You know, we've been using a phrase a lot lately "life be lifin" meaning life ain't all roses! Sometimes she can be a little bitch that bites you in the ass. And our guest today, Suzy Easterling Wood has had her fair share of the ups and downs on the roller coaster we know as life.

Suzy endured the demise of a super abusive relationship and the loss of not one, but two, of her three children. She jokingly calls herself the "unintentional expert on all things shitty"! And yet, despite it all, she is a lover of life and is determined to help people find their own joy after devastating situations.

Suzy is a fierce advocate for finding gratitude, even in the most challenging of times. And ladies, we're not talking about toxic positivity but, instead, being able to focus in on the positive despite the negative factors that often derail us from living the life we deserve.

After losing her second child, Suzy knew that she was MEANT to survive her stories and to share them with others. It is her goal to give people hope and for them to understand that just because tragic events happen, they do not have to define us. Shape us, yes. Define us, no.

In this episode, she reminds us that there is so much happiness in the world if we allow ourselves the space to create it. None of us are exempt from the experience of loss. It is perhaps the only thing that that we all, as humans, have in common. Her philosophy is that we might as well make peace with it. Even marinate in it for a while. And then take steps to mobilize and work towards experiencing the joy that surrounds us. We have to make space for it. It is not easy, but it is possible. We promise.

In this episode Suzy teaches us:

1. Life is fragile and temporary. Take every opportunity to experience life-the good AND the bad-with authenticity.
2. Use your grief and trauma as a catalyst to become the person that you want to be.
3. It is important to shed or let go of the emotions that are no longer serving you. If necessary, write these emotions down on a piece of paper and physically box them up, cross them off, or get rid of them symbolically in someway. In this way, you can make space for the emotions you want to keep
4. You have to train your brain to transform your negative thoughts into positive ones. Suzy says, When you're driving down the highway and barreling towards those negative thoughts, put your blinker on and choose a different path.
5. We are meant to survive our stories. Every single one of us will experience trauma or grief. What we do with it is our choice and there is still so much beauty in this world. make the best of it and find gratitude in the little things.

Girl! We know you've had your struggles too. But, look around you. You are not alone. WE are here and we've got your back and we have a tribe of female friends who've got your back. we are all here to lift you up and support you.

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