Empower With Laura

  So, Clients, it's been a hot minute since I checked in and wrote a blog! I have been completing a master's program in Empowerment Life Coaching and a Counseling and Mental Health Diploma from POBA. This is not my entire life! While educating myself, I also do self-care and continue to practice what I preach! The other day, I ordered from one of my favorite vendors, Cratejoy.com . I purchased a 180 Degree Box.  https://www.cratejoy.com/subscription-box/180deg-box/?cjt=account~my_subscriptions~~1~180%20~search-bar     There were all sorts of delightful items included in my order. The one I'm going to talk about is: These reminded me of a wonderful safe Group I participated in on Fridays at "Robin's Hope" called, "Seeking Safety". We drew numbers corresponding to quotes, tools, or even Steps that helped us that day and throughout the week. Anyway, I shuffled this deck, and the first card I drew was: So how can you invite more "Bliss" into y...

  Good morning!!!!       As I'm doing the last course of my master's Empowerment Life Coaching Certification through Transformation Academy, the topic of Boundary Violations Against Yourself was reintroduced.   Tasha-Ina Church, the instructor, referenced Marshall Goldman's "Triggers". She does a beautiful illustration of how each of us can adapt Marshall's checklist and scale from 1-10 for our own lives asking ourselves questions like: 1. How did do when it came to meeting my goals? 2. Did I treat myself well? 3. Did I take the time off I needed to? She also suggests we can check in on a weekly basis. I found this so relevant to my current life. I'm able to not answer calls after a certain designated hour. I'm also able to take time for fun in my life!  This boundary work I've done and continue to do in 12 Step, Trauma Communities, Church Communities, and with a number of loving friends and family members. It helps me establish my yard and respect...

  https://www.yourtango.com/experts/psychicmediumreadings-bykristine/why-too-much-self-sacrifice-negatively-impacts-your-life#Sacrificing%20and%20Being%20A%20Martyr%20Is%20Not%20Noble. As a codependent daughter raised in a culture where giving and helping was praised, demanded, obligatory, and even in most cases expected, I learned to jump in when I saw or heard trouble, feelings, or problems. This also was modeled for me by my Mama. As I'm taking this Course on Self-Care/Self-Love, here are some wonderful reminders Transformation Coach, Natalie Rivera, narrates on "Sacrificial Harms Done by Helping". These are so relatable and part of my healing journey.  1. Making the person you are helping feel guilty because it matters to you. The person you are helping isn't even asking for help. they are just venting or talking about a problem. 2. Your children learn the pattern of self-sacrifice by you as a parent giving up your dreams. You model that behavior to them. Instead,...