Gaining strength and wisdom in numbers

Ever tried doing something alone, thinking that you’re the only person on this planet feeling the way you do?

For the most part I involve many people in inspiring me, and supporting me in moving forward.  Some areas of my life I am better at this than others.  One area of my life that I’m not so great in this, is in business.

I am really great at supporting and providing mentorship, advice (when asked) and support to others.  When it’s time for the focus on me, I become uncomfortable and play small.  Going easily into overwhelm at all the pressure I put on myself.  When all it can take is the collaborative efforts and feedback of a group of people that can bring me back to reality and focus.

In coaching one of my favorite exercises with clients was the Mentor’s Table.  Inviting at least  three people you look up to, into your conscious mind and to ask their support and opinions in a visualization exercise.

Who would be on your mentor’s table?

What’s even better as a step up, is to have a real life Mentor’s Table.  A group of people to run ideas off, gain insight and clarity, ask for honest feedback and at times – lift you up and empower you when you’re ready to give up.  Some may relate this to a Mastermind Group.  Yesterday I had the opportunity to be part of an incredible group of brilliant minds.  An opportunity created by Tad Hardgrave of Marketing for Hippies.  What unfolded for me personally was an outpouring of bonding, wisdom, ideas, powerful questions, kindness, honesty and support.  I could really keep going with the gifts I received.

Last night when I arrived home I was exhausted, my mind had been stimulated, my emotions and spirit released and felt heard.  Instead of logging on to technology I reflected on the wise, incredible notes from all who were there yesterday.  The words of wisdom, kindness, and support touched my heart to the core.  I took the time to journal and look within my heart and listen.  I am eternally grateful for all the kind souls present yesterday Jill Ethier of Unleash Your Greatness, Kristin AllenCharlotte Lammerhirt,  Jackie Dumaine and Gemma Stone who hosted this amazing gathering and provided the healthiest, most delicious lunch I have ever had.  Also to Tad’s Guest participants and faculty who brought such incredible insights, experience and knowledge Javan BernakevitchKurt Archer and Rob Sinclair.  Thank you guys, you ROCK!

This morning as I opened my inbox, Tad had sent me an email, directly related to the question I posed to the group yesterday.  He sent me the link to Your deepest wound is your niche after reading it, and the great case studies he shared I didn’t feel so alone.

 

Who are you gaining strength and wisdom from?

“My opinion, my conviction, gains immensely in strength and sureness the minute a second mind has adopted it.”
~
Novalis (1772 – 1801), German Author and Philosopher ~

 

Hugs & love

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Stop for a minute and see yourself as others do

Are you feeling down and blue?

Maybe things aren’t going the way you had hoped or something you are working on is far bigger than you could have imagined.  Maybe, you just feel that nobody even notices or cares or you are stuck in a rut of self-sabotage and self-pity.

No matter who you are or what you do, there are moments of negative thoughts/beliefs that arise.

I’m not good enough…

I’m a failure…

No one cares, why bother…

I screwed this up, I’ll probably screw everything else up…

Sound familiar?

A turbulent, inner conflict has been brewing in me.  A feeling of “I’m in over my head, I’ve taken on too much, the scope of advocating for mental illness is staggering, there’s too much stigma.”  On top of that, there are no financial resources to continue, no private or public funding to help – why?  Because I don’t have credentials or credibility…  I don’t have letters at the end of my name, and the liability is too huge…  Now you would think someone else said these things to me.  NO!  These are the voices in my head.  A stop sign that says “you will never make it, it’s too big of a scope, there’s too much stigma, there’s not enough money.”

Last night I laid in bed and prayed.  I surrendered and asked for help, asked for the strength, persistence and patience to keep going.

Like the whispers of angels, today those prayers were answered as beautiful souls appeared when I most needed them.

An incredible gift of support in confirming my editor for A Quiet Strong Voice – Denise Guichon.  Denise is undertaking the editing of my book with wisdom, experience, kindness, generosity, understanding and compassion.

A message from a lady I met at eWomen Network, asking to go for coffee as she would like to help me with the non-profit I’m working on.

Hallmark Cards, Inc. www.hallmark.com

And then a most wonderful lunch with Roxanne and Michelle from Distress Centre. After fantastic brainstorming, discussion and sharing, and a delicious lunch, Roxanne presented me with a gift.  Interestingly enough, I was sharing with the ladies how I had been feeling.  So when I opened the card, tears rolled down my cheeks.  To feel the warmth, love and incredible gratitude was heartwarming.  The message on the card so timely “Stop for a minute, and see yourself as I do.  Step away from all that self-doubt, all the noise in your head…” wow – how divinely timed.

Seeing myself through Roxanne’s eyes, through her heart, soul and beautiful gratitude was a tremendous gift to me.  A gift of acknowledgement, appreciation, inspiration and love.  It wasn’t a text, or an email, or a facebook message – it was a real life connection of thoughtful, loving gratitude.

And then to find out I have been chosen as a finalist in the WEGO Health Activist Awards, after some beautiful, heartfelt and amazing nominations.

Have you ever stopped to ask others: “How do you see me?”  ”What do you see in me?”  If you haven’t I encourage you to do so, especially in those times of negative thoughts, and the spiral of self-pity and victimhood.

Believe in You.  Believe in the difference you make.  Believe that you are loved.  Believe that you matter.  Believe that you are not alone.

 

Hugs & Love

 

 

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Does depression or anxiety impact your world?

This is a time sensitive post…

Are you in the darkness of depression?

Are you frozen with fear from anxiety?

I know how you feel, I’ve been there and to this day I still experience both.  My book, A Quiet Strong Voice is for YOU.  I am in the final day of choosing the front cover.  What matters to me most is that YOU, millions of people impacted by depression and anxiety are drawn to the cover. I envision my cover to give you hope, yet also an image that you an relate to – showing the darkness of depression and also the light of hope.  Isn’t that what you are craving HOPE?  That everything will get better?

Please vote for the cover that speaks to YOU, that would encourage you to pick it up.  This book is for you, with personal reflection space to share your thoughts and experiences.  It is a keepsake, a reference and resource for you to go back to.  So I am asking for your vote on what you would like it to look like.

VOTE HERE

 

When I began writing my book A Quiet Strong Voice it started off not as a book, it was a journey of healing and release.  When I was in the hospital I longed for books that I could relate too, books that weren’t 300 pages long with small text.  I desperately wanted something I could relate to that would give me hope and inspiration.

A Quiet Strong Voice is that book.

It is also a book that will help others understand the depths and darkness of mental illness and suicide.  With loving steps on how you can be there and support a loved one, better understand what they are going through.

If and when A Quiet Strong Voice lands on bookshelves, my heart and soul hopes and wishes that people quietly dealing with mental illness will pick it up.  For that to happen, the book cover must speak to their heart.

Thank you for supporting me in this journey.  All I want is for you to know that
You are not alone.  You are loved.
And that there is hope.

Hugs & Love
Lee xoxoxox

 

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The powerful truth of choice…

Have you ever had to make a difficult choice?

Chances are, you have.  It is part of daily life.  You choose to get out of bed.  You choose to eat breakfast.  You choose when you will take a shower.  For some this may not seem like a difficult choice.  For others these are some of the hardest choices to make in any given moment.  When I was in the depths of depression, simple routine choices such as getting out of bed, eating breakfast and taking a shower were almost impossible.  They seemed unattainable, overwhelming and downright scary.

When I finally accepted how ill I was, the choice to live, slowly began to overpower the reality of darkness and desperation.  I chose to have a shower when I got out of bed.  I chose to get up and go for a short walk.  I chose to give myself love, compassion and grace.

Today, I look at each moment in time as choice.  What I choose to do, where I choose to devote my time, who I choose to spend my time with and how I choose to be.

One of the many reasons I love Dan Millman’s work, is his concept, practice and Way of the Peaceful Warrior.  Although it sounds contradictory, it is very profound and powerful.  In my words and perception it is to live from a peaceful place, with kindness, love and gratitude and approach life with a warrior spirit – finding your inner strength and courage to climb mountains and overcome obstacles.

In his book The Laws of Spirit, Dan shares powerful truths for making life work.  The chapter that really stood out for me was The Law of Choices: Reclaiming Our Power.  This excerpt is an incredible metaphor and message:

“Lasting progress doesn’t happen in a few dramatic moments, but hour by hour, day by day.  And as time passes, every process includes repairs: The road to happiness is always under construction.  Focus on taking life one step at a time until you get it right; set aside what you can do later.  When discipline and patience join forces, they become a persistence that endures past the peaks and valleys to carry intentions to completion.  Enthusiasm sets the pace, but persistence reaches the goal.  Process, patience and persistence are keys that unlock the doorway to any destination.  The treasure isn’t only at journey’s end, you see; the process itself is its own reward.” said the Sage to Dan.

2012 has begun with many choices, some very difficult, others not so difficult.  It has been a choice for me to create and develop, to withdraw from the distraction I create around social media, events and shining light on others.  This hasn’t been an easy choice for me, the little voices inside keep screaming out – “Lee, you must get back onto social media, you must go to this event, you should be doing that…”  Yet, the quiet strong voice gently reminds me of the commitment to myself, my family and to the dreams I am creating and taking action on.

What choice do you need to make today?

Are you making powerful choices or taking the easy way out?

The powerful truth is: Choice is your individual right and responsibility.

Hugs & Love

 

 

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Don’t keep your heart hidden away

There is a beauty and brilliance that you were born to shine bright & steady.

Are you keeping it hidden away?

Reveal YOUR beauty, YOUR love, and YOUR heart TODAY….

 

 

 

Hidden Away by Josh Groban

Over mountains and sky blue seas
On great circles, will you watch for me?
The sweetest feeling I’ve got inside
I just can’t wait to get lost in your eyes

And all these words that you meant to say
Held in silence day after day
Words of kindness that our poor hearts crave
Please, don’t keep them hidden away

Sing it out so I can finally breathe in
I can take in all the same
Holding out for something I believe in
All I really need today

I want to free your heart, I want to see your heart
Please, don’t keep your heart hidden away

You’re a wonder, how bright you shine
A flickered candle in a short lifetime
A secret dreamer that never shows
If no one sees you then nobody knows

And all these words you were meant to say
Held in silence day after day
Words of kindness that our poor hearts crave
Please, don’t keep them hidden away

Sing it out so I can finally breathe in
I can take in all the same
Reaching out for someone I believe in
All I really need today

I want to feel your love, will you reveal your love?
Please, don’t keep your love hidden away
I want to free your heart, I want to see your heart
Please, don’t keep your heart hidden away

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