President Donald Trump’s major tariffs against Canada and Mexico are scheduled to take effect in less than a week, and a new tariff against foreign cars is also in play as well.
SUCCESS
Escaping a Toxic Relationship: My Intuition Was Right All Along
āOwning our story can be hard but not nearly as difficult as spending our lives running from it.ā ~BrenĆ© Brown
What is the exact point when you realize you are in a toxic relationship? For me, it was a process that took almost a year. I thought I was mindful and āawake.ā I did have an internal dialogue with myself, but I had a thick layer of deception around me. Today, I call it a fog because Iām on the other side, and I see much more clearly.
Looking back, I see that my inner voice was guiding me, but I saw it as self-sabotage then because a part of me wanted to prove that I was right, that I was worthy, that I was a good and kind person who only wanted love and family. Unfortunately, the more I looked to get love from the outside world, the further I was from the source.
Today, I can confidently say that I can sense the difference between my intuition and the distracting voice of my ego, who wants to be right. Now I can finally hear what my inner guide is telling me. But it wasnāt always this way.
As a result of the separation from the toxic relationship, I lost everything. I had to give up my old lifestyle to save my soul. I had to let go of my home and all my belongings, escaping with just one bag of clothes and my laptop.
I lost money in a property settlement and had no car or place to live. I found a refuge in a womenās shelter with my eight-month-old baby and started my new life from a humble place. But I found something through all thisāa connection to my inner voice, a connection that gave me the strength to accept the loss, own my story, and say goodbye to the old version of myself. And Iād like to share with you the process.
September 2021
Me: Wow, this is beautiful! Iāve always wanted to try new things. I can get used to this kind of life. I feel this thrill in my tummy. Itās fun, itās exciting, itās new! What is this? Love?
My inner self (very quietly): This is a carousel.
Me: Well, I donāt know what youāre talking about. This is fun. He already said he loves me. I told him itās too early to say that; we barely know each other. So, I asked him why heās in love with me. And do you know what he said? āBecause you are you.ā He gets me; finally, someone who loves me for who I truly am. No doubt, no proving. Iām so lucky.
My inner self (very quietly): Watch outāitās too good to be true.
Me: I donāt know what youāre talking about. Iām finally alive again. This is it. I think Iām in love with him too. He already wants to move in together and have a child. He chose me, and Iām so excited. So please stop being so negative and let me lead.
Six months quiet
Me: Heās what I wanted. Heās spiritual and he meditates. He looks after himself, and heās so assertive and ambitious. He listens to me when I talk. But then when I ask for something, he says, āI think you should check your energy before you speak to me.ā Itās really confusing. There are ups and downs, but I guess every relationship is like thisā¦ (very quietly): Isnāt it?
My inner self (very quietly): No.
Me: What do you know? You havenāt even had a healthy relationship before, so how would you know?
My inner self (lovingly): Neither have you, sweetheart.
Me: Well, to be honest, I feel like I canāt get a word in sometimes. Itās never a good time to mention things that are important to me, or he just dismisses the topic quickly, and I donāt know how to introduce it again.
I guess I just have to get better at communicating. Letās do some courses for that. I always get this feeling in my stomachāmassive pain, like a black hole, when I sense Iām losing him, and I fear that Iāll die not having him in my life. I can only calm down when I know things are good between us and when he hugs me again.
Iāll just lean in with more love and kindness, and Iāll figure it out. Heāll see how much I love him even though heās stressed and doesnāt have time for me anymore. Heāll see that Iām here for him through good and bad, and then heāll be here for me when I need it. Iām sure we just hit a rough patch, and all will be good again soon.
Actually, stop being so negative. I have everything Iāve always wanted. Now, with the baby on the way, weāll make such a wonderful family, and Iāll see what a great father heāll be and how much fun weāll have.
Six months later
Me: Itās still kind of up and down, isnāt it? Some days things go well and weāre happy, but then comes a big fall. One day he says that Iām the best partner heās ever had because all his exes are crazy. Other days, he comments really hurtfully on what I say or who my friends are. And it goes round and round.
My inner self (very quietly): Like on that wheel?
Me: What wheel? The Power and Control Wheel I saw? Nah, not like that. I wouldnāt do that to myself. I was already in an emotionally abusive relationship, and I wouldnāt be so stupid as to repeat it.
Things are fine. I just need to be nicer to him. Itās kind of my fault. It must be my hormones. It will pass after the birth. Heāll be with us at home, and weāll restore the peace and calm. Easy. I feel so much love for him. I wonāt ruin this relationship by being too sensitive. Iāve got this. Iāll do more visualizations and affirmations.
Three months later
Me: Hello, are you there? Iām so confused. I think Iām losing my mind.
My inner self (very quietly): I know, honey.
Me: Whatās going on? My life is a mess. I donāt know what to do. I donāt know why Iām ruining everything all the time. I used to be fun, happy, and confidentā¦ Now all I feel is disoriented and dizzy.
My inner self: A bit like on a carousel?
Me: No, Iām not. I told youāheās helping me. Heās the best. I want him. I donāt have anyone else. And I love him so much I canāt imagine my life without him. Itās impossible. Heās got all the money, heās signed on the lease, the car is under his name, and Iām not even employedā¦
My inner self (patiently): Alright, honey. Go again. Iāll be here when you need me.
Two months later
Me: I donāt recognize my life or myself anymore. Everything is kind of fuzzy. Iāve had this headache for the last week or so. I canāt feel or think clearly; I canāt feel my body. Iām unwell.
My inner self: I know, my dear.
Me: Whatās going on? Please help me, someone.
My inner self (very quietly): You are on a carousel.
Me: Why do you keep repeating that? I told you heās helping. Well, sometimes. Heās just a bit stressed, but itās also my fault because Iām not as much fun as I used to be. I donāt know why I feel so numb or why I canāt just laugh anymore.
Heās the only person left. I donāt see anyone else anymore. Iām scared to speak to anyone; no one would believe me anyway. My life is so extreme compared to last year, with court cases and police and debts and signing documents I donāt understand. What am I doing wrong? Why is this happening to me?
My inner self (barely loud enough to hear): Have you noticed the same things happening over and over?
Me: Yes. But Iād die not having him. Stop telling me heās the problem when I know Iām the problem.
One month later
Me: Are you there?
My inner self: Of course.
Me: The same things are happening over and over again. I thought he was helping and that I was crying every night because Iām depressed and I have so much drama in my life, but I donāt bring up any of that. He always talks and talks until I feel like the worst person in the world.
The other day he came to me with an idea to have children with other women because he wants more kids than I can give him since Iām turning forty this year. He claims itās because more women should have children with such fantastic genetic material. This is too much for me, and itās not getting better but harder and faster. But how do I get out? Please help!
My inner self: Are you ready?
Me: I think so.
My inner self: Then jump.
Me: Where?
My inner self: Off the carousel, sweetie.
Me: Can you slow it down, please!? This is going to hurt.
My inner self (most lovingly): It will, honey, but you are not alone. Iām here. I will guide you and help you heal.
And so I did.
Four Takeaways from Those Conversations with My Intuition
First: Intuition is usually quiet, gentle, and subtle. I recommend going back in your memory and noticing when you heard your intuition. What was the quality and the tone? What else can you notice and learn about it?
Second: Intuition doesnāt argue. It often disappears when you disbelieve or argue back. Itās very sensitive to criticism and attitude, meaning what seems to be right or more logical or more convenient. If you want to be guided by intuition, you have to let go of thinking that you āknow.ā
Third: It grows stronger if you connect with it like your life depends on it. If you surrender and quiet your overthinking, you will be surprised by how quickly your intuition can guide you to where you need to go.
Fourth: Your relationship with your intuition is like any other relationship; it needs time, care, and attention to build it solid. But once you do, youāll have an invaluable asset for life.
About Ivana Care
Ivana is a life and transformation coach and a certified Root-Cause Therapy Practitioner. With a trauma-informed approach, she helps women navigate life after separation or divorce, guiding them to release heavy emotions, reconnect with their intuition, and rebuild their self-worth. By addressing the original imprints of past wounds, Ivana supports her clients in removing layers of self-doubt and shame and gaining the clarity they need to move forward. Visit her at ivana.care.com.
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7 Lessons My Mom Taught Me That Every Young Man Needs to Hear
Growing up in a family of educators isnāt easy.
My dad is a history teacher, and my mom is a high school principal. From the outside, it sounds like the perfect environment to grow up in but thereās pressure. People assume that the children of teachers are naturally well-behaved, intelligent, and driven. And while those things can be true, thereās also a quiet struggle that comes with trying to meet expectations that arenāt your own.
One of the most important things Iāve learned is this: you have to create your own identity. You canāt live your life trying to impress others or chasing validation. Instead, you have to focus on self-education and build a life based on who you want to become.
Here are seven life lessons I learned from my mom that helped shape the person I am today.
1. Teach Your Future Children How to Read and Write
Before I even started formal education, I already knew how to read and write and thatās thanks to my mom.
Reading is the foundation of all learning. If you can read well, you have access to a world of knowledge from experts in any field. It also saves you time by helping you understand new ideas more quickly.
Writing, despite what many believe, is a skill you can develop at any age. Charles Bukowski didnāt start writing poetry until he was 35. So, itās never too late to begin.
Why good writing matters:
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It sharpens your communication skills.
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It helps you clarify and organize your thoughts.
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It allows you to tell compelling stories.
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It opens doors to better career opportunities.
The best opportunities will always go to the best communicators.
2. Pursue Mastery, Not Just Short-Term Wins
My mom started as a math teacher and eventually became a high school principal. She completed her masterās degree in her 40s and has over 20 years of experience in education. Her growth wasnāt fast but it was deep and lasting.
Mastery takes time. Itās not about shortcuts or chasing instant success. Itās about building a solid foundation that lasts.
Steps toward mastery:
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Find a mentor who can guide you and challenge your weaknesses.
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Read deeply in your area of interest to gain specialized knowledge.
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Apply what youāve learned by starting real-world projects.
Mastery is a long game. Itās built through years of learning, failing, improving, and showing up with a great attitude.
3. Lead Your Family with Both Authority and Kindness
My mom leads with strength and compassion. She believes in teamwork in marriage and in raising children with intention. Sheās firm, but fair. Disciplined, but loving.
She taught us that real education isnāt just what you learn in books, itās learning through your own mistakes and experiences.
What I learned about parenting from her:
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Always give honest answers when your children ask questions.
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Encourage your kids to try new things, itās how they discover what they love.
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Reinforce positive behavior with meaningful rewards.
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Teach strong values, because values shape success.
Perfection is not the goal, growth is.
4. Master Public Speaking, Even If Youāre an Introvert
My mom once told me, āI had my own world when I was still a student.ā Sheās a natural introvert and was an academic scholar in college but youād never know it by the way she speaks in public.
She commands attention. She inspires. And most importantly, she connects with people.
How to become a better speaker:
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Slow down! Speaking calmly conveys confidence.
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Know your audience and speak to their needs.
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Practice your talk so it feels natural and professional.
Introversion isnāt a barrier. Itās a superpower if you know how to use it.
5. Be On Time. Always.
My mom has zero tolerance for being late. If we were late for school, my dad would definitely hear about it.
She believes that punctuality is a reflection of your character. You can have expensive clothes, fancy gadgets, and impressive credentials but if you canāt manage your time, none of it matters.
How to stay ahead of the game:
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Master writing and communication itās an edge most people ignore.
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Create systems to eliminate distractions and streamline your workflow.
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Invest in personal development; buy courses, learn new skills, and level up.
Time is the one thing you canāt buy back. Spend it wisely.
6. Make Time for Your Family
Even after a long day, my mom would come home and check on us, ask about our assignments, our day, our friends.
As a teenager, I was obsessed with video games. She didnāt love that. But even though I spent hours gaming, I still graduated with an English degree. And funny enough, the same strategic thinking I used in video games taught me how to approach life like a challenge worth mastering.
Hereās the truth:
If you donāt make time for your kids, theyāll look for attention elsewhere and it wonāt always come from the right places.
7. Surround Yourself with People Who Push You to Grow
My mom has a wide circle of successful friends: politicians, entrepreneurs, fellow educators. She goes to training events, workshops, and conferences not to show off, but to keep learning.
Networking isnāt about popularity, itās about growth. Itās about finding people who challenge your thinking and share your values.
Want to grow faster?
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Spend time with people who are smarter than you.
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Ask questions that spark meaningful conversations.
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Be willing to listen, not just speak.
Skills are earned through repetition, curiosity, and surrounding yourself with people who raise your standards.
Final Thoughts
Having an educated family doesnāt guarantee success, it gives you tools, but you still have to do the work. You have to decide what kind of life you want to build.
My mom never pushed me to be perfect. She pushed me to be curious, consistent, and kind. And that made all the difference.
Let these lessons guide you whether youāre a parent, student, or just someone trying to build a life of purpose.
The post 7 Lessons My Mom Taught Me That Every Young Man Needs to Hear appeared first on Addicted 2 Success.
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Say Goodbye to Spare Keys: ADTās Trusted Neighborā¢ Explained
When setting off for a long holiday or business trip, homeowners might find it useful to leave their home accessible to loved ones or neighbors in case of an emergency or to keep up with the housework. They might need someone to water their plants or make sure they turned off that appliance before leaving.
ADTās Trusted Neighbor allows homeowners to share access to their home in a controlled manner, without having to compromise their home security system. Read on to learn how this service works.
Steps for using ADT Trusted Neighbor
Trusted Neighbor is a service provided by the home security company ADT that allows a homeowner to give trusted parties ā friends, neighbors, family members ā access to their home while theyāre away.
The service grants temporary, secure access for a specific length of time or event, such as a holiday trip. It uses several multi-factor authentications to help ensure only the approved party can access the home protected by ADT.
For a home to be eligible for the Trusted Neighbor service, its homeowner must have ADTās complete monitoring plan and compatible devices.
Step 1: Download the ADT+ app
To use Trusted Neighbor, the trusted individual must download the ADT+ app and allow it to send them notifications about the smart home access. The always-on location access must also be enabled. This will allow the app to verify the partyās identity in real-time and grant access to your home at the correct moment.
Step 2: Create or log into an ADT account
If the trusted individual does not have an active ADT account, they need to create one after accepting an invitation from the service. Please note that this invitation will only be valid for 21 days, after which another one will need to be sent.
The trusted person does not need to be a paying customer of ADT. However, they will need to accept the ADT+ Terms of Use as well as approve the permissions needed to run the service the first time they log in.
Step 3: View home through the app
Depending on what permissions the homeowner has approved, the trusted individual will be allowed to see the homeownerās security camera stream through the ADT+ app. They will also receive notifications regarding burglar alarms, water leaks, package deliveries and motion sensor detection notifications.
Itās important to talk to the homeowner before becoming a trusted individual so you can gauge what their expectations are regarding your response to these notifications.
Step 4: Access home based on approved schedule
The trusted individual will receive notifications an hour before their scheduled access starts and 30 and 15 minutes before it ends. After beginning their visit, the neighbor will receive timely notifications asking if they are finished. Tapping āYes, Iām doneā will cause the security system to arm itself again.
The alarm system will also arm itself at the end of the scheduled time frame. The homeowner and the trusted individual should discuss the timetable so there is enough time to complete any agreed-upon tasks within the schedule.
ADT’s Trusted Neighbor FAQs
What do I do if the doors lock while my trusted person is inside my home?
The doors locking while your trusted person is in your home does not mean that your home security system has been rearmed. The trusted person can leave your home even if the door has locked itself automatically.
Can the trusted individual extend the access time?
There is no way to extend access time for trusted individuals while said time period is active. The homeowner can begin another access period after the original one ends.
Can I be a trusted individual if I am already an ADT customer?
You can be a trusted individual to someone even if you already monitor your own home through the ADT+ app. The app will allow you to switch locations to make sure you are looking at the correct home.
Summary of ADTās Trusted Neighbor
Trusted Neighbor is a service allowing homeowners to grant access to their home to friends and family. Neighbors can access the homeownerās security system through ADT+ās app, which notifies the set times they can access the home. The service replaces the need for spare keys, providing access without compromising security.
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