Following Dreams: Through Fear and Into Evolution

That's a big title for a post that started with a Disney movie...

Sitting down to write tonight, I put on one of my favorite musicals as background noise: Disney’s Tangled. I was inspired to watch it after attending a Tangled-themed baby shower today for a little princess arriving in April. I haven’t seen the film in years but I love the message of the movie, the catchy songs, and the comic relief. I even walked down the aisle at my wedding to its main love song ~ I See the Light.

As the story started on screen, I became distracted from my writing. Each sentence I wrote was stalled as I looked up to see the action. Multiple tries later, after continually returning to my laptop only to stop writing mid-sentence, I decided to fully commit - to the movie. I stopped writing to do just one thing at a time.

Focusing on just one thing at once can be hard for me. Just ask my husband, and he’ll tell you I’m always doing something if not two things. For a long time, being busy was a way to numb. A distraction from feeling. Writing has put that idea on its head. It may look like I’m busy doing something, but the thing I’m doing is dissecting my thoughts and feelings. I’m processing it all and coming out of it refreshed.

Writing is the opposite of numbing. It’s a conscious awakening.

While writing has always been a valuable tool for healing, sometimes relaxing with a Disney movie is just what I need. Both can help relieve stress. Discernment is essential and I’ve learned to follow the signs to just breathe and be.

After singing along, laughing, and crying, I came back to write this, and here’s what came to me…

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One of the lessons from the movie is to follow your dream. In the scene, right before the princess finally sees the lanterns in the sky on her birthday, she looks unsure and tells Flynn that she is terrified.

“I’ve been looking out the window for 18 years dreaming about what it would feel like when I saw those lights rise in the sky. What if it’s not everything I dreamed it would be?” He reassures her, “It will be.”

“And what if it is?” the princess inquires, “What do I do then?”

Flynn responds, “That’s the good part. You’ll get to find a new dream.”

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I spent most of my life dreaming about what it would feel like to be a published author. As the dream was close to becoming a reality, I was terrified.

The first fear was that the book would not sell at all and be a total bust but I was even more scared that people would read it and think it simply wasn’t a good book. I was also afraid that people would read it, and think it was well-written, but they would judge me for writing something so raw and honest.

My husband was there for me throughout it all, reassuring me and encouraging me to follow my dreams, even though I was petrified of every outcome. Just like in the movie, realizing my dream was a positive experience, and new dreams evolved along the way.

After my book Fragile Thoughts: A Healing Memoir was published in 2023, I dreamt of building a community where we could all share what we’ve learned on our healing journeys. The Write to Heal Substack was born and I’ve connected with amazing people from across the globe: readers, writers, dreamers, and healers.

I was inspired to offer a free Community Circle to connect on Zoom on the last Tuesday of the month where we write to heal, together. As the community thrived, I began dreaming about recording my book as an audiobook to reach a wider audience and empower more people to find healing. After one year of speaking into a microphone in the studio, that dream has been reached and I now have another new dream.

I dream of bringing the Write to Heal community together in person! I hope to guide others through a practice combining the three most powerful healing strategies I’ve ever found: writing, yoga, and vulnerable sharing.

As I began the planning for the first Write to Heal Yoga Retreat which is taking place next month, all those fears came rushing back. What if it’s a flop and no one signs up to attend? What if people do sign up to attend and they think it just isn’t a good retreat? What if people do think it’s a good retreat but judge me for the things I might do or say during it?

As my friend Phyllis has told me, “Don’t let fear stop you. Being scared just means you do it scared.” So I’m doing it!

The retreat has just 1 room/2 possible spots left so people are signing up ~ and I have meticulously planned, what I think, is a fabulous experience of accessible yoga practices, thoughtful writing prompts, and techniques for community building.

Each dream has always been about empowering others to heal - and each dream required doing it, even though I was sacred. Like all the dreams before this one, I imagine it’ll also have a positive outcome and then evolve into something new.

Journal Prompts:

1. What are some of the best feel-good movies that you turn to when the world is big, dark, and scary? If you can - watch them for a much-needed reprieve, then write about the lessons you’ve learned from the film.

   1. I recommend Steel Magnolias if you need a good cry. “Laughing through tears is my favorite emotion.” - Truvy Jones

2. What is your dream? How has it changed and evolved?

3. What would you do if you didn’t let fear stop you? Consider using this prompt as a sentence stem: Write out - If fear wasn’t a factor, I would… and complete the sentence. Then write it out again and finish the sentence another way. Do this at least 10 times. Don’t think too hard about it or the details of each sentence but keep finishing the sentence to see what pops up in your mind. Often you’ll find things you didn’t know were there.

Only 2 Spots Left for the Write to Heal Yoga Retreat!

This unique one-night retreat will take place at a beautiful book-themed boutique hotel in West Chester, PA on March 29, 2025.

This is a perfect retreat for anyone interested in self-study, personal reflection, or spiritual development. I lovingly call it an introvert's yoga retreat - it's just the right blend of community and quiet time.

We’ll combine the healing tools of journaling/writing with accessible yoga practices like meditation and yin yoga. I'll offer various thoughtful prompts including a mindful nature walk on the beautiful grounds of this book-lovers paradise! And of course, we will leave plenty of time for reading or writing on the plush couches in the community spaces or your room, each inspired by a famous book and each bed framed by bookshelves.

Check out the full agenda and sign up today: Write to Heal Retreat - March 29

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Community Healing Circle

Join me for my next FREE gathering on Tuesday, February 25 from 745pm-830pm EST on Zoom. We'll begin with some deep breaths and body awareness, then spend 5 minutes each on 5 prompts all focused on self-discovery. We’ll end with a community share circle. No writing experience is necessary ~ we all have a #writetoheal.

This free community space is all about building courage, compassion, and connection - what Brene Brown says is whole-hearted living - and will be offered on the last Tuesday of each month throughout 2025.

Write to Heal Community Circle - February 25

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Fragile Thoughts: A Healing Memoir

My book is available anywhere books are sold and now the audiobook is live!

If you have Spotify Premium, it’s included - and if not, it is on sale now for $9.99!

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Thank you for reading Write to Heal. Please hit that heart button❤️if you made it this far and share it with someone you think would enjoy it or benefit from it.

Please join me in the comments or chat to share your thoughts. I’m eager to hear your recommendations for feel-good movies and learn about your dreams! What would you do if you didn’t let fear stop you?