F*ck the Scale - Do not let numbers define you!

Learning to love our bodies at any stage is a process, but an extremely rewarding one! Don't let the number on the scale, clothing size or body fat % define who you are! Love yourself now, and you'll begin to see amazing changes both mentally and physically!

Are you sick of your own BS?! Then it's time to change!

Change can be very scary - but it can also be the most liberating, rewarding thing you can do for yourself! The only thing that holds us back is our thought about change. If we feel it's impossible, if we choose fear over faith, then we stay stuck in the same situations we are miserable in! Living the same nightmare scenario over and over! No thank you! Believe you can and trust me - you will!

Love vs Fear - which will you choose in response to the terrible events ...

The tragedy in Orlando has affected us all in different ways. Many from a place of love, and some from a place of fear. As we continue to heal as a society we need to be conscious about what we put out into the world. I am a HUGE supporter of the LGBT community, and I mourn deeply with them and their loved ones, as I would with anyone who endured this kind of hate. Please choose love, especially in times like this. We need to be the change in this world.

Do you Love yourself, or just respect yourself?

Do you continue to attract negative people and negative situations into your life and can't figure out why? I will give you some quick advice as to how to gauge if you are radiating from a place of love, or a place of self doubt.

Body Shaming, Online Bullying and Self Love

Online bullying, body shaming and the most recent events around #istandwithjoey. What is our obligation on social media? How do we impact others with our word?

Learning to Love Yourself!

Learning to truly love yourself is the most rewarding experience you can have. I spent 41 years transforming into who I am today, and I want to spend the next 41 helping others be just as happy! It doesn't happen overnight, but it does happen! I am proof that with hard work and positive thinking you can transform yourself and your life!

What would you give for one last goodbye?

My goal as a writer is to be able to tell people my story, with transparency and humor, in hopes that my experiences and challenges help them with their struggles. Today I am not able to add humor in my story, but my message is the same. Today I found out that my cousin, who would have been 41 June 16th, ended his life.

Suicide is not new to my family. When I was 18 years old my grandfather killed himself. I remember every detail of that day, what I was doing, where I was sitting when the call came in, and what the message was. See, my grandfather had always suffered from depression. He was in and out of mental institutions, and always struggled to fit into this world. I never quite knew why as a child, in fact, I was somewhat embarrassed by him. When he died, the paper said he suffered from an illness, a story I kept going due to the fear of ridicule and shame. Over the years that veil lifted, and my shame turned to understanding. My grandfather was a brilliant man! He was a chemist and enigineer for Uniroyal, helped the local police with investigations, made inventions and on quiet mornings - picked raspberries with his grandchildren. One of whom was my cousin Jeff. He would work with wood, making bird houses and numbers for people to display on their homes. As I evolved in my own life, I knew he was more than all that. He was an empath, and because of that, he felt too deeply. Being an empath myself, I understand what a burden that can be. He was religious, and went to church regularly, so upon hearing what happened, I knew he was where he wanted to be.

It took several years for me to admit to anyone that he committed suicide. Now, I speak of him proudly. I am an advocate for suicide prevention and depression, as I too suffer from it. I am not ashamed of who I am, but rather, am open so that others feel safe and find comfort knowing I understand. People who commit suicide are not selfish, they are lost. They are not weak, they are tired. The stigmatism around suicide is placed there by those who have never been affected, or who have been but choose to use anger as a method of healing. We need to open our hearts, through compassion and empathy, and reach out to help one another. 

If I end with anything it is this, please love one another. Life is too short to hold on to grudges, or shame, or guilt. If you suffer from depression and are feeling suicidal, please reach out to someone. I know often times it feels like the last thing to do, but believe me, the world needs you. 

To my cousin Jeff, you will be missed. I will always remember the sweet smile of the cousin I spent endless days with, running around grandma and grandpa's yard, picking berries, sliding down the hill in the snow and playing Voltron. You always have and always will hold a special place in my heart. I love you. 

Love and Light - 

Jenn

*****If you are feeling suicidal - please reach out - you are not alone!

http://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org