#MARCH4WARD

“It’s okay to let things take as long as they take. Not everybody’s journey is a sprint. For some of us, it’s a marathon.” — Marlene Dillon Empowerment Specialist

Check out today's podcast episode...

Day 1 "It Takes As Long As It Takes" #MARCH4WARD Share & Let's Live! #Podcast

Day 2 "Work-Rest Balance: Relax" #MARCH4WARD Share & Let's Live! #Podcast Series w/ Marlene Dillon Empowerment Specialist

Some of us are so used to working all the time that we feel like we're doing something wrong when we rest. A clear mind from taking time to chill can be a huge way to catapult ourselves forward. This is what I did today and I'm hugely proud of myself for releasing the urge to do work throughout the day. 

I did what felt like ease and allowed myself to feel successful for choosing the easiest options today. Super proud of my resting. 

I talk about it on today's podcast. 

Have an amazing whatever time of day it is where you are.

Blessings!

Marlene Dillon Empowerment Specialist

Day 2 "Work-Rest Balance: Relax" #MARCH4WARD Share & Let's Live! #Podcast

Day 3 "March Forward w Ease" #FOLLOWURBLISS Share & Let's Live! #Podcast Series w/ Marlene Dillon Empowerment Specialist

We're so conditioned to work hard and press through and force out work. What if we can approach "work" differently? What if what we are meant to create, produce, and present can flow to and through us? What if we can approach the concept of "work" with more ease?

Well, that's what I've been doing the last few days. This weekend I allowed myself to rest. I was very intentional about doing only what I felt like doing. And through the moments of relaxation, ideas (for projects I've been trying to force out for the last few months) have just flowed to and through me. 

I was watching a movie, and having a really chill moment, and I saw the dynamic between a husband and wife that I want to address in my upcoming course, Healing Our Families: For Father's Only. Ideas just kept showing up for various projects that I've felt stalled on. And I realized that maybe this is part of it.... that through ease and letting go, ideas and insights can flow to me more freely. 

That's when it came to me that maybe this #MARCH4WARD month can be about moving forward with ease, rather than by bullying myself into producing "or else." 

Anywho... that's what today's episode is about... and a.... lot a bit about executive dysfunction and my experience of #ADHD. 

Blessings!

Marlene Dillon Empowerment Specialist

Day 3 "March Forward w Ease" #FOLLOWURBLISS Share & Let's Live! #Podcast

Day 4 "Gimme My Money" #MARCH4WARD Share & Let's Live! #Podcast Series w Marlene Dillon Empowerment Specialist

I was always someone who didn't want to be bothered or to be a bother so I would never return anything. Now, I'm beginning to recognize that that's my money and I get to have it back. My new mantra "I'm worth the effort," has been stepping in to remind me to do what needs to be done for my sake with no apologies. 

It's a small thing possibly to you, but I have left sooo much money on the table over the years because I didn't feel worth the effort. Today, I got my money back and it was a pivotal moment for me.

Blessings!

Marlene Dillon Empowerment Specialist

Day 4 "Gimme My Money" #MARCH4WARD Share & Let's Live! #Podcast

Day 5 "Universal Support" #MARCH4WARD Share & Let's Live! #Podcast Series w Marlene Dillon Empowerment Specialist

Today, I saw the beginnings of a miracle. A situation pivoted so quickly after I shifted what I believed. I didn't realize the deeper beliefs that were at play until I shifted them and saw an almost instantaneous pivot. 

It's really got me thinking what other situations can turn around by simply shifting where I place my faith. I tell the actual story on today's podcast. Check it out if you're intrigued. 

Blessings!

Marlene Dillon Empowerment Specialist

Day 5 "Universal Support" #MARCH4WARD Share & Let's Live! #Podcast

Day 6 "Get on the Floor" #MARCH4WARD Share & Let's Live! #Podcast Series w/ Marlene Dillon Empowerment Specialist

I believe grounding works... it just hasn't worked for me.... well, so I thought.

It wasn't until I was searching for images to create the meme for this podcast episode that I realized how natural it is for us as humans to get on the floor when we're feeling down and out. It seems like it's the ultimate, "I give up," "I don't know what else to do" move. But as I was searching through photos, I realized that maybe that's how our bodies are conditioned to "return to the earth" to reset. 

You've likely heard about the power of grounding—how healing it is to walk or stand in the grass with no shoes on or to put your toes in the sand. I've read and heard about grounding many times. So many I know swear by it, but honestly, it does nothing for me.

At least that's what I thought, until tonight. I won't tell the story here (listen to the podcast episode where I tell it better), but I ended up grounding differently today and it REALLY WORKED!

There are so many rigid rules about the right way to do spirituality and the right way to heal and on and on. What I've learned is that we all need different things and what may work for you might not work for me. And that doesn't mean I'm doing it wrong or need to force it longer. Maybe it's for me to approach it differently. 

When you ask different people what meditation looks like, you may hear a million different responses. And a few will tell you the "proper" way to do it. While different people may achieve the same peaceful, floating, euphoric feeling of "all is well" through more routes than we can ever list or name. 

Let it be okay to achieve your state of peace, bliss, joy, surrender, etc. And feel no need to defend it. If it's centered in love, not harming another, etc. and it brings you back to center, there's no one to answer to. 

I hope you'll check out my story. To be honest, I felt a little uneasy sharing it, but once I looked at the images, I realized how "natural" it all is. Anywho...

Blessings, 

Marlene Dillon Empowerment Specialist

Day 6 "Get Down w Your Mad Self" #MARCH4WARD Share & Let's Live! #Podcast

Day 7 "Your Empowered Self" #MARCH4WARD Share & Let's Live! #Podcast Series w Marlene Dillon Empowerment Specialist

“Sometimes we have to embody our future self to stand strong when we don’t feel empowered.” — Marlene Dillon Empowerment Specialist

Day 7 "Your Empowered Self" #MARCH4WARD Share & Let's Live! #Podcast

Day 8 "Take Care of YOU" #MARCH4WARD Share & Let's Live! #Podcast Series w Marlene Dillon Empowerment Specialist

Some of us take care of EVERYBODY except ourselves. I have been that person for the longest time, and last month I decided that is no longer okay. 

We'll give 70% to bills, 20% to everybody's wants, and 10% to the church, but if we want a new pair of jeans, we feel we're splurging. It's not cool. We've gotta take care of ourselves. We've got to put ourselves into the budget. 

This year it clicked for me that none of my income was going to me. Everybody and everything was more important. And not pouring into myself not only left me feeling run down, it also fed the idea that my value is not as significant. 

I'm grateful that this year I decided to start being good to myself—to raise my value... to myself. I need to treat myself better. I need to value myself more. I need to see it as unacceptable to treat myself in certain ways. And eventually that will trickle to other people (their sense of my value and how to treat me). And it has to start with me. 

Anywho.... on today's episode I talk about coming to a place of making myself a priority and putting myself in the budget. I talk about interesting things, including what sciatica is and why I get massages lol. Cool episode if you tend to put yourself last. Enjoy!

Blessings!

Marlene Dillon Empowerment Specialist

Day 8 "Take Care of YOU" #MARCH4WARD Share & Let's Live! #Podcast

Day 9 "Show Up In Love" #MARCH4WARD Share & Let's Live! #Podcast Series w Marlene Dillon Empowerment Specialist

"When we show up in love, love shows up for us." — Marlene Dillon Empowerment Specialist

Day 9 "Show Up In Love" #MARCH4WARD Share & Let's Live! #Podcast

Day 11 "Bigger Than You and Me" #MARCH4WARD Share & Let's Live! #Podcast Series w/ Marlene Dillon Empowerment Specialist

"All things work together for good," but not necessarily our individual good.... 

I think this is a hard lesson that many buck against. However, from my observations and my personal experiences, I have learned that I'm not just here for myself. Some stuff I go through allows me to support someone else as they go through it. 

This is how I find meaning in life's painful moments. Some things hurt so much that I REFUSE to accept that there's nothing more to it than I just got screwed by life. I choose to find a lesson it. I choose to hold on to the thought that this painful moment may allow me to understand someone better one day. It may allow me to help somebody some day. It may allow me to create a new system so others don't experience the same pain. 

And that might be a far reach for you. You may feel we're all here on our individual journeys and they have nothing to do with each other. I've seen too many circumstances overlap in my life to believe that anymore. And it serves me well to see myself as a part of a bigger picture. 

If this resonates with you, you'll enjoy today's podcast. I'm being my usual raw, honest, oversharing self. And I do that because I believe that something for you can be in the stories I tell about me. Maybe my lessons can save you some time, some pain, some effort. And that's why I do this daily podcast, Share & Let's Live!

As we share with each other, all our lives have the opportunity to be enriched. 

Blessings!

Marlene Dillon Empowerment Specialist

Check out today's episode!

Day 11 "Bigger Than You and Me" #MARCH4WARD Share & Let's Live! #Podcast

Day 12 "Punking Our Kids" #MARCH4WARD Share and Let's Live! #Podcast Series w/ Marlene Dillon Empowerment Specialist

I wasn't really sure what a great title for this podcast/blog would be, but this idea of "punking our kids" seems pretty accurate. 

We don't realize the long lasting impact of how we interact with our children. Some of the ways we were raised are not things that need to be repeated for another generation. 

Granted everybody has a different response to discipline, reprimands, etc. And I believe that some catering needs to be done, because you could have three children and all of them respond differently to your authority. 

On today's podcast episode I talk about the damaging nature of ... .punking your kids. How do I explain this? Hmmm.... let's just say that although it's important to teach our children to respect us, adults, authority, etc. some parents take a step too far and actually break the spirit of their child. 

Maybe your child is one who is always looking out for everyone else. They are the one who's going to speak up if they notice some form of injustice. But you have a blanket belief that under no circumstances should a child confront you about being wrong. Maybe you're even mean and scary about it. Some kids will be deeply impacted by that response. They learn that it is not safe to speak out against injustice, that if they speak up and advocate for themselves or others that they are placing themselves in danger. 

The unfortunate thing about this is that for some this will last well into adulthood. They won't even realize why they have trouble advocating for themselves. They'll have stress responses to addressing people who mistreat them. And they'll let people run all over them because it doesn't feel safe to speak up. 

If this at all resonates with your experience, or if you want to hear more about this, including my personal story, check out today's episode of Share & Let's Live! with Marlene Dillon Empowerment Specialist. 

Blessings!

Marlene Dillon Empowerment Specialist

Day 12 "Punking Our Kids" #MARCH4WARD Share & Let's Live! #Podcast

So on today's episode of Share & Let's Live! I talk about a concept my therapist taught me, called "acting opposite."

Essentially, acting opposite is when you do the opposite of what you would normally do. Sound simple, right? Well... it is simple. But like I learned from the amazing author and writing coach, Elizabeth Lyons, simple isn't always easy. 

In practice, acting opposite looks like choosing to handle things differently than you normally would, despite the pull of habit toward doing otherwise. So maybe you're a person who has a short-temper. When you decide to act opposite, you choose to respond differently to the things that trigger you. Instead of yelling, you choose to take deep breaths, or laugh to calm yourself down. If you are a person who let's the dishes pile up, when you start to place that first dirty dish in the clean sink you decide, "Nope. Let me wash this right now." If you're a person who tends to keep drinking after you're tipsy, and things always go south from there, you decide, "Next time I feel tipsy, I'm going to request a glass of water, and I'm done with alcohol for the night, no matter what." 

Acting opposite is a gamechanger. And on today's episode, I note my growth over time, and how "acting opposite" has been a huge part of the shift. 

Check out today's episode. Maybe this is something you can incorporate into your own life, and personal growth journey. 

Blessings!

Marlene Dillon Empowerment Specialist

Day 13 "Acting Opposite" #MARCH4WARD Share & Let's Live! #Podcast

Today, I had a chat with my Roomie!!! Sometimes people come into your life and you keep them forever. So grateful for this beautiful soul that I met in college that I get to forever call my Roomie. 

I was chatting with her today and she said, "I'm always here." I know it may not seem like much, but it was huge and it sent me into such deep thought that it became the topic of my blog and podcast, today.  

She helped me see that I've given VIP status to the wrong people. 
I need my inner circle to be people I can share my dreams with. I need my inner circle to be people who believe in me. I need my inner circle to be people who cheer me on. And my inner circle can offer critique, but it's not primarily what they do. They primarily lift me up, see the good in me, expect things to work out for me, get excited with me when I'm winning....

It might time for you to reevaluate your priorities in this area of your life, and decide who deserves to sit up front. 

Check out today's podcast, if this resonates with you. 

Blessings!

Marlene Dillon Empowerment Specialist

Day 14 "Do They Deserve VIP Status?" #MARCH4WARD Share & Let's Live! #Podcast

Day 15 "Celebrate Your Growth" #MARCH4WARD Share & Let's Live! #Podcast

When was the last time you noticed how much you’ve grown? Your mindset has evolved. You’re handling things so differently. Celebrate yourself.

We can be so hard on ourselves. We tend to look at the one area that we're not succeeding in and ignore all the ways we are winning. Today, I had a great day that came with so many challenges. AND today I noticed all the ways I attempted to approach each moment better than I would have in the past. 

If you tend to overlook your growth, AND/OR if you love #storytelling you can hear my about my drama in the parking garage today. There is a point, I promise. lmao

Check it out!

Marlene Dillon Empowerment Specialist

Day 15 "Celebrate Your Growth" #MARCH4WARD Share & Let's Live! #Podcast

Day 17 "Reconnect to Your Why" #MARCH4WARD Share & Let's Live! #Podcast Series w/ Marlene Dillon Empowerment Specialist

Do you have an unfulfilled dream that nags at you periodically? Maybe you are putting off painting, or writing a book. Maybe you left school early and have yet to return. 

On today's podcast I address this topic and offer you an empowering exercise for tapping into that dream/goal that's been sitting on the shelf. You. Do. Not. Want. To. Miss. This.

I received it in two forms: I wrote a #blog earlier and then I recorded a #podcast on the topic. So whether you prefer to listen or read, I've got you. Find the blog post at mdillondesigns.com/blog. Actually you can find the podcast episode there, as well (or on #SoundCloud).

Check it out today. You'll be happy you did.

Blessings!

Marlene Dillon Empowerment Specialist

#artist #dancer #dance #dreams #storytelling #empowerment #goalsetting #inspirational #blogging #podcasting #podcasterofinstagram

Day 17 "Reconnect to Your Why" #MARCH4WARD Share & Let's Live! #Podcast

I honestly don't remember where I heard this, but these words came back to me tonight... "If you're going through hell, keep going."

Life has been lifin' like it's getting paid to life all over me. I've probably cried more in the last few days than I typically cry in an entire year. It's been hard. And I mean back to back hard... don't let you recover from the last hard before you get hit with the next hard....

So grateful that at the exact moment I needed to hear it, I heard the message that I needed. And this is why I KNOW it's important who you are connected to. Because one person's post, led me to another person's post, that led me to tune in to a concert at the exact moment that the recording artist said the words I needed to hear. 

So I'm sharing my experience with you and sharing the words of encouragement with you. If you are going through a tough time, first, please know that I am right now sending love and virtual hugs your way. Second, check out my podcast, today. This one is for you. Do NOT give up. There's more in you than you know.

Life may tempt you to quit, but choose to keep going. I believe better is waiting on us, and sometimes we have some hell to cross through, to get to it. I'm crossing through too. Regardless of how it feels, you're not alone. Neither am I.

So press play and check out my (omg why am I sharing my business) raw podcast. I believe if it's for you, it will bless you.

Much love and as always....

Blessings!

Marlene Dillon Empowerment Specialist

Day 18 "If You're Going Thru Hell, Keep Going" #MARCH4WARD Share & Let's Live! #Podcast

Day 20 "Maybe You Just Need a Nap" #MARCH4WARD Share & Let's Live! #Podcast Series w/ Marlene Dillon Empowerment Specialist

Little ones are not the only ones who need an extra nap here and there to reset. They teach us early in life that "naps are for babies," but let me tell you... a nap can save your life (and those of the people around you). 

We stress work work work, but what about when you're emotionally, physically, and psychologically exhausted? This press through and hustle culture has its benefits, but so many people are walking around in a state of burnout.

Today, I took a nap. I was so tired I slept through the 1 hour timer's alarm. (And it was up REAL loud.) I'm grateful that I gave myself that gift of a nap because I woke up feeling... human. 

So much has been going on in my world, overlapping drama and tough stuff. And it was taking a toll on me. I had no idea that something as simple as a 3 hour nap could give me a bit of myself back. 

I'm so grateful I ignored that nagging voice telling me to sit at the computer and force out work, when I didn't even have the focus to be creative or string words together to form sentences. 

That nap was life. And I encourage you to listen to your body. There's a point when you realize that you are pushing yourself and you don't feel well, and there's a choice to be made. You can keep pushing, or you can be kind to your body and take a little break. 

I'm not saying take a month, or even a week off. Depending on how your life is set up, that may seem impossible. However, sometimes we've gotta look at life and think, "If I keep going at this rate, and it takes me down/out, they'll make a way without me, so I better pretend today that I know they can handle a little less of me, today, so I can still be here." 

So many of us, especially mothers, will run ourselves down to nothing, and even then we're still pushing ourselves. I'm tired of being exhausted. I'm tired of feeling run down. I'm going to bed early tonight. Actually, I'm cutting this short just for that reason. 

Have a wonderful whatever time it is where you are. 

Blessings!

Marlene Dillon Empowerment Specialist

#relax #rest #takeanap #napsarelife #selfcare #selflove #motherhood #hustle #mompreneur #parenting #blogging #podcasting

Day 20 "Maybe You Just Need a Nap" #MARCH4WARD Share & Let's Live! #Podcast

Day 21 "You Know What You Know" #MARCH4WARD Share & Let's Live! #Podcast Series w/ Marlene Dillon Empowerment Specialist

To be honest, we're too hard on ourselves, especially when we're going through tough times. Sometimes we know better, and we don't do better. 

On today's episode of Share and Let's Live! w/ Marlene Dillon Empowerment Specialist, I talk about both of these topics and an idea that came to me as I was recording. 

What if we experience the same situations over again, not because we're stupid, not because we didn't learn our lesson, and not because we deserve it? What if we attract/create these problems (read as opportunities) so that we can show up differently... and in turn regain our self-respect?

It's a just a thought... worth considering. Check out today's podcast (and blog) to learn more about this concept and of course hear some interesting #storytelling. 

Blog & Podcast available here:
https://mdillondesigns.com/2024/03/22/you-know-what-you-know/

Blessings!

Marlene Dillon Empowerment Specialist

Day 21 "You Know What You Know" #MARCH4WARD Share & Let's Live! #Podcast

Day 22 "I Survived; I Won!" #MARCH4WARD Share & Let's Live! #Podcast Series w/ Marlene Dillon Empowerment Specialist

We DO NOT have to wait for a major accomplishment to feel good about ourselves. Sometimes merely surviving the day is a feat in itself. 

Today, I decided to celebrate and rest, because the way I've been jumping life's hurdles lately and landing on my feet, I friggin' deserve it. 

I grabbed my Starbucks, a craft, and put on the Hallmark Mystery Channel and let myself woosah. It felt great. I took multiple naps. And I let it be okay. 

This weekend, or whenever you see/hear this, give yourself permission to celebrate how far you've come. Pop your own collar if you're still standing despite what life has thrown at you. Give yourself a moment with your feet up and just be. 

Blessings!

Marlene Dillon Empowerment Specialist

Day 22 "I Survived; I Won!" #MARCH4WARD Share & Let's Live! #Podcast

How available are you for everyone else? How available are you for yourself? Do you feel guilty for not being available for others? Do you feel the same about not making time for yourself?

Today, I realized that I primarily show up as a supporting character in everyone else's drama, and I'm rarely on set for my own show.

That visual hit me during the podcast—that I can look at the people in my life as having their own shows. And I have my own show. So if I am spending more time playing supporting roles in everyone's drama, I'm never really on my own set!

And I honestly don't know what to do with that. I'm not going to lie and say I have the answer on how to fix this. I literally just realized it today while recording my podcast.

One thing I learned from an amazing coach some time ago is that awareness is the most important thing. Just recognizing a behavior or thought pattern that we didn't realize was happening is a win in itself....

I admit that as a woman, as a mom, as a single mom... of an only child...  I am definitely societally conditioned to be primarily not on my own set. The more we sacrifice and make ourselves available is how we show we're good at being women, friends, moms, partners, spouses, etc. I'm not saying I agree with this, just that I've definitely been conditioned by it. 

The good thing, though, is that some years ago it hit me that I am here for more than to be a mom. Mom is just one of my titles. Currently it's my most important and most prioritized one, but there are other aspects of me, too. I have primarily just focused on the supporting roles I am to play in other's lives, but today that image of my vacant set helped me remember I am here for more than to be a daughter, a friend, a partner... a fill in the blank.

At some point, I get to be the main character in my own story. And now that I have this awareness, I get to start thinking about what that looks like.... 

READ THE FULL BLOG POST & LISTEN TO TODAY'S PODCAST AT
mdillondesigns.com/blog  
(And you'll get the awesome bonus of a good minute of hilarious laughter when I had a less deep discovery during the podcast. 😂😂😂😂)

If what you read above resonates, I believe this podcast and blog post will help you. Check out the full post & podcast here: 

https://mdillondesigns.com/2024/03/26/are-you-present-in-your-life-story/

Listen on #SoundCloud here: 


Blessings!

Marlene Dillon Empowerment Specialist

Day 25 "Are You Present in Your Life Story?" #MARCH4WARD Share & Let's Live! #Podcast

Marlene Dillon is a multi-talented single mom who's passionate about empowerment. Through her gifts of storytelling, songwriting, and her intuitive gifts, she shares insights on how to navigate life with more purpose. This podcast is called Share & Let's Live! because she believes that we all have gifts, passions, and interests that we came here to share. And as we release our reasons, beliefs, and hesitations, and begin to share them, we all get to expand. We are happier and we make our world a more beautiful place. So check out the podcast. Like, comment, and share. Oh, and a special thanks to Anno Domini Beats for the awesome track "Like That" which has become the signature sound for this podcast. Bless you for offering your music to creators like me. You're a blessing! 
BTW, I do cuss on this podcast, so you've been warned. These are my opinions and purely for entertainment and education. I speak freely. Share & Let's Live! with Marlene Dillon Empowerment Specialist's podcast and recordings are covered under the Privacy Policy, Terms, Etc. available on mdillondesigns.com. All rights reserved.