A friend of mine shared this TED Talk with me and it transformed the way I allowed myself to be treated. At the time I was working in an emotionally toxic environment with each day seemingly worse than the one before it. This video was pivotal for me. All of my stress came from one place: I allowed for others to treat me in a way that was not congruent with my highest self.

To this day I use the tools taught here to avoid rejection and maintain my level of self-worth. Have a listen below, I truly believe this TED Talk can be transformative for you too!

The vast Smokey Mountain landscape looks like a painted picture outside the coffee shop window. With this view as a backdrop, I can’t help but feel a certain sense of clarity. As I sip my go-to Americano and watch the waves of thick haze drift over the mountain tops, it only feels natural to start my blog here. Because beneath the gorgeous scenery of Gatlinburg, there is a shocking reality of a city that is facing  a health crisis.