Saw this quote in another community and it was such a good reminder as it applies to soooooo many areas of life. :) "I"ll start when I'm ready" sounds responsible. Thoughtful. Maybe even wise. But often times it's more likely to be self-protection which then leads to procrastination and timidity in action. This 'waiting' for the perfect moment can actually erode self trust over time if we don't take action. And that's a disappointing feeling. We rarely feel 100% ready (but that doesn't mean that we're not ready)..Feelings, while valid, are not facts...They inform, but they don't need to drive. Motivation research shows us that action is often the thing that creates clarity and confidence (not the other way around). Growth almost always requires movement (rather than perfect preparation). Something to consider: There’s also a 𝗰𝗼𝗴𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗱𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 at play: the belief that future-you will be braver, more disciplined, or more prepared than present-you. BUT!!!! Avoidance reinforces anxiety which makes us LESS likely to engage in the behavior. This is that erosion of self trust I mentioned earlier! (Check out @Sofia Martinez 's post that very much relates to this erosion of self trust: the-agreement-you-keep-breaking-with-yourself) Sometimes “I’m not ready” is valid, but I think that we need to be honest with ourselves and identify if /when that's actually the case. (Check out @Kate Galli 's post that is related--points out to some things that may get in the way of us taking steps towards goals!!: 6-aversion-factors-that-quietly-kill-your-progress) (The video is related to how to make stress your friend. Figured it would be helpful to put us in better positions for taking on positive risks! :) )

This is a hard topic… but an important one. There is often a strong link between trauma and suicidal thoughts. Not necessarily because someone wants to die - but because, at times, the nervous system feels overwhelmed by what it is carrying. And this is where an important distinction matters: Thoughts are not the same as intent. Having thoughts like “I can’t do this anymore” or “I want this pain to stop” does not automatically mean someone wants to end their life. Often, it means something else entirely. An analogy that might help: Imagine you are trapped in a dangerous building. There is smoke. It feels overwhelming. Your body is on high alert. What does your brain do? It starts scanning for exits. Every possible way out. Windows. Doors. Fire escapes. Even options you would not normally consider. Not because you truly want to jump out of a window… but because your system is desperately trying to find a way to survive. 💔 Trauma can feel like that building. When the emotional intensity gets too high, the mind can start searching for any possible exit from the pain. Sometimes those “exits” show up as suicidal thoughts. That does not always mean we truly want to die. Often, it means our system is overwhelmed and trying to find relief. You are not “bad” or “broken” for having these thoughts. Thoughts can pass - especially when you are supported and regulated. You do not have to face that intensity alone. Healing doesn’t happen in isolation - it happens in community. If you are struggling right now, please reach out to someone you trust or a crisis support service in your country. You deserve support, safety, and space to breathe. With love, Chris ❤️

Real peace cannot be disturbed. We may enter a deep time of contemplation, yet a peaceful one. Being at peace is the result of having won the battle within oneself. The only battle we will ever face is the battle within, as this is the only thing that stays, whilst the world keeps changing. So does our body change every 7 years completely. What stays is only the attitude, the choices we make. Every choice we make influences us. Many miss the opportunity to choose peace, and keep stuck in time. So now, dear one, is an opportunity. Aligning your choice with the divine, with the good for all, will give you peace. All else keeps us stuck in pain-pleasure cycle. Lasting happiness can only be won with god, the all loving, all knowing, the divine grace. Live for giving and see truth. It has always been and always will be. Truth Love Wisdom = One

"if you really loved me...." ,Don't leave me or I'll" ,"After all I've done for you..." "How can you be so selfish?" "You're the only one that can help me" "I wouldn't be like this if you'd just..." In Susan Forward's book "𝐄𝐦𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐁𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐤𝐦𝐚𝐢𝐥: 𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐞𝐨𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐋𝐢𝐟𝐞 𝐔𝐬𝐞 𝐅𝐞𝐚𝐫, 𝐎𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐆𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐩𝐮𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐘𝐨𝐮", one of the things that she covers are the faces of blackmail. The statements above are just a way of putting a demand on the table--but they're all different. Below are the four varieties of blackmailing. I'll do a quick overview here, but may go in depth on each one (maybe) in future posts. I would like to say that if you know me, you know that I am not someone to just bash people or demonize them. The descriptions below are based on the book's content. The descriptions are accurate but they don't take into account the factors that contribute to individuals acting in this way. The factors (reasoning/understanding) are helpful to know, but they don't excuse behaviors. There is still responsibility there. Understanding helps build empathy, but understanding does not mean enabling either. 𝗣𝗨𝗡𝗜𝗦𝗛𝗘𝗥𝗦 These individuals let us know exactly what they want and the consequences we'll face if we don't give it to them. They may express themselves aggressively or they may engage in the silent treatment, but in either case, the anger that they feel is always directed at us/someone else. "If you don't take care of the family business, I'll cut you out of the will"; "If you try to divorce me, you'll never see your kids again", "If you won't accept the overtime, you're not a team player and you can forget about a promotion" Silent treatment can be part of this--a deflection of responsibility for one's feelings onto someone else. 𝗦𝗘𝗟𝗙-𝗣𝗨𝗡𝗜𝗦𝗛𝗘𝗥𝗦 These individuals turn the threats inward, emphasizing what they'll do to themselves if they don't get their way. "If you leave me, I'll kill myself" "I won't be able to make it without you" "Don't argue with me or I'll get depressed or sick" "I can't sleep/work/function when you're not here" "Fine, I'll leave, and I'll end up in the streets" (relapse, etc)

I wanted to share some major positivity this week! feels like a big week for progress... who is winning?