Doré Frances, Author at Dore Frances

About Doré Frances

Doré Frances is a retired educational consultant, mental health advocate, and founder of Mental and Health Awareness—a platform dedicated to empowering individuals and families with compassionate, accessible resources. With decades of experience supporting young adults, caregivers, and behavioral health programs, Doré now focuses on community engagement and promoting meaningful change through education, storytelling, and collaboration. Known for her direct yet deeply empathetic approach, Doré brings a lifetime of lived experience to her writing, blending professional insight with personal reflections on resilience, trauma recovery, and personal growth. She is especially passionate about youth advocacy, emotional wellness, and amplifying the voices of those often unheard. When she's not writing or connecting with like-minded advocates, you can find Doré exploring the beauty of Colorado with her service dog, Aspen. Let’s build a more understanding, mentally healthy world—one story at a time.

The Transformative Power of Writing: How It Changed My Life

The Depths of Writing: A Journey into Myself

Writing is far more than another means of communication for me; it’s been a profound exploration of my soul.

Each time I write, every word I craft takes me on a journey that often reveals its meaning only after the fact. When I reflect on what writing does for my life, I see its powerful influence on how I process growth and grapple with life’s subtleties.

A Canvas for Creativity

Writing is an outlet for creativity. The flow of words sparks ideas and opens up a space where imagination can thrive. I find joy and inspiration in expressing myself freely through this creative process.

An Emotional Release

Writing about complex or painful experiences offers me emotional catharsis.

It’s a […]

By Doré Frances|2025-03-04T16:23:18-07:00October 24th, 2024|Why Wisdom Is Harder Than You Think|0 Comments

Understanding Attachment: How Feelings and Emotions Shape Relationships

One day, a friend called me in tears because his girlfriend had left him for someone else. I couldn’t quite grasp why he was so heartbroken.

I asked him, ‘Don’t you want to be with someone who loves you just as much as you love them? Someone who would never hurt you like this? She doesn’t meet that standard, so why are you so upset?’

It didn’t add up to me — at least not to me at this time in my life.

In that moment, I realized my perspective on emotions had shifted, setting me apart from others. For me, emotions have become obstacles on what could otherwise be a smooth road to happiness, while my friends seem to embrace and even […]

By Doré Frances|2025-03-04T16:20:52-07:00October 19th, 2024|Why Wisdom Is Harder Than You Think|0 Comments

What Was Normal in the 60s? A Nostalgic Look Back

It’s profoundly disheartening and frankly absurd that we still fight the same battles we did in the 1960s. That era was marked by profound movements that reshaped society: the Civil Rights movement, the Stonewall riots, the Women’s Liberation movement, anti-war demonstrations, environmental advocacy, the Red Power and Chicano movements, not to mention the cultural awakening of the Summer of Love.

Yet, we still grapple with fundamental questions: Do Black lives truly matter? Do gay and trans individuals deserve equal protection under the law? Do women have the right to control their bodies? And do shareholder profits and military dominance outweigh the preservation of life on this planet?

Incredibly, we made it through childhood in the 1960s!

Back then, kids were often exposed to […]

By Doré Frances|2025-03-04T16:18:10-07:00October 16th, 2024|The Sixties and Seventies Counterculture, Why Wisdom Is Harder Than You Think|0 Comments

Growing Up in the Sixties: A Nostalgic Reflection

I was born in San Francisco, a city teeming with self-proclaimed messiahs. I’ve encountered everyone from American gurus and spiritual teachers to private jet owners, Playboy playmates, self-help swamis, and even cult leaders. The city has seen its share—there are too many to count. Among them, I met deeply compassionate, unforgettable souls and witnessed more than my fair share of corruption alongside kindness.

I was born in 1953, right into the heart of the Sixties counterculture—a time of communes, cults, meditation centers, music, and alternative spiritual movements. Those years taught me countless lessons. Feminism, rock ‘n’ roll, the drug scene, the gay rights movement, and the sexual revolution all challenged traditional religious norms and left a lasting impact on many lives. […]

By Doré Frances|2025-03-04T16:14:58-07:00October 13th, 2024|The Sixties and Seventies Counterculture, Why Wisdom Is Harder Than You Think|0 Comments

From Hardship to Resilience: Overcoming Life’s Challenges with Strength

My life underwent a profound transformation after my cancer diagnosis and surgery. It changed how I lived, viewed people and the world around me, and what I truly valued. I let go of my regrets and released the anger I had held toward those who had hurt me.

I lived authentically for the first time, fully embracing who I was.

The following years were a journey of internal and external highs and lows; however, I finally moved forward.

Looking back, I realize that the pivotal changes stemmed from my cultivated habits and the unwavering support of those who genuinely cared. Sometimes, all it took was a gentle nudge or a moment of clarity to realign with my path and rediscover my purpose. Reflecting […]

By Doré Frances|2025-03-04T16:06:47-07:00October 12th, 2024|Cancer Journey, Why Wisdom Is Harder Than You Think|0 Comments

Seeing the World with Newfound Clarity – A Deeper Perspective – Entry 2

Dennis reluctantly agreed to “let me attend” the cancer retreat, though it was clear he wasn’t pleased. An uneasy silence marked the drive from Pacific Grove to the Santa Cruz mountains. As I traveled along the Pacific coast and through Santa Cruz, memories flooded back—after all, I’d spent five years there.

Upon arriving at the retreat, I called Dennis to assure him I had made it safely. That evening, while reading the local newspaper in the retreat’s formal living room, an odd feeling washed over me.

It was as if some unseen force urged me to take a walk. Without questioning it, I headed out, passing through a large iron gate and walking down a quiet country road. A woman stood opposite, […]

By Doré Frances|2025-10-04T14:01:20-06:00October 9th, 2024|Cancer Journey, Why Wisdom Is Harder Than You Think|0 Comments

Seeing the World with Newfound Clarity: A Fresh Perspective on Life – Entry 1

On the drive home from the hospital after my cancer surgery, I felt the chapter of my past life closing behind me. I sensed that soon, I would step through a new door, venturing into uncharted territory. The life I knew before my diagnosis and surgery felt distant, almost disconnected from who I had become. My drive and passion for running my temporary legal business had faded, but with employees depending on me, I couldn’t leave everything behind overnight.

My past seemed like a puzzle I no longer recognized, and the future held even more uncertainty. Although my intuition guided me toward the next phase, I wasn’t ready to fully embrace the unknown.

Dennis was eager for us to get back to […]

By Doré Frances|2025-10-04T14:01:48-06:00October 8th, 2024|Cancer Journey, Why Wisdom Is Harder Than You Think|0 Comments

My First Wedding Day: A Memorable Journey of Love and Celebration

I married on June 7, 1970, at St. John Baptist Church in Milpitas, California.

At just 17, I was young, convinced I was in love, and determined enough to persuade my father to let me go through with it. My first husband, Dennis H., was 21.

He believed that once you “seal the deal,” everything naturally falls into place, leading to a marriage like his parents—a classic “happily ever after.”

I was determined to avoid a marriage like my dad’s and Dotti’s, which they often described as “unhappily ever after.”

At the time, I was filled with joy, optimism, passion, and the boundless energy of youth.

“For as long as you both shall live”—a vow I embraced with all the gravity and sincerity of a […]

By Doré Frances|2025-03-04T15:57:09-07:00October 6th, 2024|Why Wisdom Is Harder Than You Think|0 Comments

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