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Darielle Brooklyn

Darielle Brooklyn

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Skills for Self-Motivation

15 Monday Feb 2016

Posted by Darielle Brooklyn in Motivation, Uncategorized

≈ 3 Comments

Tags

How to, Inspiration, life skills, Motivation, procrasination, skills, success, WhfinancirselfTh

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In simple terms, self-motivation is the force that drives you to get things done. Motivation is the desire to do things. It is the crucial element in setting and achieving personal goals.

Your success in life will almost entirely depend upon whether you are able to motivate yourself. Fact: a self-motivated average person will always outperform a genius who is unable to get moving.

Self-motivation is similar to that of a muscle. The more you exercise it, the stronger it will become. Similar to that of a muscle, in order to work to its potential, it needs to be exercised in various ways. When motivation is exercised properly, it is then that it will serve your goals.

Regardless of where one is in life in terms of things such as age, weight, career, finances or marital status, many of us need self-motivation tips to be successful.

Many things are required to be successful, such as experience, education, financial support or connections. The most powerful thing needed for success is an interior force which is entirely in your control. It is self-motivation. The fact of the matter is: it doesn’t matter what you know, who you know or where you are. Self-motivation is necessary to be successful.

I am going to discuss some methods for you to strengthen your self-motivation.

Surround Yourself with Motivated People

Surround yourself with people that will inspire you. These people will provide motivation to help you achieve your goals. They will empower you to make the necessary changes you need in order to succeed. When you surround yourself with motivated people with goals, you too will want to achieve your own goals as well. People with the same goal can be powerful. Being part of a team increases our determination, stamina and courage.

Goal Identity

Reachable goals are specific goals.

In order to get motivated, your first need to figure out your specific goals. Get as specific as possible. Whether it’s a change of career, going back to school, getting in shape, or finding a significant other, make sure it is an attainable goal. Your brain can help you accomplish anything if it knows precisely what it is you are aiming for.

Goal Timeline

Once you have decided upon your attainable goals, write them down. Next to each goal, write down a realistic deadline. The goal doesn’t need to be met by the exact date you choose. It is simply a time frame. When you have a time frame, psychologically you play a private game and you start to hold yourself accountable. When you write your goals down with a realistic deadline, your goals become real rather than remain thoughts that you simply toss around in your head.

Knowing Why

Knowing the reason why you want to achieve a particular goal will enhance positive emotion. This emotion will bring positive energy to your goal. The more you focus on the reason why, the better your chances of succeeding in reaching your goal.

Plan of Action

It may help to have a planner so that you can see your plan of action. You will see what is expected of you each day to reach daily and weekly goals. This will keep you on schedule and allow you to focus on the end result. This is definitely a way to stay motivated.

Stop Procrastinating

People that have a difficulty with motivation are usually procrastinators. They’ve fallen into the habit of putting things off. This habit is sometimes caused by feeling overwhelmed and that in itself will keep you from taking the steps necessary to reach your goal.

Procrastination is the opposite of inspiration.

A simple change in your thought process from “I have to” to “I want to” will help motivate you. Try it!

Did you ever hear of the Two Minute Rule? If it takes two minutes to do or less, DO IT NOW! Start there. You’ll begin to see a shift from procrastination to motivation immediately.

Visualize Your Choices

If you’re looking for motivation, visualize two paths.

The first path is the one you’ve been on. If you stay on this path you will be exactly where you are now, in a day, a week, a month or a year.

The second path is the path where steps are taken to achieve your goal. Visualize what that looks and feels like. Are you happier? Healthier? Are you more productive? Are you better financially?

Two paths. You have choices. Right here and right now.

Change Your Attitude

We all know that a positive attitude goes a long way. The attitude you have on a daily basis is crucial. It can make you or break you. A negative attitude will drain your energy. If you depleted of energy, you will lose motivation. Rather, start practicing positive thinking. Successful people are positive people. A positive attitude is critical for success.

A positive attitude will bring positive results. A negative attitude will bring negative results. Which attitude are you going to choose?

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The reality is that you can spend your life waiting for motivation to kick in. Unfortunately, it may never happen. As I stated, at this moment, you have a choice to take action. Once you take that first step of action, you open up the flood gates of opportunity to embrace motivation.

Remember, there are two paths. One year from this exact moment, you will be another year older no matter what. You are free to choose your path but the choices you make today will affect what you see next year when you look back.

I wish you luck on your journey and I will leave you with this final quote.

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Rescue Dogs

14 Sunday Feb 2016

Posted by Darielle Brooklyn in Dogs, Uncategorized

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

animal rescue, black lab, border collie, Dogs, golden retriever, maltese, morkie, pets, rescue, rescue dogs, rescue pets

Ever since I could remember, I have always loved dogs. I remember sitting in my parents’ room when I was 4 years old dialing random numbers and asking complete strangers if they had a dog. I think I may have been just a bit fascinated with them.

I never had a dog growing up. As much as my father absolutely loved them, my mother did not. Unfortunately, she won that argument. She pretty much won all of them. But that’s a whole different blog!

No sooner than Rich and I closed on our first home, I found Annie. She was a Golden Retriever and lived to the ripe old age of 16 1/2!

We also had the pleasure of loving our Molly (another Golden Retriever), who lived to be 12.

Annie is on the left, Molly on the right.

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Our dogs that we now blessed with are Darci, our Maltese who is 10 years old, Oliver, our Golden Retriever who is 6 1/2 years old, Teddy, our Morkie who is 3 1/2 years old and Bentley, our Border Collie/Black Lab who is 7 years old. Bentley is our rescue dog.

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In the summer of 2011,  my little guy Joshua, had an ear infection. On the way back from the doctor, he was quite sad that he wasn’t able to go swimming with his brother and his dad. Right before we got home I saw a sign for a pet adoption. I asked Joshua, very innocently, if he wanted to go look at the puppies knowing this would bring a smile to his face. Mission accomplished!

When we walked up to the storefront and saw all of the rescue dogs needing homes, I was immediately heartbroken. To hear about them is one thing, but to see them all is another.

When I knelt down to pet a gorgeous Golden Retriever mix, another dog came up to my right side and put his head on my shoulder and stared at me. There he was. Bentley. I then sat down and he crawled into my lap. How could I possibly turn away from this sweet precious soul who obviously craved love and needed a home so desperately? His first few years may not have been ideal but from the moment that boy looked at me, everything for him changed.

Rescue dogs are amazing. They KNOW. They are deeply grateful and make sure they let you know it every moment of every day.

Whether they are rescue dogs or not, dogs in general are amazing blessings. Whether we rescue them our not, I truly believe every dog blessed with a loving and safe home have been rescued. And not only do we rescue them, but in a way, they rescue us too.

How to Stay in Love

14 Sunday Feb 2016

Posted by Darielle Brooklyn in Love, Uncategorized

≈ 5 Comments

Tags

couples, intimacy, Love, marriage, relationships

Happy Valentines Day!

What a perfect day to talk about love and how to sustain it for a lifetime.

Love is a powerful emotion. It can transform you in a moment. Love makes us joyful, grateful, generous, productive, selfless and brings us more joy than anything else ever could. It is a natural high.

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Falling in love is easy. It happens by chance. Staying in love takes work. It is a choice.

In order to stay in love you need to choose to see the good and ignore the small, petty stuff. You need to seek out what you could do for your partner, and never lose sight of what you love your partner. By making these choices you will reap the many rewards of staying in love.

My husband and I have been told that our relationship mirrors that of a couple who are dating and just fell in love with each other. What a compliment! It truly is an amazing feeling. After almost 20 years of marriage, we are both still very much in love with each other.

Below I am going to discuss some of the choices that you and your partner can make to help you stay in love with each other.

Communicate with Each Other

As we all know, communication is critical for all relationships. Honest communication is a crucial part of any loving relationship. When both partners feel comfortable expressing their needs, fears and desires, trust and bonds are both formed and strengthened. Nonverbal communication using body language such as eye contact, leaning forward, or touching your partner are powerful forms of communication.

Listen to Each Other

Listening to each other reaps benefits in every area of your relationship. When you listen, you learn things that will help you love your partner even more deeply. You may catch a glimpse of their hopes and dreams, or understand why they hurt or have certain fears. You will become aware of things you didn’t know.

When you actively listen to each another, you each get the attention both of you deserve and desire. This makes you each feel important and heard. You begin to develop a strong understanding which is crucial for relationships. As Ralph Waldo Emerson said, “It is a luxury to be understood.”

Forgive Each Other

No matter how much in love two people are, they are bound to hurt each other. This hurt can come from words, actions, inconsiderate behavior or neglect. A long-lasting relationship is one who is able to forgive each other. Forgiveness is the ability to deal constructively with anger allowing a couple to move forward with trust, understanding and hope.

To Forgive is really to remember that no one is perfect.
To Forgive is really to remember that we are so much more than our mistakes.
To Forgive is to remember that we have room in our hearts to begin again.

(Author Unknown)

Connect with Each Other

When you first met, do you remember calling each other constantly when you were apart? It’s worth incorporating some of that contact into your day now. It only takes a few minutes to send a text message or an email to let your partner know that you’re thinking about them. Call them during your lunch hour to say “I love you.” Contact during the day when you are apart will keep the positive feelings flowing and when you are together at the end of the day, it will be that much  more meaningful.

Laugh with Each Other

Laughing reduces stress, improves communication, and releases feel-good hormones. It creates great memories, helps anger fade, and melds people together. Quite simply, laughter is good for love.

Value and Appreciate Each Other

Saying “thank you” for the little things you often take for granted is important. Even though you expect your partner to do certain things, expressing your appreciation really goes a long way and should practiced as often as possible. Each time you express gratitude and show that you value and appreciate your partner, you increase the positive feelings in your relationship.

Protect Each Other and Your Relationship

People who stay in love value the love they share. They will do whatever it takes to defend and safeguard their relationship. Certain behaviors such as addictions, lying, affairs, or not respecting priorities can jeopardize your relationship and weaken your intimacy. It is absolutely crucial to always protect what you have together.

Flirt with Each Other

When you first fell in love, flirting was a major part of your relationship. Flirting can help you stay in love too. Whether it be with words, or through body language, flirting will convey the message that says “I’m still crazy about you!” Trust me, that goes a long way!

Remember. Love is a verb. Love is action. Love is deep. Love is commitment. Love is selfless.

Love is a choice.

It is by chance that we fall in love, but it is a choice to stay in love.

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How to Find Your Fashion Style

14 Sunday Feb 2016

Posted by Darielle Brooklyn in Fashion, Uncategorized

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Tags

accessories, apparel, clothes, clothing, couture, designer, Fashion, shopping, style, stylist, trends

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Style can be so powerful.

My passion for fashion hasn’t always been what it is now. Growing up it was the usual wear-what-your-mother-bought-you wardrobe.  I remember when I was in junior high and high school wanting to wear the “in” fashions but my mom unfortunately did not share my vision. We never saw eye-t0-eye where fashion was concerned. She simply doesn’t have a passion for fashion. I do. BIG TIME. The good thing is now I get to show it. I’m now a fashion stylist (as you can see on my About page). I now wear what I want. One perk of being an adult!

I remember many times in my teen years getting dressed for school and my mom would say “What are you wearing?” Or “You can’t go out looking like that!” Or “Are you wearing that again? Pick something else.” You can’t imagine how many times I’d walk out the door unsure of myself. Definitely not a good feeling.

There were times that I’d take clothes out of my closet for her to donate and she’d insist how nice they were, how nice they looked on me and hung them back in my closet. Fun times.

Let me tell you something. Clothes can change your life. Whether you want to accept this or not, people do judge others by the way they look. An unfortunate, but true statement. More importantly, you actually judge yourself by the way you look.

Have you ever looked in the mirror and thought “Damn! I look fabulous in this outfit!” You walked out your front door knowing you looked good and you felt confident all day. How great would it be to feel like that every single day?

I am going to explain how you can achieve that feeling. Let’s look at how fashion affects each and every one of us in our day-to-day life.

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Your Own Personal Style

Style is personal. Style comes from within. You buy fashion but you “do” style. Each of us has a different personality; therefore, each of us will feel comfortable wearing different clothing. Forget terms such as trendy, preppy, or sporty. They aren’t going to be complete representations of your style. All those words do is categorize a particular outfit. Instead of using those terms, use words to describe yourself. Are you daring, laid back, Bohemian?  When you are shopping for clothes, use words to describe yourself and your spirit in order to allow you to choose clothes to try on. Don’t put yourself into a fashion box of any one particular style. Instead, let clothing allow your spirit to soar and shine!

Most of us develop and choose our style around our body size and shape, our hobbies, celebrities we admire, friends, the career we have as well as through a lot of trial and error. These are all acceptable but it is important to choose your style around who you truly are. Stay true to yourself because expressing yourself is an amazing and empowering thing and nothing you truly rock wearing will ever go out of style!

Your Environment and Its Effects on Your Style

People are social beings and constantly need validation. When searching for our style, we may look to friends, family or stylists to validate whether something looks good on us. Once we find our fashion identity, we then begin to look for other validations such as a stranger’s admiration or a compliment. It is during these moments that we make mental notes on the particular outfit we are wearing and decide to wear something similar to that style again.

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Style and Confidence

When you know you look good in something, you feel confident and you carry yourself differently. The fact is that when you look good, you feel good and you perform at a much higher level in both your personal and professional life.

Did you know that fashion can actually tweak your mood? Sometimes you wake up and just don’t feel good. You know what? Dress as if you do. Believe it or not, doing this will have an positive effect on your self-esteem and will actually shift your perspective from negative to positive. Honest!

Style and Your Assets

Is there something people compliment you on? Is there a part of your body that you know is downright fabulous? Whether it’s your toned arms, long legs or your hourglass figure, if you wear clothes that compliment your best assets, you will almost always looks stylish.

Style and Money

Having style absolutely does not have to be expensive. I personally own jeans from $20 to over $200. It’s all about outfit combinations and how you carry yourself. It’s not all about the amount of money you spend. You can look fabulous in an outfit that you put together from a high-end department store such as Nordstrom, or a department store such as Marshall’s. A white t-shirt is a white t-shirt. It’s all about the fit and the combinations.

Please don’t dismiss consignment shops either. You can find incredible high-end designer pieces there without having to spend a fortune either! It is important to keep your options open.

Style Inspiration

Fashion inspiration can be found everywhere. The number one thing you can do to improve your sense of style is simple. Look around and observe what people are wearing, the colors they put together, the shoes they choose for their outfit, as well as any accessories.

I’m definitely a people watcher but I also love browsing apps such as Pinterest and Instagram. I love looking through the major fashion magazines. You can browse online.  Fashion ideas are everywhere!

Conclusion

Your style defines who you are and projects your image and confidence to the world. When your outward appearance reflects your inner being, harmony is created.

Own your style and your image. There is nothing more empowering than a strong sense of self-confidence.

 

 

 

Positive Thoughts. Positive Attitude. Positive Life.

12 Friday Feb 2016

Posted by Darielle Brooklyn in Uncategorized

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

attitude, happy, journal, optimistic, positive, positive thinking

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There are two important qualities you should have to better your life: the power of positive thinking; and having a positive attitude.

When you focus on what you want and come up with a plan on how to get it, you are in more control of your life. Feeling and being in control of your life will always bring a more positive attitude.

Also, when you think about something that makes you happy, your brain releases endorphins, which trigger a positive feeling in the body, thereby causing a positive attitude. Endorphins are your body’s natural drug and when they are released, they cause a natural high. Exercise also releases endorphins and exercise has been proven to cause people to be happier, thereby allowing them to be more optimistic and more positive.

It has also been proven that happy people have a special quality that enables them to live a better life. The quality is that of optimism. Positive thinking.

Optimism is actually a learned quality. You can learn to be a more optimistic person and think more positively the majority of the time. Of course there will be times when this is more difficult, but it is certainly attainable. You just need to practice.

Happy People Focus on the Good in the World

Positive people have different ways of dealing with the world that distinguish them from others.

Positive people look for the good in whatever problem or difficult situation come their way. When things go wrong and in all reality, at times they will, positive people look to find something positive about the situation. I personally do this ALL OF THE TIME. And you know what? It really works!

The fact is when you look for something positive in a difficult situation or something good in any difficult person you meet, you will undoubtedly always find it.

The Power of Positive Thinking

Every setback back honestly has a valuable lesson. Instead of getting upset, take control of your emotions and look to see what you can learn from what you are experiencing. I recently had an illness that debilitated me for many weeks. I looked for the reason. I realized that I needed to go through that experience in order to accept another situation that I had dealt with in my life. There is ALWAYS a lesson to learn.

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Change the Way You Look At Things

Do you see the glass half full or half empty? From this moment on, raise your glass and see it as half full.  There are so many blessings to be thankful for. Focus on what you do have rather than what you don’t have. This is such a crucial thought process to live a happier, more positive life.

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Will there be people that you just don’t mesh with? Will there be complete strangers that you come into contact with that simply annoy you? Of course. From now on instead of getting yourself aggravated and thinking negative thoughts certain people, realize this: MOST people that you encounter on a daily basis are honestly good people. Don’t let others destroy your inner peace. Stay focused. Stay positive.

Start a Gratitude Journal

A gratitude journal is a blank notebook where you write down a list of things for which you are grateful. Every night, before you go to sleep, write down a list of five things that happened during the day that you are grateful for. Some nights, those five things just jump onto the page. On other nights, it may be difficult to even think of two things. It is at that moment that you need to realize how blessed you are to have food to eat or a comfortable place to sleep at night. It is at that moment that you remember that you have clean, running water. No matter what, you need to sit down and write down these five things every single night without any exceptions. It will change your life!

When you do this, you actually start to set your attitude for the next day. You subconsciously become aware of things for your journal each night. You will start making mental notes for your journal. It’s becomes a private quest, a private game. A game you will always win!

In essence, you become a gratitude magnet. And oddly enough, the law of attraction sets in.  Positive things start to find you. You learn to be grateful, accepting and open to things that come your way.

Honestly, please try this one. Try it for one month and see how this changes you and your attitude. I promise you it will. Let me know!

And please remember this:  If you look for the good, you will always find it.

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I hope this post has inspired you.

Blessings, Peace and Positive Thoughts.

Surviving the Loss of a Loved One

11 Thursday Feb 2016

Posted by Darielle Brooklyn in Grief, Uncategorized

≈ 4 Comments

Tags

bereavement, death, Grief, Loss, suicide

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A truer statement I cannot find.  Grief is the price we pay for love.

Death is one of the most confusing emotions we experience. We don’t and can’t imagine a future without our loved ones and forever is not a time frame we can actually fully grasp. Unfortunately, death is a reality that will affect every single one of us. It is something that very few actually consider or anticipate. It doesn’t seem real until it happens to us. The sad reality is that people die every single day and it is devastating for those who love them. Whether it is a parent, grandparent, sibling, or friend, the pain cuts deep and can seem to leave a hole in our heart. Even if the death is expected, dealing with the death of a loved one is extremely difficult, but it becomes even more difficult when the death of a loved one is sudden and unexpected.

I know how devastating an unexpected loss can be. I lost my brother May 14, 2013, very unexpectedly. One day he was living and part of this earth, and the next day he was gone. It was a crippling shock. As sudden and as shattering as it was, the pain I felt was just as severe as the loss of my dad, which I had some time to prepare for.

With my dad, there was some time to struggle with the idea of him not being around anymore. With my brother, it was instantaneous. There was no time to prepare myself for his death. In an instant, he was gone.

When you expect a loved one’s death it’s like walking into a fighting ring to endure a severe, brutal beating. You know it’s coming but it still hurts like hell. When grief is unexpected, it’s terribly agonizing and you feel powerless. It simply takes longer to adjust after an unexpected death.

I lost my dad to leukemia. He was diagnosed in 1991. I didn’t find out he had leukemia until April of 2006. My parents chose to keep it to themselves. My dad never wanted anyone to view him as a sick man. He was honestly the strongest man I knew. He succumbed to his leukemia June 9, 2006.

Between the time people found out about my dad’s illness, and before he passed away, people came to visit him. My brother flew up from Florida to see him. There was some time for his loved ones to prepare and accept the solemn possibility of his death. Even though it was a possibility, and we had some time to prepare, everyone was still completely grief-stricken when he passed away. I still miss him to the core of my soul and still get very emotional but I have loving memories of a great man who is so deeply missed. There is no shocking, devastating wound. There remains a sad emptiness for a man who meant the world to me.

Though you may expect the death of a loved one, and the pain is different than unexpected death, it is still equally as deep. Though you may expect a loved one’s death, and you can get a jump start on your grieving process, you grieve just as deeply. Grief knows no boundaries.

A loss by suicide is considered an unexpected and sudden loss. Warning signs are not taken seriously and people truly don’t recognize them until the loss occurs. A loss to suicide is very different from any other form of death. An important thing to remember is that if you lose someone to suicide, you cannot hold yourself responsible for their actions. It is natural and normal to feel guilt but the reality of the matter is that they they chose their destiny. You did not choose it for them.

Unfortunately, any death is a horrible thing regardless of the manner in which we lose someone. However, suicide is a unique death and has a higher complexity of emotional waves than any other type of loss.

The bottom line is whether death is sudden or expected, grieving is very similar.  Yes, we all grieve differently but the coping mechanisms remain constant no matter how a loved one passed.

Some myths about grief are:

MYTH: The pain will go away faster if you ignore it.

Fact: Trying to ignore your pain or keep it from surfacing will only make it worse in the long run. It is necessary to face your grief and actively deal with it for healing.

MYTH: It’s important to be “be strong” in the face of loss.

Fact: Feeling sad, frightened, or lonely is a normal reaction to loss. Crying doesn’t mean you are weak. You don’t need to “protect” your family or friends by putting on a brave front.

MYTH: If you don’t cry, it means you aren’t sorry about the loss.

Fact: Crying is a normal response to sadness, but it’s not the only one. Those who don’t cry may feel the pain just as deeply as others. They may simply have other ways of expressing it.

And my all-time favorite:

MYTH: Grief should last about a year.

Fact: There is no right or wrong time frame for grieving. How long it takes can differ from person to person.

Even though it is an exhausting and painful process, and the bereaved experience intense emotions and symptoms after a loss, the majority emerge with their sanity and emotional health intact.

For more information about grief and healing, and for group support information as well as various ways to cope, I have provided some information and helpful websites:

Grief.com

American Foundation for Suicide Prevention

Journey of Hearts

Survivors of Suicide Loss

If you are presently grieving the loss of a loved one, please accept my condolences.  I pray that you find comfort from family and friends during this most difficult time of your life.

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I am living proof that you DO survive grief, even though it may not seem it at the time.  I hope I was able to validate how you are feeling as well as give you hope in knowing that you too will survive your loss.  You are going to be okay.

Hugs.

Self Care

10 Wednesday Feb 2016

Posted by Darielle Brooklyn in Inspiration, Uncategorized

≈ 7 Comments

Tags

Grief, Loss, Nurture, Self Care, Stress

 

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People are like stained-glass windows. They sparkle and shine when the sun is out, but when the darkness sets in their true beauty is revealed only if there is light from within.- Elisabeth Kübler-Ross

Within the past several years, I experienced the death of my Dad, my brother, who is my only sibling, as well as the death of 4 treasured fur babies. I am no stranger to loss and trauma. Through it all, my light within shined. There were moments when it was dim, but it never went out completely.

I think I handled is quite well. I was told numerous times by numerous people how “strong” I am. Me strong. Wow.

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Just recently I battled a pretty serious illness which I am presently healing from. I think the years of grief had finally caught up to me. This came from being “strong” and holding so much in. After all, my children deserve to have a happy Mommy.  My husband deserves a happy wife and my Mom needs me to be strong for her. Everyone told me I needed to be strong for my Mom, husband and children. That’s me. Strong.

I’m absolutely fabulous at taking care of others. I do whatever it takes to ensure that my home is the most nurturing, happy, warm, loving fun home it can be. We are a very close family and I am supportive, understanding and overwhelmingly doting.  Apparently, I neglected to take complete care of me and it BOOM! It finally caught up to me.

Yes I eat healthy, exercise and try to get plenty of rest. I don’t drink, smoke or do anything detrimental to my health. Apparently, this wasn’t enough. I continued my life in the normal fashion. I didn’t take the appropriate time for me and the self-care I so obviously needed.

It is very important that you take this away with you: When you are going through a tough time, it’s crucial to not get caught up in things that will only bring you and your body more stress. You need to remove yourself from situations that will hinder your healing.

One thing that is so easy to do is to get wrapped up in the situations and emotions of our friends. This is all to common and it’s considered a normal part of our relationships.  However, when you are going through your own personal turmoil, it is simply not the time to take on others’ burdens. It is draining to your own energy. Listening to the emotions of others can sometimes even cause those emotions to be stirred up in ourselves, especially if we are able relate to their situation. Our energy needs to be conserved for our own healing and our own well-being.

Another thing we need to do is accept ourselves.  This means that we need to accept who we are and what we are capable of at the present moment. Are you able to do that? Are you able to truly and honestly recognize that there are times when you just won’t be 100% and off-the-chart spectacular? Are you able to realize that there are going to be times that your energy is depleted and you can only do so much? Don’t beat yourself up because you’re not the Superhero you want to be at that given point in your life. Hang up the cape for a while. It will be there when you are ready.

When you are going through unusual stress, you need to embrace what helps you feel good. What used to bring you tremendous joy or relaxation may not be working and you’ll sometimes need to shift your surroundings. You need to pay close attention to your own needs and what will work at this particular moment in time. If things aren’t nourishing your soul, don’t do them. There will be time to get back into those things when you’re feeling up to it. Don’t ever let anyone rush you or tell you it will be good for you. It may be good for you in general but if you aren’t ready, it’s not good for you at that time.

If you feel super busy, please take the time to unwind.  And when I say unwind, I don’t mean sitting on the couch staring at your smart phone looking social media such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, answering emails or surfing the web. It’s so easy to get caught up in it. On one hand, it connects us to so much, but on the other, it robs us of being present, really present, in the moment and what truly matters. You need to be present in your life and your family’s life. It is crucial to savor the moments. It is not crucial to play Words with Friends or read your Twitter timeline.

Stay in the moment. Be in the moment. Relax. Nurture. Make memories. This is imperative for stress relief as well.

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The willingness to be present in what is unfolding around you will change your life. It’s not easy and it takes practice. You may even mess up a lot. But each time you don’t give in, you get stronger. The stronger you get, the more able you will handle things that life throws your way.

So what are you going to do today to relax, be happy and take care of yourself? Please share in the comments section. I’d love to read about it.

 

Welcome to Fifty Shades of Blonde!

10 Wednesday Feb 2016

Posted by Darielle Brooklyn in Uncategorized

≈ 2 Comments

Welcome to my blog! I’m so glad you’re here and hope you find joy and authenticity and a sense of realness here behind my thoughts and words. My blog will be down-to-earth and many of my life experiences will be shared. You will always find honesty, inspiration and positivity.

Positive thoughts bring a positive life!

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