Good Morning Steemians!!
https://steemitimages.com/DQmbmY6LwEUACUc3QbcXMbGdUBxXEUFQHY9FXbf8mKd8rM8/good%20morning.jpg
mom and us kids (1974)
![DGH_0795.jpg](https://steemitimages.com/DQmSY6mm4dNhh46joD8WstUzA7jtyBKAmwWaTXPmEo3XQnK/DGH_0795.jpg)
Shannon in Deep Thought
![DSC_6511.jpg](https://steemitimages.com/DQmYwfzgFXpBb7BypBUn1uimk1NnAfC87RPjnJRAkRqPg9F/DSC_6511.jpg)
It's hard to imagine that I spent the majority of my 47 years being sad, depressed and feeling worthless.  No amount of outside assistance was going to make me better.   I realize now that after all of those traumatic years of self doubt and shame, *I* was in charge of my thoughts and I *could* control what happened to me on a daily basis.  
I grew up in a normal household with great parents and a brother but something was off and it was noticeable around age 12.  I was a thinker and I was very sensitive.  I drew all day and I wrote dark and gloomy poetry.   I realized I was an empath or a person with severe empathy sickness around this time.   I probably spent every single evening in the bathroom purging my crappy day away as well as purging for everyone else that I felt connected to.    I didn't know that I was sick.  I thought all girls my age threw up everyday due to stress.  I needed help but it wasn't until I was well into my 30's that I sought out the help I needed. Therapy, counseling, self help books and tapes were part of my growing up but those tools never really worked for me. 
It took serious illness before I decided to delve deeper into my problems.  I started to realize that I *was* strong.  I *am* strong.  I had courage and I had perseverance.  I discovered my inner strength after 4 bouts of serious tumors.  After the last deadly one 2 years ago, I changed everything that I thought and did and I have never looked back! 

I am proud to say that after 40 years of mental and physical illness, I am healthy now and I love myself.  These are the key things that help me focus on my well-being.  I always try to exercise.  I eat a balanced diet with no more yo-yo dieting.  I live my life in love and I try very hard to do unto others as I would have done to me.  It is so important to have a support system in place when times are tough.  My family is my rock. 

Are you feeling down or blue today?  Here is a collection of my favorite people and some of their inspirational words.  I think sometimes we all could use a little boost of confidence.  

Enjoy some positive videos and music today and make the most of your life by living!

Jake Ducey always puts a smile on my face.  He is living proof that you can be positive in a negative world.
https://youtu.be/GHCY-Ro9PLc

Nate Maingard is one of my favorite artists right now. He is so humble and his lyrics resonate with me.  He is very talented.  
https://youtu.be/WPGdUkB7f-U

I love Russell Brand's transformation from narcissistic rambler to a sensitive and compassionate human being.
https://youtu.be/_bKQXmvdr8o

The person that started my awakening was Bob Proctor.  I listened to him way back in the early 90's and his message is timeless. "Go sit under a tree and let your mind wander."
https://youtu.be/uKS6cE6_Zhw
Some happy tunes! I don't discriminate...I listen to EVERYTHING!
Men Without Hats - Safety Dance
https://youtu.be/AjPau5QYtYs
B-52's - Love Shack
https://youtu.be/9SOryJvTAGs
Dee Lite- Groove Is In The Heart
https://youtu.be/etviGf1uWlg
Bloodhound Gang - The Bad Touch
https://youtu.be/6f7pgA0riU8
MC Hammer - U Can't Touch This
https://youtu.be/otCpCn0l4Wo

I wish you all a wonderful day and I hope you can go out and be your most authentic self and experience love and joy. 
![namaste.jpg](https://steemitimages.com/DQmW4b8jAMfaSUBJjN9MqTCzie53VmxEwvQDgS1BLHa6Rx8/namaste.jpg)
![shannon.jpg](https://steemitimages.com/DQmRnSGtuJy6wF2NJvQM39RZ5ueyx2ECUG6uyaY27MWirw2/shannon.jpg)

*I do not own any right to these videos- all courtesy of respective owners*
*2 photos of my family and myself courtesy Dennis Hepworth*