Diversity Rules Magazine

As a Therapist, Educator and Posi ve Living Expert, Diane has dedicated her career to help- ing people turn their lives around and is now on a mission to help them develop a sustainable posi ve a tude that can actually turn one into an op mist, literally. Through her three books, "Crea ng Bal- ance & Finding Happi- ness", "Baby Steps: the Path from Motherhood to Career" and " Mind- fully Happy- waking up to life." Diane has been speaking and empowering people na onwide. She is also an Adjunct in Psychology at Mont- clair State University, where her college work includes mentoring students for personal issue advisement. As an expert in her fields of therapy, Lang has been featured in the Daily Record, Family Circle, Family Magazine, Working Mother Magazine and Cookie Magazine, seen on NJ 12 TV, Good day CT, Style CT, The Veira Network, CBS TV and "Fox & Friends". She has also par cipated in a reality based Internet show, ourprisoner.com, hosted Genera on X- net. The real truth is you always had the power; now it's me to remember that and bring it back. Here is how. 1. Take ac on before it's forced on you. We usually have a deep sense of knowing when something isn't working or when it isn't right, but we ignore it, or we stay out of fear, security or stability, or all 3. So, we stay and wait ll we have no choice or the ac- on is forced on us, which can take months or years from our life and our self-worth. Instead, be mindful of what you are feeling. If it's not working or healthy for you, start making a game plan of what you can do to change it. Take baby steps; just take ac on. Don't deny or ignore it. 2. Change is scary because it's an ending. We don't know what the next step will be or what the next day, week, or month will bring. It's the uncertainty, but with every ending also comes a new beginning. You will grieve and go through a roller coaster ride of emo ons. Don't try to stop or ignore those emo- ons. Sit in the space of fear, anxiety, grief, etc. It will pass. Everything is temporary. On the other side is a new horizon with new opportuni es and possibili- es. You can only get to the new by purging what no longer serves you. 3. You always had the power. If you look back on your life, you will see glimpses of your power shining through. It's the moments where you are vulnerable and authen c even though you were scared to be the true you. The mes you were brave and strong, building resiliency. The mes you were scared but took ac on anyway, mes you were anxious but ex- cited for the new. Look back at all your setbacks, and in hindsight, you can see not just the survival but how you thrived, grew, and changed. You can see what you have learned and show you shi ed into the posi ve. 4. There is no growth without struggle. Every strug- gle and setback is a teachable/learnable moment. The struggle teaches you to go deep inside your- self and find the power. The power to get through Power - Con't on page 14 Taking Back Your Power By Diane Lang Diversity Rules Magazine| Aug 2023 | 13

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