Bravery Starts Within

This week's video is the fourth and last one on the topic of bravery. Keep being brave!

Recovery + Bravery: A Strengths Perspective

Bravery As a Stepping Stone

Continuing the theme of bravery, this week I talk about bravery as a stepping stone. I clearly highlight the difference between being aggressive and being assertive...so check it out if you need the reminder. :-)

Bravery: What Is It?

The Purpose of Disclosure

This week's Wednesday Warriors video is ready and waiting for you below. You may remember that we are doing a new 4 week rotation as follows:

"Eating Disorders & Different Relationships - Disclosure, communication, & dynamics"

Week 1 (beginning May 14): How to talk about your e/d with people who are NOT friends, family, or significant others, i.e. bosses, co-workers, society at large (like blogging), teachers, coaches, etc.

Week 2 (beginning May 21): The purpose of disclosing and/or discussing your e/d with people (even friends and family) - is it for help, for support, to compare, to shock, to explain, etc? Examining the reasons behind disclosure and discussion of your e/d and what is healthy & helpful (& professional as the case may be, like with a boss or coworkers)

Week 3 (beginning May 28): Eating Disorders & Trust - in romantic relationships and/or friendships, there may be trust issues related to disclosure of eating disorders - discuss this and the things that may be helpful in addressing it

Week 4 (beginning June 4): How your relationship with YOURSELF affects your relationship with others - things to touch on may include self esteem (which we've talked about a lot already), personal fears, self hate, vulnerability, dishonesty with yourself, etc.

 Currently we're on week 2, so stay tuned!

Day #17: Attitude Makeover

If you've followed this site for a while, you may have read this reminder of mine before, because this is not the first time I've posted what I call "Bravery & Boldness." But when I saw that today's prompt was ATTITUDE MAKEOVER, it just felt right and fitting to share it again.

To look straight into the face of pain and declare that you will prevail is not merely a display of courage; sometimes it's a true necessity. Getting thrown about in the waters of life is a circumstance that presents you with two options: 

thrash and swim and fight and reach shore 

OR 

let yourself drown. 

There is, actually, a middle option, but it's only a temporary solution. It is, nevertheless, better than drowning. And it is this: thrash and swim and fight and STAY AFLOAT until you can make it to shore.

Sometimes the shore is quite far away—off in the distance, glimmering like an unreachable mirage, so you can't be expected to reach it simply because you want to reach it. But in time, you'll make it—if you manage to stay afloat and not give up.

So these are your options. Choose wisely.

Bravery and boldness are the essence of being able to prevail. Bravery and boldness will not just follow you. You have to channel them. They won't seek you out and they won't appear out of thin air. They may, in fact, seem to escape you when you need them most. You can't keep them in your back pocket, ready to pull them out a moment's notice.

Despite how elusive they seem, bravery and boldness CAN be learned—or found. And they can grow to be a part of you, so that the most you will have to do is tap into them when you have to fight your way in that troubling sea.

You have to realize that they exist—and that they exist for YOU. You're not an unlucky one—you have access to bravery and boldness, even if it's been taking you a while to find them. You have to think of bravery and boldness like a limb or some part of your body; they are part of you. Our arms are always there, but sometimes we don't use them. Bravery and boldness are like that. When faced with a difficulty/problem/pain/trying situation/despair/depression/failure/fear—you have to REMEMBER that bravery and boldness are there.

Just like your arms or your legs.

You know how people get so scared that they can't run?—even though they have legs? Or how people get so scared that they can't speak?—even though they have a voice?

Bravery and boldness are like that.

Don't forget to use them.

Bravery & Courage in Recovery

It's vital. This week's short video says it all:

A Recovery Surprise

Here's the answer to a question I was recently asked via email. I pondered it for a while and this is the main thing...so I thought I'd make a late night video and share it.