Here's a not so hot take: Fear (not hate) is the true opposite of love. From a psychological perspective love is closely tied to secure attachment which has the following features: openness, trust, emotional regulation, and the ability to stay connected even when things feel uncomfortable. When we feel loved, the nervous system settles... We are open to listening more easily, we are able to stay open/present instead of pulling away, we can let down the armor that we hold up. Fear,however, activates our threat response (our fight/flight/freeze response). It sends alarm signals saying that something isn't safe. When our brains sense danger (physical or emotional or spiritual), it shifts into protection mode. Why wouldn't it? This is often how this can look relationally: Fight--criticism, anger, hostility (this can look like hate, right?) ; Flight--withdrawal, avoidance, shutting d down; Freeze--numbness, detachment. These type of responses end up being about survival, rather than connection...and these types of responses often lead to disconnection---the very think that people in relationship/friendship don't actually want. So, what can look like coldness, indifference, or even hate is often fear underneath: Fear of rejection/abandonment, fear of vulnerability, fear of losing safety, identity, or control. Fear disrupts the psychological safety that love requires.. So maybe part of love is being able to create a space where another human being doesn't feel the need to protect themselves from us. I love that the Greek language has like 7 different definitions for love. My favorite: Agape (A love that is expressed as a choice and a posture, not just a feeling; Agape is love that seeks the good of another, even when it costs you something). POLL:What most often triggers your emotional “shutdown” in relationships? QUESTIONS TO PONDER:Who in your life helps your heart feel calm, safe, and able to stay open? When you notice yourself shutting down, what is the fear underneath it trying to protect?

I wrote my first letter of hope! I don't know if it's by the rules but I love it! I'll let you know where I felt it✨

If you don't want to read the rest, that's okay, but I reeeeeeally wanna know who your alter ego is! How does it show up? Have you named it? Feel free to add a GIF or a picture to represent it or a comment to expand! :) :) For more, read below! -------------------------------------------------- A lot of people think of alter egos as costumes or a masquerade....something fake, exaggerated, or a hiding of some sort. Buuuuut, psychologically, they're often not that at all. An alter ego is usually a contained expression of a real part of the self, maybe one that doesn’t always feel safe, welcome, or effective in everyday life BUT may feel VERY effective in some circumstances... Alter egos are often created because different situations demand different capacities... Beyonce was the first person that came to mind for this--her alter ego "Sasha Fierce" (bold, fierce, commanding on stage) but there are other examples as well. The idea of courage without overthinking is attractive to me this year. ha. SOoooo much thinking. If you're hesitant, like I was, here's some reassurance..the problem isn’t having an alter ego, but rather having one that runs the show unconsciously. I almost think that "alter-ego" is a misnomer. When used intentionally, the alter ego can provide psychological distance during stress, reduce emotional overlaod by narrowing focus, help bypass fear, shame and people pleasing patterns and act as a bridge between values and action. Used unconsciously, it can become armor that's rigid, isolating, or self-erasing. But here's the thing....coming from someone that appreciates the IFS (internal family systems) model, I like the idea of integrating the different parts rather than having them be polarized/hidden. Being called upon with intention rather than being reactive and causing chaos.Maybe the 'shadow' side comes out when things are more reactive but ultimately, an alter ego would be part of the whole picture. :) An integrated self is a healthy self. Being able to move between states consciously is healthy. It's really about allowing more of the self to come out...intentionally.

Hey Empowered Fam! :) I was just in a call with @Arthur Maddocks-Brown in his group, where we talked about creating a Bucket List and I was inspired to share this with the group! He is running a Bucket List Challenge in his group (100 goals in 5 years)!! QUESTION: What are some of the things on YOUR bucket list? I would LOVE to hear about some of these! :) Aaaaaaaand...Because this is a group about inspiring and being inspired, empowering and being empowered, and living to our fullest potential (whatever that may look like) this is a great way to support/encourage each other along the way! Some additional info about bucket list, if you'd like it! :) ------------------------------- A bucket list is an intentional inventory of experiences, goals, and growth edges you want to tend to during your life. Since we never know when our time is up, it's helpful to start now. **Think of it less like a checklist and more like a map of who you want to become.Think about the values that you hold and how the items within the bucket list serve towards those values**** Most meaningful bucket lists have a few different “buckets” inside them: 1. Experiences (the classic stuff) These are the do the thing items. The things that expand your point of reference. -Travel to places that change your perspective -Try something that scares you a little (or a lot) -Attend or participate in something you once thought was “not for people like me” 2. Growth & Becoming This is where it gets deeper--identify your values; explore past hurts; who are you becoming? These items usually feel uncomfortable to write down because they require change, not just effort. -Learn a skill you’ve always avoided -Confront a pattern you keep repeating -Develop a trait you admire in others (patience, courage, empathy, integrity) . 3. Relationship & Connection A lot of people realize late that who they shared life with mattered more than what they did. i posted a short video a while back (I'll try to find it again) about how love/relationships is what matters most to people in the end of their life. :)

Hello! 😀 Welcome to a community that will serve to empower you to live your most fulfilled life! Excited for us to be part of a supportive environment where we will be encouraged to explore and increase self-awareness, gain perspective, develop insight, take action and thrive through our journey in life. ♥ I believe that you have value and worth and who you are as a person matters and this will guide many of the posts that you will see. Posts will take into consideration the different dimensions of life: social, emotional, intellectual, physical, spiritual, occupational, etc. 💡You are welcome and ENCOURAGED to share material, insights, inspirations, questions, and anything that you think that will be helpful towards growth.💡 ❤️Let's live wholeheartedly and with intention!!! ❤️ So honored to be part of this journey with you! Thank you for allowing me to be part of it. 🙂 🌟Please introduce yourself and also share something that brings you joy and makes you feel alive🌟 ***Feel free to self promote either here or under the life wins category***