Stepping In to Life’s Defining Moments with Gratitude Through the Loss of a Sister and a Journey Back Through Homelessness and Abuse in Childhood with Lynette Molina

In this episode, Kara steps in with Lynette Molina, a woman whose gratitude and joy for life have literally saved her life. The two are talking about the very unexpected, recent loss of Lynette’s little sister. She shares her journey of grief and her gratitude for having loved another so deeply. Because of her childhood trauma which has wiped away many memories, losing her sister was like losing part of her memory. She was the one person who knew Lynette’s entire life journey, as they walked it together. From homeless in LA to PTA member in her daughter’s private school in Scottsdale, AZ Lynette has a great appreciation for every blessing in her life. To this day, every time Lynette leaves the grocery store, she sits in her car and cries because she is so grateful that she can buy anything she wants. Listen in for jewels of wisdom from a woman who has cultivated healing through gratitude in her defining moments, especially when life is hard.

Highlights:

• If you love someone you will be in a grief season. We will all lose someone we love.
• The shock of losing someone unexpectedly
• Talking to my sister and feeling her presence
• Losing the only one who really knew me.
• Lynette shared the powerful story of when she realized she was not the only one hiding trauma. She didn’t have to keep it a secret. She could take off the mask.
• Move from wearing a mask because that is what you think you have to do to living authentically because that actually helps others heal.
• People want to see who you really are. Sharing your story can actually help other people.
• The contrast of growing up homeless in LA, experiencing a very traumatic childhood to raising their children in Scottsdale, Arizona, which is very fancy and high end.
• Somatic healing of trauma. Mind body connection
• Lynette encourages us to listen. Pay attention so you know how to support people. 
• Pick up the phone. People need to hear your heart.
• Being grateful doesn’t minimize the hard things you are going through. It is meant to balance them out and keep you in the game.

Quotes:

• “Sometimes death is a defining moment in our life”
• “(Grief is) part of life… we're all going to experience it. It's a blessing If you love someone enough that you lose them and you're grieving.” 
• “We are not meant to go this alone.”
• “So it's like, no matter how sad, mad, whatever is just wrecking you when you say, Yeah, but I'm grateful. I just saw the sunrise… I mean, we were homeless. I was grateful my mom had a station wagon. Now we could all four sit in the back, lay in the back and sleep.”

Connect with Lynette:

• Facebook: www.Facebook.com/lynettejmolina

“I’m a wife, mom, a Grammy, a friend, a survivor & a lifetime healer of my soul! I’m a city girl living my dream in the desert with dogs & donkeys! I had a very traumatic childhood & I have spent my entire life healing and helping others heal too. Life is hard and beautiful! Gratitude is my secret weapon!”

Resources:

• Book: The Body Keeps the Score - by Besser van der Kolk M.D.
• Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/happyhealthymamastribe
• Lynette’s Top 10 Life Changing Books:

1. The Four Agreements 
2. The Magic by Rhonda Byrne - 30 day Gratitude Challenge (1 per year)
3. Journey to the Heart
4. The Healing Season
5. The Miracle Morning
6. The Body Keeps Score
7. Every Moment Holy
8. Mending the Soul
9. Vibrate Higher Daily
10. Daily Word (a Uni