Personal Journey

Everyone is on their own personal journey seeking their own truth. In order to grow, you have to come to an understanding that no matter who you wish others to be, people are the way they are. Things are the way they are. We suffer because we imagined different. 

Be humble, be gentle in every way. Be patient with each other and lovingly accept each other. Ephesians 4:2

Self awareness

If you are still searching for that one person who will change your life look in the mirror. Because when you know yourself, you will be empowered. However, when you accept yourself you will be invincible. Unless you learn to face your shadows, you will continue to see them in others. Because the world inside you is only a reflection of the world inside you. I ask, true or false: You one live once? False! You live everyday, you only die once.

Respect and Worth

Know your worth. When someone treats you like you're just one of many options, help them narrow their choice by removing yourself from the equation. Sometimes you have to try not to care, no matter how much you do. Because sometimes you can mean almost nothing to someone who means so much to you. It's not pride, it's self-respect. Don't give part-time people a full-time position in your life. Know your value and what you have to offer, and never settle for anything else than what you deserve. The saddest moment is when you lost respect for someone you really cared about. Every man should strive to be the type of man you would want your daughter to be with. Also, remember money cannot buy, manners, morals, respect, character, common sense, trust, patients, class, integrity, and love. 

Exhausted

I am exhausted from trying to be stronger than I feel...  Please do not add stress to my already stressful life. I don't have time for bullshit or drama.

Blah

She loved too much and you can see it in her eyes, where she kept all the hearts she put ahead of her own. She was exhausted from trying to be stronger than she felt. And all of a sudden she felt really tired. Like the world drained had her for everything she had. 

Love is

Love is patient, love is kind.

It does not envy, it does not boast,

it is not proud.

It is not rude, it is not self-seeking,

it is not easily angered,

it keeps no record of wrongs.

Love does not delight in evil

but rejoices with the truth.

It always protects, always trusts,

always hopes, always perseveres.

Love never fails. 

 Author: The Bible: 1 Corinthians 13:4

February

I just kind of exist 

Give me the wisdom to know what must be done and the courage to do it 

Broken crayons still color 

I've always been afraid of losing people I love. Sometimes I wonder if there is anyone out there afraid to lose me

Special yesterday, unwanted today 

The beautiful thing about reading old books, is realizing all your struggles aren't a you thing but a human thing 

You can't break something that is already broken; and sadden someone who is already sad 

I'm the person everyone replaces after a while 

And if I asked you to name all the things that you love, how long would it take for you to name yourself 

I'm in the hunt for who I've not yet become 

Ask yourself if what you're doing today is getting you closer to where you want to be tomorrow 

I stopped explaining myself when I realized people only understand from their level of perception 

You were a chapter in my book and I was merely a line in yours 

Always remember that the future comes one day at a time 

My to do list for today -

*count my blessings 

*Practice kindness 

*Let go of what I can't control 

*Listen to my heart 

*Be productive yet calm 

*Just breathe 

Once upon a time you were a little girl with big dreams that you promised your make real one day. Don't disappoint yourself. 

Love= compassion, support, friendliness, encouragement, appreciation, and cherishing. 

Call

Phoenix House’s adolescent programs provide drug and alcohol addiction treatment. Our outpatient services include both intensive (nine hours a week) and traditional (fewer than nine hours a week) options. Both services include: comprehensive assessment; individual, group, and family counseling; psycho-educational therapy groups; case management; life-skills education; drug testing; and recreational activities. Phoenix House’s adult intensive outpatient program individual, family, and group counseling addressing substance abuse, family dynamics, physical effects of drugs, grief/loss, and how to sustain a successful recovery. 

We accept insurance, Medicaid, private pay, and also for those who qualify state funding to cover the cost of treatment. Flexible scheduling for clients attending school.

Please think of us when referring your next client.

2345 Regan Street, Dallas, TX, 75219

469.781.6109

Workplace Drama

Everyone has experience workplace drama. Talk about a tense environment, where rumors and cliques can cause uncomfortable situations. 

One solution is to either ignore and or take action. Go to the source and address what has been said. If you do not feel comfortable contact a supervisor and request a meeting to discuss your concerns. The longer you wait allows the tension to increase. 

Another solution is to stay away from people who are part of the rumors or always have a negative attitude.

Don’t respond immediately and add to the chaos. Take time to evaluate the circumstances before responding. It is important to allow the shock to wear off and respond. 

It is important always to be aware of your actions and words. It is also important to remember it’s not always what’s said, but how it is said. In the workplace, let the work you do speak for you. Have a reputation for being a hard worker instead of a negative label.

Be open to others’ thoughts. Self-reflection is very powerful. It takes a big person to take a look in the mirror, take responsibility, and own their part in the chaos.

Challenge yourself daily in your work environment to make the best day possible for yourself and for those around you.

Run

My heart swings back and forth between the need for routine and the urge to run. 

Rest in peace

So I was sitting in my office and this lady said excuse me I turned around and she said omg ms virani do u remember me I said no sorry I don't she said I'm gabbys mom. 

Gabby is a client I had at Dallas county she was 17 I was her counselor after she discharged she kept in contact with me for aftercare and she was doing well.

I said to her mom, "oh my gosh I haven't heard from her since March where is she how is she?"

She started to tear up and said gabby passed away she was in a car accident and was in a vegetative state and so after 30 days we pulled the plug 

Her mom came today to pick up gabbys $ be she had credit left over 

Gabby was getting treatment at my clinc

She was only 19 when she died 

She was born 1995 her birthday was in June she would have been 20. 

Let Go and Move Forward

“Some people believe holding on and hanging in there are signs of great strength. However, there are times when it takes much more strength to know when to let go and then do it.”

―Ann Landers

Just because something was right for you in the past doesn’t mean it still is.  This could be a relationship, a job, a habit, etc.

As you grow you discover more about who you are and what you want out of life, and then you realize there are changes you need to make. 

The lifestyle you’ve been living no longer fits.  The specific people and routines you’ve known forever no longer align with your values.  

If you’re currently dealing with this process you may feel a bit awkward, this feeling is normal.  

Reasons to Let Go and Move On

Someone’s negativity is rubbing off on you. – You are the average of the people you spend the most time with.  In other words, who you spend your time with has a great impact on the person you are and the person you become.  If you are around cynical and negative people all the time, you will become cynical and negative.

You have grown apart from someone.– Sad but true, no matter what you do or how much you explain yourself, some people will gradually evolve away from your core values.  As time goes on they will prove over and over again that they are committed to misunderstanding you and clashing with your needs.

You are truly unhappy with your current circumstances. – It’s always better to be struggling at something you love than succeeding diligently at something you despise.  

Your goals and needs have changed. – What was right for you then is not necessarily right for you now.  Sometimes the hardest part isn’t letting go but rather realizing that you have changed, and then learning to start over with your new truth.

Fear is holding you back. – Part of letting go and moving on is facing the fears and disappointments of the past that are binding your spirit.

You catch yourself living in the past. – If all you do is attempt to relive something that has already happened, you’re missing out.  The mental space you create by letting go of things that are already behind you gives you the ability to fill the space with something fresh and fun.

An old grudge is still hurting you. – Holding on to the weight of anger, resentment and hatred will not only hold you back, but also block your present blessings and opportunities.  You’ve just got to drop some things to move forward.

You aren’t learning anything new. – All positive change is the end result of learning.  If you aren’t learning, you’re simply dying slowly.

Ways to Let Go and Move On

Holding on is like believing that there’s only a past; letting go and moving on is knowing in your heart that there’s a bright future ahead.  Let’s take a look at eight ways to design the latter.

Accept the truth and be thankful. – To let go is to be thankful for the experiences that made you laugh, made you cry, and helped you learn and grow.  It’s the acceptance of everything you have, everything you once had, and the possibilities that lie ahead.  It’s all about finding the strength to embrace life’s changes, to trust your intuition, to learn as you go, to realize that every experience has value, and to continue taking positive steps forward.  

Distance yourself for a while. – Sometimes you need to take several steps back in order to gain clarity on a situation.  The best way to do this is to simply take a break and explore something else for a while.  Why?  So you can return to where you started and see things with a new set of eyes.  And the people there may see you differently too.  Returning where you started is entirely different than never leaving.

Focus only on what can be changed. – Realize that not everything in life is meant to be modified or perfectly understood.  Live, let go, learn what you can and don’t waste energy worrying about the things you can’t change.  Focus exclusively on what you can change, and if you can’t change something you don’t like, change the way you think about it.  Review your options and then re-frame what you don’t like into a starting point for achieving something better.

Claim ownership and full control of your life. – No one else is responsible for you.  You are in full control of your life so long as you claim it and own it.  Through the grapevine, you may have learned that you should blame your parents, your teachers, your mentors, the education system, the government, etc., but never to blame yourself.  Right?  It’s never, ever your fault… WRONG!  It’s always your fault, because if you want to change, if you want to let go and move on with your life, you’re the only person who can make it happen.

Focus inward. – It’s important to make a difference in the world.  Yes, it’s important to help people, but you have to start with yourself.  If you’re looking outside yourself to find where you fit in or how you can create an impact, stop and look inside yourself instead.  Review who you already are, the lifestyle you’re currently living, and what makes you feel alive.  Then nurture these things and make positive adjustments until your current life can no longer contain them, forcing you to grow and move beyond your current circumstances.

Change the people around you. – Some people come into your life just to strengthen you, so you can move on without them.  They are supposed to be part of your memory, not your destiny.  The bottom line is that when you have to start compromising your happiness and your potential for the people around you, it’s time to change the people around you.  It’s time to join local meet-ups, attend conferences, network online!

Take a chance. – When life sets you up with a challenge, there’s a reason for it; it’s meant to test your courage and willingness to make a change and take a chance on something new.  There’s no point in denying that things are different now, or being fearful of the next step.  The challenge will not wait even if you hesitate.  

Life only moves in one direction – forward.  This challenge is your chance to let go of the old and make way for the new.  Your destiny awaits your decision.  

Focus on today. – You can decide right now that negative experiences from your past will not predict your future.  Figure out what the next positive step is, no matter how small or difficult, and take it.  Ultimately, the only thing you can ever really do is to keep moving forward.  Take that leap without hesitation, without looking back.  Simply forget the past, look straight ahead and forge toward the future.

Releasing Anxiety, Releasing Stress, and Healing the Past

Releasing Anxiety 

I feel all the emotions that arise in me. 

If ever I am feeling anxious, I take a moment to ask myself why I am feelings this way. If I am worried about something that is out of my control, there is no point in worrying about it, simply because I have no control over the situation. If I am worried about something that is in my control, I don't need to worry because I am in control of the situation. 

If anxiety visits me, I stop what I am doing and notice my feelings. I close my eyes and focus on my breathing. 

Inhale. Hold. Exhale.

I release myself from the moment of anxiety. I am clam, I am safe, I am love, I am peace. All is well with me. 

Releasing Stress 

Whenever I fell tense or stressed, I take a moment to stop what I am doing, close my eyes and take a few deep breaths. I quiet my mind and envision all of the tension in my body being lifted away with the breeze. I remind myself that I have all the time that I need to complete whatever it is that I need to do. I do not need to rush or struggle with anything. I release all stress and tension from my body easily. I replace that pain with peace. 

Once my heart is calm and relaxed, I look into the reasons why I may have been feeling stressed and I look for better ways to manage my situation. 

Stress is just a feeling that I create with my thoughts. Thankfully, I have the power to change my thoughts at any time. 

Healing the Past 

There is no need for me to hold onto the past for it is over and done with. I now choose to let go of any hurt, anger or resentment that I have been holding on to. I no longer wish to feel any feelings of guilt. I accept my past for what it is. I forgive myself and I am able to start forgiving those who may have previously hurt me. Forgiving them is not accepting their behavior or their actions, it simply allows me to cut all cords that tie me to that person. 

I release myself from my past. I let go all the negative experiences and I no longer allow them to have any power over me. I am grateful for all the lessons that I have learned through my past experiences. 

Today I make peace with my past and I begin to live in the present moment, which is all there ever is. 

Suicidal Thoughts

This is tough because when suicidal thoughts show up, they don’t just go away when you want them to. They taint every part of you with darkness, it poisons all feelings. One way to prevent suicidal thoughts is by learning the Al Anon acronym for handling emotional overload:

HALT: You can keep terrible, defeating thoughts away, even if they have been haunting you. Don’t let yourself ever get too hungry, angry, lonely, or tired. If it starts to happen, correct, and change what is happening immediately. Make your own comfort a top priority.

A lot of you at this point would ask the same question I do, why? Why does it even matter? Because you matter! You matter to a lot of people who know you. You are aware of some of the people who care about you, but there are others, many others, who would miss you terribly if you were gone.

Take care of yourself when you start to feel pain. Feed yourself, rest, find a friend who lifts you when the sadness comes, and talk out your anger. Look together for solutions. When you feel angry and you notice you are stuck feeling upset, ask yourself: What can I do for me that will make things better, just for myself and right now?” Focus on something that will empower you. You can’t change others, but you can empower yourself. Practice self-care. Make your survival your top priority. Watch out for your own feelings; respect them, and keep your inner mood as light as possible. 

You might feel that no one can help you. Maybe you don’t want to disturb them or you are too embarrassed to share. The truth is that people love to help their friends and family. What might look like a big secret for you, will sound much smaller to them. Ask for their help and support in a very frank way: “I need your support and help. Can you help me?”

If you feel that you can’t trust anyone, there is still a good solution. You can find support at www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org/

Suicidal thoughts like any other thoughts are temporary and eventually are replaced with new thoughts. Become a part of the solution. Keep in mind that suicidal thoughts can kill, but they don’t have to. If you recognize today that you are not your suicidal thoughts, but you are just a person who has temporary suicidal thoughts, than you can get help in time. Give yourself a gift–care for you, remember there is help out there, and reach out to get support. Have faith in your power to heal your pain.

Seven Deadly Sins

The Seven Deadly Sins: Pride, Gluttony, Greed, Lust, Sloth, Wrath, and Envy. 

Although all these sins are dangerous to a person’s soul, there is one that stands out: pride. Pride is one of the worst sins on this list because it taints every virtue, and makes salvation much harder to obtain. 

If you have humility, but also have pride, this is what you get: If a soul tainted with pride wishes to have humility, he may say to God “I am nothing,” but praises himself for being so holy. If a person adds pride to generosity, there are two results. The first is giving what the person really doesn’t need, but constantly taking what the person “rightfully deserves.” The second result would be that the person takes this to the extreme such as selling everything he owns, in order to say that he was the best and boast about how much he has given to such and such a charity. Pride can taint Chastity. A proud soul will stay pure by. Impurity lies first in the heart or in one’s intentions, rather than solely in things physical. If you add pride to kindness, you get flattery. This means that you compliment a person inordinately, just too either look good, to make your reputation better, or to get something out of the person. This is, once again, very superficial, because, on the surface you seem quite charitable, but on the inside, you could hate the person, and no one would know it.

In short, pride is stealing from God the rightful glory due to Him. We tell Him that we are the reason for our virtue and holiness, rather than recognizing the sole source of this goodness. Most people forget that all good is from God alone, and applies it to themselves. This vice begins to eat away at our soul, and make what we thought was Faith, Hope, and Charity, to Me, Myself, and I. There are many ways that you can save your soul from this vice, but the main one is to pray for the grace of Humility. This is easily acquired by saying the “Litany of Humility”, or reminding yourself that all the goodness that you ever did came from God, and any sinfulness came from yourself. In having humility, we begin to love God more, as well as grow in the spiritual life. This is the most important thing in our life because it is the only thing that lasts for eternity.

The Seventeen Evidences of a Lack of Humility

1. To think that what one says or does is better than what others say or do

2. To always want to get your own way

3. To argue with stubbornness and bad manners whether you are right or wrong

4. To give your opinion when it has not been requested or when charity does not demand it

5. To look down on another's point of view

6. Not to look on your gifts and abilities as lent

7. Not to recognize that you are unworthy of all honors and esteem, not even of the earth you walk on and things you possess

8. To use yourself as an example in conversations

9. To speak badly of yourself so that others will think well of you or contradict you

10. To excuse yourself when you are corrected

11. To hide humiliating faults from your spiritual director, so that he will not change the impression he has of you

12. To take pleasure in praise and compliments

13. To be saddened because others are held in higher esteem

14. To refuse to perform inferior tasks

15. To seek to stand out

16. To refer in conversation to your honesty, genius, dexterity, or professional prestige

17. To be ashamed because you lack certain goods

Closing Prayer 

Let us prayer for love and peace. I pray that you help me resist temptation. Let us also pray for our financial situation that our God should restore unto me what the devil has taken.