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Note: I had some technical audio issues, but I'm giving myself grace and publishing this anyway.  -> So often we beat ourselves up for not doing all of the things we wanted to do when we wanted to do them.  But, honestly, we need to give ourselves grace for not doing these things because we were likely not doing them because we were either enjoying life, taking care of priorities, or focusing on something more important.  We need to learn to graciously give ourselves grace when we miss the mark, drop the ball, or allow something to slide off the plate.  It's okay to rearrange and re-prioritize things without feeling guilt, shame, or blame.  Lean into what you DID accomplish and give yourself some grace for what didn't happen.   BLOG: https://freethymeliving.com PODCAST: https://cookingupcouragepodcast.com MUSIC:  Caffeine Creek Band Happy Go Lucky Day

Many of us feel stuck in some particular place  in our life.  Often times we'll just choose to stay stuck because it's "easy".  We often take the "easy" way out because it's sadly comfortable there.  We don't move.  We don't rock the boat.  We don't grow or change because we're "comfortable" in our chaos.  But...what we are really doing is  making others comfortable while we continue to feel unhappy, unfulfilled, and miserable. What if we decided to rock the boat instead? What if we decided to leave that job that makes us feel inadequate and stressed out?  What if we decided to leave that relationship that makes us question our worth and leaves us feeling empty?  It might be uncomfortable at first to make these changes...but taking the easy way out at the expense of our own well-being is ultimately the most uncomfortable thing we can do to ourselves.  Sit with your "easy way out" for a minute and decide what that is costing you.  Then...decide to move past the "easy" and into the growth and fulfillment stage of life!  You are worth it! Visit my blog at https://freethymeliving.com Visit my podcast episodes at https://cookingupcouragepodcast.com Music:  Artist- Caffeine Creek Band Track- Happy Go Lucky Day

I caught myself recently feeling intimidated, insecure, and slamming myself and comparing myself to my friends.  Why do we compare and criticize ourselves in such negative ways all the time?  We need to learn to love ourselves,  celebrate our uniqueness, and talk to ourselves in a positive way on a regular basis to build up our self-esteem and our confidence so we can have better relationships, better interactions, and better lives in general.   Watch what you say to yourself.  Be kinder and more compassionate to your beautiful self! Music: Caffeine Creek Band, Happy Go Lucky Day https://freethymeliving.com https:/cookingupcouragepodcast.com

Life is going to deliver bumps.  It might be an accident, a medical diagnosis, a job change, or a relationship change, or something else.  The way you respond to the change is crucial to your outcome.  Learn to lean in to positivity instead of negativity during these life bumps.  You will always float to the top when  you can embrace the lessons, learnings, and positivity during these life bump events.  Music: Caffeine Creek Band, Happy Go Lucky Day Https://freethymeliving.com

Sometimes you just need to stop all of the stress, kick all of the anxiety to the curb, and reset.  Give yourself time to rest, reset, relax, and rejuvenate wherever that feels right for you.  Read my blog post for more. Unplug, Reset, and Rejuvenate - Friday’s Favorite Feel Good Quotes #11 | Free Thyme Living Music: Caffeine Creek Band, Happy Go Lucky Day

Why do we judge people based on when they were born or under what circumstances they were born.  Give people grace based upon who they present themselves to be regardless of their generation, birth circumstances, or whatever.  Learn to give Generational Grace. 

Listen to today's episode to find out what forgiveness is and what it is not.   Forgiveness doesn't excuse.  It doesn't justify. It doesn't have to reconcile, renew, or replenish.  It just releases.   It gives peace.  It allows boundaries and freedom. 

"You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with,” this is a quote attributed to motivational speaker Jim Rohn. Who are you spending time with?  Level up your circle by spending time with  these 5 people who will level up your life! 1. CHEERLEADER 2. MENTOR 3. COACH 4. FRIEND 5. PEER Music: Caffeine Creek Band Happy Go Lucky Day

In this episode, I read an emotional letter I wrote to my 5-year old self to encourage that little girl from my past to drop the unworthy feelings she harbored from a neglectful childhood and embrace her true worthiness. 

Don't fret when you don't quite know what you want. Get curious instead! Discovery and exploration can be fun! Visit my blog Free Thyme Living for more inspiration!  Music by: Caffeine Creek Band, Happy Go Lucky Day

May I talk about Mental Health May is Mental Health Awareness Month   Unfortunately, the subject of mental health has always had a "stigma" attached to it.  it makes people uncomfortable. There are so many unknowns.  Mental Health issues can be situational, chemical, physiological, genetic, hormonal, temporary, or life-long. Covid and recent social isolation have exacerbated mental conditions for so many people.  There are too many diagnoses and conditions for me to even attempt to address. Mental health is the leading cause of disability claims in the workplace these days.  Mental Illness affects millions just in the United States alone.  Mental Illness can take on many forms...some are obvious and some are not. Some are mild and some are severe.  Many people hide behind a fake smile just to get through the moment, the day, the month, or the year. Many people deal with it in different ways.  Honor each person's way of handling it without judgment.  It's what they can do best at that moment in time.  They may laugh, joke, cry, seek attention, isolate, vent, get angry, distract themselves, or do any number of different things to cope.  For those suffering from mental health issues, seeking help often takes courage, honesty, and vulnerability. If you notice something even slightly "off" with someone you interact with often, don't be afraid to ask them how they are. Be genuine. And be honest with the changes you've noticed...but most importantly...be ready and willing to listen to their responses.  Nothing closes off a suffering person more than an apparent disingenuous conversation. Be sincere and non-judgemental. Ask how you can assist, but know that you're not the one to "fix" the issue. Be supportive without trying to rescue.   Let them know there's no shame in asking for help.  There's no shame in seeking help. There's no shame in talking about it with others.  Mental health issues can lead to loss of sleep, alcohol or other substance abuse for numbing or self-medicating purposes, stress, anxiety, eating disorders, relationship friction, several physical implications, the loss of the will to live, and more.    Offer to help find resources for help.  911 or other local emergency number National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, 1-800-273-TALK (8255)  SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) Treatment Referral Helpline, 1-877-SAMHSA7 (1-877-726-4727) to  get general information on mental health and locate treatment services in your area.  Some other ways to help yourself when going through mental health issues:  Limit time watching the news or scrolling through social media. Get adequate sleep or rest. Get out in nature--ground yourself when possible (near water, trees, earth). Practice self-care. Listen to what you need. Eat nutritious foods. Move your body.  Connect with others that bring you comfort. Avoid spending time with people that make you feel worse. Read, Watch your favorite movie. Listen to your favorite music. Pray. Meditate. Seek professional help.     Take good care of yourself and the people around you.  We're all in this together.  Remember-It's okay to not be okay! Music by: Caffeine Creek Band Happy Go Lucky Day

I'm celebrating 90 Days of the Cooking Up Courage Podcast.  My goal is to serve others, inspire, encourage, and be an example to follow.  I'm not perfect, but I'm committed to lead. Visit my blog post to see all 18 episodes prior to this one. Cooking up Courage Podcast – Check out the First 90 Days (freethymeliving.com) Podcast Music by: Caffeine Creek Band Happy Go Lucky Day