What happens when we give away our power, quill by quill, in search of acceptance and love? The journey back to self-worth becomes the ultimate act of courage and creativity.

Deborah Weed's story stopped me in my tracks. After spending three years bedridden with excruciating pain from an undiagnosed condition (later discovered to be a grapefruit-sized fibroid tumor), she emerged transformed—not just physically, but with a profound understanding of self-worth that changed everything.

"Nobody can take your power from you," Deborah reveals, sending chills down my spine. "We give our power away quill by quill because we think that we're going to have somebody love us." This revelation became the foundation for Paisley the Musical, her Broadway-scale creative project featuring a porcupine fashion designer who sacrifices her quills to please others.

For those struggling through grief, trauma, or loss, Deborah offers wisdom earned through suffering: feel your emotions fully rather than suppressing them. "When you feel something fully, whether it be the despair, the pain, whatever it may be... it dissipates," creating space for creativity and healing to flow.

Perhaps most inspiring is her "why not?" philosophy. At a stage when many would settle, Deborah embraces ambitious dreams with "no budget, all heart," reminding us that creativity unexpressed will cause pain either way. 

Ready to reclaim your quills and rewrite your story? Listen in as Deborah and I explore what it truly means to thrive like a mother.

Connect with Deborah on Instagram @Deborah.weed. Visit paisleysfashionforest.com to learn more about Paisley the Musical or selfworthinitiative.net to join the movement to help women reclaim their power and self-worth.

Follow and chat with me on Instagram:

Podcast account - @thrivelikeamother.podcast

Personal account - @thrive.empowered

Sending you light and love always!