By: Joe Morales, MA, LPC

Every individual has a dream, a vision of what they aspire to be or achieve. However, reaching one’s dream is not a walk in the park; it involves a series of well-thought-out steps, unwavering focus, and consistent effort. The first step in this journey is to clearly define what your dream is. It’s essential to be specific about what you want to achieve. This clarity will serve as a guiding light, illuminating the path towards your dream. 

Once you have a clear vision of your dream, the next step is to set realistic and measurable goals that will lead you towards it. These goals act as milestones, marking your progress along the journey. It’s important to break down these goals into smaller, manageable tasks. This makes the process less overwhelming and more achievable. 

Creating a timeline for accomplishing these tasks can also help keep you on track. Staying focused is another crucial aspect of this journey. The world is full of distractions that can easily derail your progress. It’s important to stay committed to your dream and avoid anything that might sidetrack you. 

Reviewing your goals daily can help keep them fresh in your mind and reinforce your commitment to achieving them. No one achieves their dreams alone. 

Surrounding yourself with a supportive network of people who believe in your dream can provide the encouragement and motivation you need to keep going, especially during challenging times. This could be family, friends, mentors, or even online communities of like-minded individuals. 

 Finally, remember that consistency is key. Work towards your goals every day, even if it’s just a small step. All effort counts, and each step brings you closer to your dream. 

Reaching your dream doesn’t happen overnight. It requires patience, perseverance, and a lot of hard work. But with a clear vision, realistic goals, focus, a supportive network, and consistent effort, you can turn your dream into reality. 

So, start today, and remember, the journey to your dream is just as important as the dream itself.

Content provided by Joe Morales, MA, LPC. Mr. Morales is a mental health counselor providing treatment services through Pathways Forensic & Mental Health Services, where he is a therapist and contributing writer for the PFMHS.

By: Joe Morales, MA, LPC

Whether it’s a romantic partnership, friendship, or even a family dynamic, toxic relationships impact our well-being, hinder personal growth, and drain energy. Understanding these types of relationships is crucial for overall happiness and success. In this blog, we will explore the signs of toxic relationships, their effect on our lives, and strategies for breaking free and cultivating healthy connections.

When dealing with toxic relationships understanding their true nature is imperative. Look for signs such as constant criticism, manipulation, lack of respect, and emotional or physical abuse. Trust your instincts and pay attention to how these relationships make you feel. Remember, a healthy relationship should uplift, support, and bring out the best in you.

Toxic relationships can have a detrimental impact on our mental, emotional, and even physical well-being. They can erode our self-esteem, create anxiety and depression, and hinder personal growth. It’s important to acknowledge the toll these relationships take on us and prioritize our own well-being. Establish clear boundaries is when dealing with toxic relationships. Communicate your needs, values, and limits to the other person. Reinforce boundaries and be prepared to distance yourself if necessary. Remember, setting boundaries is an act of self-care and self-respect.

Toxic relationships can be challenging. Seek support from trusted friends, family, or professionals. Surround yourself with a supportive network that understands your situation and can provide guidance and encouragement. Therapy or counseling can also be beneficial in navigating the complexities of toxic relationships.

Take time for self-reflection and healing after ending a toxic relationship. Understand that it is not your fault and that you deserve healthy and fulfilling connections. Engage in self-care practices, such as journaling, meditation, or hobbies that bring you joy. Rebuild your self-esteem and rediscover your own worth. Once you have freed yourself from toxic relationships, focus on cultivating healthy connections. Surround yourself with people who are uplifting and supportive, who respect your boundaries, and who encourage your personal growth. Nurture your relationships built on trust, mutual respect, and open communication.

Breaking free from toxic relationships is a courageous act that requires self-awareness, self-care, and a commitment to personal growth. By identifying behaviors, setting boundaries, seeking support, and cultivating healthy connections, we can create a life filled with positive and fulfilling relationships. Remember, you deserve to be surrounded by people who bring out the best in you and contribute to your overall wellness, personal growth, inspiration, dreams, and success.

Content provided by Joe Morales, MA, LPC. Mr. Morales is a mental health counselor providing treatment services through Pathways Forensic & Mental Health Services, where he is a therapist and contributing writer for the PFMHS.

In memory of Barbara Jean & David Wedgeworth, parents of Dr. Velma “Jean” Stanley, Licensed Psychologist

Loss.

Such a small word. Yet, when the loss is experienced, particularly in losing a loved one, few words compare when considering life-changing events that can restructure a person’s world, crush the heart, or

leave a person literally shaken to the core and forced by uninvited and often unwanted circumstances to face life on new terms.   

A personal example I can share is found in the loss of my beloved mother on June 3, 2022. Naturally, as the first anniversary of her death passed quietly away in just 24 hours, I felt it appropriate to pause for a moment and reflect not only on how I loved my mother and my father, (who passed in 2013), but also on the emotional journey of learning how to be me without them near me and how to make peace with the life-altering events that reached into that seldom visited place in my soul where sorrow and mourning reside. I learned a great deal about the loss in the passing of my father, but since losing my mother, the gravity of loss has taken me down a very different emotional road filled with complex emotions I found difficult at times to understand and process. In fact, when thinking about sorrow or mourning, or coping with death, I used to think only about the “event” of death itself as someone’s passing that was followed then by sadness experienced at a funeral and burial. My goodness, I could not have been more wrong.

Be Grateful

I’m so thankful for my mother and father’s long and wonderful life and all I have learned from them. But the journey of learning to cope with their loss, how to rethink how I do my days, and how to accept, understand, and embrace my sorrow has taught me some equally incredible and helpful things about life. I have learned the importance of healthy coping and the need for broader thinking, including the importance of realizing for myself, my family, and my clients that loss is not “an event” but rather a profound and often prolonged emotional state that is associated with pain, suffering, or anguish that needs to find expression. The feelings can be great on some days and barely felt on others. But in either case, for my journey, the emotional impact of such great loss was like the shifting of angry, turbulent waters in a stormy sea that rocked my world, threw me off balance, and took away from the identity I found in having a living parent.

Time

Thankfully, I now see that with time, the waves will subside. The water will settle. Emotions recalibrate, and life will form a new normal. I miss my mother and my father terribly, but now, with the waters of my loss more calm, my own recalibration experience enables me to focus more on their life, the goodness in them, and how they loved me, rather than on the feelings of loss. I am still healing, and sharing these thoughts is part of that healing process. I know I am not alone. So many suffer from loss and the grief that accompanies such loss. I have found it so important to embrace the grief process, which is different for everyone. With that in mind, I thought I would share a few thoughts about grief in hopes of offering some insights and help to others. Meanwhile, remember that the healing of a broken heart can be a challenging and deeply personal process. While it takes time, and there is no quick fix, here are some insights and strategies that may help you find healing:

What is grief?

The grief process refers to the range of emotions and reactions individuals experience when faced with the death of a loved one or any significant loss. It is a natural and complex process that varies from person to person. While there is no right or wrong way to grieve, common stages and coping strategies help individuals navigate the grieving process. It’s important to note that grief is a deeply personal experience: everyone may not go through all the stages or experience them in the same order.

Stages of Grief

1. Denial: Initially, accepting the loss’s reality can be difficult. Denial is a common defense mechanism that allows individuals to gradually absorb the shock of the loss at their own pace.

2. Anger: As reality sets in, it’s common to feel anger and frustration. People may direct their anger toward themselves, the deceased, a higher power, or even unrelated individuals. It’s important to recognize and express these emotions in healthy ways.

3. Bargaining: In an attempt to regain control or make sense of the loss, individuals may enter a phase of bargaining. This often involves seeking some form of compromise or attempting to strike a deal, even if it’s unrealistic. For example, pleading to have the loved one back or wishing for more time.

4. Depression: A deep sense of sadness, emptiness, and despair can be experienced during the grieving process. This stage involves coming to terms with the loss and fully recognizing its impact. It’s essential to allow oneself to grieve and seek support from others during this phase.

5. Acceptance: The final stage of grief does not mean forgetting or moving on from the loss. Instead, it involves reaching a state of acceptance, where individuals begin to adjust to their new reality. Acceptance does not necessarily mean being with the loss but rather finding a way to live with it.

Remember, grief is a unique experience, and there is no set timeline for healing. Each person copes with loss in their own way and at their own pace. It’s essential to be compassionate towards yourself and allow yourself the space to grieve and heal in your own time. While going through the grief process, there are coping strategies that can help individuals navigate their emotions and find healing:

Healing in Grief

1. Practice self-care: Prioritize your physical and emotional well-being. Engage in activities that bring you joy, relaxation, or a sense of peace. Take care of your physical health by getting enough rest, eating well, and engaging in regular exercise. Make self-care a priority to nurture yourself during this difficult time.

2. Express your emotions creatively: Find healthy outlets to express and release your emotions. Consider journaling, writing poetry, painting, or engaging in other forms of creative expression. These outlets can provide a means to process your feelings and gain clarity and understanding.

3. Focus on personal growth: Use this time as an opportunity for self-reflection and personal growth. Explore your own passions, interests, and goals. Engage in activities that contribute to your personal development and help you discover new aspects of yourself.

4. Set healthy boundaries: If the broken heart involves a relationship that is no longer serving you, it may be necessary to establish healthy boundaries or distance yourself from the person who hurt you. Recognize that it’s okay to prioritize your well-being and surround yourself with positive influences.

5. Seek professional help if needed: If the pain from a broken heart persists or becomes overwhelming, consider seeking support from a therapist or counselor. They can provide guidance, offer coping strategies, and help you navigate the healing process.

6. Practice self-compassion and patience: Healing takes time, and being gentle with yourself throughout the journey is essential. Avoid self-blame or judgment and instead practice self-compassion. Understand that healing is a gradual process, and there may be ups and downs along the way. Patience and self-care are key.

Anxiety is a common mental health condition that can significantly impact an individual’s daily life. Managing anxiety involves a variety of techniques to reduce and cope with symptoms. One practical approach is cognitive-behavioral therapy, which helps individuals identify and modify negative thought patterns and behaviors contributing to anxiety. Medication may also be used to manage anxiety, including antidepressants and anti-anxiety medications. Relaxation techniques such as deep breathing, meditation, and yoga can also help to reduce anxiety symptoms. Regular exercise, a healthy diet, and adequate sleep can promote well-being and reduce anxiety.

In addition to these techniques, building a solid support system and identifying triggers contributing to anxiety is essential. Avoiding or reducing exposure to these triggers and learning how to cope with them can help individuals better manage their stress. Practicing self-care, setting boundaries, and engaging in activities that bring joy and relaxation can also help manage anxiety. Overall, managing anxiety requires a combination of medical treatment, self-care practices, and support from loved ones, healthcare professionals, and mental health resources. With proper care and management, individuals can learn to reduce their anxiety symptoms and lead fulfilling and productive lives. To learn more about therapeutic tools for managing your anxiety, call or contact Pathways Forensic & Mental Health Services, PLLC, at (936) 238-3868.