Honoring the Victims of the Salem Witch Trials

 

Christmas Day 2020, I was watching my favorite childhood Christmas movies and researching the Salem Witch Trials.

When I was at the library, I came across the witch section on a shelf of paranormal books in the children’s section. I checked out every book they had on witches. These four books. I wanted to see how they handled the subject. The only one I didn’t really like was the small one (Witches! The Absolutely True Tale of Disaster in Salem by Rosalyn Schanzer). At times, the author’s tone rubbed me the wrong way. The others were great, though: The Salem Witch Trials: A Primary Source History of the Witchcraft Trials in Salem, Massachusetts; The Salem Witch Trials by Michael Martin; and Creatures of Fantasy: Witches by Cynthia A. Roby.

On September 22, 1692, the last eight INNOCENT victims were hanged, which is why I am posting this on September 20th.

This post is about the Salem Witch Trials, and I am posting it to honor the nineteen people who were wrongly executed.

I also want to honor the THOUSANDS (40,000 - 60,000) INNOCENT people who were wrongly executed during the European Witch-Hunt that took place in western Germany, the Low Countries, France, northern Italy, and Switzerland that lasted more than 200 years.

EUROPEAN WITCH-HUNT:

Although this post focuses on the Salem Witch Trials, which is just a brief moment in the overall nightmare of witch-hunts, I still want to discuss the European Witch-Hunts.

MIDWIVES AND HEALERS:

Many of the women who were targeted and executed as witches were the wise women, healers, and midwives who used plant medicine (and were likely poor or considered peasants), and the Catholic Church didn't like their use of plant medicine one bit. [1]

The Church and the medical field were best buds, and the Church supported male physicians, not female healers.

Male physicians, who knew NOTHING about women, did not like that midwives and female healers were taking patients from them because those women knew their shit and the male physicians did not. So, the Church and male physicians teamed up to get rid of their competition; male physicians accused wise women of witchcraft.

DEVIL'S TEAT:

It's also known that women were accused of witchcraft for having a spot (birthmark/freckle) on their skin that was called the "Devil's Mark."

Oh, and let's not forget the "Devil's Teat." In The Malleus Maleficarum, a guide for finding witches, it was said that the clitoris was the "Devil's Teat," and any woman with one was a witch. 😂 No one had any clue about women's anatomies, so when one was found on a victim postmortem, it was deemed evil. [2] 

What I find interesting is that the jailer and his wife did the postmortem search. I wonder if his wife later looked to see if she had one and kept it a secret after she helped classify it as evil. Or did her husband ever notice it later? Not all clitoris' are the same size, but all vulvas have one.

To think that a unique part of a woman's anatomy that has no bodily function other than pleasure (which the Church definitely would've labeled sinful if they'd known), and has 8,000 nerve endings, double that of the phallus [3] was used to accuse women of being in league with the devil. (If male physicians knew their phalluses weren't as superior in comparison, they really would've felt emasculated). It's partly laughable, but also deeply horrifying. That truly goes to show you how powerful a woman's body is and how scared the Church and patriarchy are of a woman's pleasure and power. Then and now. *mic drop*

Before I move on, here's a little musical inspiration:

I'm A Witch Playlist

This isn’t just a playlist of songs with witchy vibes, but a playlist that’ll make you feel empowered in embracing the witch inside, because we all have a little witch in us.

NOTE: Although the victims weren't real witches, now-a-days people are taking back the word “witch” and claiming it for themselves. These people connect with nature, honor ancestors, work with plant medicine, seek knowledge, pass on wisdom, hone their intuition, nurturer the Earth, want to make the world a better place, celebrate the change of the seasons, live cyclically with their menstrual cycles or phases of the moon, and are open-minded. They may use Tarot cards and pendulums for guidance. They may use crystals and herbs for protection. They may use spells for manifestation. They are not evil. In fact, they are forces of good. Anyone can be a witch. Some may identify as Wiccan or Pagan or Jewish or Christian. It doesn't matter. All that matters is that you're being your AUTHENTIC SELF.

You can also check out the playlist on the Spotify app here and add it to your library by clicking the ❤️.

Salem Witch Trials:

I don't want to repeat info you likely know, so I’m sharing info you may not know. I'm also choosing not to talk about the accusers. This post isn't about those idiots. This post is about...

Dorothy Good:

Dorothy (Dorcas) Good was the youngest victim of the Salem Witch Trials. She was four years old. Her mother, Sarah Good, was also accused of witchcraft. Dorothy was interrogated. The nature of the interrogation is unknown. Were they gentle because she was a child or were they harsh because they thought she was evil? It doesn't matter. She admitted to being a witch, as any frightened child would, especially if they don’t understand what is happening.

At the age of five, she was sent to prison for almost nine months. Shackled. Unable to move her limbs, just her fingers. December 10th, 1692, she was released from prison, but the damage had been done. The abuse, neglect, and horrible conditions resulted in her mind deteriorating. She passed away not long after.

RIP Dorothy.

Sarah Good:

Latin American Heritage Month Book Recommendations

 

NOTE: This post was originally titled “Hispanic Heritage Month Book Recommendations,” but here’s why I changed it to “Latin American Heritage Month.” I recently learned it’s more accurate to say Latin American Heritage Month instead because of the fact that there’s 33 countries (and 15 territories) in Latin America and 448 spoken languages, with Spanish, Portuguese, and French being the main three, which really only makes up 1% of the spoken languages, the most being Indigenous languages. And “Hispanic” refers to only the Spanish-speaking countries/territories, of which there are only 20 countries and one territory. (Thanks to Eliana Chinea for this info.) So The Worst Best Man by Mia Sosa, which I originally had on this post but removed because Brazil’s primary language is Portuguese, definitely belongs on this list, as well as so many others! We’re not limited to only Spanish-speaking countries, but all of Latin America. 👏 Which is definitely more inclusive and makes so much sense. ❤️

From September 15th to October 15th it is Latin American Heritage Month.

To celebrate the beautiful and colorful cultures that span many countries and territories of Latin America, as well as Latinx characters and authors, I have created a short list of book recommendations for you. This is not an exhaustive list but rather a starting point.

Enjoy!

BOOK RECOMMENDATIONS

A Taste of Sage

by Yaffa S. Santos

Dominican

Romance

BUY @ BOOKSHOP

BLURB: Lumi Santana is a chef with the gift of synesthesia--she can perceive a person's emotions by tasting their cooking. Despite being raised by a single mother who taught her that dreams and true love were silly fairy tales, she takes a chance and puts her heart and savings into opening a fusion restaurant in Manhattan. The restaurant offers a mix of the Dominican cuisine she grew up with and other world cuisines that have been a source of culinary inspiration to her.

When Lumi's venture fails, she is forced to take a position as a sous chef at a staid French restaurant in midtown owned by Julien Dax, a celebrated chef known for his acid tongue and brilliant smile. Lumi and Julien don't get along in the kitchen and she secretly vows never to taste his cooking. Little does she know that her resolve doesn't stand a chance against his culinary prowess.

As Julien produces one delectable dish after another, Lumi can no longer resist his creations. She isn't prepared for the intense feelings that follow, throwing a curveball in her plan to move on as soon as possible. Plus, there's the matter of Esme, Julien's receptionist, who seems to always be near and watching. As the attraction between Lumi and Julien simmers, Lumi experiences a tragedy that not only complicates her professional plans, but her love life as well...

American Dreamer

by Adriana Herrera 

Dominican

LGBTQ+ Romance

BUY @ BOOKSHOP

BLURB: For Nesto Vasquez, moving his Afro-Caribbean food truck from New York City to the wilds of Upstate New York is a huge gamble. If it works? He'll be a big fish in a little pond. If it doesn't? He'll have to give up the hustle and return to the day job he hates. He's got six months to make it happen--the last thing he needs is a distraction.

Jude Fuller is proud of the life he's built on the banks of Cayuga Lake. He has a job he loves and good friends. It's safe. It's quiet. And it's damn lonely. Until he tries Ithaca's most-talked-about new lunch spot and works up the courage to flirt with the handsome owner. Soon he can't get enough--of Nesto's food or of Nesto. For the first time in his life, Jude can finally taste the kind of happiness that's always been just out of reach.

An opportunity too good to pass up could mean a way to stay together and an incredible future for them both...if Nesto can remember happiness isn't always measured by business success. And if Jude can overcome his past and trust his man will never let him down.

American Sweethearts

by Adriana Herrera 

Dominican

Romance

BUY @ BOOKSHOP

BLURB: Juan Pablo Campos doesn't do regrets. He's living the dream as a physical therapist with his beloved New York Yankees. He has the best friends and family in the world and simply no time to dwell on what could've been.

Except when it comes to Priscilla, the childhood friend he's loved for what seems like forever.

New York City police detective Priscilla Gutierrez has never been afraid to go after what she wants. Second guessing herself isn't a thing she does. But lately, the once-clear vision she had for herself--her career, her relationships, her life--is no longer what she wants.

What she especially doesn't want is to be stuck on a private jet to the Dominican Republic with JuanPa, the one person who knows her better than anyone else.

By the end of a single week in paradise, the love/hate thing JuanPa and Pris have been doing for sixteen years has risen to epic proportions. No one can argue their connection is still there. And they can both finally admit--if only to themselves--they've always been a perfect match. The future they dreamed of together is still within reach...if they can just accept each other as they are.

CHECK OUT MORE IN THE DREAMERS SERIES:

Book 1: American Dreamer

Book 2: American Fairytale

Book 3: American Love Story

Book 4: American Sweethearts

Book 5: American Christmas

ALSO CHECK OUT ALL BOOKS BY THIS AUTHOR:

ADRIANA HERRERA

Freedom Writers Diary / Book & Movie Chat

 

Freedom Writers Diary

Freedom Writers Diary

Image by Chrys Fey

Taken on a hospital room’s guest chair.

Zlata Filipovic:

One big difference between the book and the movie is that in the book, in real life, it wasn’t Miep Gies (who hid Anne Frank and her family) who the students wrote letters to and desperately wanted to fly to America and meet. It was Zlata Filipovic, author of Zlata’s Diary: A Child’s Life in Sarajevo.

Zlata’s Diary

Image by Chrys Fey

They did meet Miep, but it was during a trip she was already taking to California. I believe they chose to make Anne Frank’s story more prominent in the movie and to replace Zlata with Miep because Anne Frank’s story is more well known, but they totally missed the opportunity to share Zlata’s story with more people. It was Zlata’s book that the students wrote about the most in their diary entries after they read it, and Zlata, herself, who they became friends with. If the movie had stuck with reality, more people would’ve learned about Sarajevo and a war that happened more recently.

Teenagers Are Smart:

This book demonstrates just how intelligent teenagers are.

Teens are often looked down on as not knowing anything that happens in the world, not knowing about struggles and hardships, and being ignorant about…well, everything. But teens see. Teens know. Teens understand. Teens feel. And teenagers want to create change. Then and now. The diary entries reflect how deeply these students think and feel and dream. They have insight many adults wouldn’t believe they could possibly possess. (Which is true of many teenagers.)

Representation Matters:

In this book, students of every race and ethnicity are represented.

They share their life stories that include gang violence, domestic violence, molestation, death and murder, drug and alcohol use, and…more importantly their growth and the impact that Ms. G and reading and writing had on their lives. One student has dyslexia. Some students left countries before violence and wars could breakout. One has ADD, another is a lesbian. Ms. G’s class was full of representation on all spectrums…a realistic representation of America and the world.

Good And Bad Teachers:

This book also demonstrates the power of a teacher to build up a student or to tear a student down.

 Before Ms. G, her students had teachers who didn’t believe in them and made it plainly known, even voicing it to their faces. Not to mention how other teachers targeted Ms. G in order to stop her from doing the extraordinary things she was doing for those kids, because the other teachers didn’t believe her students deserved good books, a good education, a compassionate teacher, or a chance. They certainly didn’t believe her students had a future. They were racists AND prejudice. Sadly, there have always been teachers like this, who make kids feel worthless. These teachers make it difficult for the ones who truly care to shine. The mean/negative teachers forever scar students who are marginalized or deemed troubled or who simply don’t test well. The students’ experiences with nasty teachers shines a light on the educational system and how flawed it is, especially in underrepresented neighborhoods.

There is so much more in this book than the movie. The movie is a sliver of the book, so if you like the movie I highly recommend that you read this book and immerse yourself in these students’ lives, grief, hardships, and triumphs.

Addressing Goodreads Reviews:

I do want to address a couple of things that so many people discussed in their Goodreads reviews.

Edited Entries:

Many were upset that the entries had been edited and wondered how that went about (FYI: the students edited them their junior year after they’d grown as writers) and expressed their views that the entries didn’t feel authentic because they were edited and read as though they all had the same voice.

None of that bothered me. Right in the beginning of the book it says the students edited the entries themselves and within the diary entries it explains how they passed the typed copies to other students to edit, so I took that to mean that working on their entries and the entire process of getting the book ready for publication was treated like an assignment on editing, grammar, spelling, writing, etc. to help the students further hone their skills. These students were very proud of what they’d done and wanted to be proud of their published work, so I imagine they poured over their entries to get them as perfect as possible for publication and for people around the world to read. Absolutely nothing wrong with that. All writers do it. Yes, these are diary entries but there’s no rule that forbids writers to edit their diary entries or else they will not be authentic.

Teens Can Write!

One reviewer couldn’t believe fifteen to eighteen year olds could write that well, and I’m just like, “Really???” I started writing at the age of twelve. A lot of writers start writing around that age and mature and get better throughout their school years. I suppose if I shared content I wrote when I was twelve, that specific reviewer wouldn’t believe I’d written it at that young of an age.

In fact, I will…

The opening of the first novel I started at twelve (yes, a novel…I wrote three by the time I was eighteenth) was this: 

Deep in the black and purple night of the Unknown World came a voice. The voice spoke to all the humans in the Real World. It echoed in their dull, unmoving dreams, although no one would remember a single word, let alone a vowel spoken by this mysterious voice once it passed. Every night, the voice would say, “I live in a world you don’t see, you don’t know, and you don’t want to know...”

And that is unedited.

Similar Voices:

Only near the end of the book did I think the entries started to sound like their voices were similar, but, again, that didn’t anger me one bit. 

Also, the reason for the stories sounding similar, as well as numbering the entries, was to protect the students’ anonymity and save them from retribution.

Writers know that if you’re writing about a real person to change not only how the character looks but how they talk and act so that other people who know that person won’t be able to pick up on specific traits and know who you’re talking about. This is done in order to prevent possible legal repercussions. The students no doubt did the same to their entries to protect their identities. After all, they shared really tough and traumatic stories. Whatever they had to do to feel comfortable sharing their story and protect their identity was one thousand percent in their right to do. Again, this does not make their entries unauthentic. Their experiences and stories are real and true, and they were safe sharing them with the world to read, and later review on sites like Goodreads that didn’t exist back in 1999 when this book was first published.

The fact that the entries are numbered instead of using their names is also addressed in the beginning of the book.

To me, how the entries sound similar created a smoother reading experience because the entries flowed nicely as a whole (which is the point when you’re publishing a compilation of 145 diary entries from multiple people). However, entries were not without their own distinct style or word choice. And they were not emotionless, either. I got teary-eyed several times.

Ms. G:

Other reviewers wanted to know more about Ms. G’s tactics to get these students to trust her, as well as her resources. They don’t believe enough was shared in this book on that. Well, we get an entry by Ms. G at the beginning of each grade, which is how the book is formatted, but remember...this book isn’t really about her, but rather the students. That’s why we don’t read much about what things were like for her or how she accomplished what she did.

But if you want those answers so badly, you can read the two books she wrote and published that tackle those subjects: Teach with Your Heart: Lessons I Learned from the Freedom Writers by Erin Gruwell and Teaching Hope: Stories from the Freedom Writer Teachers and Erin Gruwell.

Good Causes to Support:

The Freedom Writers Foundation - From their website: “The Freedom Writers Foundation has impacted over 1,000,000 students with its Freedom Writers Methodology.”

“Your donation contributes to our Teacher Training Program, Outreach Program, and Scholarship Program. By pledging your support of this cause, you are making a difference in the lives of teachers and students around the world.”

My Favorite Nature Documentaries / Good Causes PART 6

 

MY TOP 10 FAVORITE NATURE & WILDLIFE DOCS

1. Serengeti 

Narrated by Lupita Nyong'o

Discovery Channel 

2019

2. Snow Chick: A Penguin's Tale

Narrated by Kate Winslet

BBC Earth

2015

Summar from IMDb: A chronicle of the birth and development of one penguin chick, born late and smaller than any of its fellow toddlers.

3. African Hunders

Narrated by Gillian Burke

IMDb

2017

My favorite stories had to do with Misfit, the lion cub.

4. My Octopus Teacher

Netflix

2020

You'll never think about Octopuses in the same way ever again. 

I bought this magnet from the hospital gift shop while my mom was a patient because it reminded me of My Octopus Teacher.

Octopus Magnet

Photo by Chrys Fey

5. Our Great National Parks

Narrated by Barrack Obama

Netflix

2022

World Elephant Day / Good Causes PART 5

Today is the 11th anniversary of World Elephant Day.

Are you an elephant lover?

Here are ways to support Elephants around the world.

ACTION STEPS:

1. First, pledge to support a world that protects elephants, wildlife, and their habitats. You can make your pledge here at WorldElephantDay.org.

2. Sign this petition to protect elephants from the selfish and dangerous ivory trade. These Countries Want to Reopen the Ivory Trade and Put Elephants at Risk.

3. Watch The Ivory Game on Netflix.

4. Symbolically Adopt an African elephant (adult or calf) for $60 through WorldWildlife.org (WWF). When you symbolically adopt an African elephant, you get a free gift.

5. Sponsor a Tusker. In partnership with Tsavo Trust, International Elephant Foundation lets you sponsor an elephant. You can donate once or monthly, as low as $10, $20, $40, $100, or a custom amount.

From their website: "The Sponsor-An-Elephant program has been championing the Iconic Female Tuskers and we are proud to add the boys, both Big Tuskers and Emerging Tuskers (those younger males whose tusks aren’t quite large enough to be Big Tuskers, yet), into the program! Together they represent a vision of what African elephants were before widespread poaching and what could be possible again if we are victorious against poaching."

This is Dida. I was called to sponsor her.

She has a beautiful and powerful energy.

6. Track an elephant with an Elephant Tracking Bracelet from Fahlo. You receive an elephant's name and picture, facts about the elephant such as their story, and access to track the elephant on their expedition. This makes a great gift for an elephant lover. (They have tracking bracelets for sea turtles, sharks, polar bears, and penguins, too.)

From their website: "A portion of all proceeds are donated to Save the Elephants in Kenya, who specializes in elephants research and works to protect wild elephants. Your purchase will help fight ivory poaching, and secure a future for elephants in a rapidly changing world."

DONATE:

7. WWF - "Protecting elephants from poachers is an urgent task—one of the dozens of conservation crises facing us today."

8. African Wildlife Foundation - "Don’t let Africa’s wildlife become history. Join the fight to save these majestic creatures before it’s too late."

9. International Elephant Foundation - "Thanks to our many generous friends and supporters, we’re moving forward with a vision that promotes elephant conservation, scientific investigation and education."

10. Save The Elephants - "Elephants are among the most intelligent creatures on the planet and have complex emotions. Their lives are being lost to the ivory trade, accelerating habitat and range destruction. You can help put a stop to this and ensure Africa’s elephants are protected for generations to come."

BONUS:

Are you a teacher? Do you work with teachers? Do you have kids/grandkids/nieces/nephews/godkids? Kids and classrooms can help elephants, too!

QUESTIONS: Do you or someone you know love elephants? (Pass this post on to any elephant/animal lovers you know.) Did you do any of the action steps above? Are you sponsoring a Tusker?

Good Causes:

Causes and Donations - Books, Animals, and People / PART 1

Good Causes to Support / PART 2

I Donated My Hair / Good Causes PART 3

Stand Up To Cancer, Protect Trans Youth, Stand With Ukraine / PART 4

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Money Mindset Book Recommendations + WEALTH DATES

Money is everywhere. 💰

The device you’re using to read this blog post? Money. 

The electricity in your home, powering your computer and other appliances? Money. 

The chair/couch you’re sitting on? Money.

The food you eat? Money.

The air conditioning or heat in your home, the gas, the water? Money, money, money.

The vehicle you use to get to where you want to go, the gas in the tank, or any other mode of transportation you use (buses, trains, ride sharing, bicycle)? Money, money, money.

I could go on and on.

Money IS everywhere, and yet, most of us don’t have a good relationship with it, going as far back as our childhoods (how our parents reacted to money). Our relationship/trauma with money can even be generational. Most of us hate money because of how it makes us feel, which stems from our money story.

We feel guilty for having money.

We feel shame for wanting money.

We feel insecure when we don’t have money.

We feel scared when we use money.

Again, I could go on and on.

It’s time to change ALL of this.

January of this year I was called to devote the year to abundance and transformation. Part of that involved learning about money mindset and fixing my mindset around money.

In February of 2022, America had its Pluto Return (when Pluto returns to the exact degree and sign it was in at the moment the United States was born...during the signing of the Declaration of Independence).

When this happens to a country, big shit happens (not immediately but over time and in fact, had already started well before the return as Pluto moved into this position).

For America, Pluto’s Return is in Capricorn, a sign that signifies money, so fixing one’s money mindset is extremely important to do, like, NOW. Read more.

To fix my money mindset, I read books such as the ones I recommend in this post; watched IGTVs by Gina Frances and Amy Rushworth; and listened to The Amy Rushworth Show, a podcast on Spotify. Amy is amazing. She’s an unapologetic life coach and 7 figure CEO. For those who resonate with her, they can learn a lot, as I did and continue to do.

NOTE: Both Gina and Amy cater primarily to womb holders and people who identify as women with their content. Amy also teaches other life coaches, but the information she shares can still be applied by other entrepreneurs and business women.

My Favorite IGTVs from Amy Rushworth:

Manifesting Techniques That ACTUALLY Work Part 1

Manifesting Techniques That ACTUALLY Work Part 2 

(The first two are the very first two that I ever watched which changed everything for me.)

Plateau to OVERFLOW in Biz, Brand, Money, & Leadership

Ancestral Blueprints Around Money & Manifesting

(The Ancestral Blueprints one is so good. If you watch just one of the IGTVs, make it that one.)

And my favorite The Amy Rushworth Show Podcast Episodes:

Confidence Through Big Life Changes

I first heard about devoting a day to money and abundance through Gina Frances, an embodiment facilitator/menstrual business coach. 

You can check out this IGTV from Gina, which kicked off her Money Monday feature that she did for a short time on Instagram. In this IGTV she talks about what she did for her Money Mondays. Now, she does her money practices on Thursday, which is ruled by Jupiter and is associated with abundance, career, luck, money, and wealth.

What is a Wealth Date?

A day devoted to money and abundance and YOU!

(Which you don’t have to call a "Wealth Date," or “Money Monday,” or even “Money Day,” but getting comfortable with a phrase like this could be a part of your healing process around money and making money FUN.)

On Thursdays, I spend time being grateful, manifesting, and connecting to money.

You can choose the day that feels right for you, whether that's Monday, Thursday, or Saturday.

How Wealth Dates can look for me:

Affirmations For Writers / Books for Writers

 

I follow Kelly DePuy on Instagram, and when I found out that she published a book of affirmations for writers, to guide and nurture them, hence the subtitle, I was intrigued. I got a copy for myself and knew I'd talk about it here for my Books For Writers feature.

While I was reading her book, I was thinking about all the writers I know and how the affirmations I was reading would be perfect for them and could help them.

Like this one:

Screenshot from Kelly DePuy’s book.

In her book, Kelly DePuy talks in-depth about negative self-talk and limiting beliefs (more than I do in this post). She also gives great information on how to make your own affirmations based on your needs. 

Even if you don't want to write your own affirmations you will surely find amazing positive statements that Kelly shares. Say them aloud, whisper them, write them down, and come back to them again and again, especially when you need a boost or notice you're doing down a dark hole of negative thinking.

Affirmations for Writers

by Kelly Depuy

BUY @ BOOKSHOP

AMAZON

BLURB: 

What if someone said to you, “You are worthy of every dream in your tender heart.”

Feel’s good, doesn’t it? But what if that someone was you? What if YOU were your biggest supporter?

Imagine a writing life where you foster and nourish your creative self with powerful, positive, and heart-centered affirmations. Imagine showing up at the page ready to write, full of passion and hope, and leaving doubt behind.

You’d be more prolific and less burnt out, and you’d learn to face challenges with tenacity and grit. Your life would completely transform.

In Affirmations for Writers, you’ll discover:

- Over 100 affirmations tailored for writers and creatives

- What affirmations are and why they’re powerful

- How to use affirmations to conquer self-doubt, limiting beliefs, and imposter syndrome

- How to create unique and powerful affirmations to reach your goals

After reading this book, you’ll have everything you need to start your affirmation practice, and your mindset around writing will stop getting in the way of your creative success.

***

Affirmations have been a big part of my abundance work and mindset shifts this year.

Some people, when they hear the word "affirmations," are skeptical. They may roll their eyes and dismiss them as silly or trendy, and may think/say, "they're not for me."

Let me start by saying this: Affirmations are for EVERYONE!

You can use affirmations to attract abundance, meet a goal, or bring a dream to reality.

You can also use affirmations to correct your mindset and what you believe about yourself.

So how do affirmations work?

Our minds are programmed with limiting beliefs from our childhood and society, as well as negative self-talk from our inner critics, based on our past experiences.

Dozens, even hundreds, of times a day our minds can be engaged with negative self-talk about ourselves that we don't even notice. By using affirmations, we can become aware of that negative self-talk and correct them.

We can go from "Writing is hard" to "Writing comes to me easily and effortlessly."

Or "I suck at writing" to "There's no writer like me."

If someone told you as a child that you're stupid or ugly or [fill-in-the-blank], you could carry that scar your whole life, believing that false narrative and even perpetuating it with negative self-talk like, "I'm so ugly. I'm so fat. I hate my body."

The things we tell ourselves (be it positive or negative, high vibe or low vibe) we put out into the Universe. We make them real. We give them power. We attract it. We bring more of it into our lives.

Affirmations help us to rewrite those false narratives.

But what if it doesn't work?