Stories that Empower

Mary experienced addiction, alcohol, failed relationships and a father dying of cancer. Through meditation, she had an awakening and realized what she'd been escaping from. Mary's partnership with horses taught her to accept and not judge herself. Even though she'd always been authentic, she started becoming comfortable with her authentic self. Once Mary did that, she accepted herself and others....

Kate found out how different life is as a non-mom after she and her former husband abandoned infertility treatments, quit their corporate jobs and moved from a suburb to a rural community to raise sheep. So began her quest for identity as a non-mom in a culture high on family. Kate shares the following nuggets of life wisdom: - there are more ways to look at life, giving and connecting than just b...

When Iris' friend was dying of a brain tumor, a group of friends became the caregivers. She was impressed by her friend's courage of facing death. Iris helped her friend's brother cope with the transition, to let go, to say goodbye and enabled them to bond. She felt privileged. Iris shares the following nuggets of life wisdom for caregivers: - strive not to judge - be open to listen - be there for...

Leah had traumatic experiences, including the loss of her mother. She was seeking acceptance, love and validation. Initially, Leah joined circles, which led her to drugs, alcohol and violence. Then, she started to understand the energies associated with fear and love. Leah surrounded herself with supportive people and realized that she had been empowered all along. This enabled her to become an en...

When Donna's husband experienced a brain injury, everything stopped on a dime. She became his full time caregiver. Whereas, she used to prefer to 'let things ride', she realized that as his advocate it was up to her to save his life. Donna didn't think she had it in her. She challenged the doctors and nurses. In the process, she became empowered. Donna shares these powerful nuggets of life wisdom:...

Naomi's first film didn't give her the validation and acceptance that she sought. Naomi felt crushed. So for her second film, she set out to be accepted by the "System" and chose to play by their rules. Naomi encountered very powerful 'gatekeepers' that feel they define the success and happiness of film makers, such as herself. Once she realized that she had been empowered all along, she took a re...

Melissa experienced a big pivotal moment twelve years into her marriage, when she realized that she was no longer in love with her husband. She knew there was something off, but did not have clarity initially. Melissa used her skills as a crisis readiness strategist to assess her own relationship. She chose to follow her truth and divorced her husband. Melissa feels that she crisis managed her div...

Sally experienced sexual trauma as a teenager. She repressed it, absorbed it and was ashamed of it. Sally felt as if it was her fault. She started on a journey of healing and began to acknowledge what happened. Initially, Sally felt uncomfortable to tell her story publicly. Then she realized ... if she couldn't tell her story, then what message was that sending to others, such as her daughters. Th...

Joe was diagnosed, as a young child, with learning disabilities and was overweight. He decided to transform his life. Joe changed his beliefs, thoughts, actions and feelings. He also unwired his anxious nervous system. He lost 160 lbs and walked away from a toxic marriage. Joe heard a calling to share his knowledge of transformation with others. He empowers and coaches others to look at mindset/em...

Matt grew up in a single parent household and attended a school for disadvantaged kids, where they taught him about effort. He realized that, if he wanted to live a different life, he'd have to figure things out on his own. Matt grew a business and with perseverance, he maneuvered it through the 2008 economic crisis. He successfully sold the business. Today, Matt speaks and helps business to grow....

Tina was born into a poor family and became a foster child. There was no structure nor stability in her life and she found she needed to adapt constantly to survive. These experiences enabled her to question who she wanted to be. She wanted to have more control of her life. She chose to have a more positive impact on her life, her family and her community. The tools that got her through the dark m...

When Christa lost her dad as a teenager, she felt a loss of control and battled with an eating disorder. Her body, mind and spirit felt disconnected. Christa discovered yoga, which made her feel alive and taught her to be comfortable with what is. Today, she creates a safe and trusted space through yoga, where she teaches and empower others to feel whole and united, through unconditional love and...

Jane was always there for her spouse and her mom. Her external life was so rich, but internal life was aching and empty. Jane wasn't content. She knew it was time to look inside herself, to clear up conditions, thoughts and beliefs that were limiting her. Also, Jane began to honor her own desires and giving them priority. She learned to let go and began to focus on what she really wanted. Jane sha...

April experienced domestic abuse from her former spouse. She learned to recognize, what she calls, 'pinpoints of light' (a caring smile from the cashier, an opportunity, a coupon) in the darkness. April started collecting these pieces of light and hope. She successfully escaped the abyss of abuse. April shares this wisdom: - there is light and hope everywhere, even in the abyss - hope is eternal -...

Previously working in traditional publishing, Brooke noticed the injustice, specifically that many talented writers do not get their due and that publishing decisions did not appear to be about the content or quality of the work. As champion for the underdogs, Brooke set out to do something about it. She established safe and trusted communities of writers and warriors that have shared values and s...

Witnessing the 1992 Los Angeles riots and violence on TV, Diane was horrified that people would kill others, because they looked different. Diane decided to do something about it. She established "Community Cousins", an organization that strives to break down stereotypes, by enabling personal experience and creating friendships across the lines. Diane shares these powerful nuggets of life wisdom:...

When Rabbi Cohen's mom died, his life was turned upside down and felt spiritually lost. He realized he could give up and live in darkness. He chose to find a renewed spirit to bring more light into the world and be of service to others. Today, he inspires others to awaken what's inside them and lead a life of legacy, with a greater sense of light and purpose. Rabbi Cohen shares these powerful nugg...

When Alice's friend was going through cancer, she promised her that she'd care for her and her dog. Her friend's journey initiated Alice's growth into becoming an author and storyteller. She shares these powerful nuggets of life wisdom: - be honest with each other - friendship crosses many lines, including racial lines - writing is a safe place to be - meditate, stay in silence and write - find pe...

When Mary's sister was diagnosed with cancer, she took in her sister's 3year daughter. What was meant to be a 3 week stay turned into Mary serving as a substitute parent to her niece, as her sister passed away, due to complications from the cancer treatment. Mary journaled about her journey. With her niece's permission, she wrote the book "I know it in my heart", the story of a grieving caretaker,...

After Bryan's parents divorced, he turned to food to fill the emotional gap, became 100 lbs overweight and was consumed by anxiety. He struggled to make a change. His wife was at death's bed, due to chronic illness. This forced Bryan to look at his role as a husband and father. He didn't want his son to experience the same anxiety that he did as a child. Bryan learned that motivation for change is...

Jeffrey struggled to provide high end portrait photography in a small country town. One day, a lady told him "I don't have the luxury of worrying about my children's memory. I'm struggling to pay for rent this month." Jeffrey realized, that by providing a luxury product, he was speaking his language (or lingo) to the wrong audience and that you can't convince someone to value something they don't...

Jayson was raised in poverty, was bullied because of a learning disability, was 75lbs overweight, abused anti-depressants and felt he was wasting his life. Watching his mom raise 6 kids inspired him to tackle his challenges head on and stick with it long enough to succeed. Jayson found yoga and slowly made better health choices. He took ownership of his life. Jayson shares these powerful nuggets o...

When David's relative passed at an early age, he realized that everyone carries loss, but not everyone talks about it. Through poetry, he explores that emotional place and connects with people. David also created a safe, supportive, nurturing and non-judgmental mens' community, where members can be honest and truthful. He shares these powerful nuggets of life wisdom: - approach people with an open...

Being born and raised in the hood of Philadelphia taught Ray to be tough, have grit, appreciate hard work, have tenacity, get up and keep going. His parents, seeking the improve the family's quality of life, always engaged the family members as a unit. Ray learned that, through teamwork and camaraderie, you can achieve the unthinkable. He uses these life skills to encourage husbands and fathers to...

Eduardo, a former flight attendant, was the survivor of a terrible airplane crash. He struggled with survivor's guilt and PTSD. Eduardo's all consuming memories almost claimed him as a victim. He felt inadequate and had no self worth. Eduardo went on a long journey to find the truth as to the real cause of the airplane crash. He turned a negative experience into a positive one. Eduardo shares thes...