Sometimes working with the Anabaptist culture feels like starring in my very own “Jerry Maguire” movie moment…IYKYK “Help me… help you!” Because the truth is — growth is slow. Trust requires relationship and even then is squirrelly…. Especially if we’re not “in person”. Assumptions and Offense are normal and Fear is extremely crippling. Often it feels like pulling teeth.. which, if it can be avoided.. it will be. So the Freedom takes huge amounts of time and energy. Walking through layer after layer of unlearning and breakthrough is exhausting. What makes it really wild is how often the growth doesn’t get recognized. Huge shifts happen, but it feels “normal” to them now. They forget how shut down or stuck they were. Meanwhile, we’re on the sidelines like: 👉🏽 “Did you just hear yourself? That’s freedom talking!” 👉🏽 “You made that decision without worrying what others think of you — that’s HUGE.” 👉🏽”You’ve increased your income, gotten married, and are growing your family! *Big Wins!” 👉🏽 “You felt the fear, and did it anyway, well done!” And the list goes on.. Theres nothing glamorous about it… and often its navigating a mess. But when the lightbulb finally turns on and they see it for themselves — that’s the GOLD🌟 Exhaustion turns into joy. And suddenly, the marathon was worth every step. #HelpMeHelpYou #EpicYourLife #amishmatchmakers #trauma #freedom #control #healing #mindset #awareness #growth

This post is inspired by Chantel’s post almost a month ago titled “Social Media.” I’ve been thinking about it ever since, and I’m coming on here to share a bit of my experience and encouragement. 🤗 For years, the amount of time I spent “doing nothing” was concerning at the least, even to myself. As I grew in awareness of what I was doing to myself, I tried so hard to break that pattern. I did multiple social media fasts, but instead of actually breaking the pattern, I would end up on games instead. I made feeble attempts to talk about it, but it felt like no one was concerned about it. But I didn’t like the fried version of me I was becoming: • unable to stay focused on anything for a long time • escaping anxiety instead of processing and releasing • always tired • no schedule outside of work • constantly running behind and then mentally escaping that reality and running even more behind I was also healing from major trauma and had been in cycles of self-harm, so it seemed like the screen time addiction was the least of my problems, so I tried to not worry about it too much. As time went on, though, I went deeper into a version of myself I didn’t like. I was becoming desperate. I brought it up again with a mentor. The response I got was along the lines of “If playing games on your phone is what you need to do to cope, then do that!” I was bewildered, confused. I was asking for help to break this cycle, and instead I was encouraged to stay in it. “Am I simply stuck with this? Am I making too big a deal of it?” Looking back now, I can see how this person might have thought that playing games on my phone is better than resorting to physical self-harm. (I’m wondering now if even this screen time addiction was a form of self harm? I’d love to hear thoughts on this!) Since that time, I have gone deep into many limiting beliefs, released them, received healing, created a new story, and embraced life and FREEDOM! It’s still hard work, but the point is, it’s possible! In the words of a wise person, “What we feed will flourish.” 😉

The new school year has begun and I was beginning to feel insecure and and very unworthy of my new job that I worked very hard to get. I am happy and I feel deeply fulfilled, but I still had this impostor syndrome of not being worthy of the job I have been having the past few months. It got to the point where I started saying that I wasn't professional enough and even going as far as saying that I am so unserious and that I am an outsider at my job even though they have been nothing but welcoming. After a few days of saying this, I asked myself "why was I calling myself unserious?" I thought where did this come from and who told this to me and why am I agreeing with this. After some thought, I realized that it was me feeling insecure and not worthy from previous experiences at work and in life. That thought process is not honoring to me or my coworkers and staff around me because I could internalize this and start acting out to prove a point of me being unserious. I am different, but that does not make me less worthy or ready and available to do my job that I absolutely love. During the last retreat, I really came to the conclusion that I creating a new story is so important for growth. I realized that I did not want to talk down on myself and I created a new story of love and light and that I am capable. I have been feeling so much better after confronting this thoughts and I look forward to walking in my new story. :)

Let’s talk about the scroll… The reel-watching. The TikTok black hole. The “just one more video” that turns into an hour of your life… gone. It’s become a coping mechanism—and most of us don’t even realize it. You say you’re “winding down” or “just decompressing”… But really, you’re avoiding. Avoiding the conversation. Avoiding the loneliness. Avoiding the next hard step in your business. Avoiding the healing your heart is begging for. Your mind is overstimulated, your nervous system is fried, and your creativity is offline—because you’ve trained your brain to chase distraction instead of depth. The irony? You’re watching people live while you’re putting your life on pause. You want intimacy, purpose, peace? Put the phone down. Take your power back. Face the thing you’re avoiding. You have the ability to change your habits, to create the life you want! Pic of my cute Nova girl for attention 🩵 #coping #numbing #addiction #stuck #depression #pain #distraction #facelife #habits #icreatewhatiwant #createanewhabit #change #EpicYourLife

First, a shout-out to Carlos and Chantel for the new video for Connection DNA 2.0! 👏🏼👏🏼 If you haven’t seen it, check it out! 😉 I’m excited to see more! This week we are back in Week 1 Session 1, gearing up for the next 8 weeks. 💪🏼 For anyone new here who would like to see an example, here is my letter from God and GW’s. You got this! 🫶🏼 John 6:51 I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. And the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh. Dear daughter, in me you have all you need. The more you allow my spirit to guide you, the more you are empowered to walk in freedom and wholeness. Father, I am grateful for your new mornings and beautiful sunrises. You are worthy of my complete delight in your creation. Lovina, I am grateful for your planning skills. I am worthy of completing my to-do list today! Richard, I am grateful for your deep love and your pursuit of excellence for us. You are worthy of empowerment and peace today. I love you!