“All that is gold does not glitter. Not All Who Wander Are Lost” This quote (from Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings) reminds us that exploring, questioning, or taking a non-traditional path doesn’t mean being directionless. There is a lot to learn and a lot to gain from wandering. There is also a lot to learn from paths that don't always look the prettiest. - Wandering can mean growth, discovery, and seeking deeper meaning. - It’s about trusting the journey/process-even if it looks different from what others expect or what you may expect - Sometimes the best paths are the ones we find along the way, not the ones mapped out for us ---Below is also a mind mapping worksheet that can help with exploring thoughts and visually organizing thoughts around a topic.Wandering towards clarity :) QUESTION: What “wandering” moments in your life have actually led you closer to purpose?

Thank you all for being here, for contributing, for engaging, and for your presence: :) Check out the posts from this week and take some time to get to know one another!! I'm so truly appreciative of you all. :) I really really am. :) From @Tyler Scott 1. Lessons from kid's books: quotes-lessons-from-kids-books From @Christa Lovas 1.Boundaries as Self Care: self-care-is-boundaries-not-just-baths 2. Building generations ahead : the-greatest-joy-isnt-in-what-you-build-its-in-what-it-becomes From @Belinda Morey 1. Thoughts on Progress: i-have-been-thinking 2. On forgiveness (funny): forgiveness-is-a-stand-up-set-funny From yours truly: 1 Emotional Bypassing:Numbing and Distraction: .numbing-distraction 2.Emotional Bypassing: Spiritual/Positivity: positive-or-spiritual 3.Emotional Bypassing: Relational: -relational-bypassing Ongoing Community Challenge/Focus: Letters of Hope: letters-of-hope-legacy-challenge

Numbing/distraction based bypassing happens when we use constant stimulation to avoid emotional discomfort. Examples include: endless scrolling, binge watching, over-consuming content,staying constantly entertained, snacking, gaming, working, cleaning, checking notifications..the list honestly can be endless... None of these *have* to be inherently unhealthy, but when they're used as avoidance of dealing with our own things, then they can become problematic. Some can became *really* problematic if they lead to addiction. WHY it develops and PSYCHOLOGICAL Components at play Strong emotions activate the sympathetic nervous system and can feel overwhelming, so distraction povides immediate relief by shifting attention from that discomfort and it works towards "soothing" the system. -avoidance (sense a theme here?) -nervous system regulation : High stimulation (scrolling, gaming, multitasking) can override anxious activation ; Sedating behaviors (binge watching, overeating, alcohol, zoning out) can dampen emotional intensity. Short term relief.....but it will rebound. It always rebounds because we haven't really addressed what's there -dopamine loops: who doesn't like a little dopamine to spice up their life? -constant input leaves little room for reflection: if your mind is always occupied, difficult emotions have fewer opportunities to surface. Silence becomes the thing to avoid, but....silence will come and these will resurface. -Protective dissociation: in more intense cases, numbing can involve emotional detachment. In cases like this people can feel flat, disconnected, 'checked out', strangely calm in situations that normally evoke emotion. -culturally, constant stimulation is normalized. Being busy or entertained rarely raises concern and a lot of times it's encouraged. GOOD NEWS: Numbing can quickly reduce distress which in some moments we really do need. Having mental breaks can help pevent emotional overrlaod and can help with coping during challenging times. When used intentionally healthy distraction can give the nevous system a break, can interrupt rumination cycles, can help restore enerrgy and can povide relaxation and some moments of happiness. Occasional relief is needed, chronic avoidance is not.

Well, for this story, also literal tabs! After a year abroad in New Zealand, I have 50 days left and have been withholding buying a flight home in case the universe decides to send me on an epic side-quest! But truly, I've been really antsy to just have an end-date locked down and secured so I can rest easy. Not to be vigilant on 'is the universe going to gift me MORE?!' I felt massive relief to have just now bought the ticket and close a bunch of open tabs on flight prices and options to different countries for over a month now. Done. Set. A wave of relief to inch towards home now, even if it will be a brand new one when I get there. What tabs might you feel some relief in closing today?

I would love to see or hear about something that's bringing you Joy this week! Or something that you're looking forward to! 😊 I'm meeting with a skool friend today( @Dr. Melissa Partaka ) and that's exciting! Yay! I caught myself a sunrise this morning and it was so peaceful and beautiful :-) Also, shout out to @John D for his amazingness. Thankful for you. 🥰❤️