“Some beautiful paths can't be discovered without getting lost.” – Erol Ozan

Life is a journey, and it is YOURS to discover!

Even on the most beautiful path, you can lose your way, but keep pushing yourself forward – you CAN find your way!

Sometimes, it may feel like the path never ends, but getting lost doesn't mean you give up, right?!

YOU decide what path you want to take – I say choose the beautiful one, and stay positive – you've got this! ❤️

“Let's untangle our mind, and set it free...”

For my subscribers below! ...

“SQUIRREL!!!”

Do you ever get in those moments when there is so much to get done on the to-do list?!

Ha! I sure do, and today was one of those days!!! BUT, everything is checked off ✔️✔️✔️ and now, it's time to sit back and relax!!

I find that when I have that squirrel moment, I have to just take a deep breath and FOCUS on each task – one at a time! I try my best to get the list done, but, sometimes not everything is checked off! And that's OKAY!

If you are feeling overwhelmed with your to-do list, just remember, not everything needs to be done in one day! There's still tomorrow – and some things, well, it can wait until then!!! ❤️

Oh, and – see, I am OKAY 😉 here's a selfie I JUST took ...

“Let's untangle our mind, and set it free...”

To unlock for special features and read more – subscribe to Coil, and join the great community!

Some of my writing from a while ago...

“A friend is not someone who laughs at a decision you’ve made.

A friend is not someone who only calls when they want something.

A friend is not someone who will judge you.

And a friend is definitely not someone who will do things behind your back, creating unnecessary issues, causing hurtful outcomes.

A true friend, however, is someone who wants to, and chooses to, stick by you no matter what happens.

A true friend, is someone who realizes that no one is perfect, and will comfort you through the difficult times.

A true friend will understand when enough is enough, and when the right time is to either offer their support, or keep their distance.

A true friend, will confront you when they have issues.

They will not hide, nor will they be secretive or vindictive.

They will not turn a situation around in order to make themselves feel better.

They will not put you down in order to achieve an inner feeling of power.

That inner feeling they thrive on is the kind that initiates intimidating actions.

Friends don’t do that to each other; rather, they show honesty and respect.

They accept changes in and around their lives, even if that means losing a friendship.

By accepting change, it creates peace and happiness.”

- Sandra Scala

Here is a quote I admire from Robert Brault:

Life becomes easier when you learn to accept an apology you never got.

What happens when we never did receive an apology from someone in our past? For words spoken or actions taken, whether towards ourselves or someone else?

Let me ask this – what is my worth to the people who have caused me sadness, anger, resentment, and/or disappointment? Do they not realize that their words and/or actions, have hurt me deeply?

Mentally, emotionally, and spiritually, my mind got tangled into what seemed like a terrifying spider web, in which I simply could not get out of. Overthinking. Over-analyzing. Have you ever felt this way? And what did you do to overcome this feeling and emotion?

I believe a lot depends on what and how words and/or actions are taken. Why is it so hard to acknowledge wrongful words and/or actions? If you were to flip a situation, the question becomes – “How would you feel?”

I am human, and I have feelings and emotions. I believe I am a good person, and I strive to be the best I can be, every day. My kids look up to me, and I show them that I am strong, yet at the same time, vulnerable. I show them that I am a mother doing the best she can.

Nobody deserves to be mistreated, and perhaps in my past, I’ve said some hurtful things. BUT, I’ve always apologized. I think we are ALL guilty of this, but the fact is, there’s the point of acknowledgement. There’s compassion. There’s empathy. Nobody deserves to be taken advantage of. And as much as it hurts, emotionally and mentally, we have got to try our damn hardest to apologize, forgive, and put it behind…keep it in the past, where it belongs.

I’ve tried to make my point, many times, and I’ve tried to explain why I felt hurt. I’ve had people apologize, and some, they just don’t care (or, they don’t get it). I give myself a pat on the back for at least trying and standing up for my beliefs. And I tell myself to stop there, because there’s no changing the way some people feel or think. If it’s going to be a black and white situation, my point isn’t even going to be taken into consideration. So why worry?!

Were my thoughts ever truly valued or taken seriously? I don’t think so. Why was there no respect to what I believed? I have no idea. So again, why worry? I am only causing more hurt and anger inside and the truth is, they don’t deserve my time or energy. Me, I need to stay focused on the positive, rather than the negative!!

At times, when my anxiety kicks in, I tell myself over and over – don’t obsess over it. Don’t let that spider web get more tangled in your mind. Create peace by letting it go. The thing is, what was said was said. What was done was done. And now, I don’t need their approval, or compassion, or empathy, in order to move on with my life. What I do need, is to believe in myself and my morals. I need to respect, trust, and love myself for the choices I’ve made and continue to make. We all do!!!

I’ve said it before, and I say it again – we only got one shot at life! We need to surround ourselves with our true, loved ones. Cherish the moments we have with them, now.

There will definitely be people in this lifetime that will hurt us. But, we need to re-evaluate the situation, accept it, and look to our trusted friends and family for support along the way. Luckily today, I have the support I need!!

Let’s clear our mind – whether it’s going for a walk, talking to someone we trust, sing, dance, write, or pray to a higher level! Whatever makes you feel GOOD.

Let’s find time to heal within, take deep breaths, and keep pushing forward…

“Let's untangle our mind, and set it free...”

And for my subscribers:

For those of you who don't know, I started my Blog (The Mind, Untangled.), back in September of last year, and it has been a phenomenal experience!!

My hope with The Mind, Untangled., is to help motivate and inspire those who are going through rough patches in their lives. Whether it be those who deal with anxiety, depression, mental health issues, relationship/friendship issues – whatever the case may be...here, we try to “untangle our mind, and set it free...”

In May of this year, I went to Cyprus to appear on Thekla Petridou’s live television show to share my story. We discussed disabilities, mental health issues, as well as marital matters, and acceptance in our society. Click below to watch my interview!!

When I was in Cyprus, I was able to relax and clear my head.

This photo below was taken when I was by the Sea. I'm sharing this because life is just too short. So many of us are faced with unexpected and unwanted challenges in life, and sometimes, we don't take the time to acknowledge the true beauty of what is right in front of us.

If doing something for you is what you need to do, to clear your mind and it creates peace and happiness within – it doesn't matter how you do it, when you do it, or how often you do it. It is nobody else's business but yours, and who you spend that time with, that counts. It's for YOU!!!

Life IS....

➡️ Too short to worry about people who stress you out.

➡️ Too short to worry about what other people think of you.

➡️ Too short to worry about all the little things that won't even matter, at the end of the day.

➡️ Too short to not spend quality time away, with the ones you love.

➡️ Too short to be bullied.

➡️ Too short to be abused, whether emotionally, mentally, verbally, physically, or sexually.

Life is just too darn short. Period.

So please, just grasp the time you do have with the ones you love, and cherish EACH and EVERY moment. Pause. Focus. Breathe. ❤️

“Let's untangle our mind, and set it free...”

For subscribers, below are pictures of my time in Cyprus...

“overcome your barriers.

overcome your dark side.

CHOOSE the bright side.”

- Sandra Scala

Ah, but “how do I do this?” you ask yourself...“Nobody understands.” “Nobody knows what I am going through”...“Nobody cares”...

All these questions, so many fears...

BUT – if you just believe in yourself, trust in yourself, love yourself, and allow yourself to heal – you will find happiness...

So many people are unaware of specific mental health issues. A lot of people think that everyone feels the same when it comes to anxiety or depression, or whatever it may be.

The fact is, everyone experiences things DIFFERENTLY. The way my hand clams up and my heart pounds, may be very different as to the person who can't even breathe and feels like they are going to faint. Or the person who doesn't want to get out of bed in the morning because they are just too. damn. tired., and feel as if they have nothing to live for. Or the person who is scared of facing death, either for themselves or a loved one, and becomes so anxious about it...

Here's the thing – you DO have something to live for. There is a bright side at the end of the tunnel...there IS hope. There is that person who will listen to you and offer you their shoulder to cry on. There is that job that is waiting for you. There is that one person that you can help make them feel better about themselves, just by being there. There is the higher power that you can confide into, silently, if that is what you choose.

Why am I sharing this?

Because people need to be AWARE.

It's not a joke. It's not funny.

Mental Health is NOT a joke.

People need to be aware that these issues ARE real, and sometimes, instead of mocking people or telling them they have issues, you should show kindness and compassion, and just be there for them and try to understand perhaps, just a little bit, of where they are coming from.

Instead of being quick to judge towards that person who has security issues, the autistic child, the kid who stutters, or even the person in the wheelchair....whatever it is, THINK about your words first. THINK about your actions. Seriously, who are we to judge?!

Learn about mental health. Learn about whatever it may be you are going through. Learning is growing, and it helps to keep you healthy and motivated with TODAY.

Talk to someone. Find the courage to believe in yourself.

You've got this. You've had it all along...maybe it's just lost. But you can find it again.

You can choose your bright side, and overcome your barriers and your dark side – one day at a time. And at the end of the day, it doesn't matter what diagnosis you (or a loved one) gets told – whether you're blind, deaf, depressed, bipolar, whatever it is – they are just words. You are better then words. You are STRONGER – you are a lion, a lioness, and like I said – you've got this! ❤️

“Let's untangle our mind, and set it free...”

For subscribers – subscribe and learn about what Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) entails...

“What doesn't kill you makes you stronger.”

A quote by German Philosopher, Friedrich Nietzsche, and used by Kelly Clarkson.

As you ponder “things” in your life and replay all the questions in your mind (Why me? Why did this happen?), it may feel like a lightning bolt striking you from every angle. You don't know how to think. You don't know what to think. And you don't know how you will get over it...

It's not easy, but try not to become so engulfed with sadness or anger at what has been handed to you. Some things are uncontrollable, and sure it hurts – a lot. But once you accept what is, you can look back and say, “Wow, I made it. I survived this far, and if I can handle that – I can handle whatever comes my way.” It will make you STRONGER.

Keep pushing through....one day at a time.

Remember – “Stars can't shine without darkness.”

Shine bright – you've got this!! ❤️

“Let's untangle our mind, and set it free...”

“My body is my journal, and my tattoos are my story”

- Johnny Depp

I remember when I was 18 years old, my sister and I went to Niagara Falls, Ontario (do you have that song in your head now? “Niagara Falls, Ontario – Marineland is the place to go! ....Everyone loves Marineland!!”). We went with a group of friends for the weekend. Tattoos were wanted, and so were piercings.

Let's just say back then, I didn't want to get a tattoo (I opted out for a belly ring instead – I figured at least I could take it out if I didn't like it anymore, but if it was a tattoo, well then that was a different story)!!!

And now today, I have seven (ooops!). BUT, they all have meaning to me, so that's what counts, right?! I won't get into all of them, but I will tell you about this – my most recent one.

Here's the description – before anyone judges ...

The Lotus Flower symbolizes the ultimate perfection; It signifies purity and beauty, and is untouched by the mud from which it originates. I like to think of it how I've been through a lot of “not so good” in my life, and well, this is beautiful and pure!

The three Dragonflies – my three girls. The meaning of a dragonfly tattoo design is that of “peace, prosperity, maturity, strength, purity, luck, harmony, and independence” (as described by inkme.tattoo). I've always thought of a dragonfly also, as good luck. These are all POSITIVE forces, and all of which I pray for, and guide my girls through.

The names tattooed beneath, are my girls from oldest to youngest – Julianna, Madison, Clarissa (as the leaves from the lotus flower).

And last, but not least – the semicolon. Almost as a stem for the lotus flower – which symbolizes Anxiety. “A semicolon is used when an author could've chosen to end their sentence, but chose not to. The author is you and the sentence is your life” as explained by the late Amy Bleuel, founder of Project Semicolon.

I will tell you, my story is definitely not over yet! Each day is a new day, and I will take it as it comes! Another tattoo? Yes, because I like them – believe it or not – it actually releases tension for me, AND, I get to look at it every day. It just makes me HAPPY!!

A HUGE thanks goes to Jeff from Steel N Ink in Collingwood (Ontario). This is the second time he's done a tattoo for me...it's almost like when you find a hairdresser that you like, you won't go anywhere else to get it done, you know what I mean?

At the end of the day, it doesn't matter how many tattoos you have, or what type of tattoo you have. If it means something to you, and you are happy with it, then go for it! It's your body, and you have to be the one who LOVES it!

“Let's untangle our mind, and set it free...”

For my subscribers – full tattoo pics below!