Find the Beauty

There's Beauty in the Break Down

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The Other Shoe

Hello friends, Today I want to talk about something I’m heartbroken to say has been happening less and less. I have started to open my eyes for the first time seeing that my country that I have loved ever since I was little girl, is anything but perfect. I could go on a long rant about everything that is wrong with this country, but I really just want to hit on one topic. Have you ever heard the…

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You Are Worth Caring For

You Are Worth Caring For

Hello friends and Happy Friday! I wanted to take this time and share with you what I have currently been thinking about. It’s amazing to me how much a single person, can be so heavily influenced by the people they are around. Rather it be with friends, at work, grocery store, or traffic on the freeway. We as humans are constantly surrounded by stress and at least for me constantly on the go. I…

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Mr. President

Hello Friends, Well today is the day. Inauguration Day. What exactly does that mean for me?  Donald J Trump is now Mr. President and as I’ve been tuning in, I’m surrounded by mixed emotions. There are some  that are cheering and chanting while others are crying and wondering what exactly is going to happen to them. The only feeling I have towards this is an urgency to be the light in this world.…

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Trump is President... Now what?

Trump is President… Now what?

Hello friends, Today I am taking a huge leap and talking about something I try to avoid. POLITICS As I’m sure the entire nation knows that Donald Trump has been elected. For some of you this has been a great victory for you. For others it has brought complete chaos, fear, and a deep sadness. I’d like permission to speak on this matter and possibly open our eyes to something bigger. If you follow…

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Best Birthday Present

Hello friends, So today is a little bit different then what I usually want to talk about. My birthday just past and now I am officially 27. Which is crazy in itself to think about lol. This year for me was a bit different. I wasn’t really expecting a whole lot or for people to even remember my birthday. I was treating it as a usual day full of errands and the thoughts and feelings that no one…

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Identify

Hello Friends, Today I want bring up something that I am learning and something I continue to struggle with everyday. As many of you know I’ve shared before my issues with pure ocd and what it is exactly that I deal with.Today I want to talk about your identity and your struggles. For me I have been caught saying simple things like “My Ocd” or “My Ocd has me feeling this way”, or “Why is my ocd…

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Fall

Hello friends, Happy First Day of Fall!!! Today I wanted to talk about my favorite time of the year. As some of you know I’m all about pumpkins, autumn, decorating, cold weather. GAAAAH it’s just my element. I even joke around saying I’m just a better person when this season comes around. But today being the first day I thought about change and how I want to approach this new season. I know for…

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Marriage is Bliss

Hello Friends, Today I want to talk about someone who is very close to my heart, and someone who I consider the most amazing person I’ve ever met. Of course I’m talking about my husband. For those who don’t know, we met and really fell in love in high school. Yes he is my high school sweetheart. The reason why I want to talk about him and our marriage isn’t to show off or to make myself feel more…

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Unlimited

Hello friends, Today I want to talk about something I read that was so simple yet so powerful if I really was to apply it to my life. I was making myself some stress relief tea. Because lets face it being a mother to a 2 year old can be a little hectic at times. But on this particular tea bag there was a little inspiration saying that read “You are unlimited” that’s it. Just 3 little words that…

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Sticks and Stones may Break my Bones

Sticks and Stones may Break my Bones

Hello, friends today I want to get right in it and talk about who we are. For me this really resonates in me because it’s so important to know who you are. A couple days ago I heard a teaching and these words really stuck out to me. The speaker said “People’s opinions of you don’t have to be your reality”. Well for me I really have been pondering those words. That really hit me hard because I…

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Work Work Work

Work Work Work Work Work, (By me just saying that I hope you have the Rihanna song stuck in your head) lol. But in all seriousbness I wanted to talk about Work and why we do what we do. Now for those who have found their calling and who are happy with where they are at. That’s fantastic and I’m so happy for you. But I would like to take the time and reach out to those who may have not found their…

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Compete

Hello friends, Today I’m challenging myself and admitting a scary truth. I went away for a day with my husband and as we were taking this mini road trip. A topic came up for me that was really hard for me to process. Not to mention extremely uncomfortable. Now I trust and share everything with my husband. He’s my best friend and one I trust to share all my faults with. The topic was competing for…

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Dance the Night Away

Dance the Night Away

Hello Friends, This so happens to be a great topic that has brought me happiness and excitement. I want to take this moment to do a shout out to the (Tron/Mad T Party/Back Lot) group!! You guys know who you are. I wanted to write on this amazing group of people because they have really made a difference in my life and even my husband’s. When times have been tough on us, or when we felt like we…

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Be the Light

Hello everyone, I’m so excited to get this blog up and running again because I believe I have things to share that will hopefully motivate, encourage, and strengthen one another.   Tonight I want to talk about our country. I know, I know this is a very sensitive subject. But don’t worry I won’t be saying vote for Trump, or for Hilary. I bring this up because this subject has been on my heart for…

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You Can Do It

Hello friends and family. Wow first off it’s been awhile since I last wrote. Mainly because I gave up and thought that what I had to say didn’t mean much to others. Well I’m here to tell you that, that is a lie. I fell for the whole “I don’t matter, my voice doesn’t matter, and what I have to offer really won’t make a difference.

The other day I read the best article that really inspired me to keep going and to pursue what it is that I feel is my calling (or destiny). It was about how famous people at all certain ages were told they would never make it. Vera Wang got turned down for a Editor in Chief and didn’t make her first dress until 40. Morgan Freeman got his first big movie at 52, Julia Child did’t release her first book until 39. I began to realize that this world that we live in is full of pressure and expectations. We are told if we aren’t at a certain place in life by a certain age that we are old, and broken, and will never find our calling,or that it’s simply to late for us. Well I’m here to release you from these world expectations.

Please don’t stop dreaming, and pursuing your calling and passions. Please grow and move forward. The world needs more painters, more directors, more singers, more doctors, more child care workers, more teachers, more YOU. The world needs you and what you have to offer. You are not to old and there is still time for you.  Take it day by day or a moment by moment. Even the smallest step is one step closer to your dreams. You deserve to be happy and to be fulfilled. It’s so funny because the saying is so true. “We are our own worst enemy” and I have to say that is so true. You are your worst critic, and you have the control to move forward or sit still. I encourage you to surround yourself with people that will motivate you and support you. I encourage you to wake up every morning and say I can do it! Say it’s not too late for me! Remember friends You are never too old to start, and it just takes one step forward to begin a whole new life.

Have a great day my friends

“Believe in yourself and you will be unstoppable” -Emily Guay

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Hello Again

Hey everyone, so I have lots to talk about. Mostly about my journey with OCD. No I haven’t conquered it, but I continue to choose to fight each and everyday for myself and family. I haven’t written in a long time because frankly I gave up. But I want to take this time to say I hope these blogs can at least encourage or help just one person. I’m here to build a support group and find ways to live…

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Interview with Sydney Nolan From IOCDF

Hello Friends I am so sorry for the delayed post, but I am also very excited to being writing this today. I had the pleasure of emailing back and forth with Sydney Nolan the Communications Assistant of the International OCD Foundation. I wanted to interview her because I think it's important to know that there are foundations/organizations that can help those who struggle with this very issue. There are places and people you can talk to who's job is to help and provide possible solutions.

I hope this brings light for you and possibly answers.

Q: Please tell me a little about your Foundation. A: The mission of the International OCD Foundation is to help individuals with obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) and related disorders to live full and productive lives. Our aim is to increase access to effective treatment, end the stigma associated with mental health issues, and foster a community for those affected by OCD and the professionals who treat them.

The International OCD Foundation is a donor-supported nonprofit organization. Founded in 1986 by a small group of individuals with OCD, the Foundation has grown into an international membership-based organization serving a broad community of individuals with OCD and related disorders their family members and loved ones and mental health professionals and researchers. We have affiliates in 22 states in the US, in addition to global partnerships with other OCD organizations and mental health nonprofits around the world.

Q: What does your Foundation provide for those who are interested in learning more about OCD? A: The IOCDF provides a variety of resources, from educational programs and awareness-raising events people can access in-person to information and resources available via our websites. Examples of some of our events include our annual 1 Million Steps 4 OCD Walk, held in cities around the country each June, the Annual OCD Conference held in a different major U.S. city each summer, and a series of professional trainings held throughout the year called the Behavior Therapy Training Institute (BTTI) designed to train about how to effectively treat OCD and related disorders.

Our websites are also great resources provided by the IOCDF for those interested in learning more about OCD. IOCDF.org as well as special sites for body dysmorphic disorder (BDD), hoarding, and pediatric OCD all have an incredible amount of information for individuals with OCD, families and loved ones supporting them, and even professionals looking for more information about OCD treatment and research.

One of the best resources on our website is the IOCDF Resource Directory. This directory allows you to search your local area for therapists, clinics or programs, support groups, and other organizations that specialize in OCD and related disorders, as well as other important resources such as local support groups, clinics, and our local affiliates.

Q: What should people look for in themselves or children if they think they may struggle with OCD? A: Like the acronym suggests, OCD is made up of two parts — obsessions and compulsions. Obsessions are thoughts, images or impulses that occur over and over again and feel outside of the person’s control. People with OCD do not want to have these thoughts and find them disturbing. Most people with OCD also realize that these thoughts don’t make sense. These obsessions can range from more stereotypical portrayals of OCD you often see in the media related to contamination or cleanliness to other lesser known ones related to something like fear of losing control, harming yourself or others, or even unwanted sexual or religious thoughts.

The second part of OCD involves compulsions, or repetitive behaviors or thoughts that a person uses with the intention of neutralizing, counteracting, or making their obsessions go away. Compulsions can also include avoiding situations that trigger obsessions. Some examples of compulsions include washing or cleaning, checking, or repetitive behaviors.

We have a list of both common obsessions and compulsions here with more specific examples, for anyone interested in learning more or who might be wondering if they are struggling with OCD. Remember that only a qualified therapist can truly diagnose OCD, however.

In the context of OCD, obsessions are time consuming and get in the way of important activities the person values. This is where the final part of the acronym — the “D,” short for “disorder,” comes in. In most cases, individuals with OCD feel driven to engage in compulsive behavior and would rather not have to do these time consuming and many times torturous acts. In OCD, compulsive behavior is done with the intention of trying to escape or reduce anxiety or the presence of obsessions.

Q: What are some ways we can raise awareness about this cause? A: Participating in events such as OCD Awareness Week each October or in the 1 Million Steps 4 OCD Walk, held in communities each June, are great ways start to raising awareness of OCD and related disorders.

We’ve also launched a new “OCDvocate” advocacy program for those interested in taking raising awareness to the next level by sharing their stories in an effort to promote understanding and fight stigma.

Otherwise, our OCD Awareness Week website has some ideas for raising awareness you can definitely carry out all year, ranging from writing a letter to the editor of your local paper about the importance of OCD awareness and other mental health issues to hosting a movie night with OCD-related films or TV shows.

Q: Are there any ways to cure OCD, or make it easier to live with it? A: While there is no “cure” for OCD, the most effective treatment is a form of therapy known as “exposure and response prevention” (ERP) and/or medication. Taken together, ERP and medication are considered the “first-line” treatments for OCD. In other words, START HERE! About 70% of people will benefit from ERP and/or medication for their OCD. We have more comprehensive information about ERP and medication, including tips on how to find the right therapist and make sure he or she is qualified to treat OCD, on our website.

Q: Where can one go to find help if they believe they or someone else deals with it? A: Exposure and response prevention, the frontline treatment for OCD, is typically done by a licensed mental health professional (such as a psychologist, social worker, or mental health counselor) in an outpatient setting. This means you visit your therapist’s office at a set appointment time once or a few times a week. The IOCDF Resource Directory is an excellent place to find a qualified treatment provider in your area.

Likewise, medications can only be prescribed by a licensed medical professionals (such as your physician or a psychiatrist), who would ideally work together with your therapist to develop a treatment plan. You can also learn more about medication on our website.

Q: I see you provide a membership, can you please provide a little more information? A: Members play a critical role in helping support the work of the International OCD Foundation. We offer a variety of membership levels, including a low-cost Community Membership option, a Foundation Membership for individuals and families, and Professional and Student memberships for those in the mental health field. While membership dues play a crucial part in helping us keep costs low for the many programs and resources we offer, members also receive a unique set of benefits dependent on what kind of membership they hold. Anyone interested in learning more about becoming a member of the IOCDF can visit the membership section of our website or email [email protected].

Q: What are some ways to get more involved with your Foundation A: First, consider joining us as a member! You’ll receive regular Foundation email updates so you know what we’re up to, as well as receive our quarterly newsletter that contains the latest information on advances in research and treatment for OCD and related disorders, as well as member-submitted stories, poems, artwork, reviews, and more from the “front lines” of the OCD community.

You can also consider joining us at an event! You can walk with us each spring during the 1 Million Steps 4 OCD Walks, attend an Annual OCD Conference in the summer (our 2016 Conference will be in Chicago!) or participate virtually or in your own community in an OCD Awareness Week activity in the fall. The more the merrier are welcome to get involved in one of our programs.

For those in the Boston area, we also have volunteer opportunities for anyone interested in visiting us at our office for a few hours once a week. You can also reach out to an IOCDF affiliate for opportunities or check out some of these general volunteer opportunities.

I would just like to take this time to thank Sydney over at the IOCDF for responding to me so quickly, and helping me raise awareness over this past week, and providing amazing tips and information. I hope this can help you and encourage you to go find help and start living life more abundantly and with even more purpose.

"Heal the past, live the present, dream the future" -Unknown