All the different relationships from family, friends, associates, lovers, neighbors. and even strangers.

When Love Turns Dangerous: My Escape from a Cult-Influenced Relationship

Ron had invited three members of the Rajneesh movement to move into our home. I didn’t want any part of it.

He said they were teaching him about life and wanted to include me in that journey; however, I was not interested in what they offered.

Their beliefs clashed with mine. They spoke to Ron about how society conditions us to live a certain way, but I had spent my whole life pushing back against those exact expectations.

I was raised by parents who tried to shape me into someone I was never meant to be—urging me to conceal the very gifts that made me unique.

Deep down, I had always embraced the unknown and moved through life with openness and flow.

Ron was now […]

Living in the Redwoods: A Tribe, a Guru, and a Truth I Couldn’t Ignore

We watched the last of them drift out the door, laughter echoing faintly as the house finally quieted. Another long, lazy party had come and gone in our rambling house just beyond Big Basin State Park, tucked in the Santa Cruz Mountains off Highway 9. We were about 45 minutes from Santa Cruz, living amid the towering Coastal Redwoods—some of the most awe-inspiring trees on earth, found nowhere else but California.

The house was a sprawling 5,000-square-foot haven on eight acres, with a vegetable garden out front, composting toilets, a deep well we had to monitor, propane for heat, and a gas stove that got heavy use. An expansive wooden deck wrapped halfway around the […]

Letting Go of Unresponsive Friends: Choosing Peace Over Pursuit

This year of 80 days has brought challenges I didn’t anticipate. I’ve had to accept that not everyone is meant to stay close, even when my heart wanted otherwise. There’s a quiet sorrow in realizing that no matter how deeply you care, some people won’t meet you where you are. I wrestled with that, questioning my worth and wondering if I’d done something wrong. Eventually, I stopped reaching for those who wouldn’t reach back. It wasn’t a sudden shift, and the hurt didn’t vanish overnight.

Letting go left its mark; however, clinging too tightly only leads to more pain.

We all know someone like this—the distant friend.

The one who’s always “too […]

The Fragility of Trust: Healing from Betrayal and Rebuilding Confidence

Trust is fragile—an invisible thread weaving together our relationships, strengthening bonds, and forming the foundation of our personal and professional lives.

Like the finest glass, once cracked, it rarely returns to its original form. Children are typically born with an innate inclination to trust, which is gradually influenced and shaped by their experiences, interactions with caregivers, and environment. The hardest lesson I learned about trust wasn’t just how quickly it can shatter and how painstakingly slow and demanding the rebuilding process can be.

It takes years to build, mere moments to break, and sometimes a lifetime to restore.

My journey with trust began with a single betrayal—by my father.

It took years […]

Eye-Opening Truths About Life – Part 15: No Explanation Needed

Prioritize yourself by setting boundaries.

Stop agreeing to things you don’t want to do, and start saying no—without explanation or apology.

Those who have taken advantage of you in the past will adjust.

We often put others’ happiness before our own but remember: you matter.

Your well-being comes first. Saying no protects your energy and creates space for others to step up and say yes.

Let go of people-pleasing.

Honor your own needs.

Self-care isn’t selfish—it’s essential.

I deeply value honesty, empathy, loyalty, and support. I have a strong instinct to defend the underdog, often stepping in during times of difficulty, tension, or conflict. I take pride […]

Eye-Opening Truths About Life – Part 14: Happiness Comes from Within

Happiness begins within. While it’s tempting to look to others, events, or material possessions to fill our lives with joy, the truth is that genuine happiness is something only you can cultivate. Placing the responsibility for your happiness on others is unfair to them and a heavy burden they were never meant to carry.

Similarly, material things may bring fleeting joy and are not a lasting source of fulfillment.

Ultimately, no one and nothing outside of you can create lasting happiness—it’s up to you to discover what lights you up and brings meaning to your life.

True joy comes from the choices you make and the perspective you nurture.

“Never put the key to your happiness in someone else’s pocket.” ~Unknown

It was a Friday […]

Money Can’t Buy Peace of Mind – Part 5: Finding True Fulfillment

Despite what many believe, money can’t buy happiness. It can, however, ease some burdens and temporarily distract from life’s challenges and pain. For some, wealth becomes a pursuit of fleeting joy—buying more things in hopes of filling an emotional void.

However, material possessions rarely bring lasting contentment.

We’ve all heard of “retail therapy,” where shopping is used as a quick fix for sadness.

Yet, once the excitement of a new purchase fades, the underlying emotions remain.

True happiness doesn’t come from what you own or the balance in your bank account. It comes from within.

Even with immense wealth, feeling unfulfilled, lonely, or sad is possible.

In my 20s, I dated and then became engaged to a millionaire. And then I walked away eight weeks before […]

Eye-Opening Truths About Life – Part 1: The Power of Forgiveness

Life is a curious journey. We’re born; we learn, face ups and downs, grapple with stress and anxiety, savor moments of happiness and love, experience wins and losses, and eventually, leave it all behind.

There’s no guidebook for any of it—we’re all just figuring it out as we go, doing our best with what we have.

Imagine if we knew the key to a truly happy and meaningful life. While I can’t promise the ultimate answer, I can share some insights about life that might reshape how you live or view the world.

Forgiveness is the Path to Freedom

 

Clinging to past hurts, harboring grudges, and staying angry with those who wronged you only burdens you, impacting your emotional, mental, and physical […]

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