiences, not as a safe, uniform spot somewhere in the midst of conformity and oppression. We need all of it to feel alive! Highs and lows. Loud and quiet. Fast and Slow. Celebration and grief. 412 413A pastor once gave a sermon on how weâve all but stripped the masculinity out of our sons and made them ⦠nice. So we have compliant men who are afraid to take risks, make decisions and boldly be who they were created to be. And then we criticize them for it, and wonder what happened to the real men in the world? My husband is a huge fan of Wild at Heart by John Eldredge, who says, âDeep in his heart, every man longs for a battle to fight, an adventure to live, and a beauty to rescue.â Referring to himself, Eldredge says, âI wasnât mean;
413 I wasnât evil. I was nice. And let me tell you, a hesitant man is the last thing in the world a woman needs. She needs a lover and a warrior, not a Really Nice Guy.â 414 415Just for today, stop being so nice and politically correct, and demanding the same from everyone else. Letâs be unashamedly ALIVE, whatever that looks like today. For us, that means a big celebration. We are going to sing really loud and probably do a few Happy Dances. We are all alive, arenât we? That alone is reason to celebrate. Letâs make today something worth remembering.</p><span class="text-sm font-medium text-primary">Read More »</span></div></a><a class="block group rounded-xl bg-white shadow-sm hover:shadow-md transition-shadow overflow-hidden" href="/blog/the-heat-is-on"><div class="aspect-[4/3] overflow-hidden relative"><div class="w-full h-full bg-muted"></div></div><div class="p-5"><h2 class="text-lg font-bold mb-2 leading-snug" style="font-family:var(--ff-serif)">The Heat Is On!</h2><p class="text-sm text-muted-foreground leading-relaxed mb-3 line-clamp-3">Our bodies are such amazing, complex systems, constantly regenerating and renewing themselves. A while back, I had surgery on my knee and in the acute healing process, this knee was very warm to the touch when compared to my healthy knee. I could literally feel how hard my body was working to heal itself. This brought to mind several sayings regarding transformation through heat and fire. 416 417âThe heat is on!â 418 419âHe really brought the heat today!â 420 421âSheâs in hot water now!â 422 423âNothing like a trial by fire.â 424 425When the âheatâ shows up in our lives, whatever that looks like for each of us, it can be mildly or extremely uncomfortable. When we feel the temperature rising in our circumstances or relationships, we can trust that a transformation is taking place, or an opportunity for growth is at hand. Resistance is the opposite of acceptance and only serves to make the struggle last longer, or keep me from benefiting fully from an opportunity for change. Iâm always better off asking, âWhatâs my lesson here?â rather than âWhy is this happening to me?â 426 427Imagine metal trying to maintain its current shape when surrounded by fire? It would be pretty impossible for it to not be changed. If itâs happening to you right now, get the lesson! Too often, the fires life throws at us seem scary and something we want to avoid, but if weâre seeking and listening to the guidance inside, itâs safe to trust weâll be cared for until we come out the other side. I choose to believe every circumstance is for our greater good, even when it doesnât feel like it. Youâre going to be great, too!</p><span class="text-sm font-medium text-primary">Read More »</span></div></a><a class="block group rounded-xl bg-white shadow-sm hover:shadow-md transition-shadow overflow-hidden" href="/blog/trees-hats-and-masks"><div class="aspect-[4/3] overflow-hidden relative"><img alt="Trees, Hats and Masks" loading="lazy" decoding="async" data-nimg="fill" class="object-cover transition-transform duration-300 group-hover:scale-105" style="position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;object-position:50% 50%;color:transparent" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, (max-width: 1024px) 50vw, 33vw" srcSet="/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2F41861ad7-5e94-4432-8e55-667a01135333.jpg&w=256&q=75 256w, /_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2F41861ad7-5e94-4432-8e55-667a01135333.jpg&w=384&q=75 384w, /_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2F41861ad7-5e94-4432-8e55-667a01135333.jpg&w=640&q=75 640w, /_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2F41861ad7-5e94-4432-8e55-667a01135333.jpg&w=750&q=75 750w, /_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2F41861ad7-5e94-4432-8e55-667a01135333.jpg&w=828&q=75 828w, /_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2F41861ad7-5e94-4432-8e55-667a01135333.jpg&w=1080&q=75 1080w, /_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2F41861ad7-5e94-4432-8e55-667a01135333.jpg&w=1200&q=75 1200w, /_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2F41861ad7-5e94-4432-8e55-667a01135333.jpg&w=1920&q=75 1920w, /_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2F41861ad7-5e94-4432-8e55-667a01135333.jpg&w=2048&q=75 2048w, /_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2F41861ad7-5e94-4432-8e55-667a01135333.jpg&w=3840&q=75 3840w" src="/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2F41861ad7-5e94-4432-8e55-667a01135333.jpg&w=3840&q=75"/></div><div class="p-5"><h2 class="text-lg font-bold mb-2 leading-snug" style="font-family:var(--ff-serif)">Trees, Hats and Masks</h2><p class="text-sm text-muted-foreground leading-relaxed mb-3 line-clamp-3">Into Me, See 428 429The branches of a tree limb grow out in all different directions. They touch, they overlap, they split off into smaller branches. No two limbs are alike, and n
429o two limbs have identical branches, but they are all part of the same tree. That tree is me; itâs each of us. 430 431There are many facets to my life and I always laugh when someone asks me what I do, because I wear a lot of hats! I used to be in corporate sales, so I understand what it means to be an employee, a salesperson, a boss, the client interface, and a coworker. Today, Iâm a creativeâ photographer, writer, painterâwhile still being wife, Mom, daughter, sister, aunt, friend, business owner, coach, sponsor, sponsee, volunteer and member of a church family. Iâm also a trauma survivor, which means I grew up learning to live fragmented, instead of integrated, and I have a tendency to divide myself and my life into parts. 432 433Because I had this terrified, insecure side of me and was secretly coping with my life using destructive behaviors like anorexia and bulimia, I learned to put on masks in order to do everything else. I became immersed in external appearance, perfectionism, achievement and control the lookinggood side to make sure I was accepted and liked. 434 435Sometimes I can still find myself putting on various roles like a costume, tweaking myself to suit each part, shifting in and out of different identities, and losing the real me in the shuffle. Thankfully, my awareness has grown in this area and Iâm better able to recognize when Iâve slipped a mask on and need to come back to whatâs authentic and true. Iâm learning to trust that person is wonderful and most importantly, she is enough. 436 437Today, I desire to be more fluid, more transparent, one self in all my daily endeavors and relationships, where the hat doesnât change who I am, just decorates the real me! I encourage you to celebrate and embrace yourself too, all the wonderful, unique parts of you, knowing you also have one true identity, with many different branches and colorful hats. Wear them well, but always be you!</p><span class="text-sm font-medium text-primary">Read More »</span></div></a><a class="block group rounded-xl bg-white shadow-sm hover:shadow-md transition-shadow overflow-hidden" href="/blog/setting-goals-or-making-wishes"><div class="aspect-[4/3] overflow-hidden relative"><div class="w-full h-full bg-muted"></div></div><div class="p-5"><h2 class="text-lg font-bold mb-2 leading-snug" style="font-family:var(--ff-serif)">Setting Goals or Making Wishes?</h2><p class="text-sm text-muted-foreground leading-relaxed mb-3 line-clamp-3">Setting goals is great. Getting goals is much better! We can spend a lot of time writing out detailed goals and elaborate action plans, but unless we change something we do every day, we canât hope to see any real movement towards reaching our hopes and dreams. Without action, our best goals will remain wishes. We can plan our lives, but we donât just decide what our future will look like. 438 439 We decide what habits and disciplines we will do daily, and those daily practices are what ultimately decide our future. 440 441As we evaluate where we would like to be in six months, one year, three years, ten years, let us also evaluate what needs to happen daily to bring about the progress we seek. Itâs the small change that leads to the big change. Allow 21 days of repetition for a new habit to form. One day wonât make a difference, but consistency over time will change our lives and we will achieve a lot more of the goals that we set! When it comes to reaching goals, the slow, consistent turtle usually beats the rabbit. 442 443Try taking a few small steps today, even if itâs just ten minutesâ worth of action or one phone call, and let me know how it feels to move closer towards changing your wishes and goals into reality.</p><span class="text-sm font-medium text-primary">Read More »</span></div></a><a class="block group rounded-xl bg-white shadow-sm hover:shadow-md transition-shadow overflow-hidden" href="/blog/daily-repetition-just-do-it"><div class="aspect-[4/3] overflow-hidden relative"><img alt="Daily Repetition? Just Do It!" loading="lazy" decoding="async" data-nimg="fill" class="object-cover transition-transform duration-300 group-hover:scale-105" style="position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;object-position:50% 50%;
443color:transparent" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, (max-width: 1024px) 50vw, 33vw" srcSet="/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2F258e94b5-8638-4c9f-b8ae-0d3f7bc93823.jpg&w=256&q=75 256w, /_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2F258e94b5-8638-4c9f-b8ae-0d3f7bc93823.jpg&w=384&q=75 384w, /_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2F258e94b5-8638-4c9f-b8ae-0d3f7bc93823.jpg&w=640&q=75 640w, /_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2F258e94b5-8638-4c9f-b8ae-0d3f7bc93823.jpg&w=750&q=75 750w, /_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2F258e94b5-8638-4c9f-b8ae-0d3f7bc93823.jpg&w=828&q=75 828w, /_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2F258e94b5-8638-4c9f-b8ae-0d3f7bc93823.jpg&w=1080&q=75 1080w, /_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2F258e94b5-8638-4c9f-b8ae-0d3f7bc93823.jpg&w=1200&q=75 1200w, /_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2F258e94b5-8638-4c9f-b8ae-0d3f7bc93823.jpg&w=1920&q=75 1920w, /_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2F258e94b5-8638-4c9f-b8ae-0d3f7bc93823.jpg&w=2048&q=75 2048w, /_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2F258e94b5-8638-4c9f-b8ae-0d3f7bc93823.jpg&w=3840&q=75 3840w" src="/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2F258e94b5-8638-4c9f-b8ae-0d3f7bc93823.jpg&w=3840&q=75"/></div><div class="p-5"><h2 class="text-lg font-bold mb-2 leading-snug" style="font-family:var(--ff-serif)">Daily Repetition? Just Do It!</h2><p class="text-sm text-muted-foreground leading-relaxed mb-3 line-clamp-3">© Angela Howell 444 445We hear about overnight success and our brains know the truthânothing happens overnight. Too often something in me still falls into delusional thinking and expectation, not wanting to do the repetition of small steps consistently. I found myself wishing for an outcome today, but then feeling frustrated at the realization that I couldnât just do it. The only way to achieve this outcome is through small, daily repetition. But I want it now! Wow, how many times have I wanted to write a book in one day or take a foreign language lesson, desiring mastery right at the onset? Too often! Whatâs the saying?? Good things take time! 446 447 Living in a microwave, fastfood society, my inherent desire to pull up to the drivethru window and have it my way is so much more appealing to me. 448 449But I have a choice. I can dismiss the urges, desires, dreams, and goals that are going to take longer than one day, or I can do one small thing today and the next, and the next to get me closer to my goal. 450 451If I make it more about the journey rather than the ultimate outcome, I may be more inclined to take that small step. If I look for the joy in actually doing it, or if I think about what I can get out of it todayâ the reward solely in todayâs actionâ I may be more likely to just do it today. When I slow down long enough to enjoy myself in that activity, I may find the willingness to do it again tomorrow. What is a step you can take toward your goal today and even more importantly, whatâs the gift you can find in doing that today? When I adhere to daily disciplines, I find the Miracle Gro for my dreams and goals! Cheers to us all Finding the Gift by taking one small step today!</p><span class="text-sm font-medium text-primary">Read More »</span></div></a><a class="block group rounded-xl bg-white shadow-sm hover:shadow-md transition-shadow overflow-hidden" href="/blog/body-project-collaborative-finding-the-gift-through-body-image-acceptance"><div class="aspect-[4/3] overflow-hidden relative"><div class="w-full h-full bg-muted"></div></div><div class="p-5"><h2 class="text-lg font-bold mb-2 leading-snug" style="font-family:var(--ff-serif)">Body Project Collaborative: Finding the Gift through Body Image Acceptance</h2><p class="text-sm text-muted-foreground leading-relaxed mb-3 line-clamp-3">Recently I attended a facilitator training for the Body Project Collaborativehttp://www.bodyprojectcollaborative.com/. Sponsored locally by The Eating Disorders Coalition of Tennessee www.edct.nethttp://www.edct.net, I had heard this was the most successful, researchbased program used to address potentially harmful body image issues and to prevent early onset eating disorders from going any further. Being a 20year survivor of anorexia and bulimia myself, I wholeheartedly support everything we can do to prevent these severe and often fatal illnesses from taking root and growing amidst a culture inundated with the thin ideal media messages. 452 453We were made a lofty promise at the start of the training that it would significantly change the way
453we feel about our body image and how we would treat our bodies going forward. In the process of training to be facilitators, we were also able to experience being participants and for me, these goals were realized halfway through the twoday training! But perhaps the biggest surprise for me was seeing that the Body Project Collaborative would be beneficial for every single one of us constantly being exposed to a culture which reinforces unrealistic beauty ideals and puts way too much emphasis on external appearance. I look forward to taking a small part in advancing this movement of greater body acceptance and cultivating a new message, âI am beautiful and already enough exactly the way I am today.â Another great approach to Finding The Gift! 454 455Please contact me if you are interested in discussing how to personally participate in a communitybased session of the Body Project Collaborative, or how to bring this program to your local group. 456 457Click to read an article Time Magazine published about the Body Project Collaborativehttp://content.time.com/time/specials/2007/article/0,28804,170376317037641810730,00.html.</p><span class="text-sm font-medium text-primary">Read More »</span></div></a><a class="block group rounded-xl bg-white shadow-sm hover:shadow-md transition-shadow overflow-hidden" href="/blog/becoming-a-human-who-is-being"><div class="aspect-[4/3] overflow-hidden relative"><img alt="Becoming A Human (Who Is) Being" loading="lazy" decoding="async" data-nimg="fill" class="object-cover transition-transform duration-300 group-hover:scale-105" style="position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;object-position:50% 50%;color:transparent" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, (max-width: 1024px) 50vw, 33vw" srcSet="/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2F6745fe2b-f781-4cf9-aaac-4e4d4002db5d.jpg&w=256&q=75 256w, /_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2F6745fe2b-f781-4cf9-aaac-4e4d4002db5d.jpg&w=384&q=75 384w, /_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2F6745fe2b-f781-4cf9-aaac-4e4d4002db5d.jpg&w=640&q=75 640w, /_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2F6745fe2b-f781-4cf9-aaac-4e4d4002db5d.jpg&w=750&q=75 750w, /_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2F6745fe2b-f781-4cf9-aaac-4e4d4002db5d.jpg&w=828&q=75 828w, /_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2F6745fe2b-f781-4cf9-aaac-4e4d4002db5d.jpg&w=1080&q=75 1080w, /_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2F6745fe2b-f781-4cf9-aaac-4e4d4002db5d.jpg&w=1200&q=75 1200w, /_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2F6745fe2b-f781-4cf9-aaac-4e4d4002db5d.jpg&w=1920&q=75 1920w, /_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2F6745fe2b-f781-4cf9-aaac-4e4d4002db5d.jpg&w=2048&q=75 2048w, /_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2F6745fe2b-f781-4cf9-aaac-4e4d4002db5d.jpg&w=3840&q=75 3840w" src="/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2F6745fe2b-f781-4cf9-aaac-4e4d4002db5d.jpg&w=3840&q=75"/></div><div class="p-5"><h2 class="text-lg font-bold mb-2 leading-snug" style="font-family:var(--ff-serif)">Becoming A Human (Who Is) Being</h2><p class="text-sm text-muted-foreground leading-relaxed mb-3 line-clamp-3">I have struggled with low selfesteem most of my life and lived as a human doing, not a human being, trying to make up for what I felt was lacking. True or not, I grew up feeling like I could never be good enough to please my parents or warrant enough of their love and attention. Iâve spent the majority of my life exploring selfdevelopment and overcoming a very lonely, chaotic childhood. No blame! I am grateful for every single thing that happened, as well as everything that didnât happen. As a result, I am a richlyaware, highconscious soul and am always seeking to better myself and encourage others to grow through their circumstances as well. 458 459One of my biggest challenges to this day, however, is staying too busy being a super human doing, instead of a human who is being. By doing this, I am continuing the pattern of not giving my self the attention I need and crave. My todo list is frequently on multiple Postit notes. I try to wake up early with the intention to write, pray, journal or meditatesomething centering before starting the rest of my day. Too often I make the mistake of checking email first. Then I spontaneously decide to change the HVAC air filter, because if I donât do it right this second I might forget for another month. Then I will âreally quicklyâ unload the dishwasher, start sorting laundry, and then, and thenâ¦and then the morning quiet time never happens. 460 461 Recently in the midst of this alltootypical frenzy, I finally answered the call of my soul to have five minutes of quiet time outside, amidst the soothing sounds of nature. But my attitude was, âOkay, Iâm hereâletâs do this!! Let the amazing, spiritual connection begin! And could you hurry up please? I have a LOT to do!â 462 463Obviously, I wasnât feeling much connection with that attitude, but then I had an âahaâ moment. Loving myself and being able to feel connected spiritually isnât something I snap my fingers to get. Rebuilding selfesteem doesnât happen overnight just because the awareness has come that I need to love myself more. Like any true love affair, the love relationship with my self happens over time. It gets richer over time. If I want to develop selfintimacy, I must be committed to the process of making myself available for genuine connection with my self, consistently and repeatedly over time. 464 465Wonder how we would feel if a lover said, âOk, letâs go! Iâll give you five minutes. Give me all you got, your very best in five minutesâ because I have a lot to do!â That wouldnât feel good and wouldnât invite true connection. Why would I even begin to bare my soul for a five minute, hit and run encounter? I am worth much more than that! My authentic self will stay hidden until the circumstances are welcoming and it is safe for the real me to come out for meaningful connection. I canât demand my self to love me and have a true spiritual connection, while the minute timer is running! 466 467So after writing for twenty minutes with the morning sun warming my skin, and the gentle breeze tousling my hair, I had a loving encounter with my self. The real Angela dared to come out when she sensed my full commitment to receive her and be present with her in a relaxed space. 468 469 Twenty minutes wasnât much longer than five, in the big scheme of things. Although, intention matters much more than minutes. Five minutes with a familiar lover goes a lot farther than five minutes with an occasional lover. I believe I will get to a point when I can grab five minutes of quality intimacy with my self when thatâs all I have time for, because a foundation of familiarity and safety will have already been established consistently over time. Iâm still building that right now. 470 471When I committed to taking the time to be still with me, all other todoâs vanished from my mind and I truly became present. Now once again, I am connected to me, grounded to my heart, and in love with my spirit. I am a human who is being again and can carry that with me into all I choose to do today.</p><template id="P:b"></template></div></a><a class="block group rounded-xl bg-white shadow-sm hover:shadow-md transition-shadow overflow-hidden" href="/blog/planting-seeds-now-for-harvest-later"><div class="aspect-[4/3] overflow-hidden relative"><div class="w-full h-full bg-muted"></div></div><div class="p-5"><h2 class="text-lg font-bold mb-2 leading-snug" style="font-family:var(--ff-serif)">Planting Seeds Now For Harvest Later</h2><p class="text-sm text-muted-foreground leading-relaxed mb-3 line-clamp-3">Today I had the privilege of speaking as a volunteer for the Eating Disorders Coalition of Tennessee www.edct.nethttp://www.edct.net/ with two high school classes to promote eating disorders awareness and to share my personal story of recovery from anorexia/bulimia. I have to be honest, high school kids are a tough audience! Peer pressure is so great that before any personal expression can actually be verbalized in class, a studentâs thoughts have to go through about a hundred filters of selfconsciousness. As a result, many of those thoughts or feelings are not shared out loud, especially anything selfrevealing concerning a deep subject like eating disorders, addiction and body image. Most of the time, a sincere glance from a class member is the best I can hope for, and maybe a suggested âthank y
471ouâ or clap at the end from the class, prompted by an appreciative teacher. I do it anyway. 472 473I know that today, I am not harvesting. Iâm not showing up to get that awesome warm and fuzzy feeling that some service opportunities provide when you get to immediately see the effects of your donated time and effort. No, today I am just planting seeds. I may never see the harvest or the fruits of my actions, and Iâm okay with that. My fulfillment comes in knowing I created a solid foundation where awareness, compassion and understanding can grow. I am putting HOPE in the bank for those who may need to recall the information planted today if down the road they find themselves in the grips of an eating disorder, or someone they care about has started to slip into a gray area around food, exercise or diet. 474 475Many years ago, I was desperate for hope. Today I have plenty to share. To whom much is given, much will be required. I am grateful to serve and for today, that means planting seeds.</p><span class="text-sm font-medium text-primary">Read More »</span></div></a><a class="block group rounded-xl bg-white shadow-sm hover:shadow-md transition-shadow overflow-hidden" href="/blog/never-given-more-than-we-can-handle-includes-our-potential"><div class="aspect-[4/3] overflow-hidden relative"><img alt="Never Given More Than We Can Handle Includes Our Potential" loading="lazy" decoding="async" data-nimg="fill" class="object-cover transition-transform duration-300 group-hover:scale-105" style="position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;object-position:50% 50%;color:transparent" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, (max-width: 1024px) 50vw, 33vw" srcSet="/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2F968b06be-d119-491a-b404-e8b6e85b5425.jpg&w=256&q=75 256w, /_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2F968b06be-d119-491a-b404-e8b6e85b5425.jpg&w=384&q=75 384w, /_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2F968b06be-d119-491a-b404-e8b6e85b5425.jpg&w=640&q=75 640w, /_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2F968b06be-d119-491a-b404-e8b6e85b5425.jpg&w=750&q=75 750w, /_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2F968b06be-d119-491a-b404-e8b6e85b5425.jpg&w=828&q=75 828w, /_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2F968b06be-d119-491a-b404-e8b6e85b5425.jpg&w=1080&q=75 1080w, /_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2F968b06be-d119-491a-b404-e8b6e85b5425.jpg&w=1200&q=75 1200w, /_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2F968b06be-d119-491a-b404-e8b6e85b5425.jpg&w=1920&q=75 1920w, /_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2F968b06be-d119-491a-b404-e8b6e85b5425.jpg&w=2048&q=75 2048w, /_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2F968b06be-d119-491a-b404-e8b6e85b5425.jpg&w=3840&q=75 3840w" src="/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2F968b06be-d119-491a-b404-e8b6e85b5425.jpg&w=3840&q=75"/></div><div class="p-5"><h2 class="text-lg font-bold mb-2 leading-snug" style="font-family:var(--ff-serif)">Never Given More Than We Can Handle Includes Our Potential</h2><p class="text-sm text-muted-foreground leading-relaxed mb-3 line-clamp-3">©findingthegift.com 476 477We have all heard the phrase, âWe are never given more than we can handle.â I have always applied that to difficult situations and tough times, but I recently heard the idea that itâs also true for our talents, our potential, and thus, our destinies. 478 479In Nelson Mandelaâs famous inaugural speech, he quoted Marianne Williamson by saying, âOur deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, and fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people will not feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It is not just in some of us; it is in everyone and as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give others permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.â 480 481The biggest part we will ever be called to play on the stage of life is ourselves! We must not be afraid to trust and follow the mysterious greatness inside us, no matter how unknown, unpredictable or scary it may seem. Change will happen at a speed we can handle. Me being all of ME, you being all of YOU, inherently came with the equipping we would each need to be that person in full. Being all that we are meant to become, letting all of ourselves float to the surface for the world to see is never a mistake. Itâs who we were born to be and itâs our role in the symphony of life. No one else can do it for us. Letâs each play our part loud and proud so we can all be blessed by every individualâs contribution to the music we were born to create together. As we contribute to the whole, the essence of each one of us is also fully realized and fulfilled. While this doesnât happen overnight, we can all take a step in the right direction today by being honest, and asking ourselves if we are thriving or merely hiding out in the roles weâve taken on. I know I have hidden a lot in my life, but Iâm taking small steps to correct that and I hope you will join me.</p><span class="text-sm font-medium text-primary">Read More »</span></div></a><a class="block group rounded-xl bg-white shadow-sm hover:shadow-md transition-shadow overflow-hidden" href="/blog/choices-setting-your-lifes-thermostat"><div class="aspect-[4/3] overflow-hidden relative"><img alt="Choices: Setting Your Lifeâs Thermostat" loading="lazy" decoding="async" data-nimg="fill" class="object-cover transition-transform duration-300 group-hover:scale-105" style="position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;object-position:50% 50%;
481color:transparent" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, (max-width: 1024px) 50vw, 33vw" srcSet="/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2F484cabe6-f539-4a14-99e2-8d1061a3a605.jpg&w=256&q=75 256w, /_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2F484cabe6-f539-4a14-99e2-8d1061a3a605.jpg&w=384&q=75 384w, /_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2F484cabe6-f539-4a14-99e2-8d1061a3a605.jpg&w=640&q=75 640w, /_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2F484cabe6-f539-4a14-99e2-8d1061a3a605.jpg&w=750&q=75 750w, /_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2F484cabe6-f539-4a14-99e2-8d1061a3a605.jpg&w=828&q=75 828w, /_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2F484cabe6-f539-4a14-99e2-8d1061a3a605.jpg&w=1080&q=75 1080w, /_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2F484cabe6-f539-4a14-99e2-8d1061a3a605.jpg&w=1200&q=75 1200w, /_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2F484cabe6-f539-4a14-99e2-8d1061a3a605.jpg&w=1920&q=75 1920w, /_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2F484cabe6-f539-4a14-99e2-8d1061a3a605.jpg&w=2048&q=75 2048w, /_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2F484cabe6-f539-4a14-99e2-8d1061a3a605.jpg&w=3840&q=75 3840w" src="/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2F484cabe6-f539-4a14-99e2-8d1061a3a605.jpg&w=3840&q=75"/></div><div class="p-5"><h2 class="text-lg font-bold mb-2 leading-snug" style="font-family:var(--ff-serif)">Choices: Setting Your Lifeâs Thermostat</h2><p class="text-sm text-muted-foreground leading-relaxed mb-3 line-clamp-3">Sometimes just moving the dial a little can create a life that feels a lot more comfortable. Winter is upon us! It may be 30° outside and raining, but just on the other side of windows and walls, I am toasty and warm inside. Isnât central heat and air amazing?! I set the dial to create the environment of my choice. Is life really that different? 482 483We have all made the choices that created our present environment. If we get uncomfortable, we can turn the dial, or in other words tweak our choices. We can seek knowledge, personal growth and development. We can change our habits. We can change jobs, geography and relationships. Perhaps the most powerful change of all also lies within our reach we can change how we perceive our situation. 484 485Even when nothing else is different, we can have a whole new reality based on how we choose to approach and interact with the circumstances and people in our lives, AND where we decide to focus our energy, love and thought. Norman Vincent Peale said, âChange your thoughts and you change your world.â 486 487If your environment needs to change, pray for the willingness and courage to make some new choices and take action. If your perception needs to change, make a gratitude list of what is working well right now and pray for an open mind, acceptance, and a new way to look at the situation. Be encouraged! A one or two degree shift can make a world of difference!</p><span class="text-sm font-medium text-primary">Read More »</span></div></a><a class="block group rounded-xl bg-white shadow-sm hover:shadow-md transition-shadow overflow-hidden" href="/blog/patience-learned-from-a-feather"><div class="aspect-[4/3] overflow-hidden relative"><img alt="Patience Learned from a Feather" loading="lazy" decoding="async" data-nimg="fill" class="object-cover transition-transform duration-300 group-hover:scale-105" style="position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;object-position:50% 50%;color:transparent" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, (max-width: 1024px) 50vw, 33vw" srcSet="/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2F8a1028eb-4652-4c40-878c-621cf5f5a748.jpg&w=256&q=75 256w, /_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2F8a1028eb-4652-4c40-878c-621cf5f5a748.jpg&w=384&q=75 384w, /_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2F8a1028eb-4652-4c40-878c-621cf5f5a748.jpg&w=640&q=75 640w, /_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2F8a1028eb-4652-4c40-878c-621cf5f5a748.jpg&w=750&q=75 750w, /_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2F8a1028eb-4652-4c40-878c-621cf5f5a748.jpg&w=828&q=75 828w, /_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2F8a1028eb-4652-4c40-878c-621cf5f5a748.jpg&w=1080&q=75 1080w, /_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2F8a1028eb-4652-4c40-878c-621cf5f5a748.jpg&w=1200&q=75 1200w, /_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2F8a1028eb-4652-4c40-878c-621cf5f5a748.jpg&w=1920&q=75 1920w, /_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2F8a1028eb-4652-4c40-878c-621cf5f5a748.jpg&w=2048&q=75 2048w, /_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2F8a1028eb-4652-4c40-878c-621cf5f5a748.jpg&w=3840&q=75 3840w" src="/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2F8a1028eb-4652-4c40-878c-621cf5f5a748.jpg&w=3840&q=75"/></div><div class="p-5"><h2 class="text-lg font-bold mb-2 leading-snug" style="font-family:var(--ff-serif)">Patience Learned from a Feather</h2><p class="text-sm text-muted-foreground leading-relaxed mb-3 line-clamp-3">Patience is a virtue and never more needed when chasing a feather! Yesterday while cleaning, I noticed a random, red feather had somehow landed on my finger. Without thinking, I threw it up in the air to shake it off me. When I realized I would have to pick it up again to throw it away, I lunged for it and missed. Every time I grabbed for it, the feather escaped me b
487y the sheer force of the air and energy I directed toward it, in my effort to get hold of it. The more rushed my attempt was, the more air the feather floated away on. I realized if I wanted to catch it, I would have to gently follow the featherâs natural direction and be ready to receive it with open hands, when âitâ wanted to land. 488 489I thought of how hard I chase things at times, trying to force something in my life. I was reminded to follow the guidance I receive when I am patient and trusting. As long as Iâm willing to move in sync with my guidance, I will be led to the prize. In fact, it may even land in my hand when I have done my footwork and let go of trying to make it happen. I wonât have to force anything! What a relief?! And a great reminder to trust in the process, do my part, and patiently surrender the outcome.</p><span class="text-sm font-medium text-primary">Read More »</span></div></a><a class="block group rounded-xl bg-white shadow-sm hover:shadow-md transition-shadow overflow-hidden" href="/blog/grateful-even-for-the-toothaches"><div class="aspect-[4/3] overflow-hidden relative"><img alt="Grateful, Even For the Toothaches" loading="lazy" decoding="async" data-nimg="fill" class="object-cover transition-transform duration-300 group-hover:scale-105" style="position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;object-position:50% 50%;color:transparent" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, (max-width: 1024px) 50vw, 33vw" srcSet="/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2F1901cdec-d2a9-433a-b5b6-7ae8e59dcf52.jpg&w=256&q=75 256w, /_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2F1901cdec-d2a9-433a-b5b6-7ae8e59dcf52.jpg&w=384&q=75 384w, /_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2F1901cdec-d2a9-433a-b5b6-7ae8e59dcf52.jpg&w=640&q=75 640w, /_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2F1901cdec-d2a9-433a-b5b6-7ae8e59dcf52.jpg&w=750&q=75 750w, /_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2F1901cdec-d2a9-433a-b5b6-7ae8e59dcf52.jpg&w=828&q=75 828w, /_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2F1901cdec-d2a9-433a-b5b6-7ae8e59dcf52.jpg&w=1080&q=75 1080w, /_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2F1901cdec-d2a9-433a-b5b6-7ae8e59dcf52.jpg&w=1200&q=75 1200w, /_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2F1901cdec-d2a9-433a-b5b6-7ae8e59dcf52.jpg&w=1920&q=75 1920w, /_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2F1901cdec-d2a9-433a-b5b6-7ae8e59dcf52.jpg&w=2048&q=75 2048w, /_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2F1901cdec-d2a9-433a-b5b6-7ae8e59dcf52.jpg&w=3840&q=75 3840w" src="/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2F1901cdec-d2a9-433a-b5b6-7ae8e59dcf52.jpg&w=3840&q=75"/></div><div class="p-5"><h2 class="text-lg font-bold mb-2 leading-snug" style="font-family:var(--ff-serif)">Grateful, Even For the Toothaches</h2><p class="text-sm text-muted-foreground leading-relaxed mb-3 line-clamp-3">The profound metaphor of a toothache: 490 491Monday No toothache 492 493Tuesday Suddenly a tooth begins to ache. Itâs slightly bothersome, but we carry on. 494 495Wednesday The toothache is unbearable. Itâs all we can think about. We feel we would be âso happyâ if our toothache was gone. 496 497The following Monday Weâve been to the dentist and our toothache is gone. We are âso happy!â 498 499The following Wednesday Our toothache is long gone and so is the memory of the pain, and the gratitude about the pain relief. We are back to our pretoothache state, as if it never happened. 500 501We have all walked through pain and suffering. Remember when we longed for the situation to get better? Even if you have a âtoothacheâ in your life today, the other ones are gone! Celebrate and give thanks today for all the troubles and aches you no longer have to deal with. Can you think of five reasons to celebrate and be grateful for today? Abraham Lincoln said, âWe are about as happy as we make up our minds to be.â I will choose to be âso happyâ about something, today!</p><span class="text-sm font-medium text-primary">Read More »</span></div></a><a class="block group rounded-xl bg-white shadow-sm hover:shadow-md transition-shadow overflow-hidden" href="/blog/when-i-prioritize-me-i-will-be-free"><div class="aspect-[4/3] overflow-hidden relative"><img alt="When I Prioritize Me, I Will Be Free!" loading="lazy" decoding="async" data-nimg="fill" class="object-cover transition-transform duration-300 group-hover:scale-105" style="position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;object-position:50% 50%;
501color:transparent" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, (max-width: 1024px) 50vw, 33vw" srcSet="/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2F41dfb6e8-fae5-48cb-a282-8d6803b0dd80.jpg&w=256&q=75 256w, /_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2F41dfb6e8-fae5-48cb-a282-8d6803b0dd80.jpg&w=384&q=75 384w, /_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2F41dfb6e8-fae5-48cb-a282-8d6803b0dd80.jpg&w=640&q=75 640w, /_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2F41dfb6e8-fae5-48cb-a282-8d6803b0dd80.jpg&w=750&q=75 750w, /_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2F41dfb6e8-fae5-48cb-a282-8d6803b0dd80.jpg&w=828&q=75 828w, /_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2F41dfb6e8-fae5-48cb-a282-8d6803b0dd80.jpg&w=1080&q=75 1080w, /_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2F41dfb6e8-fae5-48cb-a282-8d6803b0dd80.jpg&w=1200&q=75 1200w, /_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2F41dfb6e8-fae5-48cb-a282-8d6803b0dd80.jpg&w=1920&q=75 1920w, /_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2F41dfb6e8-fae5-48cb-a282-8d6803b0dd80.jpg&w=2048&q=75 2048w, /_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2F41dfb6e8-fae5-48cb-a282-8d6803b0dd80.jpg&w=3840&q=75 3840w" src="/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2F41dfb6e8-fae5-48cb-a282-8d6803b0dd80.jpg&w=3840&q=75"/></div><div class="p-5"><h2 class="text-lg font-bold mb-2 leading-snug" style="font-family:var(--ff-serif)">When I Prioritize Me, I Will Be Free!</h2><p class="text-sm text-muted-foreground leading-relaxed mb-3 line-clamp-3">©Angela Howell 502 503Is compulsive behavior robbing you of joy? Do you say, âThatâs it! Iâm NOT going to do this anymore!â Or, âStarting tomorrow, I am going to do THIS every day!â But then the next time youâre faced with the choice, you act against your intentions? I believe we all have specific areas in our lives where we struggle to do those thingsâor NOT do those thingsâ which keep us true to ourselves. Some of the things we try to do or not do may include: diet, exercise, smoking, biting fingernails, drug or alcohol use, participating in unhealthy relationships, getting enough rest, standing up to unrealistic demands by our boss or our family, letting worry consume our thoughts, spending or managing money responsibly, cruising social media sites when we really need to be doing something else, and many other daily âhabits.â 504 505We repeat selfdestructive behavior again and again. Sometimes we switch vices or compulsive behavior/nonbehaviors, but the end result is the same. All these unintentional behaviors performed or not performed repeatedly over time can leave us feeling so shameful that we no longer feel we made a mistake, but that we are a mistake. We become filled with selfhatred and selfdoubt, lacking self trust and short on hope that we can ever act in a way that reflects our true desires. How could we possibly allow the greatness we have inside us to be fully expressed with that dark cloud constantly hovering over a corner of our life? 506 507When I prioritize me, I will be free! Too often, we are told to put others first. Care and compassion for others are great attributes to possess until they get out of proportion and lead to selfabandonment and selfneglect. Part of us knows weâre doing this to ourselves and we rebel! The abandonedself fights back to get our attention. Just like some children resort to acting out as the only way they know to get attention, part of us starts looking for ways to sabotage our happiness in order to get our attention. That part isnât getting authentic expression so it needs an outlet, a release, or a vice. Compulsive behaviors only provide a temporary escape though, leaving us with the original problem of selfabandonment, compounded now with shame and selfloathing. It becomes a vicious cycle. We act out again and again and have a temporary escape from feeling bad, but we ultimately feel worse so we do it again, still seeking relief. 508 509The only way I have ever been successful at breaking these destructive cycles is by making one seemingly insignificant decision to make a different choice, while praying for help to be relieved of the compulsion and to see through the seductive lie that doing this/not doing this will âfix me.â Iâm not vowing forever, just one r
509ight choice in that moment. Strangely enough, one right action can give me just enough of a selfesteem boost to make another right decision. All the while Iâm reminding myself what I really want, what I really value, and what my true intentions are for my life and daytoday living. 510 511With each small, seemingly insignificant decision, self trust begins to come back. Selfrespect starts to return. All of me begins to rise up, united again in purpose and intention. The greatness inside me can be more freely expressed without the shackles of shame holding me back. When I prioritize me, I will be free! Cheers to your inner freedom today allowing full expression of all the goodnessâthe Godness, the greatnessâinside you! 512 513Make a list of the many parts of you who need expression. Perhaps a dancer, a painter, a creator, a lover, an angry teenager, a humanitarian, a wild and reckless adventure seeker, someone who likes to build things, a curious wanderer. How can you treat them to safe expression today? Are there some parts of you who just need to be heard and acknowledged? Deep in a hidden corner of your soul, maybe you have some loneliness, sadness, disappointment, envy, anger or grief? These are all valued parts of you. If ignored, they may eventually rebel in an attempt to get your attention, or you may continue to experience an unnamed longing, or a sense of unfulfillment. 514 515When we honor and acknowledge all parts of us, we love ourselves more fully and have much more to offer the world around us and the people we care about. Acceptance is key. You cannot reject a part of you without consequence anymore than you can cut off a limb and not miss it. I used to wish away the parts of myself I didnât like. With fantasy scissors, I would cut those parts out of my life forever. Now I have learned to recognize and acknowledge those parts of me. They are valid. They need to be heard. It doesnât mean I act upon every whim, it just means I listen to my needs and I provide nurturing and reassurance to the fearful, rebellious, reckless, angry, naïve, etc. etc. voices inside. I offer comfort to the scared little girl. I acknowledge the angry teenager and provide a way for her safe expression. I can encourage the young adult in me, who still feels like sheâs trying to find her way in a big world. Tuned in to all of me, I offer guidance, wisdom and parenting as needed. Most of all, I offer love and acceptance to all the many wonderful parts of me. 516 517When I prioritize me, I will be free! Today, I hope you will stop to listen and say hello to all the valuable parts of you, so you, too, can take good care of your âselvesâ and learn to be free!</p><template id="P:c"></template></div></a><a class="block group rounded-xl bg-white shadow-sm hover:shadow-md transition-shadow overflow-hidden" href="/blog/the-gift-of-choice-in-relationships"><div class="aspect-[4/3] overflow-hidden relative"><img alt="The Gift Of Choice in Relationships" loading="lazy" decoding="async" data-nimg="fill" class="object-cover transition-transform duration-300 group-hover:scale-105" style="position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;object-position:50% 50%;color:transparent" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, (max-width: 1024px) 50vw, 33vw" srcSet="/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2Fcf3534f8-e18c-4a3c-bb30-726088644086.jpg&w=256&q=75 256w, /_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2Fcf3534f8-e18c-4a3c-bb30-726088644086.jpg&w=384&q=75 384w, /_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2Fcf3534f8-e18c-4a3c-bb30-726088644086.jpg&w=640&q=75 640w, /_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2Fcf3534f8-e18c-4a3c-bb30-726088644086.jpg&w=750&q=75 750w, /_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2Fcf3534f8-e18c-4a3c-bb30-726088644086.jpg&w=828&q=75 828w, /_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2Fcf3534f8-e18c-4a3c-bb30-726088644086.jpg&w=1080&q=75 1080w, /_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2Fcf3534f8-e18c-4a3c-bb3
5170-726088644086.jpg&w=1200&q=75 1200w, /_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2Fcf3534f8-e18c-4a3c-bb30-726088644086.jpg&w=1920&q=75 1920w, /_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2Fcf3534f8-e18c-4a3c-bb30-726088644086.jpg&w=2048&q=75 2048w, /_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2Fcf3534f8-e18c-4a3c-bb30-726088644086.jpg&w=3840&q=75 3840w" src="/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2Fcf3534f8-e18c-4a3c-bb30-726088644086.jpg&w=3840&q=75"/></div><div class="p-5"><h2 class="text-lg font-bold mb-2 leading-snug" style="font-family:var(--ff-serif)">The Gift Of Choice in Relationships</h2><p class="text-sm text-muted-foreground leading-relaxed mb-3 line-clamp-3">Stress from relationship issues and family interactions can be heightened during the holidays. At times we may feel stuck in old patterns of relating with certain people, and we leave an interaction feeling hurt. We donât have to stay stuck and we deserve to share our heart in a way we have the best chance of being heard. Check out this great article about bringing your choice back into your relationships.</p><span class="text-sm font-medium text-primary">Read More »</span></div></a><a class="block group rounded-xl bg-white shadow-sm hover:shadow-md transition-shadow overflow-hidden" href="/blog/book-review-skin-and-bones"><div class="aspect-[4/3] overflow-hidden relative"><img alt="Book Review: Skin and Bones" loading="lazy" decoding="async" data-nimg="fill" class="object-cover transition-transform duration-300 group-hover:scale-105" style="position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;object-position:50% 50%;color:transparent" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, (max-width: 1024px) 50vw, 33vw" srcSet="/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2F309c376f-259a-474e-b25f-7cec685015ce.jpg&w=256&q=75 256w, /_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2F309c376f-259a-474e-b25f-7cec685015ce.jpg&w=384&q=75 384w, /_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2F309c376f-259a-474e-b25f-7cec685015ce.jpg&w=640&q=75 640w, /_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2F309c376f-259a-474e-b25f-7cec685015ce.jpg&w=750&q=75 750w, /_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2F309c376f-259a-474e-b25f-7cec685015ce.jpg&w=828&q=75 828w, /_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2F309c376f-259a-474e-b25f-7cec685015ce.jpg&w=1080&q=75 1080w, /_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2F309c376f-259a-474e-b25f-7cec685015ce.jpg&w=1200&q=75 1200w, /_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2F309c376f-259a-474e-b25f-7cec685015ce.jpg&w=1920&q=75 1920w, /_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2F309c376f-259a-474e-b25f-7cec685015ce.jpg&w=2048&q=75 2048w, /_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2F309c376f-259a-474e-b25f-7cec685015ce.jpg&w=3840&q=75 3840w" src="/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2F309c376f-259a-474e-b25f-7cec685015ce.jpg&w=3840&q=75"/></div><div class="p-5"><h2 class="text-lg font-bold mb-2 leading-snug" style="font-family:var(--ff-serif)">Book Review: Skin and Bones</h2><p class="text-sm text-muted-foreground leading-relaxed mb-3 line-clamp-3">Skin and Bones is the first fiction book Iâve read which tackles the delicate subject of eating disorders and Sherry Shahan nails it! Personally, I am a 20+ yr ED survivor with 24 weeks total inpatient treatment and countless more outpatient. A speaker and advocate for ED awareness, I believe Shahanâs Skin and Bones MUST be placed in every middle school, high school and public library! This is so incredibly authentic, without being dry and academic. 518 519Sherry Shahan really has a gift with words and a knack for being able to leave the reader hanging at the close of every chapter. Because they are short chapters, I kept saying, âOne more! One more!â and then when I was so close to the end, I stayed up till midnight to finish it. I was so engaged and hopeful for a different ending, but she brought about the heartbreaking truth. 520 521I felt a lot of emotion when I reached the last pageâ so angry at this deceiving disease, which I am so grateful to have survived. I also felt that familiar helpless feeling that is inevitable when you know someone struggling with an eating disorder who cannot see reality and does not yet want to get better. I highly recommend this book for family members and friends to take a deep look inside the mind of disordered eating. 522 523Shahanâs PR firm provided a copy for me to review, which I have since donated to the Eating Disorder Coalition of TN for their library. Click to read more about Sherry: http://www.sherryshahan.com/http://www.sherryshahan.com/</p><span class="text-sm font-medium text-primary">Read More »</span></div></a><a class="block group rounded-xl bg-white shadow-sm hover:shadow-md transition-shadow overflow-hidden" href="/blog/what-the-buzzards-taught-me"><div class="aspect-[4/3] overflow-hidden relative"><img alt="What the Buzzards Taught Me" loading="lazy" decoding="async" data-nimg="fill" class="object-cover transition-transform duration-300 group-hover:scale-105" style="position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;object-position:50% 50%;
523color:transparent" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, (max-width: 1024px) 50vw, 33vw" srcSet="/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2Fecebddc8-e476-4052-bb8f-f880265d9aad.jpg&w=256&q=75 256w, /_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2Fecebddc8-e476-4052-bb8f-f880265d9aad.jpg&w=384&q=75 384w, /_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2Fecebddc8-e476-4052-bb8f-f880265d9aad.jpg&w=640&q=75 640w, /_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2Fecebddc8-e476-4052-bb8f-f880265d9aad.jpg&w=750&q=75 750w, /_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2Fecebddc8-e476-4052-bb8f-f880265d9aad.jpg&w=828&q=75 828w, /_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2Fecebddc8-e476-4052-bb8f-f880265d9aad.jpg&w=1080&q=75 1080w, /_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2Fecebddc8-e476-4052-bb8f-f880265d9aad.jpg&w=1200&q=75 1200w, /_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2Fecebddc8-e476-4052-bb8f-f880265d9aad.jpg&w=1920&q=75 1920w, /_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2Fecebddc8-e476-4052-bb8f-f880265d9aad.jpg&w=2048&q=75 2048w, /_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2Fecebddc8-e476-4052-bb8f-f880265d9aad.jpg&w=3840&q=75 3840w" src="/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2Fecebddc8-e476-4052-bb8f-f880265d9aad.jpg&w=3840&q=75"/></div><div class="p-5"><h2 class="text-lg font-bold mb-2 leading-snug" style="font-family:var(--ff-serif)">What the Buzzards Taught Me</h2><p class="text-sm text-muted-foreground leading-relaxed mb-3 line-clamp-3">Buzzard Metaphor: I just saw something Iâve never noticed before. That happens a lot when I take the time to sit in nature without an agenda! I am watching six or eight large birds. Buzzards maybe? When they fly, they rarely flap their wings. Mostly they glide! 524 525Buzzards use the wind in their favor. When they get close enough to me, I can see they shake a little as they are balancing the angle of their wings with the wind. Occasionally they flap their wings two to three times and it seems to take them up or down. Maybe they do it to steady themselves? Then they return to gliding. 526 527Buzzards have such a large wingspan that they can fly much longer just gliding, which is different than a small bird who does the opposite. When a small bird is flying, he flaps his wings most of the time and glides occasionally. Thatâs me, a small bird. As I grow spiritually and as I get better at life balance, I will be able to fly longer with less effort. I will be able to glide effortlessly through the winds of my life. 528 529My wings powered by my Higher Power whom I choose to call God, my support system, selfcare, daily rituals will continue to expand as long as I put intention in the daily practices that yield growth. Those buzzards sure look like they are having lots of fun! Iâm ready to give up the struggles that sometimes ground me. Meanwhile one day at a time, I will let my wings continue to grow, trusting one day soon I will fly more often with ease!</p><span class="text-sm font-medium text-primary">Read More »</span></div></a><a class="block group rounded-xl bg-white shadow-sm hover:shadow-md transition-shadow overflow-hidden" href="/blog/simple-pleasures"><div class="aspect-[4/3] overflow-hidden relative"><img alt="Simple Pleasures" loading="lazy" decoding="async" data-nimg="fill" class="object-cover transition-transform duration-300 group-hover:scale-105" style="position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;object-position:50% 50%;color:transparent" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, (max-width: 1024px) 50vw, 33vw" srcSet="/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2F8dca11d2-da2e-442a-a046-a94d248b7e81.jpg&w=256&q=75 256w, /_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2F8dca11d2-da2e-442a-a046-a94d248b7e81.jpg&w=384&q=75 384w, /_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2F8dca11d2-da2e-442a-a046-a94d248b7e81.jpg&w=640&q=75 640w, /_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2F8dca11d2-da2e-442a-a046-a94d248b7e81.jpg&w=750&q=75 750w, /_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2F8dca11d2-da2e-442a-a046-a94d248b7e81.jpg&w=828&q=75 828w, /_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2F8dca11d2-da2e-442a-a046-a94d248b7e81.jpg&w=1080&q=75 1080w, /_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2F8dca11d2-da2e-442a-a046-a94d248b7e81.jpg&w=1200&q=75 1200w, /_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2F8dca11d2-da2e-442a-a046-a94d248b7e81.jpg&w=1920&q=75 1920w, /_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2F8dca11d2-da2e-442a-a046-a94d248b7e81.jpg&w=2048&q=75 2048w, /_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2F8dca11d2-da2e-442a-a046-a94d248b7e81.jpg&w=3840&q=75 3840w" src="/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fartist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net%2Fimages%2F8dca11d2-da2e-442a-a046-a94d248b7e81.jpg&w=3840&q=75"/></div><div class="p-5"><h2 class="text-lg font-bold mb-2 leading-snug" style="font-family:var(--ff-serif)">Simple Pleasures</h2><p class="text-sm text-muted-foreground leading-relaxed mb-3 line-clamp-3">Simple pleasures. We all need them. You know how it feels when you indulge: Delight! Wonder! Content! Serene! Comforted! Secure! Relaxing! Joyful! Your meter reading says âFULL.â 530 531It feels so good to practice a little selfcare and yet I will let days go by, sometimes weeks, without indulging in a simple pleasure that fills me back up and lets me know everything is okay, and in fact, PERFECT right at this very moment. 532 533Need a hint? Light a candle. Listen to music. Catch a fish! Decorate a cake! Arrange some beautiful flowers. Take a walk. Feed a duck. Paint. Sing. Skip. Ride the grocery cart! Sit by the water. Put your toes in some sand. Climb a hill. Race your dog down the street. Make a child laugh. Laugh with them. Try a new recipe. Smile at a stranger. Take the long way home. 534 535The world is a scavenger hunt! Hidden everywhere are the little treasures that make our lives full. Get your bucket out, dust it off if necessary and collect as many experiences as you can hold. Race ya!</p><span class="text-sm font-medium text-primary">Read More »</span></div></a><a class="block group rounded-xl bg-white shadow-sm hover:shadow-md transition-shadow overflow-hidden" href="/blog/my-spiritual-bike-ride"><div class="aspect-[4/3] overflow-hidden relative"><div class="w-full h-full bg-muted"></div></div><div class="p-5"><h2 class="text-lg font-bold mb-2 leading-snug" style="font-family:var(--ff-serif)">My Spiritual Bike Ride</h2><p class="text-sm text-muted-foreground leading-relaxed mb-3 line-clamp-3">On a walk early this morning, I saw a fascinating box on the curb itâs trash day. Partly because of curiosity and partly because I am a salvager, I like to see what my neighbors are throwing away. The box had a picture on it which looked to be some kind of attachment that goes on an adult bike. It was more than the back half of a bike, actually it was everything but the front wheel. 536 537The bike attachment had a pretend handlebar and a long arm to connect it to the adult bike. Basically it would allow a child to feel like he was riding his bike but actually Mom or Dad would be steering and doing most or all of the work. 538 539Immediately I saw a parallel between myself and what I believe about my relationship with God. I can choose what kind of spiritual bike ride I want to experience. I have my own handlebars and pedals. I have the illusion of control. If the bike starts going a different way, I can tighten my grip on my handlebars and grit my teeth, trying to keep going my own way. 540 541ORâ¦. 542 543I can accept the higher guidance and direction, relax and enjoy the ride. What if life really is as simple as enjoying the ride? Exploring new ground? Riding with complete trust in my driver that Iâm going to see a lot of cool stuff and have a great experience along the way. 544 545When we go bike riding, we start somewhere and finish somewhere that we could easily drive to much faster. We donât though, because itâs about the ride, not the arrival. If the driver of my âbike attachmentâ takes what seems to be a detour, I will relax and look for the gift. If we hit a rock and the bike turns over, I know my driver is there to pick me up, du
545st me off, kiss the booboos if I am not too proud, and we will get back on the bike and ride some more. I will look for areas where I am resisting and trying to control. I will let go and enjoy the ride.</p><span class="text-sm font-medium text-primary">Read More »</span></div></a></div></div></main><footer class="site-footer" aria-label="Site footer"><div class="ah-container footer-grid"><div><p class="footer-logo-name">Angela Howell</p><p class="footer-tagline">Exchange Comfort for Courage</p><p class="footer-bio">One mission expressed through multiple mediums â original art, daily inspiration, transformational coaching, keynote speaking, and intentional retreats. Based in Nashville, TN.</p><div style="display:flex;align-items:center;gap:var(--sp-sm);flex-wrap:wrap"><a class="btn btn-primary" href="/contact">Contact</a><ul class="social-list" aria-label="Angela's social media"><li><a href="https://www.facebook.com/angelahowellauthor" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" aria-label="Facebook"><i class="fa-brands fa-facebook-f" aria-hidden="true"></i></a></li><li><a href="https://www.instagram.com/angelahowell4life" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" aria-label="Instagram"><i class="fa-brands fa-instagram" aria-hidden="true"></i></a></li></ul></div></div><nav class="footer-nav footer-nav-wide" aria-label="Site map"><ul><li><a href="/">Home</a></li><li><a href="/about">About</a></li><li><a href="/art">Art</a></li><li><a href="/gallery/available">Paintings for Sale</a></li><li><a href="/commissions">Commissions</a></li><li><a href="/books">Books</a></li><li><a href="/blog">Blog</a></li><li><a href="/retreats">Retreats</a></li><li><a href="/coaching">Coaching</a></li><li><a href="/speaking">Speaking</a></li><li><a href="/trade-program">Trade Program</a></li><li><a href="/contact">Contact</a></li><li><a href="/a-life-worth-having">A Life Worth Having</a></li><li><a href="/micro-magic">Micro Magic</a></li><li><a href="/sanctuary">Creating Personal Sanctuary</a></li><li><a href="/books">Buy the Book</a></li></ul><p class="footer-note" style="margin-top:1.25rem">Based in Nashville, Tennessee</p></nav></div><div class="ah-container" style="padding:0 clamp(1.25rem, 5vw, 3rem) 2.5rem"><div style="text-align:center;margin-bottom:1.25rem"><p style="font-size:0.72rem;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:0.18em;text-transform:uppercase;color:rgba(255,255,255,0.55);margin:0">As featured in</p></div><div class="featured-grid" style="display:grid;grid-template-columns:repeat(5, 1fr);gap:1px;background:rgba(255,255,255,0.08);border:1px solid rgba(255,255,255,0.08);border-radius:8px;overflow:hidden"><a href="https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/never-knew-eating-disorders-suicide-151400897.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" aria-label="Yahoo" style="background:#fff;display:flex;align-items:center;justify-content:center;padding:1.25rem 1rem;text-decoration:none;min-height:72px"><span style="font-family:var(--ff-serif);font-size:0.95rem;font-weight:600;color:rgba(0,0,0,0.55);letter-spacing:0.02em;text-align:center;line-height:1.2">Yahoo</span></a><a href="https://everydaypower.com/author/ahowell/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" aria-label="Everyday Power" style="background:#fff;display:flex;align-items:center;justify-content:center;padding:1.25rem 1rem;text-decoration:none;min-height:72px"><span style="font-family:var(--ff-serif);font-size:0.95rem;font-weight:600;color:rgba(0,0,0,0.55);letter-spacing:0.02em;text-align:center;line-height:1.2">Everyday Power</span></a><template id="P:d"></template><template id="P:e"></template><template id="P:f"></template></div></div><template id="P:10"></template><template id="P:11"></template></footer>
545<script type="application/ld+json">[{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"Blog","name":"Angela Howell Blog","url":"https://www.angelahowell.com/blog","author":{"@id":"https://www.angelahowell.com/#person"},"publisher":{"@id":"https://www.angelahowell.com/#organization"}},{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"CollectionPage","name":"Angela Howell â Blog Posts","url":"https://www.angelahowell.com/blog","mainEntity":{"@type":"ItemList","numberOfItems":38,"itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"url":"https://www.angelahowell.com/blog/a-lesson-in-acceptance-from-a-feral-cat","name":"A Lesson in Acceptance from a Feral Cat","image":"https://artist-portfolio-cdn.b-cdn.net/images/9bae0b42-a982-4ad3-8c8b-f3f0d31df039.webp"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"url":"https://www.angelahowell.com/blog/the-domino-effect-of-yes","name":"The Domino Effect of 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