My Bestie Was Unalived in 1990.

In 1990, my best friend was unalived by a 25-year-old man. She was barely 20. He beat her so savagely with a baseball bat that blood and brain matter touched the ceiling of her 18 foot loft. That’s the image I still carry. At first, we all blamed her fiancé. He was abusive, angry, and controlling. So of course we thought it was him. We alienated him. Shut him out. He lost his fiancée and all his friends in one horrifying moment. But it wasn’t him. It was her neighbor. Just a weak man that was obsessed with her. And yeah… if you don’t want to be accused of unaliving someone, maybe don’t beat your partner Here’s what still makes my blood boil. The man child who did it begged the judge for leniency. Because he “had his whole life ahead of him.” Fricking narcissists! You know what the judge said? He said it was one of the most brutal cases he had ever seen. Then he gave him the maximum sentence allowed by law at the time: 15 years. That was it. That’s what her life was worth. Meanwhile, that guy is currently out. He got out when he was 40, and he brutalized the family by appealing every chance he got, and forcing them to relive the horror. And now here’s the part that connects the dots: 90% of people who commit gRape or redrum like this are men. And in 1990, only about 6% of Congress were women. So…

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The Day I Sang with “Elvis” at Portland’s Saturday Market — and Found Real Human Connection

Portland, 1993-ish. It was a time when weird wasn’t a marketing gimmick — it was just the natural state of things. If you were there, you know. And if you weren’t… well, buckle up. I was in my early 20s, wandering through the always-vibrant, slightly chaotic, wildly beautiful Saturday Market in downtown Portland. This wasn’t your standard craft fair. It was a heartbeat — full of incense clouds, handcrafted oddities, experimental street performances, and people who lived loudly on their own terms. That’s when I heard him. The sound system? A cardboard speaker. The mic? Something duct-taped and questionably functional. The man? Known to many simply as “Elvis.” Except… he wasn’t in costume that day. No white jumpsuit. No rhinestones. No oversized sunglasses. Just regular clothes and that same undeniable spark that made him a local legend. And somehow, I ended up singing with him. The photo from that moment still makes me smile. You can see the joy radiating from both of us — two strangers who didn’t know each other’s names, didn’t plan a performance, and didn’t need a script. Just shared laughter, a beat to move to, and that magic human spark that turns moments into memories. But here’s the part that most people wouldn’t notice at first glance: That area of the Market was also where many of Portland’s unhoused community gathered. People society often walks past. People with stories, pain, humor, creativity, and wisdom the world too often misses. And that day? I didn’t walk past. I didn’t…

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Afformations®: The Miracle of Positive Self-Talk

Can Afformations® Really Transform Your Life? Unveiling the Miracle of Positive Self-Talk! If you’ve ever struggled with self-doubt, limiting beliefs, or negative self-talk, then Afformations®: The Miracle of Positive Self-Talk by Noah St. John is a must-read. This book is not just another self-help manual—it’s a revolutionary approach to rewiring your mindset for success, happiness, and personal transformation. What Are Afformations®? Unlike traditional affirmations that encourage you to state positive declarations (like I am confident or I am successful), Afformations® work on a deeper psychological level by turning these statements into questions. Instead of saying, I am wealthy, you ask yourself, Why am I so wealthy? The brilliance of this method is that your brain naturally seeks answers to questions. By asking empowering questions, you start rewiring your subconscious mind to focus on solutions rather than doubts. My Experience with Afformations® I absolutely loved this book because it goes beyond motivation—it provides a practical, science-backed strategy for real change. I’ve read countless self-development books, but Afformations® stood out because it wasn’t about forcing myself to believe something that felt untrue. Instead, it helped me gently shift my thought patterns in a way that felt natural and effortless. After implementing Afformations®, I noticed an incredible difference in my mindset. Here’s what changed for me: Why Afformations® Work Noah St. John explains the science behind this method beautifully. The subconscious mind is like a search engine; when you input a question, it seeks answers. When you ask empowering questions, your brain starts scanning your environment for evidence that supports them. This leads to a positive feedback loop of confidence, motivation,…

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Fairy Tales Are Cute, But Real Queens Fight for Rights

Fairy tales have painted us a picture of queens in elegant gowns, sitting gracefully on their thrones, or waiting for their prince to come and save the day. But the reality of what it means to be a “queen” in today’s world is far from the dainty stories we grew up with. In fact, real queens are not waiting to be saved—they are leading movements, breaking barriers, and fighting for their rights and the rights of others. Shifting the Narrative: From Fairy Tales to Reality Fairy tales often present an idealized version of womanhood—passive, quiet, and waiting for things to happen. This portrayal, while cute in a storybook, doesn’t reflect the power and resilience of women in real life. True queens are not defined by crowns and castles; they are defined by their courage to stand up, speak out, and challenge the status quo. Throughout history, and even now, we’ve seen women breaking chains, shattering glass ceilings, and standing in solidarity for change. Real queens are the advocates, the leaders, and the ones who push against limitations placed on them. They’re rewriting what it means to be a queen—not in the sense of royalty but in the sense of resilience, leadership, and empowerment. Fighting for Rights: The True Mark of a Queen What does it mean to fight for your rights? It means not settling for less than you deserve. It means raising your voice even when society tells you to stay quiet. It means facing opposition and still standing…

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The Power of Letting Go: Why Silence and Inaction Are Your Greatest Tools

Amy Jo Honey MEME

We live in a world that often glorifies confrontation and reaction. We’re taught that power comes from speaking up, fighting back, and taking immediate action. But sometimes, the strongest response is no response at all. It’s choosing to starve the things that no longer serve you. This idea is not about passivity or avoidance—it’s about the deliberate and intentional choice to protect your peace. The Energy Cost of Reaction Everything we engage with consumes our energy—whether it’s an argument with a friend, defending yourself from a critic, or holding onto something painful from the past. Often, we think by responding or reacting, we are protecting ourselves or addressing the situation. But in reality, our energy is a finite resource, and not every battle is worth the drain it causes. When we feed negativity, drama, or situations beyond our control, we give away our power to external forces. We essentially allow those things to dictate our emotions, our actions, and our mental state. But here’s the shift: what if you chose not to respond? Not to give these things your attention or energy? Starving What Doesn’t Serve You The idea of “starving” something means withdrawing the energy and attention that keeps it alive. Imagine the negativity or conflict as a fire—by constantly fueling it with responses, arguments, or attention, we allow it to grow and consume more of our peace. But when we withdraw that fuel, the fire dies down on its own. It loses its power over us. Choosing not…

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Sherri Lynn: The most profound teachers often aren’t human. Meet the furred, finned, and feathered heroes who changed one life forever

The Most Profound Teachers Often Aren’t Human. Meet the Furred, Finned, and Feathered Heroes Who Changed One Life Forever The greatest lessons in life don’t always come from people. Sometimes, they show up in the form of wagging tails, fluttering wings, or gliding fins. Animals have this amazing way of teaching us things we never knew we needed—things like patience, unconditional love, and how to live fully in the moment. Sherri Lynn, author of All My Heroes Have Fur, Fins & Feathers: An Animal Communicator’s Healing Journey of Awakening, shares how animals became her most unexpected but profound teachers, guiding her through life’s challenges and helping her discover healing, joy, and deeper self-awareness. Every animal in her life had something unique to teach. A once-abandoned dog showed her the power of forgiveness and how trust can be rebuilt, no matter the past. A fiercely independent cat taught her to set boundaries while still holding space for love. There was even a wild bird that appeared in a moment of personal darkness, reminding her that sometimes we need to let go and embrace freedom. And let’s not forget the ocean creatures—dolphins and fish—who revealed the importance of play, intuition, and simply being. The beautiful thing is, animals don’t teach through lectures or long conversations. Their lessons come through their presence, their behavior, and how they live in each moment. A dog’s joy when chasing a ball or a bird’s morning song reminds us to find happiness in the little things. They…

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G. Brian Benson: Success isn’t about luck—it’s about the habits you build every single day. What’s in your daily routine?

Success Isn’t About Luck—It’s About the Habits You Build Every Single Day. What’s in Your Daily Routine? Let’s be real—success isn’t some magical event or a stroke of luck. Sure, luck might give you a boost every now and then, but it’s not what keeps the ball rolling. What really matters are the habits you build, one day at a time. These small, everyday actions shape your future, whether you realize it or not. So, let me ask—what’s in your daily routine? Are the things you do each day helping you grow? Or are you stuck in patterns that might be holding you back? Think about it: the way you start your morning, handle tasks throughout the day, or wind down at night—it all adds up. Waking up early, planning your goals, working out, journaling, or even just taking a few minutes to be grateful are some habits that successful people swear by. It’s not because those things immediately make you successful, but because they build momentum over time. The cool thing about habits is that they’re like casting votes for the person you want to become. Each time you read a few pages of a book, exercise, or follow through on a goal, you’re saying, “This is who I am.” And, over time, those small wins add up. On the flip side, the same goes for bad habits. If procrastination, mindless scrolling, or disorganization creep into your routine, those little things can pile up, too—and not in a good…

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Anite Petty: Are you ready to take control of your financial destiny? Money Switch is your roadmap to flipping your mindset and embracing a life of abundance

Are you ready to take control of your financial destiny? Money Switch: Flip Yourself onto Happiness, Health, & Wealth – The New System for Financial Intelligence by Anita Petty is your ultimate guide to transforming your mindset and embracing a life of abundance. This groundbreaking book offers a fresh perspective on how to achieve true financial intelligence—not just in terms of money, but in all aspects of your life, including health and happiness. In Money Switch, Anita reveals that financial struggles often stem from deeper mindset issues. He introduces readers to the concept of “flipping” their mindset, encouraging a shift from limiting beliefs to empowering thoughts. This book isn’t just about crunching numbers; it’s about understanding the psychology behind your relationship with money. By addressing these underlying beliefs, you can break free from the cycle of financial stress and begin to cultivate a mindset geared toward success and fulfillment. Anita’s approach is holistic, recognizing that wealth is not just a number in your bank account, but a feeling of abundance that encompasses health, happiness, and personal growth. He provides practical strategies and actionable steps to help you identify and eliminate negative thought patterns that hold you back. Through engaging anecdotes, insightful exercises, and transformative tools, Money Switch empowers you to create a new narrative around your finances. One of the standout features of this book is its emphasis on self-awareness. Anita encourages readers to dig deep and understand their core beliefs about money. Are you sabotaging your financial success due…

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Rebecca Tripp: From the aisles of airplanes to the realms of the unseen, Secrets of a Metaphysical Flight Attendant reveals the spiritual insights gained at cruising altitude.

In Secrets of a Metaphysical Flight Attendant, Sylvia Chappell shares a journey that goes way beyond what you’d expect from the life of a flight attendant. Sure, she spent years traveling the world, serving passengers at 30,000 feet—but along the way, she discovered something much deeper: a whole new world of spiritual insights and metaphysical experiences. Sylvia’s story shows that even in the middle of everyday routines—like working on an airplane—you can uncover profound truths about life. As she spent countless hours in the air, she began to notice the subtle energies around her, tapping into her intuition and exploring the unseen forces that shape our experiences. What started as just a job became a path of personal discovery, where she found herself navigating not only new destinations but also the spiritual mysteries of the universe. The magic of Secrets of a Metaphysical Flight Attendant is how Sylvia blends the ordinary with the extraordinary. She shares her travel stories with a fresh, spiritual twist—showing how moments of synchronicity, intuition, and energy fields played out in her everyday life. Flying above the clouds gave her a unique perspective, both literally and figuratively, and she invites readers to look at their own lives in the same way. Throughout the book, Sylvia offers a mix of wisdom and practical advice on how to tune into your intuition, trust the subtle signs around you, and embrace the energy that flows through all things. She reminds us that even in the most unexpected places—like an…

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Howard Brown: From the depths of two cancer battles to the heights of Silicon Valley success—Howard Brown’s memoir is a beacon of resilience and triumph

Howard Brown’s story is one that really sticks with you. It’s not just about surviving two battles with cancer—it’s about finding a way to thrive, no matter what life throws your way. In Shining Brightly: A Memoir of Resilience and Hope, Howard takes you through his personal journey, from being knocked down by cancer (twice!) to building a successful career in Silicon Valley. But it’s more than that. His story is about fighting for something bigger—hope, connection, and even peace between different faiths. Imagine being in your twenties, excited about the future, only to be told you have cancer. Most people would understandably break down, but Howard didn’t. He fought hard, leaning on cutting-edge treatments and the support of loved ones. And he won. But then, years later, cancer came back. It would’ve been easy to feel defeated, but Howard faced it head-on again, determined not to let this disease be the end of his story. Meanwhile, in his professional life, Howard wasn’t just coasting. He was making waves as an entrepreneur in the fast-paced world of Silicon Valley. It wasn’t an easy path—building companies from scratch never is—but the same resilience that helped him beat cancer fueled his success in business. He embraced risks, stayed innovative, and pushed forward when things got tough. But what makes Howard’s story even more special is his work outside of the cancer fight and business world. After everything he’d been through, he developed a deeper connection to others, especially those from different backgrounds…

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