Linda Julius: A Tale of Resilience, Transformation and the Healing Power of Connection

We promise you an emotional ride as we welcome Linda Julius to our show. Sharing her unique journey from a small village in Northern Germany to turning life's challenges into opportunities, Linda's tale is one of resilience, transformation, and personal growth. Enjoy her passionate narration about navigating the complexities of cultural identity, her battles with depression, and the power of forgiveness. She also paints a vivid picture of her love for nature and animals - a passion that has given her a sense of belonging in this diverse world.

Struggling with job loss and depression, Linda found solace in the companionship of her dog, Plessy Weirdness. Discover how this bond helped her overcome feelings of loneliness, and led her to regain her strength and confidence. As she progresses through her journey, Linda discusses the role of love and community in personal growth. Listen to how her relationship with her other dog, Blissie, transformed her life and how moving to a new neighborhood created avenues for meaningful connections. 

In our conversation, Linda unfolds the transformative power of gratitude and inner peace, and the significance of curiosity. We look into the idea of being present, surrendering to gratitude, and making conscious, healthy decisions. Reflecting on her post-traumatic stress experiences, she emphasizes the importance of rest, exercise, and slowing down in life. Linda's story serves as a poignant reminder that no matter our struggles, there is always a path to healing and growth. Make sure you join us next week as well when we host Brooke Collins to discuss creating a life that is uniquely yours.

Transcript

Speaker 1: 0:08

Hey you, wherever you are in the world right now. Thank you so much for being here with me. We know that we live in some volatile times and we know that the world is changing, so let's create a bridge. As we travel through one another's countries, we're moving all labels, coming together as one people finding our home in one world. And as we do this, this is why our signature talk today Build your Connection is so important. So settle in as we jump right in. And today I am so excited to welcome my friend, linda Julius. Hi, linda, hey Kathy, how are you? I am doing fantastic. How are you.

Speaker 2: 0:54

I am so super excited and so grateful being here with you.

Speaker 1: 1:00

I am super excited to have you with us and, for the audience who doesn't know you, you are in Germany and I am here in the United States and you have such an incredible story to share with our audience, so I'm going to let you kick that off and let our audience know a little bit about who you are.

Speaker 2: 1:24

Okay, oh well, who am I?

Speaker 2: 1:28

Where should I start?

Speaker 2: 1:31

Maybe, kathy, I start that I'm the daughter of an Indian man and a German woman who lived most of their time actually, in Great Britain, and I was adopted at the age of only four months by German parents who weren't able to receive children themselves, and they lived in a very, very small village in Northern Germany, somewhere I would say in the middle of nowhere, to be honest, and I somehow believed that, based on my partly terrible experiences I had to make as an innocent child, I believe for far too long that I was devoted, kind of devoted to my destiny and that any at-aims to get out of a cycle of rejection was kind of unsuccessful.

Speaker 2: 2:36

And at that time, of course, I did not know that one has not to sleep in the bed which was made, but that it is always, always, always, always possible to change your own life for the better. I had to learn the hard way, unfortunately, but I mean, on the other hand, it also made me the human being I am today, and it seems as if the complexity of those experiences just made me learn so much more stuff which I wouldn't have learned if everything would have just gone smoothly.

Speaker 1: 3:20

So I'm going to ask this question who made your bed?

Speaker 2: 3:25

That's a very good question. See, the thing is, there is this quote, you know, which says that we people, we people always make our own bed and we have to sleep in the bed we made. But this kind of made me think that people who believe this quote don't think that they are able to get out of a very challenging situation. And I believe exactly the opposite, because it is possible to get out of really, really please excuse my French shitty situations. And I'm saying that because and I'm really not exaggerating I kind of got I can't even count how many times I got out of those, but that's what I actually learned in the end that, you know, people should not believe that they're stuck, whatever, whatever shit just happened to them.

Speaker 1: 4:37

And I think it's difficult too, because you're not saying this to the audience, but I am definitely picking up on it when, when you're adopted, you're labeled, right. So that's the bed that you're talking about. That was made for you is this? You know, being labeled and being in this environment that you didn't have any control over that was created for you. So how? I mean, how was that for you? How was that?

Speaker 2: 5:10

as far as growing up, Now, on the one hand, as a child, you think that whatever happens is supposed to happen and it's kind of supposed to be normal, right, because you don't know better, you're a child. On the other hand, I always sensed that I'm a kind of alien. I always was. I'm a kind of alien where I grew up because my skin was darker, my hair was so much darker and so much thicker than of the people living in northern Germany, mostly being blonde and having blue eyes I have green, brown eyes, by the way. So, with that said, to me it sometimes feels as if I've already had like 10 lives behind me, because I felt that I've died so often from that kind of emotional pain. On the other hand, all these injuries also make me extremely sensitive, in a way that I sometimes get frightened about that myself, you know. I mean, I knew that it was meant to grow up where I grew up, because I was meant to learn something and maybe share it with the world later. And here we are and although I have lived in many cities now I also do not want to miss knowing how village people that's how you call them right how village people live, because I really am. I am a cowgirl, you know. And when I say that, I actually feel kind of proud because I always love being in the nature, being close to the universe, and I always loved animals so much, and that's something what you can really explore and inhale when you go up in such a little village.

Speaker 2: 7:35

And when I say, for example, that I wanted a different life for myself than what my adoptive parents had shown me, I say that without any judgment, because I have forgiven them in the meantime what had to be forgiven, because they just they didn't know better at that time. They thought, from their perspective, that's what they have to do. And for me, being able, after so many years, to forgive them, it kind of made me free. It made me free and I was able to continue my life. And this is also something I really like to stress and point out, because there are also so many quotes about forgiveness.

Speaker 2: 8:23

But I'm not sure if people really understand what it means and how freeing it can be, because in the beginning it seems like a big, big wall which is incredible to jump up, incredible and almost ridiculous wanting to climb up. But when you're able to do it once, it's just such an amazing feeling you don't want to miss, you know, and I mean, I always had many friends around me and they said often that they always liked the way I stood up for them, which I guess was nothing also like a natural instinct. You know, it was like I don't know, a matter of my heart and soul to make sure that in my tiny little cowgirl microcosmos that no injustice happened there, even if, of course, I couldn't always avoid it. So yeah, I mean, that's actually to be honest, that's actually how it was. There were good times and there were bad times and there were horrible times, but I always felt kind of like being an alien, and it also went on wherever I went.

Speaker 1: 9:50

Do you still feel like that? Like I know, as a child you felt different and that's part of what caused you to feel like an alien, but do you still feel that way?

Speaker 2: 10:04

Sometimes, you know it's funny, it always depends on the people you're talking to. There are some people who really like people who are different than them, and then there are those who like to put you in a kind of drawer and if you're not doing what they expect you to do, they kind of dislike you. But the big, big difference is that I don't give a shit anymore. And again, excuse my French, I use English as a second language so I'm unable to say it in a better way. But yes, yes I do, but I do it with a lighter heart, because nowadays it's my decision if I want to let people enter my world, if I would like to connect with them, or if I decide not to. And I became very good actually to sort out when I don't feel like I want to do that. And that's the big difference, because I was not able to do that as a child.

Speaker 1: 11:19

Yeah, and the idea of forgiveness I think is so powerful in just releasing that way that you may have helped, I think, for a lot of people. They don't even know how to start that journey of forgiveness.

Speaker 2: 11:35

I didn't know either. It sucked seriously. It so sucked and I read about it and I thought, oh my God, this is such a bullshit. I mean, why do people write this? Seriously? You know what I mean? It's like did they ever do what they write? It's hard, it's really hard, but it's like with a child who I don't know how to say this in English when you pat on a hot stove and you burn your fingers, as long as you don't burn your fingers yourself, you have no clue how it feels. And this is actually really like a burning, explosive moment of freedom, of pure freedom. When you're able to do that, yeah.

Speaker 1: 12:30

I think it's interesting. You're speaking around, you know you're adopted, you're practicing this forgiveness work and just releasing yourself with some of those chains that people get bound with right and that you know for someone who's adopted. I mean, I know a few people who are adopted and for them, it's almost like they have this identity crisis almost, where they're not sure where they belong for some people. And I think it's really interesting, you know to hear your journey, because you're basically saying, well, I don't care, you know, like, this is who I am. I'm this little cowgirl, I'm going to, like, you know, show up and I'm going to, you know, make sure the world knows I'm there when I show up and I commend you for that. There's a lot of people that wouldn't have the capacity or ability to do that. Do you know where that comes from? Is that something you've always had or is that something that you've learned to have?

Speaker 2: 13:38

Oh no, not at all. I mean, if I sometimes tell my friends how shy I was as a kid and also as a young adult, as a teenager, I didn't even dare to speak up in class. I was really peeing my pants literally when I had to report to the teacher or something and I started stuttering. I started stuttering and that actually made me shut up the entire time. So people thought, oh my God, she must be such an idiot because she doesn't speak and I refused to speak. So it's kind of for them.

Speaker 2: 14:25

It's interesting when I tell them because it changed, because it had to change in order to survive, and so when maybe I tell you when I created actually the possibility to go to college, which was not something my parents were keen on, which was OK, but it was just not in their cards and they didn't have an education at all, which was OK for me as well. But I was always curious, and so I earned my own money for that, like, for example, a nursery, nursery and as a waitress in various restaurants, and I actually did so in the hope to learn as much as possible and to travel as much as possible, which, given the COVID situation right now, I'm actually so grateful for, because when I couldn't travel abroad the past years, I counted out of boredom I guess that I had visited about 40 countries so far I mean the little cowgirl in four, zero countries. I know it's not a lot for all of the people listening, probably, but for a little cowgirl like me it's quite a bit, and so I soaked up all experiences like a sponge. The more I learned, the more I realized how much there is still to know, and I hope I know it's a long answer. I apologize, but since one learned in the village not to be conceited, for example, you know, I was always and that's what I wanted to tell you I was always rather the shy little deer and I had to change because I wanted to be successful in what I did, for myself, not for anybody else.

Speaker 2: 16:49

But I came up with some little goals. I always dreamt of, you know, going once to the US, working there when I saw a show as a little girl. And well, one day I got offered a job in Seattle and so I went to Seattle. So, with that said, to make a very long answer short, I had to learn it. I had to actively really learn it, which is why I believe everybody can, because if somebody like me, who didn't know anything, who comes from nothing, where the people thought and told me I'm such an idiot. If I can do it, everybody can do it.

Speaker 1: 17:39

And the fortitude that you had to teach yourself and just go through that process is remarkable, and I think that's part of the journey of life is just taking those baby steps and putting them into practice to be where it is that you want to be. And I love all of your story around that because I think it's something that talks to everybody. It doesn't matter who you are. It's a practice, right. So putting a goal in place and then putting that momentum forward to make it happen. I want to ask you I know you talked a little bit about the countries and the travel. I mean, you're well-cultured, you've been around the world, you've been to 40 countries, like you said, and no, that may not be a lot for some people, but I would say for most people that is a lot. I know people in the United States that haven't even left their state, like they've never even traveled across the country or to a neighboring country.

Speaker 2: 18:52

They don't have to because you have so many wonderful states. What is it 51?

Speaker 1: 19:00

Yeah, we have a lot of beautiful countries yeah a lot of beautiful country side from coast to coast and it's just amazing what we have here. But when you say 40, I mean that's a remarkable number. So I wouldn't say or downplay that number at all. I think that's amazing.

Speaker 2: 19:22

I didn't say that, kathy, because of the number. It was just the big gap and big difference from growing up in this 800 inhabitants village and just wanting to go out explore the world and not letting stop me by anybody kind of being unstoppable, like Tony Robbins would say yeah, it's beautiful.

Speaker 1: 19:52

It's beautiful, I mean it just goes to show you how you can stop yourself with your mindset or you can change your mindset and just go after your dreams and put them into action and, as you said, take those little big steps to make it happen.

Speaker 1: 20:10

And I know one of the things the world's experiencing right now with this global pandemic is they've really been put in a place where we've been forced to shut down around the world. A lot of people have lost their jobs, a lot of people have been forced to reevaluate. And it's interesting because pre-COVID there was so much hustle and bustle around. You know, we have to do this hard grind with jobs and running kids to their events and doing this and doing that, and a lot of it was just like outward kind of expression, right, and I'd love for you to share with our audience I mean, I know your story, but I would love for you to share with the audience a little bit around your journey and how you were in that grind and what happened to you when you. You know we're going through that like, tell us some, tell us what happened to you.

Speaker 2: 21:21

Speaking about people who lost their job. I know well how that is, because I kind of have also lost jobs, and especially the last one, I guess because of a depression, the second depression I had to go through, which was combined to a really severe burnout. I know it's a kind of fancy word and everybody has a burnout, but this is a really severe disease. I know that in between, also the depression. I actually I hope I'm not crying, but it's for me it was always hard to speak about that because I thought it meant being vulnerable, and since I always had to be vulnerable, I didn't want it anymore, and maybe that's also part of the reason why I try to push through with my other goals. Because I hated being. What's the world? What's the word? What's the word? I hated being dependent.

Speaker 2: 22:46

Yes, I always was looking for independence, and so If I fast forward a little bit now, I do understand why I got depressed these two times, over both times period of many months. I even spent a few months in a clinic when that happened the first time, and the second time is not long ago. And on top of all of that, I then found myself in one of my darkest hours with a cancellation notice from my apartment from my landlord and I thought I couldn't breathe anymore. I didn't know what to do and I was unable to do. I mean, if you know what a real depression is, you simply don't open your mail, you just don't do anything, and and you always want to, but you can't.

Speaker 2: 23:51

And so I think that those strange experiences I had to make, and also bullying in the companies I work for, was part of it. They threw me somehow back to the basics, to my shyness and resistance of wanting to connect with others. So, on the one hand, here's the person who visits 40 countries, who connects with so many different cultures, who loves people all over the world, who looks right into their hearts and that's what they said like the little prince of Antoine de Soix, the paris, and on the other hand, she doesn't want to connect with others anymore all of a sudden. And so the the only one at that time who was always with me and to therefore be case something like the love of my life is actually my dog Plessy Weirdness, but probably sound so, um, yeah, I think I lost it. I'm sorry.

Speaker 1: 25:10

That's okay, I'll jump in. So I appreciate how transparent you're being with the audience. I'm sure there's many people that relate to exactly what you're saying. Um, I know, you know, just from my own walk in life, that a lot of times and I've seen this in the corporate arena, I've seen it in other arenas as well that's not corporate.

Speaker 1: 25:35

You, you do see this kind of effect where your career has, you know, taken a turn and it does change that person as far as their job responsibilities and what it is that they're doing. And part in part, you know, the job responsibilities are what define people and it defines their lifestyle and how they're living and a lot of these different things. And it's interesting because in the world we live in, it's like, instead of money being looked at as a tool, it's, you know, something that is used to provide your lifestyle, whatever that looks like. Um, so it's a very interesting way of looking at things, but also for people to define themselves with that. But I didn't want to talk so much around that, but just, you know, really acknowledge how raw and how real depression is for people and not being able to even open your own door to the world and just do the basic things of life.

Speaker 1: 26:43

I think that is a very difficult space to be in and a lot of times I mean there's somebody listening right now that may be in that space today, but a lot of times when we're in that place, it is so vitally, vitally important to have a connectedness with other people.

Speaker 1: 27:05

And your connectedness, you said, was with your dog, because that was, you know some, that was what was closest to you and just had you feel a lot of love and compassion and you know a lot of things and it just really filled you. So, you know, I think that's a really nice, a nice way to look at how your dog had helped you. I would, I would love for you to just share with the audience though I mean you said that your belt of depression. It happened twice to you and you're on the other side of that. So somebody who is listening right now may not be on the other side and they may need some help in understanding, some resources or some tools that can help them. And, of course, if anybody is listening and they're feeling suicidal in any way, encourage you to seek out your closest professionals that are in your communities and, you know, get that support around you. But if you're not in that space, I would love for you, linda, just to share some ideas that were helpful for you to help you.

Speaker 2: 28:29

Um, first of all, I truly believe that healing is possible for any human being and any animal, no matter what horrible things they had to go through they. They just need to know it's not their fault at all where they are now. It's okay, it's okay to be down and it's also so worth it, taking every step In their own. So, step by step, day by day, there is there is no need to put pressure on them Because it's hard to say, um, there is so much pressure already on all of us in this world. You know, especially in the jobs with family, you need to make money to survive, etc. Etc. But on the other life, on the other hand, life is also meant to be beautiful. Life is beautiful and making this step out of the darkness into the light is something they can do when they when they are willing to go into a deeper connection, first of all with themselves, second of all, if it's either a pet or a neighbor or someone far away, in a letter, if people like to write I, for example, I love writing, you know, I know it's very old-fashioned, but the tiny little things which don't have to cost much, they are so precious and they can help us to get out of the darkest moments If you go outside into the woods and just look at the leaves, how amazing they are, how beautiful they are, or at the water. I know it sounds a little bit weird when I'm saying this, but for me it's all back to the basics and back to the roots. And since, for me, I think that my dog actually Blessie she saved my life Really. I mean, she saved my life by becoming sick herself. I know this sounds weird again, but it's just what I currently feel, so maybe I should tell you what I mean by that.

Speaker 2: 31:52

In one of the darkest hours, I kind of stumbled over that Tony Robbins guy. I didn't know who that dude is. I just saw this Netflix documentation and I'm here in Germany, you know. So people do not really know him and I'm like what, what is he doing? This is amazing. And I signed up. No, no, that's untrue. I first researched him and I thought, oh my gosh, this is way too expensive, I cannot attend any of his events. And so I followed him for many months. And then, all of a sudden, he had this one certification course which was affordable for me, and so I made a certification as a knowledge broker.

Speaker 2: 32:45

And ever since I thought okay, now you will get out of the dark, step by step, you will build your own company, because you don't want to be bullied anymore in other people's companies and you just teach what you taught as an international trainer, as a project manager and key account manager to other people, because the past years I worked as an international coach for kitchenware and I explained, for example, how conventional pressure cookers work. And so, with that said, I thought, okay, I can build up my own company and, funny enough, the company I worked for I lost the job and I had to. So I started preparing everything for human beings and I even made a better test, online training for people who wanted to learn with a conventional to cook with a conventional pressure cooker, because that's currently the world's healthiest cooking method as it eliminates the oxygen during the cooking process. And with that said, I had almost built up everything when I got the diagnosis from Blissie's vet, saying that she has an inoperable liver tumor and she has hours, maximum days, to live. So I don't know if anyone can imagine how my world really seemed to completely collapse again, because, you know, after receiving a tumor sample from the lab they had sent it to in Berlin, they said to me that I need to consider putting her down, and I left the clinic with her as I was unable to think, to breathe or to do anything.

Speaker 2: 35:01

And I just remember how Blissie looked at me then, as if she was saying please do not give up on me yet. And actually I didn't. And guess what? This is nine freaking months ago. I get goosebumps when I say this Wow, yeah, I know I mean.

Speaker 2: 35:27

And what I then did, if I may say that, is that okay, yeah. So what I did was that you know what I other was taught the people who wanted to cook themselves in conventional pressure cookers. I suddenly cooked for Blissie, and a lot of people have simply forgotten how healthy this is, because these things used to be so cumbersome and not safe and everything, but because evolution has also come there, it is nowadays very easy to use them. So I actually created a way to connect even more with Blissie by making her food, you know, with real ingredients and with tons of love, and I noticed that my connection to helping one another changed, how I looked at living it completely, completely changed because she was there. I will never forget how she looked at me. I will never, ever forget that. And it was like please do not give up on me yet. I mean, I moved another time with Blissie because I got this cancellation from my landlord.

Speaker 2: 36:53

He needed my apartment and also created a community by going to you know the neighbors saying hello and if they need anything, my door is always open. So, speaking of that, during lockdown I looked for ways to connect with others by helping also the seniors and I'm still helping them by our community to do the grocery shopping. And the funny thing is that one day oh yeah, I need to tell this one day a friend of mine who had just lost her dog, unfortunately, and who knew what I was doing for Blissie, she said Linda, you really really need to share. You really need to share with the world what you're doing for her. I mean, this is, this is kind of like a miracle. So to again, to make a long story short, I'm just writing this down and how I extended my dog's life.

Speaker 1: 38:04

When you talked about.

Speaker 1: 38:05

You know being in depression and just going outside to nature and looking at the leaves and the trees, and you know experiencing the world in that moment how powerful that is is just being present in today, just being in full acknowledgement of today and where you are feeling the chair beneath your butt or feeling the air in your lungs when you take a deep breath in and deep breath out.

Speaker 1: 38:37

There's just so much around that and it's a very powerful healing tool as well. But Blissie is incredible because she allowed you to be in that present state where she was engaging you as much as you were engaging her in her life. The fact that you had this keen insight to find a way to keep her nine more months than what the veterinarian had expressed, as far as you know, having to put her down and it's a testament to this incredible woman that you are and I know you haven't said this, but I'm going to say it for you. So you, you moved, but when you moved, you actually redesigned your quote unquote dream house. Like you're, you're in that place that you've always wanted to be, that you've always talked about. So I just think that your journey was so beautifully choreographed to give you this appreciation that you have and all of these connections that you built. I mean you moved to this new neighborhood and tell, tell the audience what you did to build more connections.

Speaker 2: 40:10

You know, I mean it seems as if moving had become one of my hobbies, because this was my 11th move or something. So since I grew up in my little village and we were always close and for me it was just normal to help each other out. When you know you were missing eggs over the weekend or milk or something, you just went over to the neighbor. And so I thought I actually inventing doing that every time I moved. And so here also I went to the neighbor's and said you know, here it's me and my dog, and if you need anything my door is open. I don't, you don't, don't be afraid, I don't want anything from you, but if you want to have a cup of coffee, you can always come.

Speaker 2: 40:56

And I then put down a note during the lockdown here at the supermarket that if there are seniors who are unable to do grocery shopping or go to the pharmacy, that I'd be happy to do that. And then the mayor called me and said you know we're doing this as a concerted action here with our community center. Would you like to participate? I said sure. So they took my information and this is a village here where I live now, with 1800 people, and they email us the lists of the seniors who cannot do the grocery shopping and we have a little card and we go to certain supermarkets and that's the way you know, we help them.

Speaker 1: 41:47

It's a wonderful way of branching out to your community too and just you know, as you said, getting these connections belt, and I know for a lot of people listening with depression, one of the things that's really important is having those connections and just. You know getting out into your community and with your family and your friends, and all of that and with lockdown, it's been really hard. You know, with this global pandemic it's been really hard to Do that and connect with people like that. So I do applaud you for redesigning life.

Speaker 1: 42:25

Yeah, redesigning life. I mean it's you. You literally were in one place a year ago and today you're in a completely different place and it's just beautiful. I mean, today you're, you're exactly where you want to be. You have this wonderful opportunity to heal your dog and share that with the world and be part of a beautiful community. So it's amazing.

Speaker 2: 42:49

You know, the the thing is, kathy, that I kind of feel that I'm on a mission, and I'm kind of on a mission for dog lovers now, in order to cultivate global change through nutrition, through self-awareness, creativity and also placing that overboarding and endless love and compassion into action. And this is this is only because of my dog. I mean, if I see how my relationship with my blissy, that this can be the case for so many hurt souls out there as well, as they will really get to an authentic love in return A million, gazillion times more than they are spreading it, those animals, as a connection between people and nature, are just a miracle, each of them, and In between it even seems as if I know blissy's thoughts. I know it sounds weird, but that's how I feel her feelings, her perceptions, her life and in and her dislikes, and I really, I truly embrace the reality that this is entirely possible Through the art of how I communicate with blissy and how she communicates with me. You know the way she looked at me.

Speaker 2: 44:26

I will never, ever forget that and it it even works so much that that I ignored what this vet said in the clinic nine months ago and instead I communicated solely with her eyes. You know, and I believe that other people can have that too if I can have it, they can have it as well, and there are so many shelters out there when those little souls are just waiting to be loved and to be able to spread the love and love, to be loved and to be able to spread their love the gazillion times more in return yeah, I love your passion around all of it and I mean, your podcast is so beautiful because it's so.

Speaker 1: 45:20

It's so many layers, like we started talking about how People rescued you right, you were adopted and then we end with you rescuing blissy and it's just so beautiful and your heart is so, you know, filled with love and it's so pure. So I'm just really filled with gratitude that you're with us today. But I do have one more question for you, linda. If I were to find your earth angel feather on the ground and I picked it up, what was your message to the world be?

Speaker 2: 45:56

What would the message to the world be? I mean, how long did we speak over an hour so far. And I think that the people listening they understand through how much shit I had to walk through so far and I felt and I was heard a gazillion times. But what all of that taught me is and I think I said it before that healing is possible for any human being and any animal, no matter no matter at all what horrible things they had to go through. They just need to know they are absolutely okay the way they are now. They are loved. They are truly loved by us.

Speaker 2: 46:54

It's not their fault and it's worth taking every single step, no matter how long it takes, day by day, to get them wherever they want to be, and they have everything. They have all the power in their hands. They are the director of their own life. It's like being in a stage play and they're sitting there as the director and they can decide. They can make the decision right now while listening, but they're going to improve their lives Because that's their decision and they want to do it.

Speaker 1: 47:38

Thank you so much for that and I thank you again for being with me today and sharing all of these beautiful messages with the audience and Just filled with gratitude, like I said, for having you here with me today.

Speaker 2: 47:55

And you know what's what's interesting that your doggy is Is speaking to blizzy, because I think she, she, she, she can hear that we're speaking about blizzy. So Thanks, thank you so much for having me, kathy. It's such an honor, thank you, thank you very, very much and I. I feel humbled for for all your compliments, I'm not sure if I can take all of those.

Speaker 1: 48:27

That's okay. You can take them when you're ready. And, yes, my, my little one is that I guess he has to be heard in this moment. So, anyway, that's all we have time for today. This is Catherine Daniels, reminding you to live your authentic life with peace and retreat to peace. We will see you next time.

Speaker 1: 48:53

Before we go, I just want to jump in and ask you how much time are you listening to the news these days? You know, right now, with the world just seemingly just kind of Feeling like things are all over the place and out of control, I think it's really important that we take an opportunity to look at how much time we are spending on the news. So If you know anyone who's really struggling lately with the news, I mean it makes perfect sense because there's so much that's outside of everyone's control, so you really want to take account for what is happening within yourself. I mean, the news is a constant amount of bombardment of negativity that we're exposed to. Every once in a while, a news anchor will end on a lighthearted note with a warm, heartwarming story, but generally we're surrounded with the realization that this big world we're living in has a lot of things happening that are just making us cringe. I think about the shutdowns that are happening around the globe as we speak, all the parents out there that are trying to figure out what are they going to do with their kids again, if they're homeschooling, and how that's all going to work, and then also the people that Are really questioning how can they, you know, keep trudging along like this when things have just been turned upside down? So let's think about how we go about our day or day to day interactions. Are you someone who's focused on negativity or someone who's focused on more of the optimism? In this question it does lie the answer to how your attitude towards the world actually is. So, trust me, we have a lot of reasons to be upset, to feel angry, to feel tired. The list goes on. We have a laundry list of things that we wish we could just put down and leave for a while and not address, but the truth is, some of these things we really need to reevaluate and decide how much energy should we really give it.

Speaker 1: 51:20

Recently, I read a book that talked about how we see the world and living with post traumatic stress. Did you know that people who suffer from post traumatic stress have a lens on the world that is continually looking out for their own safety. Safety, this lens is why it may be hard for some to watch horror films or see uncomfortable events unfold, because it does bring up a space in them that Hightens some of those feelings of what they've already been through more intensely. That is, and past may feel more deeply than others that don't relate to the world with their whole heart, and for those people it just makes it easier for them to feel more hurt and pain. But what if that person is being judged by other people that they're just taking this information too intensely? It can make the person with post traumatic stress Feel misunderstood, maybe even isolated by their feelings.

Speaker 1: 52:28

So to all of you who are struggling in this moment, it's okay. You are who you are and when we look at the world we do have the ability to Look at it in such a way that we can decide what we're going to give our energy to and what we're going to focus on. So ask yourself if you really want to be spending as much time as you are Watching the news. If it's not serving you, maybe take a news sabbatical so that you're not spending as much time on that. Do you know anyone who's got a lot going on right now. It seems that a lot of people have been going through a lot of major, major life things. Think about where you are and just be present in this moment. Surrender to gratitude, be cheerful of the possibilities that you have for your life. This grace that you provide yourself will give you inner peace and healing, and it will also provide the unconditional love and support that you need to be your own best friend, if nothing more. Be only in this moment and choose to be grateful for this moment. Feel the breath that comes into your body when you fill your lungs with air.

Speaker 1: 54:01

It is especially important to take time to rest. You can do this merely by changing your perspective. Change your view on time and consciously take the time to slow down and not be in such a hurry. Make sure you're getting a restful sleep. You'll be able to also sleep easier if you're eating food that is healthy and nutritious. If you're lacking in your daily multivitamins, you may want to take a supplement. Make a conscious decision with every bite of food that it will be healthy and not poison to your being. Make sure you're drinking a lot of water to detox the body.

Speaker 1: 54:44

Flesh out anything that will harm you, and as much as resting is important, it's also important for your mind to be clear and level thinking. You can practice yoga meditation that will help to train the body and the mind connection, and also to practice resting. The gentle exercise of yoga has shown benefits such as lower blood pressure, mental clarity. Also improved posture. Meditation also provides these benefits, but it also can help to enhance your self confidence. Go at your own pace and listen to your body. Ideally, the body does need physical exercise as much as it does rest. If you're not already doing an exercise routine, consider incorporating it into your lifestyle to make sure that your body is performing at its peak.

Speaker 1: 55:44

Taxes are something that we want to eliminate out of our lives. If you're introducing your body to taxes on a daily basis, you will be poisoned and get sick from them at some point. So please value your self worth and treat your body like the temple that it is. If you're in a toxic relationship, environment or suffering from toxic emotions, again remove yourself. Studies have consistently shown over and over that stress is a toxin that will elevate your natural cortisone level and can lead to heart disease, among other lasting ailments.

Speaker 1: 56:29

Part of being a restful state of mind is just living life thinking that everything is going to be a major problem. You've already made the decision that it will be by affirming that thought process. But if you have a flexible attitude towards life, you'll seek understanding and take a different approach. Now, when you look at the problems as opportunities, you'll see growth opportunity ahead with encouragement that you are learning and growing. Think about the state of the environment that we live in the world today and look for the opportunities to learn and to grow. Seek opportunities that, if you are in a dilemma, ask yourself how much are you in control of this dilemma? What can you do as we rest and we recover and seek new opportunities to create an attitude of learning.

Speaker 1: 57:31

It really does bring us back into a state of curiosity, which is one that children live in. It allows us to go into places that we didn't know that we would go into, and as we seek, we learn and we discover new experiences. Sometimes they're unpleasant, but that is also part of growing. As you begin this journey, just seek and wonder and curiosity and limit the amount of exposure of toxins and things that are going to bring you down. Do the inner work that it's going to take to help you feel good, and don't forget to join us next week as we welcome Brooke Collins to our show with her signature. Ape Be brave to live a life created by you. We'll see you next time. This is Catherine DeMills. Retreat to peace. Have a wonderful day.