To Help You Heal

Welcome back to To Help You Heal! This week, I'm exploring the idea of finding sweetness amid our struggles. Last week, we discussed gratitude and learning to see the good and the great in our lives—not just in November but all year round. Today, I want to discuss how we can hold on to that gratitude even in life's frustrating, challenging, and unexpected moments.

Learning Gratitude in the Interruptions

• One way I’m working on this is during my morning walks with my dog, Bruno. Let’s just say…he doesn’t always cooperate! When he’s acting up, it can be so frustrating because that walk is my time to process and reflect. But I’mlearning that if I push through those interruptions, I often come out with a deeper sense of gratitude and understanding than if everything had gone perfectly.

Finding Growth in Everyday Struggle

• I do not seek out challenges, but life brings those unavoidable struggles into our daily routines, which can throw us off track if we let them. This month, I'm focusing on consistency. I'm not aiming for perfection, but I'm trying to show up daily and ask myself, "What's good right now? What's great? And how can I be grateful, even in the hard stuff?"
  

The Power of Choosing to Persevere

• We have a choice in every struggle: Do we move forward, step to the side, or give up altogether? I've learned that we always have the power to choose. When we say, "Okay, I'll just take one step," we keep moving, even if it's not in the expected direction. And when we ask God what He wants us to learn from our struggles, we often find that our path leads to a kind of growth we wouldn't have otherwise.

Trusting God's Purpose in Hard Times

• Sometimes, our struggles come from choices others have made, things we never asked for. But even in those places, I believe God has something good for us. He doesn't control us like puppets, but He does redeem our challenges and use them for our growth. When we allow Him to lead us, we can trust He's working for our good—even in the middle of hardship.

1. What are the "interruptions" in your life where you might find hidden sweetness?

• My Book: To Help You Heal – Grab a copy of my book if you want to go deeper. Through my own stories, I hope you'll find healing, comfort, and a deeper connection with God.

Welcome back to To Help You Heal! I'm Marie Monville, and if you're listening in real-time, it's November—the month we often think about gratitude. Over the years, I've tried to make gratitude a lasting practice, something meaningful that goes beyond Thanksgiving, but I'll admit, it hasn't always clicked. I realized that the problem wasn't gratitude itself but how I approached it. So, this month, I'm challenging myself to experience gratitude in a more intentional way.

Instead of just listing what I'm thankful for, I've decided to use a framework inspired by a prayer I remember from childhood: God is great and good. I start each morning by asking myself three questions: 

• What is good?

I'm using my morning dog walk as my dedicated time, making space to reflect even when it feels challenging.

Gratitude isn't about perfection or getting it right every day. It's about consistency, embracing growth, and finding meaning. I've discovered that even on days that feel messy when I keep coming back to what's good and what's great, I'm creating a life rooted in gratitude—and that's what I want to continue. I encourage you to join me in this journey, whether with this challenge or another method.

Research backs up some ways gratitude can transform us: It reduces stress, improves sleep, strengthens our resilience, and even boosts our relationships with God and others. You might notice better connections, more positive self-talk, and a stronger ability to see God's hand in your life.

If you'd like to try this, think about how you can incorporate gratitude into something you already do, set a reminder on your phone, write prompts on your mirror, or keep a small gratitude journal. Whatever you choose, aim for consistency over perfection.

Next week, we'll focus on the sweetness that can grow from challenging seasons and how gratitude becomes even more meaningful when things aren't easy. So come back and join me as we continue this journey.

Episode Summary: Welcome back to To Help You Heal! This week, I'm exploring why so many of us feel "stuck" in different areas of life—whether it's in relationships, careers, or even our daily habits. With the end of the year fast approaching, I've been reflecting on how this time can bring a sense of urgency to go after the goals we set in January. In this episode, I'll unpack the psychological and emotional reasons that keep us rooted in situations that may not serve us, and I'll also share practical tips to help break free from these cycles.

Key Topics Discussed:

• Understanding Why We Stay Stuck: I explore common reasons we don't move forward—fear of the unknown, comfort in routine, self-doubt, and even societal pressures. These factors often hold us in familiar, sometimes unfulfilling, cycles.

Takeaway Reflection: Where in your life do you feel stuck? As you listen, I encourage you to think of one change you'd like to make before the year ends. Remember, it's about one small step at a time, and finding someone to help hold you accountable can make a real difference.

Actionable Steps:

1. Journal Your Thoughts: Reflect on why you might feel stuck, and identify any hidden fears or patterns.

Quotes to Remember:

• "Perspective is everything. If we keep telling ourselves we're not good enough, we'll find the evidence to back that up."

Tune In Next Week! Join me next week as we continue to pursue personal growth and healing. November is the perfect month to reflect, refocus, and commit to making the changes we've put off this year!

Welcome back to To Help You Heal. In this episode, I explore one of the most challenging and crucial topics in relationships: understanding what love is—and what it isn't. After talking with many women recently who feel unloved but are told otherwise by their partners, I thought it was time to address this head-on. If you're seeking clarity about your relationship or want to understand better what kind of love you truly deserve, this episode is for you.

• What Love Isn't:

• Love should never make you feel manipulated, controlled, or inadequate. I'm talking about the signs of an unhealthy relationship, such as constant criticism from your partner, isolation from your loved ones, or convincing yourself that jealousy and possessiveness are signs of passion (instead of causes for concern).

• Love is rooted in safety, trust, and mutual growth. It allows you to be vulnerable without fear of judgment, helps you become the best version of yourself, and stands by you even when aren't perfect.

• If you're in a relationship that feels hollow or one-sided, I encourage you to take the first step toward freedom by speaking your truth to someone you trust. You don't have to make all the changes at once; you just need to begin with a conversation.

• If your relationship feels empty or driven by insecurity, recognize it's not real love. You deserve to be loved for who you are, as you are.

My Message to You

If you're feeling unloved or trapped in your relationship, this episode is for you. You deserve true love, safety, and acceptance. If my words resonate with you, don't hesitate to reach out to me. You are not alone.

• Need Support? If you're unsure where to start or need help making a change, I'm here for you. Email [email protected].

Episode Overview:

Episode Highlights:

Why Fun Matters:

Key Benefits of Fun:

• Stress Relief & Mood Boost: Fun releases endorphins and promotes relaxation, especially helpful during busy times.

How to Rediscover Fun:

Daily Fun as Self-Care:

Share Your Fun:

Join the conversation with me on Facebook  or Instagram.

In this episode, we're diving into the idea of seasonal reflection and the importance of taking time to pause and assess where we are in life. As the leaves change and fall ushers in cooler temperatures, it's the perfect moment to reflect on the past few months—how they felt, what we've learned, and how we can move forward intentionally.

Join me as we explore:

• The power of reflection in personal growth

Whether you're feeling like the last few months have been intense or you're simply looking for ways to regain control of your schedule, this episode will guide you through the process of intentional reflection and action.

Key Takeaways:

• Fall invites us to embrace change, both externally and internally.

Action Step: Take 15 minutes today to reflect on your summer. Ask yourself: What worked? What didn’t? What’s one thing I can focus on this week to improve my day-to-day life?

Tune in for a heartfelt conversation on self-reflection and preparing for what lies ahead.

In this episode, I’m sharing a personal reflection on life, growth, and the unexpected ways God speaks to us—like through a dream I had involving praying mantises. I talk about the powerful messages that can come through our dreams and why paying attention to these signs is so important for our faith journey. Using the story of Gideon as a backdrop, I explore how God guides us even when we feel unqualified or unsure. My hope is to inspire you to look for the themes in your own life and trust that God is leading you, every step of the way.

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In this episode, I'm sharing my story and the journey I've been on since the Amish schoolhouse shooting. I talk about the pain and loss I faced but also the incredible ways that faith and a shift in perspective helped me move forward. I hope my experiences remind you that you can find beauty and strength even in life's darkest moments. No matter what challenges you're walking through, there is hope—and healing is possible. I'm here to encourage you to embrace your journey and discover the unexpected grace that shows up.

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In this episode, we're talking about the power of belief. Believing that a comeback story is for you is the key to transformation. We'll talk about how our perspective shapes our reality and the importance of embracing our journey from the starting line without defining the outcome before we begin.

From my own experiences, I know that healing and growth are possible—even when it feels like everything is against you. I encourage you to challenge your doubts and remind you that good things will happen, even in the middle of life's most challenging moments.

Chapters

In this episode, I'm sharing exactly how you can write your comeback story. We all hit roadblocks—whether it's a tough time in our personal lives, career challenges, or emotional setbacks. But here's the thing: you can turn it around no matter where you are right now. I'm breaking down a straightforward, no-fluff guide to help you get unstuck, reset your mindset, set meaningful goals, and take tangible steps toward living a life you love. Whether you're feeling stuck or ready for something new, this episode is packed with practical tips to help you regain control and begin your transformation today.

Chapters