It’s time to swim in appreciation magic! Go ahead. Look around. Appreciation is there somewhere. Maybe it’s in that greeting card you set aside to read when you felt swept away by the life happening around you. Oh, here’s one! Imagine scrolling through your social feeds and finding the perfect words of encouragement. Thank you, world, for seeing me and hearing me. (Appreciation magic.)
Appreciated
We all want to feel appreciated. It’s a magic salve that lubricates our hearts and reminds us we’re in this world thing together. Genuinely, folks, I appreciate you! Many times, your ideas and words are just the right magic to turn the lights on in my heart. So thanks for putting your ideas into words. Just sayin’!
In the scope of emotions, what on earth does yobbish mean? The classic definition states it this way: rude, noisy, and sometimes aggressive or violent. Doesn’t sound so much like a cheerful topic, but one worthy of more understanding.
I don’t go around looking for this emotion, but it surfaces sometimes when I least expect it. Knowing what it means, it’s easier to see in others than in myself. When I feel yobbish, the energy feels like I’m screaming from the inside out. The root of feeling rude, noisy, or even aggressive leads me to act without thought or courtesy of what’s going on around me. It can be very consuming and blinding. That’s where it becomes destructive.
What does it mean to feel like a zombie and what does that have to do with negative emotions? Starting with Z and working my way to A, I’m going to be exploring some negative emotions for a bit. I promise it won’t last forever, but I’m going to do this for myself just to get better acquainted with the different colors of emotions that I feel. Perhaps my exploration will open some ideas and doors for you as well. The next batch, after the negative emotions, will be peaceful emotions. Woo hoo! (Something to look forward to, for sure!)
Okay, back to the idea of feeling zombie-esque. Sometimes when I take part in activities that I feel like I have to do, the concept of enjoying my life eludes me. That triggers my zombie feelings. Why is it so dad gum easy to fall into that trap and forget about the joy that drove you to do things in the first place? I found an interesting article about that from The Guardian.
Watch out for the sweet spot! Maybe yours is finding the perfect place on the head of a golf club to smack that little white ball into the playing field. Or maybe you’re having a conversation and the perfect timing happens for you to say something. Oh, then there’s a spot in nature that’s just right for hanging a hammock. (If you’re unaware, I live for hammock moments!) The sweet spot!
What is it about finding the right spot on a calendar? It works for you; it works for them, and everyone seems to be happy. Okay. Dinner is at 6:30 on Thursday. Perfect.
Now that my memoir, Invisible Wounds: An Inside Story, is published, amazing connections are coming out of the woodwork. It’s scary to write a story about the most horrific thing that happened to me. Some people I know are aware of this story, and others are not. I didn’t know how my friends and family would respond to me after sharing so vulnerably about this trauma.
I often talk about how vulnerability is a vehicle for making deeper connections with people. People are writing and sharing their experiences with me after reading this book. That is so encouraging! The subject of kidnap and rape is a fearful topic for some. Everyone is going to react to such a story differently. It’s a vile topic and one that many people are afraid to talk about. I found, in my experience, that some people responded more favorably than others. That said, I stand firm in realizing this topic is something that needs airtime.
I admire those who stay silent when sharing my story.
Here’s the rub: it’s all good. I admire those who stay silent, find a few disagreements, and open their hearts to share, so we can celebrate our lives. It’s all real, and it’s all good. What? Even the disagreements are good? Yes, those. Each person has a right to feel what they are going to feel. It’s all part of the emotional colors that make up the canvases of our lives. I’m secure enough about who I am that disagreements can be present without affecting my big amazing.
Thank you! For those who’ve read this book, thank you for taking the time to read this story. Thank you for finding your own words, experiences, and especially your will to grow and thrive. The amazing power of our collective human spirits is alive and well. Let’s bravely share our stories and find deeper connections with one another. I’m glad you are here.
“My personal memoir is finally here for you to read. I have held nothing back in sharing the most horrific experience imaginable through becoming the the whole person I am today. Get your copy and be prepared for the ride of your life.” Alexis Faere
Alexis Faere’s book gives an inside look into the author’s personal journey, recounting a harrowing kidnap and rape experience and the subsequent evolution from victim to survivor. Her words explore the process of integrating this traumatic event into her identity. When asked about the intended impact of the story, Alexis expresses a desire to reach out to victims of sexual abuse, individuals coping with various life traumas, and even convicted sex offenders engaged in treatment programs.
Accepted is not only an emotion about feeling included within a group of people, but it is also about feeling resolute about yourself and who you are—warts and all. As I get familiar with my emotions, I’m exploring the latter right now. When I accept myself, I find it easier to absorb feeling accepted by a group outside of myself.
Picture a warmly received gift, and that’s what feeling accepted looks like to me. I imagine how the earth receives anything that falls upon it. This might be a leaf or a twig that has loosened from a tree branch, or it might be a gum wrapper that gently escaped someone’s grasp. Gravity aside, the earth accepts whatever falls upon it. Some of what falls to the earth is more nourishing than others. The same is true for humans. Our bodies take whatever we give them, and some things are more useful than others.
I feel acceptance in my whole body; my heart warms and my soul lightens. Where do you feel accepted in your body? This is an idea I’ve not explored much until now. Truth be told, I’m finding it hard to wrap words around it to describe it. It’s interesting to play with the idea and get better acquainted with it. My challenge with this exercise reveals an uncertainty that feels uncomfortable. Hmmm.
Acceptance is an emotion that facilitates personal grace. When I think about confident people, I sense they accept their complete selves. It is hard sometimes to accept our personal truths. For example, when I carry more weight than I’d like, I struggle with self-acceptance. The cold ugly truth! I’m reaping that which I’ve sown and loving this extra part of me proves challenging. Loving my warts is hard sometimes, but I choose to give it a whirl. I have much to learn!
This is a fascinating emotion. (She breathes in acceptance and lets go of judgment.) I accept you, who you are, and all the ways being you which facilitate your uniqueness.
In the sea of all her emotions, she finds acceptance…
Have you ever felt the weight of the day settle heavily until your own touch feels foreign? I certainly have. Yet everything softens once I grant myself permission to wrap my arms around my body with tender intention instead of rushing past the need.
This simple act nurtures deep self-compassion and restores emotional balance. Moreover, it activates calming sensations that ease tension held deep within. For instance, a warm self-hug can quiet racing thoughts and invite a profound sense of safety in moments of overwhelm.
Additionally, embracing yourself reinforces worthiness and strengthens inner connection. Consequently, you navigate life with greater kindness toward your own heart.
Give yourself permission for a self-hug.
It cultivates self-love through gentle self-hug practices and mindful touch
It supports emotional wellness while reducing anxiety with self-compassion
It boosts self-compassion and enhances feelings of safety and security
It promotes mental health benefits of self-soothing and loving touch
Furthermore, these intentional embraces weave nurturing into everyday routines. Meanwhile, harsh self-criticism gently releases its grip. Therefore, you begin to trust your body as a source of comfort and strength.
Recent research shows that self-hugging significantly reduces anxiety levels and creates measurable calm. Discover the powerful benefits here.
However, many pause thinking it seems silly. Nevertheless, this physical expression of care delivers real physiological shifts. In the end, giving yourself permission feels beautifully affirming because it honors your need for immediate love and presence.
You deserve this warm embrace today. Start small by crossing your arms gently over your chest and breathing deeply for thirty seconds. Watch how self-love expands when hugging yourself becomes a cherished ritual.
Give yourself permission to hug yourself and feel the comfort unfold.
Pause for a moment, and take a breath. That’s nice. I’m spilling a few thoughts about the art of pause today. There are so many pauses in life. Sometimes they happen without us ever even realizing it. This pace of life we have in our world seems to press forward, sometimes with no notice of pause. I think, though, the pauses are there if we can pause just a moment to realize.
I’m jumping into bliss today. Yes, extreme happiness is worth celebrating. I was just writing in my journal about how happy I feel now that I’m spending dedicated hours each day to follow my dream of being a writer. This is bliss! After so many years of pouring my energy into the dreams of my employer, it feels liberating to spin that energy on my passion. Why did I wait so long? That’s another topic entirely!
Now, back to bliss. Think for a moment about a time when you felt so much happiness inside you thought your bellybutton was going to bust. Well, okay, that might be a little extreme, but it’s a fun image. Do you suppose a bee feels that way when there is an abundance of pollen to be had? Or, what about a cat getting all crazy on the catnip or a bear finding the perfect tree to help with that back scratch? These are all great examples of what bliss looks like to me.
Did you notice the moment the sleeping grass woke up and turned green? Maybe you noticed a daffodil emerging through the warming earth. While you were busy cleaning the dishes or writing that memo, a squirrel dropped by, looking for a morsel of goodness. Did you see that little fella?
Maybe you noticed something new growing on your body. Did you know your ears and nose never stop growing? Or maybe a freckle happened in a place you’ve never had one before. I stepped outside to snatch up a breath of fresh air and sunshine and noticed the lizards were back, looking for delicious bugs to consume. Oh, and there’s a bunny, back for more backyard adventures.
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