Month: May 2025

Grief is strange like that.
One minute, you’re just going to the dentist.
The next, you’re standing in front of a stranger, two sets of tears falling for two different mothers and one shared loss.

Today, I had that moment.  I wasn’t expecting to be reminded of my mother’s absence in the middle of a dental appointment, but there it was in a brief conversation about house cleaning services, of all things.

She had lost her mother too.  And just like that, grief cracked open both our hearts.

These are the emotional triggers no one warns you about.
They don’t always show up on holidays or anniversaries; they show up in:

• A photo that suddenly means more than it did before
• A voice that sounds like someone you’ll never hear again
• A random stranger who unknowingly shares the weight of your sorrow

And while these triggers hurt, they also remind us that love was real and still very much alive within us.

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💛 So how do we deal with them?

1. Acknowledge the Moment
Say it out loud if you need to:
“That just triggered something in me.”
It’s not weakness it’s honesty. And honesty is healing.

2. Allow the Feeling
You don’t have to rush to fix it. Cry. Sit. Breathe. Step away. Let the wave pass.
You’re not broken. You’re just human.

3. Talk About It
Whether it’s with a loved one, a therapist, a journal, or someone like me, don’t hold it in.
When we share our story, we create room for someone else to share theirs too.

4. Protect Your Peace
Triggers are real, but so is rest. So is joy.
Don’t be afraid to unplug, set boundaries, or quietly excuse yourself. Your peace matters too.

5. Remember What It Means
That trigger? That unexpected tear? That pause in your day?
It’s a sign of how deeply you loved and how deeply you were loved.

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Triggers aren’t here to torment us; They’re reminders of something too sacred to forget.

So, if today you find yourself suddenly emotional, caught off guard, or asking “Why now?”

Just know:
You are not alone.
And your journey is unfolding with grace, even in the most unexpected places.

💛 – Kay Hicks
https://2ndChancetoAdvance.com

🌊 Go with the Flow – Finding Peace in the Present

Life has a funny way of surprising us even when we try to plan everything down to the last detail. Going with the flow might be one of life’s most underrated tools for emotional well-being.

🌿 What Does It Mean to “Go with the Flow”?

At its core, going with the flow means letting go of resistance and allowing life to unfold. naturally instead of trying to force a specific outcome. It doesn’t mean being passive; it means being flexible. And in doing so, we create space to appreciate the beauty in the unexpected.

🧠 The Science Behind It

There’s actual research that supports the emotional benefits of this mindset:

✅ A study published in Psychological Reports (Csikszentmihalyi, 1990) introduced the concept of “Flow State” a mental state where a person is fully immersed in a feeling of energized focus and enjoyment. Although this is often associated with creativity and work, the same principles apply to life in general.

✅ Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) programs have found that when individuals stop ruminating and begin accepting the present moment stress decreases significantly (Kabat-Zinn, 2003).

✅ The Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) model encourages people to embrace thoughts and feelings rather than fighting them, leading to better emotional regulation and reduced stress (Hayes et al., 1999).

💛 Real Talk

For me, going with the flow means choosing peace even when the day doesn’t go as planned. It means I don’t have to control everything to enjoy anything. Even in chaos, there’s clarity. Even in the unplanned, there’s purpose.

✨ Closing Thought

What if today… you just flowed? Let the waves of life carry you; not to escape, but to embrace every moment for what it is. It might just bring more joy than you ever expected.

📌 Disclaimer

This post is based on personal experiences and general wellness studies. It is not intended as medical or psychological advice. Please consult a licensed professional for any health-related concerns.

#GoWithTheFlow #MindfulLiving #StressRelief #2ndChanceToAdvance #LiveFully #EmbraceTheMoment #KnowBetterBeBetter #FaithFocusForward #ThriveIn25

Obedience, Discipline & Walking the Talk
Some things can’t be bottled or boxed. They’re lived, breathed and walked every single day.

That’s exactly what this post is…a breath of life🦋🦋🦋

Let’s talk obedience; not the kind tied to being controlled, but the kind rooted in self-discipline. The kind that says: “If I can’t trust myself to do what I know I need to do, then what can I be trusted with?”

We all know what it feels like to set an intention and abandon it the moment life starts life-ing. To talk the talk but stumble on the walk. And that’s okay sometimes because we’re human. But consistency is born out of obedience, and obedience is born out of love: love for self, love for purpose and love for peace.

When you walk in that kind of love, the naysayers are bound to show up. 🫤🫤🫤 Whether, loudly, silently, passively or directly, it doesn’t matter. Their main goal is to distract you.

✅ Be aware of the distractions.
✅ Disregard the opinions that don’t feed your soul or growth.
✅ And remember who gave you the assignment.

You don’t owe everyone an explanation for how you move. You don’t have to be everybody’s flavor, because you weren’t made to be. You were made to be real. And real is more than enough.

So, if you’re feeling pulled in a million directions or second-guessing yourself because someone else doesn’t “get it,” pause.

Then breathe.

Then remind yourself that you’ve come too far not to keep going.

Obedience isn’t about perfection, it’s about progress. And today, progress looks like choosing discipline over doubt and peace over pressure. 🌱

Because if you can’t trust you…who will?
And when you do trust yourself, Chile watch for the shifting🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾.

Disclaimer: This post is a personal reflection and not professional advice. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, consider reaching out to a trusted mentor, counselor, or professional support network.

#KnowBetterBeBetter #2CTA #WalkTheTalk #ObedienceIsDiscipline #TrustYourself #BeYouBoldly #ButterflyMoments #LetThemWatchYouGrow

There’s a kind of weight we carry that isn’t visible.
It doesn’t show up on a scale.
It doesn’t bruise the skin.
But it lives in our chest, our minds, our spirits.

It’s the weight of responsibility,
of roles you didn’t ask for but carry with grace,
of preparing for what you can control while praying through what you can’t.

And let me be clear: You are not weak for feeling the weight.

You are not less faithful for acknowledging that it’s heavy.
You are not ungrateful just because you’re tired.
You are not lacking in strength simply because your body needs a minute to catch up with your spirit.

I’m not worried. I’m a believer.  But belief doesn’t erase reality, it holds it.

So, today if you feel the weight, you are not alone, and you are not weak.

Let this be your gentle reminder that:

Even strong people cry.
Even peaceful souls get exhausted.
Even believers need rest.
And when the load is heavy, it’s ok to just pause and be.

Let your exhale be holy.
Let your silence be a form of strength.
Let your tears be sacred.
And let your role in all of this be enough for today.

You are still standing and that is power.

Life doesn’t come with a scoreboard for good and bad. Yet, people are quick to label, categorize, and criticize others based on standards they’ve barely met themselves.

Let’s be real, just because someone doesn’t do what you do, or believe what you believe, doesn’t make them bad. It makes them different. And different isn’t dangerous.

So much time is wasted trying to measure everyone else’s journey, but here’s the truth:
✅ You’re not someone else’s final judge.
✅ Your way isn’t the only way.
✅ And your assumptions? Probably say more about you than the person you’re judging.

Instead of nitpicking others, check yourself:

• What are my real intentions when I criticize?
• Do I hold myself to the same standards I expect from others?
• Am I really trying to help, or just trying to feel superior?

Because this too is life…the messy middle where we all fall short, all need grace, and all deserve a chance to grow.

Being “good” isn’t about being perfect.
It’s about being honest, compassionate, and open enough to recognize your own blind spots before pointing out someone else’s flaws.

So today, pause before you speak on someone else’s life. Reflect before you redirect blame. And remember, every one of us is still becoming.

Let’s make this month about growth, not judgment. Let’s start by giving others the grace we so deeply crave for ourselves. 💛

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Disclaimer:

This post is written from personal reflection and shared life experience. It’s not meant to condemn, but to challenge and uplift. We’re all on a journey, and judgment isn’t the compass that guides us forward.

#KnowBetterBeBetter #2CTA #SelfCheckSeason #LiveAndLetLive #GrowthOverJudgment #ThisTooIsLife