Thinning Hair & Hair Health

Repost from my Initiate Wellness site

Your hair, nails and skin growth and health come from the inside. Each of these is fed from our blood. Sometimes we might be lacking certain nutrients, minerals and vitamins which can be boosted by the food we eat and supplements. My personal go-to choices and suggestions to my health coaching clients are to use whole food-based supplements versus chemical (man-made) compounds. They’re not as hard to find as it might seem.

First, healthy hair, skin & nails vitamins & minerals are A, B – Biotin, C, D3, E, Iron & Zinc. Melatonin is also beneficial especially when applied topically. Topical sprays and foams are available. I can guide you and I will attach links to each supplement I would use and or suggest but first a quick guide to how each vitamin helps.

Vitamin A

• Keeps cells healthy, helps produce sebum which keeps hair/scalp & skin healthy. Sweet potatoes, carrots, pumpkins, spinach and kale are all high in beta-carotene, which is turned into vitamin A.
• Vitamin A can also be found in animal products such as milk, eggs and yogurt. Cod liver oil is a particularly good source.
• Too much vitamin A can cause hair loss, coarse hair, dry rough skin, cracked lips
• Recommended daily amount per Mayo Clinic is 700 mcg for women.

Vitamin B & Biotin

• B-vitamins help create red blood cells, which carry oxygen and nutrients to the scalp and hair follicles
• B-vitamins from foods include whole grains, almonds, meat, fish, seafood and dark, leafy greens.
• Animal foods are the only good sources of vitamin B12
• Niacin, riboflavin, thiamin and pantothenic acid, folate are all B vitamins – a good B complex would be good. I take Thorne myself as it has everything the body requires to function well. Amazon link for Thorne B Complex

Vitamin C

• Antioxidant
• Helps the body create the protein known as collagen
• Helps your body absorb iron a necessary mineral for hair growth

Vitamin D3 (taking magnesium with D will help absorption)

• Feeds the cells and aids in the production of healthy hair follicles
• Research also shows that vitamin D may help create new follicles — the tiny pores in the scalp where new hair can grow
• Food sources are fatty fish, cod liver oil, some mushrooms and fortified foods

Vitamin E

• Helps prevent oxidative stress and boost hair growth.
• Food sources are sunflower seeds, almonds, spinach and avocados

Iron

• Helps red blood cells carry oxygen to your cells. This makes it an important mineral for many bodily functions, including hair growth.
• Iron deficiency, which causes anemia, is a major cause of hair loss. It’s especially common in women.
• Food sources are clams, oysters, eggs, red meat, spinach and lentils.

Zinc

• Helps hair and tissue growth and repair
• Keeps the oil glands around the follicles functioning properly
• Hair loss is a common symptom of zinc deficiency (14Trusted Source, 15Trusted Source).
• Studies show zinc supplements reduce hair loss caused by zinc deficiency
• There are some reports that state supplementing with too high of a dose can also contribute to hair loss, so stick with the recommended amount. Also note: {The Tolerable Upper Intake Level is the maximum daily intake unlikely to cause harmful effects on health. The UL for zinc is 40 mg daily for all males and females ages 19+ years. More information at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health

• For this reason, it may be better to get your zinc from whole foods. (Kayla McDonell, RD August 6, 2016)
• Foods high in zinc include oysters, beef, spinach, wheat germ, pumpkin seeds and lentils.

Protein

• Hair IS protein. It’s made up of entirely protein. Eating enough protein daily is important for hair growth as well as muscles.
• Side note: Protein is not always more slimming for the body though it helps. If a person is overweight and doesn’t burn off as much or more energy than they consume, protein can/will turn to fat stored in the body.

I hope all of this helps. A good quality multivitamin is beneficial. AS I stated earlier, a whole food vitamin will be absorbed by the body much better than a typical, cheaper chemical compound vitamin brand.

Daily Multivitamin Supplements: Here are some that I either use, have used and recommend in order of preference

• Vitamin Code by Garden of Life – [I use the 50 & Wiser for Women option]
• Juice Festive: VeggieFestive & FruitFestive use both together
• Alive for Women/regular & Over 50 – there is a men’s option too as well as under 50.
• Olly – link: OLLY

Supplements for hair growth: I have not used but these are in line with needs for thin/thinning hair. They can be found online and some are available at CVS.

• Nutrafol – Nutrafol It’s a little more expensive but many reveiwers claim it works.
• Keranique – Keranique
• Spring Valley Hair, Skin & Nails found here, is a good brand, [I use their echinacea/goldenseal root as I find it as the brand that works best for me and many other friends/family I have given it to.] Can be found in grocery stores, Walmart, Walgreens and online.
• OLLY for Hair – Olly

According to the dermatologist, androgenetic alopecia, hypothyroidism, low levels of vitamin D and iron are among the most common reasons behind hair loss. – (Michelle Henry, clinical instructor at Weill Cornell Medical College)

Bottom line in my professional opinion based on research I’ve done is to take either a daily multi-vitamin and/or one of the supplements I’ve listed. If you choose to take both, I would start with one at a time, giving it 2 months before starting the other one. If you prefer to take only one, I would try the “hair supplements” first. All recommendations I have found in my research recommends to give all focuses at least 6 months to see/feel an improvement. In my holistic nutrition training I’ve learned that every change needs 4 months minimum; whether it be diet, supplements, or exercise.

I hope this little bit of information helps you regain healthy hair & skin. Message me or comment with questions if you have any and I’ll do my best to find the answers!

My research is based on my many years of knowledge and experience being a hairstylist and found from reputable websites/universities/government studies from US, UK, Australia.

Your hair, lifestyle and food coach,
Dawn

Avoidance Doesn’t Make It Go Away

I’ve put off sharing the most recent advice the dermatologist gave me because it’s honestly hard to accept. Not taking action and not talking about it doesn’t make it go away though.

I am sharing my experience to possibly help someone else. I’m not a person that looks for attention or sympathy. I’m one that helps others. I’m one that tries to fix. The fact that I cannot fix my hair situation, yet, is getting me down. I am taking all the healthy steps; diet, lifestyle, seeking treatment, and strongly following a holistic way.

At my last appointment with the dermatologist, a few weeks ago, I was told to start researching wigs. She also told me to embrace baldness. Long silence. I can’t. Hair is my work. Hair has been my work for 41 years. Simply typing these words makes my stomach feel heavy and sick. Never in my life, and years of working with hair, did I ever think that I’d be in this situation. Also, at this appointment, I got 17-20 Kenalog injections into my scalp. The doctor said she is doubtful it will work based on the pattern and location of the alopecia. I was told to use minoxidil between appointments. I hate chemical treatments and the ingredients in minoxidil. What can I do? I use rosemary and lavender essential oils, vitamins, minerals and herbs, as they help inflammation (the basis of all auto-immune dis-ease). In a future post, I will share exactly which vitamins, minerals, and herbs I am taking.

In my mind, I will beat this before all my hair is gone. Fortunately, at this moment, I can hide the bald patches because most of the hairloss is at the back below my occipital, but there are smaller patches starting in more noticeable places. None of this is fun.

I will remain positive and optimistic. I have been humbled. Put in my place. I also doubt I will ever get another covid vaccine. Research the unfortunate side effects – as my GP put it. I once again thought I was doing the right thing, only to find that I put my immune system in overdrive (as told to me by the PA when I got extremely sick one day, for weeks, after I got the covid booster).

I do realize that there are many more people in worse situations/illness than me but we all matter; all different, all just as human as the other. I pray for healing for myself and for those I know who are dealing with illness of all types.

Until next time, stay well, stay positive.

~Dawn

Wrapped Up in Thought

I have allowed myself to be consumed by my current situation. I hate feeling this way. I hate the fear within me. I feel like I’m losing. I have to snap myself out of it and realize that the proper steps won’t make a change overnight. I know why I’m consumed with hair loss, hair is my work. Hair matters to all of us.

It is a confusing feeling when you don’t feel sick but your insides aren’t working as they should it shows on the outside.

I’m taking steps to improve change my already healthy eating habits. I’m trying to follow an anti-inflammatory diet, but it’s not easy when you love to cook, when you cook for another in the house (who could benefit from the same diet too), and when you’re angry that something came in and took over. I can find a hundred excuses, but that won’t help me get better. State of mind and determination and education will.

I thought I needed ALL the supplements that help autoimmune dis-ease. I have been searching and studying and causing myself sleepless nights. I stopped though. Sometimes less is more. Bloodwork to find what vitamins and minerals I am low on, is the answer. Eating foods that have abundant vitamins, minerals, proteins and good fats is what I need to do; it’s what we ALL need to do.

I keep thinking, “if I can just flush out my entire system, I will be better.” Maybe true, maybe not, but it can’t hurt to try.

Healthy starts on the outside, (food, air, sunshine, earth, water) and on the inside, (food, air, water, mindfulness, peace, sleep). I find myself serving others, helping others find inner peace, outer comfort, and encouraging food habits, but I don’t always make the time to practice the same.

Hashimoto’s and Alopecia Areata. I hate saying those words. I tried to ignore the words, especially the AA alopecia. I am worried that I will lose all of my hair. I’m worried that it is it’s own autoimmune disease and not connected to Hashimoto’s; which hair loss is also a symptom. Time will tell. While I move forward, I will snap out of my fear and anger and make necessary changes.

Habitually, I shame myself for being absorbed with my own conditions, but I’m allowing myself to be absorbed and to care about my health, both physical and emotional – for now.

If my experience teaches me to help others with similar situations or diagnosis, then I’m here for them. I’m here for you; we can learn and move forward together.

Just another day in the life. Thankful for another day, despite my stuff.

Hey 2023! Getting Back on Track

As you may have read in my previous post, I am dealing with new health concerns. I was diagnosed with Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis in early August 2022. Along with that came alopecia areata. In this post I will share my thoughts and experience and why I think this happened and what I am doing for it.

Last November, four days after Thanksgiving, I was scheduled for a covid booster. I had a minor tickle in the back of my throat but I assumed it was probably allergies so I didn’t give it another thought. I went to my appointment on Monday, my temperature was taken, no fever, so the booster was administered. I had the typical sore arm at the booster site but I otherwise felt fairly normal. Tuesday, my throat was more irritated and my sinus’ were stuffed, pressure in my head was awful, just like every time I end up with a sinus infection. I took vitamin C, echinacea/goldenseal root and began taking Robitussin for the irritated cough. By Tuesday night, my armpit of the booster arm was swelled so much that I couldn’t put my arm against my side; it also burned like mad. I let my doctor know the next day and learned that swollen lymph glands is sometimes a side effect of the booster. It lasted five to six days, slowly deflating each day but my body felt worse. I couldn’t breathe, had a chronic headache and chest congestion.

After about day five I called my doctor for an appointment because I typically get a sinus infection and bronchitis at least once a year. I work closely with people doing hair and while I wore a mask during that time, I still got sick. My doctor didn’t want me in the office so we did a tele-call after I drove to the office for a covid test which returned negative. I explained my entire scenario to the NP that I had the call with and she stated, “never get any kind of vaccine when you’re sick, your immune system is in overdrive“. I wish I knew I was getting sick, I also wish I knew not to get a shot if you’re sick; I don’t recall hearing or reading anything stating that when the CDC was urging vaccines for covid.

I was put on antibiotics and benzonotate perl for the sinus infection and bronchitis. I was sick the entire month of December and I felt exhausted well into February/March. I chalked it up to being overwhelmed with dealing with my parents for a few years prior then handling their passing and all that comes with it. I forged forward throughout last year doing what I needed to do and letting go of self-woes with an I’m fine attitude.

As I mentioned in my last post, we had some exciting times last year. I became a grandmother, (Nonnie!) in April, and I became a mother-in-law and step-nonnie to two beautiful children at the same time on July 9th. My heart is so full!

At the end of July I had a yearly physical where I learned, from my blood labs taken a week earlier, that I have hypothyroidism. More labs were to be taken in two weeks to be sure the readings were accurate. About a week after my physical, I found a small bald patch beneath my occipital bone, it was about the size of a quarter. I alerted my doctor who then added autoimmune testing to my upcoming blood draw. The lab work for my thyroid level was the same, 9.49 (0.4-4.25 is in the normal range), and Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis was also confirmed. I felt relief that I would quickly get back to normal once the thyroid medication, levothyroxine, kicked in. But as time went on and I was retested to make sure the dose of levothyroxine is correct, my thyroid levels were improving but the hair loss wasn’t, in fact, it was/is increasing. I have a large area at the first spot, it is now slightly larger than the diameter of a golf ball, a second spot is the size of a silver dollar and I recently discovered hairloss above my right ear. I saw a dermatologist in September who offered a steroid cream, injections or the use of minoxidil. I told her I would wait to see of the thyroid medication improves/stops the hairloss.

Second spot 2022

first spot Sept. 2022

Second spot January 2023

January 2023 First area

I have been digging deep into the why? My curiosity began with why my immune system is attacking my hair follicles. Still. Through my holistic health via nutrition schooling, I learned that things begin within. In my recent deep dive into why, I am learning that the gut has a lot to do with what is going on in and on the body. Toxins and heavy metals also play a role. I have started proper supplements for the immune system and Hashimoto’s. These are simple, necessary supplements, vitamin D3, Fish oil, Magnesium, vitamin C, Zinc, and probiotics; all good quality brands. I learned thise from the book Hashimoto’s Food Phamacology by Izabella Wentz. I also made a second appointment with the dermatologist to bridge the gap, at least until I get back to normal. My glass is half-full, I expect to get back to healthy.

Losing hair is a scary thing. I’ve worked in the hair industry for forty years as of 2022 and I have never come across a client with alopecia areata. Fortunate for me? Maybe. I work with hair so how my hair looks is a big deal. Not that I fuss with it much throughout the day, it has always looked good with the styles I wear. I’m not vain, I think of myself as average.

If you’ve had personal experience with thyroid issues, autoimmune dis-ease (Hashimoto’s, alopecia, psoriatic arthritis, eczema, IBS..) comment below.

Also, here are a few Informative Articles I have read:

A new drug for alopecia: https://www.ucihealth.org/blog/2022/10/drug_reverses_hair_loss_from_alopecia

Information I found on covid vax: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8673931/#:~:text=It%20is%20possible%20that%20the,the%20United%20States%20and%20globally.

End of the Year Catch-Up

2022 Recap

Today is December 28th of 2022 and I haven’t written half as much as I had planned to this year. To say so much got in the way would be a poor reason/excuse. Things happen to all of us. I’m not special or different or targeted. I got lazy. I procrastinated. Then I didn’t want to share what I am dealing with quite yet. Sharing helps though. It helps me and it may help you to know what it is that I’m working through.

I’ll recap the good things from this year first. On April 1, 2022 my first grandchild was born. He is perfect in every way. On July 9th, my son married a beautiful woman inside and out and on that day, I gained a daughter (in-law – but in my heart she’s my daughter); I also gained two amazing and sweet step-grandchildren. I became Nonnie this year!

Early August I learned that I have Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis. My thyroid TSH was super high (9.49) and I had found a bald patch on my scalp under my occipital area. That was and still is super upsetting. Upon telling my doctor, she ran autoimmune panels which cofirmed Hashimoto’s. Of course I dug in deep learning, still, all I can on how to at least get the symptoms under control. The bald patch has increased as well as another patch forming and growing wider. Why can this happen to the hair follicles? In short there are several reasons including inflammation, heavy metal toxicity, the immune system attacking the hair follicles just as it has attacked the thyroid gland, and an autoimmune disease called alopecia areata. I’m working on supporting my immune system with hopes that it will calm down. I have a strong feeling about why this all may have happened but for now I will keep my theory to myself.

This past year has had its ups and downs but I remain positive and hopeful, always. My glass is half-full every day. I try my best to be proactive and responsible. I plan to increase self-awareness, help for others and much more mindfullness to what I am doing, how I am feeling, acting, and releasing. I will work on letting go of people in my life who sap my physical and mental health. I will be helpful to others and thankful for something every day.

I plan to keep a blog journal about my new reality with Hashimoto’s and always be thankful that I don’t have severe symptoms that many others I have read about…at least not yet and hopefully not ever. My TSH levels are healthy now at 1.77 but that doesn’t fix Hashimoto’s and its symptoms.

I’m grateful for life, family and friends. I’m thankful for mostly good health and the opportunity to improve every day.

Have you been diagnosed with hypothyroidism? Hashimoto’s or another disease that has scared, worried or changed your life? Please feel free to share your story here.

God bless now and in the new year ahead!

~ Dawn

Waiting

Waiting. I feel like I spend so much of my life waiting to reach goals, to be fully happy, to be treated kindly and fairly and to be treated with the same respect and love that I treat everyone. My gut tells me that this will never happen. I’ve come to realize too that waiting and hoping just increases my hope, angst and often disappointment.

The thing I’ve learned throughout the years of waiting while preparing for specific things to come to fruition is that most often they don’t. It reminds me that we may plan our path but God plans our steps. In thinking about that I see that my path, and maybe yours too, is fairly straight but when I look back, it’s squigly and often treacherous. This teaches me to be much more open to whatever the very moment is offering while on my path.

I remember waiting for my birthday every year since childhood but when it arrived I felt forgotten and let down. I’ve only truly had a handful of fun birthdays to date and I hold those near and dear to my heart. What has taken me nearly 60 years to learn is that I need to plan what I want to do for my birthday and either make it known or do it myself. No blame to anyone, just taking a little liberty one day each year.

When I think back, I realize that I’ve been waiting for my life to begin, when in the meantime, I’m often missing the moment. My life began long ago. I was trained up on how to talk, think, feel and be. I’ve spent so much time trying to perfect that to a “T” that I forgot how to live life. I pushed aside the thought that I can be who I am, who I want to be without the approval of someone else. I need to push aside the thoughts that I’m not smart enough, worthy enough, valuable enough and not ready. Who is ever really ready?

Enough waiting for “my time” to arrive. My time is here, now. Surely I’ve worked, helped, serviced, studied, prepped, etc. etc. What is holding me back? Why do I have doubts about my abilities – my value?

What can I do to stop letting toxic words and behaviors from toxic people get into my head? I can pray and meditate on who I know I am. I must go inside to feel and know the love that IS around me and in me and close the floodgate that lets the negative entities in and around me.

Why do we allow ourselves to believe the labels others give us or to rate our value? No one knows what we go through individually; no one knows our heart and often I think no one cares.

Surround yourself with the love and light that God has given you. Spread that love and light to the world. Be authentically you.

A Life You Love

Nothing that we plan or imagine for ourselves actually happens as we think it will look like. It’s good to have goals but also necessary to be flexible because that is what will be most needed to avoid disappointment and/or depression.

We may never know the reasons things don’t work out as we thought they would; even if we did know, how would that change anything? What we can do is to never give up on a life of love we imagine. We can also adjust our thinking and goals as we move forward so that the life we are hoping for, imagining, will come to fruition in one way or another.

Giving up is easy, I’ve never chosen the easy path so I move onward.

Alive with Dignity and Strength

Like so many for the past few years I have been out of sorts. It seems for me that things have happened in a whirlwind making it hard to catch up, catch my breath and my focus.

My guy had hip issues and finally got it replaced in the summer of 2019. Three days later my mother passed away. My hands were already full and just got fuller; not to mention my mind. I planned to be Dale’s helper, of course I did. I also got everything my mother neeed so that she would be okay without me running over every day to help with one thing or another. My mind and body was pretty stressed out and to be honest I was looking forward to this small break from long and gruelling days with my mother. Anyone that knows her and me knows she was very demanding. I was her perfect pawn because I am very empathetic and a helper. That was a moment in time that I wouldn’t repeat. But I made it through with the help of family and friends; for them I am thankful.

Fast forward just four months and there was talk of coronavirus in other pasrts of the world but making their way to the USA. To add to that, Dale slipped and tore his quadricep 90% through on the same leg his hip was replaced. More surgery and more down time for him, for us. Covid-19 seeped in through every crack of every country and it hit hard and fast. As everyone reading this is aware, it caused us all to make major changes in our lives. Sadly, covid is still with us but is slowing…but enough of that subject here.

As I try to see things in a positive way, it’s sometimes difficult, especially when you hear the news in the world. As Ann Murray sang back in the 80’s, “we sure could use a little good news” – it’s still the truth today. The best I can do is pray to God for peace within me and within everyone in the world. The next best I can do is to be the peace, be the good, be the kindness I seek for all of us. It’s truly uplifting to see how one kind word or gesture can lift someone’s spirits, including your own.

I have fairly recently learned that I am too kind for some. I send gifts to family and friends and most of the time, they’re received well but not always. I’m a giver and a do-er, I feel that some friends and family think less of me for whatever reason, but I can’t change what they think. Maybe I’m awkward. I blame that on how I was expected to be during my growing years. I’m not cool. I’m not fashionable. I’m not fancy. I wish I was but one thing is certain, I am real. I am sincere. I’m authentic. I’m kind. I won’t trade any of that to be cool, fashionable, hip or fancy.

Like most of us I have dreams, goals, plans, intentions and so on. I have fallen off the cliff I was climbing and I had/have to start over. In the assemblance of readiness, I discovered there is more than one hill to climb. That to me is exciting; a breath of fresh air! I can actually choose a different cliff to sit upon. I can shift my intentions. I can recreate my present every single day. I have learned that it’s even okay to change my direction as each day unfolds. I AM alive with dignity and strength. I can leave old baggage where it is and move on without it. I have great visions of a future filled with love and dreams fulfilled.

I stand tall because He holds me up and strengthens me.

Imperfectly Perfect

I recently painted my kitchen cabinets. There’s a kind of calm that sweeps over me when I paint; perhaps I should try painting artwork! Someday.

My cabinets are old, they’re from the 70’s, so they have seen a lot in their time here, not to mention that the doors and drawers are plastic. Sigh. I will hopefully change that in the future but for now, after a new coat of light gray paint, they look pretty darn good.

While I was painting I found many dings, spaces, inconsistencies, nail and screw holes and I realized just how much the cabinets have been through. But, just the same, they serve their function perfectly. It got me thinking about all our own dings, scratches, spaces and scars of time and how we manage to “get through it” and function as we feel capable.

Our scars, physical and emotional, help to mould us into who we are.

Not one of us is perfect, and THAT makes us perfectly okay.

Keep your chin up, stand tall, foot forward.

You’ve got this thing called life!

Photo by Monstera on Pexels.com

Do Not Dwell, See New Things

This year has been a challenge for just about everyone I talk to. To be perfectly honest, the past few years have been wonky. For me, the reasons are various but not limited. As well as more difficult, stressful moments, there have been some pretty amazing moments too. Today, for the year end, I’m going to pour out my bucket to give myself some space for new experiences in the year(s) ahead.

I’ve struggled to understand behaviors of people all my life. Family, friends, co-workers, clients, strangers and more have never failed to baffle me. I had not understood why people would do or say such awful things to me and to others; I expected everyone to be kind, caring and giving like I am. It took far too long but I finally woke up. I have learned that a majority of people I am surrounded with are selfish, greedy, abusers of those who are the opposite of selfish greed. I have learned the true colors of people I have loved and trusted. Though I may never know why they treat me and others less than, I will [or have] let them go.

To sum up the past year I can agree that Covid-19 has truly disrupted our world. In fact, the world is disrupted in so many different ways and it’s not good. Knowing this, I can look forward with at least some expectations of how people will behave and react in society. I can look forward with my personal expectations and how I can walk in peace and love toward others. I plan to offset what seems to be the new normal.

Looking back at the happy moments of the past year brings a smile to my face and warmth overflowing in my heart. My eldest son got engaged to a truly sweet, caring and amazing woman. He loves her children as his own and I love them all as my own as well. Our family expanded and will expand a little more in March of 2022. I’m truly over the moon with happiness and love for all my kids – I love them so much that I claim them all as my own! I’m extremely happy for my son and is family. My only disappointment is that we are a ten hour drive apart from each other. At least we are blessed to be able to take that drive whenever we can.

My personal and work life has shifted slightly since 2017. My parents decided to move down from the northern part of New Hampshire to be closer to family. Closer to family was very close to me, so close in fact, that I lost all momentum I had with my holistic health coaching business. I lost clients and time because I was at my parent’s becking call. I was co.manded to be there every minute they wanted my help. My mother’s expectations was for me to do laborious things, rather than for a nice relaxed visit. I never said “no” to them, I obliged to avoid their anger. My father passed in 2017 so my mother expected even more from me – and she got it. I was worn and torn physically and mentally. Then she passed in 2019. I exhaled slowly. It has taken me two years to get my mind back to a safe and peaceful place. Which brings me to this moment. Where do I go from here?

A new dawn

I struggled much of my life to know what my God-given gifts are. I never believed I had any. I’m only now coming to realize that my gifts are kindness, hospitality, going the extra mile for others, giving, caring, lifting-up, listening, showing compassion and helping guide people to happiness, peace and acceptance of self and others. I remember years back when I had the conversation of my concern of having no gifts with my minister and his wife, they both agreed that hospitality was my gift. I refused to believe that could be a gift and that could even be an important gift to have. Hospitality?! What can that do to help others and bring others to feel the blessings God gives us?! Now I see it. I think I didn’t see it then because it comes so naturally to me that it doesn’t feel important or like work at all. I realize now, that our gifts shouldn’t at all feel like work. Knowing what my gifts are, finally, allows me to use them in the most valuable way possible. I am thankful for my gifts, though they might seem insignificant to some, I see them as important today.

I’ve recently been meditating on where to go from here. Where should my focus lie? What things and thoughts should I bring forth? In doing so, I have seen the same words, messages and images cross my path. The most common words in my view are renew, anew, make new, don’t look back, don’t dwell, see the new things, release yourself from fear or worry, inner strength, prayer, asking, peaceful mind, peace, see, listen, hear and notice. I see it in emails, video messages, songs, books, talks, the bible – I’m going to run with it. And I want to take you along with me if you’re willing to renew as well.

I want to let go of the old, the used and re-used, the past hurts, fears, worries and anxieties. We are new every single day so let’s make sure we start every day with that knowledge and move into it with ease and lightness. If we can let go of how we reacted to situations in the past and react with new expectations of today, we can overcome fears and worry with a more positive attitude. Set your expecations as you would like to see things happen. Pray on your needs and desires and the perfect answer will come. Walk forward with your head held high and your ego in check. No one person is better than the other, we all make choices that we think are the right ones, we behave in a way that either serves us or serves others; your choices make you who you are to yourself and to everyone else. Live with the person you choose to be, the one that you want others to know. Be the person who is kind, selfless and caring.

I will be the person people expect, only from today forward, I will not be abused by takers and selfish, abhorrent folks. I will be as kind to myself as I am to everyone else. Cheers to renewal, anew, new, peace, inner-strength, release, attention to others and love.

Peace to you in the year(s) ahead!

Forget the Past, Do Not Dwell, See the New Things – Deuteronomy 31:8

~Dawn