Autorentext

BRUCE W. BRACKETT is a certified motivational speaker and social media personality. He creates mental health and positivity content that focuses on how you-his readers, viewers, and listeners-can apply the lessons he's learned in overcoming abuse, trauma, health problems, developmental disabilities, and addiction. He continues to share his message of positivity and hope with everyone experiencing similar challenges. @bwb.positivity

Klappentext

A deeply human narrative of healing, sobriety, and achievement in the face of adversity

In Show Up and Shimmy: Discover Your Worth, Recognize Your Potential, and Lead the Life You Deserve, certified motivational speaker Bruce Brackett delivers a stirring narrative that reminds us of what we're worth, the value we bring to the world, and our unique ability to engage with the people we care about. The book combines the straightforward, effective affirmations Brackett is known for with an unflinching and realistic look at the challenges he's faced throughout his life - and how he meets them head-on every day.

Show Up and Shimmy offers simple, grounded slogans that remind you to focus on the positive and "Keep Moving Forward," even when life seems intent on doing everything it can to stop you. It offers a compelling argument for the idea that - regardless of how difficult or intimidating your circumstances are right now - there is a way forward, it is achievable, and you are worth every bit of the effort it will take.

Inside the book:

• Inspiring and true details about the author's successful journey to sobriety and how he negotiated the difficult path back from the brink of serious alcohol and methamphetamine abuse
• Effective strategies for dealing with major obstacles and life events, including death, loss, and grief
• An original and persuasive discussion about the universal human capacities for recovery, transformation, healing, and achievement
  Perfect for everyone doing their best to meet the world as it is, Positivity contains the tools, stories, strategies, and inspiration you need to show up as your best self every single day.

Inhalt

Preface xiii

Part I A Rocky Road to Avoid 1

Chapter 1 When My Mess Walked Through the Door 3

DBT and CBT: Tools That Changed My Life 4

The Moment You See Your Changed Self 6

Choose Where You Direct Your Energy 6

Redefining Addiction 7

A Part They Don't Talk About 8

Climb Out, Step-by-Step 9

Chapter 2 Lessons in Life and Linen 11

Dish Gloves and a Drag Queen: My Fabulous Lifelines 11

An Iron Test of Will 12

The Depths of Our Disease Are Dizzying 13

Ask Your Heart 15

Self-Respect Leads to Sparkle 15

Chapter 3 From the Bottle to Off Broadway 17

Same City. Old Dream. New Me. 17

"Talk" Without Action Is Self-Sabotage 22

Chapter 4 Have Bruce Do It 25

Hiding a Habit in a Hustle 25

Building My Business, Brick by Brick 28

Chapter 5 The Pandemic 31

A New Home Provides a New Chapter 31

When the World Shut Down 32

Letting Go, Saying Yes 36

Chapter 6 TikTok 39

Not Lead Paint, "Leading" Paint 39

The Power of Connection 42

A Cup of Mission with a Side of Positivity 43

Part II A Better Path to Follow 47

Chapter 7 The Power of Pause 49

The Sun Is Always Shining, but Maybe the Rays Aren't Reaching You Yet 49

The Power of the Pause in Addiction Recovery 51

The Moment Between Impulse and Action 55

Chapter 8 It's Okay Not to Know 59

"I Don't Know" Is an Acceptable Answer 59

Being Present for Others Without Needing the Answers 60

The Gift of Silence 61

When You Don't Have the Answers 62

You Don't Need the News to Know Your Worth; You Can Choose Peace over Panic 62

When the World Feels Too Big, a Little Perspective Helps 63

The Seductive False Glamour of Social Media 64

The Wisdom in Not Knowing 65

Chapter 9 The Power of Choice 67

Seeing the Storm from a Different Angle 67

Rejection as Redirection 68

From Failure to Growth, from Earth to the Moon 69

The Triumph of Survival as Your Record 70

You Possess Choice in the Everyday 70

Speak Until You Believe: These Words Have Power! 71

Being Seen Is a Deep Need-Start by Seeing Yourself 72

Chapter 10 Falling in Love with Fear 75

Break That Mold If It Wasn't Made for You! 75

Fear as Fuel 76

We All Have Dreams (Yes, Even You) 77

From Cleaning Crappers to the Land of Tappers 80

When the Spotlight Reawakens a Fear of Being Seen 80

Knock, Knock It's Your Dream. Yes, I'm Still Waiting for You. 81

Chapter 11 The Present Is a Gift 85

Perspective Shifts Welcome Gratitude 85

Your Magical Beating Heart 86

Gratitude and Struggle 86

Living in the Moment Not for the Moment 88

You Can't Buy Gratitude 89

Choosing Hard Now for Easy Later 90

Don't Let Negativity Steal Your Now 91

Chapter 12 Do Your Best 95

What's Your Role? How to Take an Honest Inventory 96

Doing Your Best During a Mental Health Storm 97

Supporting Someone in Crisis: Stay Grounded First 99

Chapter 13 Do No Harm 103

The Knives We Carry 104

Acknowledging the Pain, Then Choosing Something Different 104

Act "As If" 107

A Year of Showing Up as Your Future Self 108

Chapter 14 Do for Yourself 111

A Lesson in Burnout 112

Boundaries Matter. Period 112

Where to Begin 113

Our Journeys Are Measured in Hours and Honesty 115

You Are in Good Company 116

It Isn't as Complicated as We Make It 118

Chapter 15 Do for Others 121

It's Easy to Give Advice, but Not Always to Take It 121

The Guiding Questions Behind My Social Media Work 122

Showing Up in Real Life, a Friendship That Endures 123

What You Give Is What You Get 125

Give Wisely. Listen to Your Gut 125

I Didn't Create These Principles- But I Live by Them 125

The Gift You Give Is the Life You Build- Love in Action 128

Chapter 16 The Power of Taking Action 129

Be Your Own Advocate 129

Visualize Your Dream Life 129

Control What You Can 130

Don't Overthink It 130

Get Past the First Obstacle! 130

One Step at a Time 131

Your Actions Have Impact 133

Everyone Has a Story to Tell 133

The First Draft Is the Hardest 134

One Day at a Time 134

The Poppy in the Crack 135

One Moment Becomes a Wave 135

A Jar, a Lid, and Self-Limiting Beliefs 136

The Final Leap of Faith 137

Chapter 17 It Takes the Time It Takes 139

The Myth of Overnight Transformation 139

A Highway Analogy 140

The Danger of Unrealistic Expectations 141

When Time Stopped 141

What Can We Learn About Grief and Time? 143

Climbing Mountains, One Step at a Time 144

Chapter 18 Understanding How to Outgrow Yourself 147

The Illusion of the Pink Cloud 147

Temporary Is the Only Eternal 148

Growth Is a Gift 149

You Can Learn and Unlearn! 150

You Are Becoming 151

Chapter 19 Your Time Is Limited 155

The Trap of "Tomorrow" 155

A Simple Tool: The Procrastination Jar 156

Mood Hack: Dress Like You Mean It 158

The Neuroscience of Self-Care 159

Your Time Is Limited. So Suit Up and Show Up. 162

Part III A Better Version of You Is Waiting: Show Up and Shimmy 165

Chapter 20 Questions I Should Have Asked 167

Chapter 21 The Journey of You 177

Use the Truth of This Moment to Shape the Next 177

You Can Do Hard Things 178

I Believe in You 179

About the Author 181

Index 183