Do you sometimes feel overwhelmed with: 

• What to  do with yourself.  
• Everything around you seems so negative and sad.
• People being mean.
• Nothing seems fun anymore.
• LIfe is passing you by.
• The almost relentless feeling that you want to just stay in bed all day.

If the above  describes you, then let's talk.

Life can seem like a box of sardines.  Everything you see  stinks.  After smelling all of those sardines,  they can begin to permeate your skin.    Now all you can smell are nasty sardines!

The saddest thing about being sad, is that the way we feel  tends to show up on the outside.  You begin to notice people leaving you alone.  Not inviting you to parties or gatherings.   (You probably don't  remember all of the times you've turned them down.)  It might seem to others that you just don't want to be bothered.  Or.....  that you have a chip on your shoulder, and are just waiting for something to complain about.  So, they either stay away, or they give you back an attitude of discontent.  (P.S. you don't see YOUR attitude.)
​

Begin What You Want To Do NOW.
Beginning of February already!  

I am always drawn to inspirational quotes about doing what you want to do, feel what you are meant to do, or to go for what you are dreaming to do.

 “The secret to living the life of your dreams is to start living
your dreams today, in every little way you possibly can.” - Mike Dooley
Yes! Mike Dooley is right, and darn it!  I want to share this with other women! 

…and Francis Bacon, I have loved you for this one; 
“Begin doing what you want to do now. We have only this moment, sparkling like a star in our hand- and melting like a snowflake.”
 
I am holding the snowflake in my hand, and I will notice the stark, biting cold of it.  I will be mindful of how quickly it melts, but first I notice the crystal-like symmetrical arms, with their impossible delicacies.   I will share the beauty of it with others, and I will begin now.  Thank you Mr. Bacon. 

I have always believed that bringing a group of women come together for a shared interest, is a gift; an opportunity!  There is so much we can do for each other!  Every single person has an ember to add to the fire that is life.  

Here is one of my favorite poems, written by Mark Nepo.
At The Window
I was at the window
when a fly near the latch
was on its back spinning--
legs furious, going nowhere.
I thought to swat it
but something in its struggle
was too much my own.
It kept spinning and began to tire.
Without moving closer, I exhaled
steadily, my breath a sudden wind
and the fly found its legs,
rubbed its face
and flew away.
I continued to stare at the latch
hoping that someday, the breath
of something incomprehensible
would right me and
enable me to fly.

Is there someone in YOUR life who was there to right YOU …and enable you to fly?
 
Happy Valentine’s Day, you beautiful, kind, exceptional human being!

This is a call to action.  I know all too well that you are out there.  You are laying on your sofa, or maybe you are still in bed.  You haven't showered in days.  You haven't made an appointment for your mammogram, or GYN, or for the Dentist in years.  Part of you is okay with that.   

Wait.  Which part of you is okay with that??  Is it the Mom?  Sister?  Wife?
Lonely woman who doesn't matter?  Survivor of abuse?  Drug abuser?  _____________ (YOU fill in the blank).

There are some pretty awful things going on in this world.  A person can fill an entire day with them.  Movies, News, Social Media Posts, Newspaper articles....   An ENTIRE DAY, and STILL barely touch the steaming pile.

Imagine that instead, you only choose to watch movies that make you smile! 
All of a sudden, you feel that your time is too valuable to give to sensationalized News Articles, or Social Media Posts that leave you feeling defeated and sad.

You now want to see uplifting stories of resilience, hope, magic, and beauty!

Soon, you can't wait to see a NEW DAY!  You look forward to taking a walk, or a drive, or open a gardening magazine!
You are actually noticing your body's mood changing when you smile!  
Do it right now!  FEEL it!    Ready??

                   S M I L E

Did you feel that change?  Keep that smile there for a bit more.  You're nourishing your soul.   You're telling your body that yes indeed, You Matter!
YOU are in charge!  You have ultimate control of your destiny! 
That saying is TRUE...…  Its not what happens to you that effects your life most, but HOW you respond to it!

Incase you didn't know....  there is a child inside of you. 
​
Save Her.  She's Worth it!  Call a friend.  Contact a  Women's Organization.  Call 211  for  help at any time.   (You do not need to feel you're in CRISIS in order to call).   They are there, waiting for you!
Use the button below for a link to help if you need it.   
Remember:  YOU MATTER.  YOU'RE WORTH IT!

Ready To Exhale, LLC is located in Watertown, Ct.  This business was the dream of a survivor of child sexual assault and incest.  
Debbie Barry strives to show women of all ages and life experiences that they truly are warriors, and that healing can begin with self-care.

​Children are pulled in every direction during their days, just as adults are.

There are times that are meant to eat, to play, to study, to celebrate, and to be quiet.  As adults, we can relate to this, right?

Sometimes, as adults we forget how difficult it can be for a child to switch gears.  

Example: During dinner, maybe they are reminded about a toy or game they were playing earlier and all of a sudden, food is the least of their focus!

How hard is it for you to sit in your home and concentrate on a task at hand?
How hard is it for you to dedicate yourself to your treadmill, or yoga practice or even to read a book? 

Do you find, (like I do) that everything begins to call to you.... The Refrigerator is calling you to come and clean it out.  The grocery list is calling you to pay attention to things you forgot to add.
Your beds are screaming at you that they need to be changed.

Children can go through the same experiences, except in most cases, they have not learned how to manage their struggles.  They become anxious, and stressed because they can't seem to please the adults in charge, nor themselves.

Here is a great article on how Yoga can help:
www.mindbodygreen.com/0-15075/7-ways-kids-benefit-from-yoga.html

Give your child the tools he or she can use at any time of day or night, whether they are at home or school or out to dinner.  Consider Yoga.  Consider Meditation. 

You will be giving them a special gift that will enhance every part of their life as they grow.  You will be giving them a gift that they will use over and over and over again. 

Ready To Exhale, LLC is in Watertown, Ct
Creative Workshops, Yoga, Meditation

I have been thinking a lot about what my PURPOSE is while I am on this earth. 
Right now, take a deep, slow inhale.   Exhale very slowly, and think.

• What is YOUR purpose?  
• Have you found one yet?
• Are you still wondering?
• Do you still have questions about it? 

Is this something that you have thought about before?  ...or NEVER have?

Every part of this flower has a purpose.  

I am a firm believer that if we can feel that we are needed in this world, then we will feel this as a reason to live.  It might not be so obvious to us as to what that is.   For example:  A grandfather who is widowed, home everyday, with lots of time on his hands might be struggling with getting out of bed.  He doesn't feel that anyone needs him.

Next door, his neighbor, same age, also a widower, feels he has lots to offer to his grandchildren as far as knowledge, care, and love.  He wakes up every morning wondering how they are, and how he might be able to help them.
He has a spring in his step, and he doesn't realize why.

He has found purpose to his life.  

If you want to feel that you are needed, (and you ARE!), then begin to give yourself away.   Create something that was not there.  For instance, visit your church and find out if there are any shut-ins who could use a visit.   
Like animals?   Visit a pound or shelter and offer to walk a dog, or to just sit and pet or talk to them.
See litter on the ground?  Pick it up.  

My friend, you definitely ARE needed in this world!   The quicker you realize this, the happier you will be.