Feel All The Feelings (Without Toxic Positivity)

Feel all of the feelings. 

Even the ones that feel messy. 

Or don’t fit neatly into a polished box of positivity. 

Create your own paintings. 

Express your unique style. 

They’ll tell you:

To put on a smile,

Take the stage, 

Work the gimmick, 

Wear the mask of plastic happiness. 

It’s what they want to see...

The spectators. 

The followers. 

The audience. 

Do it for the show.

The hallowed accolades

Followed by the inevitable silence. 

Artificial lights that glowed begin abruptly fade. 

When will we come home to the movement inside us? 

The honesty behind the performance. 

The fuel. 

The sadness. 

The fire. 

The heaviness. 

The energy. 

The struggle. 

The ignition. 

The pain. 

Feelings are feelings when we let ourselves feel them. 

Trapped inside a lie of good vibes 

It’s the farce that starts to tear us apart. 

An elephant’s painting, 

Words created by AI. 

Without the:

Worry or 

anxiety... 

Sans the risk, 

Of ridicule

And rejection…

Creation without risk is imitation. 

It’s the vulnerability that makes it creativity. 

Feeling all the feelings. 

It’s not easy. 

But it sure beats the drudgery

Of pretending. 

Feeling all the feelings

Is human.

Feeling all the feelings 

Is you and me

Being. 

P.S. 

I hope you enjoy this week’s episode: Feel All The Feelings (Without Toxic Positivity) 

Listen to "Feel All The Feelings (Without Toxic Positivity)" on Spreaker.

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The Power of Presence: An Interfaith Conversation With Reverend Kate

“When you come to the edge of all the light you have and must take a step into the darkness of the unknown, believe that one of two things will happen. Either there will be something solid for you to stand on - or you will be taught how to fly.”

This quote by Patrick Overton is at the heart of my conversation this week with The Rev. Dr. Kate Cress. 

The times we live in provide ample opportunities for stress, worry, and anxiety. 

Amidst it all - how do we find presence? 

How do we cease the regrets of the past and the worries of the future, and just be here in this moment?

These are questions that those on the spiritual path have reflected upon for ages. 

For Rev. Kate, Christianity offers her insights and practice through which she can discover her highest self. 

For me, that pathway is through Islam. 

Together in this conversation we explore the ways our religious and spiritual practice fuel each other and provide us with a blueprint for awakening. 

This has to be one of my favorite interfaith conversations I’ve ever had. 

Rev. Kate asked some really great questions that allowed me to reflect upon my spirituality in a new way.  

The answers and insights we uncovered together really had me saying, “YES!”

This is a really cup-filling episode. 

Wherever you are entering this conversation from, I know you will be enriched by it. 

Do yourself this favor. 

Hit play. :) 

You can learn more about Rev. Kate here.

Listen to "The Power of Presence: An Interfaith Conversation With Reverend Kate" on Spreaker.

If you'd like to learn more about T.H.E. Celebration Academy.  Here's 30 days of Free Membership.

Courageous Self Love Revisited

Have you ever headed out the door only to realize you can’t find your keys?

Now, be honest. Did you ever search high and low for your keys, glasses, phone, etc. – only to discover they were in your pocket, purse, or backpack? 

That you were looking everywhere for something that you actually had all along? 

Just the other day I was looking for my glasses only to realize, “oh wait – I’m wearing them.”

You may have heard myself or my guests say that the answers you seek are already within you.

The power within us goes unnoticed and therefore, underutilized until we recognize it is within us. 

Let’s take self-love for example. 

You – I – we – are already worthy of love.  

We are already whole, complete, and powerful. We are miracles. 

And yet, how often do we find ourselves “hustling for our worthiness,” as Brene Brown puts it. 

How often do we find ourselves in that place of guilt, shame, anxiety, or feeling that sense of loss - all stemming from our belief that we must do more in order to be worthy. 

The indisputable fact that we are already worthy is lost on us – which is why we need to recognize its intrinsic nature. 

That’s why this week’s episode is dedicated to providing practical steps towards embracing self-love.  

This episode originally aired at the end of 2017, and revisiting it is a perfect way to end 2020. 

If you listened to it when it first aired, I invite you to walk this path once again. 

If it is your first time, get ready for the ride.

Gift yourself this time of reflection. 

Here we go. 

Listen to "Courageous Self Love Revisited" on Spreaker.

If you'd like to learn more about T.H.E. Celebration Academy.  Here's 30 days of Free Membership.

Coloring and Conversations With Antoinette Chanel

Have you heard that coloring can reduce stress and anxiety? 

When I listen in on conference calls, I often find myself coloring. 

This helps me stay focused, and allows me to really concentrate. 

So when my awesome friend, Antoinette Chanel, shared with me that she’d like to color together while having a conversation, I was all in. 

In early 2020, before the pandemic, before my daughter arrived, and before the many, many other things that happened this year…

...we did just that.  

We sat down for a conversation while coloring. 

It was amazing – and listening back to our chat was like looking into a fun time capsule. I got a glimpse into where my mind was at during this time in my life. 

Antoinette and I talked about relationships, business, politics, life, and a ton of other topics. If any of these draw you in, you’re going to like this episode.

Antoinette Chanel is a powerful storyteller, educator, and podcaster. With a unique background that includes over a decade of work in higher education, marketing, and public relations, Antoinette can translate, map out, and put in motion tangible plans to help you and your organization reach its goals. 

She is the founder of the podcast the Midday Reset (@themiddayreset), which she created to offer something uplifting and relatable to people with mental illness, specifically anxiety. She is also an educator and public speaker and is currently developing a workshop series to empower dark-skinned women and girls to redefine beauty for themselves.

This is a really great episode where you get to see me switch hats and be interviewed by someone I really admire and appreciate. 

Pull out something to color with.

And then hit play! 

You can get in touch with Antoinette on IG @msantoinettechanel or themdrpodcast@gmail.com, and purchase her book here: Amazon.com

Listen to "Coloring and Conversations With Antoinette Chanel" on Spreaker.

If you'd like to learn more about T.H.E. Celebration Academy.  Here's 30 days of Free Membership.

Mastering Logistics & Time Management

On this week’s episode, we talk about the importance of logistics and time management. As artists and entrepreneurs, we need to strengthen this skill set so that we can get our gifts out into the world smoothly and seamlessly.

We’ll be discussing how you can set yourself up for success with tips on developing a growth mindset and how having a handle on the logistics required for business and daily life will help to reduce stress and anxiety.

When we’re better organized we can work from a position of strength rather than from a reactive place. 

I hope you enjoy this week’s episode! 

For the time management course I mention in this episode, please click here.

Listen to "Mastering Logistics & Time Management" on Spreaker.

If you'd like to learn more about T.H.E. Celebration Academy.  Here's 30 days of Free Membership.

Mental Health, Passion and Self-Care With Mikah Miller

Known as “that funny therapist”, our guest this week, Mikah Miller is an experienced licensed professional counselor that has developed a creative approach to therapy. She has provided treatment to those struggling with depression, anxiety, behavior modification transition, and PTSD. Mikah has been able to inject humor into her sessions to help strengthen communication and her client’s commitment to change. 

Mikah shares her journey with us, discussing entrepreneurship and how to adjust your mindset about failure. She talks about her experience within the school system, the improvements that could be made including the access to therapy. She also highlighted the importance of self-care and it’s role in aiding in the treatment of anxiety. 

To add more humor and positivity to your life, visit her Website and Follow Mikah on Instagram. 

Listen to "Mental Health, Passion and Self-Care With Mikah Miller" on Spreaker.

If you'd like to learn more about T.H.E. Celebration Academy.  Here's 30 days of Free Membership.

Resilience, Energy, & Staying True to Yourself With Antoinette Chanel

This week, I am joined by Antoinette Chanel, a powerful storyteller, educator, and podcaster. With a unique background that includes over a decade of work in higher education, marketing, and public relations, Antoinette is can translate, map out, and put in motion tangible plans to help you and your organization reach its goals. 

She is the founder of the podcast, the Midday Reset (@themiddayreset), which she created to offer something uplifting and relatable to people with mental illness, specifically anxiety. She is also an educator and public speaker and is currently developing a workshop series to empower dark-skinned women and girls to redefine beauty for themselves.

On this episode, Antoinette shares where she found confidence in herself, and how they has led her to empowering other dark-skinned women and girls through her latest children’s book, A Book for Black Girls and her upcoming workshop series. We also discuss some tangible advice both inside and outside of the doctor’s office for people facing anxiety and depression. 

You can get in touch with her a on IG @msantoinettechanel or themdrpodcast@gmail.com, and purchase her book here.

Listen to "Resilience, Energy, & Staying True to Yourself With Antoinette Chanel" on Spreaker.

If you'd like to learn more about T.H.E. Celebration Academy.  Here's 30 days of Free Membership.

Resilience, Energy, & Staying True to Yourself With Antoinette Chanel

This week, I am joined by Antoinette Chanel, a powerful storyteller, educator, and podcaster. With a unique background that includes over a decade of work in higher education, marketing, and public relations, Antoinette is can translate, map out, and put in motion tangible plans to help you and your organization reach its goals. 

She is the founder of the podcast, the Midday Reset (@themiddayreset), which she created to offer something uplifting and relatable to people with mental illness, specifically anxiety. She is also an educator and public speaker and is currently developing a workshop series to empower dark-skinned women and girls to redefine beauty for themselves.

On this episode, Antoinette shares where she found confidence in herself, and how they has led her to empowering other dark-skinned women and girls through her latest children’s book, A Book for Black Girls and her upcoming workshop series. We also discuss some tangible advice both inside and outside of the doctor’s office for people facing anxiety and depression. 

You can get in touch with her a on IG @msantoinettechanel or themdrpodcast@gmail.com, and purchase her book here.

Listen to "Resilience, Energy, & Staying True to Yourself With Antoinette Chanel" on Spreaker.

If you'd like to learn more about T.H.E. Celebration Academy.  Here's 30 days of Free Membership.

The Power of Breath For Self-Control

People often share with me, “I feel I have no control over my life.”  When we feel powerless or like everything is out of your hands, it helps to identify what we do have control over.  One of the most fundamental areas of our life we have control in is our breath.   Intentionally controlling our breathing is one of the simplest and quickest ways to regain power in your life.

Conscious breathing brings us back to the present moment.  It aligns the body and mind in a way that is in harmony to your intentions.  I’ve often heard quote, “If the mind is a kite, then breath is the string."

Try it now.  Breathe in through your nose for 4 seconds,  hold your breath for 4 seconds, exhale through your mouth for 4 seconds, and hold your exhale for 4 seconds.  Then repeat. 

That’s called box breathing.  It is practiced by firefighters, emergency responders, and other folks in high stress jobs.  It’s also practiced by bad asses like Brene Brown.  It is one of many techniques known as the science of breath.

There is no greater power than self-control.  In that journey, mastering your breath is your greatest companion.  Next time you are feeling anxious or tense, or if you are feeling a general sense that everything is out of your hands, start here, with breathing. 

Want to take a deeper dive?  Check out the podcast!  It is a little longer and so it goes a little deeper.  
 

Listen to "The Power of Breath" on Spreaker.

You can also listen to it on iTunes!

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