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Confessions

It almost feels sinful to read someone else’s diary — but it is how you get into the deepest of thoughts! Learn CONFESSIONS of the heart & mind. These posts are written with a diary-like feel with less emphasis on formality in writing, but usually with A LOT of emotions circulating. These are shared in hope it will also benefit someone else.

Living with Acute Myelogenous Leukemia as Told by my Mom

This is a straight-up “copy & paste” (with just minor formatting) from the site “Purple Plum’s Cyber Puddle,” last updated by my mother, Denise (or affectionately nicknamed “Pie”), in September of 1998. This is my mom’s account of living with Acute Myelogenous Leukemia (AML) story — her “AML Adventure” — in her own words. On the 11th of April, 1998, I wasn’t feeling well. It was the day before Easter and I tried to ignore… Read More »Living with Acute Myelogenous Leukemia as Told by my Mom

What if you view your life as a story?

The world doesn’t revolve around you. And, chance are, if you treat it as if it does, you will wind up alienating more people than you think. No one wants to be casted off as second-rate or left in the dust as soon as things get too tough for you. Yet, what if you chose to view your life as a story destined for a novel or a movie script? What if you found your… Read More »What if you view your life as a story?

wapt image 132595

Zoning Out, Dissociation, & Mental Illness: What is the Connection?

There’s this symptom of several different mental illnesses that I’ve never really given much thought to. When you have this symptom, it can even be a mental disorder on its own, but most commonly, from what I have seen, it goes along with another diagnosis. The thing about it is that, at its most mild of inflictions, everyone has this symptom of mental illness. Pretty much anyone can identify a point in their life when… Read More »Zoning Out, Dissociation, & Mental Illness: What is the Connection?

why can't I just be normal

Why Can’t You Just Be NORMAL?

Have you ever made plans & had EVERY intention of keeping them only to cancel at the last minute — or just totally flake out without notice? Or, have you created a new schedule for yourself (in an attempt to just be normal, if nothing else!) that you SOMEHOW managed to keep for all of ONE day before you just let it fizzle out from under you? Maybe you’ve simply just FINALLY rolled your booty… Read More »Why Can’t You Just Be NORMAL?

reta jayne, should i tell people about my bipolar disorder

Should I Tell People About My Bipolar (or other Mental Health Issue)?

When you’ve been diagnosed with some kind of mental health issue, your first emotions are probably a mixture of fright, confusion, defeat, & even shame. You might think, Should I tell people about my bipolar disorder? How could I even fathom sharing such a thing? When I first got my bipolar disorder diagnosis, I certainly had a mix of all of those. But, I also had a sense of relief because I had a label… Read More »Should I Tell People About My Bipolar (or other Mental Health Issue)?

your past does not define you, it is only part of your story, confidence & chaos, reta jayne, from the heart of pie

Your Past Does Not Define You; It Is Only Part of Your Story

There are moments in life that mark a very clear before & after. It’s a point in your life’s timeline when, in looking back, you can clearly see a remarkable change as a result of an event. Do you know the types of events I am talking about? Some are devastating. But some are so wonderful. The thing they all have in common, however, is that they are life-altering events that lead to regret if we’re not careful. What we need to remember is that your past does not define you. It can't possibly give a clear picture of who you are; it's just part of your story.

your past does not define you, it is only part of your story, confidence & chaos, reta jayne, from the heart of pie
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10 things to do today to keep coronavirus fear away

10 Things to Do Today to Keep Coronavirus Fear Away

You can't turn on the television or radio or jump onto social media without seeing something about the coronavirus pop up. There are jokes, questions, rants, & everything in between. And, whether you believe it is all fear-mongering or totally true, the fact is, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS–CoV–2) — the name of the virus that CAUSES coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) — is totally real & is definitely spreading. But, still, we do not need to be afraid. There are things we can do to keep coronavirus fear away.

10 things to do today to keep coronavirus fear away
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shocking truth about making meaningful change, confidence & chaos, reta jayne, from the heart of pie

The Shocking Truth About Making Meaningful Change

I recently had quite a shocking epiphany. It's embarrassing, really. Why? My realization, now, seems so stinkin' SIMPLE, but it took my over-complicated mind a ridiculous amount of circles around the obvious before finally settling on the conclusion. Are you ready for this? What if making meaningful change — to be happier, to have the life we want –only required LETTING GO & releasing our expectations of HOW we will get there?

Why can't simply knowing where we are & where we want to be (& that they're not the same) be enough? Why can't we just make small steps each day that get us closer to our objective?

shocking truth about making meaningful change, confidence & chaos, reta jayne, from the heart of pie
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holding grandmas hand dealing with the aftermath of lifes storms confidence & chaos reta jayne

5 Healthy Tips for Dealing with the Aftermath of Life’s Storms

All major storms have some kind of aftermath. Sometimes, it's flooding or piles of rubble. Other times, it's just a few broken branches in the street & water flowing through the gutters. But, I can't think of a time I've ever seen a storm come & go without there being evidence of its severity once it's gone. Can you? Dealing with the aftermath of life's storms isn't so different.

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calculated chaos, coffee mug, french press, confidence & chaos history & mission

The Startling Yet Simple Truth: What am I Doing with my Life?!

Have you ever stopped yourself in your tracks one day & wondered, What am I doing with my life?! I have. A lot. This is the kind of thing that crosses my mind all too frequently. And it’s this question that, ultimately, gave Confidence & Chaos its start. This blog’s history & mission — its whole purpose, even to this day — revolves around that very question. What am I doing with my life?! Over… Read More »The Startling Yet Simple Truth: What am I Doing with my Life?!