People sometimes ask me what I believe as a coach. What guides my work when I sit with someone who wants to grow. My philosophy is simple. First, build the person. Show them their capability. Help them discover their superpower — because everyone has one. Teach them to love themselves and be kind to themselves, because every good thing grows from that soil. Then, build the environment. Explore it. Work on it. Make adjustments. Your surroundings should promote your growth, not fight against it. Sometimes the bravest thing you can do is change the space around you. Then, build the unity. Teamwork. Community. Paying it forward to a friend. Because growth was never meant to be kept — it was meant to be shared. Love yourself. Be kind to yourself and others. Explore your environment. Work on it. Adjust. And pay it forward. That is how you find love, ground, and purpose. This is the heart of my coaching — and of every reflection I share here. If it speaks to you, I'd love to walk some of that road with you. — Viva Coach DeShanti ❤️

"This storm shall pass." It's a phrase I've been relying on lately. To little Coco, I would say, "This storm shall pass… Ashanti." Ashanti… that was our healing mantra. I recently lost a pet, and my body has been processing that loss. I've felt it in my back. Emotional pain isn't just something you carry in your mind—you can physically feel it in your body. "This storm shall pass" is a powerful reminder that the worst of any situation is temporary. Eventually, the clouds move on, and light follows. We pray that the outcome is what we believe is best. But life doesn't always unfold the way we hope. Sometimes the outcome is loss. Sometimes it's sadness. Sometimes it's death. But ask yourself this: Are you still in the same storm? More than likely, no. You're dealing with the consequences—the aftermath of the storm—not the storm itself. The lesson then becomes how you pick up the pieces and move forward. Every storm requires a different recovery. Some leave behind a few broken branches. Others change the landscape forever. I have to admit, this storm has been a heavy one. But each day gets a little better. The happiness I find today gives me hope for tomorrow. And one thing I've learned is this: you are not meant to go through life's storms alone. Lean on the people who love you. Accept their support. Be grateful for the experience, even when it's painful, because every storm teaches us something about ourselves, about love, and about what truly matters. Then, when you're ready, get back out there. Live. Smile. Love. Honor what you lost by continuing to live a life that would make them proud. Because this storm shall pass, and one day you'll realize you are no longer surviving it—you've grown because of it. For little Coco. 🌈💛 — Viva Coach DeShanti

Thought of the Day ❤️ Someone reminded me today that there is always a first. The first time you speak in public. The first day on a new job. The first business. The first relationship. The first time you forgive. The first time you try something you’ve never done before. We are often so quick to judge ourselves and others by the outcome that we forget to appreciate the courage it took to begin. Give yourself grace. Give others grace. At least the attempt was made. Every expert was once a beginner. Every meaningful relationship started with a first conversation. Every accomplishment began with someone willing to try, even without knowing the outcome. That first step may not be perfect, but it just might be the beginning of something beautiful, meaningful, and life-changing. So celebrate the firsts. They are where every great story begins.

I truly wish people could see themselves in others. If we all practiced empathy, I believe the world would look very different. There would be less war. Less poverty. Less famine. Imagine if we redirected the energy we spend fighting one another toward helping one another. Instead of building weapons, we built homes. Instead of competing for resources, we shared knowledge. Instead of taking over, we lifted up. We would create better food systems, stronger schools, healthier communities, and a world where no one felt forgotten. When you truly see yourself in another person, their suffering becomes your concern. Their success becomes your celebration. You become more willing to help, to guide, to teach, and to build. To me, that's what empathy is. Recognizing the same spark of life that exists in you exists in someone else. If I truly saw you as divine… If I truly believed you were a part of me… I could never intentionally disrespect you. Because in doing so, I would be disrespecting a part of myself. Maybe that's where peace begins. Not with governments. Not with policies. But with one person choosing to see themselves in another. ❤️🫶🏽🌎 Viva Coach DeShanti

New episode. Take a breath and see if you recognize yourself. 👇 ⏸️ PAUSE As a child: - Did you feel unseen or unheard? - Were your thoughts, feelings, or accomplishments overlooked? - Did you have to compete for attention in your home? - Did adults dismiss your emotions with "You'll be fine," "Stop crying," or "It's not a big deal"? - Did you often feel alone, even when surrounded by people? Children who are consistently ignored may receive the message: "What I think, feel, and need doesn't matter." 🪞 REFLECT As an adult, it can show up as: - Seeking external validation and approval - Becoming an overachiever to gain recognition - People pleasing - Fear of abandonment or rejection - Difficulty expressing needs or asking for help - Feeling invisible in relationships - Remaining silent because you believe no one is listening - Overexplaining or oversharing in an attempt to be seen and understood - Settling for less than you deserve because being noticed feels uncomfortable Some adults become extremely quiet. Others become very loud. Both may be trying to answer the same question: "Do you see me?" ✨ CHOOSE Healing begins when we recognize that our needs, feelings, and voice matter. Ask yourself: - Can I acknowledge my own feelings without needing someone else to validate them? - Can I ask for what I need? - Can I speak up even when my voice shakes? - Can I give myself the attention and care I was seeking from others? Affirmation: I am seen. I am heard. My feelings matter. My voice matters. I no longer need to prove my worth to be worthy. 💬 Drop a 🙋‍♀️ if this is you — and tell me: are you the quiet one or the loud one?