As I’m snuggled up to my cup of coffee in my #joy mug, I’m feeling all the warmth and all the love for tomorrow’s #galentinesday talk at the Grand Traverse Woman Magazine luncheon. Earlier today, I was talking with one of my closest friends and asked her if I should really share a deeper layer of my story during tomorrow’s talk. I shared my fears about being so open and how I didn’t want to over complicate the message. She said a resounding “yes” to more transparency and reminded me that it makes me more relatable. While it feels scary to show more scars than I’m comfortable with, my answer must be a resounding “yes.” I say yes with love for each woman that will be listening tomorrow. For each woman who has been hurt, knocked down or has felt defeated. I will share and I will do it a thousand times again because no one is alone on this journey of life and we need to remember that we have each other and that we can draw upon more love and more strength inside us in order to do #brave things and move from “Rock Bottom to Rocking It.” BRING IT!, I say. I’m feeling a readiness and a inspiration welling up in me so deeply that all I can do in stand is gratitude. Gratitude for my journey and how it has grown me and my perspective on life; gratitude for my tribe - “behind every successful woman is a tribe of other successful women who have her back,” as my dear friend Kecia said so beautifully today; gratitude for my children and their courageous lives; and gratitude for the opportunity to speak my truth. With peace and 💕, Lindsay

 What are your dreams? What stirs your heart? What if you committed yourself to keeping those dreams on the table? Even if they seemed so far off that you didn’t know how they could be possible?

What if we claimed those dreams as if they were ours NOW? What if we felt our way into them with love? What if our life depended upon seeing them to fruition?

Dreams are so important. They are LIFE. And they are the whispers of our heart, beckoning us to #listen to their message.

Dream, dear one, and don’t stop. Take a step toward that dream #today. I believe in you. So does your dream.

My Grand Traverse Woman Article, Beauty from the Ashes: My Journey of Transformation, is now AVAILABLE to read on-line (link below). It is with great love and lots of vulnerability that I share my story -- I'm finding myself feeling deeply grateful.Lots of love, my friends!

Article on pages 6-8:  https://www.grandtraversewoman.com/jan-feb-2019-issue/

Tonight, I’m writing, feeling into & crafting my Grand Traverse Woman Magazine talk for #galentinesday on February 13th. But you see, this time, whew...I need to muster up all the courage inside of me and summon some serious levels of strength and gentleness all at the same time.

As I put my pen to the paper, my self protection screams, “don’t share! Don’t go back to the wounds. Don’t open yourself up to such vulnerability!” But the #wisewoman inside of me says with a reassuring tone, “Lindsay, I love you. You are safe. This is YOUR story and there is healing in the sharing. You are #becoming each time you choose to be brave, authentic and real. Dear girl, you can do hard things. I’m holding you close. YOU. CAN. DO. IT.” So, I trudge back to the tears, back to the despair and back to the tumult and walk along side myself with loving strength as I hold my own hand and remind myself how far I have come.

So, from this place of #real, I bring all the love for myself, love for my children and love for each person in the audience who will walk my story with me next week. “Bring it! Rock Bottom to Rocking It” is me sharing my truth...and I’m honored to do it.

From the ashes, Beauty was borne. From the darkness came the light. From the tears came laughter, joy and #hope.

This talk is all about claiming goodness, living true to ourselves and loving our way into a new reality — believing a bright future is possible for each one of us when we fall and standing up, walking, running and dancing our way into it.

I’m sending you all the brightest of smiles, and the highest of vibes as you cut your own path and rock your own beautiful journey. 💛 Lindsay

#writing #writersofinstagram #writer #story #courage #brenebrown #vulnerability #authenticity #wholehearted #wholeheartedliving #counseling #counselor #therapy #therapist #mindfulness #love  #heart #posttraumaticgrowth #transformations #resilience #brave #singlemom #gtwoman #empowerment

Dear girl, your laughter is contagious. Your bright eyes are filled with wonder and excitement and you glow from ear to ear by simply BEING. YOU. You can do brave things and you are oh so strong. You are capable and you have a voice. Your voice is precious gold and it speaks #truth. Creating is in your blood...Your artist’s heart cannot help itself. Your love is deep as it is wide. Dear girl, never stop dreaming and dancing and showering those around you with kindness. You, my dear, are the very one you’ve been waiting for and who you are is more than ENOUGH. Oh, how I love you so.

Running my little heart out by my favorite bay this morning. It’s absolutely gorgeous. My heart is wide and I’m claiming all the love for everything I have and everyone in my life. I’m taking a big breath in and feeling all the feelings as I get connected and ready for holding a sacred space for each of my amazing clients today. #saturyay