​Like it or not, we are all gladiators. We go to sleep and wake up in a social arena from which there is no escape. Challenge upon challenge confronts us, walls restrain us, and a mob of spectators mocks, sneers, or cheers us. Each and every day brings new battles whether we want them or not and whether we're up to them or not. Life forces us to face one skirmish after another - no choice in the matter. ​What we can choose, though, is which kind of gladiator to be, victor or victim...

​Stress is a feeling that's created when we react to particular events. It's the body's way of rising to a challenge and preparing to meet a tough situation with focus, strength, stamina, and heightened alertness.

The events that provoke stress are called stressors, and they cover a whole range of situations - everything from outright physical danger to making a class presentation or taking a semester's worth of your toughest subject.

Most of the problems from which people suffer stem from how they handle the events of life, rather than the events themselves. ​Certainly traumatic and tragic events such as loss of loved ones, financial loss, and health issues are extremely challenging. However, some people manage to move through these events with equanimity, while others remain stuck in fear, anxiety, and depression. The difference is in how people handle deeply painful feelings.

There are two core feelings that most people will do almost anything to avoid feeling: loneliness and helplessness.

​As a Haitian-American woman, I was raised with the expectation I would have to endure and was told stories of how my parents and grandparents have endured and overcome poverty and hardship. High levels of suffering were normalized aspects of life to my family and so was the expectation to overcome it. There was almost an indifference to suffering because it was expected from us. It was too common to even feel it was worth mentioning. As a result, healing was rarely seen as relevant, possible, or necessary. The need for and access to emotional support always felt distant, if not absent. My family was very supportive in many ways. They will give until their hand is empty. They will drive hours just to bring you food while their fridge is hollow. They were unafraid of struggle and believed the key to overcoming hardship was a close family unit. However, they were inexperienced and uncomfortable with emotional vulnerability and any communication about suffering. ​

​All that you create or do not create in your life- comes from choice.  Embrace and understand the dynamics of this essential ingredient of power.  You suffer when you dis-empower yourself by feeling that you are not in control of your destiny.  Freedom lies in understanding that you choose everything!  Even in "inaction" there is a choice.  In reality there is no true inaction or stagnation.

​Having a bit of positive thinking can help you realize things that are never thought possible. ​I'm sure you have a bright idea hidden somewhere in the back of your mind that you just can't wait to test out. Of course you're not the only one with the bright idea. So what motivates you to churn those creative, or even inspiring juices to its utmost flavor?

It's always best to set up a personal goal where you can accomplish the most in record time, maybe like mowing the lawn in an hour before the big game on TV. A correct and positive attitude in whatever you do will make things easier, and even enjoyable.

Here are some tips to make it through the week even if you're just sitting in your favorite couch. An idea takes time to form in your head and is always at work while you are busy sitting.

​This article discusses the ideas behind manifestation and how you can too be a part of this new lifestyle.
"You know, there are two good things in life, freedom of thought and freedom of action." by W. Somerset Maugham.  
This is an amazing and powerful quote that everyone should stop and really think about.  There's nothing better than having your own freedom in your life. This can be accomplished by taking action and learning to manifest your life to its fullest potential.