So many of us are so saddened by the loss of Robin Williams at his own hand. I was shocked when I heard he was dead and then so incredibly sad when I heard it was suicide.

(1-800-273-TALK (8255) Suicide Hot line

I also struggle with depression.  Many of us do. I have seen so many posts about suicide these last few days. "The ultimate act of selfishness", "what a waste", other negative emotions. When someone commits suicide it will often solidify another strugglers decision to do the same. 

If you struggle with depression get help.  I isolated my self and that was very unhealthy.  Finally I got help, the drugs had to be adjusted and that was hard (over drugging is a problem too).  the Counselors were helpful but one moved away and one got out of the business (can you say abandonment). Get tested it could be allergies or like me it may be from severe abuse. 

(1-800-273-TALK (8255) Suicide Hot line

I just want you to know that there is a light at the end of the tunnel and it is not a TRAIN. My hope is in Jesus Christ, that kept me going knowing that God loves me and that even when we walk through dark valleys He is there.  What ever your God is...like Alcoholics Anonymous and other recovery programs, believing in a higher power can make all the difference. 

Some people say meds are bad, some people say prayer is the only thing that will heal you.  Both are good.  But healing takes ACTION.  I have a dear friend struggling with depression and she is making sure she is not isolated.  She is on meds that have had to be adjusted, thus taking more time.  She has a counselor and people who pray with her and for her. 

Depression can make us act crazy, cry a lot, give up hope.  We don't understand it and we can't figure out why we can't get out of bed. I am so very glad that I didn't give in to the temptation to end it all.  I am so glad I chose not to believe the words of an enemy that says "what good are you anyway?" "Everyone will be better off with out you"  These are lies.  Find someone to listen, believe you will come out stronger on the other side, ask what the depression can teach you.

(1-800-273-TALK (8255) Suicide Hot line

You will make it

You will come through

There is hope

Depression may not be "Just Temporary" but there is long term help for it.

Please don't give in, give up!!

The world needs you and is waiting for your brilliance to shine through. 

It will shine through

Keep going

One baby step

one appointment

telling one friend who will believe you

BELIEVE

Praying for you,
Coach Laurie
Did Not See That Coming

It’s funny what we believe about ourselves.  I am getting a “Makeover.”  First I had to look at my facial features and decide what category I fell into.  I chose the one with the “lump of clay nose.”  My makeover artist asked me why I chose it and I said “because I have a big nose.”  She looked at me so funny and said, “no you don’t.” My rebuttal, “yes I do.” We continued this for awhile until she showed me a picture I sent her before the makeover.  She had me look at my nose, I still saw big.  What I realized through this?  Someone in my past told me I had a big nose and I should wear my hair high on top to distract from it.  I believed it.  I believed it so much that when I looked in the mirror I saw a big nose.  How does this happen?  My belief system is so strong that when faced with truth I couldn’t believe it, even when I saw it, because the brain is seeing what we believe, not what is the truth.  It made me wonder what else I am  believing that is not true?   This was such a revelation because I believed it but didn’t voice it so friends couldn’t correct me or point it out.  It was so deep set. What are you believing about yourself that just isn’t true?

I’m too old?  I couldn’t do that? Good things never happen to me?

What ever it is, when you catch it…challenge it… because your brain will believe it if that is what you are telling it and that is what you will see.  Try changing the dialog in your head.

You are beautiful and good things want to happen for you!!

Live What you Love,

CoachLaurie

Whenever I hear someone say  “have an attitude of gratitude” something inside me cringes a little.  For a long time I thought something was wrong with me.  I heard a speaker say  “It’s not an attitude of gratitude, but a practice of gratitude” and that resonated with me.  Gratitude is hard work, especially when we are in a difficult place.  I know if I start thinking about all the things I am grateful for it might pull me out of a funk.  Yet I resist.  Is it just me?  

This week I was facing some struggles and I made a decision to stay right in the moment.  When my thoughts wandered to “what am I going to do?” I brought them back to the present moment.  How was I in this very moment?  I had a roof over my head, food in my cupboards, a car that ran.  I was not hungry, I was not in any danger.  I was safe in my home with plenty around me.  That is when gratitude happened.  I was so caught off guard that here in the moment with all the wonderfulness of my life in the span of less than a minuted I had gone from sheer panic, to full blown gratitude.  True gratitude where I felt it.  I wasn’t trying to have an attitude of gratitude, I wasn’t trying to feel better by making a list of all the things I was grateful for, but I chose to be very present to the moment I was in and that there was absolutely no lack in that moment.  That’s when I began to dance.

Are you “Dancing in the Moment?”
Coach Laurie  

I just took a huge step in my life.  I moved forward.  It was awesome and wonderful and I am so grateful and happy for my new adventure.
All that said.  I have people in my life who are now moving forward.  I am so excited and happy for them.  But I'm not gonna lie, it's hard. The shoe is on the other foot.  Yes I am being supportive, yes I am being encouraging, but then I think inside..."What about me?"  I'm realizing the level of faith and believing I called upon to make it through my own move, is what i am calling on to make it through their move(s).  I have to believe not only that this is good for them, but that I will be okay and that it is somehow good for me too.  In writing it, it seems self centered... whaaaa what about me.  But in all honesty when things are good I like them to stay that way.  So now I choose the same faith and belief.  And voila, that gets the focus off of me, (worry) and back on them (adventure) and I find myself letting go and trusting that this change is good all the way around and it is.  I see now why people have a hard time encouraging others to move forward when the "moving forward" affects them in a hard way. Encouraging and blessing others isn't always that easy.  Sometimes it takes good self talk and putting aside my own fear.  Ouch.. I said it... now I can continue to move forward and bless others... very aware of the vicious cycle of fear and adventure and the self talk that goes with it. 
Make it a great day!!
Coach Laurie

"Knowledge with out action equals nothing"
  Mastin Kipp of The Daily Love


Remember when you were about to do something really scary?  Your first kiss? First speech? First day of college?  First day on the new job?
You had to step out and try something out of your comfort zone. 
How did it feel? Was it scary? Exciting? Exhilarating?
All three?
Comfort zone is a scary word. 
It's a scary place.
Just before something wonderful and exciting happens,
we are faced with the choice to stretch or stay.
When we are younger the choice seems obvious.
Because we are expected to spread our wings.
As we get older it is harder because we are expected
to be responsible and "safe."
I was part of a conversation the other day that was fascinating.
At a wedding, a man sitting at a table with his mom and friends, was telling
me his life experiences.
His mom kept chiding in.
He said: after 911 my department was the first to be let go at Boeing.
She said: I wish you would have stayed at Boeing.
He said: I tried some different sales jobs.
She said: I wish you would have done sales at Boeing.
He said: I became a car salesman and I LOVE it. I love sales.
She said:  I really wish you would have stayed at Boeing.
He said: I like to take risks and try new things, life is too short.
He asked me to sum up my book in one sentence.
I said: Never give up on your dreams.
His bright eyes and smile told me he was so happy to have someone on his team.
Where can you stretch?
What are you wanting to do so badly but are so afraid to take the step?
The gremlin's are telling you...
Who are you to think you can.....
You can't do that...
Are you crazy?
Ask yourself, When I'm on my death bed, what am i going to regret the most?
Do it.
"I wanna see you be BRAVE"
Sara Bareillis