I've reached seven months since deciding to discontinue alcohol consumption!  Any headaches I continue to experience are far less severe in length or intensity, my energy and motivation level is above average for me, and my memory is improving!  Today I talk about an experience I had when I checked out a Zen Meditation at a Buddhist Temple!  I've done some sleuthing to uncover things about my past pertaining to unresolved childhood trauma.  Antiracism is something I'm taking seriously and hope to encourage folks who are white to do the same.  Finally, have you ever considered the weight of word use? How about "clean"? I'm unsure why folks refer to people or experiences as "clean"; so, do my best to unpack my perspective on the damage caused by doing so. Antiracism Course : https://www.selamdebs.com/ Books I’m Reading: The Success Principles: How to Get from Where Your Are to Where You Want to Be; Jack Canfield The Velvet Rage; Alan Downs My Audible Book of the Month Selection: Living Untethered; Michael A. Singer Podcast I’m vibing with most: Secular Buddhism

Today I talk about my faith a bit and how I’m coming to form my Spiritual Practices.  I’ve recently started reading a book my friend has told me about numerous times and am so glad that I’ll soon be able to share it with y’all!  I mention an Antiracism workshop which I highly recommend and here is the link to Selam’s website! https://www.selamdebs.com/ Books I’m Reading: The Success Principles: How to Get from Where Your Are to Where You Want to Be; Jack Canfield The Velvet Rage; Alan Downs My Audible Book of the Month Selection: Living Untethered; Michael A. Singer Podcast I’m vibing with most: Buddhability

Getting myself to and from work on time and staying sober have been my biggest accomplishments this month. I completed an online course I’ve been taking through coursera.org which I talk about in this episode. I also tell you a little bit about the books I’m reading and listening to; and humanize a major player who helps me look after my emotional well being! Oh also, where my Swifties at? Books I’m Reading: The Velvet Rage; Alan Downs Me and White Supremacy; Layla F. Saad My Audible Book of the Month Selection: The Power of I Am; Joel Osteen Podcasts I’m vibing with most: Archetypes with Meghan

I’ve been in a frumpy state and struggling to snap out of it!  I’ve decided to share how my relationship with drugs began and has unfolded.  Offering some thoughts I have on their use by others; not from a place of judgment, simply considering safe access and suggesting a review of lawful policy.  I don’t want to overuse the word “trigger”, so please consider before listening to this episode if hearing about drug consumption is a safe venture for you.  I hope my sharing helps support you in some way or perhaps offers a different perspective if your concern is for someone in your life who is a substance user you have difficulty relating to. Books I’m reading: The Velvet Rage; Alan Downs Loving What Is; Byron Katie The Instruction; Ainslie MaxLeod My Audible Book of the Month Selection: The Power of I Am; Joel Osteen Podcasts I’m vibing with most: Do You Fucking Mind? Willow Bend Zen

I put far too much of my energy this month into other things like work. I do need to save for getting my own place, but finding balance is uber importante! I talk a little bit about what I’ve been doing through September and how avoidance has played a large role in my life. What’s at the root of it? Being overly critical to the point of evidently coming to a screeching halt! I share some of my history with drugs and mention approaches I’ve been taking to help me redirect my thinking towards light, love, and growth! Books I’m reading: The Velvet Rage; Alan Downs Loving What Is; Byron Katie The Instruction; Ainslie MacLeod My Audible Book of the Month Selection: The Seat of the Soul; Gary Zukav Podcasts I’m vibing with most: Oprah’s Super Soul Buddhability

There is room for so much to be lost in translation when we communicate with one another (especially via textversation, IMHO!)  Over the last couple of weeks my therapist and I have been discussing the benefits of assertive communication. I offer my take on it and how I’ve been using this new skill in my toolkit to better communicate with others. From defining boundaries to requests at work, I’m seeing how effective it can be to (respectfully) take an assertive approach. I’m shifting from a more passive style of communicating to an assertive one; working hard to distance myself from the perfected art of passive aggressive tendencies. Check out the “Assertiveness Skills and Techniques: Setting Boundaries and Living Authentically” presentation by Dr. Dawn-Elise Snipes to learn more! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qZwT-pk8Vb8 I also talk a little more about trash and putting a Gandhian Principle into practice in an effort to help tidy up this home we share called Earth!

I’ve been thinking of switching things up a bit and decided to share some of my process in creating content for an episode. Thank you for your continued interest in how I get things from my mind’s eye to your ears! I also tell you a little bit about the last week for me and some experiences that had me pause and reflect. Instead of a “what if’ worrisome position I’m taking control and shifting my thought pattern to incorporate “even if”

Today I talk about music and the influence it has had during tough periods in my life.  I also talk about how it recently created an environment for a new friendship!  I'm choosing to say "Hi!" to new people and to new experiences.  Both are proving to help me realize a sense of self confidence I had previously only found in the form of substance use.  Also, do you offer feedback to the medical professionals in your life?  I do, and here's why!

Have you ever considered a panic attack as a sort of event you had no interest in hosting? I talk about what anxiety and panic attacks have been like in my life and give you tips that I have found helpful in events I didn’t plan. Whether it’s at home, in public, or even at work there are changes we can make to help reduce stress contributing to our anxiety. I’m not suggesting we all quit our jobs and move, but if making a change in how you pay the bills or where you live were to help alleviate your daily level of distress wouldn’t you be interested in seeing what that might look like for you? Also, I give you my take on apologies!

In episode two I offer my take on negative thinking and put my own spin on how I approach that no sense. That isn’t a typo, you’ll have to check out the episode to get some clarification! I share with you some of my spiritual practices that help keep me grounded, and do that in about a minute and a half so I hope it doesn’t come across as preachy. At the end of the day, I’m only sharing with you what seems to be working for me! Take what you like and leave the rest!