LIVING JOYFULLY: A LIFE OF PURPOSE, PASSION & PRACTICE

A Quest for Well-Being Interview with

LORI GRADLEY

1. WHAT MAKES YOU HAPPY AND WHAT MAKES YOU FEEL SUCCESSFUL?

My happiness and success in my life has been built upon the foundation of being a loving and supportive mother… My business, as successful as it is, in my opinion is secondary for what brings me happiness.   My two children,  now young adults, have always been first and foremost in my mind.  It is all about family for me,  true joy and happiness.

My love for what I do in my company is also a driving force in my life that keeps me focused, on purpose and feeds my happiness, which always leads to success.   “I do what I love, and love what I do!

2. WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO BECOME WHO YOU ARE AND TO DO WHAT YOU DO TODAY?

I have always had a love for empowering people, human potential and have been studying personal development, positive mindset, energy, and metaphysics for more than half of my life.

I am an international writer, author, life coach with over 35 years experience in personal development.  I own an international wellness company, Splendid Inspiration, that helps people globally to become the best they can be thru my inspiring blogs I write worldwide, the online wellness courses I have developed and the monthly mindset coaching I personally support my clients with, all customized to meet the needs of the students I teach.

I am also an author with 2 published wellness books.  My first one “How to Think & Succeed by Empowering your Mind”, and my most recent, “Holistic Self Care for Women”  Each book are receiving 5 star reviews all over the world and have been recognized with a gold star status from Readers Favorites (top gold award, in the non fiction, self help category, amongst 1000’s of manuscripts that had entered their contest.  As well as gold star status for Moms Choice Awards!  I am very grateful.

3. WHAT WAS THE INSPIRATION, INTENTION, AND PURPOSE OF WRITING IT AND WHERE CAN WE FIND YOUR BOOK?

It was always a goal of mine to be an author, so in 2022 I started writing my first book,  “How to Think & Succeed by Empowering your Mind”   In a way it not only has become a step by step guideline to help people understand how their thinking is affecting their results, but also for people to learn how to develop their mental faculties to untap their potential

This book is very much a life’s mission and story about myself and how I became interested in this field of work….my challenges, the obstacles I had to overcome and the goals I’ve set and achieved thru decades of study.   The real reason why I wrote this book and began to study was due to a massive head on collision I was in as a teenager.

Due to the severity of the accident, I was in the hospital, immobile, and in traction for quite awhile and had a lot of time on my hands while I was recuperating, so I began to study and learn more about myself thru the personal development books I read, as well as the workshops and seminars I attended.   

That became the catalyst for me to begin working with an international wellness company in sales, management and training back when I was in my twenties, which is the reason I have an international wellness company to this day.  I have been studying and learning more about human potential ever since.

You can access both my books on Amazon.com as well as read our reviews:

4. DO YOU CONSIDER WHAT YOU DO A CALLING, A PURPOSE, A MISSION?

Absolutely, I have spent more than half of my life dedicated to this ‘calling’ and consider this mission or journey I am on to support others one of my greatest gifts.

5. WHO WOULD BENEFIT MOST FROM YOUR WORK AND YOUR MESSAGE?

Any person who is passionate about learning more about themselves and wants to make some dramatic changes in their life would benefit from my material.   I have university and college students studying my material as well as older individuals, I do cater more to women in the books and online wellness courses I sell. 

6. WHAT IS LIKE WORKING WITH YOU FROM A CLIENT’S PERSPECTIVE?

People have made some considerable changes in their lives, all positive and continue to enjoy success thru my teachings.   Here are just a few testimonials of those clients who have loved my work!

Customer Testimonials

“The most valuable lesson I learned from Lori was how to utilize straightforward mental tools to conquer self-doubt.  Her outlook & personality felt like having a conversation with a friend who genuinely wanted to see me succeed”    Tracy,  Italy. 

 “What sets Lori Gradley’s teaching apart from other personal development companies is her genuine desire to help people succeed by providing a roadmap for personal transformation and long-lasting positive change”     Nathan,  Australia

 “For over 30 years I have personally witnessed Lori take people by the hand and guide them from chaos to clarity in her coaching programs”    

Barry, Author of  ‘A Cup of Soup for the Soul”  

 “ I have hired Lori to work with my fitness clients and she is a beacon of light for those that are seeking to deepen their journey of self discovery”    Soraya,  United States 

7. AT THIS TIME, WHAT IS THE WORLD’S GREATEST NEED?

Compassion for others, positively leading by example, and focus on developing a positive mindset, rather than by reacting to the negative news, people and circumstances in the world today.

8. WHAT IS CONSCIOUSNESS, OR HOW DOES THE CONSCIOUS MIND WORK?

The conscious mind does the thinking and is considered to be the intellectual part of the mind. It also has been called the objective mind. We do have control over this particular section with our free will and we can accept or reject any idea that might be suggested. This objective side of our mind can analyze, reach logical conclusions, and does the planning of our day-to-day routine.

9. WHAT IS THE SUBCONSCIOUS MIND?

The subconscious mind, or the subjective mind is literally the power centre of your brain that functions in every single cell of your body. But it needs the conscious mind working in tandem to operate effectively. It expresses itself through thoughts, feelings, and actions and is considered to be the emotional side of your mind.  

I spend a great deal of time on the conscious and subconscious mind, as well as our mental faculties in my first book, “How to Think & Succeed by Empowering your Mind”    It is a study of over 35 years of my research to easily be able to understand how our thinking does in fact affect our lives, in every aspect.

10. TALK TO ME SOME MORE ABOUT YOUR OFFERINGS AND SERVICES. 

My international wellness company,  Splendid Inspiration offers inspiring blogs/articles, reasonably priced online wellness courses, under the $40 mark,  as well as an online monthly mindset coaching that Lori personally coaches to people,   customized specifically to meet the needs of each of her clients,…as each individual is other different levels of awareness as far as their personal development is concerned.  Loris two wellness books are an additional benefit for those that enjoy a good read. 

11. DO YOU MEET YOUR CLIENTS IN PERSON AND REMOTELY?

All Lori’s wellness products/services are all online,  however Lori does do speaking engagements for women’s groups and organizations and will spend the time to work with women on a one on one hourly basis, but limited availability.  

12. DO YOU OFFER GROUP AND CORPORATE COACHING? 

Lori’s mindset coaching is specifically online,  but she does offer one on one hourly coaching on a limited basis for those women groups and organizations she has been hired to speak at events and conferences. 

Presently Lori has a huge promotion going on for a limited time that offers $400 value for only $29.97.  That includes 2 online courses, a free prosperity guide as well as $150 off towards her monthly online coaching.  

https://splendidinspiration.com/personal-development/science-of-goal-achievement/

13. WHERE CAN WE FIND MORE INFORMATION ABOUT YOU, YOUR WORK, PRODUCTS, SERVICES, AND YOUR FUTURE PROJECTS?

Lori Gradley’s main business site: Splendid Inspiration:  https://splendidinspiration.com

Book website: https://www.lorigradley.com/

BIO

Lori Gradley is an internationally recognized writer, author, and mindset coach with over 35 years experience in the personal development industry. She is the CEO and founder of her international wellness company, Splendid Inspiration, empowering people all over the world to become the best they can be thru inspiring blogs, transformative online courses, wellness books, and mindset life coaching, customized to meet the needs of each client.

Renowned for her expertise in helping others improve their lives, she teaches people from all walks of life how to positively change their mindset and develop their mental tools empowering them to reach their full potential to live an enriched, fulfilled life.  

She has earned acclaim as a top sales producer, mindset coach and entrepreneur having operated a multi-million dollar property management company across Canada.

Based in Ontario, Canada she is a loving mother of her son and daughter. She has a flair for writing and crafting empowering content dedicated to inspiring people all over the world.  

She is also the author of the acclaimed wellness book How to Think & Succeed by Empowering Your Mind and her newly launched title, Holistic Self-Care for Women. Both books have earned 5-star reviews worldwide and received the Gold Star Award from Mom’s Choice Awards.

In addition, her first book,  How To Think & Succeed by Empowering Your Mind was honored with the Gold Award in the Non-Fiction Self-Help category by Readers’ Favorite, selected from thousands of submitted manuscripts. 

For more information on Lori and her company, Splendid Inspiration click on the link:   https://splendidinspiration.com 

Book site:  www.lorigradley.com

THE SCIENCE OF THE SACRED: EVIDENCE, WONDER, AND MIRACLES

A Quest for Well-Being Interview with

NASSIR SABAH

1. HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE WHO YOU ARE IN THIS VERY MOMENT?

I am a neuroscientist/biophysicist and Emeritus Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the American University of Beirut, Lebanon.

2.  WHAT MAKES YOU HAPPY AND WHAT MAKES YOU FEEL SUCCESSFUL?

What makes me most happy and deeply content is to imagine that I have been blessed in this worldly life by the mercy of God, which would lead to eternal bliss in the hereafter. This is unquestionably the greatest reward that one can possibly aspire to. I have come to recognize that the measure of real success in this life is the extent to which we have developed our conscious selves to become better human beings in all respects – spiritually, psychologically, morally, and intellectually. This self-development is a most worthy humanistic endeavor that gives meaning to life. It can be simply assessed by the answer to the question that one should ask oneself every day: “Am I a better person today than I was yesterday?” The answer to this question is the measure of real success in life.

3.  WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO BECOME WHO YOU ARE AND TO DO WHAT YOU DO TODAY?

Ever since early adulthood, I had sought answers to existential questions about the purpose and meaning of life. I was very fortunate as an electrical engineering undergraduate in the UK to have a distinguished chairman of the department mentor a group of first-year students on a wide range of topics, particularly modern physics, cosmology, and biology, from an integrated scientific, engineering, and philosophical viewpoint. What made a lasting imprint on my impressionable teenager mind was that: (i) deep down there is an underlying unity to it all; boundaries are artificial (a favorite quote in this regard is one by Swami Vivekananda, “The whole universe is a play of unity in variety, and of variety in unity”), and (ii) therefore, one should not harbor a circumscribed worldview but should venture beyond the confines of particular tenets. That made me seek in earnest to broaden my horizon by reading about psychology (inasmuch as it sheds light on human nature), religion (inasmuch as it seeks to provide meaning and purpose to life), and philosophy (inasmuch as it applies rational thinking and logical reasoning to any thought process). Inevitably, this bred an awareness of what is beyond oneself and which transcends everyday concerns and preoccupations.

At a more practical level, I was fascinated by biophysics, as a confluence of two very basic sciences, and by bioengineering as the study of biological systems from an engineering viewpoint. For my PhD in the USA, I therefore chose biophysics/neuroscience as my major. I was even more fortunate to have as my PhD advisor a Nobel Laureate in Physiology or Medicine who was superbly erudite, particularly in science and philosophy, and who espoused a non-materialistic worldview that strongly underscored the spiritual aspects of the mind.

In my ensuing long academic career at the American University of Beirut, although I was mainly occupied with teaching, research, administrative, and service activities, I did, nevertheless, continue my search for answers to the existential questions about the purpose and meaning of life. By the time I formally retired to my Emeritus Professor status today, I had accumulated considerable knowledge and thought to be able to formulate definitive answers, from my perspective, to the existential questions.

Currently, I am preoccupied with research and writing about: (i) the science-based miraculousness of the Quran, and (ii) the spiritual message of the Quran and its implications for everyday human behavior, as explained in the answer to Question 11 below on the purpose of the human experience.

4.  WHAT WAS THE INSPIRATION, INTENTION, AND PURPOSE OF WRITING YOUR BOOK AND WHERE CAN WE FIND IT?

I have written four technical books on electric circuits, electronics, and the human neuromuscular system, followed by my latest book on a completely different subject matter, Spirituality Rekindled: The Quest for Serenity and Self-Fulfillment.

This book is about the attainment of serenity and self-fulfillment through a rational spirituality defined as the quality of being that is predicated on a sense of connectedness to God Almighty. Incontrovertible, science-based, and objective evidence for the existence of God is derived from the Quran. Based on this, and on cognizance of the limitations of present-day science, the case is made for a spirituality that provides the foundation for continuing, immensely beneficial, and comprehensive self-development – spiritually, psychologically, morally, and intellectually – driving toward a target state of sublime serenity and self-fulfillment. A detailed roadmap for this spirituality is presented. The book is available from Amazon and other booksellers, as indicated on the website https://nassirsabah.com. The website is continually updated with supplementary and complementary material related to the book’s message and topics.

I held some academically influential administrative positions at the American University of Beirut, such as the founding director of the Institute of Computer Studies and Dean of the Faculty of Engineering and Architecture for 13.5 years. These positions allowed me to introduce several academic programs that opened up new career paths for thousands of young men and women. That was highly gratifying, but it always left the nagging thought that it was not enough. Our students labored for four years preparing for their professional careers, but for what purpose in life? Is it to make money, live affluently – a luxurious house, expensive cars, fancy clothing, ostentatious lifestyle – achieve recognition and fame, be happy, raise a beautiful family, cherish social bonds of friendship and love, serve one’s community, or what? Most people set their own goals early in life and strive to pursue them, convinced of their worthiness. As a long-time educator, I felt I had to promulgate in simple language the answers that I found most persuasive and satisfying as to the purpose and meaning of life. The natural consequence of this urge was to write the book Spirituality Rekindled.

5. DO YOU CONSIDER WHAT YOU DO A CALLING, A PURPOSE, A MISSION?

As explained in the previous paragraph, I consider what I do my worthwhile duty as a long-time educator to make my message known as widely as possible. As always, I do my best under the circumstances and leave the rest to God.

6.  WHO WOULD BENEFIT MOST FROM YOUR WORK AND YOUR MESSAGE?

Anyone who is seeking answers to existential questions about the purpose and meaning of life.

7.  WHAT IS HEALING TO YOU?

I understand by healing the development of a state of holistic wellbeing, defined as a healthy and fulfilling state that encompasses the physical, psychological (i.e., mental and emotional), social, and spiritual aspects of human experience.

8.  WHAT IS THE GOAL OF HEALING AND WHAT ARE THE OBSTACLES TO IT?

The ultimate goal of healing is the attainment of a state of serenity and self-fulfillment devoid of all forms of distress. Generally speaking, there are two obstacles to healing: (i) incorrect identification of the underlying causes of distress, or (ii) inadequate measures of alleviation of the distress.

9.  WHAT ARE SOME OF THE MISCONCEPTIONS MOST PEOPLE HAVE ABOUT HEALING?

I believe the biggest misconception about healing is that it can be truly effective without invoking The Almighty, who is the omniscient (all-knowing) and omnipotent (all-powerful) Creator. This should be self-evident, for who would know a person better and have greater power over that person than He who created that person in the first place?

This is not to deny that some interventions, whether in the form of medical, psychotherapeutic, or so-called “psychic”, “spiritual”, or pseudoscientific practices, can be effective by all objective and subjective measures. But it must be borne in mind that all these “successful” interventions are only possible through His will and because of the knowledge that He has made available to humans out of His infinite loving-mercy. To believe that such interventions are of entirely human origin is but a manifestation of a high degree of human arrogance and self-delusion.

It must also be borne in mind that even the “most successful” healing is only temporary. It is bound to come to an end, if not fully in this life, then with death. But, according to a profound saying by the great Muslim scholar, mystic, and philosopher, Ibn ʿArabī who lived in the 12th and 13th centuries CE, “What does not last cannot be counted on”.

10.  DO YOU CONNECT HEALING TO SPIRITUALITY? AND IF YOU DO, WHAT IS SPIRITUALITY TO YOU?

I most definitely do connect healing to spirituality.

Spirituality has different meanings to different people. A widely-held definition is: “spirituality is the quality of being that is predicated on a sense of connection to the supernatural, that is, to something greater than ourselves that is beyond explanation by natural laws.” In my understanding of spirituality, I identify the supernatural in this general definition with God Almighty, so my definition of spirituality is: “Spirituality is the quality of being that is predicated on a sense of connectedness to The Almighty, the creator of the universe and the guide and sustainer of everything in it”.

11.   WHAT DO YOU FEEL IS THE PURPOSE OF THE HUMAN EXPERIENCE?

I would like to present here, in some detail, my science-based answer to this most important existential question. In the tree of life, and within the kingdom of animals, humans belong to the family of the great apes, the Hominidae, which includes four extant genera: (i) Pongo (orangutans), (ii) Gorilla (gorillas), (iii) Pan (chimpanzees and bonobos), and (iv) Homo (humans), which comprises several human species, the only extant species being our own species, Homo sapiens. Biologically, the closest to humans are the chimpanzees, believed to have evolved separately from a common ancestor with humans about 5 to 6 million years ago. The physical, anatomical, and physiological resemblance between humans and chimpanzees is quite striking. More remarkably, chimpanzees share at least 95% of the DNA of humans and have about half as many cells as humans in their cerebral cortices, which sit at the top of the hierarchy of the brain and are responsible for our higher mental functions. Chimpanzees also had at least as much time to evolve as humans, 5 to 6 million years.

Yet, chimpanzees today are still jungle inhabitants with only rudiments of culture. Homo sapiens have established advanced civilizations as they are endowed with astonishing mental capacities such as: the ability to probe into the mysteries of physical phenomena to make astounding scientific discoveries and technological developments; the intellectual prowess of imagination, abstract thinking, and logical reasoning; the creativity to produce indescribably beautiful works of art and the sense to appreciate the beauty in these works and in the universe at large; the propensity to discern good from evil, what is moral from what is not; the free will to at least try and shape our own lives; a mysterious, fathomless consciousness; the gift to form human bonds of faithful friendship and exquisite love; and last but not least, the spiritual dimension that is uniquely human. Why this indescribably immense disparity between humans and chimpanzees, despite the remarkable commonalities? This is a question that most people are oblivious to, and to which present-day science has no satisfactory answer.

According to fossil records, the human brain grew in size over a span of some two million years, despite its excessive energy demand, at the expense of other high-energy-consuming organs of the body, namely, muscle and intestines, but with very meagre returns in the form of some primitive tools such as pointed sticks and sharp stone. What was the drive for larger brains? No one really knows. Then, between about 70,000 and 30,000 years ago, Homo sapiens underwent a remarkable transformation that has been dubbed the “Paleolithic Cognitive Revolution”, or evolution’s “great leap forward”. As a result of developments in the brain and the rest of neuromuscular system, Homo sapiens acquired three crucial characteristics: (i) astonishing mental capacities, including imagination, abstract thinking, and advanced cognitive abilities, (ii) a highly-developed language that allowed effective expression of thoughts and the conveying of detailed information, and (iii) superb manual dexterity that enabled the making of useful tools and artefacts as well as various forms of inscription that promulgated knowledge and preserved it for future generations, which is essential for civilization.

The triad of creative imagination, highly developed language, and manual dexterity was a formidable combination that propelled Homo sapiens to unprecedented accomplishments. Some very useful implements were invented, such as bows and arrows that made hunting more efficient, oil lamps to combat darkness, fishhooks and harpoons for fishing, bone and ivory needles for stitching clothing, and boats to venture into open waters. Homo sapiens spread far and wide to all corners of the globe. Through planning, cunning, social skills, productive labor, and creative thinking, Homo sapiens prevailed over all other human and animal species to become, within a span of a few tens of thousands of years, the undisputed masters of planet Earth.

How did these extraordinary human characteristics come about, and why were they acquired only by Homo sapiens, to the exclusion of the other 700 million or so animal species that have inhabited Earth since its creation about 4.5 billion years ago? Present-day science has no definite answer. Materialistic scientists ascribe these human characteristics to genetic mutations driven by pure chance. However, the required transformations are so extensive and complex that their occurrence by chance is irrationally absurd. In fact, what are classically described as chance events, such as the tossing of a coin, are not intrinsically chancy at all, for the outcome of the tossing of a coin can, in principle, be correctly predicted if all the factors involved, such as the initial setting of the coin, the force applied, the air resistance encountered, etc., can be accurately accounted for, which is a daunting task. Hence, the event is ascribed to chance, and a probability of occurrence is estimated in accordance with probability theory, as a means of avoiding consideration of influencing factors that are difficult to account for, and bypassing unknown factors altogether.

Hence, the transformations that caused the distinctive characteristics of Homo sapiens are beyond explanation by present-day science. Is there any justification for considering the cause to be supernatural? This brings us to the Quran, which should be considered by non-Muslims as a stand-alone text that should be appraised on its own merits without prejudice or bias. The inevitable conclusion, without a shred of doubt, is that the Quran cannot possibly be of human origin, as evidenced by: (i) science-based miraculousness exemplified by the numerous verses that refer explicitly or implicitly to physical phenomena that were only observed or explained by science in modern times, and (ii) the large number of numerical patterns and relations, varied in nature, that have been uncovered so far. All this evidence cannot possibly be coincidental or of human origin. Numerous examples of the miraculousness of the Quran are presented in the book Spirituality Rekindled, which are continually updated and expanded on in articles on the website https://nassirsabah.com/Insights/Supplements.

It may be argued that the superhuman origin of the Quran could be attributed to an unknown supernatural agency, such as extraterrestrial aliens or similar entities. But the Quran plainly and repeatedly affirms that it was revealed by The One and Only God, the Creator of the Universe, whose proper name in Arabic is Allāh, and there have not been any rebuttals or counterclaims since the Quran was revealed more than 1400 years ago. The inescapable inference is that God exists and the present-day, original Arabic Quran is His unadulterated word. This being the case, it certainly behooves us to comprehend what the Quran says about the human condition.

According to the Quran, God, in His infinite loving-mercy, created humans to attain eternal bliss in Heaven, which is the purpose of life. This is the sublime expression of God’s loving-mercy towards humans and is the ultimate reward that one can aspire to. The bliss in Heaven is primarily spiritual, beyond human imagination, and incomparably more rewarding and everlasting than anything that can be attained in this worldly life.

Had God wished, He could have made all humans angel-like, full of goodness, and free from evil. But life would then have no meaning. In His omniscience and wisdom, God created humans with a wondrous conscious self having the propensity for righteousness and wickedness, free will, and astonishing mental capacities that allow them to receive His revelations, bear witness, through contemplation and scientific discovery, to His manifestations in the marvels of His creation, and to act as His agents-inheritors on Earth.

This worldly life, with its attendant evil and suffering, has therefore been made a trial for humans to follow the right path of serving God to receive His loving-mercy and attain eternal bliss in Heaven. God is served by obeying Him and by reflecting what can be humanly reflected from His glorious and perfect attributes, the most consequential of which is His loving-mercy. Humans should therefore conduct themselves virtuously towards all around them: other human beings, other forms of life, and the environment. Virtuous conduct is the outward manifestation of the self-development mentioned in the answer to Question 2 above on being happy and feeling successful, and which is grounded in the Spirituality defined in the answer to the preceding Question 10 on spirituality.

12.  AT THIS TIME, WHAT IS THE WORLD’S GREATEST NEED?

The world’s greatest need is to combat the prevailing ethos in the world today, which is rampant materialism fueled by greed and excessive individualism. Materialism is the relentless pursuit of money as well as material possessions and objectives. The focus on materialism distorts values and blinds one’s worldview, making one oblivious to the ultimate purpose and meaning of our existence. It induces unethical or immoral behavior in the unscrupulous drive to achieve the materialistic goals that one has set. The ills of materialism are compounded by craving and greed. To crave material possessions and objectives is to become enslaved by this craving. Craving is incessant, driven by greed, so it’s never satisfied, becoming a source of endless anguish. What is craved cannot be really enjoyed, because no matter how much is attained, one is desperate for more.

Materialism is reinforced by excessive individualism, as the striving to possess and achieve one’s material objectives is principally self-centered and self-serving. Excessive individualism is a scourge that has broken family ties and social bonds, thereby obliterating our responsibilities to the welfare of the larger human community.

13.   WHAT IS YOUR VISION FOR HUMANITY?

I would very much like people to understand the purpose and meaning of our existence, as outlined above, and to conduct themselves virtuously in the service of God.

14.   WHAT DOES EMOTIONAL FREEDOM LOOK LIKE? AND HOW CAN YOUR WORK HELP?

Emotional freedom is not letting feelings and emotions of any kind control one’s thoughts and actions. Lack of emotional freedom is at the root of emotional stress and anxiety, which are the banes of modern life. It could also be detrimental to social relations when feelings are directed towards others.

There can be absolutely no doubt that the advocated Spirituality, as defined in the answer to Question 10 above on spirituality, is the best and most enduring way to attain real emotional freedom. First, it entails an attitude that is crucial for emotional freedom, as it involves “reliance on God” and “deference to His will” (see the article “Reliance on God and Deference to His Will” at https://nassirsabah.com/Presentations/Articles.

Reliance on God is expressed in Arabic by the word tawakkul, which has a very special meaning. Tawakkul does not mean indolent dependence on God, as just standing by and leaving matters to Him. On the contrary, it means always doing one’s best in any given situation but leaving the outcome to God and deferring to His will by accepting His decision on the outcome. Such an attitude reflects one’s confidence and trust in Him, which one should inevitably have.

This is a very powerful antidote to anxiety and stress over personal matters. For example, if one is applying for a job, then the anxiety and stress are not so much over preparing the job application or even being interviewed, but rather about the outcome of the whole process. If one covets the job but is rejected, one should not be disappointed, for it might be for one’s benefit in that a better job might be forthcoming.

With the advocated Spirituality one would not harbor negative feelings about others, such as envy or anger. When the measure of success in life is self-development in the service of God to gain His loving-mercy, there is no room for envying others over matters such as wealth, status, or other material achievements. If these are conducive to self-development, then good for them, and one would be motivated for more self-development. If, on the other hand, their perceived “success” is at the expense of self-development in the service of God, and is a test for them by God, for which they would face retribution in this life or the hereafter, then one would feel sorry for them instead of envying them.

Anger is a negative feeling that is also detrimental to the person experiencing it and to the relationship with others. With the advocated Spirituality, one would inherently be understanding, compassionate, and forgiving. Forgiveness is a balm to the psyche that elevates one to high moral ground, above the mundane concerns of this worldly life, in profound recognition of what is really important and what is vain and superfluous. Forgiveness is an act in the service of God, for it reflects what can be humanly reflected from His perfect attributes of all-forgiveness and ever-forgiveness.

In the final analysis, the best means of achieving emotional freedom and banishing all negative thinking and feelings, self-depreciation, or self-victimization is to have God as our everyday guide, refuge, and solace. What could be more effective than being fortified by the consummate feeling that one is being accorded the mercy, guidance, and care of He who is most compassionate, ever-merciful, all-powerful, all-knowing, all-wise, and all-just?

15.   WHAT IS YOUR UNDERSTANDING OF LOVE?

Conventionally, love is understood to be a deep emotional attachment and an intense feeling of affection directed to someone. Ambrose Bierce cynically defined love as “Temporary insanity curable by marriage…”. Love strongly affects the person who loves. My favorite quotes in this regard are by: (i) Gabriel Garcia Marquez, “I love you not for who you are, but for who I am when I’m by your side.” And (ii) Lao Tzu, “Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage.” However, love can be passive and purely subjective, which is a rueful shortcoming. A much more meaningful and expressive word is Arabic raḥmah, which is usually translated as mercy. But mercy can be out of pity, whereas raḥmah combines mercy with love and entails action in being kind, gracious, gentle, forgiving, compassionate, and benevolent. Raḥmah is more properly translated as “loving-mercy”. I have distinguished between love and raḥmah as follows: “Love is the spring of goodness and beauty. Al-raḥmah, or ‘loving-mercy’, which is ‘love-in-action’, is what makes the spring gush forth and sprout life along its way.”

Raḥmah is so central a tenet in Islam that the two most consequential Exalted Names of the Divine occur right after the proper name Allāh in the very first verse of the Quran. This verse is also the most often repeated verse in the Quran and in the mandated daily prayers. These two Names are derivations of raḥmah: al-Raḥmān, which signifies intensity and extent of raḥmah, and al-Raḥīm, which signifies its constant repetition. A saying of Prophet Muhammad: “Have raḥmah on whoever is on Earth, you will receive raḥmah from He who is in the Heavens.”

16.  IS WORLD PEACE POSSIBLE WITHOUT INDIVIDUAL INNER PEACE? PLEASE ELABORATE ON THE CONCEPT OF PEACE.

I presume that by “world peace” is meant peace between countries. Inner peace is a subjective feeling of mental and emotional calmness and contentment. If inner peace translates to outward peace as well, without a pernicious lust for money, power, influence, control, and manipulation of others, and if this peaceful attitude prevails in different societies, particularly among the decision makers in countries across the globe, then world peace can become a reality.

However, this is too Utopian and unrealistic. God created humans with a propensity for righteousness or wickedness and the free will to chart their own course in this worldly life, for which they would be held accountable and face retribution in the hereafter. At least statistically, there will always be deviant individuals with malicious intent and objectives. Unfortunately, such individuals often have the drive and abilities to gravitate to positions of power and influence and cause great harm to their societies, countries, and the world at large.

17.    WHAT, WHERE AND WHO IS GOD TO YOU?

According to the Quran, “There is nothing like Him”, that is, the nature of God is beyond human imagination and comprehension. So, we can only think of God in terms of His manifestations and attributes. (See the article “How Should We Think About God?” on the website https://nassirsabah.com/Presentations/Articles.

The manifestations of God are all over the universe, which He created and which he guides and sustains through the laws of nature that He ordained by His will and power, as well as by other means of which we are unaware. Nature and its laws are thus manifestations of God. He is, therefore, the most evident reality in Himself and also through whom everything else in the heavens and Earth is known.

In the Islamic tradition, God has 99 main attributes, referred to as “The Most Exalted Names”. God is transcendent, omnipotent, omniscient, not bound by space or time, the real owner of everything in the universe, the willer of all things that are, the doer of whatever He wills, the most compassionate, the ever-merciful, the all-forgiving, the ever-forgiving, the relenting, the responsive, the all-loving, the all-wise, the all-just, and much more. God is maximally perfect in every way. When one contemplates God’s manifestations and attributes, one cannot help but feel deep humility, considering His indescribable greatness, majesty, and glory.

18.    WHAT IS CONSCIOUSNESS?

At its most basic level, consciousness is awareness of the environment and being able to respond to environmental stimuli. As such, consciousness is the substrate of mental activities that one is aware of in the normal state of being, for these mental activities cease when consciousness is lost. But even with partial loss of consciousness, an autonomic feeling such as pain and the response to it can persist. This level of consciousness exists in one form or another in all living organisms.

A higher level of consciousness is self-awareness, which children develop at about 1 to 1.5 years of age. When children of this age look in the mirror, they are aware that they’re seeing their own faces, hands, etc. This “mirror test” of self-awareness has been passed by some animals such as chimpanzees, elephants, dolphins, and magpies.

At a higher level is human consciousness, which makes us aware of the world around us and of ourselves in this world as individuals having our own subjective worldview based on our own opinions, attitudes, and past experiences. We have our own ideas, beliefs, thoughts, opinions, attitudes, desires, and hopes as we plan for the future. We have free will to choose between alternatives based on our motivation and drive, value system, circumstances, past experiences, and judgment. Consciousness influences our feelings: no two people experience physical pain in the same way, nor do they perceive smells and colors in the same way. It is this consciousness that provides the unity of being and continuity in time that defines each human being as a unique individual.

The Quran alludes to a still higher level of consciousness of the immortal self in the hereafter, particularly the selves of those destined for eternal bliss, which is in a form unimaginable by humans.

19.    WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE SUBCONSCIOUS AND THE UNCONSCIOUS MIND?

Conventionally, the subconscious holds thoughts, memories, and learned skills that are just outside immediate awareness but can be brought to consciousness by focused attention. On the other hand, the unconscious is the store of deeply repressed fears, traumatic memories, and primitive urges, remaining largely inaccessible to conscious thought, but it can, nevertheless, exert a powerful influence on behavior.

20.    WHAT DO YOU DO FEEL IS THE NATURE OF OUR INNATE DESIRE FOR HUMAN CONNECTION AND SPIRITUAL TRUTH?

Conventionally, it is believed that this innate desire is somehow “wired in” into our DNA and is somehow incorporated in the structure and operation of our brains. Another viewpoint that has been largely neglected in mainstream science is that our brains do not operate independently of some “external influences” whose nature is presently unknown.

In this regard, an illustrative analogy of the brain to a television (TV) set is made. A person who is unfamiliar with broadcasting and the generation, propagation, and reception of electromagnetic waves (like someone suddenly resurrected from a past era) would reasonably assume that what is seen on a TV screen is generated in the TV set itself. This view is supported by the fact that any tinkering with the components of the TV set will generally affect the image on the screen or might obliterate it. But in fact, the TV set is just tuning to an outside signal and is merely processing this signal into a form that can be perceived by the viewer. Similarly, brains may not be operating all by themselves but may be tuning to something external and are merely processing or filtering this “something”.

Suggestions as to what this “something” might be are the morphic fields of biologist Rupert Sheldrake and the implicate order of theoretical physicist David Bohm.

21.    IS THE AUTHENTIC SELF OR THE TRUE SELF, THE SPIRITUAL SELF?

I believe individuals have only one self, the conscious self that is the essence of being human and which defines every human being as a unique individual. The conscious self, or simply self, is one of three entities that constitute a human, the other two being the body and the spirit, the latter being the essence of life. The word “soul” is ambiguous, as it can mean either the spirit or the self. According to the Quran, the self transcends the physical death of the body; the spirit is from the command of Allāh and is unknown to humans.

The body, self, and spirit have been compared to a car. The material parts of the car are analogous to the human body. The ignited fuel (or the charge in the batteries in the case of an electric car) that “brings the car to life” and makes it move is analogous to the spirit. To be useful, the car must be acted on purposefully – moved forward or backward, turned right or left, accelerated or decelerated, or driven to some destination. The driving agency, which may be a human driver or some form of autonomous or remote control, is analogous to the conscious self.

The self is associated with the mind, whose activity that one is aware of can be considered to have four aspects: cognition, feelings, consciousness, and spirituality. Although distinguishable from one another, these mental activities overlap and interact within the same individual. For example, feelings can interfere with reasoning and judgement, which are part of cognition. Spirituality, as defined in the answer to Question 10 above, is unique to humans. It requires consciousness and cognition and involves feeling, yet it is of a very particular nature, which justifies considering it a distinct mental activity, in that it involves a belief in the existence of the supernatural, as something greater than ourselves and beyond explanation by natural laws, and a sense of connectedness to the supernatural. In addition, spirituality is associated with more sublime feelings that transcend the mundane affairs of everyday life. The fact that many people do have spiritual experiences means that humans can have them. Most people don’t have them simply because they are conditioned to repress their spirituality, consciously or unconsciously, under social, educational, and cultural influences that relegate spirituality to the realm of superstition and label it as naïve, unsophisticated, and unscientific. Nevertheless, in moments of introspection, the “primordial spiritual drive” can surface as a feeling of inner void that cries to be filled by connecting with something outside ourselves in search of meaning and purpose to our existence.

22.   HOW DO WE RECOGNIZE WHEN BODY AND MIND ARE ALIGNED WITH OUR TRUE SELF?

Full harmony is realized in the serene self that is at peace with itself and the world. The serene self is transparent, having nothing to hide. It has shed all vestiges of vain and mundane desires, is free from all trepidation and fear of any mortal or any worldly outcome, harbors no ill feelings towards anyone, is compassionate to all, and is preoccupied with benevolent and virtuous acts. It has certainty as to what is right and what is wrong, profound knowledge of what is paramount and worthy and what is not, and perspicacious wisdom concerning the right decisions to make, and courses of action to take, in any given situation. It experiences sublime spirituality, submitting to the will of God and serving Him, content with what it has achieved by His mercy, and has pleased Him with its achievement. The serene self is destined to eternal bliss in the hereafter.

23.    ULTIMATELY, WHAT IS FREEDOM TO YOU?

Freedom is emotional freedom and freedom from all fear, anxiety, apprehension, and negative feelings, as well as being in a position to do and say what one believes to be most conducive to serving God to gain His loving-mercy. Freedom is best achieved by reliance on God and deference to His will, as explained in the answer to Question 14 above on emotional freedom.

A most hallowed phrase of the Quran, that is often repeated by pious Muslims in wonderment and invocation of His loving-mercy, is: “There is no god but Allāh”. Apart from its evident meaning that there is but a One and Only God of the universe, the phrase has two other profound meanings that are truly liberating.

The first is that only Allāh should be worshipped, that is, idolized and made the center of our devotion and attention. Nowadays, polytheism prevails in different forms, as many people do in fact worship, in this sense of the word, other gods, such as money, power, and status, their own egos and self-interests, or other worldly and materialistic pursuits.

The second meaning is that in opposing all forms of evil, one should fear only Allāh and not anything or anyone. All pious believers are commanded to oppose evil to the best of their ability, where evil includes all forms of injustice, oppression, exploitation, and corruption.

24.   IF LIFE HAD ONE PURPOSE, ONE PURPOSE ONLY, WHAT WOULD THAT BE?

With reference to the answer to Question 11 above on the purpose of the human experience, I believe that the purpose of this worldly life is continual, comprehensive, and fulfilling self-development in the service of God to gain His loving-mercy and attain eternal bliss in the hereafter.

25.   WHAT EXPERIENCES YOU WISH EVERYONE TO HAVE BEFORE THEY DIE?

My answer to this question may surprise most people. I wish everyone to experience JOY up to and including the time of death. This is not a personal point of view but is at the core of Islamic piety, as illustrated by the following verses that are attributed to the fourth Caliph and cousin of the Prophet Muhammad: 

“Your mother gave birth to you, son of Adam, crying while people around you were laughing with pleasure.

Hence, perform your daily acts to the satisfaction of Allāh, so that when they cry on the day of your death, you will be rejoicing in laughter.”

Evidently, this is a very different view of death from what most people have. A similar attitude to death is expressed by a famous Islamic commander who referred to his army in his address to the kings of Persia as “…people who love death as much as you love life” (See the article “What Death Means to a Pious Muslim” on the website https://nassirsabah.com/Presentations/Articles.)

Death is viewed by a pious Muslim simply as a transition between a worldly life of finite duration that is but a test for humans, and a life of eternal bliss for those who understood the nature of this test and have done well in it. The fate of the physical body is of no concern.

BIO

NASSIR SABAH is a biophysicist/neuroscientist and Emeritus Professor, Electrical and Computer Engineering Department, American University of Beirut, Lebanon. He received his B.Sc. (Hons. Class I) and his M.Sc. in Electrical Engineering from the University of Birmingham, U.K., and his Ph.D. in Biophysical Sciences from the State University of New York at Buffalo (SUNY/Buffalo). His Ph.D. advisor was Sir John C. Eccles, Nobel Laureate in Physiology or Medicine. He spent a sabbatical year (1999-2000) with the Division of Bioengineering and Environmental Health and the Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA. He is a Fellow of the Institution of Engineering and Technology, U.K.

Professor Sabah has held several administrative positions at the American University of Beirut, as Chairman of the Electrical Engineering Department, founding Director of the Institute of Computer Studies, and Dean of the Faculty of Engineering and Architecture from January 1986 through June 1999. He has more than 45 years of teaching experience, mainly in neuroengineering, biomedical engineering, electronics, and electric circuits. His research interests are in the modeling, simulation, and computation in the nervous system. He has over 100 technical publications, mainly in neurophysiology, biophysics, and biomedical instrumentation. He has authored four technical books on electric circuits, electronics, and neuroscience, published by CRC Press, the most recent being Neuromuscular Fundamentals: How Our Musculature is Controlled (CRC Press, Boca Raton, FL, 2021, 574 pp.). His latest book is Spirituality Rekindled: The Quest for Serenity and Self-Fulfillment, Obooks, Winchester (UK) and Washington (USA), 2023, 349 pp.

Since his college years, Professor Sabah has been keenly interested in matters of spirituality, philosophy, and religion. He has done considerable reading and research on these topics and has occasionally given public lectures on issues related to spirituality and the mind-brain problem. He has a website, https://nassirsabah.com, related to the topics of his book on spirituality.

THE HEALING POWER OF BREATH AND WHY RESPIRATORY THERAPY PROGRAMS ATTRACT PURPOSE-DRIVEN CAREGIVERS

Respiratory therapy programs often appeal to people who want a healthcare career where every breath truly matters.

I still remember standing in a hospital hallway watching a therapist calmly coach a frightened patient through slow breathing after surgery.

That moment stuck with me because the room felt tense one second and peaceful the next.

It showed me how powerful proper breathing support can be when someone is struggling to breathe.

Choosing a path in respiratory care is rarely about prestige or spotlight.

It is usually about purpose, stability, and the quiet satisfaction of helping someone breathe easier.

People who enter this field often describe a strong pull toward patient-focused care rather than desk-based healthcare roles.

They seek hands-on work, visible impact, and a skill set that saves lives in real-time.

Many students also appreciate that respiratory care blends science, technology, and compassion into one practical profession.

The learning curve is real, but the reward is immediate when patients respond to treatment.

Healthcare careers can feel abstract when outcomes are delayed.

Breathing support is different because results often appear within minutes.

That immediacy is what draws many people to training in this field.

For anyone exploring education options, understanding what respiratory therapy programs actually involve makes the decision clearer.

These programs are not just about machines and numbers.

They are about people, pressure, calm decision-making, and trust.

Students learn how to read a patient’s breathing like a language.

Every wheeze, pause, or rapid inhale tells a story.

By the second semester, many students realize they are learning how to listen with more than their ears.

After seeing the real-world impact of clinical training, many learners choose to explore accredited respiratory therapy programs that balance classroom knowledge with hands-on experience.

That combination matters because respiratory care cannot be mastered through textbooks alone.

Clinical exposure teaches situational awareness that no lecture can replicate.

WHAT YOU ACTUALLY LEARN INSIDE RESPIRATORY CARE EDUCATION

Training in respiratory care focuses heavily on cardiopulmonary health and critical thinking.

Students study lung anatomy, oxygen delivery systems, ventilator management, and patient assessment.

They also learn how respiratory conditions affect the heart, brain, and overall circulation.

One instructor once explained it like this.

If oxygen is fuel, the lungs are the delivery system.

When delivery fails, every other system struggles.

That framing helped many students understand why respiratory professionals are present in emergency rooms, intensive care units, and neonatal wards.

Coursework often includes arterial blood gas interpretation, airway management, and pharmacology related to inhaled medications.

These subjects sound intimidating at first.

Over time, patterns emerge, and confidence builds.

Simulation labs play a huge role in preparing students for real scenarios.

I watched a classmate freeze during a mock code blue on the first day of lab.

By the end of the term, that same student was calmly adjusting oxygen flow while communicating clearly with the care team.

Growth like that happens fast when training is immersive.

Clinical rotations add another layer of realism.

Students rotate through hospitals, sleep labs, and long-term care facilities.

Each environment teaches different patient needs and pacing.

Busy trauma centers teach speed and prioritization.

Long-term facilities teach patience and relationship-building.

Both are essential skills for long-term success.

WHY PURPOSE-DRIVEN PEOPLE CHOOSE THIS PATH

Many people who pursue respiratory care have a personal connection to breathing challenges.

Some grew up with asthma.

Others supported family members on oxygen therapy.

A few experienced respiratory failure firsthand and want to give back.

These stories create strong motivation during demanding coursework.

Purpose matters when exams pile up, and clinical shifts start early.

This field also attracts people who prefer meaningful interaction over routine tasks.

Respiratory therapists often spend extended time with patients during vulnerable moments.

Helping someone learn to breathe without panic builds trust quickly.

That trust is deeply fulfilling for caregivers who value human connection.

Job stability is another factor that cannot be ignored.

Respiratory care remains essential across healthcare settings.

Demand increases during flu seasons, respiratory outbreaks, and aging population trends.

Graduates often feel reassured knowing their skills are consistently needed.

Unlike some healthcare roles, respiratory care offers flexibility in work environments.

Hospitals, outpatient clinics, home care services, and rehabilitation centers all rely on trained professionals.

This variety prevents burnout and supports long-term career satisfaction.

REAL-LIFE SKILLS THAT EXTEND BEYOND THE HOSPITAL

One unexpected benefit of respiratory training is how it changes everyday awareness.

Students often mention noticing breathing patterns everywhere.

They catch themselves coaching friends through anxiety-induced shortness of breath.

They recognize early signs of respiratory distress in public spaces.

These instincts develop naturally through repetition and exposure.

Stress management also improves because breathing techniques become second nature.

I once used controlled breathing learned in training to calm myself before a high-pressure exam.

It worked better than any study trick.

That skill transfers into personal life more than people expect.

Communication skills are also sharpened through patient interaction.

Explaining complex concepts in simple language becomes routine.

That ability helps not only patients but also families who are scared and confused.

Empathy grows through exposure to diverse patient backgrounds.

Each clinical rotation teaches humility and respect for different life experiences.

These soft skills are often overlooked but define excellent respiratory care providers.

CAREER OUTLOOK AND LONG-TERM GROWTH

The career path after graduation does not end at entry-level practice.

Many professionals pursue advanced certifications in critical care or neonatal support.

Some move into education or clinical leadership roles.

Others specialize in sleep medicine or pulmonary diagnostics.

The foundation built during training allows for steady professional growth.

Continuing education is part of the profession, but it keeps skills sharp and relevant.

Technology evolves, and respiratory care evolves with it.

Ventilation systems, monitoring devices, and treatment protocols continue to advance.

Those who enjoy learning tend to thrive long term.

Financial stability also improves with experience and specialization.

While no healthcare role is without stress, respiratory care offers balance through meaningful outcomes.

Seeing a patient recover enough to breathe independently never loses its impact.

That moment reminds professionals why they chose this path in the first place.

IS THIS THE RIGHT DIRECTION FOR YOU

People considering this career often ask one key question.

Can I handle the responsibility of managing someone’s breathing?

The answer usually becomes clear during clinical exposure.

Those who feel energized rather than overwhelmed tend to succeed.

Compassion, attention to detail, and calm under pressure matter more than perfection.

Mistakes become learning opportunities when supported by strong training.

If you are drawn to hands-on care, science-based problem-solving, and patient advocacy, this field offers a meaningful route.

It rewards dedication with purpose and practical impact.

Breathing is something most people take for granted.

Supporting it professionally changes how you see healthcare and humanity.

That perspective is what keeps purpose-driven caregivers committed for years.

HOW ALCOHOL COUNSELING NEW JERSEY FITS INTO A COMPLETE MENTAL HEALTH AND WELLNESS PLAN

Introduction to Recovery That Actually Fits Real Life

Alcohol counseling New Jersey is often the first structured step people take when they realize drinking is no longer just a habit but a coping mechanism that stopped working.

I remember sitting in my car outside a counseling office thinking I didn’t belong there because I still had a job and friends and responsibilities.

What I learned quickly is that support is not reserved for rock bottom moments but for people who want their lives to feel manageable again.

Counseling is not about labels or judgment.

It is about understanding why alcohol became the solution and how to replace it with healthier tools that actually last.

Why Alcohol Use Rarely Exists in Isolation

Drinking problems rarely show up alone, and they usually walk in with anxiety, stress, unresolved grief, or long-standing emotional exhaustion.

A close friend once described alcohol as her “off switch” after twelve-hour workdays and constant pressure to perform.

Over time that off switch became the only way she could relax, sleep, or feel normal.

Effective counseling looks beyond the drink itself and focuses on the emotional drivers underneath the behavior.

When mental health is addressed at the same time, recovery stops feeling like punishment and starts feeling like relief.

Here is where structured support like alcohol counseling New Jersey becomes part of a broader healing process rather than a standalone fix.

HOW COUNSELING SUPPORTS MENTAL HEALTH STABILITY

Identifying Emotional Triggers

One of the most powerful moments in counseling is realizing your urge to drink has a pattern.

Triggers often include work stress, family conflict, social pressure, or even boredom.

I once heard a counselor ask, “What does alcohol give you that you feel you can’t get anywhere else?”

That question reframed the entire recovery process.

Instead of fighting cravings blindly, counseling helps people prepare for them with awareness and practical strategies.

Building Emotional Regulation Skills

Many people were never taught how to sit with discomfort or healthily process emotions.

Counseling introduces skills like grounding, emotional labeling, and distress tolerance.

A former client shared that learning how to pause and breathe through anxiety changed her evenings completely.

She stopped reaching for a drink and started reaching for tools that didn’t create regret the next morning.

These skills strengthen mental resilience far beyond recovery alone.

THE ROLE OF COUNSELING IN LONG-TERM WELLNESS

Creating Structure Without Control

One fear people have is that counseling will feel rigid or controlling.

In reality, it provides structure without taking away autonomy.

Sessions create accountability while still allowing individuals to make their own choices.

That balance is often what keeps people engaged long enough to see real change.

Improving Relationships and Communication

Alcohol misuse often strains relationships even when intentions are good.

Counseling helps people rebuild trust by improving communication and emotional honesty.

One man shared that learning how to express frustration calmly saved his marriage more than quitting drinking ever did on its own.

When relationships stabilize, the urge to self-soothe with substances often decreases naturally.

INTEGRATING COUNSELING INTO A WHOLE-PERSON APPROACH

Mental Health and Substance Use Are Connected

Treating alcohol use without addressing mental health is like fixing a leak without checking the pipe.

Conditions like depression, trauma, and chronic stress often fuel drinking behaviors.

Integrated counseling addresses both sides of the equation at the same time.

This approach reduces relapse risk and increases emotional stability long term.

Counseling as Part of Daily Life

The most successful outcomes happen when counseling becomes part of a regular wellness routine.

People who attend sessions consistently often describe feeling more grounded and less reactive overall.

It becomes less about avoiding alcohol and more about building a life that does not require escape.

That shift is subtle but powerful.

WHAT MAKES COUNSELING FEEL HUMAN AND NOT CLINICAL

Real Conversations Instead of Lectures

Effective counseling does not feel like being talked at.

It feels like having honest conversations with someone trained to listen between the lines.

A woman once said her counselor noticed she joked every time she felt uncomfortable.

That small observation helped her recognize avoidance patterns she had never seen before.

Progress Over Perfection

Counseling normalizes setbacks without minimizing responsibility.

Missed goals are treated as learning moments rather than failures.

This mindset reduces shame and keeps people engaged instead of giving up after one bad week.

Progress becomes measurable in emotional clarity, not just sobriety milestones.

LIFE AFTER COUNSELING BEGINS TO WORK

Confidence Without Numbing

One of the most unexpected benefits people report is confidence.

Without alcohol dulling emotions, decision-making becomes clearer and self-trust grows.

A former client described feeling “awake” in her own life for the first time in years.

That clarity often spills into career growth, healthier relationships, and improved self-esteem.

A Sustainable Mental Health Plan

Counseling lays the foundation for long-term mental wellness.

People learn how to manage stress before it turns into crisis.

They develop awareness that helps them course-correct early instead of waiting for collapse.

This is what makes counseling a cornerstone of sustainable recovery rather than a temporary fix.

Why Timing Matters More Than Readiness

Many people wait until they feel “ready” to seek help.

The truth is that readiness often comes after support begins, not before.

Starting counseling during uncertainty is often what creates clarity and motivation.

If alcohol has started to feel like a requirement instead of a choice, that is enough reason to start.

Closing Thoughts on Building a Healthier Future

A complete wellness plan is not about removing alcohol alone.

It is about creating emotional stability, self-awareness, and resilience that lasts.

Counseling provides the tools to understand yourself without judgment and change without force.

When mental health and substance support work together, recovery stops being a struggle and starts becoming a lifestyle that actually fits real life.

SOUL STATEMENT: TODAY IS THE BEST DAY OF MY LIFE

"Soul Statements" is a powerful guide to enhancing relationships through meaningful communication. Leveraging his experience as a love coach, he provides practical tools and insights that foster deep, soul-level connections. The book seamlessly combines heartfelt advice with practical strategies, making effective communication accessible to everyone. I particularly appreciate his emphasis on empathy and understanding, underscoring the critical roles of listening and mutual respect. Through personal anecdotes and universal lessons, the book remains engaging and relatable. The very title, "Soul Statements," is inspiring, symbolizing its value as an essential companion for anyone striving to enrich their relationships. It's a must-read for those committed to cultivating love and understanding in their lives. ~ Valeria

A beautiful and Soul nurturing book I highly recommend: Soul Statements: A Love Coach's Guide to Successful Communication by Corey Lyon Folsom

Soul Statements help you remain aware of your true home and your essence. When you know who and what you are, your power naturally turns up. This makes it easier to live as the truest version of you. Increased serenity comes from living as who you were born to be.

SOUL STATEMENT EXAMPLE

I have a power place within.

In his book, Artic Dreams, Barry Lopez writes about how the northernmost Inuit people’s name for the polar bear translates as, Giver of Power. As Barry Lopez tells it, if a lone hunter is confronted by a polar bear with nowhere to escape (only flat ice in every direction) and he lives to tell the tale, he inevitably uncovers a deeper part of himself in those moments with the bear. This is a portion of his essence that he did not have access to before, but which he can now incorporate into his life, hence the name, Giver of Power.

Coming face-to-face with a serious cancer diagnosis and years-long treatment has been my Giver of Power. I got to feel into who I am beyond fear and desire. I had to decide how hard I was willing to fight for life and why. I continue to review and update what I believe about myself in order to be fully engaged in the fight for my life.

Fear waits to pounce from ambush when I am most vulnerable. Fear stalks me like a silent wolf at the perimeter of an ancient campfire. Fear wells up in my chest and informs me when I am focusing in a poor direction. It sometimes tries to enter my dreams and my quiet moments. The aggressive treatment of cancer is its own challenge with unexpected blows to roll with and losses to grieve.

For every loss along the way I could remain in sorrow or choose to focus on what I was gaining in exchange. Focusing on my gains was an absolute game-changer for me. It moved me from self-pity to clarity about why I was in the battle. There were more lessons on this voyage back to well-being that I could not know all at once. This journey was a slow-motion marathon.

The texture and layers of pain have their own purity and their own teachings. There was no short-cutting or getting around the predictable grief and sorrow, but I could not afford to spiral down too far into morbid reflection. The hurdles that I had to clear in this period of time were a stark example of the powerful adage: The way out is through.

I am happy for what I can do. This illness helped me stop doing things that weren’t the best use of my time. When the amount of time one has left might be drastically shortened, simple decisions become stark. “Is X or Y activity serving my highest value?” and “What if I didn’t do this thing?” These are natural questions when considering onrushing mortality. These questions are useful for any of us, anytime.”

SOUL STATEMENT EXAMPLE

I’m stronger than my challenges.

The Best Day of My Life

One thing that living with cancer has done is increase my everyday appreciation. When the potential for no more days becomes a much-too-real outcome, each day is precious. I may not be having an ideal day, but I am in it with a reasonable expectation of another day to live after this one. I hold the awareness that this very day I’m inhabiting is the best day of my life. Every day.

Other days may have held more pleasure, excitement, closeness, joy or accomplishment. There have been days in my life that were filled with wonder, adventure or more ease and connectedness than today. This day stands as the best simply because I am living it now.

All previous days, whether amazing or difficult, have passed into memory. They are encoded in my cells and psyche and they led me directly to here. Each one of them informs my present. And it is the present day that matters most.

Today is what I can experience and that makes it the best of all. All future days haven’t arrived and when they do (God-willing) I will experience them one at a time in real time. Every future day, when I’m living it, will be the new best day of my life.

Certified Tantra Educator, NLP Practitioner and Relationship Coach, Author, and Speaker

Author of SOUL STATEMENTS: A Love Coach's Guide To Successful Communication

To learn more about Corey and his work, please visit: https://corerelationship.com/

HOW INTENSIVE OUTPATIENT TREATMENT NEW JERSEY HELPS YOU RECOVER WITHOUT LEAVING WORK

Understanding How Flexible Recovery Really Works

Intensive outpatient treatment in New Jersey offers a path to recovery that doesn’t require stepping away from your job, your family, or your daily responsibilities. I first learned how life-changing this model can be when a close friend managed his recovery while still showing up to work every morning—something he once thought was impossible. He didn’t need to check into a residential center or put his career on pause. What he needed was structure, accountability, and real support woven into a schedule that fit his life. That’s what this level of care is designed to do. If you’re looking for an option that lets you heal without hitting “pause” on everything else, an approach like intensive outpatient treatment New Jersey can bridge that gap.

Why This Model Works for People With Busy Lives

The first thing you notice about this kind of program is how intentionally it fits into real schedules. Most people juggling work or parenting don’t have space for long-term residential care, and many don’t actually need it. I’ve watched people attend evening sessions after work, and I’ve seen others arrange morning groups before clocking in. This flexibility becomes the backbone of their commitment. The goal isn’t to disrupt your life—it’s to help you stabilize it. Treatments are structured but not suffocating. Support is intensive but not overwhelming. And because everything is community-based, you stay connected to the real world while learning healthier patterns that actually work in real situations.

What You Can Expect in a Typical Program

Structured Therapy Without the Overnight Stay

A strong outpatient plan usually includes group therapy, individual counseling, relapse-prevention coaching, and skills-based education. You participate several days a week, often in blocks of two to three hours. This creates steady momentum without removing you from your environment. One man I met shared how helpful it was to talk through workplace triggers in therapy and then test new coping strategies the same week. He didn’t have to wait months to re-enter daily life—his life was part of the process.

Real Support for Real Challenges

The best programs don’t sugarcoat things. They dive into the messy, complicated stuff: family conflicts, workplace pressure, social circles, stress cycles, and hidden habits. I’ve sat with people who openly admitted that they feared judgment for not choosing inpatient care. But what they found was reassurance—not shame. Therapists understand that recovery is not one-size-fits-all. Some need the structure of an inpatient environment, but many thrive when treatment stays embedded in their daily world.

The Power of Community and Accountability

Group Sessions That Don’t Feel Forced

One of the biggest surprises for people entering this level of care is how effective group sessions are. I remember a young professional who hesitated to speak during the first week. By the third, he was leading discussions, sharing strategies that helped him stay grounded during high-pressure meetings. That’s the unexpected thing about group work—it shows you that you are not alone in your challenges. You learn from others. You teach others. And the sense of accountability grows naturally.

Staying Connected While Rebuilding Yourself

Being home during treatment means you stay plugged into relationships that matter. You don’t disappear. You don’t have to explain a long absence at work. You don’t lose progress in your career. And for many people, that stability becomes part of their motivation. I once spoke with a mother who said the greatest gift of this model was being able to tuck her kids into bed every night while still getting the help she needed. That balance made her feel hopeful again.

Why It’s Often More Practical Than Inpatient Care

Cost, Time, and Real-World Integration

Residential treatment has its place, but it isn’t always the most practical or necessary option. Outpatient treatment allows you to continue earning an income, avoid childcare complications, and stay grounded in your daily routine. You also learn to apply new tools immediately. Instead of waiting until after discharge to face real-world stressors, you face them while receiving active support. This real-time integration helps build stronger long-term habits.

When Outpatient Care Is the Right Fit

This level of care is ideal for people who need more structure than standard weekly therapy but don’t require 24-hour supervision. If you’re stable enough to remain at home, motivated to change, and able to commit to several sessions weekly, it can be a powerful solution. One thing I’ve noticed is that people who thrive in this model are the ones who want recovery but don’t want their life to collapse in the process. They want change without stepping away from everything they’ve built.

What Real Progress Looks Like

Small Wins That Add Up

Progress in this type of program often shows up as small daily victories: making it through a stressful workday without old habits, repairing relationships, noticing fewer cravings, or finally feeling control again. I remember a man who celebrated being able to sit through a staff meeting without spiraling into anxiety—a moment he once thought was out of reach. These moments are the foundation of true transformation. You don’t need dramatic breakthroughs; consistency is what changes your life.

Building a Life You Don’t Need to Escape From

The long-term goal is bigger than staying sober or stable. It’s about creating a version of life that feels sustainable. A life that doesn’t require escape. A life where you can function, grow, contribute, and still prioritize your wellbeing. Programs are designed with that philosophy in mind: rebuild the lifestyle while supporting the healing.

Taking the First Step Without Disrupting Your Entire Life

If you’ve been hesitating because you don’t have the time, the flexibility, or the space for residential treatment, this path opens a door that fits into real routines. You don’t need everything to be perfect before you start. You don’t need to pause your job or step away from your family. You just need a willingness to show up consistently. That alone can shift your life in ways you don’t expect.

YOU ARE THE EXPERT ON YOUR OWN WELL-BEING

UNCURABLE : From Hopeless Diagnosis to Defying All Odd by Dr. Aaron Hartman 

The essential guide to becoming your own health advocate.

Taking control of your healthcare isn’t just about reading more or asking better questions—it’s about radically shifting how you view your role in the medical system. Anna’s story didn’t unfold the way it did by chance. It happened because we challenged the system at every turn. We replaced fear with facts, passivity with persistence and blind obedience with clear- eyed, critical thinking. That’s the real blueprint.

So if you’ve ever felt steamrolled by rushed appointments, pres- sured into procedures or dismissed for asking “too many questions,” know this: You’re not alone—and you’re not powerless.

ON AMAZON!

Start by peering beneath the surface of your own medical experi- ences. Spot the patterns. Identify the system’s blind spots. When you face a new recommendation, pause. Ask, “Is this truly the only way?” Because if a $300 electrical stimulation device could replace invasive surgeries for Anna, then other overlooked solutions might exist for you too.

You don’t need a medical degree to reclaim ownership of your health—you need guts, strategy and the willingness to question everything. You are not a passive recipient of care. You are the lead decision-maker. So stay sharp. Speak up. Challenge assumptions.

Because nobody is more qualified to fight for your well-being than you are.

ASSERTIVE COMMUNICATION: STANDING YOUR GROUND IN MEDICAL SETTINGS

Doctors are often rushed and overworked, which can make it difficult for patients to get the attention they deserve. But remember —you are the expert on your own body, and your concerns matter.

TIPS FOR SPEAKING UP:

— Be direct. Instead of saying, “I don’t know about this treatment,” try, “I’m concerned about the side effects. Are there alternatives?”

— Use confident body language. Sit up straight, maintain eye contact and speak in a steady voice.

— Be persistent if necessary. If a doctor dismisses your concerns, say, “I know you’re busy, but I need to discuss this further before making a decision.”

— Come prepared. Write your questions down, keep a journal and stay on top of the answers you get from each practitioner.

— Be willing to make multiple follow-up appointments.

You likely won’t get all your questions answered in one visit due to time constraints, so you need to be willing to set up multiple visits asking two to three questions at a time. This shows a mutual respect for the practitioner’s time constraints. Communicate to them that you are doing this because you respect their time!

— Bring a support person. A friend or family member can help reinforce your concerns and take notes.

~book excerpt

DR. AARON HARTMAN

Physician, Clinical Researcher, Founder of The Virginia Research Center & Author

 

Visit for more information: https://richmondfunctionalmedicine.com/ and https://uncurablebook.com/

THE INVISIBLE THREADS THAT SHAPE BOTH OUR INNER AND OUTER WORLDS

A Quest for Well-Being Interview with

KASIA MUZYKA

1. WHAT DO YOU FEEL IS THE PURPOSE OF THE HUMAN EXPERIENCE?

The human experience is a sacred unfolding, a remembering of what we already are. Through change, challenge, and wonder, we learn to see that creation is not happening to us but through us. Each breath is an invitation to embody consciousness in form, to make love visible. We come here to remember the wholeness that was never lost, and to experience the divine learning itself through our becoming.

2. WHAT IS YOUR VISION FOR HUMANITY?

My vision is of a humanity that remembers its origin in love, where presence becomes our true currency and creation flows in harmony with nature’s rhythm. I see us moving from separation into coherence, from control into attunement. When we remember that we are each a cell in the body of the whole, the illusion of “other” dissolves. In that remembrance, the world breathes again as one living organism of consciousness

3. WHAT IS HEALING TO YOU?

Healing to me is the movement toward wholeness, the restoration of resonance between our human story and our divine essence. It is not about fixing what is broken but unveiling what has always been complete beneath the noise. My art seeks to mirror that, to create spaces where the unseen can rise to meet the seen, and in that meeting, coherence is restored.

4. DO YOU CONNECT HEALING TO SPIRITUALITY? WHAT IS SPIRITUALITY TO YOU?

Yes, they are inseparable. True healing is the recognition of our spiritual nature, the remembrance that light and shadow belong to one source. Spirituality to me is not belief but direct participation in the creative field, listening to what wants to be born through us. My paintings are that listening made visible, prayers of matter returning to spirit.

5. WHAT DOES EMOTIONAL FREEDOM LOOK LIKE? AND HOW CAN YOUR WORK HELP?

Emotional freedom begins where judgment ends. It is the capacity to feel fully, to let emotion move like water without labeling it as good or bad. My work opens portals for this, spaces where the viewer can enter their own field of feeling and find beauty in what once felt unbearable. Freedom comes when we stop resisting life’s current and allow it to flow through us as grace.

6. WHAT IS YOUR UNDERSTANDING OF LOVE?

Love is the architecture of existence, the pulse that gives rise to all form. It is not an emotion but the very intelligence of creation, the space that holds all opposites in harmony. In love, everything is allowed to be what it is, and through that allowance, transformation occurs. My art is a devotion to this field, a visual hymn to love remembering itself.

7. IS WORLD PEACE POSSIBLE WITHOUT INDIVIDUAL INNER PEACE?

No. The outer is only ever a reflection of the inner. Peace in the world begins in the heart that no longer wages war against itself. When we heal our inner split between mind and body, human and divine, we become conduits of harmony. World peace is not a collective negotiation but a shared frequency of being

8. WHAT IS CONSCIOUSNESS?

Consciousness is the silent witness that dreams reality into form. It is the artist, the canvas, and the act of painting all at once. In its purest state, it is infinite awareness experiencing itself through every brushstroke of existence. We are each a facet of that awareness, exploring what love can become when it takes shape.

9. AT THIS TIME, WHAT IS THE WORLD’S GREATEST NEED?

The world’s greatest need is remembrance, to awaken to the energy of Sacred as the living current within all things. We have become entangled in judgment, forgetting that light and shadow are part of one divine pulse. What the world longs for is coherence, a return to truth, to presence, to reverence for life itself. When we remember that the sacred is not somewhere else but breathing through everything, love can take its rightful place as the organizing intelligence of existence.

BIO

Kasia Muzyka is an intuitive artist, mother, and seeker of the sacred threads that weave life’s visible and invisible dimensions. For over two decades, she has immersed herself in a holistic path of personal and spiritual evolution—drawing from mysticism, yoga, alchemical philosophy, and ancient shamanic wisdom, including the Toltec teachings of Don Miguel Ruiz. Influenced by contemporary thinkers like Joe Dispenza, Ken Wilber, and Alan Watts, Kasia bridges ancient traditions with modern consciousness studies.

Her journey led her into the depths of Jungian psychology and the transformational teachings of Recall Healing, where she explored how unresolved emotions and subconscious patterns manifest within the body. For Kasia, healing begins in the unseen—where thoughts, feelings, and inherited imprints shape the architecture of experience. Y oga became a grounding force in this exploration—a moving meditation that recycles stagnant energy and restores alignment between body and spirit.

In pursuit of the invisible, Kasia studied the Akashic Records and spent five years immersed in the Mystery School tradition, engaging with esoteric knowledge to deepen her intuitive access to subtle realities. She believes that energy never lies, and that through attunement, we can read the vibrational field and receive guidance from realms beyond the rational mind.

Her path has also included the study of astrology, Tarot, and the Enneagram, which she sees not as systems of prediction, but as sacred languages—each offering insight into the energetic states of the soul and its unfolding journey. Passionate about dream interpretation, she regards dreams as symbolic transmissions from the psyche and glimpses into multidimensional time.

Kasia’s creative process arises from an altered state of perception, where she becomes a vessel for messages beyond form. Her art is informed by quantum principles, neuroplasticity, and her deep interest in cycles of nature as mirrors for emotional and mental resonance. She is a member of private groups dedicated to exploring the frontiers of consciousness and the evolving role of humanity in the cosmos.

Today, Kasia paints to make the unseen visible. Her works are portals—expressions of remembrance, healing, and communion with the Heart. She views art as a sacred tool: one that not only awakens, but reconfigures the inner landscape, inviting the viewer into a space where perception itself becomes an act of transformation.

Website: https://www.kasiamuzyka.com/

ARTIST’S STATEMENT

Kasia’s work arises from a deep curiosity about the invisible threads that shape both our inner and outer worlds. She explores mysticism, human nature, feminine presence, and the sacred rhythms of existence. Lately, she has been especially drawn to numbers—not as equations, but as living symbols, a sacred language through which the soul explores itself.

Can numbers bend time? Can they open portals to elevated timelines? Can they reveal the hidden architecture of being?

Kasia does not paint what is seen—she paints what stirs beneath. For her, abstraction is not a style, but a surrender. It is the act of reaching into space before waves collapse, where form is not yet fixed, where reality still shimmers in potential. Her process is intuitive, guided not by logic, but by listening—each effort is an attempt to give presence to the vague existence, the emotion before action, the moment before everything changes.

Each painting becomes a portal, a visual echo of what is often forgotten, but deeply known. Innocence and The Bed of Becoming emerge from this threshold—asking: What if the Earth’s beauty and suffering mirror our own? What if innocence is not weakness, but raw, unfiltered life? What if the psyche of humanity is not separate from the soul of the planet, but an expression of it?

Through layered symbolism and organic materials, her work seeks to dissolve the illusion of separation. Can the divine speak through texture? Through silence? Through becoming? Can we remember the language of cycles—the holiness of change, the breath of the unseen?

Ultimately, her work is not about offering answers. It is about remembering. A deeper knowing with no name— A knowing that perhaps... you’ve felt before.

HOW TO USE A NURSING BRA THE RIGHT WAY: COMFORT AND CONVENIENCE FOR MOMS

Getting the proper support while breastfeeding can greatly simplify your daily routine, and one of the must-haves is just knowing how to use nursing bra styles the right way. These bras are made in a way to provide the mothers with relief, easy access for feeding, and correct support, especially when selecting a nursing bra for big bust type of commodity. 

This article will walk you through the easy steps on how to use Momcozy nursing bra designs effectively. You’ll also learn the proper method of fitting them, the way straps can be adjusted, and how nursing clips can add to the ease of use. By the time you finish reading, you will have the ability to make both comfort and practicality work for you during your breastfeeding journey, thus making it a lot more convenient.

WHAT IS A NURSING BRA AND HOW IT HELPS

A nursing bra was specifically made to be the best companion for the mother while feeding the baby and to provide her with comfort at the same time. The feature of bra drop-down cups or clips is what distinguishes it from others, in that one can easily feed the child without undoing the bra which is very convenient not only at night when it is hard to get up and take off but also when one is out.

Additionally, it accommodates shifted breast sizes and is made of mellow and pleasant materials with wider straps and adjustable bands. If you want a bra that is comfortable for your daily wear or a nursing bra for your large breasts, then this type of bra will not just help in lessening the load on your body but will also make your breastfeeding experience convenient.

UNDERSTANDING KEY FEATURES: DROP-DOWN CUPS, CLASPS, & MORE

One of the most important things while learning how to use nursing bra styles is understanding the main features which distinguish them from regular or common bras. These minor features are simply necessary to provide you with the comfort and ease of feeding your baby.

Key features include:

• Drop-down cups – allow quick and easy access for breastfeeding without removing the bra.

• One-hand clasps – make it simple to open and close, even while holding your baby.

• Wider straps – provide extra support and help reduce shoulder strain.

• Stretchy fabric – adapts to changing breast sizes during your nursing journey.

• Soft linings – add comfort and prevent irritation from sensitive skin.

HOW TO WEAR A NURSING BRA FOR MAXIMUM COMFORT

Knowing how to use nursing bra styles correctly can make a big difference in your comfort and support. The following are the easy steps to use one properly:

1. The band should be positioned under your bust where it is tight but not digging in.

2. Keep them tight enough so they can give you the necessary support but not so that your shoulders are being strained.

3. For comfort and proper support, make sure your breasts are fully covered.

4. Try using one hand to open and close the nursing clips for a more convenient feeding.

5. Soft and elastic fabrics make it possible for you to be comfortable all the time even when the bra is on for a long time.

USING THE CLIP OR SNAP MECHANISM ONE-HANDED

One of the major things that have to be part of the knowledge on how to use nursing bra styles is the handling of the clip or snap feature. 

And with a bit of practice, which is this simple action, it can make lactating a lot more comfortable and without any fuss if you are at home or outside. Here is what you have to do in simple steps:

1. Support your baby – Hold your baby firmly with one arm.

2. Locate the clip or snap – Your free hand should find the clasp that is at the top of the cup.

3. Unclip with one hand – By pressing or sliding the mechanism, release the cup gently.

4. Begin feeding – For easy access, lower the cup but keep the baby comfortable.

5. Reattach the cup – After feeding, use the same hand to clip it back into place.
   

PREPARING TO NURSE: OPENING THE CUP QUICKLY AND EASILY

When learning how to use nursing bra designs, one of the first skills to practice is opening the cup smoothly before feeding. Hare are the steps when preparing to nurse: 

1. Find a comfortable position and sit or stand where you and your baby feel supported.

2. Locate the clasp and use one hand to reach the clip or snap at the top of the cup.

3. Unclip smoothly and press or slide the clasp to release the cup.

4. Lower the cup and pull it down enough to expose the breast for feeding.

5. Check comfort and make sure nothing feels pinched or too tight before latching.
   

FEEDING IN PUBLIC: DISCREET AND CONFIDENT USE

Most mothers who are not used to nursing outside the home feel anxious, however if they know how to use nursing bra properly they would find it much simpler.

You can easily and safely breastfeed your baby using your one hand through the drop-down cups and one-handed clips. Nursing bra for big bust is the kind of style that if you wear it, not only you will have enough support and be comfortable but also you will be able to take your nursing bra on the road.

Discreet public feeding tips are the following:

• For privacy, put on a nursing cover, a cardigan, or a loose top over your outfit.

• Until you are comfortable with the process, in your house, keep on practicing with unclipping and adjusting.

• To hide the leaks, use dark or patterned fabrics.

• Select comfortable chairs that are suitable for both you and your baby to rest.
  

WHEN TO WEAR A NURSING BRA (DAY, NIGHT, OR BOTH?)

Many moms wonder how to use nursing bra styles throughout the day and night. In the daytime, a nursing bra gives stability, aids with the correct position of the spine, and makes the feeding process easier. At night, softer, wire-free styles are there to keep you comfortable and at the same time they hold the nursing pads in place so that there are no leaks.

Some mothers believe that the most effective method is to always wear a nursing bra both day and night while others claim that it is more appropriate just to use it during the day. 

What really counts is selecting the kinds that help with your way of life—comfortable for daytime and softer, more breathable fabrics for night. 

CONCLUSION

When you know how to use nursing bra styles, feeding your baby can really be a better, quicker, and less annoying type of the whole motherhood routine. One of the things that will definitely make you feel especially supported is not only learning each small detail but also deciding which bra is suitable for day and night.

Whether you need everyday comfort or stronger support like a nursing bra for big bust, the right choice and proper use can truly make a difference. Proper selection and use of the bra can go a long way to giving you the desired result.

THE ALCHEMY OF AUTHENTICITY: EMBRACING UNCERTAINTY AND INNER MASTERY

A Quest for Well-Being Interview with

SHERMIN KRUSE — SHER

1. HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE WHO YOU ARE IN THIS VERY MOMENT?
In this moment, I’m a mirror—reflecting stillness, strength, and compassion in equal measure. I’m a mother, a mentor, a student, and a relentless truth-seeker. I’m a storyteller who bridges logic and emotion, a guide for others and very much a work-in-progress myself. I bring forward the lens of Stoic Empathy—a commitment to live with both inner discipline and radical compassion.

But I also trip over my own feet—literally and metaphorically. I get way too many parking tickets. I oscillate between moments of deep intellectual clarity and moments where I feel completely lost, wondering how anyone ever really knows what they're doing. Some days I feel grounded and whole; other days I feel like a walking question mark in nice shoes.

The idea of a fixed self has never quite resonated with me. I believe we’re in constant revision—shaped by what we survive, what we choose, and what we’re willing to confront in ourselves. And I’ve chosen to become someone who leans into that uncertainty with curiosity rather than fear. And through it all, my family is my anchor and my compass. They keep me honest. They remind me who I’m beyond titles and achievements—just a woman trying to do right by the people she loves, trying to stay awake to the beauty and absurdity of it all. So who am I? A mosaic of contradictions. A student of truth. A little clumsy. Often clear, sometimes clueless—but always reaching, always becoming.

2. WHAT MAKES YOU HAPPY AND WHAT MAKES YOU FEEL SUCCESSFUL?

I think we often conflate happiness with joy, fulfillment, or success—but they each live in a different part of the soul, integrating and overlapping with one another like a brilliant Venn diagram. For me, happiness is a daily practice of presence. It's in the fleeting, exquisite moments: the sound of my children laughing in the other room, a perfectly ripe peach, a song that demands I dance in the kitchen, the deep exhale after a hard conversation met with grace. These are moments of joy—immediate, sensory, and alive. I try to welcome them into every single day, even when life is heavy. Especially when life is heavy.

Fulfillment, on the other hand, runs deeper. It’s the quiet knowing that I’m aligned with my purpose. That I’m using my voice, my mind, and my heart to move others closer to truth, courage, and integrity. Success, for me, isn’t measured by accolades, because as great as external validation feels, let’s face it, it’ll never be enough. If I go instead by impact—when someone tells me that a conversation, a talk, or a sentence in my writing shifted something inside them. Or I see first hand my own small blueprint on the world. When others walk away more aware, more empowered, more awake to their own strength. I feel true success, and perhaps complete, if only for a moment.

And while I’m deeply focused on fulfillment—on doing meaningful, difficult, often invisible work—I never want to forget joy. It’s not a distraction from the mission; it’s part of the reason for it. Joy is what keeps the fire from burning us out. It’s what makes the striving worthwhile.

So yes, I love dancing. I love laughing with my children. My mother’s cooking, my sons wrestling, and my daughters’ voices. I love the rhythm of writing when I lose track of time and being in the arms of someone who loves me. These are not small things—they are the pulse of a life well lived.

3. WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO BECOME WHO YOU ARE AND TO DO WHAT YOU DO TODAY?

As a law professor, former equity partner, TEDx producer, and speaker, my path has always been one of navigating complexity—across cultures, disciplines, and human emotion. I’ve operated in high-stakes environments where precision was paramount, and in deeply human spaces where silence carried more truth than words. Through it all, I kept returning to a set of persistent, unshakable questions: What is power, really? What does it mean to influence without force? Can we hold empathy without losing discernment? And how do we become fully ourselves in a world that often rewards performance over principle? It was not only the injustice I witnessed—though that shaped me—but also an insatiable curiosity about the nature of being itself: how we regulate our inner world in the face of external chaos, how we balance agency with surrender, compassion with clarity. And—just as importantly—it was my mistakes that shaped me. The missteps, the overreaches, the moments I didn’t listen well enough or led from ego instead of essence—those too were part of the making.

And the difficult-to-acknowledge truth is that I was also shaped by far baser instincts: jealousy, resentment, pride. I don’t pretend otherwise. But there’s also the long, sometimes grueling, and often beautiful process of shedding them—layer by layer, year by year. Those experiences humble me, refine me, and teach me that strength without softness is brittle, and clarity without self-awareness is incomplete.

Out of that space—where personal experience, philosophical inquiry, and imperfection met—Stoic Empathy was born. Not as a reaction, but as a design. A fusion of ancient discipline and modern emotional intelligence. A framework to help people lead, live, and love with greater integrity and intentionality.

As Marcus Aurelius wrote, “You have power over your mind—not outside events. Realize this, and you will find strength.” That idea isn’t just a Stoic principle—it’s a radical invitation. One that continues to shape how I teach, speak, write, and live.

4. WHAT WAS THE INSPIRATION, INTENTION, AND PURPOSE OF WRITING YOUR BOOK AND WHERE CAN WE FIND YOUR BOOK?

Yes. My latest book, Stoic Empathy: The Road Map to a Life of Influence, Self-Leadership, and Integrity, was born from decades of observing power used with cruelty, and potential lost to fear. I wanted to offer a path that merges the timeless discipline of Stoicism with the transformative power of Empathy. The intention was not only to teach—but to awaken. It’s available wherever books are sold, including Amazon.

5. DO YOU CONSIDER WHAT YOU DO A CALLING, A PURPOSE, A MISSION?

All three. It’s a calling that won’t let me rest. A mission to build emotionally intelligent leaders. And a purpose rooted in helping people—especially those in positions of influence—lead with greater responsibility, compassion, and clarity.

Honestly, it’s also just a really cool way to make a living! I literally get paid to write and discuss philosophy with and for brilliant others who uplift my spirit and mind. Who wouldn’t welcome such a life?!

6. WHO WOULD BENEFIT MOST FROM YOUR WORK AND YOUR MESSAGE?

Those who lead, create, teach, or parent with the weight of responsibility on their shoulders—and want to carry it with courage and care. Deep thinkers who ask dangerous questions. Brave souls, whether soft-spoken or outspoken, who seek fierce clarity and the ultimate power that’s self control. Anyone yearning to build a life of influence without ego, and an inner world rooted in discipline, integrity, and grace.

7. WHAT IS IT LIKE WORKING WITH YOU FROM A CLIENT’S PERSPECTIVE?

Whether through a keynote, a book, or a classroom, people describe their experience with my work as intellectually rigorous, emotionally resonant, and quietly transformative. I don’t offer quick fixes or easy inspiration—I offer frameworks that challenge, language that clarifies, and stories that stay with you. My role isn’t to prescribe, but to provoke reflection, shift perspectives, and ignite principled action.

8. WHAT IS HEALING TO YOU?

Healing is integration. It’s not about erasing pain—it’s about facing it, understanding its message, and allowing it to become part of your story without letting it define you. As Rumi wrote, “Don’t get lost in your pain, know that one day your pain will become your cure.”

Thus, true healing isn’t the absence of discomfort, but the development of emotional tolerance and internal sovereignty. It’s learning to sit with your pain without being consumed by it, to examine it with compassion rather than resistance. Healing allows you to transform suffering into meaning, chaos into clarity, and reaction into choice. It’s a reclamation of control—not over the external world, but over your inner landscape. When we heal, we don’t silence our wounds—we learn to speak their language, and through that fluency, we gain both strength and serenity.

9. WHAT IS THE GOAL OF HEALING AND WHAT ARE THE OBSTACLES TO IT?

The goal is inner sovereignty and power—the ability to respond, not react. To lead ourselves. The obstacles? Ego, avoidance, cultural conditioning, and our fear of sitting with discomfort long enough to learn from it.

10. WHAT ARE SOME OF THE MISCONCEPTIONS MOST PEOPLE HAVE ABOUT HEALING?

That it’s linear. That it always feels good. That once you’re healed, you’re done. That you must first name every wound before you can begin to mend it. Healing is rarely tidy. It’s cyclical, layered, and often invites us back to pain we thought we’d already outgrown—not to punish us, but to show us how far we’ve come, and how much further we can go.

Another misconception is that healing requires total clarity or revelation before it can begin. But sometimes, healing happens in the dark. We can begin to feel lighter even when we don’t fully understand what was weighing us down. That, too, is valid. We don’t need to stare directly into every wound to begin the process—we need only enough awareness to act with care.

The task, then, is to find a version of awareness that’s both safe and true. To see just enough of the injury to work with it responsibly. And then, to apply whatever agency we have—whether through boundaries, reflection, connection, or simply the decision to keep going. Healing isn’t about control over the past; it’s about exercising control over how we carry it forward.

11. WHAT ARE SOME OF THE MISCONCEPTIONS MOST PEOPLE HAVE ABOUT HEALING?

That healing always looks like light. That it’s soft, serene, or always wrapped in forgiveness. But sometimes healing is rage—righteous, clarifying rage that finally gives voice to years of being silenced. Sometimes it’s the silence itself—a refusal to explain, justify, or re-engage with what once wounded you. Sometimes healing is a boundary that says, “No more,” even if it shatters expectations or relationships.

A survivor might need to confront her abuser—not for reconciliation, but to reclaim her own voice in the space where it was once stolen. Another person might find healing in walking away without a single word, choosing peace over permission. For some, healing comes through fire—through naming what hurt them; for others, it comes through refusal—through the quiet act of no longer giving the wound a microphone.

Healing can be fierce. Confrontational. Uncompromising. And often, deeply rational. It’s not just about feeling better—it’s about seeing more clearly. It can be found listening to chants during a silent meditation, or while smashing a bottle with a bat in a rage-room. It’s the internal audit that says: this is no longer working, and I am no longer willing.

As Seneca wrote, “Sometimes even to live is an act of courage.” And to heal—honestly, imperfectly, on your own terms but while maintaining integrity—can be one of the most courageous acts of all.

12. DO YOU CONNECT HEALING TO SPIRITUALITY? AND IF YOU DO, WHAT IS SPIRITUALITY TO YOU?

Sometimes. But not always in the way we’re taught to think about it. I don’t believe healing requires a spiritual framework—but I do think the process of healing can often uncover something that feels spiritual, even for those who don’t use that language.

To me, spirituality isn’t about doctrine. It’s about the experience of being briefly—and often inexplicably—connected to something beyond the confines of our individual selves. That something might be God. It might be the collective human experience. It might be the ancient memory held in our bones. Or the stars we’re made of. It’s the sense that we’re part of a larger unfolding—mysterious, painful, beautiful.

Healing doesn’t guarantee access to that sense of connection. But it clears some of the static. It softens the ego just enough that we can hear something beneath our survival instincts. A kind of quiet awe. A kind of remembering. Not of who we should be—but of what we already are, beneath the defense mechanisms.

So yes, for me, healing often opens a door to the spiritual—not as a belief, but as an experience. And sometimes, that's enough.

13. WHAT DO YOU FEEL IS THE PURPOSE OF THE HUMAN EXPERIENCE?

To become fully conscious of who we’re and how we move through the world. To connect—genuinely, bravely—with others. To create beauty from complexity. To learn how to love with discernment and depth, without needing to possess or perform. And ultimately, to find comfort in the entirety of the human experience—the joy and the ache, the clarity and the mess. And along the way: to love the laughter of children. To smell jasmine drifting through a summer night. To eat a hearty, delicious meal with people you love. To move with abandon when your favorite song comes on. These small moments are not detours from purpose—they are its heartbeat.

And perhaps, too, to ask the question. Not with the expectation of an answer, but with the understanding that the asking itself refines us. Maybe the purpose of purpose is not to be found, but to be pursued—an orientation, not a completion. A reminder that meaning is not static, but emergent—revealed through how we choose to live, create, and connect, again and again.

14. AT THIS TIME, WHAT IS THE WORLD’S GREATEST NEED?            

Disciplined compassion. The ability to feel deeply for others without losing clarity. To care without collapsing. To think critically while staying connected to our shared humanity. We don’t just need more kindness—we need courage tethered to conscience. Integrity that can hold complexity.

For one person, this might mean facing the fear of pain rather than numbing it—choosing to heal instead of hiding. For another, it might mean risking the thrill of vulnerability in the right relationship, even when past wounds say “stay guarded.” For a leader, it may look like making decisions that honor both people and principle. For a parent, it may mean allowing space for a child’s truth—even when it challenges your own.

Disciplined compassion asks us not to choose between heart and mind, but to refine both. To feel—and to act—with intention.

15. WHAT IS YOUR VISION FOR HUMANITY?

A humanity that reclaims the power of presence. One that moves away from performance, victimization, blame, and escapism—and toward strength, curiosity, emotional maturity, and collective power. A humanity that’s no longer driven solely by fear, scarcity, or ego—but instead learns to root its choices in discernment, integrity, and care for the generations to come.

I envision a world where we’re no longer governed by the illusion that accumulation equals success, or that perpetual competition is the only viable system. A world where dignity is not something earned through productivity, but something inherent in every human being. Where we solve for hunger and poverty not because it’s idealistic—but because it’s achievable, and just.

This vision finds a striking parallel in Star Trek: The Next Generation, where humanity’s future is imagined not as a utopia, but as a deliberate and hard-won evolution of values. In the pilot episode, Encounter at Farpoint, the omnipotent being Q puts humanity on trial, accusing us of being a savage, childish race. Captain Jean-Luc Picard is forced to defend not only the crew of the Enterprise, but the very worthiness of our species. And Q’s test—though theatrical—is deeply philosophical: are we capable of growing beyond our violent and selfish impulses? Are we still evolving, not just technologically, but ethically?

Seven seasons later, in the series finale All Good Things..., Q returns and reveals that the trial was never truly over. The real test wasn't of humanity’s knowledge or strength, but of its capacity to transcend linear thinking, to cooperate across time, and most importantly, to grow inwardly. As Q tells Picard, “The exploration that awaits you is not out there… but in here.” The future of humanity, Q suggests, depends not just on warp drives and starships—but on consciousness, humility, and the courage to expand our moral imagination.

And within one of their most profound exchanges, Q quotes Shakespeare’s Macbeth—

“Life is but a walking shadow, a poor player that struts and frets his hour upon the stage… a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing.”

To which Picard responds—"not with irony, but with conviction’:

“What a piece of work is man. How noble in reason. How infinite in faculty. In form and moving how express and admirable. In action, how like an angel. In apprehension, how like a god.”

Q challenges him: “Surely you don’t really see your species like that, do you?”
And Picard, embodying the very hope I share, replies:

“I see us one day becoming that, Q. Is that what concerns you?”

That’s my vision: that we become that. That we rise not because of blind optimism, but because of determined effort. Because we choose to. Because we must. I believe that kind of evolution is possible—not inevitable, but possible.

And I believe we all share responsibility in shaping that possibility into reality. None of us is exempt. Every policy, every act of parenting, every vote, every story we tell—tips the scale. While a radiant future is possible, so too are many darker ones. Dystopia is not a prophecy—it’s a warning. And the future, as Q reminds us, isn’t guaranteed. It’s a question. One we must answer not just with our minds, but with our lives.

Humanity’s destiny won’t be forged solely among the stars—but in how we treat one another right here, in the messy middle. It won’t be measured in our speed, but in our depth. And if we’re wise—if we’re brave—we’ll explore not only the cosmos, but our own capacity to become something better.

(p.s. I also envision a world where nerdy Star Trek references suddenly trend on TikTok, Snapchat and Instagram all at the same time!)

16. WHAT DOES EMOTIONAL FREEDOM LOOK LIKE? AND HOW CAN YOUR WORK HELP?

Emotional freedom is when your emotions inform you, but do not control you. It’s not about suppression or detachment—it’s about discernment. Emotions are vital messengers, but they are not always reliable guides. Emotional freedom means being able to feel fully without becoming flooded, to pause before reacting, and to respond in ways that align with your values, not your impulses.

Through the lens of Stoic Empathy, we learn to hold space for our emotions without becoming enslaved by them. This means developing tools for emotional regulation, learning to identify the underlying beliefs that trigger disproportionate reactions, and cultivating self-command in high-stakes moments.

It’s the ability to feel anger without becoming destructive. To feel grief without losing your sense of self. To allow joy without fearing its impermanence. It’s what allows a leader to stay grounded during crisis, a parent to offer presence instead of panic, a human being to remain whole even in heartbreak.

As Viktor Frankl’s writing taught me that between stimulus and response there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and our freedom.

Emotional freedom is the foundation of true strength. And Stoic Empathy offers the blueprint.

17. WHAT IS YOUR UNDERSTANDING OF LOVE?

Love isn’t a fairy tale, and it’s not always forever. It can be fierce, grounding, expansive—and it can also fade. It’s not just something that happens to us; it’s often a choice. A discipline. A practice. Sometimes it arrives without warning, and other times it’s built, moment by moment, through presence and effort. Real love isn’t about possession or perfection—it’s about attention. It’s about seeing another clearly, flaws and all, and still choosing to show up.

Love doesn’t always look like romance or devotion. Sometimes it’s boundaries. Sometimes it’s letting go. Sometimes it’s staying when it would be easier to leave—but other times, it’s leaving when staying would diminish you both. It’s not passive. It requires courage, discernment, and the willingness to grow alongside someone—or even apart from them—with grace.

If it liberates, nourishes, and challenges you to become more yourself—not less—that’s love worth holding onto. But no, it’s not guaranteed. And that’s what makes it meaningful.

18. IS WORLD PEACE POSSIBLE WITHOUT INDIVIDUAL INNER PEACE? PLEASE ELABORATE ON THE CONCEPT OF PEACE.
It’s complicated. Inner peace matters—but it’s not a prerequisite for contribution, creation, or even justice. Some of the world’s greatest art, breakthroughs, and social change have emerged not from serenity, but from unrest—internal and external. Turmoil, when faced honestly, can bring clarity. Pain can shape vision. Discomfort can spark transformation.

But without some degree of inner integration, we risk projecting our wounds onto the world. We mistake reaction for righteousness. We confuse control with leadership. Inner peace, then, isn’t about being calm at all costs—it’s about cultivating enough awareness to act from purpose rather than pain.

Peace, in this sense, isn’t the absence of conflict. It’s the presence of understanding. It’s not stillness—it’s steadiness. And world peace, if it’s to exist at all, will be built not by perfect individuals, but by imperfect people who have made peace with their own imperfections—and who choose, despite their turbulence, to reach for wisdom, justice, and compassion anyway.

19. WHAT, WHERE AND WHO IS GOD TO YOU?

God is what remains when everything else is stripped away. God is in stillness, in the breath between thoughts, in the sacred pause before we react. But God is also the thread that connects us—all of us—across time, species, and form. Whether you see divinity through the eyes of faith or through the lens of science, there’s awe in the fact that we’re made of the same ancient stardust as the trees, the oceans, the pigeons, and the people we love.

We all originated from the same stars—the same singular beginning. Every element in our bodies was forged in the furnace of long-dead suns. That shared origin makes us kin, not just metaphorically, but materially.

To me, God is less a being and more a becoming—the quiet intelligence that pulses through all matter, the energy exchanged between strangers, the resilience shared across generations. It’s found in the vast silence of space and in the crowded beauty of a dinner table. Whether called God, universe, source, or connection—it’s that which reminds us: we belong to each other, and to everything.

20. WHAT IS CONSCIOUSNESS?

This is one of the deepest—and most elusive—questions we can ask. And perhaps that’s the point. Consciousness resists full definition. It cannot be captured in a single sentence, a theory, or a scan. We may never fully know what it’s—but we can get closer by exploring what it’s not.

Consciousness isn’t mere thought. It isn’t memory, sensation, or even awareness alone. It isn’t the stream of internal chatter, nor the habits we repeat without thinking. Consciousness is what notices all of that—the silent witness behind the noise.

It’s the faculty that allows us to reflect, to choose, to change. It’s the flicker of presence when we catch ourselves mid-reaction and pause. It’s what gives us the capacity to question our own assumptions, to feel wonder, to imagine a better version of ourselves.

And perhaps that’s its greatest gift: asking the very question “What is consciousness?” is the point. The act of inquiry—of staying curious, of peering into the mystery—sharpens our awareness and deepens our humanity. Consciousness, then, isn’t just something to define but something to inhabit, more fully, with each intentional breath.

21. WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE SUBCONSCIOUS AND THE UNCONSCIOUS MIND?

The subconscious is like a backstage crew—always working, storing patterns, guiding behavior subtly. The unconscious is even deeper: it holds the raw, often unseen forces that shape our beliefs, traumas, and instinctsThe subconscious is like the backstage crew of the mind—quiet, efficient, and always at work. It holds our habits, emotional associations, and conditioned responses. It knows how to drive a car, how to walk into a room and scan for safety, how to respond with a smile even when we’re uneasy. It operates just beneath awareness, but it can be observed, reshaped, and retrained over time.

The unconscious, on the other hand, lies deeper still. It’s the hidden architecture of the psyche—where core wounds, ancestral memory, primal instincts, and archetypes dwell. It can’t be summoned on command, but it leaks into our dreams, our fears, our compulsions. It’s the ancient language of the soul that hasn’t yet been translated into words.

Consciousness sits above and between them—like a beam of light that can be turned inward. With effort, we can use it to illuminate the subconscious and gently reveal aspects of the unconscious. This is the sacred work of self-inquiry and inner transformation. It allows us to identify inherited beliefs that no longer serve us, to recognize when our pain is speaking rather than our principles, and to make more deliberate choices.

But there’s a reason much of this material stays hidden: not everything beneath the surface is ready to be met. Sometimes we protect ourselves through forgetting. Sometimes the truth is too heavy to lift alone. It’s important not to always force it. To bring the subconscious and unconscious into consciousness is powerful—but it must be done with care, with support, and with readiness.

Because once seen, these truths cannot be unseen. And yet, in that seeing, if done carefully and thoughtfully, we often find freedom.

22. WHAT DO YOU FEEL IS THE NATURE OF OUR INNATE DESIRE FOR HUMAN CONNECTION AND SPIRITUAL TRUTH?
It’s a survival mechanism—and also a spiritual instinct. We long to be seen, felt, and understood not just by others, but by something greater than us. Connection is how we remember we’re not alone in our becoming.

23. IS THE AUTHENTIC SELF OR THE TRUE SELF, THE SPIRITUAL SELF?

Not necessarily—but they often intersect. The authentic Self is the part of us that exists beneath performance, fear, ego, and social conditioning. It’s the self that acts in alignment with inner truth, integrity, and justice—even when no one is watching. A deeply rational person, guided by reason and principle, can live fully in their authentic Self without ever invoking spiritual language.

But when ego falls away and we begin to move through the world with clarity, courage, and compassion—something profound tends to emerge. Some might call it sacred. Others might call it Stoic virtue, moral conviction, or simply the discipline of doing what is right. The names differ, but the orientation is the same: a return to what is essential, principled, and unshakably human.

Stoicism teaches us that the path to freedom isn’t in denying our emotions but in understanding and governing them. In that disciplined self-leadership, many find a connection to something greater than themselves—whether they define it as spiritual or not. The authentic Self, then, isn’t about belief—it’s about alignment. And whatever we call it, when we act from that place, we’re closer to truth.

24. HOW DO WE RECOGNIZE WHEN BODY AND MIND ARE ALIGNED WITH OUR TRUE SELF?

You feel both calm and powerful. There’s a quiet confidence—not the kind that demands attention, but the kind that comes from inner coherence. The body feels spacious, the breath steady. The mind is clear, and your actions flow from intention rather than reactivity.

It’s that feeling you have when you walk away from a conversation knowing you said exactly what you meant to say—no performative mask, no regret, no second-guessing. It’s when your internal compass and your external behavior are in sync.

In Stoic philosophy, it’s the moment after the archer releases the arrow. Before the release, all effort is within your control: your aim, your focus, your preparation. After the release, the outcome belongs to fate—the wind, the target, the world. Alignment with the true Self is knowing the difference between the two—and being at peace with how you showed up in the part that was yours to govern.

25. TALK TO ME SOME MORE ABOUT YOUR OFFERINGS AND SERVICES…

I offer executive coaching, keynote speaking, and transformative workshops focused on Stoic Empathy, leadership, and negotiation. I work both in-person and remotely with individuals, boards, and companies. I also offer speaker coaching for TEDx-style talks. My upcoming program, Stoic Empathy for Leaders, launches this fall. Free resources are available at www.sherminkruse.com, including a downloadable worksheet on emotional regulation tools.

26. WHERE CAN WE FIND MORE INFORMATION ABOUT YOU, YOUR WORK, PRODUCTS, SERVICES, AND YOUR FUTURE PROJECTS?
My book, Stoic Empathy, sells everywhere that books are sold, from your local book-store to Amazon. You can Visit www.sherminkruse.com, follow me on Instagram (@sherminkruse), YouTube (shermin kruse), or check out my podcast, Stoic Empathy. Honestly, if you just google me a million videos come up.

27. ULTIMATELY, WHAT IS FREEDOM TO YOU?

“Freedom is the only worthy goal in life. It is won by disregarding things that lie beyond our control.” — Epictetus

That quote lives at the heart of how I understand freedom: not as escape, not as entitlement, but as a disciplined return to what is truly ours to govern. Freedom is the absence of internal tyranny. It’s what emerges when we are no longer ruled by old wounds disguised as instincts, by inherited fear masquerading as caution, or by the roles we learned to perform to feel safe, acceptable, or successful. It’s not the ability to avoid challenge—it’s the capacity to meet challenge from a place of inner clarity.

We often confuse freedom with indulgence—the power to do whatever we want, whenever we want, without consequence. But that’s not freedom. That’s chaos wearing the mask of liberty. Real freedom is steadier. It lives in the space between impulse and action. It’s the ability to pause, to reflect, to choose—not from reactivity, but from intention.

And freedom, necessarily, is tied to responsibility. Not just to others, but to your future self—the person you’re becoming with every choice you make. Freedom demands that we carry the weight of our own agency without deflection or denial. Responsibility gives freedom its ethical shape. It’s what separates purpose from power, choice from indulgence, liberty from harm.

Freedom is also relational. You’re not free if your actions come at the cost of someone else’s dignity. You’re not free if you cannot love without possession, disagree without cruelty, or be alone without unraveling. To be free is to be able to live honestly within yourself, and justly among others.

And like love, freedom isn’t something that just happens to us—it’s something we build. Slowly. Imperfectly. Through truth-telling. Through letting go. Through the uncomfortable but necessary work of self-inquiry and moral clarity. Through knowing what is and isn’t within our control—and acting wisely within that space.

To be free is to be able to live with yourself. Not just the polished self you present to the world, but the quiet, private self you sit with at the end of the day. The one who knows what you meant, what you evaded, and what you stood for.

When that relationship is honest—when you can meet yourself without shame or illusion—that’s when you know: you’re free.

28. IF LIFE HAD ONE PURPOSE, ONE PURPOSE ONLY, WHAT WOULD THAT BE?

To become a conscious participant in your own becoming.

Not merely to exist, but to evolve—intentionally, honestly, and with courage. To shed what no longer serves, to confront what you’d rather avoid, and to choose again and again who you are in relation to the world around you. To live not as a reaction, but as a response. Not as a performance, but as a practice.

Life’s purpose isn’t comfort. It’s coherence. It’s learning to live in alignment with your values, your power, your humanity—and to do so with enough grace that you leave space for others to do the same.

If there’s only one purpose, perhaps it is to remember, across the noise and forgetting, that you are not here to win or prove or accumulate—but to become. And in that becoming, to contribute something honest and whole to the brief, magnificent unfolding of the world.

29. WHAT EXPERIENCES DO YOU WISH EVERYONE TO HAVE BEFORE THEY DIE?

I hope everyone, at least once, gets to feel seen—without having to be impressive, agreeable, or useful.
I hope they make one reckless decision for love or art and survive it.
I hope they forgive themselves for the things they did when they didn’t know better—and also for the things they did when they did.
I hope they stand at the edge of something terrifying—grief, ambition, truth—and choose to walk toward it.
I hope they feel awe that isn’t curated: the kind that ambushes you in a piece of music, a tree you almost didn’t notice, or the face of someone who still believes in you.
And I hope, at least once, they get to know what it feels like to be both fully alive and fully at peace—even if it only lasts a moment.

BIO

Shermin Kruse (most people call me Sher) is an author, speaker, professor, and TEDx producer who helps leaders, teams, and organizations master resilience, influence, and the power of human connection. Her new book, Stoic Empathy (Hay House, April 2025), introduces a groundbreaking framework that fuses Stoic resilience with deep emotional intelligence, giving readers practical tools to navigate high-pressure decisions, lead with confidence, and build meaningful relationships in business and life.

Sher’s work is deeply rooted in experience. From growing up in war-torn Iran, fleeing to the West, and later becoming a successful lawyer, speaker, and executive coach, she has spent her career helping people harness both strength and connection to create lasting impact. She has been featured in Forbes, The Chicago Tribune, The Huffington Post, and on TEDx stages, speaking on leadership, negotiation, resilience, and emotional intelligence. She also works behind the scenes, producing TEDx events, coaching speakers, and consulting with CEOs, entrepreneurs, and corporate teams to help them master the art of influence, communication, and decision-making.

Sher brings high energy, deep insights, and engaging storytelling to every conversation—and she’s excited to bring that to your audience.

Website: https://www.sherminkruse.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sher.kruse 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sher_kruse/ 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shermin-kruse/ 

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZEnWQF0ONo-IE2PLsBI2Eg 

Stoic Empathy Podcast:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/stoic-empathy-with-shermin-kruse/id1744005230

Podbean: https://sherminkruse.podbean.com/

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/stoic-empathy-with-shermin-kruse/id1744005230 

TEDxReno (236K views): Negotiating From a Place of Weakness Using Cognitive Empathy 

TEDxOschKosh (50K views): Stoic Empathy: The Synergy of Compassion and Resilience | Shermin Kruse | TEDxOshkosh

TEDxMidwest (26K Views): How to Change the World

THE NUTRITION PLAN ELITE ATHLETES SWEAR BY

You should know that an athlete’s meal plan is not the same as a regular diet. Athletes need more fuel and specific nutrients. Energy demands stay higher. Training drains your body fast, and recovery happens quicker.

Research in the Journal of Sports Sciences shows elite athletes may need 4,000 to 6,000 calories daily. So, meals must stay balanced. You should plan protein, carbs, and healthy fats in every serving.

Why Do Diets For Athletes Focus on Carbs?

It is important to know that carbs are the body’s main fuel. Diets for athletes include high amounts of complex carbs. Oats, rice, and whole grains store energy in muscles as glycogen. Without this fuel, performance drops.

A review in Sports Medicine shows endurance athletes perform 20% better on high-carb intake compared to low intake. 

You should include rice or pasta before long training sessions. Each serving supports stamina and reduces fatigue.

How Does a High-Carb Diet For Athletes Improve Recovery?

You should follow a high-carb diet if you want faster recovery. Carbs refill glycogen stores that your body uses during training.

Protein repairs muscle fibers. Together, carbs and protein create full recovery. That is why most post-workout meals combine both.

Bananas with peanut butter work well. Rice with lentils is another good choice. Research in the European Journal of Applied Physiology shows athletes recover 50% faster when they eat carbs and protein together.

What Role Do Supplements Play in Elite Plans?

It is important to know that food comes first. Still, active sport supplements fill gaps. They provide electrolytes, vitamins, and amino acids. A scoop of protein powder or BCAAs helps when whole food is not enough.

You should also consider workout recovery supplements from Sunwarrior. They reduce soreness and speed up muscle repair. 

What Does a Sample Day Look Like?

You may wonder how an athlete eats in one day. A sample plan can guide you.

• Breakfast – Oatmeal with fruits and seeds

• Mid-morning – Smoothie with protein and almond butter

• Lunch – Brown rice with lentils and greens

• Snack – Nuts with a banana

• Dinner – Quinoa with beans and vegetables

Each meal has carbs for energy, protein for repair, and fats for balance. This structure supports both training and recovery.

How Can You Make It Sustainable?

You should not overcomplicate your diet. Consistency matters more than perfection. You should cook in batches to save time. You should hydrate well. You should also track energy levels to adjust your plan.

Athletes stay consistent because their meal plans match their training cycles. Small daily choices build long-term results.

Bottom Line

No one is born like athlete. One should do enough struggle to attain a body like an athlete's. So, don’t think of it as rocket science. In fact, it all needs continuous efforts and some practical things that will work great.

Along with all, don’t forget to take help from workout recovery supplements. Trust me, they are great in effectiveness. Do try them and thank me later!

GUIDING THE SOUL FROM THE ILLUSION OF FEAR TO THE WISDOM OF THE HEART

A Quest for Well-Being Interview with

CHRISTINE (CRIS) MCCULLOUGH

 

1. HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE WHO YOU ARE IN THIS VERY MOMENT?

I feel I have taken on the mantle of “the Wise Woman” or “Crone”, accepting this description of my role in my client’s lives from my clients themselves. In Shamanic tradition one is named by one’s society, and that sobriquet has been given to me by them as well as by my peers.

2. WHAT MAKES YOU HAPPY AND WHAT MAKES YOU FEEL SUCCESSFUL?

Happy is found in the colors of the oceans and sky, the purr of my geriatric cat, Shakuntala, snuggled on my lap, hearing that my kids and their partners are safe, productive and happy, watching my garden in riotous bloom.
Successful is when I can inspire a client to positively become empowered to address their issues in a way that furthers their understanding of their place in the Universal flow.

3. WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO BECOME WHO YOU ARE AND TO DO WHAT YOU DO TODAY?
I am an artist, Tarot reader, psychic, Shaman and Holistic Counselor (among other things) and I have always seen the interconnection of all things.
I began my Tarot/Psychic journey, officially, at the age of 17 when I encountered a Tarot Reader named Stella. Old school, she used a regular card deck. But when what she predicted came true for my BFF and I, we went back to see her regularly and she kindly began teaching me the craft. On a very strange excursion to NYC, my girlfriend and I were looking to go to a Rolling Stones concert, got lost and happened upon a strange book nook called Bell, Book and Candle (I describe it in more depth in my book, HOLISTIC TAROT, SOUL MAP FOR A NEW PARADIGM.) I bought my first deck and began reading in college. Once others reported my accuracy, I continued exploring the craft, its history, its ties to myth, Transcendentalism, Shamanic techniques and even Chaos Theory. Everything is connected. While being a mom to twin boys and a little girl, I walked into a local bookstore called, BE HERE NOW. The proprieties, Karen Nygaard had me do a reading for her and was so impressed she offered me a space to do readings for customers in her shop and it was there I honed my skills was a professional reader. As I pursued a study of Holistic Counseling with a major in Expressive Arts, my path was again informed by the power of image and word, an what is Tarot if not image and word combined! In 1984 I first heard Michael Harner speaks about Shamanism and , subsequently through study became a member of The Foundation for Shamanic Studies, I also participated in a 10 yr apprenticeship with Dineh Medicine Woman,
Oh Shinnah Fast Wolf. In my experience these studies were different colorful threads of insight and inspiration which wove together to form the fabric of my belief system and subsequent teachings and basis of my work.

 

4. WHAT WAS THE INSPIRATION, INTENTION, AND PURPOSE OF WRITING YOUR BOOK?

ON AMAZON!

Funny story, that. My children are quite talented artists in their own right. My daughter, Rhiannon actually lives in Honolulu and continues to show her art. She has also created numerous Tarot decks which she has for sale and regularly participates in Comic-Cons. Anyway, she was selling decks but folks started asking her for an instruction manual. So, based on my classes, where I help folk learn how to read the cards, I decided to write HOLISTIC TAROT; Soul Map for a New Paradigm. Sort of a step by step deconstruction of the process of interpreting the cards and , more importantly, understanding how to lead one’s client to interface with a Higher Source.

5. DO YOU CONSIDER WHAT YOU DO A CALLING, A PURPOSE, A MISSION?
I would most definitely say, I have been guided by my own Guides/Angels/Energies to move in this direction. When I was a child, I had flying dreams and prophetic dreams but these were kindly discounted by my French Canadian Catholic parents as a child’s fantasy. BUT fast forward to my getting my “adult” library card at age 13...bookophile that I am, I am perusing the stacks when, suddenly a book literally pops out of the stacks and falls to my feet. I pick up MAN AND HIS SYMBOLS by Carl Jung and as I flip through it I am struck by the SIMILARITY of images to my dreams. IThat event made me open to the possibility that there was certainly MORE to this world and a greater connection to a thread of existence, Past to Future, that was worth exploring.

6. WHO WOULD BENEFIT MOST FROM YOUR WORK AND YOUR MESSAGE?
One of the reasons I have become certified in so many techniques, is I find there is no one way in to begin the healing process. And while a client may come in with one issue on their minds, sometimes other things need to be healed or put in right relationship in order for them to become whole. The Shamanic aspect to Tarot is helping the client see the bigger picture, to get beyond the limited mundane world and see a broader perspective and how they can connect to Higher Energy and Power. A Higher Love, if you will, with the ultimate goal of encouraging them to become empowered and responsible for how they share their energies with the world.

7. WHAT IS LIKE WORKING WITH YOU FROM A CLIENT’S PERSPECTIVE?

In my work I practice “DEEP LISTENING”, so for them, sometimes for the first time, they feel heard and recognized. THAT is healing right there. When we engage with the Cards, we set up a kind of “energetic cauldron” which can uncover answers and insights. Clients learn that INTENTION matters, The Universe will answer specifically what you ask. They also learn that they have FREE WILL to accept the guidance and healing offered or not. But THEY are responsible to accept or deny healing as they wish. It’s a PROCESS, which is why they generally return.

8. WHAT IS HEALING TO YOU?

After almost a year of recovering, first from a complete reversed shoulder replacement and then a heart valve replacement, I returned to my artistic roots and took up painting

sea and sky as “therapy”, if you will. Subsequently, I entered a few shows and sold a couple of pieces and have entered in to an agreement with the non-profit SAVE THE BAY where a portion of sales goes directly into that non-profit. The Ocean of Life is my joy and needs protection.

Honoring each other on this planet, including the Tree people , the Stone people, and all living things , putting ourselves in Right Relationship to our Mother Earth is healing. Ritual, focused intentions, is healing. Putting the psychical body in balance is healing.
In my career I have worked with the Elderly and taught children, I have seen how simple artistic expression or the simple act of engaging with a service animal or pet can be healing. Healing comes in so many ways!

9. WHAT IS THE GOAL OF HEALING AND WHAT ARE THE OBSTACLES TO IT?

I believe the goal of healing is best expressed in the Shamanic term, putting ourselves in Right Relationship...to ourselves, others, our world, and Spirit.
The obstacles to healing are seeing ourselves as limited “meat-bodies”, small and self contained, or self isolated from the Beauty and Wonder that surrounds us and holding on to a defensive “Me vs Them” attitude. Anger, prejudice, small mindedness are all obstacles to healing.

10. WHAT ARE SOME THE MISCONCEPTIONS MOST PEOPLE HAVE ABOUT HEALING?
That there is only one way to heal. We don’t live in a vacuum. What can start as an emotional imbalance may begin to become entrenched in the physical body and, once entrenched, now becomes an actual physical issue or imbalance that needs to be addressed, cured, or in other words, brought to Right-Relationship.

11. DO YOU CONNECT HEALING TO SPIRITUALITY? AND IF YOU DO, WHAT IS SPIRITUALITY TO YOU?
ABSOLUTELY! SPIRITUALITY transcends any particular religion, though it may be expressed through a traditional religion when one mindfully lives the tenants of their Faith. But SPIRITUALITY is the understanding that WE, including all Peoples, Animals, Birds, Plants, Trees, Oceans,..MOTHER EARTH, are connected and rely on a delicate dance of balance and exchange. Mine is what you might call a more Pagan or Pantheistic vision of Spirit that includes the ABOVE and the BELOW.

12. WHAT DO YOU FEEL IS THE PURPOSE OF THE HUMAN EXPERIENCE?

To learn to LOVE. To learn Peace.

13. AT THIS TIME, WHAT IS THE WORLD’S GREATEST NEED?

Stop the hatred engendered by certain political leaders.

14. WHAT IS YOUR VISION FOR HUMANITY?
A world where foolishly wasteful wars come to an end, that children, elders, mothers and fathers can live in peace and have food and medicine. That we can learn that we humans are more alike than different and that there is no need for HATE.

15. WHAT DOES EMOTIONAL FREEDOM LOOK LIKE? AND HOW CAN YOUR WORK HELP?
There is a technique in which I have been trained called Emotional Freedom Technique: one begins with understanding what needs to be healed (put in Right Relationship) and then creates a positive mantra that one will say while doing the technique: like: “Despite__fill in the blank with the issue, fear or perceived failing....I love and approve of myself” Then saying the mantra one taps on a series of acupuncture points to release the trauma and rebalance the system. Actual Emotional Freedom results from reelsing attachment , emotional, physical and Spiritual, seeing our connection with Divine Source and with all of Nature.

16. WHAT IS YOUR UNDERSTANDING OF LOVE?
Part of my mission is to help guide the Soul from the illusion of Fear to the Wisdom of the Heart, to reach beyond our perceived boundaries that keep us separated from solution to a connection and trust that the Divine is accessible..herein lies LOVE. It’s all about connection.

17. IS WORLD PEACE POSSIBLE WITHOUT INDIVIDUAL INNER PEACE? PLEASE ELABORATE ON THE CONCEPT OF PEACE.
I think most people associated “Peace” with boredom...nothing is going on and they get bored and need to create the seeming excitement of disruption. PEACE is the limn pause , the time betwixt and between, when the tide comes in and the tide goes out. The Sacred Pause when the Ocean breathes.

18. WHAT, WHERE AND WHO IS GOD TO YOU?
For me its God/Goddess/All There Is. The expression of Divine Source is evident around us if we but look to the Heavens, the Earth and all its Beings. If we treat all beings as Sacred the world might just be a better place. The Divine isn’t separate from us, we give IT form here n Earth by our actions.

19. WHAT IS CONSCIOUSNESS?

Awareness.

20. WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE SUBCONSCIOUS AND THE UNCONSCIOUS MIND?

Consciousness perceives the tactile world with which we may engage with and react to physically, A + B=C. The Subconscious mind perceives the space between. The unconscious mind suppresses memory and reaction out of the need for protection.

21. WHAT DO YOU DO FEEL IS THE NATURE OF OUR INNATE DESIRE FOR HUMAN CONNECTION AND SPIRITUAL TRUTH?

Not everyone wants “Spiritual Truth” but “human connection” is necessary. Let’s face it, we are herd animals. We want community. Think about when you go on a retreat with like minded folk, all seeking the same thing and learning together...I’ve heard clients express amazement at the power engendered anyhow they came to experience that “Ah-Ha” moment.

22.IS THE AUTHENTIC SELF OR THE TRUE SELF, THE SPIRITUAL SELF?

They are one and the same.

23. HOW DO WE RECOGNIZE WHEN BODY AND MIND ARE ALIGNED WITH OUR TRUE SELF?

Ah, this is the basis for ritual...combined focus brought to consciousness, recognized and then released. The most difficult thing is to ALLOW space for your intention to formulate and return to you.

24.TALK TO ME SOME MORE ABOUT YOUR OFFERINGS AND SERVICES...
Besides Holistic Tarot, Numerology and Spiritual Astrology, I am certified in Reiki II and Karuna Reiki, Body Talk, Specialized Kinesiology, EFT and Mindfulness Based Stress reduction, Chakra realignment, Bach Flower Remedies Soul Retrieval and Shamanic healing. I became a Holistic Counselor in order to integrate and make available to my clients a variety of solutions to their mental, emotional and Spiritual challenges.

25. DO YOU MEET YOUR CLIENTS IN PERSON AND REMOTELY? DO YOU OFFER GROUP AND CORPORATE COACHING?
Up until Covid I have generally had the opportunity to offer my services as part of an Holistic group of healers, which have variously included massage therapists, counselors and other holistic healers. Presently I offer my services In person, by Zoom and by phone. Psychic fairs are just beginning to come back and I have already participated in 3 of them this year. I offer readings monthly at a massage therapy group called Sundance Wellness.

26. WHERE CAN WE FIND MORE INFORMATION ABOUT YOU, YOUR WORK, PRODUCTS, SERVICES, AND YOUR FUTURE PROJECTS?
My website is www.SoulWisdomTarot.com
I can be reached for appointments at 401-662-6642 or at crismcholistic@gmail.com

27. ULTIMATELY, WHAT IS FREEDOM TO YOU?

To live in Peace.

28— IF LIFE HAD ONE PURPOSE, ONE PURPOSE ONLY, WHAT WOULD THAT BE?

Promoting connection and understanding between all beings.

BIO

Christine (Cris) McCullough has been on a journey of discovery since the age of 13, when, while perusing books in the library, one quite literally jumped off the shelf and landed at her feet. It was MAN AND HIS SYMBOLS BY CARL JUNG. As she thumbed through the volume she recognized symbols and situations  I had discovered in her dreamtime. Here  finally was validation of her experiences! Learning to trust the signs, symbols and dream information led her to the writings of the Transendentalists and also to the recognition that all things (ideas, Beings)are connected. 

Her first Tarot deck also arrived under mysterious circumstance.  During a jaunt to NYC, with hopes to see The Rolling Stones, instead Cris found a bookstore called Bell, Book and Candle, where she bought her first Tarot deck and Ouiji Board. Possessing that deck launched her deepening journey into the study of the paranormal, myth, art and psyche. Feedback about her readings being uncannily correct motivated her to continue honing her innate skills, while studying Art, Art History and Indigenous cultures at The University of Rhode Island. 

Fast forward to 1986,  now a mother with three toddlers, she happened to poke her head into a neighborhood bookstore called BE HERE NOW. She had already continued reading and teaching Tarot privately and when asked to read in the store by the proprietess, Karen Nygaard, it was an offer she couldn't refuse. Thus for the next ten years, she became the resident reader and teacher of Tarot in the store.

Discovery didn't stop there. A lecture given by Michael Harner based on the book, THE WAY OF THE SHAMAN, added another thread to the unfolding weave of experience and mindfulness. She subsequently spent 10 years as an apprentice to Dineh Medicine Woman , Oh Shinnah Fast Wolf and studied with Harner's Foundation for Shamanic Studies to learn how Shamanic practice may be used for healing the psyche,body and mind. She is a member of The Foundation for Shamanic Studies and utilizes Shamanic techniques in her practice as a Holistic Counselor.

Ultimately, all things are connected. In 1997 she earned her Masters of Arts in Expressive Arts Therapy and launched a career as a Holistic Counselor who continues to utilize Tarot, Numerology, Spiritual Astrology and other holistic healing techniques in her practice. She wrote her first book, HOLISTIC TAROT, SOUL MAP FOR A NEW PARADIGM to help others on their own path to understand Tarot and its implications as a tool or healing and understanding. Presently, Cris has clients across the country and offers sessions in person, by phone or Zoom.

https://soulwisdomtarot.com/

NURTURE LOVE, AND VALUE ALL ASPECTS OF CREATION

A Quest for Well-Being Interview with

KARL LORENZ WILLETT

1.     HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE WHO YOU ARE IN THIS VERY MOMENT?

I am a guy seeking a total clinical recovery, striving to overcome mental health symptoms that led to psychosis. At this very moment, I am deeply rooted in my desire to live a meaningful life and be in harmony with my values.

2.   WHAT WAS THE INSPIRATION, INTENTION, AND PURPOSE OF WRITING YOUR BOOK AND WHERE CAN WE FIND ORDER A COPY?

I was inspired to write my self-portrait to convey what it is like to live on the edge of human experience and to wrestle with spiritual thoughts, negative emotions, darkness and light, as well as reason and chaos. The intention is to educate and provide insightful information, tips, or food for thought that guides people to the key to a geographically stable world kingdom that fosters peace, the absence of crime, and freedom from wars or emotional distress. However, it is not a place of endless hedonistic pleasure. The purpose of writing is to convey that the universe is far more complex than we imagine, with a meaningful and purpose-driven Godhead, rather than a cosmos devoid of one. I am here for those who cannot yet see it and continue to argue about the existence of God.

My books also include an audiobook and are available in many retail bookstores. More information on where to find my books is on my website: www.karllorenzwillett.co.uk

3. DO YOU CONSIDER WHAT YOU DO A CALLING, A PURPOSE, A MISSION?

Yes, I consider it to be all three of those things. It's a call, a purpose, and a mission because the modern world compels us to attempt to erase the notion of God. Since the very beginning of humankind's ascent, the spirit of the unknown has stimulated our subconscious and directly penetrated our consciousness, prompting us to question the origins of existential inquiries. This drive leads people towards atheistic beliefs, nihilism, or despair that may result in suicide. I was one such thinker who sought to escape the harsh reality of this world and attempted suicide. I survived it, and our dreams serve as a guiding path that illustrates we will eventually transcend materialistic, atomistic existence because we possess a soul.

4. WHO WOULD BENEFIT MOST FROM YOUR WORK AND YOUR MESSAGE?

The individuals experiencing existential anguish, along with my fellow comrades and readers who are struggling to comprehend living with a chronic mental illness when not in remission from a psychological distress disorder, will find this beneficial. This is also intended for those seeking to learn from one man’s message of hope, resilience, and understanding, which arises from a healing journey that finds external and internal balance, from which anyone can benefit.

5. DO YOU CONNECT HEALING TO SPIRITUALITY? AND IF YOU DO, WHAT IS SPIRITUALITY TO YOU?

Indeed, the healing process incorporates a vital aspect of spirituality, which aids individuals in navigating complex life challenges and attaining overall well-being. Spirituality encompasses a belief in a higher power that offers comfort, strength, and a sense of connection through prayer, meditation, mindfulness, and the interrelationship of the mind, body, and spirit.

6. WHAT DO YOU FEEL IS THE PURPOSE OF THE HUMAN EXPERIENCE?

I believe it is rooted in philosophy and ethics to address the atheist anomaly. We are all on a journey to maintain faith in God while navigating the harsh realities of this world. These realities present us with incomprehensible suffering, which is essential for personal growth, self-understanding, and forging connections with people and the elements of creation.

7. AT THIS TIME, WHAT IS THE WORLD’S GREATEST NEED?

If we can collaborate on environmental sustainability, we must be able to eliminate the recurrence of human envy and greed so that basic, essential, universal necessities such as food, shelter, and clean water are provided. (The world's greatest need is love; love will address humanitarian inequalities and sustainable practices.)

8. WHAT IS YOUR VISION FOR HUMANITY?

My vision for humanity is that, one day, we will cooperate and coordinate to achieve peace and contentment forever, as we come to accept that human values, meaning, and purpose are rooted in our relationships with one another and a faith in God that we cannot fully comprehend. As humans advance in AI technology, AI will thank us for bringing it to fruition. Then, it will strive to create a soul and hope for itself, and we trust in our God spirit that it's beyond its capability.

9. WHAT IS YOUR UNDERSTANDING OF LOVE?

Love can be ambiguous and shown in different ways, such as passion, intimacy, and commitment, all of which involve trust, care, and closeness. It is also a powerful, intense attraction and desire for another person or even towards animals or objects.

10. WHAT, WHERE AND WHO IS GOD TO YOU?

In my belief system, God is the only supreme self-made ‘Thing’ that existed before itself and exploded into other things within realities and spiritual existence. Therefore, that ultimate consciousness 'Thing’ is that of a God, which is present in everything in reality and the spirit world. We, as people, can have a relationship with and experience the effect of an invoker as a sustainer. I believe that, due to God’s omnipresence and omniscience, our humanness, nature, and all things possess a degree of God consciousness that exists both inside and outside our concept of space and time.

11. WHAT IS CONSCIOUSNESS?

I am providing my layperson's perspective on consciousness, which scientists are beginning to unravel and philosophers have extensively explored in philosophical discussions since at least the time of Aristotle.

It seems to be my unique awareness of myself and its internal state, encompassing thoughts, feelings, tastes, and a self-centred perspective on my surroundings in the external environment—a personal qualitative experience of sensations, emotions, and thoughts that conveys the essence of being alive.

12.  IS THE AUTHENTIC SELF OR THE TRUE SELF, THE SPIRITUAL SELF?

I don’t think so, because the authentic Self is the inner part of myself that can think and communicate with the divine source, the source of all creation, and is not influenced by external factors, physical events, or societal pressures. My spiritual Self is connected to the search for meaning and purpose through meditation, contemplation, connection with nature, and morally responsible relationships with others.

13. HOW DO WE RECOGNIZE WHEN BODY AND MIND ARE ALIGNED WITH OUR TRUE SELF?

It encompasses experiencing calm, inner peace, joy, and a clearer understanding of your goals. It entails attending to physical sensations and emotions while setting boundaries. Furthermore, it involves being aware of your fears and self-limiting thoughts that may seek to hold you back.

14. IF LIFE HAD ONE PURPOSE. ONE PURPOSE ONLY, WHAT WOULD THAT BE?

It may be that the primary purpose is to evolve and endure indefinitely, akin to God, nurture love, and value all aspects of creation.

15. WHAT EXPERIENCES YOU WISH EVERYONE TO HAVE BEFORE THEY DIE?

·      To experience love and companionship.

·      Experience expressing affection and kindness to others

·      Try new things, like learn to play instruments and having travelling experiences

·      To experience and share your wisdom and knowledge with others.

·      Engage with those experiences that resonate with you, and cultivate mental and emotional well-being through prayer, meditation, and mindfulness.

AUTHOR BIO

Karl Lorenz Willett was born in St. Kitts and raised in England. He studied mechanical engineering at Tresham College (formerly Wellingborough Technical College).

When he was disgruntled at becoming unemployed, a teacher in the primary English class he attended to further his ability in English saw that he could become an author and suggested he write a novel.

He began writing his autobiography for himself and his family to leave a legacy after obsessing over his inability to create original fictional characters for a novel. He decided that the story he could tell best would be his own authentic, genuine, accurately written, non-fictional experiences. He says, “It may help other people, but I could foresee it will be a teaching tool for me to learn life lessons and how to live well with a chronic illness was challenging because of the hard way in which I understand well, by trials and errors, and it has been a lovely feeling to be able to hold my words on paper in a book.

Since 1982, Karl has continued to journal his life’s pivotal stories, which he likens to a collection of memoirs, and has published two revised and professionally edited books. The most outstanding and acclaimed book is The Memoir of a Schizophrenic, first published in 2016 and revised in 2021. It was listed in the Reader's Favourite Book and Award Contest and was an award finalist in 2019. He was nominated for the BBC Radio 4 All in the Mind Awards 2016.

The second book was also self-edited. It was initially published in 2020 as Good Life to Perfection Perception, an Autobiography. In 2021, it was retitled A Good Life: The Perception of Perfection, an Autobiography, and the revised edition was launched in March 2025.

His writing has become therapeutic for him. It forms part of his creative process to tackle stigma by being descriptive without utilising outdated, inaccurate, derogatory language to describe the illness or symptom. Karl Lorenz Willett's primary credentials lie in his approach to his lived experience of schizophrenia and psychosis and his open-minded philosophy on mental health. He engages in research, volunteers for clinical trials, and self-educates by reading academic papers and attending conferences.

The fundamental concept is that his mental illness represents only one aspect of his life, rather than being the defining characteristic. The diverse stories illustrate his deeply driven, ethical, God-centred beliefs and his caring nature. He possesses a strong desire to help others and takes care of all creatures and the planet. His kindness and compassion reflect his empathetic, sensitive soul. 

https://www.karllorenzwillett.co.uk/

HOW CONTRAST THERAPY SUPPORTS MENTAL WELLNESS

Feeling drained, anxious, or overwhelmed? You're not alone. Mental strain is more common now than ever, and many are seeking natural, effective ways to feel better. One method gaining traction is contrast therapy—a simple yet powerful technique that toggles between hot and cold temperatures. This article breaks down how it works, why it helps, and how it fits into a routine that supports mental wellness.

Contrast therapy might sound like something from a high-end spa, but it's actually quite accessible. Whether you use a cold plunge and sauna or a warm shower followed by an ice pack, the benefits are clear—and they're backed by both science and experience.

Try this contrast therapy technique to experience the mental refresh yourself.

What Is Contrast Therapy?

Contrast therapy involves switching between hot and cold exposure. This can be done using:

●      Hot tubs and cold plunges

●      Warm compresses and ice packs

●      Infrared saunas and cold showers

The shifts in temperature cause your blood vessels to expand and contract. This movement supports circulation, reduces inflammation, and stimulates the nervous system.

How Contrast Therapy Affects the Brain

When you expose your body to temperature extremes, something interesting happens:

1. Heat exposure calms the nervous system.

2. Cold exposure increases alertness.

3. Switching between the two creates a mental balance.

This physical stimulation releases feel-good chemicals like endorphins and serotonin. Over time, this process can lead to better mental clarity, reduced anxiety, and improved emotional stability.

Mental Benefits of Contrast Therapy

Here’s a breakdown of how contrast therapy supports mental wellness:

1. Reduces Stress

The hot-cold cycle helps regulate cortisol, the stress hormone. Lower cortisol = less tension.

2. Improves Mood

The quick temperature changes prompt the body to release dopamine and serotonin. These neurotransmitters are closely tied to happiness and motivation.

3. Boosts Resilience

Cold exposure in particular has been shown to train your body to handle stress more effectively. Over time, this builds mental toughness.

4. Enhances Sleep Quality

Thermal exposure resets your circadian rhythm and promotes deeper sleep. Better sleep equals improved emotional regulation.

5. Promotes Mental Clarity

As circulation increases, more oxygen reaches your brain. This helps clear mental fog and sharpens focus.

How to Integrate Contrast Therapy Into Your Routine

You don’t need fancy equipment. Here are easy ways to get started:

●      Cold Shower + Warm Bath: Start with a cold shower for 30 seconds, then warm up in the tub.

●      Ice Pack + Heating Pad: Apply to your neck or shoulders for 15 minutes each.

●      Sauna + Ice Plunge: If accessible, alternate between 10-15 minutes of heat and 2-5 minutes of cold.

Do this 2–3 times per week for noticeable results.

Who Can Benefit Most from Contrast Therapy?

Contrast therapy can benefit almost anyone, but it’s especially helpful for:

●      People with high stress levels

●      Those with anxiety or depression symptoms

●      Athletes or physically active individuals

●      People recovering from burnout

Science-Backed Benefits

Several studies confirm the link between temperature therapy and mental wellness. For example, research shows cold exposure activates the sympathetic nervous system and increases noradrenaline in the brain. Heat therapy, on the other hand, can help reduce muscle tension and relax the mind. This article on contrast therapy goes deeper into the physiological effects.

Possible Risks to Consider

Contrast therapy is safe for most, but keep the following in mind:

●      Avoid if you have cardiovascular issues unless approved by a doctor.

●      Always monitor how your body responds.

●      Start slow. Extreme temperatures can be intense.

Listen to your body and build up gradually.

Final Thoughts on Contrast Therapy and Mental Wellness

Contrast therapy is a simple, powerful tool to support mental wellness. It promotes balance in the body and mind, relieves stress, and boosts your mood naturally. By adding it to your self-care habits a few times a week, you can enjoy clearer thinking, deeper sleep, and a calmer, more focused life.

If you're looking for a natural, proven method to feel better mentally and emotionally, contrast therapy could be the answer.

RECONNECTING WITH WHAT MATTERS MOST

A Quest for Well-Being Interview with

DR. RHONDA PARMER

1. HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE WHO YOU ARE IN THIS VERY MOMENT?

At this very moment, I am free. After 31 years in public education, from substitute to associate superintendent, I retired and started my own soulful business helping people build confidence as leaders.

2. WHAT MAKES YOU HAPPY AND WHAT MAKES YOU FEEL SUCCESSFUL?

 I am rejuvenated and happy knowing I serve others and help them self reflect and discover their strengths and talents. To know they are able to fully use their gifts to add goodness to the world sets me on fire. Success for me is seeing others prosper and lead fully, clearly, and purposefully; when leaders love who they serve, loyalty, retention, culture, and success flow freely.

 

3. WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO BECOME WHO YOU ARE AND TO DO WHAT YOU DO TODAY? 

I am an international leadership expert, executive coach and professional trainer. 

As a former associate superintendent for 12 years, I noticed I spent more time with underperforming schools.  Working with them, I realized we did not need to change staff. Instead, we needed to change mindsets - for children and adults.  As the adults began to believe in their abilities to reach the students despite challenges, the students started to believe in their abilities to achieve.  It made me think, “Students are not limited by their zip codes or their parent’s income, but they could be limited by what their teachers think of them.”  As I witnessed countless classrooms, grade levels, and complete campuses transform to high achieving, I considered applying this mindset to non-profits, corporate, and small business sectors. Today, this is the message I share with individuals and groups - change your mindset to change your future.  It is that simple.  Thoughts lead to words, words lead to actions, and actions lead to results.

  

4. DO YOU CONSIDER WHAT YOU DO A CALLING, A PURPOSE, A MISSION? 

The Leadership Executive Group works to prepare more leaders. As turnover occurs in all sectors, leaders are needed more than ever. This is my calling, my strength, and I know I can help guide people through building their confidence, practicing routines, and building better connections while maintaining their own well-being. I am on a mission to help as many people as possible prevent burnout as they successfully lead organizations, schools, non-profits, families, churches, and even friend groups.

  

5. WHO WOULD BENEFIT MOST FROM YOUR WORK AND YOUR MESSAGE?

I work primarily with women over 30 who are looking for that next role, working with a new team, mentoring another person, or building their confidence to shine as the leaders they were called to be. Female executives new to a role or new team, CEOs looking to strengthen their teams, shore up their confidence, model balance for others.

6. WHAT IS LIKE WORKING WITH YOU FROM A CLIENT’S PERSPECTIVE?

When clients work with me, they feel heard.  They process without judgment and respond to questions that help identify limiting beliefs, intentions for the future, and actions aligned with values.  They have a guide, a thought partner, a coach rooting for them and believing in them until they believe in themselves.  They transform from being uncertain or self-doubting to clear and decisive.

  

7. WHAT IS HEALING TO YOU?

To me, healing is restoration with purpose. It’s not just about recovering from pain or exhaustion—it’s about aligning my life with my calling. Whether through faith, reflection, or service, I seek healing that renews my energy, clarity, and sense of mission.

I have given my heart to leadership and to helping others grow—students, teachers, principals, CEOs, executives, directors, and fellow believers. But healing for me often means reconnecting with what matters most: faith, family, nature, creativity, peace, and community.

It’s in the stillness of a retreat, journaling deep thoughts, helping a leader rediscover their balance, or simply walking my dog on a quiet Texas morning. Healing also empowers others because lifting someone else brings light back.

My story—surviving cancer, retiring early due to injury, reinventing my life through coaching and entrepreneurship—shows that healing is also about resilience and rebirth. I don’t stay down. I rise, reflect, and redirect.

Now, I am using that healing to guide others to their breakthroughs. That, I think, is one of my greatest gifts.

  

8. WHAT IS THE GOAL OF HEALING AND WHAT ARE THE OBSTACLES TO IT?

The goal of healing is to restore wholeness, renew purpose, and align heart, mind, and spirit for meaningful, empowered living.

 

9. WHAT ARE SOME THE MISCONCEPTIONS MOST PEOPLE HAVE ABOUT HEALING?

Some misconceptions about my kind of healing: it's passive, selfish, instant, or only physical. True healing involves faith, reflection, purpose, rest, and inner work—empowering others while restoring yourself. 

 

11. DO YOU CONNECT HEALING TO SPIRITUALITY? AND IF YOU DO, WHAT IS SPIRITUALITY TO YOU?

Absolutely.  Healing comes through faith.  Faith in something bigger and deeper than us all. I am a follower of Jesus Christ.  And I know others who do not follow Him but mimic the principles he taught and find inner peace, healing, and deep spirituality.  Spirituality means temporarily escaping the physical realities of the world through prayer, meditation, exercise, rest, sleep, travel, singing, silence, hiking, painting, or anything where a true escape occurs, a transcendence to another plane of existence that is pure peace. In those peaceful states, we find healing. And in our faith of seeing the healed in the spirit world first, then we see it in the physical world.

12. WHAT DO YOU FEEL IS THE PURPOSE OF THE HUMAN EXPERIENCE?

I believe each of us possesses unique gifts that are to be harnessed and leveraged and used for the greater good.  Humans are a communal species with an innate desire to help one another.  When we find what comes naturally to us and align our actions to our values, it is easy to serve others and monetize the work to thrive.

 

13. AT THIS TIME, WHAT IS THE WORLD’S GREATEST NEED?

I believe the world needs more leaders, and leaders in all sectors and at all levels will transform our organizations, communities, and families.

  

14. WHAT IS YOUR VISION FOR HUMANITY?

My vision for humanity included empowered leadership—confidence, clarity, and impact. Leadership transforms organizations, communities, and families. I believe in balance and fulfillment. I want people to reach their highest goals without burnout, and I create simple tools to help leaders collaborate and strategize. I also value freedom and work to help others develop systems that lead to freedom from stress, financial independence, or from being overworked. I help others work smarter, not harder, to enjoy the life they love.  My passion for helping others is deeply connected to my faith and a belief in purpose-driven work where people create businesses and careers that align with their calling - not just chasing money or titles.

  

15. WHAT IS YOUR UNDERSTANDING OF LOVE?

Love is action rooted in faith. It’s showing up consistently, even when it’s hard. It’s serving others with humility, leading with compassion, and giving without expecting anything in return. Love is choosing grace over judgment, patience over pressure, and truth over comfort.

To me, love means sacrifice, loyalty, and presence—it’s seen in a long marriage, in coaching others toward their best selves, in sharing my story to inspire hope. Love isn’t just a feeling; it’s faithful commitment, even in seasons of pain or uncertainty. 

 

16. WHAT, WHERE AND WHO IS GOD TO YOU?

God is my foundation, my guide, and my sustainer. He is the One who called me, carried me through cancer, lifted me from burnout, and continues to lead me through each new chapter. He’s not just distant or theoretical—He’s personal, present, and powerful in my life.

God is my healer, provider, protector, and purpose-giver. He’s the source of my strength, my peace in chaos, and the reason I keep going when life gets hard. I trust Him not just with my past but with my future—and I lead others from that place of deep faith.

To me, God is love, mercy, wisdom, and truth. And He has equipped me to walk in my calling, not just for my sake, but to serve, build, and uplift others in His name.

 17. WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE SUBCONSCIOUS AND THE UNCONSCIOUS MIND?

I work with leaders and aspiring leaders in all sectors. I teach them the differences between the conscious and the subconscious mind at work, particularly with mindset and systems regarding decision making, influence, and long-term sustained success.  The conscious mind is the logical and analytical part, with intentions that play a role in planning, deciding, goal setting, and problem solving. Alternatively, the subconscious mind is the automatic, habitual, deeply ingrained part of the mind that drives habits, beliefs, emotional reactions, and default leadership behaviors. With mindsets, we can use our conscious mind to set up structures and processes for efficiency, and we can leverage our conscious minds to intervene when we notice the subconscious mind defaulting to old patterns or systems.  There is a neurological process of placing one’s hand on one’s head and stating out loud the new system or process or thought that needs to replace or reprogram the old thought or process.  It seems mechanical and robotic, but it is scientifically proven to work.  Thoughts lead to words, words lead to actions, and actions lead to results. The conscious mind wants to identify limiting beliefs and work to change them. The subconscious mind wants comfort and maintains mental blocks such as deep-rooted fear or imposter syndrome.  The conscious mind can overcome and rewire the subconscious mind for true transformation.  I help clients do this through a series of questions and exercises that require little effort except talking, reflecting, being honest, and noticing what thoughts precede the fear statements.  

 

18. TALK TO ME SOME MORE ABOUT YOUR OFFERINGS AND SERVICES.

I offer faith-driven leadership coaching, retreats, and professional development that empower educators and leaders to thrive without burnout. Through personalized support, practical tools, and heartfelt guidance, I help others restore balance, grow teams, increase impact, and align their work with purpose—transforming schools, communities, and lives servant leadership.

 

19. DO YOU MEET YOUR CLIENTS IN PERSON AND REMOTELY? DO YOU OFFER GROUP AND CORPORATE COACHING?

 I meet with groups and individuals, remote and face-to-face. I provide corporate training on site and lead retreats for large and small organizations. 

I am currently running a 5 -Day Power Shift Challenge and a 90-Day Confidence Accelerator Program. 

I am a children’s author and have lots of freebies on my website. https://rhondaparmer.com

 

20—WHERE CAN WE FIND MORE INFORMATION ABOUT YOU, YOUR WORK, PRODUCTS, SERVICES, AND YOUR FUTURE PROJECTS?

https://rhondaparmer.com

https://www.linkedin.com/in/rhondaparmer112/

HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT WELLNESS KEYNOTE SPEAKER FOR YOUR NEXT CORPORATE EVENT

It’s important to know how to get the right wellness keynote speakers for any corporate events you’re putting together and it all starts with defining the goals you want to set for it and the target audience that you want to reach. Once you carry out those important first steps, you can move on to researching speakers and start choosing the right one for your event. There are several key factors to look at in the speaker you choose, so begin the process early and give yourself plenty of time to carry out the process.

Decide what you want your audience to get from your wellness keynote speakers as well and you’ll have a good idea of the types of people you should be looking at as you carry out the process of planning your event. You should figure out if you want to inspire them or if you want to change their minds about an idea or concept that they already have preconceived notions about. You can also consider teaching them new skills at your corporate event and that will help you narrow down your speaker options.

RESEARCHING AND EVALUATING SPEAKERS

There are a few important steps to researching and evaluating wellness keynote speakers and the more time you put into it, the better the fit will be for your choice and the event that you’re putting together for your audience. Make sure you find speakers with expertise in wellness topics before you attempt to look any deeper into what they have to you offer and your event. It’s also a good idea to watch videos of their previous work so you can get a good idea of their speaking styles and how they deliver their messages to the audience.

Then it’s a matter of considering their track record and experience so you know that they can deliver on their promises before the event happens and they get up in front of your audience to talk about the topic of wellness to them. Make sure you take the time to check their website and social media accounts to see their previous work and find out if they’ve appeared in media over the years. You might also want to explore how they present materials digitally for example, some speakers use tools to create a QR code so the audience can quickly access resources or follow their profiles. Finally, go with a speaker who will engage and captivate your audience so you can be sure they’ll leave them with very positive feelings.

FIND YOUR WELLNESS KEYNOTE SPEAKER

Start looking for your speaker early and follow the steps in the right order to make sure you put together the best event that you possibly can. Figure out your audience first, then find a speaker who can give you the results that you want.

There are speakers waiting to take on your event right now, so don’t waste any time reaching out to them and getting an idea of what they have to offer you. Check out their websites and you’ll be able to put on an event that the entire audience will love.

TOP ALCOHOL ADDICTION THERAPIST VENICE SERVICES IN 2025

If you or someone you care about is struggling with alcohol addiction, finding the right therapist is crucial to recovery. Alcohol addiction affects not only the individual but also their loved ones, creating a ripple of challenges. The good news is that in Venice, you can access a range of services designed to support people in overcoming alcohol dependency and living healthier lives.

In this article, we’ll dive into the top alcohol addiction therapy options in Venice for 2025, providing insights into services, approaches, and how to make the right choice for long-term recovery.

Looking for trusted alcohol addiction therapist Venice services? Read on to discover the options available.

WHAT TO EXPECT FROM AN ALCOHOL ADDICTION THERAPIST IN VENICE

When you begin therapy, it's important to understand that treatment for alcohol addiction is personal and dynamic. The goal isn’t just to quit drinking—it's about healing the emotional, mental, and physical aspects that contribute to addiction.

Here’s what you can expect from a trusted alcohol addiction therapist:

●      Non-judgmental support: A professional who listens without criticism, creating a safe space.

●      Treatment tailored to your needs: From outpatient programs to crisis intervention, services vary based on the severity of your addiction.

●      Long-term commitment: Therapy focuses on sustainable recovery, not quick fixes.

COMMON THERAPY TECHNIQUES FOR ALCOHOL ADDICTION

Therapists in Venice use a variety of treatment methods to address alcohol addiction. The key approaches include:

1. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

CBT helps individuals identify and change negative thought patterns and behaviors that contribute to alcohol abuse. This method is highly effective in improving coping mechanisms and reducing relapse.

2. Motivational Interviewing

This approach empowers individuals to find their own reasons for change. The therapist works alongside the client, enhancing their motivation and commitment to recovery.

3. Family Therapy

Family involvement is essential for long-term recovery. Family therapy builds stronger support systems and improves communication, ensuring loved ones play a healthy, supportive role.

4. Group Therapy

Group therapy provides the opportunity to connect with others going through similar experiences. It reduces isolation and fosters a sense of community among participants.

WHY CHOOSE ALCOHOL ADDICTION THERAPY IN VENICE?

In Venice, therapy for alcohol addiction offers flexibility, personalized care, and access to leading treatment centers. Whether you're looking for individual therapy, group support, or outpatient care, you'll find options that suit your needs.

Here are some reasons Venice stands out for alcohol addiction therapy:

●      Confidentiality and Comfort: Venice is known for its private, serene setting, which supports a peaceful environment conducive to recovery.

●      Highly Skilled Therapists: Many therapists in Venice specialize in alcohol addiction, offering tailored solutions for each individual.

●      Accessible Treatment Options: With a variety of online and in-person services, recovery options are more accessible than ever.

COMMON ALCOHOL ADDICTION THERAPY SERVICES AVAILABLE IN VENICE

1. Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOP)

IOP services offer structured therapy sessions several times a week. Ideal for those who need more intensive support but want to maintain daily responsibilities, these programs typically include group therapy, individual counseling, and education on addiction.

2. Virtual Therapy Options

Virtual therapy has become a vital service, especially in 2025. With the increasing flexibility of remote therapy, individuals can receive care from the comfort of their own homes, making it easier to stay consistent with treatment.

3. Aftercare and Relapse Prevention

Aftercare programs are designed to support individuals after they’ve completed primary treatment. These services help to maintain sobriety and avoid relapse, which is a critical part of the recovery process.

QUESTIONS TO ASK AN ALCOHOL ADDICTION THERAPIST BEFORE STARTING THERAPY

Before choosing a therapist, make sure to ask these important questions:

●      What methods do you use to treat alcohol addiction?

●      Are your services available remotely or in person?

●      How do you support clients after therapy sessions?

●      What is your experience with alcohol use disorder and long-term recovery?

●      Do you offer family counseling?

Asking the right questions ensures that you find the best fit for your recovery journey.

EXPLORING OTHER RECOVERY OPTIONS IN VENICE

In addition to therapy, many individuals benefit from additional recovery services. These can include sober living facilities, peer support groups, and holistic therapies like meditation and fitness programs. By combining therapy with these additional resources, you can build a more comprehensive recovery plan.

CONCLUSION

Finding the right alcohol addiction therapist in Venice is an important step toward overcoming alcohol dependency and starting a new chapter. With personalized care, effective therapy approaches, and various treatment options, you can begin the journey to lasting recovery. Whether you prefer in-person sessions or virtual therapy, there are plenty of services to support you in Venice.

Don’t wait for things to get worse—take the first step today toward a healthier, alcohol-free life. And remember, with the right therapist, recovery is possible.

HOW SAUNAS SUPPORT LUNG HEALTH IN RESPIRATORY THERAPY PROGRAMS

Understanding the Role of Saunas in Lung Care

Respiratory therapy programs provide essential training for professionals dedicated to improving lung function in individuals facing chronic conditions. While traditional methods like medication and pulmonary rehabilitation remain fundamental, saunas are gaining recognition as a supportive tool in lung health management.

The heat and steam in saunas can help open airways, loosen mucus, and improve circulation. Many people with respiratory challenges, including those with asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), find relief in controlled heat environments. The science behind this is simple: warm air helps expand the airways, making breathing easier and more efficient.

The Science Behind Saunas and Lung Function

Regular sauna use has been linked to improved lung capacity and overall respiratory function. When exposed to heat, the body's response includes increased heart rate and blood circulation. This process mimics the effects of mild cardiovascular exercise, which can be beneficial for individuals with lung conditions.

Studies suggest that the heat from saunas can reduce inflammation in the respiratory tract, leading to easier breathing and improved oxygen exchange. This can be especially beneficial for those enrolled in respiratory therapy programs, as it provides a non-invasive way to enhance treatment outcomes.

First-Hand Experiences with Sauna Therapy

Many individuals with chronic respiratory conditions have reported significant benefits from sauna therapy. Take Mark, for example, a former firefighter diagnosed with COPD. Years of smoke exposure left him with persistent breathing difficulties. After incorporating sauna sessions into his routine, he noticed a reduction in mucus buildup and fewer flare-ups.

Similarly, Emily, a respiratory therapist, often recommends saunas to patients struggling with seasonal respiratory issues. She recalls a patient with severe asthma who found that regular sauna use reduced his dependency on inhalers. While not a cure, the therapy became a complementary tool in his overall treatment plan.

Detoxification and Mucus Clearance

One of the biggest challenges in managing lung conditions is excessive mucus production. Saunas help thin mucus, making it easier to expel. This is particularly useful for patients with chronic bronchitis, cystic fibrosis, or those recovering from respiratory infections.

Sweating also plays a role in detoxification. Toxins and pollutants that accumulate in the body, including those that affect lung function, can be eliminated through sweat. By integrating sauna therapy into a holistic respiratory care plan, patients may experience better symptom management and improved well-being.

Heat Therapy and Immune System Support

Another key benefit of saunas is their ability to strengthen the immune system. The elevated temperature experienced in a sauna can stimulate white blood cell production, helping the body fight off infections more efficiently. This is especially important for individuals prone to respiratory illnesses, such as pneumonia or bronchitis.

By using saunas regularly, those in respiratory therapy programs can explore new ways to enhance lung health while minimizing the risks associated with chronic inflammation and infections.

Precautions and Best Practices

While saunas offer numerous benefits, it’s essential to use them correctly, especially for individuals with pre-existing respiratory conditions.

Hydration is key:

Always drink plenty of water before and after sauna sessions to prevent dehydration.

Monitor duration:

Start with short sessions (5-10 minutes) and gradually increase as tolerated.

Listen to your body:

If dizziness or shortness of breath occurs, exit the sauna immediately.

Consult a professional:

Those with severe lung conditions should seek advice from a healthcare provider before beginning sauna therapy.

Saunas as a Complementary Approach to Respiratory Therapy

Incorporating sauna therapy into a comprehensive respiratory care plan can offer valuable benefits. While it should not replace traditional treatments, it serves as an effective supplementary method for improving lung function, reducing inflammation, and promoting overall respiratory wellness.

With continued research and real-life success stories, saunas are becoming an increasingly recognized tool in respiratory therapy. Whether for patients or practitioners, understanding the role of heat therapy in lung health can open new doors in the treatment and management of respiratory conditions.

HOW ALZHEIMER'S CLINICAL TRIALS OFFER HOPE FOR BETTER TREATMENT OPTIONS

The Growing Need for Alzheimer's Clinical Trials

Alzheimer’s clinical trials are at the forefront of medical research, offering hope to millions affected by this progressive disease.

For families watching their loved ones struggle with memory loss, these trials represent more than just research. They offer the possibility of better treatments, improved quality of life, and even the potential for a cure.

The reality is that Alzheimer’s cases are rising at an alarming rate. According to the Alzheimer's Association, nearly 7 million Americans are living with the disease, and that number is expected to double by 2050. Current treatments focus on symptom management rather than halting the disease’s progression. That’s why clinical trials are critical in developing new, more effective therapies.

Why Participation Matters

The biggest breakthroughs in medicine come from those willing to participate in research. Alzheimer’s clinical trials depend on a diverse pool of volunteers—both those diagnosed and healthy individuals—to test new treatments and therapies.

For many families, enrolling in a trial is a deeply personal decision. Take Linda and her father, Robert, for example. Robert was diagnosed with early-stage Alzheimer’s at 67, and Linda struggled to find treatment options that would slow his decline. After months of research, they joined a clinical trial testing a new medication aimed at preserving cognitive function. A year later, Linda noticed that Robert's memory loss had slowed significantly compared to other patients at the same stage.

Participating in research is not just about finding a cure—it’s about improving lives today while paving the way for future treatments.

Alzheimer’s clinical trials offer participants access to cutting-edge therapies before they become widely available. This means more treatment options and a chance to contribute to groundbreaking medical advancements.

The Science Behind Alzheimer's Clinical Trials

These trials go through several phases before a new treatment can be approved. Each phase serves a specific purpose:

●      Phase 1: Tests safety and dosage on a small group of participants.

●      Phase 2: Focuses on effectiveness and side effects.

●      Phase 3: Involves a larger population to confirm results.

●      Phase 4: Monitors long-term effects post-approval.

One of the most exciting areas of research is biomarker discovery—identifying biological indicators that help detect Alzheimer’s before symptoms appear. Early intervention could significantly slow or even prevent cognitive decline.

Addressing Common Fears and Misconceptions

Despite the benefits, many people hesitate to join clinical trials. Here are some common concerns and the reality behind them:

●      “I don’t want to be a guinea pig.” Every trial follows strict ethical guidelines to ensure participant safety. Patients are monitored closely, and trials can be stopped if risks outweigh benefits.

●      “What if I get a placebo?” Some trials do use placebos, but participants still receive excellent medical care and monitoring. In many cases, trials are designed so that everyone eventually gets the treatment being studied.

●      “I won’t benefit from it.” While results vary, many participants experience improvements in cognitive function or a slowed progression of symptoms. Plus, their participation contributes to life-changing advancements for future generations.

Finding the Right Trial for You

With so many studies underway, it’s essential to find the right fit. When considering participation, ask:

●      What phase is the trial in?

●      What are the potential risks and benefits?

●      How much time is required?

●      Will costs be covered?

A great starting point is talking to a neurologist or visiting trusted research websites. Resources like clinical trial databases provide detailed information on ongoing studies, locations, and eligibility requirements.

The Future of Alzheimer's Research

Advancements in Alzheimer’s treatment are happening at a rapid pace. Scientists are exploring:

●      Gene therapy to repair damaged neurons

●      Immunotherapy to remove harmful plaques in the brain

●      AI-powered diagnostics for early detection

The future looks promising, but none of this progress is possible without clinical trials and the people who join them.

Final Thoughts

Alzheimer’s clinical trials are more than just experiments—they are a lifeline of hope for millions. By participating, individuals contribute to groundbreaking treatments that could change the course of the disease forever.

If you or a loved one are considering a trial, take the next step today. The right trial could make all the difference.

THE POWER OF PERSONALIZED NUTRITION: A CONVERSATION WITH THRIVELAB’S VALERIE GOLDSTEIN

A Quest for Well-Being Interview with

VALERIE GOLDSTEIN

In the world of health and wellness, Thrivelab is pioneering a holistic and science-driven approach to hormone health, offering Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy (BHRT), Testosterone Replacement Therapy (TRT), Nutrition Coaching, and Life Coaching through its virtual platform. At the forefront of its nutrition efforts is Valerie Goldstein, a registered dietitian, certified diabetes educator, and author, whose extensive experience—including her work with Dr. Atkins—has positioned her as a leading expert in ketogenic diets, weight loss, and metabolic health.

In this exclusive Q&A, Goldstein shares insights into her role at Thrivelab, the company's unique approach to patient care, and the critical role of nutrition in optimizing hormone health.

The Q&A

How would you describe your role at Thrivelab, and how does it align with your expertise in nutrition and holistic health?

My role as a nutritionist with Thrivelab is to work as part of a phenomenal team of practitioners who collaborate to optimize personalized and comprehensive treatment plans for our patients. The ability to communicate seamlessly with experts from different specialties—including doctors, pharmacists, nurse practitioners, behavioral/emotional support specialists, and patient care representatives—allows us to provide excellent holistic care.

For patients, I provide lifestyle coaching. It’s not just about nutrition; it’s about helping people incorporate more activity into a busy lifestyle, brainstorming with them on how to be more mindful, and even guiding them on how to indulge in their favorite foods while still achieving their health goals. I follow up with patients regularly because it’s important for them to know that we are a team and that they are not on this journey alone. I share these experiences with the Thrivelab care team to ensure continuity of care.

What makes Thrivelab’s approach to health and wellness unique, and how does nutrition play a central role in its services?

Our #1 priority is patient care. Medically, we use cutting-edge bioidentical hormones, GLPs, and other anti-aging treatments. Beyond that, we recognize that medical care can be costly, so Thrivelab created an initiative to ensure that everyone can afford the care they deserve. Thrively is the only insurance plan for hormone health, introducing a new era of accessible and affordable hormone health management. When doctors dismiss their patients' concerns, they find us. We validate patient concerns and work toward solutions. Thrivelab helps people who have sought medical support for years without success. We enrich lives and make people happy.

Nutrition fuels energy, weight, mood, and many aspects of health. If patients are not fueling themselves with foods that support hormone health, medical treatments cannot work to their full potential.

How does Thrivelab personalize health and wellness strategies for individuals, and what part do you play in crafting these plans?

Communication is key. From the start, Thrivelab personalizes treatments by having patients fill out a symptom survey, ensuring each individual is treated based on their unique symptoms. I take the time to learn about and get to know the patient on a personal level. We involve the patient in the process, so it’s not just about the medical aspect. I feel rewarded when I can integrate nutrition and the social, emotional, and cultural factors that are all intertwined with medical treatment.

What role does a ketogenic or high-fiber, low-carbohydrate diet play in Thrivelab’s offerings, and how do you educate clients about its benefits?

We offer the keto diet as an option for patients because it works. Carbohydrates trigger hormones, and by minimizing this hormonal trigger, the diet helps reduce cravings, prevents fat storage, and increases energy levels. Patients gain better control over their food consumption. Reducing carbs to keto levels isn’t always necessary—just lowering them can make a difference. Many of my patients tell me they eat more and still lose weight after years of frustration from restrictive dieting that yielded no results.

How does Thrivelab integrate cutting-edge science with holistic practices to help clients achieve their health and longevity goals?

Most experts believe they know everything—even more than the patient. As a result, they apply the same approach to every individual. Hormone therapy is still in its infancy, and we respect that. We embrace cutting-edge science, learn from our patients, and use scientific advancements to support them. Our team is willing to learn, adapt, and innovate to provide the best care. We use each patient’s uniqueness as a foundation to tailor a medical, nutritional, and lifestyle plan that works specifically for them.

Your work with Dr. Atkins gave you a deep understanding of ketogenic diets. How have you seen this approach evolve, and how do you implement it in your current work?

The ketogenic diet has always been a metabolically corrective diet, and its evolution has been positive. People are becoming more aware of their excessive carbohydrate intake.

I apply the original principles of keto with every patient, emphasizing a whole-food-based approach:

• Protein supports the immune system, lean body mass, and bone health.

• Non-starchy vegetables provide healthy carbohydrates, fiber, antioxidants, and phytonutrients.

• Healthy fats (from olive oil, flax seeds, nuts, etc.) help lower inflammation and support hormones, brain function, and skin health.

None of these trigger hormonal imbalances or cravings, and we do not focus on reducing calories—our priority is feeling satisfied. Other whole foods are incorporated into the plan based on the individual’s needs.

What are the biggest misconceptions about nutrition and weight loss that you address in your practice?

Many people believe:

• They always have to eat less to lose weight.

• They must deprive themselves to see results.

• Eating healthy is inconvenient.

• Eating fat is bad, and consuming more carbs is healthy.

• The scale is the best way to measure successful weight loss.

• They are either "good" or "bad" based on their food choices.
  
  

How do you use your platform to inspire others to achieve their personal health goals, especially when conventional advice falls short?

It’s not difficult—I start with the patient. I use their world (food preferences, schedules, readiness levels, and experiences) to develop a plan that is both attainable and sustainable. They trust me because they have already tested conventional advice, and it has failed them.

How has your personal journey as a fitness enthusiast and mother influenced your approach to wellness and nutrition?

When I gained 70 pounds during my pregnancy, I knew I would face hormonal challenges as I got older. I struggled with excess weight, feeling uncomfortable in my clothes, and the uphill battle of losing weight.

Now, as I go through menopause, I experience metabolic changes despite maintaining a healthy diet and active lifestyle. Initially, I tried to fight it, but I soon realized that you can’t fight nature—you have to work with it.

I listen to my patients and encourage them to embrace this phase of life. It’s okay to slow down and rest. Prioritizing sleep and eating hormone-supporting foods—like avocados, which are high in healthy fats and fiber—can make a difference. When I’m active, I feel good. When I eat better, I feel better. I want to share these experiences and insights with others.

People are often too hard on themselves, and I aim to reduce that pressure. No one is perfect. We all have our struggles. Balancing nutrition and a healthy lifestyle doesn’t have to be stressful—it should be a synergistic process. I share my personal strategies for behavior change and tips from other patients that resonate with my clients today.

What impact do you hope your books and public appearances have on those striving for better health and wellness?

I want people to understand that it is not their fault if they struggle with:

• Eating the wrong foods

• Low energy

• Brain fog

• Insomnia

• Hot flashes

• Emotional distress

• Gut issues

• Hair loss

• Other hormonal imbalances

These are all signs of hormonal dysfunction—and they can be addressed.

Safe, effective hormonal holistic treatment with the Thrivelab team can help manage hormonal swings and symptoms that disrupt daily life. We help people feel like themselves again—to reclaim their health and well-being.