My journey to true faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; on-going research into becoming a better person as a daughter of God, a wife, and a mother. -Therefore, dearly beloved brethren, let us cheerfully do all things that lie in our power; and then may we stand still, with the utmost assurance, to see the salvation of God, and for his arm to be revealed. (Doctrine & Covenants 123:17)-
16 March 2016
Triggers
Triggers are those things that easily beset you. Today I would like to tell you what some of my triggers are and possibly embarrass myself. But vulnerability leads to better understanding and courage.
******SIGH******
Deep Breath, let it out. Breathe in, 1. Breathe out, 2. I have discovered that I am anxious because I want to be in control of my life. Completely. But who learns to swim with one foot still on the ground?
Areas in my life that easily beset me are finding babysitters for my children, being late, and not having a successful bedtime regimen. These may sound silly but they are also all intertwined. If we don't sleep well at night, I'm late getting up which then explodes in massive domino effect. So then if something goes awry with, let's say, babysitting, I am left with basically two seconds to figure it out. Nigh impossible.
These stressors cause so much havoc in my life. I work for various reasons. It gives me time to think and act like a grown up without children, gives them a chance to see that other people may or may not also be crazy, it currently is helping me pay off debt, and it allows opportunity for me to grow as a creative outlet. However, it nearly undoes me to feel that my efforts are for not.
As I've meditated I've come to realize that those are my triggers and are the moments that I lose any sense of reason. I yell, cry, sob, because I am angry that I have lost control of something that wasn't really mine to control in the first place - like other peoples lives/time. But then, almost as instantly as my tantrum begins, it turns into a tantrum based in shame. I am deeply ashamed that I do not control myself, my emotions, and my reactions to bedtime, being late, and child care. And because shame is not a motivator as guilt could be, I spiral into raging fits of belittling myself and/or my children.
Brene Brown teaches that shame says, You aren't worthy. You aren't good enough. You aren't, you aren't, you aren't. While guilt says, Oh, I made a mistake or a bad decision. I am going to fix it.
Do you see that? Not only does the motivation change, but the speaker. It went from Second person to first person. So rather than listen to someone else dictate my thought process while triggers are pulled, I am learning through meditation to call the shots. Today was a success.
For several reasons, all three of my triggers were pulled. In the middle of my panic attack, I was able to kindly redirect myself. Usually automatic thoughts come flying from my mouth or just permeate my body until all sense or kindness leaves me. Today, I said, "We are ok. We can be a little late. We have babysitting figured out. Heavenly Father showed us He provides. We are ok." Sofia noticed right away that I was creating a difference and she said it with me, We are ok.
It wasn't the cleanest or gentlest redirect but I did it!
Con mucho amor,
~Anna K. Morales
07 March 2016
The Radio is Always ON
This my friends, is called mind chatter, or like a radio is on 24/7. So the problem is that I have been paying a lot of attention to the voices of the radio lately. Lately? Maybe I've become more and more attentive as years have passed. The good thing is that now I am recognizing that it doesn't just play my voice. But how did I even get to the point of losing me in the false advertising and shame game show?
I am developing a theory, or is a hypothesis? ;)
Here's where the lately comes in. Lately, I have had extremely harmful thoughts enter my mind of their own accord. Luckily, I noticed how harmful their potential was if acted upon. The more I have dissected my therapy sessions, and the time leading up to getting therapy, I have seen these thoughts present for a while. So why didn't I do something about it earlier? Why had I not labeled the thoughts as invaders?
Commonplace.
Do you listen to music a lot? In your car, from your devices? Watch movies, T.V.? Scroll through online media? What happens when you turn it off? Sometimes I still hear the last song echo in my mind, or see the light of the screen when I close my eyes. When I first learned to drive turning on music was a No-no. It would be a distraction that created higher probability of poor judgment while handling a vehicle. Now, the radio is on, oh AC needs adjusted, phone call, GPS, check for cars, is my mirror crooked (children), etc. Wow, that is a lot going on in a moving vehicle, did the probability for harm lessen? No. But slowly overtime, each of those things became commonplace. Second-nature.
Satan is working hard to do the same thing with my mind. It wasn't always so invasive. But I believe that little by little he's adding flaxen cords.
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The harmful thoughts that have entered my mind most likely started as something third party. Something that wasn't tangible or even "thinkable" to be part of my life. Just a very sad something that had happened to other people, something I couldn't fathom.
Just like the radio, the cell phone, and the online media, those passive thoughts became common. Common enough that I started paying attention and then forgot that they weren't generated by me. They never felt like me, never made my soul ring, and the first time the thought was so vivid that it became actively first person, I cried. I cried because the weight of it's intention was too heavy for my soul. That's when I got help.
There is someone who needs to hear me speak about this. Why am I having glimpses of horrible that other people deal with always? I don't know, but the falsity has been too real lately and I am a Warrior, I will not continue to allow the voices of evil be the only ones heard. Never stop fighting, never lose touch with your soul, with what you really have to say. It's your talk show, be heard.
Con mucho amor,
~Anna K. Morales
02 March 2016
In the Midst of Silence
The anxiety I have felt in my life has reflected itself in various ways over the years. When I was a teenager and had experienced some life altering hardships, I hyperventilated often. At first, it was the only thing my body could do to exude EVERYTHING that was happening inside of my mind and emotions. It was just all too much. After a while though, when I felt I was beginning to get a handle on things but would still hyperventilate, I think I feared the pain and helplessness of the panic attack more than anything. Which of course only made the episode come on much faster and last longer. It hurts you know, your lungs feel like they will explode, your muscles like they will snap, and your skin like you've been stuck with needles in every pore.
During that time doctors had me take a lot of tests: iron levels, sugar levels, etc. But they also had me do survey type things to see if I was depressed. Depression never was the conclusion.
Other times in my life, I felt like I had a lot of control over me and my situations- i.e. college. I didn't hyperventilate, or have panic attacks as often and life seemed to blossom. I had a lot of classes that forced me to look at my life objectively and analyze it. After my mission, I didn't panic at all. I felt so much freedom and capability. Though I would say my anxiety still showed through in small ways at the time. In dance classes I was often critiqued as never fully releasing- "Let your head go, release your neck! Release the energy." You have to have a certain balance of centering/core and release in dance. If everything is tight you will seize up and it makes ongoing turns impossible and your leaps just don't seem as gravity defying because your holding that final upward breath back.
Now my anxiety is vividly returning by way of anger, impatience and silent fears. I experienced Postpartum Depression and it unlocked that hidden box of anxiety. I always used to say that if I was upset, sad or stressed it was ok to feel the emotion. But I never really experienced it in a healthy way. I would lock things into boxes and then they would explode out of me when they surpassed their limits.
I am currently seeing the difference between anxiety and depression. Shortly after my son's birth I felt like a black cloud lived in my being. How do you shoo it away without shooing yourself away? I thought I couldn't. It infuriated me that I was out of control. I often felt like I was having out of body experiences as I found myself screaming at my children, scaring them. Afterward I plagued myself with shame. How could I do this to my children? Why can't I control my emotions? Well, it is because anxiety reigns in my head.
I am currently learning the art of Meditating. As mentioned in my previous post my paradigm is shifting. I am practicing allowing thoughts to float by like clouds. Or fall like leaves to the ground, and if they are malicious I watch them fall into a creek and float away (harder said than done).
Well, this has been magnified these last few days. My biggest struggle in an anxious state is that when I am feeling it strongly I tend to clam up while thoughts yell in my head, or I simply do not filter any thoughts and they come shooting out in raucous yelling and anger. Because I am unable to yell or hardly speak at this time, I feel like my mind is winding into a silence I have never known.
The anxiety has allowed anger, frustration, and impatience to have its way. But it hurts too much to try to yell. So I haven't. I take a deep breath and look at my approach. Does what I have to say need to be yelled? Most likely not. I find myself yelling when the girls fight, but they need a breath. They need a role model, do I have to be perfect? No. But I do have to take the time to catch the appropriate thoughts as they fall and let anything else float by.
Con mucho amor,
~Anna K. Morales
16 February 2016
Let Virtue Garnish Your Thoughts
This week I had a profound awakening about thought. You see, with the depression I have been experiencing, I often think very rudely of myself. I don't know that I have been extremely conscious of it, but all of that is now changing.
I started counseling and my therapist said, "You know you aren't your thoughts, right? Thoughts come and go they aren't who you are."
Wow! In the words of this media generation, "MIND BLOWN!" I am having to change my entire paradigm about who I am, my character. I was able to pin my belief system about thought to a quote,
05 February 2016
Defining Success
10 Habits Of A Successful Mom
Reading Danielle's post made me reflect on what success is. All too often we define success by looking outward. We may compare ourselves to Mom's that somehow stay super trendy or have amazing planning skills- healthy meals anyone? I've watched longingly in the 'window' of friends homes who have routine down pat. I am learning though that to find success we must look inward through our own windows.
Now, this can be scary, to look at yourself from a different perspective. I have indeed seen things through my window that shook me. Especially as I have felt depressed, but I was also surprised at how many good things I see happening in my home. There is enough good to make some changes bearable. If you look at yourself and home from this point of view, I guarantee that you will not notice so much if your kitchen is spotless or if your hair looked good or not. You will notice whether or not your children feel loved or ignored. One of the negative things I noticed was that my children would play "phone" but it wasn't just talking it was pretending to look at things on their phone, to play videos on their phone. It really hit me hard that there was such a disconnect on my side. Do they really see me doing this so much that they are learning it is how life is? I am addressing this issue, however, that is just one side of the coin.
I also found so much joy in sharing things that I love with them! We do a ballet/creative movement class occasionally. I used to not like teaching toddlers, but now I love it. They follow with such precision and call me "Maestra" (teacher). It's so cute. Sofia has amazing form and the perfect feet for dancing. Lilly has artistry and will make your insides hurt when she dances so dramatically. Another thing they enjoy is becoming artisans of jewelry. My friend and I are working to build our inventory so my girls have been 'helping' me. Sofia has also begun to make her own bed and organize her room. They both love to empty the dishwasher as well. I saw that I successfully taught them both to brush their own teeth, and to do it well.
So, as I hope you see from the positive examples, Not everything you're doing is a failure. Looking through my window, I found that my struggles are valid. Bedtime and cleanliness are real and valid struggles. They are hard for me. But this is where you can look for answers so that weak things may become strong things.
As I suggested in my last post, we really do have to reach out for help sometimes. And it can be so good to watch others interact with our children. You will see how much 'right' you really do and have the opportunity to learn from others as well.
We all can do hard things. It is in them that we will find our successes. Keep pushing forward in faith and cheerfulness!
Con mucho amor,
~Anna K. Morales
28 January 2016
Overcome Depression
Well, since we blogged last, there have been a bajillion things happen. I won't go over everything, most of what we've experienced will be in my heart, to ponder. But one of the really wonderful things that happened was the birth of our son! He is so sweet and just a charm. Our three little tots just bring us so much joy.
However, last year I also experienced the very thing that allows me to understand that joy, it's opposite. Laced through different experiences, sadness overwhelmed me. It was also very strongly attached to its friends - anger, guilt, shame, frustration and bitterness.
2015 had the potential to drain all of my desire to feel, it was exhausting. But I want to share some things that have helped me as I fight the uphill battle to feeling worthy of joy and blessings.
1- Lately I have started to pray with a little different vocabulary. Nephi often describes the beginning of his understanding by telling us that he desired something. He desired to know the mysteries of God, and desired room on his plates to write the things of God. In 1 Nephi 10:17 he says, "I, Nephi, was desirous also that I might see, and hear, and know of these things, by the power of the Holy Ghost..." In the next chapter not only does he state what he desired but during his vision "...the Spirit said unto [him]: Behold, what desirest thou?"
So I started really thinking about what I desire. I noticed that Nephi was required to clarify his belief and then the Spirit rejoiced and praised God because of Nephi. In simply begging that I would know the answers and figure out how to be a better person, I wasn't truly being honest with what I wanted, or at least not developing it far enough.
What I desire is to show my children that Christ has comfort but that if one diligently seeks Him, He will teach us how to overcome our weakness through Him. It opened my mind to the fact that my children need to hear me apologize to them when I lose it, but also hear me talk of Christ, rejoice in Christ and see that He is the source they also can turn to.
2- Scripture Study and Prayer are one. They do not go 'hand in hand' for me. This wasn't a new concept to me but has indeed become more dear to my heart. Prayer is a conversation. But it can happen in so many ways- For example, Anne Shirley said that if she really wanted to pray she would go out into a large field, look up to the heavens, and simply feel a prayer. (Anne of Green Gables) Sometimes I feel prayer. My thoughts' direction is to Heavenly Father but then I just bask in emotion. I often sit serenely with my soul connected to the heavens and just smile about a moment, understanding, or thought. Other times I cry, sob, whimper, and have been known to wail in agony.
But the thing that is comforting to me is that God also has various ways of answering. At times I am impressed to sit in the temple just to feel the wonderment of all that can be revealed and the basicness of the gospel. Other times I study the scriptures and find that I can relate with those that have gone before me. I have dreamt life answers and also worked (blood, sweat, and tears) to grasp a vague understanding over a moment. His answers are tailor-made for us. He understands us better than us, so I think sometimes it takes us a while to know how to discover the treasures He tucks into the answers but they are ample.
3- People want to help! Often they will do so without knowing how much they stir your soul. As I have forced myself to feel all of the ugly and let it be seen, true kindred spirits have stepped up to support me, teach me and just love me. Trust them, be vulnerable and then be willing to grab the good that comes of it.
Con mucho amor,
~Anna K Morales
19 June 2014
Life is such a beautiful opportunity
There is a child who has been sent to me as a lesson in the form of a student. Her mother asked if I would be able to give her private dance lessons.
I decided long ago to barter as much as possible, rather than charge. I told her that I could teach for an exchange in services.
I'm not a very good house keeper. I never have been. I was the child who hid all my things under the bed, or in the closet, just so I could move on to other projects.
My student's mom usually tidies up the living room or kitchen while I teach. She's amazing, accomplishes more in an hour than I do all week. :D]
Well, this little student has such artistry. She wants to tell the story, share the emotion, as much as I do, and her technique, natural.
She has been part of a beautiful gift from Heavenly Father to me. He showed me that I know enough, I am enough, to be an instrument in His hands. He teaches me this as I teach her.
Because of the promises I have made with Heavenly Father, I have always felt a strong connection to how He thinks of me. I know He has counseled me and encouraged me and loved and will do so forever.
Because of this experience, along with others, I have decided to hold free dance classes. I give my students the opportunity to create, to discover, and to learn to become.
I was always looking for the right time and the right place to feel confident enough to open a studio, to charge for my lessons. I wanted to have the courage to say, "I'm good enough to earn your well earned paycheck, I deserve it."
That mindset always suffocated my love for dance and other performing arts. I always felt there were so many others better than me to ask for such high recompense.
Teaching in a setting with no budgets or deadlines or rent or quotas has freed me.
I know my goal is to complete some portion of the human soul. As I teach in this capacity I feel whole.
If there is something you need emotionally, or spiritually, could you fulfil it by fulfilling your eternal being?
Can we, together, lighten the burdens of the world by giving ourselves to find ourselves?
Please share your soul's sincere desire. Together, that is how the Lord intended us to exist and progress. Synergy, us plus Him = His Glory. Us plus Him = our happiness= His happiness.
con mucho Amor
Anna K Morales