Empowering Choices

“Healing Within” Poem by Sandy Schneider

The path looks different for each person. In my life “love” is the superpower that heals the path within. Challenges show up on a rainy, cloudy or sunny day. Healing reminds me of the seasons. In the Springtime we start to bloom; rising up like a seed planted in the darkness. In the Summer we celebrate the sunshine and warmth, bathing in the blue water. In the Fall we shed the colorful leaves of our past. In the Winter we sit with everything that remains, as the white snow falls covering the path.

When we look at nature, a sunrise or sunset, the moon and the stars it brings healing to our soul.

When family or friends offer kind words, a hug, a phone call, a prayer, a text message, a verse, a poem, art, a letter, there are so many amazing ways to allow our hearts to heal.

Sometimes loneliness creeps in the door unexpected.
It does not knock, it seems to appear out of nowhere.
You look straight at it and ask “Who let you in?”
It does not reply, as you sit in total silence.
When this happens you have some choices.
You can kick it out the door or sit with it.
You can do the best you can or
you can force a different outcome.
You can pretend it’s not happening or choose to wear a mask.
Sometimes you can accept the peace and quiet
that surrounds you and embrace it.
Sometimes you want to run to family and friends.
Sometimes you want to run far away and escape.
Sometimes it feels like heavy chains are holding you down.
Sometimes being with others feels like a small band-aid
on a huge bleeding wound.
Sometimes relationships can truly heal your soul.
Sometimes going out feels good;
other times it feels like a like an experiment
rather than a life experience.
Loneliness asks you questions and makes you think.
Sometimed being fully present and accepting life as it occurs isn’t easy.
It takes courage to look loneliness in the face.
It takes strength to take in all the emotions it reveals.
To grieve, to cry, to move on, to accept, and
To celebrate new beginnings.
Your family moves away, your partner is gone, death of loved ones, your friends are busy and your left wondering…
What happened and when did the lights go out?
Again you are left with more questions…
What will you do next?
Sometimes new people cross your path and misunderstand who you are and your too tired to explain or justify their current perception.
Sometimes when you attempt to battle loneliness it feels like your a warrior taking invisible hits, as old wounds open that have never healed from the past.
Sometimes it feels like your winning, losing, sinking and
swimming in an endless cycle.
Is it time to tell loneliness to go away and maybe come back another day?
Today loneliness is being kicked to the curb,
yesterday we had coffee and a long talk.
Tomorrow I may have to deal with it again.
What will I do when loneliness comes to visit?

Poem by Sandy Schneider

I wrote this for people who have struggled with grief, pain, and loss on life’s journey. I am not exempt. Each day becoming aware of inner and outer pain and then deciding to take a step forward is the key to healing your soul. Movement and a hard or soft reset are needed and it usually leads to a positive outcome.

Acceptance is part of the journey.

Having tools and resources to navigate are essential.

I take online classes with Jayson Gaddis, Trent Shelton and Mel Robbins. I follow Tony Robbins and many others on social media that help me through challenging moments in life. I enjoy having inspiration, encouragement, aha moments, and learning from the experts. Sometimes it is completely free advice other times it comes with a small cost and provides tremendous value.

If you want to get unstuck, if you want to heal, find people you can relate to, then listen, learn and apply. Test it, experiment, give it a try.

Why not start with a 15 minute video a day from a reliable resource, a proven, well known author.

May you have the courage to find answers and solutions. Sending love to all those who are struggling and searching for answers.

I may post later some of my favorite videos and resources.

Walking forward and sometimes strolling backwards.

Each day as the morning sun shines brightly I am filled with gratitude.

Each breath is a signature of life.

The Choices…

Will I be present or will I choose to live in the past?

Will I choose to love and be loved?

Will I choose a healthy mindset or will I choose to focus on the negative input from the world?

Will I choose to take gradual, small steps to find harmony and balance or will I rush to find instant answers that may turn out to be false?

Will I understand that pain provides the answers that I need to move me in a new direction?

Will I face the truth that some things happen in life for unknown reasons?

Will I accept what is or will I make choices to resist what is happening consciously or unconsciously?

Life is a path of listening, observing and discovering our authentic self; each choice brings important life lessons that are designed for personal growth.

I want to see clearly and vividly. I want to hear the inner truths. I want to feel alive and connected. I want to touch nature and use all my senses to experience life on earth.

I want to continue on a spiritual path of love, hope, faith, grace, forgiveness, joy, miracles, and much more.

I want to walk on the bridges, walk on the dirt, walk on the rocks, walk on the sand and grass and swim in the ocean, rivers and lakes.

I want to sing a new song and listen to music, and the sounds of drums, flutes and every musical instrument.

Let the journey begin moment by moment, choice by choice…let it be.

Is love a hug? Is it a kiss? Is it a friend who cares? Is it having a life time partner? Is it a smile? Is it laughter and good times? Is it a healing touch? Is love different for each person? Is it a feeling that comes and goes? Is it accepting people just the way they are? Is love accepting others without judging? Is love freedom? Is love inside a rose? Is love a newborn coming into the world? Is love your family, your children, your grand children? Is love a sunrise and a sunset? Is love explainable? Is there an exhaustive definition of love written that is fully complete?

Love is…________________________fill in the blank.

I think love is the best way to live life.

I believe Love is the perfect solution to most problems.

Love could take a zillion pages or more to explain.

The first step is taking action. If you fall, get up. Keep taking action steps.

Discover your talents and gifts. There are many resources online, books at the library, bookstores, hire a counselor, a life coach, take a career college course etc.

If you already know in your heart your calling or purpose… then start the journey.

Experience if you like it, test the waters, talk with people that already work in that field and ask a lot of questions.

The journey can start with a visit or a volunteer opportunity at different places to check it out. Create a timeline to volunteer that you are comfortable with such as spending a couple hours, a day, a week, a month, etc.

Remember that mistakes and failures are normal and they are stepping stones to find your true path. Mistakes are life lessons that help you find the right path. If you don’t like something that is a good sign not to pursue it.

You can write all your talents, strengths and gifts on paper to start. You can create a map and decide which roads to take on the journey.

Expect detours and know that detours are there for a good reason; use clarity, wisdom and discernment on your journey.

Start by taking a small step every day toward your heart purpose, your dream, or your calling.

Self-Worth is a priority.

Be strong in your beliefs and values.

Know that your purpose lives in you and you can’t lose it.

Create a new story, a new chapter a new page, a new beginning.

Pray faithfully.

Be prepared for Spiritual Warfare.

Your past pain has prepared you for your purpose.

Do you want to be celebrated by the world?

My answer is No.

Search for the truth.

Delete all the money-making schemes and ideas and find out what you love to do.

What do you work at without pay that you love to do?

Remove external validation.

Shed the approval of others.

Destroy the lies that recognition and popularity are important; this is complete garbage, a total waste of your time.

Approval from others gives you the illusion of success.

Search for the truth.

What keeps you distracted? This is a major clue. Set up a personal schedule.

Live your life on purpose.

Deception is a tricky adversary that loves to waste your time, cause you confusion, stress and anxiety; or make you so comfortable that you stop looking for answers. These are clues that can knock you off your feet if you allow them to deceive you.

What are you busy doing that ends up wasting a lot of your time? Be aware of distractions. Beware.

What is Deception? It is a path of hidden lies. Imagine you are playing a strategic game yet you are being tricked into believing you are winning when you are actually losing. The adversary is very clever, do not underestimate.

Search for the truth.

Your purpose is much deeper than the illusions of success from the world’s point of view.

Go on a journey, mistakes happen on purpose, learn from them and discover what makes you tick. What makes you happy?

Real life experiences become your trade, your personal tools, your uniqueness. Enjoy the journey.

Love with all your heart and soul.

Live on purpose.

Winning and losing amounts to endless learning and the balance of darkness and light.

Practice love, believe in love and live it fully.

Life is not an easy, smooth road, it is truly bumpy with lots of detours. Be prepared for the mountains and the valleys, the sunshine and the storms.

Search for the truth.

This is the end game.

My notes and thoughts from listening to Trent Shelton and other authors. This is my thoughts, expressions, interpretations and personal beliefs of what I am learning on the journey.

Bright moments capture the light. Dark moments create the balance.

Balance seeks the truth. Light reveals wisdom. Darkness and pain equal growth.

XOXOXO