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Getting to Know the Stranger in the Mirror
Getting to Know the Stranger in the Mirror
Have you ever caught a glimpse of a woman and wondered, “Who is she?” Did your eyes catch sight of her? Was her image altered? How long did it take for you to realize the woman returning your look were you?
When I realized I didn’t know what I was doing,
I was married at an early age in 1989. In truth, I was only twenty years old, idealistic, and ready to devote myself to family life, or so I believed. And, like many others, I finally got disillusioned with what I originally thought was the proper path for me. There were times when I questioned the direction of my life and even wrote about it. Nevertheless, daily life gradually encroached on those fleeting moments of freedom—freedom to genuinely know myself. Many attempts to connect to life’s purpose left me fatigued in an endeavor to feel a part of something bigger than my little corner of the globe.
Keep going
Twenty years have gone. By 2009, I realized my life had changed drastically. From my perspective, everything appeared to have been designed by a stranger, and the lady attempting to live it was me. I felt disconnected from myself, my principles, and even my own identity. Many of us have similar experiences and are faced with the decision of remaining comfortably hidden or pursuing the path toward self-improvement and authenticity. Despite my desire for quick and painless remedies, my trip required several more years of my life. Underlying my dissatisfaction were two questions: “Who am I? Whose life am I living? Although the answers were unknown, finding them had become critical. As a result, I committed to the task regardless of how far I traveled or where I ended myself. Today, little remains of the lady who started this adventure.
Taking the first step toward better understanding oneself
Initially, I decided to start therapy, which prompted me to confront personal prejudices about who sought counseling. This first step called into question my belief that I was coping with life. I wasn’t. The truth was that after a lengthy history of undivided commitment to others, I had become emotionally bankrupt. Therapy eventually revealed the need to nourish myself, but it would not be easy after such a lengthy period of neglect.
I started writing every day to explain and understand my road back to myself, which gave me strength on the hardest days. I took small steps ahead, resisting the old voices that beckoned my return. I realized that if I was unhealthy, nothing in my life could be healthy. So I persisted in my efforts to become the healthiest version of myself imaginable.
My body suffered as a result of the stress I was experiencing.
Regrettably, I was not only emotionally destitute, but also physically depleted and began to experience health problems. My mental and physiological stress responses were more pronounced, and my body became unable to manage itself. At the time, I was under the care of a holistic medical professional who initiated drastic dietary adjustments to address the physical imbalances. I cut off gluten, sugar, and dairy from my diet. I educated myself on healing nutrition, learnt how to find higher-quality foods, and learned how to prepare my own meals. I dropped weight quickly after changing my eating habits. Over the next few years, more than a hundred pounds vanished. My body gradually but steadily shed the protective coating I had been carrying for much of my life. As I lost weight, my body image and perception changed, revealing more of my genuine identity. My physical and emotional health were so intertwined that any change in either triggered and fueled a seemingly never-ending chain of events.
Getting closer to the real myself by finishing what I started
In 2011, I returned to college to earn my degree in psychology and social work while supporting my mental and physical healing. I enrolled in an accelerated master’s program in clinical social work after finishing my bachelor’s program in 2013. Education provided me with an opportunity to explore new beliefs, values, and a new self-perspective. In many respects, the time I spent getting an education encouraged and strengthened me to change the direction of my life.
Minor modifications that resulted in big changes
As I made small modifications, I was overwhelmed and disheartened by their size. Yet, there were some surprises along the road. I was instructed to compose my personal narrative when I first started counseling. Originally, the practice strengthened my comprehension of the details of my life, but it quickly expanded into much more. My creativity began to emerge as writing became a means of healing. I attended poetry readings on weekends, wrote on a regular basis, and experimented with poetry. When the voyage became too lengthy or desperate for me, poetry provided the solace I required. It communicated to me in a language that invited me to learn more about myself, and it did so without expecting anything in return.
Final Thoughts
These events have taught me to first know and trust myself in life. Every day, I learned more about my own identity, purpose, and voice. I began a completely new life. Everyone of us possesses untapped potential that is only waiting for the spark of growth. We all have the opportunity to become more authentic and live lives that truly reflect who we are.
I still have instances when my own reflection surprises me. I’m not sure who she is: the woman in the mirror. And then I realize she is exactly who she is meant to be.
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What would your life be like if you could become more positive?
What would be different? What would your daily effort look like? How would you speak to people?
How would the communication with your family, partners, and coworkers be different – and how would it be better? What about your ability to get out of bed early in the morning? How do you exercise? Your health?
1. Show more gratitude.
Make a point of thanking everyone (good and bad), everything (good and bad), and everything (good and bad) in your life. Find the lesson and the love in EVERYTHING!
Happy celebrating winning success woman at sunset or sunrise standing elated with arms raised up above her head in celebration of having reached mountain top summit goal during hiking travel trek.
2. Get up earlier.
No more rushing. Get up early and start your day by making time for you! You deserve it!
3. Only surround yourself with positive people.
If you can’t find any positive people, read some positive books!
4. Read or listen to something inspirational and motivational everyday.
Whether it’s your favorite inspirational quote, listening to a motivational speaker or visiting Everyday Power Blog, everyday! :-). Fill your mind with positive thoughts!
5. Stop telling doubters, non-believers, and haters about your dreams and goals.
Only share your dreams and goals with people who are willing to help you achieve them.
6. Pay attention to your energy levels.
Keep an eye on what you eat. Consider food to be fuel, and you will have the energy to become more positive. Being optimistic is a full-time job!
7. Get to bed earlier.
Sleep deprivation can result in depression and depression-like behaviors. Take naps and place as much faith in rest as you do in productivity.
8. Listen to music that moves you physically and emotionally!
For example, when I listen to Florence + The Machine’s Shake It Off….I feel fantastic! Every single time, without fail!
9. Find a charity you care about and give $20 a month to it.
If you want to give more, give more. If $20 isn’t enough for you, try a different amount. THE GOAL IS TO GIVE.
10. Write down and post your goals.
Have the courage to write them down, and then have the courage to post them in public places where you live. Progress equals happiness, and clarity equals power!
11. Read more books on personal development.
Find out about yourself. Investigate the reasons behind your actions. Investigate historical figures. Please continue to feed your mind with useful and empowering facts and stories.
12. Make positive affirmations to yourself.
Act as if, speak as if, and think as if! Every day, remind yourself of who you are, what you are capable of, and who you are becoming. Say it until you believe it! Change the conversation in your head to something positive!
13. Please stop comparing yourself to others.
You don’t know how anybody’s path REALLY was. All you know is about your path; commit to making it great. Focus on competing with who you were yesterday, and that’s it!
14. Concentrate on what you want and have, rather than what you lack and don’t want.
This is similar to expressing more gratitude in that you are taking control of your focus. Focus on the areas of your life where you are abundant to become more positive.
15. Meditate and visualize success.
Please set aside some time each day to simply be. To stop doing and wanting and simply be. Make time every day to sit or lie down and breathe deeply. See yourself as you are and as you wish to be. Be grateful. Just be.
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If your family considers themselves to be the world’s biggest Disney fan, put their knowledge to the test with our ultimate Disney quiz! Test everyone’s knowledge of their favorite Disney and Pixar movies, as well as the lovely Disney theme parks throughout the world, for a fun family night at home. So, what are you holding out for? Prepare to put your family’s knowledge and imagination to the test and see if a little pixie dust can help them reach the top of the leader board!
2022’s Ultimate Disney Trivia Questions and Answers
1. Question: What is the first item that Mary Poppins pulls out of her carpetbag when she arrives?
Answer: A hat stand.
2. Where do Winnie the Pooh and his friends live?
Answer: The Hundred Acre Wood.
3. What word does Thumper teach Bambi to say?
Answer: Bird.
4. How many puppies do Lady and the Tramp have together?
Answer: Four.
5. Who does The Blue Fairy bring to life?
Answer: Pinocchio.
6. In Peter Pan, how many Lost Boys are there?
Answer: Six.
7. What creature is at the end of Mary Poppins’ umbrella?
Answer: A parrot.
8. In Pocahontas, where has John Smith sailed from?
Answer: England.
9. In what year did Walt Disney World open?
Answer: 1971.
10. Who is Abu the best friend of?
Answer: Aladdin.
11. Who does Mr Stork deliver?
Answer: Dumbo.
12. In which year did Mickey Mouse appear in Steamboat Willie?
Answer: 1928.
13. What colour nose does Dale have?
Answer: Red.
14. What season does Olaf like to dream about?
Answer: Summer.
15. What is the name of Moana’s island home?
Answer: Motunui.
16. What does Tiana dream of owning one day in The Princess and the Frog?
Answer: A restaurant.
17. Which character carries a watch on a chain in their pocket?
Answer: The White Rabbit.
18. How many ships do Disney Cruise Line currently have sailing?
Answer: Four.
19. What are the names of the three hyenas in The Lion King?
Answer: Ed, Shenzi and Banzai.
20. In what park did Pongo meet Perdy in 101 Dalmatians?
Answer: Regent’s Park.
21. In which Disney theme park would you find Mystic Manor?
Answer: Hong Kong Disneyland.
22. In what year did The Lion King musical have its first performance?
Answer: 1997.
23. Where do the Big Hero 6 characters live?
Answer: San Fransokyo.
24. What does Judy Hopps use to record evidence?
Answer: A carrot pen.
25. What type of animal is Pua?
Answer: A pig.
26. In The Aristocats, what type of instrument does Peppo play?
Answer: The concertina.
27. In what year did Shanghai Disney Resort open?
Answer: 2016.
28. What colour is the Prince in Snow White’s horse?
Answer: White.
29. What are the names of the two water parks in Walt Disney World?
Answer: Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach.
30. Who enjoys playing Croquet?
Answer: The Queen of Hearts.
31. What are the names of Donald Duck’s three nephews?
Answer: Huey, Dewey and Louie.
32. Where do Anna and Elsa live in Frozen?
Answer: Arendelle.
33. What is the name of Captain Hook’s ship?
Answer: The Jolly Roger.
34. What is the name of the talking tree in Pocahontas?
Answer: Grandmother Willow.
35. In what year was the movie Tron: Legacy released?
Answer: 2010.
36. Which theme park opened on Earth Day in 1998?
Answer: Animal Kingdom.
37. What type of creature is Mushu?
Answer: Dragon.
38. Where does King Louie live?
Answer: An abandoned temple.
39. In what year was Walt Disney born?
Answer: 1901.
40. What vegetables does Rabbit grow in Winnie the Pooh?
Answer: Carrots, Pumpkins and Cabbages.
41. How many dozen eggs does Gaston eat for breakfast each morning?
Answer: 5 Dozen.
42. Who is Ariel’s best friend?
Answer: Flounder.
43. What colour hat does Dopey wear?
Answer: Purple.
44. What was the name of Walt Disney’s brother, who co-founded the company with him?
Answer: Roy Disney.
45. What does Rapunzel see each year on her birthday?
Answer: Floating lanterns.
46. What are the names of the two main mice in Cinderella?
Answer: Gus and Jaq.
47. What is the name of Mrs Potts’ son in Beauty and the Beast?
Answer: Chip.
48. Which movie does the villain Clayton appear in?
Answer: Tarzan.
49. What costume does Al wear to work in Toy Story?
Answer: Chicken.
50. Who gives Mulan her cricket as a good luck charm?
Answer: Grandmother.
51. Where does Marlin go to try and find Nemo?
Answer: Sydney.
52. Where do Carl and Ellie want to travel?
Answer: Paradise Falls.
53. Who is the only woman that works in Gusteau’s restaurant?
Answer: Colette.
54. In which year did Disney buy Marvel?
Answer: 2009.
55. What type of animal kills Kala’s son in Tarzan?
Answer: A leopard.
56. What kind of fish are Ursula’s minions?
Answer: Eel.
57. What does Merida’s mother turn into?
Answer: A bear.
58. In Inside Out, what colour is Anger?
Answer: Red.
59. What is the name of the goddess in Moana?
Answer: Te Fiti.
60. What toy does Andy want to take to Cowboy Camp?
Answer: Woody.
61. How many brothers does Merida have?
Answer: Three.
62. What is the name of the game that Vanellope belongs to?
Answer: Sugar Rush.
63. What does Alice eat to make her grow?
Answer: Cake.
64. Where would you find Disney’s Aulani Resort?
Answer: Oahu, Hawaii.
65. How many theme parks are there at Disneyland Paris?
Answer: Two.
66. What is the name of the little bear Kenai meets?
Answer: Koda.
67. What animal does Ratcliffe have as a pet?
Answer: Dog.
68. What is the name of the robot in Treasure Planet?
Answer: B.E.N.
69. What sport does Chicken Little play to impress his dad?
Answer: Baseball.
70. What is the name of the Avatar-themed land in Animal Kingdom?
Answer: Pandora.
71. Where did Disney open their first theme park outside of the US?
Answer: Tokyo.
72. How many gargoyles does Quasimodo have as friends?
Answer: Three.
73. In which movie does a horse named Buck appear?
Answer: Home on the Range.
74. What do people say hit Chicken Little on the head?
Answer: An acorn.
75. Who was Lilo’s favourite singer?
Answer: Elvis Presley.
Next – 50 Family Feud Questions for a Wild Game Night!
76. What year was A Bug’s Life released?
Answer: 1998.
77. In which theme park in Walt Disney World would you find Test Track?
Answer: Epcot.
78. What kind of fairy is Tinker Bell?
Answer: Tinker-talent.
79. What is Tiana’s mother’s job?
Answer: Seamstress.
80. What is the name of Captain Barbossa’s monkey?
Answer: Jack.
81. What utensil is used to create Forky?
Answer: Spork.
82. In which year was Minnie Mouse first created?
Answer: 1928.
83. What is the name of the submarine used to find Atlantis?
Answer: The Ulysses.
84. In Epcot’s World Showcase, which country is located directly next to Canada?
Answer: United Kingdom.
85. In what year did Disney+ launch?
Answer: 2019.
86. In what year did Disney buy the Star Wars franchise?
Answer: 2012.
87. What does Flynn Rider steal from the palace?
Answer: A crown.
88. What is the name of Remy’s brother?
Answer: Emile.
89. What is the name of the girl Gaby Gaby wanted to go within Toy Story 4?
Answer: Harmony.
90. How old is Aurora when she pricks her finger on a spinning wheel?
Answer: 16.
91. What is the name of the peasant friend of Maleficent?
Answer: Stefan.
92. What do Miguel’s family do for a living?
Answer: Shoemakers.
93. In which movie does a dog named Dante appear?
Answer: Coco.
94. What animals does Beast save Belle from?
Answer: Wolves.
95. What does Ariel use to comb her hair by mistake?
Answer: Fork.
96. In what year was Toy Story 3 released?
Answer: 2010.
97. Who is the only one of the Seven Dwarfs with blue eyes?
Answer: Dopey.
98. What is the name of the night-time spectacular at Hollywood Studios?
Answer: Fantasmic!
99. In which country is Beauty and the Beast set?
Answer: France.
100. Who is the voice of Woody?
Answer: Tom Hanks.
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It Is Never Too Late to Begin a New Path of Success
Many people go through their whole lives stating that I didn’t have a good start to my life so that is why I shall remain where I am. Many people make the error of not realizing that the beginning of their life does not dictate the conclusion of their life. People say I didn’t do well in the past, therefore that’s why I’m not doing much with my life, but what does that mean? It doesn’t matter what you didn’t accomplish yesterday, you have the power to alter your life right now, you can start right now to take your life in a whole new route.
It is never too late to begin a new path and elevate your life to new heights; the choice is yours as to how you want to live your life. Most individuals pick the limited life because it is the easiest option to choose, and most people are simply lazy and lack motivation. Is it you? Are you going to cower and allow your life be as insignificant as the masses’? What is so difficult about living an ordinary life, one devoid of excitement and exploration into the unknown? Cowards die a thousand deaths, while the courageous die only once. Step it up right now, this day is the day that you demand more from yourself and say I will take my life to new heights, I am determined to create the life of my dreams and I am the one who shall make it happen.
Believe in yourself and take action today; far too many individuals quit living at a certain age, living life like a robot, doing the same things day after day, without doing anything with their days but paying their bills. What a timid existence it is, what a waste of one’s talent to accept mediocrity.
“Just believe in yourself. Even if you don’t, pretend that you do and, at some point, you will.”
– Venus Williams
No matter how old you are, you can begin to create a better life for yourself by acquiring the necessary knowledge and taking the necessary action steps to reach the objectives you have set for yourself. It appears that the majority of individuals have no goals for their lives, which is why they seem to be drifting aimlessly in life; if you don’t know which direction you want to go, any path will suffice. Is that your way of life? Take a look at your life; where are you going? What do you plan to do with your days? What are the outcomes of your daily habits? Are you on the path to success or failure? and are you aiming for mediocrity or greatness?
It makes no difference how you have lived your life thus far; you have everything within you to live life to your highest ideal. There is a common misconception that successful people have something special about them that allows them to succeed, but this is not the case; successful people set goals, make plans, invest in themselves, prioritize self-education over entertainment, and take daily consistent action. The persistent effort to be the greatest that they can be is what distinguishes the successful from the unsuccessful.
You are more than you appear to be; with the appropriate knowledge and action, you can grow and develop yourself, and your mind will awaken to the realization that you have what it takes to succeed. The early stages of awakening necessitate that you have faith in the journey and in yourself, set big goals that you will grow into, take 10X action steps, and make success your responsibility; otherwise, you will be confined to the life of the majority who live the slave life, trapped in someone else’s dream because they never had the courage to start on their own dreams; is that how you want your life to be?
“Suffer the pain of discipline, or suffer the pain of regret.”
Jim Rohn
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