self-love – Dr. Danielle Clark

Healing your inner child

As a young child, I was a dedicated rule follower out of necessity. Survival meant adhering strictly to instructions; otherwise, I risked Dad scowling and calling me ‘stupid.’ I refrained from asking questions, spilling a drink, or making mistakes and I always avoided coloring outside the lines (literally, and if I didn’t color the entire page, including the background, Dad would berate me and call me ‘wasteful’). I did everything I could to obey my father’s definitions of ‘right’ and ‘wrong.’

Over the past two decades, I’ve embarked on a journey to unlearn this rule-bound mindset, embracing the nuanced beauty found in shades of gray. Despite this evolution, my inclination to view the world in my father’s black-and-white picture, particularly in terms of behavioral norms, rears its ugly head every now and then. It’s an automatic response ingrained deeply within me from hearing over and over how to ‘properly’ behave. Stand up straight, Danielle. Only speak when spoken to, Danielle. Do not accept things from others, not even a sandwich from your grandmother when we visit. We don’t need help from anyone. Don’t ever talk about your feelings, Danielle. No one wants to hear about your feelings…

Recently, I impulsively called my husband, Ron, at work to share little updates from my day and to chitchat. When he answered, his tone was quiet, ‘Hi babe. I just walked out of a meeting to grab your call. Give me a second.’

This sparked anxiety. The scared rule-following child within me was triggered. A surge of warmth and blood rushed to my head. I disrupted Ron’s workday. Not good of you Danielle. And Ron…Grrr, Ron. You shouldn’t have left the meeting…That’s not professional…What if you get in trouble?

As my internal turmoil intensified, Ron, upon finding a better place to talk, came back on the phone, “Babe, I’m so grateful you called. Today has been challenging, and hearing your voice means everything to me right now.” In that moment, tears welled up, and my lips curled into a smile.

I had, indeed, done ‘the right thing.’ Ron had also done ‘the right thing.’

My call to Ron served as a powerful reminder. The traumas from my past still surface occasionally, indicating the ongoing need for inner child work – Yes, healers need healing too.

This shared moment also reminded me that our intuition is our true compass and that determining ‘the right thing to do’ is only for the individual to decide. While I know all of these things, I’m always grateful for these beautiful reminders as they allow me to recenter and remember the true me – not the one that was conditioned by fears and limiting beliefs.

It’s my hope that, if it resonates with you, my reflections inspire you to reflect on your own inner child work. May this lead you to view situations and the world through the eyes and heart of your soul, allowing your intuition to consistently guide your path.

If you feel drawn to explore your inner child’s needs through a psychic mediumship session, please know I would be honored to support you in this sacred work. Together we rise.

PS – Here’s an affirmation to use when your wounded inner child gets triggered, “I have the power to cultivate a safe and nurturing space within myself, where my inner child feels heard, valued, and free to embrace the wisdom of my intuition.”

PPS – Do you want to help your inner child heal? If so, grab a pen and paper. Take a few moments to revisit a specific childhood memory that continues to stir up strong emotions. Dive into the details, allowing yourself to immerse in the feelings that arise. As you relive this moment, consider the emotions your younger self experienced and acknowledge the impact it may still have on you today. Now, close your eyes and imagine stepping into the scene of that hard event as a caring and nurturing presence. How can you offer comfort and understanding to your younger self? What words of reassurance or gestures of compassion can you provide to ease the emotional burden? Write a letter to your inner child, expressing love, support, and healing.

Bloopers, blunders, and how we’re all in this together

My friend Tori and I had our October girls’ weekend circled on the calendar for months. A few weeks ago, I shot Tori a quick FB message to make sure we were still on track. She promptly confirmed we were on. Yahoo!

Then, last week, Tori told me she hadn’t realized she’d somehow triple-booked herself with work commitments that very weekend; she could no longer go. What!?! Huh? Bummer!

Two days later, via FB messenger, Tori declared that she’d managed to rearrange her schedule and that our girl’s weekend was back on! Hooray! However, later that evening, I couldn’t help but notice the message vanished before I could fully read it.

The next day, I messaged her: “Hi there! I glimpsed your ‘I can come’ message, but it mysteriously vanished. What’s the latest? Are you in or out?”

Tori’s response: “Oh no! I was praying you hadn’t seen that message. Turns out, I’m still a no-go. Got all tangled up with client names and dates, and my eagerness got the best of me. I was secretly hoping you hadn’t read it, sparing you from my cosmic disarray – this retrograde has been challenging for me.”

Of course, our canceled plans and the back-and-forth were hard on me. However, I was glad to have seen her latest “I can come” message as it got Tori to open up about the phase of disorganization and time mix-ups she’d been in. This revelation gave me some comfort because I had been in a similar funk too.

In the past month alone, I managed to buy my first cinnamon broom of the season, brimming with excitement, only to absentmindedly leave it behind at the checkout. And then, a doozy – I wrote a check to my home insurance company for $161, meanwhile, the amount due was $1,261. How I managed to conjure that number is a cosmic mystery in itself. I even confused a student in my business class for someone in my marketing class, a blunder that left us both puzzled. Oh, and while running an errand, I locked my car, placed my tea mug and keys on top of the car while I attended to something else, and then left to go into a store without my keys – but, of course, I remembered my tea. I’m sure more blips and bloopers have vanished from my memory, but you get the point; I’ve been scattered.

The takeaway here? Whether it’s a retrograde, an overload of stimuli, or the sheer weight of stress, remember, we’re all in this together, dropping balls left and right. Let’s show ourselves and others grace and speak about our blunders openly.

Sadly, we’ve been too conditioned to present only the polished side of our lives, fearing that anything less would burden others or make us look bad. But by sharing our missteps, we can weave a beautiful tapestry of connection and understanding among the sacred people in our lives while giving ourselves a much-needed release. In these shared imperfections, we find community and a reassuring sense that we’re not alone in our wonky journeys through life.

PS – Here’s an affirmation to use when you are feeling insecure about your quirks, ‘I understand mistakes and imperfections are only perceived. I consciously chose to give myself grace and love for fully embracing all aspects of the human experience.’

PPS – There’s immense strength in openly sharing your challenges, not just the significant life events like coping with grief or facing a job loss, but also the smaller struggles such as staying organized or making everyday mistakes (like leaving a store without the item you paid for).

Grab your pen and journal if you want to explore this concept more. Reflect on the potential healing that can come from acknowledging and releasing your personal struggles. Consider how sharing these struggles might create a sense of connection and healing for others who can relate. Imagine the supportive space that could be held for you and others in similar situations.

After some thoughtful brainstorming, as it calls to you, consider taking steps to share these challenges with others.

Sometimes, less is more

A couple of Friday nights ago, carrying our yoga mats, my husband Ron and I entered our yoga studio for our regular gentle all-levels restorative candlelight class.

As we made our way to our preferred spot at the back, we passed by Ben, who was rolling his mat up and getting ready to leave. Ben, who used to attend the Friday night class with us, but hadn’t been in a few months, glanced up, his face displaying disapproval. In an abrupt tone, he asked, ‘When are the two of you finally going to step it up to a real class? I mean, how long do you want to be just beginners?’ I offered a wry ‘Ha’ and walked on.

While on my mat, waiting for class to start, I felt a deep sadness for Ben and his perspective. Instead of experiencing the warm love around Ron and me and realizing that we were exactly where we wanted to be, Ben’s ego only allowed him to consider that his ‘more advanced’ class surpassed ours in meaning and worthiness. What a hardened way to experience the world.

In a chest-opening yoga pose, my sadness transformed into inner pride. Our encounter with Ben reminded me of the limiting beliefs and ego I used to carry. There was a time when I resembled Ben, passing judgment on others (and myself) for not climbing the corporate ladder fast enough, for not ticking off more tasks on the to-do list, or for not displaying enough ambition toward goals.

How times have indeed changed…

How I have changed…

And this realization gave me and still gives me immense peace.

Today, I proudly align myself with what truly serves me. I still pursue ambitious dreams that resonate with my soul, constantly evolving and striving to excel in endeavors that excite me. However, I also find immense joy in simply existing without perpetually striving to be the ultimate best. I hold dear the smaller, simpler aspects of my life, considering them sacred.

In fact, I occasionally strive not to change or get better at the things I cherish, such as enjoying the familiar flow of a beginner’s yoga class.

It’s my wish that you always remember that we are Human BEings, not human DOings. Relaxing. Repetition. The familiar. They give us the comfort and peace that is our birthright; don’t let anyone make you feel small for claiming and enjoying what is yours.

PS – Here’s an affirmation to use when your ego says, More, more, more: ‘I recognize true growth isn’t solely about reaching greater heights and that it’s also about deepening my understanding, compassion and inner peace.’

PPS – Do you want to explore finding peace in the smaller familiar moments more? If so, grab your pen and journal. Recall a recent experience where you found joy and tranquility in a simple, everyday moment. It could be a mundane activity like washing the dishes, a familiar place, or a routine you cherish. Describe the sensations, emotions, and thoughts you experienced during this moment. How does embracing these small moments of joy contribute to your overall well-being and contentment? How can you bring more of these sacred moments into your life?

Summer detox tips for higher summer vibes

Summer is in full swing. The longer days. The festivals, celebrations, vacations, and the sunburns (that hopefully tan), the sandy cards, and the missing flip-flops. Or is that last one just me?

For me, summer brings a sense of vitality paired with a more relaxed mindset; the extra warmth and light (especially here in Florida) provide me with more energy (and sweat), a sense of deeper gratitude and a deeper connection with Mother Nature, especially with water.

Because of the light and bright summer feel, I’ve found it to be an excellent season to detox mind, body and soul giving me an even higher summer vibe.

In no particular order, here are a few detoxes I’ve incorporated and some ideas on how you can too:

Calendar Detox: Participate in more spontaneous activities, block off days to just ‘live in the moment’, and cancel plans that don’t energize you. Too much planning keeps us rigid. This detox invites flexibility and flow into your life. I’ve been saying ‘yes’ a lot more when an invite comes my way and feel more free and alive.

Cry: Yes! You read that right. Make space to open your heart. Read a sappy beach-read novel. Volunteer at the local shelter. Have a heart-to-heart with your partner while you’re fishing on the lake. Crying is a beautiful emotional cleanse that releases stress-related hormones and gives us a sense of renewal and emotional clarity.

Technology Detox: Easier, said than done, I know, but it’s so worth it. To get the full effect of a technology detox, leave all technology at home for a fun summer day out, including your smart watch and ask others who are with you for the day to do the same. If you’re not ready to go all in, you can commit to not watching TV for a week and instead spend your nights crafting on the porch or taking a long stroll in your neighborhood. Getting a break from technology has many benefits including enhanced focus, creativity, and productivity.

Hydrate! Hydrate! Hydrate! Water, fruit and veggie infused water, and organic juices are excellent for helping to flush unwanted chemicals (like too many peach margaritas) from our bodies. Summer favorites of mine include turmeric pineapple water and beetroot, carrot, apple and ginger juice. Iced green tea is also a great detox as it packs lots of antioxidants.

Sweat: Thanks to the mounds of sunscreen and mosquito spray we consume, our skin and body may be suffering from chemical overload. Regularly sweating will help to remove toxins from your body. Fortunately, finding ways to sweat in the summer is easy. You can ride your bike, go for a run, play pickleball. Be sure to shower soon after sweating to remove any residual chemicals. If sweating isn’t your thing, dry brushing can help bring chemicals up to the surface, allowing them to leave your body.

Breathwork: Adding breathwork to your summer increases oxygen flow in the body, improving circulation and nourishing cells. Oxygen plays a crucial role in the body’s natural detoxification processes. Yoga and long night time strolls are two spaces where I do deep belly breathing activities.

I’m sending you and your summer so much love.

PS – Here’s an affirmation to use to remind yourself of the power you hold in your wellness journey, “I design a life of well-being. My choices create healing and rejuvenation.”

PPS – To offer you additional support on your summer detox journey, you may want to consider starting a food and beverage log. If this calls to you, grab your pen and journal. Between BBQs and beers and extra sweets, summer can knock us off our health goals if we aren’t careful. That’s why creating a daily log to track your food and beverage intake may be helpful.

Write down everything you consume, including meals, snacks, and beverages. Reflect on how certain foods make you feel and identify any patterns or triggers that may affect your body and mood. Use this log to make conscious choices and gradually incorporate more detoxifying foods (leafy greens and citrus are great) and hydrating beverages (see above) into your diet as needed.

The power of perception

I have two clients named Anna Z. Can you believe it? How lucky am I? They’re both amazing women with unique stories, and I feel privileged to be a part of their journeys.

The other day I had an Anna Z scheduling mishap that left me feeling embarrassed and flustered. Let me tell you the story.

It all started when I had to reschedule a session with Anna #1. I quickly fired off a text to let her know and went about my day. Later that afternoon, my phone buzzed with a reply from Anna Z #2. Assuming it was Anna #1, I quickly responded with some follow-up questions. However, as the conversation went on, I started to get a nagging feeling that something was off.

Anna #2 on her third or fourth message told me she was confused. That’s when I finally realized I had been texting Anna #2 instead of Anna #1. My heart sank. I was mortified, especially since I had already had a separate scheduling snafu with Anna #2 a few months prior. Important side note here: I am not typically as disorganized as I sound. Promise.

As I sat there, feeling embarrassed and frustrated, something shifted. A little voice inside me said, “Danielle, what if this wasn’t an accident? What if Anna #2 needed to hear from you?” At first, I brushed off the thought as wishful thinking, but then I realized that it could be true.

I texted back, “I am so sorry for the confusion,” and explained my mistake.

Her response? “Well your ‘error’ worked out. I had been thinking about booking another appointment but was putting it off. This was the sign and nudge I needed!”

I couldn’t help but laugh. How many times had this happened where my perceived mistake had led to something wonderful?

This was such a good reminder that I wanted to send it to you: Things happen in perfect timing, and mistakes are only in the eye of the beholder. So, the next time you find yourself in a similar situation, take a step back, and ask yourself, “What if this wasn’t a mistake? What if this was exactly what needed to happen?” You might be surprised at what unfolds.

Sincerely,

Dr. Danielle Clark | Psychic Medium
drdanielleclark.com

PS – Here’s an affirmation to use when you’re worrying about making a mistake, “I embrace the unexpected and have faith that everything is working out for my highest good.”

Your ordinary is extraordinary

Two weeks ago, after a long day of teaching business to my undergrad students, I stopped at a fast-casual restaurant for comfort food. Even though I love teaching, sometimes between the commute, the stimulation overload (questions popping, emails flying), and talking for several hours straight while on my feet, it’s overwhelming.

The cashier’s warm smile and the restaurant’s local family vibe instantly shifted my energy – my headache began to fade and I felt relaxed, almost at home.

As I sat down and waited for my lunch, I enjoyed watching the owner in playful banter with the cashier. The owner had dark features, maybe forty years on him; the cashier was younger, deep brown eyes and hair that bounced when she laughed. I wondered if they were father and daughter. She couldn’t find a pen and threw her hands up in joking fashion as they talked about how funny it was they couldn’t spot one – Isn’t that always the way? It’s the same with socks. Where do they go?

Experiencing the adoration the owner and cashier had for each other warmed my heart. Lightheartedness and camaraderie flowed between them. Even though I wasn’t a part of their conversation, I felt like I may as well have been with them behind the counter.

When my rice bowl was ready, the owner brought it to my table – a pleasant surprise at a counter-service restaurant. He said with a smile as he extended his hand, ‘I noticed you were charged for chicken, but since yours is vegetation, here’s some money back. Thanks for your understanding and I hope you enjoy.’ His eyes crinkled at the corners.

My gratitude was overflowing yet all I managed to get out was a smile and a simple, ‘Thank you.’

For the next few moments, as I appreciated the flavors of fresh salsa over local greens and Spanish rice, I forgot all my problems. I sat in bliss, enjoying the hope and promise I had in humanity.

And that’s it. That’s the story. And here’s why it matters – the ordinary was extraordinary – the ordinary is extraordinary.

Customer-focused interaction, genuine human connection, and saving a few bucks significantly impacted my mood and day.

How does this impact you?

I want you to know (and to feel it in your heart) that ‘the little things’ you’re already doing in your day-to-day life – cleaning the house, holding the door for a stranger, helping your client with an issue, offering lunch to your colleagues, giving the Starbucks barista a compliment or extra tip – are having an extraordinary impact on others, even though you may not realize it.

Hopefully, you take this in and realize that you’re enough and that you don’t always need to do more to make a difference. Especially during the holidays, many of us feel we need to give more, volunteer more and be more. My story is proof that isn’t the case. Just be you!

You are enough. You are extraordinary.

Join me in spreading my messages of breaking judgment habits and strengthening intuition even further: forward this blog to a few family members and friends. The greater the shares, the greater the impact – They can subscribe here.

Sincerely,

Dr. Danielle Clark | Psychic Medium
drdanielleclark.com

PS – Here’s an affirmation to use when you feel like you’re not adding enough to the world, ‘I am not here to do, I am here to be.’

PPS – When was the last time you thanked yourself for all that you do and all that you are? If it’s been a while, grab your journal and pen. Start ten sentences with your name and then ‘I am thankful for…’ Then, complete the sentence. For example, one of my grateful sentences is: “Danielle, I am grateful for the way you don’t let rejection derail you from your goals.” For an extra dose of self-gratitude, consider writing a few of your favorite sentences on post-it notes and posting them around the house, reminding you how wonderful you are.

I self-sabotaged

My sister Kelley came to stay with me a few weeks ago.

Late one night, we fought about parenting stuff – we clearly didn’t agree on how to approach a situation with one of our kiddos. Words were exchanged. It turned into an ugly spat.

I walked away from our exchange hurt. I felt disrespected and undervalued by my sister. I was also ashamed for letting myself walk into an unkempt, fiery version of me. Although I told myself to walk away several times, that the argument was better served with my best self… I didn’t. I stayed for the fight and escalated it.

The next morning, I could still feel the emotions of the spat with me. I went to the bathroom mirror looking for a pimple or blackhead. Having sensitive skin and acne scars from my old picking-and-popping days, I knew to leave the extractions to the estheticians. But it was too tempting… I wanted a distraction.

I leaned toward the mirror and squinted, finally finding a blackhead at the crease of my nose. I dug and squeezed, pressed and pinched until that blackhead was no more.

Ugh Danielle. Don’t do this. You know it’s not good for your skin.

But what did I do?

More picking and squeezing until I finally leaned away from the mirror to witness a face full of red splotches. I looked like Hellboy with chickenpox! Why, Danielle? You know this happens every time!

I knew my face picking would cause more harm than good. I knew I’d end up with inflamed spots around my nose, cheeks and chin. But I did it anyways.

That morning when my sister woke up, we said our “I’m sorry’s”. While there was still awkwardness in the air, the tension dissipated. And as the day progressed and I started feeling better, I regretted my blackhead binging episode even more.

So why did I do it? Why did I self-sabotage?

Several reasons…

Because I was feeling low, and like attracts like. I felt in good company doing a low-vibing task (like messing up my face). And perhaps, without being conscious of it, it was also a way to punish myself for the shame I felt for not holding more grace during Kelley and I’s quarrel.
My self-sabotage was also my own form of escapism. I couldn’t focus on my negative feelings about the fight because I was too busy causing another problem for myself.

I’m aware that I’ve been down this road before and I need to be more careful. I have a long history of self-sabotage; of making a good scenario bad and making a bad scenario worse because I perceive a lack in some way. I’m not good enough, smart enough, caring enough…

If you self-sabotage, there are a few important things I want you to know…

You’re not alone. If you go to the gym and then binge eat before bed. Or if you keep racking up your credit card debt even though you don’t have the means to pay it off. There’s many of us in the same boat and with knowing that, I hope you’re kinder and gentler the next time you hurt yourself.
Spending time in reflection can help you better understand why you hurt yourself and why you add more stress and challenges to yourself. This will help you pinpoint where you need more _______ (fill in the blank. Self-love. Discipline. Healing). Hint: Oftentimes, self-sabotage is a result of unresolved trauma.
Your awareness can lead to a change in behavior. Knowing your triggers and your self-sabotaging go-to’s (blackhead picking, for instance) will allow you to better cope and create a strategy that ensures your actions stay positive, or at least neutral during hard situations.

The next time I get the urge to pinch and pick, I’ll think of this blog and grab a stress ball, not my face.

Here’s a few articles I found on self-sabotage that may help you (and will definitely help me).

Join me in spreading my messages of breaking judgement habits and strengthening intuition even further: forward this blog to a few family members and friends. The greater the shares, the greater the impact – They can subscribe here.

Sincerely,
Danielle

PS – Here’s an affirmation to use after you self-sabotage, ‘I send love, grace and understanding to my destructive patterns. I can’t change the past, but I will change the future.’

PPS – Grab a pen and your journal. Spend a few minutes thinking about what areas in your life you self-sabotage. Is it with money? Time? Relationships? Health? What’s the one area you want to work on improving now? Next, identify some of your limiting beliefs around the topic at hand which may contribute to your self-destructive patterns. Do you believe it’s not possible to get out of debt? Do you believe you’re not worthy of love? Do you think you’ll be unattractive regardless if you lose the 50lbs or not? Once you have a grasp on your limiting beliefs, write positive affirmations for each of them and use them every day for the next month to build up your internal power and to help retrain your brain.

If you have the chance, take it

I’m a business professor at a local community college and attended our large faculty meeting a few weeks ago. Our guest speaker was Steve Griggs, CEO of the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Steve kicked off his presentation stating he’d be giving away four tickets to that night’s game against the Boston Bruins.

I perked up in my seat. I love a good Lightning game. I’m from just outside of Boston too, so the matchup was perfect and it’d be a competitive game! And most importantly, I was pumped for this opportunity because just the week before, my husband had been given sixth row seat Lightning tickets but couldn’t go because he was in the hospital.

I pictured the joy these tickets would bring to me and my family, and I whispered to Spirit, ‘Thank you for sharing abundance with me.’

Steve then said he’d give the tickets to the first one who knew where his alma mater Wilfred Laurier University was. And guess what? I knew where it was! Ontario!

But instead of jumping out of my seat and proudly exclaiming the answer, I mouthed it to myself.

I have no idea why I did this. A part of me was spaced out and I think scared to be embarrassed if I was wrong (even though my intuition told me I was right). It was so odd as I wanted the tickets but something in me froze.

Someone else popped up from her chair and loudly blurted, ‘Calgary’.

Steve said, ‘No’.

It was now my shot to speak up and claim those tickets that in some unexplainable way, I already felt were mine.

But…

I stayed frozen. A woman excitedly yelled, ‘Ontario!’

A few seconds later, reality hit me. I hadn’t spoken my truth. I hadn’t claimed what was mine. I was baffled. And upset.

As Steve gave his presentation, the energy within me grew. I had to redeem myself, for myself. I had to show myself that I honored my intuition and that I was worthy of abundance.

At the end of the presentation as Steve exited the stage, I followed him.

When I caught up to him he was signing autographs for a small group of people. When I could, I went up to him and blabbed and blubbered some version of this, ‘I believe in signs and synchronicities… I’m from Boston… I knew the answer… My husband had to give up Lightning tickets because he was in the hospital… I couldn’t let you leave without honoring my intuition…’

Steve (unlike me) was straight to the point, ‘Do you want tickets?’

And I claimed what was mine, ‘Yes, yes I do.’

The next thing I knew, Steve gave me his cell phone # and asked that I text him. Shortly after I had four club seat tickets for the Lightning versus Ducks game that included unlimited food and drinks. I thought this game would be even better than if we saw the Bruins as my hubby had another week to heal.

A week later my family and I went to the game and we had an amazing time (my hubby especially was so appreciative), and the Lightning beat the Ducks in overtime to clinch the playoffs.

Thanks to this experience, I’ve been reminded to:

Claim what’s mine
Trust my intuition
Not worry about what others think

I’ve also remembered that it’s never too late to take action and make something I want happen.

I’m hoping you’ll remember these lessons too.

Join me in spreading my messages of breaking judgement habits and strengthening intuition even further: forward this blog to a few family members and friends. The greater the shares, the greater the impact – They can subscribe here.

Sincerely,
Danielle

PS – Here’s an affirmation to use to attract abundance, ‘I attract abundance with ease. I’m a magnet for opportunities to give and receive.’

PPS – For us to receive abundance, we also need to take action towards finding that abundance (after all we are co-creating with the universe). Grab your pen and journal. What areas of your life would you like to see more abundance? Career opportunities? Travel opportunities? Finances? Once you’ve identified a few areas, identify what actions you’re already taking towards your goals (i.e. you’re applying for 10 jobs a week; taking college classes to help drive up your skill level). Give thanks to all you’re doing (positive vibes helps abundance find us). Next, identify new ways you can take action. How can you enhance your mindset on the subject, perhaps becoming more positive and open-minded that what you want is coming your way? How can you learn more in the area you want to experience more abundance? What steps can you take to better position yourself to receive abundance (i.e. if you’re looking for love, make sure you have a plan to be out of the house and more social so you can meet new people). Now make your list a reality.

I’ve been talking to my pinky toe

We’re starting this blog with a flashback. Picture this: It’s around noon on a weekend, I’m maybe seven years old, and it’s time for lunch. I march down to the cellar – barefooted – to snag a glass bottle of apple juice for lunchtime. Apple juice secured. As I turn back toward the stairs, I slip and the glass bottle falls, shattering everywhere. One of the glass chards cuts through my pinky toe so bad that I lose feeling in it permanently.

Fast forward: I’m adjusting to crutches jammed into my armpits for months, and I’m basically learning how to walk again. No fun!

And now: Ever since that incident, I haven’t been able to move my pinky toe. And while the pinky toe may be the smallest, it’s actually one of the most crucial toes in helping us maintain our balance.

Over the years, I’ve experienced more and more problems with my equilibrium. My hip issues and the way I teeter while I walk are thanks to my lunchtime adventure for the golden juice gone wrong.

About eight months ago, realizing I didn’t want my issues to get any worse, I started talking to my pinky toe, hoping to get it to move.

“Come on. You can do it. Just move a little, for me.”

“I believe in you. I believe in self-healing. We can do this.”

Most times I’d talk to my toe in my mind, but every now and then as I put on my socks or as I’d get ready for bed, I’d speak to my toe out loud.

I didn’t see progress, but I didn’t give up. I kept at it as I know the power of self-healing. I’ve cured myself of regular headaches. PTSD. Arthritis. And more. I was able to heal myself with a combination of believing I had the power to do so, making needed lifestyle changes and consistently showing up for myself: mind, body and soul.

Recently (drum roll, please!), I made a huge milestone on my pinky toe healing journey. I can now move it about 50-60% of the time when I ask it to move. Amazing right? After thirty years, my body has healed a bit. And while I still have more growth ahead, I’m happy with my progress and have noticed myself walking with more heel-to-toe symmetry on both my right and left side. Among other things this has alleviated some of my back pain. Thank you, God.

For those of you who aren’t familiar with self-healing, this whole ‘I found healing by asking my pinky toe to show signs of life’ thing may seem bonkers. I get it. If this wasn’t my reality, I’d think it was bonkers too. But I promise you, self-healing is real and you don’t need to be an expert to cure yourself.

The #1 thing you can do if you’d like to heal an ailment is to shift your perspective and believe you can heal. Once you tell yourself you can and believe you can, anything is possible.

There’s tons of research out there on self-healing. I’ll let you find what resonates with you if you’re interested, but I will recommend Amy B. Scher’s book, How to Heal Yourself When No One Else Can: A Total Self-Healing Approach for Mind, Body & Soul if want to learn more about the healing possibilities you hold.

Sincerely,
Danielle

PS – Here’s an affirmation to use to remind yourself that you have the power to heal, ‘With the peace, belief and purpose I hold, anything is possible.’

PPS – Sometimes we protect ourselves from believing in something because we’re afraid to get hurt if the thing we believe in doesn’t come true. If you’re holding onto fear, grab your pen and journal so that you can work to release it. What are you scared to believe in? What’s your perceived risk in believing in this thing? What’s the worst that could happen if you believed but it didn’t come true? Now what’s the best thing that could happen if you put your fears to the side and started to believe?

Let’s celebrate

It’s been a year since I started this blog. Every week for the last year, I’ve set aside some time to write (well, except when I had Covid… and that one time I completely forgot what day it was… Life happens. This ‘being human’ thing can be terrific and turbulent all at once!).

As I reflect on this big milestone, I’m proud of myself. I’m proud I’ve been open and honest. For starting something and sticking to it. For putting out some much-needed positive vibes into the world.

Although it hasn’t always been easy (Eek! Should I really click ‘Send’? Will people judge me? Ugh. Do I have the time to write?), it’s been healing to put my life on the page and it’s been soul-fulfilling to connect with you in this intimate way. To know I have in some way given you a boost, insight or perspective warms my heart. Thank you sincerely for your readership and thanks for sharing this blog with others. I’m amazed at how well received it is and how fast it’s grown.

And I have to say is this: Cheers to you for working hard to break judgment habits, tapping into your intuition, and thinking and being bigger. Onward!

To celebrate my one-year blogging anniversary, I went down memory lane and selected some of my favorite blogs, listed below. I hope you’ll check them out, reread them and share them with your network as part of the celebration.

Expect more typos from me

This is where it all began. My first blog post! And the message is still near-and-dear to my heart: We need to kick perfectionism to the curb.

Liar, liar, my pants were on fire

Have you made a parenting mistake? Have you misjudged someone? Yup! Me too. What’s the moral of this story? Try not to judge others. Try not to fib. Own up to your mistakes when you can. And yes, I know, it’s easier said than done.

It’s not about you

I regularly struggle with my self-worth and need for validation from others. This blog post captures an important “ah-ha!” moment where I received an important reminder: Trust in myself. While I am not one to toot my own horn, the learning and the writing in this one is profound.

Do healing your own way

I am madly in love with my husband and appreciate when I can bring him into my art. This is a beautiful story of how we are all different and how we need to take care of ourselves based on what is best for us – not what the world tells us we need.

How I navigate impostor syndrome

Helping others navigate impostor syndrome energizes me. It’s as simple as that.

From shame to acceptance: it’s possible

If I was handing out awards to myself, this would win the ‘Bravery Award’. This is the first time I had been truly transparent about my herpes type 1 (HSV-1).

The weird is your oyster

And since I’m giving out awards (yes, I officially just made that a thing), this one wins the ‘Most Fun to Write Award’. It’s not everyday that I let my freak flag fly so high, and I loved every second of writing this blog and sharing it with the world.

PS – Since I can’t have you over for a champagne toast (how fun does that sound?) let’s celebrate in a different way. Here’s a one-time use 50% off coupon code you can use if you’d like to book a mediumship or intuitive coaching call with me. Coupon code: CELEBRATE.

PPS – Thanks again for being YOU. For reading. For putting in the hard work to make yourself and this world a better place. You inspire me to keep writing – and to keep going.

Tag: self-love