This episode first debuted on Annemarie's podcast. I am sharing it here so that as many people as possible can hear it. Our world is filled with sadness,  cruelty,  and hopelessness. But, it is also filled with happiness, kindness, and hope. Where we put our focus matters. What we spend time thinking about will impact our actions. If we look for happiness, we can find it. If we look for kindness, we can find it. If we look for hope, we can find it. Enjoy this conversation, and perhaps try to shift your focus. If you need to find hope, you can.Follow Annemarie and me for more strategies to find the best in yourself and others. Heather

NOTE: The comments and recommendations in this episode are very helpful.  However, they are not a replacement for professional interventions. Please reach out to a medical or behavioral health professional if you struggle with anxiety and depression. You matter, and asking for help is BRAVE!Mental Health Awareness is vital to the quality of our life and the lives of others. We live in stressful times. How do you manage? Do you consume media that cause distress?  Do you isolate? Do you exercise less than you used to? Do you take time for yourself to meditate or think about things that are good in your life?How you answer the above questions can impact your overall sense of well-being. Mitch Mullins offers some powerful strategies to deal with feelings of anxiety and depression. It starts with you. Trying new strategies can feel difficult, and Mitch supports that truth in his compassionate suggestions. Please share this episode with everyone you know dealing with depression and anxiety. Leave a comment if this episode has helped you; I will share it with Mitch. Helpful linksCrisis hotlines The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline  800-273-TALK (8255)You can also text NAMI to 741-741 to be connected to a free, trained crisis counselor on the Crisis Text Line.Follow me on Instagram for more templates to help you get the most out of your life. Heather

Mother's Day can be fraught with so many feels, whether you are a mom, want to be a mom, have a mom, or lost your mom.As a daughter who has lost her mom, and as a mom myself, this day can be a lot. I celebrate the joy and pride I have in being a mom, and I grieve the loss of my mom.What is today like for you? Do you have someone you could give love to today?  I challenge you to take time for yourself today no matter what sorts of feels show up.  Also, take time to honor another woman today and their experience of motherhood. I am sending hope and peace that you find moments of joy today, no matter your experience with motherhood. Follow me here for more encouragement.

Note: This episode includes sensitive dialogue about a mother's grief in losing her child to suicide. If you or someone you love suffers from mental illness, links at the bottom of the show notes offer support. Carrie Thompson is a compassionate, curious, open soul. Furthermore, she is an educator, an advocate, an author, and an intentional hiker of mountains.  In this conversation, you will also meet Carrie, the mother living with the loss of her child. The truth that her son Ben is gone is evident in her daily routines.  Alongside that truth is also the realization that "living" is what she must do, and now she lives for herself, for Ben, for her family, and for others she meets on the trails of life (literally and figuratively). It is not lost on me that the timing of this post correlates with  Mental Health Awareness Month. What does that even mean? It is a crucial focused call to action for the Month of May to pay attention to Mental Health, advocate for those suffering,  and become educated. What if we did this every day, not just for a month?  "Each year, millions of Americans face the reality of living with a mental illness. During May, NAMI joins the national movement to raise awareness about mental health. Each year we fight stigma, provide support, educate the public, and advocate for policies that support people with mental illness and their families."  NAMIYou can find Carrie on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/carrie.t.hikes/#missyouBen  #lovelikebendid Crisis Hotlines  The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline  800-273-TALK (8255) you can also text NAMI to 741-741 to be connected to a free, trained crisis counselor on the Crisis Text Line.Link for Grieving parents and family members One Friday In April, David AntrimYou may leave comments in the review section. I am sending hope for all to find a life of joy and fullness.Heather

In this conversation, you will get to know a little more about Sara Kaufman-Bradstreet. She is the founder of "No More Wasted Days."  A 30-day course and community helping others re-evaluate their relationship with alcohol. Sara offers compassionate sustainable tips and support in her 30-day and 5-day challenges.Want to join her next 30-day challenge? It starts May 1,  Check it out here - https://nomorewasteddays.co/30-day-alcohol-challenge/Want to make a change in your relationship with alcohol or need a kickstart to get you going in your alcohol-free life?  Change your mindset by downloading these 10 Mantras to help you become alcohol-free - http://nomorewasteddays.co/10-mantras/Lastly, want to stay connected with Sara on social? Check her out in the following places:IG:  https://www.instagram.com/no_more_wasted_days/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@no_more_wasted_days?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pcYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCf2sbj1Vz7PT_fZYgTUbqvAFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/NoMoreWastedDaysOfficial/Email: [email protected] leave a comment and review! It matters!and you can follow me on IG: https://www.instagram.com/templates_for_life/

The word "Change" can elicit so many emotions! For some, it is exciting to think about change. For others, it can be paralyzing. So how do you view "Change"?This conversation with John Chao, host of The Perspective Maintainance Podcast,  is all about "Change."   and why we might find "Change" difficult. John is so insightful, and he really helps you explore your perspective on all topics of life.   We are both sharing this episode on our podcasts. Go give him a follow for more rich content! https://linktr.ee/ThejohncollectiveAccording to Merriam Webster, "Change" is a noun1 "the act, process, or result of making different." My favorite synonyms are:VariationRevolutionAdjustmentTRANSFORMATIONThe experience of change is subjective, and according to your perspective, https://www.instagram.com/thejohncollective/  action or inaction will be determined.We have the power to respond to "Change" in a new way! John and I  would both love to hear from you!  Leave a review and comment on how this episode has impacted your views on "Change."Follow Johnhttps://linktr.ee/Thejohncollectivehttps://www.instagram.com/thejohncollective/Follow Mehttps://www.instagram.com/templates_for_life/https://linktr.ee/TemplatesforLife

Oh, my word!!! I had such a great time meeting Chip Leighton. Hearing how he brings fullness to his life was encouraging and motivating. We have all heard the adage that laughter is the best medicine...IT IS TRUE!  https://www.instagram.com/the_leighton_show/will have you in belly laughs! Children know how to laugh; they laugh at the silliest things, and they are the happiest humans! As adults, we spend so much of the day being busy and serious. Check out "The Leighton Show," take a break from the busyness, and have a giggle.This conversation highlights that doing something for fun, sticking to it, and being true to yourself really matters! Chip started a thing for fun. He let his creativity grow, and in doing that, he is giving back to others every day! Sit back and enjoy this conversation! Then share it with others because we all need a good laugh several times a day!!!Go follow The Leighton Show!!!!https://www.instagram.com/the_leighton_show/https://www.tiktok.com/@[email protected] would love to hear from you! Leave a review/comment and come follow me https://www.instagram.com/templates_for_life/Email: [email protected]

Note: Sensitive content related to estrangement between adult children and their parents.Join my conversation with Kreed Revere, host of The Estranged Heart podcast. We recorded this conversation on her birthday. What a gift to you, the listener!Kreed shares insights and support related to parent/adult child estrangement.  This episode is so important, filled with raw truth and hope. You will get to know Kreed more deeply as she courageously shares her own experiences with estrangement.This episode is a must-listen if you have experienced estrangement in any relationship. Also, share it with others in your life who may be experiencing estrangement with a loved one. You can find Kreed on her website, and anywhere you listen to podcastshttp://www.TheEstrangedHeart.comhttps://anchor.fm/theestrangedheart/supporthttps://www.instagram.com/revkreed/ Please leave a review and comment so others can find this and other episodes.Thank you!

Our Life is ours to conquer! Join me and my conversation with Maria. She is a brave, bright soul as she shares her “Template for Life”… Can’t wait for you to listen and be inspired. Is there a decision you are getting ready to make? Are you concerned you will make the wrong decision? Some of our life experiences just happen, and sometimes we need to make them happen! When we trust ourselves, we are more likely to reach deep, make a choice, and know that it will be ok.This next season on the podcast will bring conversations that offer new ways to think and approach life! As you listen, I challenge you to reflect on how you view and respond to your life. If something is lovely, embrace it. If something is distressing, are there options to change it? May you find joy and peace in your day knowing you are amazing!Please let me know what you think of this and other episodes by leaving a review.Take Care!

Starting Season 2 with new content, a new title, and new energy!!!New conversations that will bring strategies "Templates" for you to integrate into your own life. There are so many areas is in life that can bring joy, fun, distress, and loss. We will talk about them all. Diving deeper into the content will allow you the listener to create a life filled with exactly what you need and desire!So join me as I sit with some more really great people and find out how they do their daily, and why they maybe get a different outcome.