transformation – Wisdom for Wayshowers

Reviving Workplace Culture: The Power of Personal Transformation

By Angel Carlton Anderson

In today’s rapidly changing world, the culture of an organization is only as evolved as the individuals within it. If we want to restore a company’s culture to one of positivity, collaboration, and growth, we must start with restoring the human element. This begins with personal transformation.

The Personal Impact of Change

Change has taken a toll on all of us. Whether we’ve been through shifts in our personal lives, changes in the workplace, or simply dealing with the stress of an unpredictable world, these epic transformative times have had a direct impact on each person’s productivity, morale, and mental health.

This emotional and mental strain isn’t isolated—it’s spreading throughout organizations. What was once a thriving culture of camaraderie and teamwork can start to erode when employees feel overwhelmed, disengaged, and disconnected from their purpose.

Has your organization felt this shift? Perhaps you’ve noticed it too—fear, stress, and anxiety creeping in. When you walk through the building, do you feel a heaviness in the air? Have the smiles faded, replaced by furrowed brows and tense conversations? This isn’t just a passing phase. These are the visible behaviors of a deeper transformation happening within your organization.

Culture Reflects Mental and Emotional Stability

The culture of your company is a direct reflection of the mental and emotional stability of its people. And if people are feeling stressed, anxious, or unsupported, that will show up in how they work, interact, and contribute to the company’s mission.

This is the tipping point many organizations are facing. Beneath the surface, the culture is evolving into its next vision. The question is: What vision are you manifesting?

What Vision Are You Manifesting?

As a leader, this is the critical moment to pause and ask yourself a few key questions:

Have you taken the temperature of the emotional condition of your workplace?
Do you know how your employees are feeling—truly feeling—on a day-to-day basis? What unspoken concerns or fears might be affecting their performance and engagement?
Have you assessed the mental health of your team?
Mental health directly impacts productivity. Stress, anxiety, and burnout are not only personal challenges, but organizational ones. Are you offering support, resources, and a culture where mental well-being is a priority?
Do you understand what your people are experiencing outside the workplace?
We sometimes forget that employees are people first—individuals with lives, struggles, and pressures beyond the office. Are you creating a space where they feel safe to express themselves and be supported as whole individuals, not just workers?

The Layers of the Unknown

In every workplace, there are layers of the unknown. People may put on a brave face, but beneath that facade, there may be untold stories of stress, loss, uncertainty, or burnout. It’s easy to miss the signs when you’re focused on deadlines and productivity metrics, but those are just surface-level indicators of a deeper need for personal transformation.

When people undergo personal transformation, their perspectives shift. They become more adaptable, resilient, and aligned with their true purpose. And when individuals transform, the collective culture follows.

Restoring the Human Element

To truly restore a company’s culture, we must begin with restoring the human element—fostering an environment where people can grow, evolve, and thrive. This means creating space for vulnerability, support, and connection. It means offering tools and training that encourage personal growth, not just professional development.

When people are empowered to face their own personal transformations with courage and optimism, they bring that same energy to their work. They become more engaged, more creative, and more committed to the organization’s mission.

The Time for Transformation Is Now

If your organization is going through a culture shift, don’t ignore it. Transformation is inevitable, and resisting it will only lead to further stress and disengagement. Instead, embrace the change and guide it with intention. Begin by taking stock of the emotional and mental well-being of your team. Invest in their personal transformation, and you’ll see that same transformation ripple throughout your entire organization.

As leaders, we have the responsibility to foster cultures that uplift and empower our people. By focusing on the personal transformation of individuals, we can restore the health, vitality, and strength of the entire organization.

The question is, what kind of culture do you want to create? The answer starts with the personal transformation of every person on your team.

Ready to dive deeper into transforming your culture? Let’s discuss how we can create lasting change in your organization—schedule a complimentary consultation today!

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Angel Carlton Anderson is a Transformational Writer, Course Creator, Speaker and Facilitator…helping organizations and their people evolve through the natural cycle of change so that they transform into a greater version of themselves, perform with purpose & lead with impact.

Download my FREE ebook: How to Conquer Anything. For more information or to schedule a chat, visit: TransformwithAngel.com

Falling in Love with Your Future Self: Harnessing Imagination, Visualization, and Self-Discovery

In a world constantly evolving with new challenges and opportunities, the idea of “falling in love with your future self” resonates more than ever. As a transformational leader deeply committed to profound change, I believe our greatest power lies not in clinging to the past or being entangled by the chaos of the present, but in our ability to envision and become the best versions of ourselves. According to Dr. Joe Dispenza, “falling in love with your future” can have profound and transformative effects on the brain. Dr. Dispenza, a well-known neuroscientist, author, and lecturer, explores how this process impacts the brain’s structure and function through neuroplasticity and emotional engagement.

Neuroplasticity is the brain’s ability to reorganize itself by forming new neural connections. When you fall in love with your future, you actively engage in visualizing and emotionally investing in your desired outcomes. Emotions play a critical role in how the brain processes information and forms memories. Falling in love with your future involves generating elevated emotional states such as joy, gratitude, and excitement.

By focusing on our inner growth and transformation—nurturing a profound connection with the person we aspire to become, powered by the transformative tools of imagination, visualization, and self-discovery—we ignite the possibility to transcend the upheavals around us. These practices are essential in today’s fast-paced society and workplace, significantly impacting our relationships, happiness, and overall well-being. It is within this personal metamorphosis that we unlock the capacity to reshape our reality and ultimately transform the world—starting with ourselves. Let’s explore the transformation tools we already possess to create the self-idol image of your greatest future self:

The Power of Imagination

Imagination is often dismissed as a child’s play, but it’s a fundamental skill that adults can harness to sculpt their future. In the realm of personal development, imagination is the gateway to possibility. It allows us to conceive of a future where we have achieved our goals and become the best versions of ourselves.

Why It’s Important Today:

Adaptability: The rapid changes in technology, work environments, and societal norms demand adaptability. Imagination helps us envision new ways of solving problems and embracing change.
Innovation: Whether in the workplace or personal life, creativity fosters innovation. Imagining different scenarios and outcomes encourages us to think outside the box and explore new paths.

Harnessing Visualization

Visualization takes the concepts born from imagination and makes them vivid and concrete. This mental rehearsal of future scenarios can be a powerful tool for achieving goals and fostering personal growth.

Why It’s Important Today:

Goal Achievement: Visualization clarifies our goals, making them feel more tangible and achievable. By regularly picturing ourselves succeeding, we align our actions with our aspirations.
Stress Reduction: In the workplace, visualization can be a tool for stress management. Visualizing a calm and confident self can mitigate anxiety and improve performance in high-pressure situations.

Embarking on Self-Discovery

Self-discovery is the journey of understanding our values, strengths, weaknesses, and passions. It’s about digging deep to uncover who we are and who we want to become.

Why It’s Important Today:

Authentic Living: In a world where external influences are constant, self-discovery helps us remain authentic and true to our core values.
Career Fulfillment: Understanding our strengths and passions leads to more fulfilling career choices and a greater sense of purpose at work.

Integrating These Practices

Daily Rituals:

Morning Visualization: Spend a few minutes each morning visualizing your day and long-term goals. Picture yourself overcoming obstacles and achieving success.
Imagination Sessions: Allocate time for imaginative thinking. This could be through creative hobbies, daydreaming, or brainstorming sessions for new ideas.
Self-Reflection: Regularly reflect on your experiences and feelings. Journaling can be an effective tool for this.

Workplace Integration:

Goal-Setting Workshops: Implement workshops that encourage employees to visualize their career goals and create action plans.
Creative Breaks: Encourage short breaks where employees engage in creative activities to stimulate imagination and innovation.
Personal Development Programs: Offer programs that support self-discovery through assessments, coaching, and skill-building.

The Long-Term Impact

Embracing imagination, visualization, and self-discovery transforms not only our professional and personal lives but also our sense of identity and purpose. By falling in love with your future self, you align your daily actions with your long-term vision, creating a fulfilling and meaningful life.

As we continue to navigate the complexities of modern life, these practices offer a compass to guide us toward our desired future, fostering resilience, creativity, and profound joy. Embrace them today and watch as you not only transform your future and also manifest the highest vision you have of yourself while enriching your present.

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Angel Carlton Anderson is a Transformational Writer, Speaker and Facilitator…helping people evolve through the natural cycle of change so that they transform into a greater version of themselves, live a life of purpose & lead with impact.

To Learn more and download a FREE ebook, visit: TransformwithAngel.com

Awakened Leadership: Harnessing Spiritual Insight for Better Work-Life Balance

As a transformational learning expert and author, I often explore the profound journeys that shape our lives. Two of the most compelling paths are through a spiritual awakening (a shift in consciousness) and personal transformation (due to change or trauma). Each journey, while distinct, offers unique opportunities for growth, resilience, and a deeper understanding of our place in the world.

Both spiritual awakening and personal transformation due to change/trauma significantly impact one’s work/life balance and influence their work life in distinct ways. Here’s how each can affect these aspects:

Impact of a Spiritual Awakening on Work/Life Balance and Work Life

Work/Life Balance:
- Prioritization of Inner Well-being: Spiritual awakening often leads individuals to prioritize their inner well-being and personal fulfillment over material success or external achievements. This can result in a more balanced approach to work and personal life.
- Mindfulness and Presence: Practices such as mindfulness and meditation, which are common in spiritual journeys, can reduce stress and improve focus, helping to create a healthier balance between work and personal life.
- Reduced Attachment to Work Stress: With a deeper understanding of life’s purpose, individuals may feel less attached to the stresses and demands of their work, leading to better mental health and a more relaxed attitude toward work.
Influence on Work Life:

Purpose-Driven Work: A spiritual awakening often prompts individuals to seek work that aligns with their values and sense of purpose. This can lead to career changes or a shift in how they approach their current job, aiming to make a meaningful impact.
Enhanced Empathy and Leadership: Individuals may develop greater empathy and compassion, enhancing their leadership qualities and improving relationships with colleagues and clients.
Innovative and Creative Thinking: The broadened perspective gained from spiritual insights can foster innovative and creative thinking, benefiting problem-solving and project development at work.
Ethical Decision-Making: A heightened sense of ethics and integrity often accompanies spiritual awakening, influencing individuals to make decisions that are not only beneficial for the company but also socially and environmentally responsible.

Impact of Personal Transformation Due to Change on Work/Life Balance and Work Life

Work/Life Balance:
- Adaptability and Resilience: Personal transformation due to external changes often involves developing greater adaptability and resilience. This can help individuals manage work pressures more effectively, contributing to a better work/life balance.
- Time Management Skills: As individuals navigate personal transformations, they often become better at managing their time and setting boundaries, leading to a more balanced and fulfilling life.
- Health and Well-being Focus: Coping with significant changes often necessitates a focus on health and well-being, encouraging habits that promote a better balance between work and personal life.
Influence on Work Life:

Skill Development: The need to adapt to new circumstances often involves acquiring new skills or improving existing ones, enhancing professional competence and career prospects.
Shift in Career Goals: Personal transformations can lead to a reassessment of career goals and aspirations, sometimes resulting in career changes or new professional directions that better align with personal growth and values.
Increased Productivity: Overcoming personal challenges can build confidence and motivation, leading to increased productivity and effectiveness at work.
Enhanced Interpersonal Skills: Navigating personal changes often improves interpersonal skills such as communication, empathy, and teamwork, positively impacting workplace relationships and dynamics.

Common Outcomes

Holistic Approach: Both types of transformation encourage a more holistic approach to life, where work is seen as one aspect of a fulfilling life rather than its central focus.
Greater Fulfillment: Individuals who undergo these transformations often seek and find greater fulfillment and meaning in their work, contributing to overall life satisfaction.
Resilience and Innovation: Both experiences can enhance resilience and innovative thinking, which are valuable assets in any professional setting.

Whether through a spiritual awakening or personal transformation due to change, individuals often experience a shift towards a more balanced, fulfilling, and meaningful work life. These transformations encourage a focus on inner well-being, purpose-driven work, and the development of skills and qualities that enhance both personal and professional life.

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To Learn more visit: TransformwithAngel.com

How to Rekindle the Spark Within

Recently, I feel like I have been going through the motions and at the same time, feel a shift in my passion for what I do. Not exactly a complete loss of passion but definitely a decline to the point where it has caused me to pause and reevaluate everything. Can anyone relate? This is a bit of an issue for me since my passion is my business that aims to inspire and motivate people. I make it a point to pay close attention to these alterations and not fight them because I truly believe they are directional signs pointing us in another direction. So rather than getting frustrated, I asked for help.

On a recent road trip, I bared my soul, opened my frozen heart, shared my deepest concerns, and asked my husband for some honest feedback. Have you ever been totally blindsided by someone’s response in asking for help that it took 2 days just to process the information?? Like I have said before, “truth is absurd when first heard”. To say the least, I was triggered by his honesty that I obviously wasn’t quite ready to hear. I had asked for help but instead got an earful on what I am not doing to take things to the next level. I got a very clear picture on how he sees me “work my passion” through his eyes. And if I am going to be truthful, I haven’t been treating my “work” with much passion at all. This heavy conversation is what broke the ice exposing an entirely new degree of passion I’ve been missing, giving my purpose an entirely new perspective.

As part of any transformation process, we need to RELEASE the behaviors that no longer serve us. But first REALIZE the truth about what needs to change and do something about it, not just sweep it under the rug. And many times we cannot see the truth when we are stuck in our limiting beliefs about what it’s supposed to look like. This is when outside perspectives are extremely valuable. And like I recently learned, we just have to put our ego aside, receive feedback with an open heart, and be coachable.

I realized finding my passion isn’t so much about where to look for it or even doing something differently. It was about identifying the blocks and barriers that prevent it from becoming the bonfire it once was or wants to become. I invite you to consider looking at your past experiences that may have caused you to hang on to un-dealt-with emotional baggage like guilt, shame, regret or remorse. Until you work through and process these emotions properly, your passion can never truly thrive.

As I prepared to spend the day writing at the beach, I accidentally grabbed my “A Course in Transformation Guidebook”. Before I set it back down, I thought to myself, “Huh, maybe I need to do my own work to process this passion transformation thing I’m going through.” So I did. I spent 4 hours literally going through page-by-page of my own transformation framework that helped me so many times before. Going through this therapeutic workbook helped me address what needed to be healed. And when I did, I felt an openness and a freedom that was like a burst of oxygen igniting the flame. I began to feel excitement. Ideas began flowing through and I could hardly wait to get to working on my next project. My own Guidebook helped me create a plan and reset my vision. Not to toot my own horn, but I have to say, it really works!

So when you start to feel your passion dwindle and that awkward imbalance in your life, begin by doing some inner-renovation work. Start with the blueprint (The Nowhere to Knowing “A Course in Transformation” Guidebook is a great start) then excavate deep down, release those boulders of negative emotions, take an inventory on what’s working and what isn’t. Come to terms with the fact that just because you’ve been doing the same thing for a period of time doesn’t mean you’re still passionate about it. And life is too short to be doing anything that doesn’t align with our deepest desires.

There comes a time when we have to look at what is causing our passion to fade. People can feel disconnected from their passion for various reasons:

Burnout: Overexertion or prolonged stress related to pursuing their passion can lead to burnout, causing individuals to feel disconnected or even resentful toward their once-beloved activity.

Pressure and Expectations: External pressure or expectations, whether from society, family, or oneself, can dampen the enjoyment of a passion. When something that once brought joy becomes associated with pressure to perform or meet certain standards, it can lead to disconnection.

Monotony: Engaging in the same activities or routines associated with their passion without variety or new challenges can lead to boredom and disengagement.

Life Changes: Major life events, such as job changes, relationship shifts, or personal crises, can shift priorities and focus away from one’s passion, leading to feelings of disconnection.

Lack of Progress: Feeling stuck or not making progress toward goals within their passion can be demotivating and lead to disconnection.

External Factors: External circumstances such as financial constraints, health issues, or societal changes can limit opportunities to engage with one’s passion, leading to feelings of disconnect.

Loss of Interest: Sometimes, interests naturally evolve over time, and what once was a passion may no longer hold the same appeal. This can lead to a sense of disconnection as individuals struggle to find new sources of fulfillment.

Addressing feelings of disconnection from one’s passion often involves self-reflection to identify the underlying causes and making intentional efforts to rekindle enthusiasm, whether through seeking new challenges, adjusting expectations, or exploring related interests.

Here’s a few ideas to spark that fire in the belly once again…

Solitude. Spend time alone for self-reflection but do not isolate yourself to the point where you become lonely. People can be exactly what you need right now (see #2).
Ask for feedback. There are people in your life that have a front row seat at your life. Ask them what they see and give them permission to provide some honest feedback.
Brace yourself. Prepare yourself for hearing perspectives that may feel wrong, incorrect or untrue. Then set your ego aside and admit there’s some truth to what is being said.
Ditch the excuses. We sometimes get in the habit of making excuses for not doing things. Yes, even the things we claim to be passionate about.
Clear the emotional blockages. I firmly believe when we work through the emotional wounds of our past that have caused us to feel guilt, shame, regret or remorse, it blocks our passion energy from flowing. So talk to a therapist (or purchase my A COURSE IN TRANSFORMATION GUIDEBOOK on AMAZON) to get to the heart of the blockage.

When it’s all said and done, our passion is the driving force for why we do what we do. When our passion dwindles, it causes unhappiness, self-dissatisfaction, impacts our relationships and bleeds into other aspects of our lives. When left untreated, we soon become bitter and resentful. This is a serious imbalance that needs to be remedied. So the next time you feel uninspired, a lack of enthusiasm, or when the zest for life has diminished, take a good hard look in the mirror and work through that unfinished business. Take the time to make the changes that light that fire in your belly. Do whatever is necessary to become the next best version of yourself. I promise you’ll be rewarded with a happy, fulfilled life with an inferno of gratification.

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To Learn more visit: TransformwithAngel.com

Marching through the Madness

By Angel Carlton Anderson

Blackhawk Jr High Cheerleaders, 1980

I came across an old photo of myself recently from way back in Jr. High (yes, that’s me front and center). I was thrown back by the array of emotions that bubbled up when I saw it. It wasn’t so much the happy memories the photo triggered, it felt more like a longing for simpler times. I could not help but reflect on how much not only life, but the world as a whole has changed so drastically.

Even though I clearly remember the drama that come with the territory of being young, I realized how much that drama is amplified today because of the internet. As i continued to compare then vs now, I reflected on the simplicity of life that made the difficult times of my youth more bearable. As I reminisced, I could not help but feel empathy for our younger generation who will never get to experience life without all the complexities of technology and the impact it has on our development years.

My mind began thinking back to the little things that brought joy when I was a kid. Again, our youth today will never know the excitement of passing a note in the hallway or in class and appreciating for someone actually taking the time to hand write it. Your friends literally waited for you at your locker or found you in between classes to hand it to you. Then rushing to your next class so that you can sneakily read it. This thrill goes beyond a text message today.

Our social media wasn’t on a screen, it took place every week on Saturday afternoons when we all met at the roller rink or playing tag with all the neighborhood kids until the streetlights came on (or when you heard your mom yell your name to come home). If we were bored, we would hop on our bikes and ride around the neighborhood until we found our friends only to create another adventure together whether it was building a fort or using our imagination to create our own fun. For my friends, it was making our own version of Charlie’s Angels, making up stories and then solving the mysteries of our unknown neighbors. Every day seemed to offer yet another opportunity for us to express the freedom our youth and become another version of ourselves, to a degree that our youth today will never know.

We didn’t have technology to communicate for us, no cell phones for our parents to track us down. We knew the rules, we were trusted to do the right thing and when we didn’t, we were punished appropriately. We respected authority and the adults that enforced it. We knew our place as kids, and took advantage of our playtime which was outside every chance we got.

It’s these memories that caused me to realize we were the last generation raised on this planet to have such a simplified version of youth. As I reflected on all that has changed, and seemingly so rapidly, I wondered what it is we can do to make life a little easier for us all. My interests and expertise are in personal transformation as we evolve through these changing times and so I have developed some quick tips and reminders to help us become more adaptable and capable as we navigate life’s chaos and “march through the madness”.

Here are some ways to create balance, sustain stability and show change who’s really boss:

Cultivate Mindfulness: Practice mindfulness to stay present and aware of your thoughts and actions. This helps you respond thoughtfully to changing circumstances.
Embrace Change: Instead of resisting change, embrace it as an opportunity for growth and learning. Change is a constant, and adapting to it can lead to personal evolution.
Continuous Learning: Stay curious and engage in lifelong learning. Seek out new information, skills, and perspectives to expand your understanding of the world.
Develop Emotional Intelligence: Understand and manage your emotions effectively. This includes empathy, self-awareness, and the ability to navigate social complexities.
Build Resilience: Cultivate resilience to bounce back from setbacks. View challenges as opportunities to learn and grow rather than insurmountable obstacles.
Practice Gratitude: Regularly express gratitude for the positive aspects of your life. This helps foster a positive mindset and a greater appreciation for the present moment.
Connect with Nature: Spend time in nature to reconnect with the environment and gain a broader perspective. Nature has a grounding and calming effect on the mind.
Nurture Relationships: Foster meaningful connections with others. Healthy relationships contribute to personal growth and well-being.
Align with Values: Identify and live in alignment with your core values. This provides a sense of purpose and direction in the midst of change.
Develop a Growth Mindset: Embrace challenges and view failures as opportunities to learn. A growth mindset encourages resilience and continuous improvement.
Practice Self-Reflection: Regularly reflect on your beliefs, actions, and goals. Self-awareness is crucial for personal evolution.
Limit Information Overload: In a rapidly changing world, it’s essential to manage information intake. Filter and prioritize information to avoid feeling overwhelmed.
Foster Creativity: Cultivate your creative side to find innovative solutions and adapt to change more effectively.
Simplify Your Life: Declutter your physical and mental space. Simplifying your life can lead to greater focus and a clearer sense of purpose.
Contribute Positively: Actively contribute to your community and the world in a positive way. Making a difference in the lives of others can elevate your sense of purpose.

Remember that personal evolution is a gradual process, and these tips can serve as a guide to help you navigate the journey toward a higher level of consciousness in our ever-changing world. We may not have the simplicity of our youth, but we can share our stories and these important reminders so that our youth knows what a wonderful world they have the power to create.

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Angel Carlton Anderson is a Facilitator of Transformative Learning, a Motivational Speaker & Published Author on the topic of personal transformation…helping people evolve through the natural cycle of change so that they transform into a greater version of themselves.

To Learn more visit: TransformwithAngel.com

Healing from a Hurricane – Part 1, Realizing the Hard Truth

Experiencing Hurricane Ian by Angel Carlton

"Life is merely a series of hurricanes, 
some are just more destructive than others."
~Angel Carlton

It’s been 3 sobering weeks since Hurricane Ian swept through SW Florida causing devastation beyond our wildest imagination. This certainly was not in my plan when I relocated to paradise to start my new life in April of 2021.

As an author, much of my writings are on the topic of navigating change so that we transform into a greater version of ourselves. I like to think of myself as someone well-versed on the topic of personal transformation as life shifts accelerate with its array of unpredictable circumstances. This, however, was one I was not anticipating and can honestly say, it has me reflecting on the cycle of change through a new lens of reality.

What I have come to realize in the past couple of weeks is that experiencing a natural disaster is one of the most extraordinary specimens of transformation and a tremendous opportunity for growth that life has to offer. Sure, I feel the deepest empathy when I observe natural disasters taking place in other parts of the world, but it is extremely humbling when it happens to you and your home life, work life, social life and your entire community is ripped out from under you and destroyed in a single day.

Like everyone else in Florida, we closely watched the weather as the hurricane made its way up the Gulf of Mexico. On Tuesday, September 27^th, we made the spontaneous decision to head to my parent’s home after our area was called to evacuate. Although at that point Ian was making its way toward Tampa, we felt getting off the coast and making our way inland a few more miles would be a safer choice. So, we secured our home for some high winds and packed a small overnight bag with a few toys for our puppy and headed to Estero for some peace of mind.

Wednesday, when Ian decided to juke hard right toward Fort Myers, we watched television with grave concern. We kept in close contact with our neighbors who decided to “ride the storm out” in their homes and they said the water was rising so quickly they were lucky to have evacuated when they did. Unfortunately, not everyone was as fortunate. We realized our home life was in danger when we saw the water surge flood through the Naples area. It was at that point we knew that our waterfront property which rested on a beautiful canal in Cape Coral was in trouble. Shortly after that the internet went out and we were now blindfolded with whatever was happening all around us. Fortunately, my parents are on the same grid as a local emergency shelter, so the power flickered throughout the day but was never completely lost unlike our neighboring friends who had lost power for weeks. Phone signal was lost and family members watching the storm from afar were doing their best to keep us informed of Ian’s next move. Meanwhile, the sounds of the hurricane shutters violently banging from the 100+ mile per hour winds were absolutely horrifying and will forever be engraved in my memory. We did our best to keep our 6-month-old puppy occupied by playing with her although she was vomiting from fear; poor little thing was expressing much of what we too were feeling.

We had no idea what we would wake up to and went to bed with a somber anticipation of the marks Ian would leave behind. Waking up to blue sky and a perfect Floridian day, we stepped outside to take our dog for a walk dodging trees and debris laying amidst the streets, pool cages torn to pieces and neighbors gathering to check on one another. We wanted nothing more than to head to our home to assess the damages there, but we couldn’t get out of my parent’s neighborhood until Friday when they removed the massive trees that were laying uprooted in the middle of the street.

Friday morning, the sounds of chainsaws clearing the streets gave us hope that we could give it a try to make our way to see our home. Needless to say, the drive was solemn as we witnessed the destruction get worse the closer we got to Cape Coral. Traffic lights were down, literally swinging in the middle of intersections, cars cautiously driving through chaos, sirens of rescue vehicles raced the roads, homes and businesses barely standing, missing rooftops made for an unrecognizable drive we’ve made so many times.

Tears began to flow as we crossed the Cape Coral bridge and witnessed boats upside down that mysteriously made their way to land. Our beautiful little community looked like a war zone; like an atomic bomb was lit as not a building or tree in sight was untouched. It’s one thing to watch this on television and another to see it in 3^rd dimensional reality…my eyes are seeing what my mind could not quite comprehend. My heart continued to pound as we drove down our main street, dodging trees, and debris along the way. We pulled up to the house and saw that it was still intact. The roof was missing some shingles, the fence was torn down and noticed some of the fence panels blew through the screen and into the dirt-filled pool but felt a sigh of relief thinking that isn’t as bad as some of what we’ve witnessed, at least until we walked to the rear of the home and saw our boat taking a nosedive into the canal with a palm tree on its side across the dock, the pool and lanai filled with river water and debris. The debris splattered the entire newly painted home leaving a 3-foot water line indicating an approximate 8-12 foot surge from the canal, lending us with great concern of what we would encounter on the inside.

We slowly opened the door to see if perhaps we were one of the lucky ones. Initially we were unsure but then as we splattered through the puddles of receding water in our living room, it didn’t take long for reality to set in. We stood in awe realizing everything in it was completely destroyed from the nearly 2 feet of water that flowed through our home trashing everything it touched. We were slowly grasping as the reality that we were not coming home any time soon. So, we grabbed a few things we were able to salvage, went through the precious, irreplaceable items like photos that were forever lost and slowly began to settle into our new reality.

Everything is gone. Just. Like. That. Our happy life in paradise has been brutally disrupted but we have one thing Ian could not take and that is our love. We have one another to hug and a shoulder to cry on whenever we need one (and believe me, there have been plenty of tears), we’ve been blessed with my wonderful parents who have provided us with a place to lay our heads as we come to terms with it all and we have the generosity and support of so many friends and family that have brought comfort. Through all this I realize that love is more powerful than any hurricane. Love will prevail over fear…fear of loss, fear of the unknown, fear of destruction, and fear of all the sudden change all at once. Love, relationships, and faith are the things that storms cannot take from us.

So, on behalf of our temporarily tainted piece of paradise, take the stuff, the material things, if you must, Ian. However, like the buildings you washed away, the beaches & bridges you’ve torn apart, and the trees you’ve broken to pieces, we may be bruised, but we will survive, we will grow from this, and we will reinvent ourselves to become better & stronger than before…because we believe in the power of love and you can never take that from us.

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Angel Carlton is a published author of Dedicated to Destiny, a professional speaker, a personal growth & leadership development facilitator, and a former professional NBA cheerleader for the Chicago Bulls, Angel is an advocate for emotional/mental well-being and today she enthusiastically cheers on humanity for conscious change.

Regardless of the “hurricane” you may be going through, you’re invited to follow Healing From a Hurricane Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100086499379535

From Struggle to Striving

By Angel Carlton

“The deeper the pain, the greater the GROWTH.” ~Angel Carlton

Several years ago I experienced some major life changes and went through some tough times. I meditated and journaled on a regular basis to manage my emotions and keep my sanity. Through those journal entries came a consistent message of hope and an explanation of where I’ve been, where I am heading and the most profound idea, why it was happening. I captured these messages and created a framework so that I can better understand the process I was experiencing during each life-altering change being tossed my way. From there, I was guided to write a book with this message and seek a publisher. So, I did just that and the very first publisher (Changemakers Books) that I sent my proposal to accepted it which, from what I understand, never happens! I am proud to say the time has come and it’s finally hitting the shelves of booksellers all over the world.

I have to be honest here, although the content of this book came through me several years ago with the intention to help others navigate life’s rapid tides of change the same way it helped me, I have continued to experience incredible growth since then. Despite what you may see on my Facebook posts, life’s challenges didn’t stop showing up. The truth is, change always in motion. And the more I talk to people, the more I realize so many of us are experiencing the same struggles, stresses and symptoms of transformation. Studies show the pace of change is doubling every year and because our brains are not programmed to adapt to change, it creates stress. Just look at the news!

It was when the publisher recently sent me my first copy of my own book and read it in its entirety that I gained the perspective I needed for me to prevail through the past few years. It’s almost as if I wrote the book to my future self, the person I am today who needed to hear these messages again. I share this because I truly feel this message is meant to be shared. My purpose is clear, to help people navigate change so that they transform into the next greatest vision of themselves…starting with myself.

So, as I am in the process of introducing my baby to the world, please join me in the celebration of welcoming my new book, Dedicated to Destiny, A Pursuit of Personal Growth, Prosperity & Purpose. It’s about adapting to change in this crazy, hectic world of ours. The book explains how to maintain our focus on a greater purpose, a grander vision of ourselves, to help us get through those tough times and thrive as a result of it all. I introduce the 6 Stages of Transformation that helped me move through some of life’s most horrific challenges, a natural process that if we pay attention to it becomes a powerful life tool.

I remain a student of this process and the more change that occurs in my life, the easier it gets…almost to the point where I embrace it and become wildly curious about the outcome. There is a confidence in knowing my struggles are part of the journey toward a striving life experience. I invite you to explore the messages for yourself and share them with those around you so that we may create a more compassionate, kind and caring world. Visit: Dedicated to Destiny to grab your copy.

#ibelieveinyou #changeisgood #dedicatedtodestiny
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