Empowerment

Is The Self-Sabotage Strong in You?

Lynette M Burrows

You’re a creative. Yet, something’s not working. Call it writer’s block or a funk, or whatever. It is keeping you from taking the next step in your current work. Maybe you can work, but oh-so-slowly. When that happens, you need to ask yourself a question. Is the self-sabotage strong in you? What is Self-Sabotage? Any behavior that your success, despite your own wishes, dreams, or values, is self-sabotage. That’s a big definition.  We human beings are really inventive when it comes to self-sabotage. We forget or make a critical mistake. Or we get on social media, play games (online or in person), clean house, or help others, or — the list goes on and on and on. Look at that list. You can easily identify “bad” behaviors. But some actions can be part self-sabotage and part doing what needs to be done. When it’s a dual-purpose act, you often don’t even know you’re being self-destructive. Every time self-sabotage succeeds, it destroys more of your self-confidence, self-esteem, motivation, and even relationships with other people. And when it succeeds, it convinces your deepest self that you can’t be creative or be successful or be the person you want to be. Why Do […]

Comfort for Your Monday Moaning Blues

Lynette M Burrows

Traditionally Monday is the worst day of the week. I get it. I used to moan about Monday. Every. Single. Week. And it never got better. Monday became a thing to dread. Until I remembered some childhood lessons. There is comfort for your Monday moaning blues in these quotes. Revisiting the wisdom in some children’s books might even be a cure. How much good inside a day? Depends how good you live ’em. How much love inside a friend? Depends how much you give ’em. A Light In The Attic, Shel Silverstein  Attitude is a Choice I think I can. I think I can. I think I can. I know I can. The Little Engine That Could, Watty Piper The story of The Little Engine That Could is about a happy little train carrying toys and food for girls and boys. But the engine breaks down on the wrong side of the mountain. Large, powerful engines pass by and none of them will help. Finally, a little blue engine comes. She’s never gone over the mountain before, but she thinks she can do it. And she does.  Next Monday, listen to your co-workers. How many of them are vocalizing Monday […]

How Do You Recognize a Strong Woman?

Lynette M Burrows

For the past four years, this blog has featured brief biographies of women. Each woman featured shows strength, but it’s not necessarily physical strength. If it’s not physical strength, how do you recognize a strong woman? Daring greatly is being brave and afraid every minute of the day at the exact same time. Brene Brown She doesn’t wait to be saved or given permission to act. Be faithful in small things because it is in them that your strength lies. Mother Teresa Sensitive, kind, and dedicated to serve others, Mother Teresa was a strong woman. She acted on her convictions and founded the Missionaries of Charity. Mother Teresa and her missionaries cared for people dying of HIV/AIDS, leprosy and tuberculosis, ran soup kitchens, dispensaries, mobile clinics, children’s and family counseling programs, as well as orphanages and schools. She put her own health at risk and worked tirelessly to help those in need. Strong women challenge themselves.  Where there is no struggle, there is no strength. Oprah America’s most decorated gymnast, Simone Biles is physically small, but she didn’t let that stop her. Her strength isn’t only physical. A focused and dedicated athlete, she challenges herself and works hard to achieve her […]