Vicki O'Grady is a Florida Licensed Mental Health Counselor, author, and accomplished workshop presenter.

She has worked in the fields of mental health, addictions, eating disorders and personal growth since the late 70's.

Vicki has traveled throughout the United States and Israel presenting personal growth workshops and seminars.

She is the former President and founder of Personal Power and Prosperity, a personal growth organization.

In 2014, Vicki started the You Matter Compassion Project, which involves giving out YOU MATTER cards.

Upward of 2 million have been given out by people in the US, Israel and other countries.

Memorable Quotes:

• "We're all seeking through outside experiences and through other people to validate our specialness, our goodness. We're trying to feel that unconditional love from a person that gives our life meaning. And one of the things that I found is that we all seek things outside of ourselves to try and give us that, whether it's an addiction or a person or a job or exercise."
• "People say you can't love other people until you love yourself. And I don't believe that's true. I know that I loved and gave love before I loved myself. But the difference was when I really did love myself, I trusted your love."
• "I don't want to be a person who causes harm in the world. I want to be a person who does kind acts. And I want to make this distinction because I think it's really important. I still think mean thoughts. I still shook my fist at somebody who pulled out in front of me yesterday. Twice. I still think these things, but I don't give myself permission to act on them. That's the difference today."

What You'll Learn:

The importance of telling other people that they matter and how to love others in spite of your own healing journey.

This Episode Includes:

• How Vicki started the You Matter movement by writing signs to show people while in her car. Signs like "sorry" and "your tail lights are off" turned into a sign that said, "You Matter."
• Different reasons why people need to hear that they matter.
• The "feel-good" hormones like serotonin and dopamine are released when we create connections with others.
• Telling people they matter is a great way to build connections and spread kindness.
• The origins of the You Matter Marathon movement.
• A lot of people grow up not realizing how special they are. They look for meaning in other things that are not fulfilling.
• When people feel like they matter, they stop looking for validation from outside sources.
• We don't have to be perfect to be kind, we simply have to refuse to act on mean impulses and choose kindness instead.

Three Takeaways From Today's Episode:

1. Choose one person today and tell them, "Hey, you matter."
2. Identify one act of kindness you can perform, either for yourself or someone else.
3. Comfort, connection and compassion are vital to our growth and happiness, and all need to come from an outside source.

Mentioned In The Episode:

• Citywide Facilities Solutions
• Kindness Campaign
• You Matter Marathon
• You Matter Compassion Project
• Getting the Love You Want by Harville Hendrix
• Baby Got Back by Sir Mix-a-lot
• Make You Feel My Love by Adele

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