BLOG HOPPING DAY ~ Welcome To A World Where There Is No You ~ June 8, 2011

I have published two self-help books. One of the first things I had to learn to do was to love myself because I just didn’t. I felt like a failure and I could hardly look at my reflection in the mirror. It was a long and hard journey but I managed to get back on track and lead a full and rewarding life.

Several months ago, I visited the blog of Wanda Winter-Gutierrez and discovered the most interesting article about narcissism. I read it over and over again and shared it with my husband and one of my daughters. It’s ironic that a narcissist is consumed with self-love. I think the key word to concentrate on is consumed. I can see that being consumed with self-loathing is very unhealthy but I can also see that being consumed with self-love is equally unhealthy.

This article by Wanda is not easy to digest but here are the first few lines. If you are interested, please take some time to read this article in its entirety.

“All  I ever wanted was someone who could validate who I am… Who understands what makes my heart leap…Who loves me unconditionally… What I saw in their eyes was none of this…the light I mistook  for approval and validation was the narcissistic glow of how I could make their life work better, and how they can use me to further their agenda…Welcome To A World Where There Is No You

Thanks Wanda for being so open and honest about sharing your innermost self.

FREE DRAW ~ Anyone who leaves a comment on any article from now until June 15th, gets their name put in a draw for a free copy of my book ”Growing Up & Liking It”.  The more comments that you leave the greater your chances of winning. Good Luck!

BLOG HOPPING DAY ~ Shadow Of The Hammer ~ June 1, 2011

In life, oftentimes, we use extremely creative or descriptive words to help us form a more accurate picture about what we are trying to describe. The stronger the words, the more the message hits home. I think this is one of the best ways to truly get our messages across. A mental image is much easier to remember and makes our words all the more meaningful. In the article I am sharing with you today, Mystic Mom uses the hammer to describe the negative impact some people have had on her life as they hammered home their message to her. This is just a short excerpt from her article.

“Abusers and controllers may have other tools but the prefer their hammers.  They like the power of it. They like the brutality of it.  When I started to write, to heal, to finally feel unafraid there loomed over me the shadow of an emotional hammer.  The memory, the shadow, the ache of those times when it was not the only tool but the preferred one.”

Please take a moment to visit  Scarred Seeker in order to read her full message.

FREE DRAW ~ Anyone who leaves a comment on any article from now until June 15th, gets their name put in a draw for a free copy of my book ”Growing Up & Liking It”.  The more comments that you leave the greater your chances of winning. Good Luck!

BLOG HOPPING DAY ~ One Incredible Lady ~ May 25, 2011

I would like you to meet one incredible lady. She is a fellow author and her name is Janet Perez Eckles. When I read her story, it gave me a clear vision of the meaning of being a true survivor.

Against all odds, Janet did not lose her optimistic, positive, and spirit-filled attitude that she needed in order to face what most of us can’t even imagine. I have the utmost respect for people who know how to overcome the odds and rise above the heartbreaking hardships that life has to offer. Janet is one such woman.

Please take a moment to meet  Janet Perez Eckles. Trust me. She will be such an inspiration to you when you see her positive attitude after all that she has endured. She has also managed to retain her sense of humor which adds to my admiration of her. Janet states that “God is stronger than your pain”. The way she has chosen to live her life proves it!

Please click here: http://barbarajrobinson.blogspot.com/2010/12/trials-of-today-treasures-for-tomorrow.html if you want to check out the review of Janet’s book, TRIALS OF TODAY, TREASURES FOR TOMORROW

Thanks Barb…what a great book review!

FREE DRAW ~ Anyone who leaves a comment on any article from now until June 15th, gets their name put in a draw for a free copy of my book ”Growing Up & Liking It”.  The more comments that you leave the greater your chances of winning. Good Luck!

BLOG HOPPING DAY ~ Emotional Healing and the Causes of Low Self Esteem ~ May 18, 2011

In this article Darlene Ouimet says, “And I could never seem to catch even a glimpse of that key to freedom, until I took a real look at the causes of how I had come to that point in my life. What had happened to me? Why did I think I was so unimportant?  I took that chance that it might hurt. I faced the fear of what I might find. I had nothing to lose!  Looking back today I wonder if it dawned on me that I was already in SO much pain that even if it caused me more pain, it was worth taking the chance that it might also relieve the pain.  I embraced the hope for complete healing when I had my first break through in the first week of looking at the causes.”

To learn more please visit: Emotional Healing and the Causes of Low Self Esteem

Thank you once again Darlene for sharing your insights and growth as you have worked through the pain of your past.

 

FREE DRAW ~ Anyone who leaves a comment on any article from now until June 15th, gets their name put in a draw for a free copy of my book ”Growing Up & Liking It”.  The more comments that you leave the greater your chances of winning. Good Luck!

BLOG HOPPING DAY ~ Nourishing The Soul ~ May 11, 2011

Both of the following, insightful quotes come the well-written article on change and loss by Dr. Ashley Solomon. 

“But the process of becoming, of changing, involves a parallel process of letting go. It means saying good-bye to a way of being that at one time felt very important to us. And thus, even if our former self was destructive and caused us and others pain, moving forward can feel like a profound loss.”

“When in transition, it’s important to allow ourselves the time and space to grieve what is lost. If we don’t, we risk denying ourselves a vital component of the process of becoming.” (Dr. Ashley  Solomon)  To learn more please take the time to read the full article at Nourishing the Soul – Change and Loss

BLOG HOPPING DAY ~ Small Powerful Choices ~ May 4, 2011 by Belinda

This blog site was recommended to me by a friend. She sent the link via e-mail. I was having a very busy day and almost deleted it. I hesitated for a moment and thought better of it. I decided that I would make time to read it later. I am very grateful I did. I left a comment to the effect that I found the topic refreshing as it had to do with having a positive attitude instead of a negative one. 

I think we have all experienced how difficult it is to be positive and upbeat during difficult times in our lives. I had a very touching and profound conversation with my dear friend recently and she was explaining a very sad event in her life. It was several years ago but I’m sure it still felt like yesterday to her. She was sharing about her granddaughter who died at a very young age from a childhood illness. On the way to the funeral it was necessary to stop at a local store.

Due to her circumstances and her grief, as she got out of the car, she accidentally let her car door bang the vehicle beside her.  The driver was sitting inside and he took a royal strip off her. She was already so emotionally drained with the loss of her precious grandchild that she was rendered speechless. All she could do was look at him and think “if he only knew where I was headed”.  How many times in life to we give people a piece of our minds when we have absolutely no idea what is going on in their lives? How many times do we lose our cool over such similar insignificant mishaps? Sometimes, we need to give our heads a really good shake to put our lives into perspective. This wonderful article by Belinda helps us do just that. I hope you will take a moment to read  WHATEVER HE SAYS ~ Small Powerful Choices. Thanks Belinda!

BLOG HOPPING DAY ~ Jesus Is The Way – So Pray ~ April 27, 2011 by Jan Cox

I very much enjoyed reading this post by Jan Cox. In “Jesus Is The Way – So Pray”, Jan reminds us about doing the right thing for the right reason. She suggests that we ought to pray for guidance before we accept to do even what appears to be good deeds for others. At times, we can say yes to people when inside we know we really don’t have the time or the desire. Afterwards we can end up being resentful because in essence we had a perfectly good reason to say no. If we pray for the guidance that we all need before we act, we will end up making more appropriate choices and feel a lot better about them.

This is a well-thought out article by Jan. I hope you will take a few minutes to visit A Better Way.  Thanks Jan!

BLOG HOPPING DAY ~ JRRSEhope Coaching ~ April 20, 2011

I mentioned recently that one of my husband’s favorite little quotes is “walking the talk”.  As I read this interesting article by JRRSE (pronounced Jersey) I was reminded once again of its importance. It is instrumental in the teaching of our children to set the proper example as JRRSE so aptly points out.  Please take a moment to check out JRRSEhope Coaching to see for yourself.    

BLOG HOPPING DAY ~ Emerging From Broken ~ April 13, 2011

Darlene Ouimet has been a previous guest on Blog Hopping Day. I have shared a few of her posts with you. Today, I am linking you to her site once again, however, Darlene is actually away and she has a guest writer by the name of Susan Kingsley-Smith. This article deals with some sensitive issues dealing with dysfunctional relationships which I’ve decided to share with you.  This topic is not easy to digest but because I have been doing a series of articles dealing with mental health issues, this post coincides with some of my articles. Please take a moment to visit Emerging From Broken. Thanks Susan and Darlene.

BLOG HOPPING DAY ~ Perpetual Offenders: When To Stay And When To Walk Away ~ April 6, 2011 by Jennifer Slattery

During this Lenten Season, we are very much reminded of the Crucifixion of Jesus Christ and our need for redemption. Most of us recognize our need “to forgive” others and also our need “to be forgiven”. Jennifer has written a very inspirational article addressing both these necessary human conditions. It touched me in such a way that I was moved to share it will all of you. Please take a moment to read  Perpetual Offenders: When To Stay And When To Walk  Away Thanks Jennifer!