Many awesome things have happened since last Friday. In fact, so many things have happened that I'm only just now finishing up my thoughts, and it's Saturday!

The personal side

Well, on a personal note, I graduated from therapy! Really all that means is that I don't need it now, and therapy is now an "as needed" tool that I can always go back to. I can't tell you how happy and proud my therapist from Mended Light was as I had progress to share with each of our sessions. (Mended Light has a free 15 minute consultation - available on the first page of their website - where they find the right therapist on their team for you.)

How long were you in therapy?

It took 2 sessions a month (sometimes only 1 as one of us had a technical or scheduling issue) for less than half a year, but that timeframe really only worked because I'm such a badass. I did the exercises, assessed what worked, what didn't, made adjustments, and I really put effort into improving me.

Did anything help speed up the process?

It helped knowing my three goals before the first meeting as it not only sped up the process, but it helped keep me focused. Sure, I'd get distracted every now and again (who doesn't?), but the goals helped reorient me and kept me motivated to improve me.

Really, aside from the work, I think it was identifying my triggers that really helped me. I'm always curious and questioning things, so that also helped tremendously. I never blamed myself for those freak out moments (like when I would get anxious on a long road trip), but by asking why I was anxious and where it was coming from, I was able to unravel the why.

Speeding cars are everywhere, and yet on longer vacations traffic could send me into a panicky state. That wasn't good! But by asking why and realizing I didn't feel safe because of bad childhood memories that involved stupid people in traffic, among other things, I was able to slowly show myself that the past wasn't the present and that I was safe. Now, I know how to spot a trigger, address the current safety risk, or simply acknowledge that I'm uncomfortable, but then immediately reassure myself that the current road conditions are safe. Simple, right? But it takes a lot of work and self love to patiently work through a trigger. Now, traffic doesn't trigger me, and if it ever does, I know to face the trigger (when it is safe to do so, as traffic may not be the best time or even the best example here) rather than ignoring the trigger or trying to avoid it. 

Writing news

I've been doing better about writing every day again. It's been a while since I wrote a chapter or even a short story, but I did it! I have a new short story completed, which is about a more advanced society dealing with criminals who use children (Chosen Ones) from other, less advanced worlds, to do free labor. Naturally, I called the story Chosen One. 

A quick update on Sir Ryac and the Dark Mage

No, I have not been editing Sir Ryac and the Dark Mage. It is in limbo until later this month. Still, October is looking good for getting this final edits done and the formatting.

Inspiration from a book

Around the time I started doing therapy, a random ad showed up during a YouTube video I was watching. The ad was for Mindvalley. It sounded great, looked great, but although I was captivated by the mental and physical aspects of what Mindvalley offered, I'm a skeptic at heart. 

Where's the best place for a skeptic to go?

Why, the library of course! Thanks to the ad, I took a few screenshots of different books it mentioned. Why spend money on a book when I can check it out at the library for free and then decide how I feel about it?

The Silva Mind Control Method by José Silva and Philip Miele

The Silva Mind Control Method was the first book I picked up. There were a lot of amazing concepts and strategies for how to be a better version of myself. I wasn't and still am a bit unsure about everything the book talks about, including ESP, but it inspired me all the same. Maybe someday I'll go back to it, but I don't know. There were a lot of very interesting and appealing exercises in the book, but they require more than one person for a proper experience. Plus, the book version requires a ton more work than taking a course with others would entail. Sooo, on to book 2 I went!

The Buddha and the Badass The Secret Spiritual Art of Succeeding at Work by Vishen Lakhiani

I finished The Buddha and the Badass The Secret Spiritual Art of Succeeding at Work recently, and it has done wonders for my mental health! It's far more useful for me than the book above as it has easy to follow instructions on how to improve daily life and how to get the most out of living. Work has been much easier since I started reading the book and following the exercises, and I've noticed friends, family, and strangers seem happier as well.

This book really changed me, and it's so inspiring. It's really made a difference in how I interact with others and where and how I spend my time. Some of the exercises even led me to understand me better and what my core values are. This in turn helped me see how I could bring more of me into the work I do and my writing, too. Did I mention some of it even took my therapist by surprise as she realized the activities were close to ones she was going to suggest? That’s right, I was a step ahead already!

The Code of the Extraordinary Mind: 10 Unconventional Laws to Redefine Your Life and Succeed On Your Own Terms by Vishen Lakhiani

This book actually comes before the one listed above, but I didn't know that at the time I started reading the book above. Regardless, I'm sure The Code of the Extraordinary Mind: 10 Unconventional Laws to Redefine Your Life and Succeed On Your Own Terms will be an exciting read! I just need to find the time for it, which means that no, I haven't read this one yet, but I'm certain it'll be just as inspirational!

That's a wrap!

And that's what I've been up to lately. Who knows, maybe I'll share an exercise I did that helped me make a manifesto. Until next time! May your adventures be many and your inspiration be endless!