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.

My Life Before Bend, Oregon: A Journey of Change and Growth

Before moving to Bend, Oregon, in 2005, my life was far from empty. I had been living in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho.

In 2003, I left Pacific Grove, California, to move as far away from my former husband. I felt that if I didn’t leave, I would die, one way or another.

Leaving my daughter, who had just graduated high school, was agonizing. I couldn’t tell her what was happening; I didn’t dare. She was living blocks away from me with her dad.

In Idaho, I dedicated countless hours to launching my dream company, Horizon Family Solutions. The work was compelling, cutting-edge, and even fun.

I often spent ten to twelve hours daily in my office, including weekends.

This routine was incredible until it wasn’t. Industry […]

By Doré Frances|2025-08-12T16:01:12-06:00August 3rd, 2024|Bend, Oregon, Coeur d'Alene, Idaho., Dore Frances, Why Wisdom Is Harder Than You Think|0 Comments

Meeting Shaman Titi: A Transformative Trek Through Peru

In April of 2009, I embarked on a transformative journey guided by Titi to overcome feeling stuck in my career, educational goals, the loss of a great love, and past traumas. Traveling alone to South America to spend weeks with a shaman I had never met was a miracle. It was a step away from my comfort zone and past reminders. Yet, no matter how far you go, you carry your past. Titi greeted me kindly at customs. At that time, I was overwhelmed by loss—my mother, a friend who died of brain cancer, my grandparents, and even my high school prom date, who committed suicide.

By Doré Frances|2025-08-12T16:00:19-06:00August 2nd, 2024|Dore Frances, Peru Adventure 2009, Why Wisdom Is Harder Than You Think|0 Comments

Losing Everything Overnight: A Childhood Shattered by Family Secrets

Remember the kitchen where, as a child, you enjoyed meals with your family? You watched TV or played with your siblings on the couch in the family room. Your bedroom is filled with your favorite books and cherished bed covers. The yard where you played with your dogs or friends.

The barn where we kept the horses was a daily sanctuary for mother-daughter conversations, a place that always felt safe and comforting.

Reflect on your school and the friends in your neighborhood, the local ice cream shop, and the park where you ride your bike.

Then, imagine it all disappearing in 24 hours—no home, animals, clothes, friends, horses, school, or mom. No safety.

The day after my Aunt Connie’s piercing scream, our living room […]

By Doré Frances|2025-08-12T15:59:37-06:00July 30th, 2024|Dore Frances, Frances Cascinai (Mom)|0 Comments

Facing the Truth: A Powerful Admission That Changes Everything

I mask. As someone who is an intuitive empath and introvert dealing with grief, I often hide my true feelings—a lot. It’s incredibly exhausting; however, I do it because I’m afraid of losing friends should I reveal what I’m going through.

Right now…

Hiding my feelings means concealing my deep and unbearable grief, guilt, shame, and trauma daily. It means finding the strength to avoid having a meltdown at the store, in my car, with friends, or at home because I miss my brother so much.

It means holding back tears before every meeting or phone call.

It means masking my pain with laughter and smiles.

It means not mentioning the loss after two years because I feel I need to be over it by […]

By Doré Frances|2025-10-08T09:26:35-06:00July 24th, 2024|Dore Frances, Why Wisdom Is Harder Than You Think|0 Comments

The Power of Truth: How Honesty Transforms Your Life and Relationships

Mark Twain famously said, “If you always tell the truth, you never need to remember anything.”

What happens when you need and want to tell the truth about things you can’t quite remember?

This blog documents my many attempts to remember and to tell the truth. Most of my family members never reached this point. It also chronicles the numerous times I didn’t tell the truth. I was taught to lie, and it almost destroyed me. The cost was more than I ever imagined.

I hope this journey will help you find the truth in your life.

My grandest intention is that this imperfect yet sincere truth-telling will liberate you in whatever ways you need.

Some of the truths in this blog may seem like […]

By Doré Frances|2025-08-12T15:58:14-06:00July 23rd, 2024|Dore Frances, Why Wisdom Is Harder Than You Think|0 Comments

A Childhood Shattered: Confronting Loss, Secrets, and the Journey to Healing

At 10:40 P.M., my mother passed away at our home on 1034 Pumalo Street in San Bernardino, California, leaving us uncertain if anyone was by her side during her final moments.

My brother, George, and I spent the weekend with our Aunt Connie in Hayward.

I was nine years old, and George was six. I have faith that angels were with her in her last moments.

At 2:24 A.M., a piercing scream from my Aunt’s bedroom shattered the night.

It echoed through the entire house, a sound I’ll never forget.

I don’t know how my mother’s final breaths sounded.

Were they gasps or sighs? Was there a rhythm to her breathing? When did her last breath occur?

As I lay in bed, confused and scared, my uncle […]

By Doré Frances|2025-08-12T15:57:38-06:00July 22nd, 2024|Dore Frances, Frances Cascinai (Mom), Why Wisdom Is Harder Than You Think|0 Comments

Breaking the Silence: The Untold Story Behind Keeping Dirty Secrets

Gratitude can transform what we have into enough, and that’s the intention of this blog – Why Wisdom is Harder Than You Think.

The blog posts reflect everything I’ve learned over the past seven decades—my lessons and insights.

While they aren’t rooted in any specific faith, I share my explorations into various belief systems, including Atheism, Buddhism, Catholicism, Christianity, Episcopalian baptism, Judaism, Mormonism, Muslim teachings, and Scientology, for example.

Each has inspired me in different ways. My life has intended to grow in understanding and deepen my love for all beings.

I’ve focused on training the mind for six decades and sought spiritual guidance free from dogma and rituals for five decades.

This blog’s content is intense and may be difficult to read. Please be […]

By Doré Frances|2025-08-12T15:56:47-06:00July 21st, 2024|Dore Frances, Why Wisdom Is Harder Than You Think|0 Comments

Previous 2829