The Gift of Friendship

May 15, 2012 By Tina Moore Leave a Comment

Friendships are sometimes the difference between living your life, and LOVING your life.

I have been blessed with some lasting, loving and supportive friendships. The kind where I don’t see them every day but there is an unspoken understanding that if either of us needed something, we can call. We get into adventures, make our own fun and laugh until our stomachs hurt. We don’t allow the other person to stay down too long, we fight for each other when we can’t fight for ourselves and listen when we need to be heard.

“Your friend is your needs answered.” ~ Kahlil Gibran

Two weeks ago I was having a rough couple of days. My friends told me what I needed to hear:

Tina, you are too proud.

Tina, you are a trail blazer, taking adversity and creating opportunity.

Tina, you are a shining star; no one can put that out.

Tina, you are an editor, writer, singer, teacher, athlete, motivator, visionary, nurturer, amazing friend-sister-daughter-aunt and you have an emotional IQ that is off the charts. You are beautiful, funny, playful, energetic and talented.

WOW. Friends step in and tell you what you need to hear when you can’t find the words (or energy) to say it to yourSELF.

Sometimes, they point out things you don’t recognize. I am too proud to ask for help because I want to make it on my own and prove I can do it but often times we need to EMBRACE each other to fulfill our bigger goals.

We have to allow others to GIVE and we have to RECEIVE with GRACE and GRATITUDE.

My former teacher, mentor and dear friend reminded me I can ask for help and it’s ok. I won’t be judged or criticized but rather supported and validated.

Asking for help is a positive exchange of energy. It’s only our negative attachment to the act of asking that can taint the request.

She also showed me that I have taken adversity and changed it into OPPORTUNITY and I shall do so, again.

The other quotes are from this dear friend. She is one of those people who would open her home, give me the shirt off her back and share all her knowledge and resources to help me out. Last week she ran with me and allowed me to cry, vent and process what was bothering me. Once I emptied my tank of the negative, she filled me up with positive messages, and helped me see another side to things. She pointed out my strengths and pushed me to keep going towards what I believe in. She defines “The Gift Of Friendship”.

Friends ask how you are doing, then LISTEN for the answer.

Friends tell you when you have toilet paper stuck to your shoe or you’re in a relationship that stinks.

Supportive friendships aren’t based on convenience. The best of friends show up when it’s inconvenient.

Friends are LOVE in ACTION.

CELEBRATE YOUR FRIENDSHIPS. TELL YOUR FRIENDS HOW MUCH THEY MEAN TO YOU AND HOW MUCH THEY ENHANCE THE QUALITY OF YOUR LIFE.

Such sweet blessings…

With a smile,

Tina

 

Lift The Shame – Heal The Pain

May 8, 2012 By Tina Moore Leave a Comment

 

I’m so tired, exhausted and yet I don’t fall asleep easily and don’t feel rested when I get up.

The thought of going to work right now seems overwhelming. I want to sit on the couch, watch TV, go to bed and sleep.

It’s frustrating. I feel like a waste of a life.

So why do I bother? If I really feel like I’m wasting my life, not reaching my potential, and have such enormous pain, why do I keep waking up every day to go through it again? Why invest another day, another week, month or year on NOTHING.

If I really get to my core – my heart, my spirit and my instinct, I WANT TO LIVE!

I want to believe, truly understand on a cellular level that I am worthy of a good life.

That is the voice of depression and anxiety. That is the voice of someone who suffered in silence, screamed and suffocated in silence but no longer remains silent.

That was MY JOURNAL ENTRY just a few short years ago when I was in a highly toxic relationship, not exercising, self medicating and feeling very depressed and anxious. I wasn’t thinking about the people in my life who loved me because I was consumed with pain. ALTHOUGH I WAS IN A DARK PLACE, I COULD RECOGNIZE THAT I DID NOT WANT TO DIE. I WANTED TO LIVE FREE OF THE INNER PAIN. This is an extremely important fact to understand.

 

According to the Canadian Mental Health Association the signs of DEPRESSION are:

  • feeling worthless, helpless or hopeless,
  • sleeping more or less than usual,
  • eating more or less than usual,
  • having difficulty concentrating or making decisions,
  • loss of interest in taking part in activities,
  • decreased sex drive,
  • avoiding other people, (isolation)
  • overwhelming feelings of sadness or grief,
  • feeling unreasonably guilty,
  • loss of energy, feeling very tired,
  • thoughts of death or suicide.

I have been told getting current statistics is difficult because it’s an expensive and complicated process with many variables to consider, making accurate numbers near impossible. In addition, because there are the issues of STIGMA attached to mental illness, people don’t speak up.

One thing we can be certain: mental illness, such as but not limited to, depression and anxiety affects ALL of us. If you don’t suffer personally, you are affected by someone who is suffering.

DEPRESSION DOES NOT CARE ABOUT RACE, RELIGION, CAREER OR SOCIAL STATUS.

 

By recognizing and understanding that mental and emotional wellness affects EVERY SINGLE PERSON ON THE PLANET, we help others realize they do not have to suffer in silence. May 7th – 13th is Mental Health Week.

It is a time to raise awareness, speak up and speak out.

STOP THE STIGMA AND GIVE THOSE WHO SUFFER, A VOICE.

 

Depression, anxiety or any other mental disorder/illness is not something you just ‘power’ through. It’s not a weakness, or a fault. It is a highly complex issue with varying components that needs to be treated!

 WE NEED TO LIFT THE SHAME TO HEAL THE PAIN.

WE NEED TO STOP THE STIGMA.

WE NEED TO LET PEOPLE KNOW IT IS SAFE TO TALK AND TO GET HELP.

It is not to be judged, criticized or labeled but rather to be UNDERSTOOD.

I want you to understand there is HOPE. I know depression and anxiety inside and out because I’ve been inside and out of it. I also know by giving mySELF another chance in that darkest hour, I found JOY, LOVE and UNDERSTANDING. My mental and emotional health is a PRIORITY. I can still have tough days, but nothing compared to that journal entry above.

  THERE IS HOPE.

  HERE ARE SOME GOOD RESOURCES

Canadian Mental Health Association: http://www.cmha.ca/

Teen and young adult support: http://www.mindcheck.ca/

A new resource through BC Children’s Hospital: http://www.keltymentalhealth.ca/

 

If you can relate to my journal entry, please contact your doctor immediately. Talk to a psychiatrist or counsellor and share with a trusted family member or friend. Do not hide in shame. GET HELP.

Talk until someone listens.

Life is valuable.

YOU ARE VALUABLE. YOU ARE PRECIOUS. YOU ARE LOVED.

From my heart to yours,

Tina

PS.  Thank you for reading and sharing this blog to raise awareness and understanding. For more reading on depression, anxiety and toxic relationships click on the side panel under the ‘categories’ or any highlighted word you found in this blog.

 

When You Pray, Move Your Feet

May 3, 2012 By Tina Moore Leave a Comment

When you pray, move your feet

I love that African proverb but what does it mean to pray?

For me, it involves your thoughts, intention and energy. Ultimately, it is YOUR communication and connection to what YOU believe in.

The definition of prayer is:

A devout petition to or spiritual communion with God or an object of worship.

“Spiritual communion”…I like that particular phrase.

I don’t think of God, spirit, universal energy or whatever you want to call it as being outside of mySELF. I think of it as being heard inside…

It’s my INSTINCT, CONNECTION to SELF and that quiet, calm, loving voice that whispers WISDOM in my ear. It’s the PEACE, GRATITUDE and JOY I feel when I know I am CONNECTED.

The beautiful paradox of when we connect to SELF is that we connect to others.

When you pray, move your feet.

JOGGING connects me to a wisdom I wouldn’t otherwise feel connected to and helps me process my emotions, thoughts and patterns. I have fought DEPRESSION and ANXIETY by using JOGGING as a key component to my HAPPINESS.

If that isn’t answering my prayers, I don’t know what is!

…Even when I stop mid jog…and weep…my tears are a form of prayer…

I believe honouring yourSELF, listening to yourSELF and respecting yourSELF is a form of prayer because the core essence of who you are is LOVE, WISDOM and a powerful ENERGY beyond our comprehension.

When you pray, move your feet.

In my mind, the purpose of prayer is to gain clarity, strength, comfort, hope, wisdom, connection, love, happiness, gratitude and insight. JOGGING gives me that GIFT.

When you pray, move your feet.

Try going for a walk or jog this weekend. Connect with that loving wisdom and powerful energy. Focus on praying as you are moving. Focus on the intention behind your words. Pray and then listen. Connect to yourSELF and connect to that which you believe in.

I believe in YOU.

I believe in LOVE.

I believe in listening to your INSTINCT and caring for yourSELF.

I believe in SHARING our collective consciousness and EMBRACING one another.

I believe in HUGS and the healing power of TOUCH.

I believe in the power of POSITIVE energy, POSITIVE thoughts, POSITIVE ACTIONS and a LOVING heart.

I BELIEVE IN PRAYER.

When you pray, move your feet.

Blessings to you this weekend. See you on Tuesday!

With a smile,

Tina

PS. If you want to keep connected over the weekend, check out my Facebook page or send me a message! I would love hearing from you.

Living Extraordinary!

May 1, 2012 By Tina Moore Leave a Comment

Kate Muker - Conscious Divas

What does CONSCIOUS LIVING mean to you?

Are you INSPIRED by what you are doing?

Are you aware of your PATTERNS, CHOICES, ACTIONS and SELF TALK?

SELF AWARENESS, LIVING CONSCIOUSLY, AUTHENTICALLY and with PURPOSE is a life journey we are ALL experiencing. We may be on different paths but we are here to UNDERSTAND, LEARN, GROW, SHARE, LOVE and EXPERIENCE life in its amazing spectrum of colors.

On Friday I had a lovely meeting with Kate Muker, CEO and Publisher of Conscious Divas. Her company brings women together to embrace, nurture, learn, grow and support each other in a community towards living an AUTHENTIC LIFE.

Because I am passionate about LIVING AUTHENTICALLY, I was thrilled to meet Kate and become friends. She is a beautiful person and truly embodies what she shares with others. She lives consciously and practises what she preaches, not without bumps or life lessons along the way but most certainly with AUTHENTICITY, INTEGRITY and HONESTY: Values I respect and appreciate.

Kate is holding an event for MEN and WOMEN called:

Living Extraordinary LIVE!

I am blessed to be a part of this incredible event bringing together 12 speakers, speaking for 7 minutes each with one shared vision:

Inspire passion, evoke conversation and cultivate community.

What I truly LOVE about this event is that when you look at the bios of all the speakers, (CLICK HERE) we are quite different. One may speak on yoga, another on sustainability, another about sex and another about non profit. You may purchase your ticket with one or two speakers in mind but you may receive a PROFOUND MESSAGE FROM AN UNEXPECTED SOURCE. That is the beauty of this kind of event.

I truly believe “what comes from the heart, touches the heart” and that’s why I think this evening of speakers will be so powerful.

I believe in Kate’s vision of bringing people together to create change, conversation and cultivate community.

I also believe when an event is brought together by someone who lives the values she speaks of, the event will be magical. Powerful. EXTRAORDINARY!

Thank you for passing this on to others and allowing them the opportunity to check it out. Please be aware that tickets are limited due to the intimate size of the venue. If you want more information, please CLICK HERE.

I leave you with three words that I focus on every day:

LOVE

GRATITUDE

JOY

Everyday I consciously remember the enormous power and incredible energy those simple little words create. May you be blessed beyond measure with love, gratitude and joy.

With a smile,

Tina

 

A Letter

April 24, 2012 By Tina Moore 1 Comment

Dear SELF:

I know I can be mean, unreasonable and I’ve disrespected you and didn’t allow your voice to be heard…

I’M DEEPLY SORRY.

THANK YOU for sticking by me when I feel LOST, ALONE, HOPELESS, SCARED and VULNERABLE.

THANK YOU for taking care of me when, sometimes, I don’t know how.

THANK YOU for showing me other options than what I was taught and that I can LEARN, GROW and CHANGE.

THANK YOU for helping me understand you are my INNER COMPASS, and you’ll always show me the way…

THANK YOU for telling me POSITIVE, LOVING and NURTURING things when the negativity rises up and loudly starts to take over.

Thank you for giving me hugs from the inside…

THANK YOU for showing me I am BEAUTIFUL and I am PERFECTION in my own complicated, talented, simplistic, complex, imperfect and unique way.

THANK YOU for helping me trust you…

THANK YOU for shining a light on my darkness…FOR BEING THE LIGHT IN MY DARKNESS.

THANK YOU for giving me STRENGTH when I thought I could go no further, HOPE when I thought it was hopeless and another day to see things do get better. You have saved my life many times. Thank you.

THANK YOU for LOVING me when I feel unlovable…

THANK YOU for showing me I have VALUE, PURPOSE and a reason for being here because you keep whispering HOPE, LOVE and COMPASSION in my ear.

Thank you for being my friend.

I love you SELF and I’m sorry I haven’t always shown you.  I recognize you are me and I am you: a loving and beautiful essence brought into this world to shine.

Thank you for not giving up on me.

All my love,

me xo

THIS BLOG IS BEST READ OUT LOUD WHILE LOOKING IN A MIRROR.

With a warm and loving heart,

Tina

PS. “This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine, let it shine, shine, shine, let it shine”

 

« Older Posts