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Dr. Carol Deas-Lopez

About Dr. Carol Deas-Lopez

http://empoeringbreakthroughs.net

Posts by Dr. Carol Deas-Lopez:

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Turning Adversity into Growth: Navigating Challenges for Personal Development

Every individual faces challenges and adversity at some point. While often daunting, these problematic moments hold immense potential for personal transformation and growth. Overcoming such obstacles allows you to unlock new strengths, gain invaluable insights, and set the stage for a resilient and fulfilling future. This Empowering Breakthroughs article will explore how facing adversity can be a powerful catalyst for personal development.

Resilience: The Art of Bouncing Back

Developing resilience is a fundamental aspect of turning adversity into growth. Engaging with challenges head-on enables you to build a robust ability to recover from setbacks, teaching you vital lessons in perseverance and strength.

This resilience becomes a cornerstone for facing future adversities more effectively, ensuring you can maintain mental well-being and adaptability in life’s uncertainties. It fosters a mindset that views obstacles not as insurmountable barriers but as opportunities for learning and self-improvement. Consequently, this resilient attitude empowers you to approach life confidently, knowing you have the inner resources to handle whatever comes your way.

Self-Awareness: Reflecting for Growth

Adversity serves as a mirror, reflecting your deepest values, beliefs, and behaviors. This process of introspection enhances self-awareness, a vital element of personal growth. A deeper understanding of oneself empowers you to make choices in harmony with your authentic self, leading to a more directed and purposeful existence.

Expanding Horizons for Career Growth

Pursuing further education can significantly broaden your perspectives; you can improve your career prospects with a cybersecurity degree, among others. A cybersecurity program can teach you about keeping computer systems and networks secure in an age when cyber crime is rampant. Such skills are invaluable today and can strengthen your position in the job market.

Engaging in online courses or degree programs equips you with new skills and opens the door to previously inaccessible opportunities. This commitment to learning and advancement is critical in securing your future in an increasingly competitive job market.

Problem-Solving: Cultivating Creativity and Adaptability

Facing challenges necessitates the development of innovative problem-solving skills. Each obstacle encountered forces you to think creatively and adapt, sharpening your ability to find practical solutions. These refined problem-solving abilities are crucial for overcoming personal and professional challenges while enhancing your proficiency and confidence in tackling future hurdles.

Empathy: Connecting Through Shared Struggles

Experiencing adversity firsthand deepens your empathy, enabling a more profound connection with the struggles of others. This enhanced understanding fosters more robust and compassionate relationships. The ability to empathize profoundly impacts your life and the lives of those around you, enriching your connections and fostering a supportive community.

Coping Mechanisms to Strengthen Emotional Well-Being

Learning to navigate adversity is instrumental in developing healthier coping mechanisms for stress and emotional pain. Effective stress management is vital to emotional resilience, preparing you for future challenges with a more balanced and healthy approach. These coping strategies are essential for preserving your emotional health and ensuring readiness for whatever lies ahead.

Gratitude: Finding Light in Darkness

Overcoming adversity often brings a renewed appreciation for life’s positives. This sense of gratitude enhances mental health and happiness, reminding you of the good that exists even in difficult times. Cultivating gratitude is a powerful tool for personal growth, offering a perspective that values and cherishes the positive aspects of your existence.

Life Goals and Priorities: Aligning with Core Values

Challenging times prompt a reevaluation of what is truly important. This reflection often leads to realigning life goals and priorities, ensuring they resonate with your core values and aspirations. Such alignment brings about a sense of fulfillment and purpose, driving actions and decisions that truly reflect your deepest desires and objectives.

Adversity is not merely an obstacle to overcome but an opportunity for profound personal growth and development. By embracing the challenges that come your way, you open yourself to a journey of self-discovery, resilience-building, and a deeper understanding of your purpose in life. Let each adversity you face be a catalyst for transformation, guiding you toward a more resilient, purposeful, and fulfilling existence while fostering a deeper connection with yourself and the world around you.

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How to Feel Better and Get Past Your Mid-Life Crisis

As we get older, it is only natural for many of us to start to experience what is often referred to as a mid-life crisis. That is when we begin to think that our best years are behind us. It isn’t true, but it can be inevitable to feel that way. If you are at that stage, then we are here to help. Here are some tips for how you can get past your mid-life crisis.

 

Consider Making a Change and Starting a Business

 

Sometimes, we get stuck in a rut, and it can be because we are returning to a job day after day that simply isn’t making us feel fulfilled. Since you have many years ahead of you, this may be a good time to return to school to get a degree in a job that you always wanted to try.

 

If you really want to make a change and you have a great idea, then you can take this one step further by turning your idea into a new business. Before you jump in, create a business plan that outlines every step that you will need to take to make your new venture a success. For instance, the plan should outline the exact services that you will provide, how much money you will need to produce that service, how you hope to secure those funds, who your target demographic will be, and how you plan to market to that audience, among other important steps. Once you have your plan set in stone, follow it until you succeed.

 

Move to a New City

 

You may also be experiencing a mid-life crisis because you don’t feel comfortable in the town where you live. That could be because your friends and family have moved away, or maybe you dealt with a loss, and you feel that grief every day. Regardless of the reason, it may be time to move to a new city where you can have a fresh start. Since you do not know if the new city will be your final landing spot, it is a wise idea to rent an apartment or a house, so you are not tied down. Check online listings and filter them according to your needs. Some listings offer virtual tours so you’ll avoid having to visit many properties in person.

 

Before you commit to the first rental you find, it is important that you do your research ahead of time. Take a few days to tour the city and find the areas where you could see yourself living and also look online at apartment listings. When you do, filter through the vacancies for the properties that match the square footage, amenities, and number of rooms that you need to be comfortable and happy. Once you narrow down your list, look at the prices and find something that you can afford.

 

Motivate Yourself to Stay Active with New Athletic Wear

 

Some people feel down about themselves because they don’t think they are as physically fit as they were when they were younger. However, it is important to avoid negative thoughts because that can lead to depression or worse. Instead, you can get back into the habit of living a healthy life with daily exercise. You don’t need to run a marathon or go overboard, but if you can fit in 20 minutes of exercise each day, then you will feel better physically and mentally, as riding a stationary bike or taking a walk in nature can help to clear your head.

 

If you need extra motivation to exercise, then consider going to the store and buying a new fitness wardrobe. For instance, a new pair of comfortable shoes can get you excited to lace them up for a run each day, or a new tank top can give you the courage to exercise in public. You may also benefit from purchasing a pair of amazing leggings that you can wear during your sessions. They are comfortable while also giving you the freedom to move and get your blood pumping.

 

As you can see, there are various ways that you can get past your mid-life funk and start feeling better about the future. Consider the benefits of exercise, try a new career, and research new cities and rental properties, and you will be on the right track.

 

If you need support adjusting to change and embracing your life, life coaching from Empowering Breakthroughs can help. Book a session today!

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How to Make Your Home a Welcoming Place

How to Make Your Home a Welcoming Place

 

Feeling at home in your house is indeed a wonderful feeling. It means that you’re comfortable and content with where you live. You can create a sanctuary in your home by making it into a place of peace and serenity for yourself and those who live with you. After all, we spend so much time at home these days, why not make it as comfortable as possible?

 

The following guide will help you transform your space so that you can feel at peace and relaxed when you walk through the front door. From creating an area for meditation to making your own sense of sacred space, this guide presented by Empowering Breakthroughs has everything you need to make your home a welcoming place to be.

 

Make Your Space Welcoming

 

Making your space welcoming is a great way to make it feel like a home. It also makes it easier for you to have guests over. You can do this by making sure that your house is clean and tidy — so clean that it feels new again.

 

This will help you get rid of any bad energy from the day. Make sure that your furniture is arranged in a way that makes sense and is comfortable too. And, don’t forget about creating an altar. An altar can be anything from a table with candles or flowers on it to a beautifully decorated shelf or even just your nightstand.

 

If you want to make your space feel like a true sanctuary, make sure to give it some personal touches. Take time to pick out décor and art pieces that represent what’s important in your life; maybe pictures of loved ones or reminders of goals you want to reach. Find ways that work best for you. The more effort you put into making your space feel like home, the more welcoming and relaxing it will become.

 

Create a Space for Meditation

 

Creating a meditation space that feels sacred and relaxing is vital. One of the most important steps is creating a place where you feel grounded and at peace. Make sure that you have some sort of decoration that reminds you of who or what matters most to you. Whether it’s pictures of family members or motivational quotes, find something that resonates with you and put it up on your wall.

 

Pictures of loved ones will remind you of the people you care about. But if you want to use different materials like beads or rocks from nature, feel free to. It doesn’t matter so long as it helps you feel at peace at the end of the day.

 

Streamline Your Home Office

 

Especially for those who work from home, it can be challenging to create a home office environment that encourages productivity and creativity while also being conducive to restfulness and positive thinking. One great way to accomplish this is by examining the tasks you’ll be performing in that office and trying to streamline them as much as possible.

 

For instance, one of the most stressful things many of us do in our offices is our taxes. Just the mention of the tax season can fill many of us with dread. Luckily, there are some things you can do to make things a little easier, like keeping your tax documents organized. One of the easiest ways to accomplish this is by digitizing your invoices and receipts, thus preventing you from having to dig through a mountain of paperwork just to find the one or two scraps of paper that inevitably get lost.

 

Another great way to reduce stress is to seek out free resources that can help you streamline your daily operations. Especially these days, there are websites and apps for every conceivable industry you can imagine. For example, if you’re a welder, Welding Logic offers a wealth of product reviews and industry tips. You can find comparable resources for nearly every other field of employment, as well.

 

Seek Connection in Home

 

Whether it’s a yoga mat in the corner, a book on meditation, or an incense burner on the mantelpiece, make your home a place where you feel connected. This will strengthen the sense of connection to yourself and those around you. You can do this by creating a space that speaks to your values. For example, if you love nature and want to bring more of it into your life, try hanging photos of trees or creating a terrarium in your home.

 

Or, if you enjoy music and want to surround yourself with relaxing songs from around the world, try playing different genres of music throughout the house. The key is to connect with a hobby or something meaningful to you and cultivate a sense of peace at home.

 

Creating a warm, welcoming home is important, so take the necessary steps to ensure yours is a nice place you can retreat to at the end of a long day. Whether you’re relaxing in your meditation space, being productive in your office, or just finding time to clear your mind and unwind, a calming home can make a huge difference in your life, both physically and mentally.

 

Empowering Breakthroughs is a consulting agency that offers spiritual empowerment coaching for individuals, couples, and families. Reach out today for a free consultation!

 

Image via Pexels

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How Gratitude Can Heal You

According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, gratitude is defined as “The state of being grateful.” It is a simplistic definition for a word that can mean a whole lot. We have all likely felt gratitude towards people throughout our lives. 

It could be because of something we were given or had done for us. Having someone be grateful to you is a great feeling but it can also be beneficial for the person expressing the gratitude as well. 

What Is Gratitude?

According to Psychology Today, gratitude is a spontaneous feeling that we experience when something has been done for us. It is also suggested that embracing gratitude can be a good practice for mental health. This is a positive emotion that not only feels good inwardly but sends out positive energy outwardly as well. 

The Importance of Gratitude

A regular practice of gratitude not only boosts our happiness and mental health but can also impact our physical health as well. Choosing to focus our energies on the positive emotion of being grateful for what we have distracts us from the negative feelings of what we do not.

How Gratitude Can Heal

Psychologist Lisa Firestone Ph.D. suggests that gratitude is one of the most important tools to attaining success in our modern world. According to Dr. Firestone, gratitude helps us better understand ourselves and our personal values. 

As a result, we can be more centered emotionally and find healing in a number of ways such as: 

  • Improved happiness
  • Greater optimism
  • Positive attitude
  • Improved relationships
  • Improved health
  • Greater personal progress
  • Fewer aches and pains
  • Greater alertness
  • Improved generosity
  • Better sleep
  • Boosted self-esteem.

All of these positive effects can go to support a brighter more positive outlook on light. When we appreciate what we have and what we are given we can better deal with disappointment. The most important thing to consider with gratitude is there is no downside to being grateful. 

How To Embrace Gratitude

Although gratitude is a spontaneous emotion which we most commonly experience in the moment of receiving something we can also learn to be more grateful. It is often hard to muster gratitude for the things we already have which can be limiting. 

Berkeley University suggests a few tips that can help people boost their feelings of gratitude which includes. 

  • Journaling: A good tip to promote gratitude is to start a gratitude journal. This is a good way to allow you to write down the things you have that you are grateful for. It creates a visual reminder of the things that are important in life.

  • Appreciate your Senses: Our five senses are something we often take for granted and as odd as it sounds, they are something we should be grateful for. There are many people in the world who lack one or more of these senses and have to go through life. So be grateful for being able to see, smell, hear, touch, and taste.

  • Choose Gratitude: Gratitude is not a hard attitude to adopt because in truth there is always something to be grateful for. Others may have more than you do but you can choose to embrace what you do have.

  • Seek ways to be Grateful: Be creative in your search for things to be grateful for. Seek new chances for gratitude and also to give others to be grateful for you.

Final Thoughts

Gratitude can work in both directions; we can feel good for things we have and we can feel good for giving to others. It is an easy emotion to embrace and can really help heal our emotional and physical health.

happiness

Why a Simple Life Leads to Happiness

Dr. Carol Deas-Lopez • Aug 03, 2022

Why a Simple Life Leads to Happiness

Many people are unhappy, but they don’t understand why. They bought into the hype of working a lucrative job that enables them to buy big houses filled with tons of stuff. They have the latest gadgets that connect them to family, friends, and frenemies through social media. If they have all of these goodies, why are they unhappy?

You may be in this predicament and wondering how you can stop the merry-go-round of an overwhelming life. You might have entertained the idea of cutting back and trying this thing called a simple life, but will it make you happy?

5 Ways a Simple Life Leads to Happiness

Choosing a simple life might be the best decision you could make. There are many benefits, including that you can become happier. Here is how:

1. You become healthier. When you are healthy, you tend to feel happier. The stress of owning too many things can cause you to lose sleep, have digestive issues, stop exercising and eat poorly. How? You spend more time working to pay for all of the stuff instead of putting your health first. You may worry about your belongings, which can increase feelings of anxiety. Poor health does not lead to a happy person.


2. You enjoy the small things in life. Complicated lives produce harried people, not happy ones. You can slow down and take in the world around you when you let go. The simple pleasures like feeling the sunshine on your face bring lasting happiness to our lives.


3. You become more grateful. Dumping all the junk and clutter allows you to slow down and focus on your actual needs. Soon, you will find those things to be thankful for, such as your good health. Gratitude provides a pathway to happiness.

4. You connect deeply with your family and friends. As social beings, we need people. When you are flitting from one activity to the next, you have little time to focus on relationships. You may feel disconnected, and your relationships may suffer. Simplifying your life paves the way to spend more time with those you love. Deeper relationships leave you feeling satisfied and happier.

5. You can work less and still satisfy your basic needs. Simple living leads you down new paths of discovery of your actual needs. You may learn that you can live with much less, such as food, clothing, and shelter, which means you can choose a less stressful job, working fewer hours.

Happiness doesn’t have to elude you. By choosing a simple life, you give yourself the best opportunity to be happy and live life to the fullest.

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Radical Shift

Dr. Carol Deas-Lopez • Jun 30, 2022

If you’re tired of seeing others skyrocket to the top with confidence while you scrap & claw your way through each day riddled with doubt, keep reading…


Life is hard work. It’s no secret that you have to learn loads of different skills and face heaps of challenges. But if you truly want to become–and feel–wildly successful, you also have to face something else: every belief you have about who you are, what you’re capable of and what you’re truly here to do.

If you’ve ever…

– Doubted whether you could truly make a difference in the world or if you even have a “purpose”

– Felt like you “don’t matter” and nobody cares what you say because you’re not anyone important (yet)

– Felt stuck either financially, emotionally or lifestyle-wise, because you’re too afraid to step out of your comfort zone and therefore, are overwhelmed and burned out most of the time

– Turned down new opportunities/relationships (even ones you’d love to say yes to!) because you don’t deeply believe you’re “good enough”

– Felt “fine” with the status quo, because it didn’t rock the boat and challenge your beliefs.

– Wanted to give up on pursuing your dreams because others make it look so easy, and you feel like every little milestone is a struggle

– Question your ability to make good money, make friends with the “right” people, or truly help others (or the world) doing what you WANT to do

– Had an “inkling” you’re meant to do something–maybe you even KNOW what that something is–but have a million excuses why it’s not the right time or circumstances or whatever-else

…then congratulations! You’re human. (And you’re also very much in the right place.)

You’re also most likely dealing with some major (or minor) limiting beliefs.

Here’s the deal: When there’s any sort of stagnation or fear in ANY area of your life, odds are you’re coming head-to-head with a big, fat, lying limiting belief.

Limiting beliefs are those pesky ideas about who we are & what we’re able to do.

They’re the thoughts that get us all: “I can’t do it!,” “I will never overcome the heartache!,” “I could never achieve THAT,” or “it’s TOO LATE for me.”

And all of that above, my friend, is exactly why limiting beliefs are a problem.

They can stop you from living out your divine purpose.

They can stop you from taking the actions you need to take to become the person–you’re meant to be. And worst of all!!! They can stop you from truly getting to experience all the beauty (and money, experiences, and love!) life has to offer.

If you don’t do anything about your limiting beliefs, you could easily wind up doing what you’re doing right now for the next 10, 20, 30, 40+ years, not achieving more than what you’re doing right now, becoming complacent and frankly apathetic (because it’s easy to get jaded when you’re ignoring your true purpose!), feeling disenchanted or simply burning yourself out so badly that life is just one big struggle (Of course, these are all hypothetical–but you get the gist!)

The good news? Beliefs are actually super malleable. You can change them and move them…with a little work. The not-so-good news? If you’re ready to truly face your fears so you can live out your fate, you can’t just skim the surface.

When You Transform Your Beliefs at the Root, Everything Gets Easier
Listen: You didn’t create your limiting beliefs, but you are responsible for changing them.

If you want to experience true happiness (and feel worthy of it!), you have to get crystal clear on what specific beliefs are holding you back, how they’re holding you back, and exactly how you can shift them.

Then–and only then–can you truly create your life from intention and not pre-programmed beliefs.

Only then can you live out your TRUE purpose and the best part is you can do this at any time!

Luckily, there’s an actual, step-by-step PROCESS for shifting even the most damaging limiting beliefs that will help you not only think, but act differently and therefore, embody new beliefs that will change the game for you from the foundation up.

If you’re clear on your purpose, you’ll become clearer (and more confident).

If you’re unclear, you’ll finally be able to name and claim it and start working toward it.

And if you thought you were clear but weren’t 100% sure, well, you’ll doubt no more, friend.

Your purpose inevitably becomes clearer when you swap your old beliefs and start to embody who you were always meant to become.

And when that happens? The world becomes a better place all of us.

That’s why I’m offering a comprehensive training all about shifting these beliefs in a deep way so you can start living out your purpose now–not 20 years from now (or worse, never).

Introducing…

Radical Shifts: How to Shift Your Limiting Beliefs and Tap into Your Divine Purpose
When you purchase, you’ll receive both the training and workbook walking you through how to transform even your most deep-seated beliefs about who you are & what you’re capable of so you can finally step into what you’re truly here to do.

Just imagine if you could…

✓ Release any negativity, shame or anxiety around money so you can make more of it–without an iota of guilt

✓ Feel more confidence asking for what you want and going after what you truly desire in work (and everywhere else!)

✓ Love yourself deeply and watch as that love overflows into your relationships with everyone from clients to colleagues to friends to your family (it’s all connected!)

✓ Feel ‘safe’ (and excited) about showing up and being seen

This (and so much more) is possible when you learn to radically shift.

I promise that if you grab this powerful training and put in the work, everything you want to change on the outside will change–simply because you’ve changed on the inside.

If you commit to showing up every single day and following the steps in this training, I can guarantee you’ll find that your purpose feels more “tangible” and within reach than ever before.

Are you ready to step into yours, for real?

If so, this is for you.

Let’s dig deep and do this.

Click the ‘Contact Us’ button above to let us know that you’re interested in attending and we’ll send you the Zoom invite with the date and time. It is possible that we will hold this more than once (depending on interest level) and have a replay if you can’t make it to the live session. The benefit of attending the live session is having the option to participate in the discussion session at the end.

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Mental Shifts

3 Mental Shifts to Enrich Your Self-Belief in an Afternoon

Why are we so hard on ourselves? We hold ourselves back, stuck in a comfort zone that isn’t really very comfortable after all.

If you’re tired of negative self-talk and feeling like you can’t accomplish anything, then it’s time for a change. It doesn’t even need to take long to do. In fact, by allowing yourself three mental shifts, you’ll not only enrich your self-belief, but you’ll be able to do so in a single afternoon. Read on to find out how.

Shift the Past

It’s time to let it go of the past! Look at all the times where you felt less than stellar. For every time you messed up, you’re going to need to forgive yourself. It’s just that simple. This might take some time to do well, so prepare to dig in, and face some things you’ve maybe been avoiding. You start by examining each memory separately and responding to those memories with a heartfelt “I forgive you.” Once you’ve done this, you have to move on. That’s it. While this might not sound fun or easy, it is absolutely crucial for your piece of mind and success. To make this more meaningful, think about lighting traditional or using flameless candles as you go through this forgiveness exercise. If you find it challenging, it may help to think of it as a cleansing of the soul that will create more emotional and spiritual freedom.

Shift the Messages You’re Listening To

Not every voice in your head says something worth absorbing. What are the messages you give yourself constantly? If you’re being negative, you absolutely must change over to a more positive dialogue. Reword problems to create exciting challenges and brainstorm solutions. Change out negative words to a more positive-sounding counterpart. Your inner dialogue must switch out to the positive if you intend to succeed. Self-awareness of your internal dialogue is where you start. Notice each time a negative self-belief comes up, recognize it for what it is (an old negative belief that you can change), and switch to a positive statement until you deeply believe the new version of you.

Shift the Game Plan

Now it’s time to act. Take your goals and discover the steps needed to fulfill them. Set yourself in motion to accomplish those smaller goals. Accomplish things. It’s these accomplishments that will shift your self-belief. What you’re doing is creating empirical evidence that you’re a person capable of success with each micro-goal you accomplish. What’s more, those micro-goals will eventually add up into those grand sweeping goals that you set initially, proving you’re capable of change, and of doing great things.

Shifting your thinking isn’t as complicated as it’s made it out to be. The key is to be aware of your thinking and holding steady to the course you’ve laid with these three rules. You’re going to be amazed at how differently you feel, and how quickly life begins to get better.

managing-anxiety

Managing Anxiety

Dr. Carol Deas-Lopez • Jul 02, 2022

Dealing With Anxiety In Today’s Turbulent World

Okay, so besides the normal day to day hustle and immense stress of daily living in the modern world, we now have a pandemic to contend with.

Unfortunately, dealing with anxiety has become somewhat of a normal part of life for many individuals in the world today. Although this problem is not necessarily a new phenomenon, there are certain aspects of modern times that have served to exacerbate the issue.

Due to our world being so connected through the internet, social media and other forms of media, people today are not only exposed to the issues in their immediate environment, we are also shown all of the horrific things taking place across the globe. Furthermore, we are expected to juggle so many more responsibilities at one time, all while being as productive as possible.

Although anxiety certainly varies in intensity and frequency from person to person, there are a few ways to deal with the problem that are beneficial for anyone experiencing its symptoms. This article intends to discuss a few of these techniques that will help to alleviate anxiety, thereby minimizing stress levels and improving overall quality of life.

Live In The Moment

Although it may seem obvious when stated, the only point in time that we will EVER exist is right now. Ironically, most of us dedicate the bulk of our mental energy to the past or future. Anxiety can lead us to replay in our head past mistakes, constantly worry about things that have yet to occur, make us feel irritable or annoyed, and impact our sleep, digestion, and overall daily functioning. It can be a perpetual cycle of unhelpful thoughts, feelings, and behaviors that are not in our best interest.

Calming anxiety means learning to live in the moment, in other words, focusing all of our physical, mental, and spiritual energy on what is going on right now. Not only does this simplify life; it also allows us to get the most out of our precious time.

Trying to deal with our entire past and future on a constant basis makes it virtually impossible to appreciate what is right in front of us.

2. Control What Can be Controlled and Let go of the Rest

The truth is, many of the issues causing anxiety in our life are beyond our control. This includes global and community issues as well as problems in our personal life.

What we need to realize is that the weight of the world is NOT on our shoulders, even though at times it can certainly feel like it is. Anxiety tells us that we should be worried about solving problems that are completely out of our hands.

In reality, focusing (and I don’t mean hyper focusing) on the issues that we actually have the ability to resolve is a much healthier response to a problem-filled world, and, if possible, working on them one at a time to prevent overwhelm. Step #1 is recognizing and examining what we can realistically change and what we can’t.

3. It’s Okay To Not Feel Okay

Another side effect of anxiety is the feeling of isolation. People experiencing anxiety on a routine basis tend to feel like they are the only ones dealing with this issue. Because of this mindset, we often feel like everyone else is much happier than we are, like we won’t be accepted if others knew the extent of our anxiety. It is so important to realize that this is a false belief.

Everyone around us is experiencing some degree of anxiety or mental hang up. We are far from alone. It’s important that we not go through life acting as if everything is okay when it isn’t. The key is recognizing that our state of mind is temporary, and there are strategies we can use to feel better. One important strategy is asking for help from trusted friends’ family, or a professional.

4. Get Help If You Need It

Finally, if your anxiety is something you are having trouble dealing with on your own, then don’t! There is absolutely nothing wrong with seeking professional help for this or any issue. Ironically, our society welcomes getting help for minor physical ailments but acts as if doing the same for a serious emotional issue is taboo.

Consider this, if you had the flu, you would most certainly seek the appropriate doctor to take care of it. If you are dealing with anxiety, why would you not seek a doctor professionally trained in alleviating mental health issues? IT’s really a no brainer when you think about it. There is help out there! Be courageous and get it if you need it! You are worth it after all!

Some resources to consider in the U.S.:

www.NAMI.org

www.nimh.nih.gov/health/find-help

Wishing you all the best on your Divine Journey!

Dr. Carol Deas-Lopez

SELF-EMPOWERMENT

Empowerment

Dr. Carol Deas-Lopez • Aug 04, 2022

Empowerment

What Is Self-Empowerment?

Socrates said, “The unexamined life is not worth living,” and social psychologists have given us no shortage of self-focused activities to pursue. Self-care, self-improvement, self-efficacy. Of all the “selfs,” self-empowerment sounds uniquely promising.

Who wouldn’t like to be more empowered. Not only does empowerment make you feel like a confident rock star, it also affects all areas of your life, including your career, relationships, health, and most important it benefits you with the power of your own voice.

But what is self-empowerment, and how do we define it as it pertains to all areas of our lives?

Self-Empowerment Defined

Popular culture would have us believe that empowerment is a feeling, but we are not truly empowered until action initiates positive change. Self-empowerment is the process of taking control of our lives and making informed decisions based on our goals. The first stop on our journey to empowerment begins with our intellect.

Self-empowerment is a vital skill in your growth toolbox. If you want to reach your objectives and feel like the greatest, healthiest, happiest, most satisfied version of yourself, you need to empower yourself.

When you become empowered, you’ll be more confident and focused on the goals you want to accomplish. Challenges and hardships won’t bother you since you’ll know you’ve got the skills to conquer them. You’ll be able to identify your talents and shortcomings and utilize that knowledge to pursue success on your terms.

Intellectual Self-Empowerment

Understanding our own values is the cornerstone of intellectual self-empowerment, so it’s crucial to take time to shut out the noise of the world to hear our own voice.

A multitude of responsibilities vie daily for our attention, which makes discerning the right path difficult. Here are a few ideas to help you clear your mind.

· Wake up 30 minutes early for quiet time. Do not turn on your phone or the television; find a quiet spot to think, pray, or simply breathe deeply.

· Take a walk or hike in nature.

· Start a journal to record your goals, dreams, and wishes for the future.

Once you have an understanding of what you want from life, it’s time to take ownership of your emotional health.

Emotional Self-Empowerment

Psychology Today says emotional intelligence is the “ability to identify and manage one’s own emotions…and apply them to tasks like thinking and problem solving.” Emotional self-empowerment is about managing stress, navigating change, and adapting to circumstances beyond our control. It allows us to have empathy for others, build solid relationships, and manage conflict.

Positive Psychology recommends building your emotional intelligence by:

· Taking time to reflect on your own emotions.

· Pausing before you react in a heated situation.

· Hesitating to take offense when criticized; instead, ask “what can I learn?”

Social Self-Empowerment

Emotionally-empowered people understand their own unique gifts, skills, and personality they bring to social situations. Secure in their personal worth, they aren’t jealous or subject to peer pressure, but instead are able to celebrate and encourage others’ unique value.

When conflict arises, they are able to use humor and empathy to diffuse the situation and work toward compromise. Social self-empowerment is about participating in a rich and happy social life.

Professional Self-Empowerment

In a professional environment, self-empowered people make excellent team members because they are familiar with the process of setting goals and making plans to reach them. They do not shy away from challenges, but instead think creatively about how to use available tools to make progress toward improvement.

Because of the self-reflection completed on the road to empowerment, they are in a position to capitalize on known strengths and weaknesses. They understand that no one person can be an expert in every field, and so they rely on the talents of others to strengthen the team. Clear communication and the ability to inspire others to undertake challenges are hallmarks of a self-empowered professional.

Start Today

Renowned American author Ernest Hemingway said, “There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self.”

Self-empowerment is a difficult but worthwhile journey that starts within your mind and then radiates outside to your place within the community. If done well, it can improve not only your personal and professional life but also the lives of your family, friends, and co-workers.

Remember this: You can do anything in life if you have the mindset of self-empowerment.

Dr. Carol Deas-Lopez

Founder & CEO

Empowering Breakthroughs, LLC

www.empoweringbreakthroughs.net

drcarol@empoweringbreakthroughs.net