Straight Talk for a Curvy World®

A single act doesn’t define us, nor does a moment in time. When we feel weak or powerless, we search internally for the one version of ourselves that we think will best cope with the situation we are faced with. If our history includes anxiety, anger, or apprehension, we are basically like a box of chocolates – you never know what you’ll get. Often, we systematically compare our pain to that of our peers to self-judge our normality. Still, in doing so, we risk gathering all the pain within ourselves, primarily if we identify with it. Ultimately, we project our anxiety and anger inwards or outwards. If we understand that both are okay – just different – we take the following steps to emotional freedom.

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*Consider who may be listening with you. This episode contains fun stuff that only adults should hear.

A Special Passage for Monica

From The Call - Sometimes, it comes as a soft-bellied whisper. Sometimes it holds an edge of urgency, but it always says, “Wake up, my love. You are walking asleep; there’s no safety in that.”

Now, Where Did I Put That?

Aging can be fun if we consider it a never-ending game of hide-and-seek. The physical aspects of getting older are more accessible for us to deal with than the mental and emotional changes occurring within our bodies. We may understand that a tire with a nail in it isn’t fit to be on the road, but if the exact tire doesn’t feel like going out for a Sunday drive because it may or may not feel flat, we have a hard time accepting that.

And it’s not just us. There is a lot of judgment among people who view another person as being emotional as a weakness. Most of us remember when we have commented negatively about someone who allows their mental state to overwhelm them and take over their life. We might later be sorry for having said it, but we already passed judgment.

Our Ever Changing Hormones

If having a five o’clock shadow isn’t enough, we get to read our prescription bottle for our female dryness medication with our “readers” (If you don’t know, it’s the cool way to say bifocals). And older sisters – if you are lucky enough to have one – were given to us as gifts from God, as town criers to alert us on our next genetic mutation.

Realizing that science and chemistry are behind what we feel is an excellent tool for reconnecting with ourselves and finding balance through proper nutrition. If we ignore our bodies, as Monica did, we may find ourselves gasping for breath, thinking today might be our last day. We, women, have the propensity to suffer silently.

It’s Best to Switch to Vodka Now

Monica shares her darkness, light, and compassion in today’s call. We also ponder these questions... Does a glass of red wine trigger hot flashes during the night? Are meditations and exercise black magic for curing memory lapses?

If you'd like to get in touch with Monica and see what she's been up to since this was recorded, you can visit her website Restore & Renew.

In this Best of Straight Talk for a Curvy World® episode, I talk about my book.

Smiling on the Outside: Secrets, Sex, Shame, and the Search for Self-Love became a #1 Best-selling book upon release and continues to show up in the top ten even today. It also won SIX national and international book awards and was selected for review by Publisher's Weekly. And even though I write about #Me-Too, my book was released long before the world ever heard that phrase!

I hope you'll check it out and leave a review. Click on the title above, or request the book from your favorite bookseller. 

Emotional Pain in the Physical Form

During Christine’s uncertainty about staying in her marriage, she began having chest pains and suffered from shingles. At the time, she was unaware of the physical connection to her emotional distress. She recommends going to a doctor and talking with a trusted friend about what ails you. It may uncover that you have been trying to mold yourself into a form someone else wants you to be instead of who you are. Practice self-love, and do some internal work to help clear your mind.

Why Can’t We Live the Life We Want to Live?

Many women spend a lot of time comparing themselves to other women. We see a photo or read a story, and we think the woman we are looking at has everything together. We wonder what is wrong with us and why we don’t have that certain something. But remember, when you look at a person’s picture, you don’t see a person’s history, you don’t see fear, and you don’t see their anxiety. We all have a past.

Women need to talk to each other and say the magic words, ‘me too.’ Because you are not alone, and you are not crazy either.

“There is no safety in silence — only isolation and disconnection.” — Ann Peck.

There is Life After Divorce

It is much easier to settle than it is to step out of your comfort zone and into the life you want. If you do leave your marriage, Christine recommends spending some time with yourself before you go looking for someone to spend your time with. It’s more important to love and learn more about yourself than to run out and find your next knight in shining armor.

Send Me Your Questions and Your Stories

You can share your comments, questions, and feedback with me at Annpeck.com or on social media @Iamannpeck. Send me a private email at [email protected] (I am the only one who reads it).

Lucky is how Mo Hannah describes herself. And when you consider the profound impacts she has withstood, you can agree that Mo Hannah is indeed lucky. Mo was destined to have found the Battered Mothers Custody Conference. Her personal life gave her reason, and her humanity gave her purpose. Ann and Mo talk about how being in the present can alleviate anxiety and how taking your time to feel out a problem gives your inner voice a chance to speak. The physical pain caused by grief is not a structured ailment. There is no amount of time when it ceases to be, but it does change form over time. Understanding that when we pass, we move on to a different realm, another level of consciousness, where we immerse ourselves in the universe.

Mentions:

Battered Mothers Custody Conference

The Tao of Self-Confidence Podcast

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Think and Grow Rich - Napolean Hill

Caring for our parents can be one of the greatest gifts in life and one of our greatest hardships. You can never quite prepare yourself for the physical and emotional changes on the way. It is a challenging time that requires us to be many things to many people. We are the lucky ones spending as much time as possible with the people who gave us life. We are not alone on this journey.

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Nice Bike

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Most of us believe medicines will heal our illnesses. We do not expect a drug to exacerbate our problems, so when one does, it’s difficult to know it is at the root of the problem. Karen shares with us how Prozac caused a mania that led her down the dark hallways of depression, suicidal thoughts, and the disintegration of her marriage to a good man. She has since recovered and sings jazz twice weekly and serves as a spiritual advisor in the unity church.

Mentions:

http://karengray.com/

Conversations with God - Neale Donald Walsch

Unity Churches

Lessons in Truth - Emily Cady

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Detaching yourself from grief shortly after a loss is a reliable way to ensure you prolong its influence. Frequently, additional losses compound the suffering and may cause other behaviors which eventually take their toll on your well-being. And even though most of us have difficulty handling grief, it seems men are more likely to bottle it up and not let it out. Jordan shares with us his recent reaction to the news about the loss of a peer and how he became aware of the value of living a more fulfilling life. We all must deal with this topic at some point in our lives.

Jordan is one of the most talented people I know, and he's also one of my favorites. I've loved watching him grow his show and his family since we originally recorded this episode. Jordan Harbinger is a man worth knowing. But don't take my word for it; get to know him yourself.

Be sure to check out Jordan's podcast, The Jordan Harbinger Show. Awarded a Best of Apple Podcast, you will love listening to the fascinating conversations and guests Jordan shares. 

You'll find everything you need to get to know Jordan and his podcast on his website! 

https://www.jordanharbinger.com

We don’t always plan on being pushed in the right direction, and more often than not, it takes us by surprise, especially when we are in our 40s. It usually happens when we take a deep breath and martyr our lives for those we care about. In Ellen’s case, her push came right after she bought her coveted little red corvette. She suddenly found herself needing a new way to support her family. And instead of wallowing in anxiety, she channeled her father’s wisdom and chose to do something that would make her happy for the rest of her life.

Mentions:

Orangetheory Fitness

Inc.

Daring Greatly

Brainblocks

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Push - Ellen Latham

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Many of us are just finding ourselves again in our 40s. Our relationships up until this point have been with people with which we share similar emotional attributes. We may try to recreate our family of origin because it is a familiar place. When we learn to stop living through other people, we start to have better relationships with ourselves. We can then build upon our losses and take risks that catapult us into clarity. Through meditation, we can tune into our inner wisdom, which will guide us in our journey.

If you have benefited from this podcast and think it could benefit someone else, please share this podcast with a friend.

Welcome to a new season as we introduce the Best of Straight Talk for a Curvy World® podcast series.

This "best of" series features some of your favorite Straight Talk for a Curvy World® podcast episodes. 

Over the coming days and weeks, you'll have an opportunity to get reacquainted with our previous guests while we work behind the scenes on the next season of the all-new Straight Talk for a Curvy World® podcast.

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