Tag Archive for: life coach

Five Tips to Honor MLK

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21795142623_61033c702e_bTick tock…tick tock… time has turned into years and years have unfolded improvements that Martin Luther King was greatly responsible for in the mid-1960s.  The Civil Rights Act and the Voting Rights Act for African Americans changed the laws in America so there would be repercussions for discrimination of race or color.  So now we have a kinder and more equal social justice in the United States.  Ummmm…I don’t think so!!! The EEOC reported that there were over 31,000 charges of racial discrimination reported in 2015.  Senator John Lewis (D-GA) spoke out recently and tweeted, “We must never, ever give up the right to protest for what is right, what is good, and what is necessary.”  If we choose to strive for justice and a kinder world, I have five tips that honor the “great work” of Martin Luther King.

First, be a “light” and don’t meet evil or darkness on its level.  Fighting with people who are bullies or are acting badly will only bring your own spirit and your energy down.  “Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that” said Martin Luther King.  He strived for peace in non-violent ways. Rosa Parks was arrested in 1955 for refusing to give up her seat on a bus to a white person.   Martin Luther King and his followers began to boycott the Montgomery bus public transit system in Alabama.  It was a huge success because most of the bus riders were African American and the boycott created an enormous financial deficit for the company.  Consider how you can make a non-violent action to stand up to injustice. For example, I speak, write, mentor, and I am a 27-year HR expert on workplace bullying and discrimination.  I do this in a compelling manner, but the tone of my actions is non-violent.

Second, learn as much as you can about discrimination so you can become more empowered and educated. Unfortunately, workplace bullying is not illegal, but discrimination is illegal.  With the exception that “retaliation” for reporting discrimination is illegal if a person has initiated discrimination charges to an agency like the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. While the Klu Klux Klan (KKK) has lost power over the years, today we have organized groups who have the ability to enforce civility in the workplace, but not enough is being done to fix hostile work environments. Why not foster your skills and learn more about your rights to a safe and non-hostile work environment in my blog articles on my website.

Third, if you are enduring harmful behavior from others or you need help to speak your “truth,” why not find a mentor, spiritual leader or a life coach to support you.  I wrote an article, “Five Tips Before You Hire a Life Coach” to share guidance in finding ethical and competent Life Coaches.

Fourth, consider seeking legal counsel if you have questions about discrimination because of your race, color, sexual orientation, age, pregnancy, national origin, you are over 40 years old, gender identity, disabilities, genetic information or religion.  For about $20.00 a month, you can seek a lawyer’s advice at Legal Shield.  That is less than the cost of going out to dinner for most people.    An HR professional with expertise in workplace bullying and discrimination may become an essential expert to help you.  When an employee understands their “rights,” they can pursue justice or a fair outcome.   An experienced HR consultant could possibly save you a lot of money by avoiding costly legal fees.  Don’t get me wrong—employment attorneys can be powerful allies, but they will most likely charge more in fees.  I am suggesting that you do seek an attorney if you feel compelled to do so, but why not let an HR consultant support you at a lower cost?   Then you can reach out to an employee attorney later on if needed.

Fifth, be an advocate for social justice and fair treatment of others.  For example, a friend of mine recently saw a Caucasian man castigating an African American woman after she walked out of a grocery store.  He yelled derogatory comments at this lady accusing her of being lazy and that she should not be a drain on society.  Perhaps this woman needed to be on food stamps to support her family.  My friend saw the need to intervene and acted like she knew this woman.  This discouraged the angry man who walked away to his vehicle.  Thanks to my friend, this woman was able to get to her car with her children, with only tears running down her face.  There is no telling what could have happened if there had been no intervention to help this lady get to her car with the assurance that someone cared about her.

There are many ways to honor the late Martin Luther King.  We can all be “extensions” of his advocacy to end discrimination and make this a better world.  Think of ways that you can help positively eliminate injustice and take action.  Follow me on Facebook where I share tips to stand up to workplace bullying and discrimination to executive teams, global leaders, political teams, government leaders, attorneys, mental health professionals, and employees.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Prozac or a Life Coach?

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Dawn at her birthday party!If you had the choice, would you choose to take Prozac for “mild” depression or would you hire a Life Coach?  According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 350 million people worldwide suffer from depression. It is a leading cause of disability.  When it comes to what creates depression, you may want to consider the benefits of Prozac or any other mind-altering pharmaceutical or what paybacks you will get from working with a Life Coach.

It’s important to listen to your doctor and follow sage advice.  If you are dealing with depression—you may need pharmaceutical medicine to manage your depression. It may help you to find “stability” in your life or to find a way to cope with your depression. But—what if you could see how you have created your depression through hiring a Life Coach?  Sometimes you need another person to show you how you have become your own “worst bully” in your life.

For example, if you allow others to mistreat your or disrespect you, this could be causing you to have depression.  Working with a Life Coach who is well-suited to support your needs and goals can help you to “break” some habits that aren’t for you highest good.  See my blog on hiring the right Life coach:  http://dawnmariewestmoreland.com/2015/09/27/five-tips-before-hiring-a-life-coach/

If you have allowed yourself to be bullied by others, your self-esteem and self-love may be at an all-time low.  No one wants to be bullied.  It’s plain awful.   Often times, bullies target people who they feel are weak and easy to bully.   The harm—mental and physical can put you in a state of mind that is hard to overcome.  Every person feels their story is powerful to them.  Their perception is real to them.

One out of four women has been sexually molested, while one out of six men has experienced this also according to “Our Voice”, which is a non-profit organization in Asheville, NC that serves sexual assault abuse through counseling, advocacy, and education.  If you have experienced sexual abuse and have not been able to heal from it, you may be feeling insecure, have low self-esteem or self-love.   You may not mix well with others or you tend to be quieter than others.  Workplace bullies pick up on these tendencies and prey on those who they think are weak.

What if you could learn to love and respect yourself?  Chances are that you would have “healthier boundaries” with others.  You may learn how to be an “observer”, instead of an “absorber” when you deal with narcissistic bullies in the workplace.  Learning how to be a non-player in other people’s drama is very empowering and liberating.  Sometimes the greatest teachers are the narcissistic bully.

You can learn how to stand up to workplace bullying and you can find that with the right Life Coach. You will never find it by taking Prozac.  Now, don’t get me wrong—there is no “shame” in taking care of yourself and being on medication if you really need it.  Please make sound decisions when dealing with your health and well-being.  Listen to your doctor.

However, if you don’t learn how to set healthy boundaries in your life and to truly love yourself, you will probably be dealing with negative circumstances, over and over in your life.  It’s time to set yourself free from your “old stories”.  It’s time to own your “stories”, instead of your stories “owning” you.   Consider working with a Life Coach and learn how you can break your “chains” of dis-empowerment and live a better life.

Many Life Coaches have been in your “shoes” before and that is why they are attracted to helping others who have similar circumstances as they have in their life.   Some Life Coaches have worked on themselves and improved their own self-development before reaching out to help others.  There is nothing like being stuck in the “mud” and then overcoming the circumstances.

If you can learn how to become empowered, it’s like being taught how to fish.  Instead of someone giving you fish to eat, you learn to catch your own fish.  You become independent and trust yourself.  You get the point.  Claiming your personal power means holding yourself accountable to make wiser decisions and to get the help you deserve.  Many of the famous spiritual leaders in our world have gone through massive “transformations” to become who they are today.  They have been badly abused, they have overcome, and today, they are teaching others how to overcome.

In wrapping up, discern on which side of empowerment you want to be on—the side that keeps you weak and unhappy or the side that allows you to be the greatest version of you?  I hope you choose happiness and being empowered because you deserve it.

If you want more tips on standing up to workplace bullying and empowerment, check out www.DawnMarieWestmoreland.com and be sure to follow Dawn Marie Westmoreland on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/HealingThymeSvcs You will learn how Dawn became a successful government “whistleblower” through her story and how she is helping to empower others to stand up to workplace bullying as a national speaker, author, coach and HR consultant.

The Formula for Recovering From Workplace Bullying

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dawns-book-cover

You hear about it and read about it in the media, all the time. Workplace bullying is increasing according to who is keeping statistics. It’s a known fact that the damage to the ‘victim’ is harmful and creates many hardships for the ‘bullied’ and their loved ones. When I became a Veteran Affairs (VA) Whistle-blower, I alleged nepotism (illegal hiring of family and friends) and other prohibited personnel practices. I turned in numerous personnel and was retaliated for my actions. I was put on administrative leave for about 100 days, denied the right to seek medical care as a severely disabled veteran, I landed in the Mental Health ward after two years of horrific bullying, and my paycheck was cut-off when I refused to go back to a hostile work environment. This created a financial hardship and my whole economic portrait was much compromised. The life I knew was changed in a short time.  I also experienced having poor credit to boot because I could not afford my large house that I had worked so hard for and cherished.

Losing my old ‘self” was the greatest thing that has happened to me. Back in those days, I “bought into” the victim role. I felt very unsafe and insecure with myself.  These days, I often pass the road that would take me to my former job location. I smile each time and then I say ‘thank you” to the bullies who tried to break me and destroy my reputation.   For if it was not for my former bullies, I may not be as liberated as I am today.   My bullies were awesome teachers! I had to work on myself to get this far with my ‘liberation’. I have deep gratification for my workplace bullying experience. Sometimes our ‘gifts’ come in ugly wrapping paper. That’s exactly what happed in my case. Let me share three tips of how I claimed my ‘personal power’.

First, you get to decide if you are going to be a ‘victim’ of your workplace bullying. You may never get the results you think you want from workplace bullying, but you may get what you need to be happier. For example, if you end up leaving the job, you may find a more respectful position or even strive to be an entrepreneur. I have never been happier to work for myself and I love my boss! Sometimes it seems scary to leave a job you are comfortable with and have known for years. When you are striving to do your soul’s purpose on this earth, you may get an uncomfortable nudge to move forward and get in alignment with the work you should be doing–the work you love and can’t wait to do because it feels so ‘alive’.

Second, look at your experience as a lesson. What did you learn from it? Did you learn that you need to have more confidence or standup for your rights? Was the job or the position a ‘bad fit’? Perhaps you learned that you need to value yourself more and work in a job that is better suited for you. There are always lessons in each of our experiences. I believe we get to learn some great lessons from our bullies. They can teach us so much about ourselves and what we need to do to have a better life. Yes—they may make you anxious and depressed with their actions, but you can decide to not be a ‘victim’ and take all the appropriate action you need to stand up to them, leave the work place or find a solution that makes you happier.  Maybe you learned that you needed to learn how to get empowered and stop relying on unnecessary anti-anxiety or anti-depressant pills. NOTE: Always follow your doctor’s advice on medical care.

Third, bullying can take a serious toll on your confidence and self-esteem. You have to understand that you must believe in yourself more than others believe in you. No one can breathe confidence in you. There are many modalities out there that will help you find peace, confidence, and help you to find your own intuitive ‘gifts’.   You may find that exercising, receiving energy work, reading self-help books, taking empowerment courses or seeking reputable help from a coach, counselor or clergy member to be highly beneficial in helping you to heal. This will take some time, but it is so worth it! When you conscientiously invest in your own well-being, you will get results. I wrote a blog, “Five Tips Before Hiring a Life Coach” at Five Tips to Hire the Right Life Coach   Invest in yourself and also be gentle on yourself. Sometimes our worst bullies can be ourselves if we ‘beat up’ on ourselves. Another thing—if you are spending money on things that don’t empower you, that can back fire on you.   I know of a lady that spends endless money on clothes, trips and fun things that she enjoys. While there is nothing wrong with this, she complains she has no money to hire a coach/consultant for her own workplace bullying case. Hmmmmmm! Do you think her priorities are good ones or could she re-think her priorities? It’s sad, because she is being bullied for blowing the ‘whistle’ on her workplace, but could really benefit from an HR consultant or a coach that deals with workplace bullying. You always get to decide and make choices in your life. You must decide wisely or it may backfire on you.

If you need some help or advice, I have 22 years of Human Resources experience, a Masters in Management/Human Resources, I am retired from the United States Air Force, and I am regularly featured on the radio or in magazines for tips on overcoming ‘dis-empowerment’ and ‘workplace bullying’. Today, I am an anti-bullying speaker, personal power coach, author (Empowered Whistleblower: A Practical and Spiritual Path to Personal Power”, and an HR consultant.  I ‘settled’ with the Veteran Affairs in March 2014 and without a “gag-order” to keep me quiet and sharing my story to help others.  It bring me great pleasure to help empower people.  You can find out more about me at www.DawnMarieWestmoreland.com

Who is Your Best Friend?

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Dawn smaller pictureIs the reflection in the mirror your best friend or worst ? I hope it is your best friend. There may be times that you think another person may be your enemy, but often times, the worst enemy can be yourself. I know this so well! No one has ever been meaner or mistreated me more than myself. The man who molested me as a child, the bullies in school, the alcoholic that nearly choked me to death, and the bullies who retaliated against me for blowing the whistle in the Veteran Affairs were not my worst enemies—I was my own worst enemy! That’s right.   My past negative thoughts formed a belief system that I was not worthy and I was not deserving. Thank goodness, I can laugh at all my lessons I overcame from my past. Isn’t it time to “own” your old stories, instead of your stories “owning” you?  Hell yeah!

You can purchase the “right” clothes and the “right” car (ok…truck in my case), but underneath it all, you have to love who you are and what you are doing in this world.  If there is pain behind your superficial smile, it’s time to get to work and become an empowered and self-loving individual. Hire a coach and bust through those “blocks” in your life that keep you in fear and insecure.   Don’t tell me you can’t afford a coach, unless you really cannot afford one.   For I will tell you that you cannot afford not to hire a coach if you are miserable or stuck in your life. The cost of living a “small” life or not getting what you want out of your life is very costly.   I saw the value in hiring a business coach and made appropriate changes in my life so that I could afford this investment in my life. You have to consciously invest in yourself and you must believe in yourself, more than others believe in you!

The benefits I received from hiring a  coach was that I began to see why I had made “bad” choices in my life and I was able to “shift” consciously to align with a better belief system. There were quite a few “aha” moments and awareness that I could make better choices in my life. I took immediate action and “shifted” my life very quickly. The investment in myself, not only improved my practice, but it positively affected my spiritual and personal life.   A coach can really help a client see what has been holding them back in their business and personal life.

Furthermore, a coach can help the client formulate a plan of action so that they are in alignment with reaching their goals and dreams.  Often times, all you need is a change of view on your belief systems. If you are doing the same thing, over and over, and not getting the results you want—it’s time to do something different. Don’t you think? When I overcame my own old “stories” and claimed my personal power that is when people really noticed me and many new “doors” opened for me. There is so much goodness in this world and it’s time to realize it! Sound good? I would love seeing a lot of happy people on this earth. What a win-win! Bring it on!

I would love to help you realize your goals and “bust” through the walls that have confined you and have made you a prisoner of yourself.   I help clients by phone, Skype, Google Hangouts or in person.  First time clients can receive a $40.00 (45 minute) “break-though” to success strategy with me by contacting me at www.DawnMarieWestmoreland.com/contact   By the way, be sure to be part of my newsletter community. I will be sending a complimentary copy of my first chapter in my book to everyone on my newsletter mail list. Join here: Dawn’s Newsletter

I will be sharing my own “story” of gloom and doom and how I “divorced” my victimhood. Today, I speak, write, “coach”, and get interviewed on radio/TV for the work I am doing to empower people. I am teaching workshops to help others become happier and liberated in their lives.   I can also be reached to discuss interviews, workshops, coaching, and speaking engagements at Reach out to Dawn

Five Ways to Step Into Your Freedom

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Dawn and VirtueHave you ever thought you felt “trapped” or “enslaved” in your life?  You may have a fancy home or the car of your dreams, but yet, something is really missing in your life.  If you feel that there is more to life than waking up, driving to work, working in a job that does not necessarily fulfill you, going home to spend time in front of the tube, you are not alone!  Recently I heard on the radio that three out of four people do not like their bosses.  That is a lot of unhappiness if you ask me. Let’s take charge of our lives and be accountable to us.  It’s time to step into your “freedom”.

Step one, if you are miserable in your life or job, you may not be in alignment with your true purpose on this earth.   Sometimes we must experience misery, being uncomfortable, and feeling unfulfilled to prompt us into positive action so we are living our true purpose.  Check in with yourself.  If you are not happy in your life, are you really doing the kind of work that you are passionate about and excited to do every day?  Are you with the partner or mate that truly makes you happy and brings joy to your life? Life is sooooo long when you are unhappy.  Take charge of your life!  Work in a job that makes you fulfilled and be with the person who makes your soul feel complete.

Step two, is “fear” controlling your life?  If fear is controlling your life, the fastest way to gain confidence is to tackle what you are afraid of because it will give you confidence.  Seriously.   I am talking about facing fear that is holding you back from being happier and more confident.  Life coaching and hypnotherapy are excellent tools to identify why fear is “protecting” you, holding you back in life, and provides the means to overcome the “fear” in your life.

Step three, is insecurity or lack of confidence keeping you a “leader in hiding”?  Anyone who has experienced life on life’s terms has probably been hurt by some experience.  We all get lessons in life, but we must not let them define us in a way that keeps us small in life.  We have to be accountable in our life.  No excuses!   Let go of the past, forgive the person who may have hurt you, take giant leaps of faith to become the person who can “overcome” the hardships that come up while living on this earth.  We forgive others so we let go of the negative energy or chords we have with the person who harmed us.

Step four, are you taking good care of yourself?  If you are eating poorly, watching too much TV, and making excuses why you can’t get a little exercise done, it’s time to really evaluate how you are treating your body.  When you look in a mirror, are you your own best friend or worst enemy?  Be mindful of all your actions in your life.  Life is always about choices.  Be smart.  Eat right.  Have fun, but treat your body right and it will reward you back.  We have all heard the phrase, “You are what you eat”.  There are tons of helpful advice on the internet.  Reach out for help if you need it.  You deserve it and others are counting on you to be in good shape.

Step five, if you are not in touch with your own intuition, it is high time that you connect with your intuition.  We all have some form of intuition.  Pay attention to the “signs” you get that confirm your intuition is right.  There are great courses you can sign up for and get help with credible instructors that can help you get in touch with your own intuition.  Being connected with your intuition is one of the greatest gifts we have and it can really help you make wise choices in your life.  It can help you find empowerment and the freedom you desire in your life.  So run, don’t walk…..and get in touch with your intuition.  Life is all about choices.  Make smart ones.  We are all much more powerful and intuitive than we realize.  That is mind-blowing, but the truth.  When we make smart decisions, it sets us free to become the person we really want to be in our lifetime.  Life is about choices.   Empower yourself and set yourself free.  Stop following the crowd.  Be a maverick if you want.   Freedom is a choice and you can have it too.   We only have to “unlock” our potential and step into the life we all really deserve.  That is what freedom is all about.

Dawn Westmoreland is a life coach and hypnotherapist on a passionate mission to empower women who are ready to come out “hiding” and become their authentic selves.  Dawn resides in Asheville, NC with her dog and two cats.  She offers a 20 minute complimentary “break-through” strategy consultation for women who want to take charge of their lives and are ready for positive change.  Request your complimentary session at www.DawnMarieWestmoreland.com/contact

 

 

What would Martin Luther King Want Us To Do?

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I often think of the great heroes like Martin Luther King who thought more of others than himself.  It takes a lot of guts to stand up against injustice of any kind.  He made a huge difference and he helped the blacks with the right to vote and be heard.  Can you imagine what today would be like if he did not protest in a peaceful way for equality and justice?  When you shed “light” on a dark matter it can bring awareness and positive change to the matter.  When we “b….h” and moan about how unfair things are, without doing anything about it, people suffer and so do we.  If you prefer to let someone else “fix” the problem, a part of you is giving away your own personal power.  It is truly healing and satisfying to help eradicate the darkness we see in our world.  If you know what your “gifts” are and use them properly, you can make a difference in making our planet a better place to live.

For example, one week after I settled with the Veteran Affairs for retaliation on me blowing the whistle on them, I began an extensive life coach training program.  As a military veteran, I qualified for the training to be paid by the VA Vocational Rehabilitation agency.  The VA Vocational Rehabilitation folks delayed approving my application and I ended up paying the 13k out of my pocket.   I was also required to take business training and complete an extensive business plan so I could become an entrepreneur and work for myself.  My case was excessively delayed and I was required to finish the business training/business plan before I could be reimbursed for my out of pocket costs.  I ended up attending life coach training and attending the business training at the same time.  This was utterly exhausting and draining on my mental and physical self.  It was a nightmare for me and put me in financial difficulty since I paid for the life coach training with money out of my pocket.

I ended up finishing the business training/business plan in Sept, but I was still not reimbursed for my out of pocket costs of around $13k.  Why am I telling you this story?  It’s not about me wanting pity or empathetic comments, it is about accountability for neglect, abandonment, and unprofessional behavior by an agency that was designed to help veterans.   The way to correct a problem is to shed “light” on it.  I contacted the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselors Certification (CRCC) agency and reported the unethical behavior of my VA Vocational Rehabilitation case managers.  Since I have 22 years of HR experience, I learned a long time ago to keep great documentation when needed.  The CRCC board member told me that I should look at the one of their ethics rules, which states, “ABANDONMENT PROHIBITED. Rehabilitation counselors do not abandon or neglect clients in counseling. Rehabilitation counselors assist in making appropriate arrangements for the continuation of services when necessary (e.g., during interruptions such as vacations, illness, and following termination)”.

I am in the process of turning in documentation that will support my claims of violations of neglect, abandonment, and unprofessional behavior that were exhibited by my case managers.  It has been one year and I have still not been reimbursed by the VA Vocational Rehabilitation agency that I am assigned to in North Carolina. I share this story to encourage everyone to take “action” to shed “light” on matters that not only affect you, but also affect others.  I am grateful for my HR background, morals and strength that motivate me to stand up to injustice and make positive changes that will help others who don’t know how to stand up for themselves.  I challenge you to make a difference and put your own positive “dent” in this world.  That is the greatest gift to mankind and to ourselves.

“The time is always right, to do what is right”

– Martin Luther King Jr.

MLKDawn Marie Westmoreland is a speaker, writer, life coach, hypnotherapist on a mission to empower and motivate women who want to “overcome” their old stories.  Dawn began her advocacy  and empowerment journey after standing up to injustice in her former government work place.  She endured two years of horrific bullying and settled with the agency in March 2014.  Dawn can be contacted for interviews and speaking engagements at www.DawnMarieWestmoreland.com

Signs of Faith are Everywhere

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Signs of Faith are Everywhere

Signs of faith are everywhere and you must slow down to see them.  Just last week, I was in north Florida because my brother married his sweetheart on 12/13/14. It was an awesome wedding, only one week after my father passed away.  We had mourned our father leaving this earth and then embraced a wedding.  The wedding had been set up over a year ago and it turned out to be the happiest wedding I have ever experienced. I offered to pet sit my brother’s carrot-eating dog named Pugsley, while he was on his honeymoon. The weather was very comfortable and I took every opportunity to walk on Flagler beach, which is right below St Augustine, FL. I found myself asking for a “sign” on the beach one evening. I wanted to know that certain actions I was taking were the right ones for my personal, professional and spiritual growth. I soon walked upon five starfish, that had been swept up in the tide, in a matter of 30 minutes. Very few people find starfish like that on Flagler beach and I knew it was a sign that I am being supported. It was also clear to me that I am on the right career track for my life. I threw all of the starfish back but the one I knew was no longer alive and it was very dried out. It is my reminder that I am always being supported in my life and there are signs to prove it.

Often times I will find things that are out of the ordinary and I know they are signs. We are always supported and never truly by ourselves in this world. I remember walking into my closet and looking at the stack of sweaters in my closet on day. I began to think that I needed to donate some of them because I was not wearing them. All of a sudden, one of the sweaters drops to the floor. Of course I laughed! The sweaters were nicely stacked towards the back of a shelf and the sweater did not just fall to the floor because it was close to the edge of the shelf. Another sign! Like many people, I have been guilty of trying to explain everything and ignoring my own intuition. We all have intuition and it’s up to us to develop it and use it properly. It is highly beneficial in my coaching practice.
I remember constantly seeing a blue butterfly in the summer time that would always dance near me when I went outside. Butterflies are a sign about transformation and I knew I was in one hell of a transformation from my old self. My transformation has been mostly about “overcoming” and stepping into my spiritual gifts. My past no longer haunts me and I have become an “Overcomer” of my old stories. How did I “overcome” my old stories is a constant question I receive by those who want to overcome their own stories. I had to learn to trust my faith and that the “signs” I constantly see in my life are meant to assure me that I have all the support I need. As, I walked off the beach after seeing those five starfish that evening, I caught a glimpse of sparkling gold lights out of the corner of my eye. Yes–another amazing sign! We are all supported, loved, and never alone. We must trust our faith.

If you are ready to kick-start your 2015, be sure to ask for your complimentary 20 minute “break through” strategy session with me.  You can contact me at www.DawnMarieWestmoreland.com/contact  for your complimentary session.  You deserve it!

Are You Your Own Biggest Bully? Five Tips for “Overcoming”

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We are always hearing about how others are bullied. This can happen at work, at home, or just about anywhere. It is a fact and it does exist in our society. However, I believe that often we can become our own worst enemy or bully. You may not even realize that you are your own worst bully. If you are sabotaging yourself by thinking small or living small, you may be your own worst enemy. I often get asked how did I overcome severe bullying and other tragic events in my life. I have dealt with bullying, sexual abuse, and domestic abuse, but it does not own me anymore. I was sick and tired, of being sick and tired and I learned how to overcome all of it.

The first tip I offer is to take 100% accountability in your life. You must rescue yourself and believe in yourself more than others believe in you. Complaining to others about how bad things are in your life does not solve the problem. You must learn how to “own “your story, not your story “own “you. Self-care is vital for you to empower yourself. That means eating right, exercising and filling your life with things that nurture your body and soul. This could be meditation, yoga, walking, reading or any activity that really nourishes you.
The second tip I’ll share with you is to take a look at all the negativity around you. Are you contributing to it? Are the people you surround yourself with positive and nurturing people? If you are around a lot of negativity, that will keep you stuck at the lowest level possible in your life. Think about your thoughts. Are they positive or negative? If they are negative, you will find that attracts other negative people and negative events in your life. This does not mean walking around with the permanent silly smile on your face, but really engaging in conversation and actions that propel you forward in a healthier life.
Third, many successful people get ahead by investing in themselves. For example, I hired a business coach to move ahead. My business coach has a business coach. Her business coach has a business coach and so on and so on. We all believe in ourselves and want to get ahead in a successful way. What can you be doing to invest in yourself at this time? Is it getting more education, training, hire a professional to help you move ahead in your life? Quality does not cost. It pays. Be sure to invest in yourself so you are moving in the right direction of your life.
Fourth, life is about choices. No one has a gun at our heads stating we must stay in a job we hate, to stay in an unhealthy relationship or put up with people treating us badly. Remember you can always consider other options that would be better for you. There are plenty of resources out there that can help anyone. If you stay in an unhealthy job or situation, it is your choice. We have no one to blame, but ourselves if we are not making wise choices for ourselves. Is it really worth your happiness and health to remain in a bad situation? We always have choices in our life. Be careful not to give away your personal power by depending too much on others all the time. There is a time and place for when we need help from others. Be wise and remember all the answers are truly within us. Everyone has an opinion, but only you know what is best for you.  Make the choice to “listen” to your own voice and thoughts.
Fifth, our thoughts form our belief system. Is your thoughts constructive and positive? Are they serving you well and moving you forward in your life? We get to choose our thoughts too. We can also change or shift our thoughts if they are not serving us well. If you find this hard to do, you may find that hypnosis or hypnotherapy or life coaching can help you to overcome bad habits, bad patterns or negativity in your life. Life coaching and hypnotherapy helped me to overcome many of the tragedies in my life. It can help you gain confidence, self-love, self-respect and break through all that is holding you back from moving fast forward, in a happier manner. We all truly deserve this in our life.
Empowerment Speaker

“Break-Free” Agent Dawn Marie Westmoreland shares about “overcoming” your old stories and how to “own” them.

The more you can master the steps, the better you will feel about yourself, your energy levels will increase, and you will notice that you attract like-minded people in your life based on the energy you project. Always ask yourself, “what is the best thing I can be doing for myself at this time?” When you step into your own personal power, you realize that you are no longer bothered by your old story because you now are “owning” your story. Life looks a whole lot better too. Let’s release what does not serve us best and embrace 2015 with everything that serves us well and enhances our lives.