Candy Leigh - Finding Life In Between: A Journal For Me…To You

2020 by Candy Leigh. All rights reserved.

No portion of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any meanselectronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, scanning, or otherexcept for brief quotations in critical reviews or articles, without the prior written permission of the publisher.

ISBN: 978-1-734569-39-1

LOCC: 2020915689

Cover Design: Meredith Hancock, hancockmedia.com

Interior Layout & Formatting: Ronda Taylor, heartworkcreative.com

The Unapologetic Voice House
Scottsdale, AZ
www.theunapologeticvoicehouse.com

DEDICATION

This book is dedicated to all the women and men who are finding the courage to tell their stories and share their truths, to all who are committed to stepping into their own power to live their authentic lives.

I dedicate this book to all who are pausing, who are taking time to reflect on the scenes from their lives, who are figuring out how to savor the moments in between their own milestones.

I dedicate this book to anyone who is coping with their own dark thoughts, dark memories, or dark experiences.

This book is dedicated to anyone committed to healing through openness and conversation, to those who are doing their best to move out of survival and into thriving.

I dedicate this book to those who have hurt me, with or without intent; I am grateful for the lessons learned, and I forgive you.

I dedicate this book to those I have hurt, with or without intent, and I humbly ask your forgiveness.

I dedicate this book to the friends and angels in my life who have reminded me that life is a journey best lived with an unbridled heart and an open mind, and to those who have encouraged me to maintain a free spirit and to always look for sunshine after the rain.

I dedicate this book to every soul on a journey to peace, to all who are determined to find themselves on the open road of this crazy thing called life.

This book is dedicated to all of the Shevil Knevils, past and present, because no matter how many points are on the board at the end of the final jam, we are all winners at life. Never say die!

I dedicate this book to my three children, who have taught me grace and patience and more love than I imagined was possible. To Sydney: You are Determination. Naguna Speena , baby girl, you were born to fly. To Micah: You are Adventure. I love you all the way to the moon. To Camden: You are the Culmination. I love you and love you. To all three of you: Dont ever stop showing up.

Be courageous. Love yourself enough to chase the life youre dreaming of. I dedicate this book to all of you who are bravely choosing to find your life...in between.

CONTENTS

SELF-CARE JOURNALING
FROM THE WOODS

___________________

A Goddess is a woman who emerges from
deep within herself. She is a woman who has
honestly explored her darkness and learned to
celebrate her light. She is a woman who is able to
fall in love with the magnificent possibilities
within her. She is a woman who knows of the magic and mysterious places inside her, the sacred places
that can nurture her soul and make her whole.
She is a woman who radiates light. She is magnetic.

Unknown

FOREWORD

As I write this, in these uncertain times is a phrase used to discuss the COVID-19 world health pandemic, the status of our economy, the stock market, our personal health, and so much more. It elicits panic for some and light caution for others while some dont seem to be bothered at all. It causes some to look at their financial accounts with increasing concern while others hold their loved ones close and hope and pray an invisible illness doesnt steal their family members away. Others think this virus to be a hoax and refuse to acknowledge science.

While our traditional lives have been turned upside down by this pandemic, we have also been given a unique opportunity to pause, to slow down. This virus has forced us to step back into our lives and our homes in a more intentional way. It has given us an opportunity to assess our current lifestyles and assumptions, and it has prompted us to perhaps not take certain relationships and life events for granted.

In many ways, times of uncertainty in my life inspired the chapters of this book. The stories contained within these pages were born of journeys that werent planned and werent orchestrated. Rather, the stories organically unfolded as life actually happened, in between the planned (and once-taken-for-granted) milestones, when nothing was certain yet everything was possible.

As I reflect on my lifes journey, I honor the knowledge Ive gained as well as the lessons I realize I have yet to learn. There is much more to see and do and experience. Even so, I know I have much to share. My belief is that when we share our humanity through authentic stories, we open ourselves to the opportunity to transform and heal. This book is a part of my healing. Perhaps it will be a part of yours.

As you read these pages, I encourage you to remember your own stories, not just the milestone moments documented by pictures planned and posed but the moments in between point A and point B, where the only photos that exist are the ones etched in your heart. Examine your own moments of clarity, of craziness, of wisdom. Reflect on your own emotions and how you have personally navigated those profound liminal spaces in between the peaks and valleys of life. Think about how youve survived your journey, whats really gone on behind the scenes of your social media highlights, and who has been there to celebrate and commiserate with you along the way. Get real with yourself about lifes biggest triumphs and lifes biggest traumas. Remember to build, or imagine building, resilience because the muscle of resilience is what we need to flex when, inevitably, we encounter uncertain times and we have to pivot, and pivot, and maybe pivot again.

In these uncertain times, our real-life stories are more important than ever. Life is now divided by an unexpected milestone, time now known as pre- and post-pandemic. How we choose to survive will include making moves according to a script that is yet unwritten. We are living in the in between times, the transition between what was and what will be, the dash that ties together our beginning and end. In these uncertain times, our stories are what will guide us into our new normal and our new sense of reality.

Once told, our stories will have the power to create a consciously connected family across time and distance. When we choose to share our voices and journeys, we all rise, we all heal, and we all learn to love ourselvesand each othera little more.

As you read, I hope you are inspired to savor the authentic moments of real life that make up the entire continuum of your personal journey. I hope you choose to celebrate Finding Life In Between .

CONTENT WARNING: Topics explored in this book may be unsettling for some. All are encouraged to read only if and when it is the right time and right choice for that individual. Topics within the pages include but are not limited to mental illness/depression, loss, death of a pet, abuse, assault, rape, theft, language, racism, and divorce. Topics also include gratitude, travel, hope, healing, personal growth, friendship, inspiration, and love.