GETTING THROUGH DIFFICULT TIMES—MY JOURNEY TO THIS BLOG AND PATH.
I’d like to share the story with you of what brought me to begin this journey with a blog, motivational speaking, workshops, coaching and writing.
I have lived the good majority of my life with the concept that when you go through difficult times in your life, you should shove said things as far down into the deepest, darkest hole in yourself that you can find. Focus on things like Ben & Jerry’s ice cream instead of the problem, never to really allow that problem to surface again. Don’t get me wrong, focusing on a pint of anything Ben & Jerry’s could probably bring world peace if we allowed it, but it’s not really the ideal way to live your life. I think a lot of people walk around in a daze, constantly running from one thing to the next (guilty as charged!), striving to keep up with our packed schedules, our children’s schedules, keeping up with demanding jobs, health and fitness, and the list goes on and on. Throw social media and cell phone addiction in there and there isn’t any downtime anymore. Often, people going through a difficult phase will either amp up everything—to completely avoid having to deal with reality—or they head over to the opposite end of that spectrum and sink into depression, where doing anything other than lying on the couch becomes a struggle.
I have been through a lot in my life. Every time that I have been through something difficult, or a major life change that wasn’t expected, I always tried to use that experience to get to a higher spiritual place. I always felt like I wasn’t living the life I was meant to live. This led to me having minor depression and even though I was participating in things I enjoyed immensely (comedy, etc), I also tried to bury issues so that I didn’t have to deal with them, and I never felt truly joyful or happy. Somewhere I picked up the concept that if I just kept going then I was “strong and tough.” I didn’t realize until recently that that is the opposite of the right thing to do. I have learned that the people that really “feel” their feelings and learn to “sit” in those feelings are the ones that are fully able to process them. From there, you are able to move on and open yourself back up to new experiences.
What a concept! I had no idea!
I have been through some difficult times in my life, which can be difficult to share (but the point of my new mission is to share it all):
sexual abuse
three divorces (yes, three)
eight surgeries
the loss of a baby
the traumatic loss of a childhood friend
major health issues for years (including Breast Implant Illness)
However, the thing about me is that I’ve always just picked up the pieces and moved on. Always. I’ve always found the strength. I never wallowed for long, never felt sorry for myself for long, and I never played the victim (for long). Oh don’t get me wrong, there were definitely times in my life where I bitched a lot and complained that someone had done me wrong! I’m human after all.
After my last marriage ended, that all changed. I decided that I was going to change the way I handled my life and my circumstances. I decided not to play the victim. I decided that things were going to be different this time. I decided that I was going to change my path and my mindset. Interestingly enough, the loss of my last marriage, which was the marriage that I thought would be my forever marriage, literally devastated me to my core. It was by far the worst thing I’d thought I’d ever gone through. But guess what? It wasn’t. That divorce changed me in so many ways… for the better and in amazing ways. I noticed right away that I was thriving from the moment I moved out. My body healed. My mind healed. I healed. For that, I am so grateful.
I never thought that I’d be sitting here thanking my ex-husband for our divorce. Thanking him! What I learned from the experience was that we were meant to be in each others lives for lessons. There was an earth experience that our souls were destined to have together. We needed to learn lessons from each other and grow from that experience. I have grown in ways I could’ve never imagined. That divorce led me to believe in myself again, love myself, get quiet, practice radical forgiveness and speak my truth. That experience allowed me to be ME. The truth is that the relationship was extremely unhealthy for me for so many reasons and I am still shocked sometimes of what I tolerated. I lost myself in that relationship and I will never allow that again.
I am creating the life I’ve always wanted for myself and I have confidence that I am on the right path. I would not be here, doing what I’m doing, had it not been for that devastation and experience. Losing myself and my light during that marriage was so unlike me to allow myself to not shine and share the gifts that I have to offer this world. Through therapy, hypnosis, reiki, meditation, yoga, acupuncture and daily prayer and a lot of forgiveness (I pray to the Universe and my guides), I have become a whole new Leanne. An amazing Leanne that I am so happy to get to share with this world. I am happy. I am joyful. I am excited for this life and my journey! I am putting those lessons to good use.
I would like to help you learn the tools that I use everyday to help you live your best life! You just have to be willing to put in the work. The work is simple. It is about taking some time and creating new habits for yourself. The moment you realize and accept that you deserve the same commitment that you give others, your world will change for the better. You have to take care of yourself first so that you can then take care of others. Our lives are about love. Loving each other, ourselves, and living in joy. It’s that simple.
If you have found this article and this blog, I believe the universe led you here for a reason. Accept that. Stay open, my friends. I believe we always find or are shown exactly what we need, exactly when we need it if we are open to the guidance of the Universe (you can substitute God, angels, spirit guides, or whatever you believe in here, it doesn’t matter what your belief is… it’s all the same concept). You deserve an amazing life!
Let’s Giggle…
