Today’s guest is Helen Rose Diotte, a life coach, author, motivational speaker and founder of The Gift of Being Present. She’s joining us all the way from Alberta, Canada, to discuss her journey and work helping others to think outside the box, discover the freedom of intentionality and be present.

Helen’s experiences have shaped and informed her approach toward helping others. She spent her earliest years in and out of foster homes before she was adopted. She left home at the age of 16 and started a lifelong journey to self-discovery that has taken her to where she is today.

Happiness, Grief and Everything In Between

The first thing you should know is that everyone can find happiness. No matter how dark or difficult things are for you right now, they don’t have to stay that way. Happiness is a choice. It’s one we’re all capable of making. While it’s easier for some than it is for others, it’s possible. 

At the other end of the spectrum is grief. At its core, grief is a response to a loss. Often, we think about grief in relation to the loss of a loved one. It is, but it can stem from other sources too. An illness, the end of a marriage, the loss of a pet, or a prized belonging can all trigger feelings of grief. 

Whatever you’re feeling, give yourself the freedom and space to do so. When you allow yourself to feel and sit with your emotions intentionally, you can process, understand and eventually accept them. 

Your Work Isn’t Done (and That’s Okay)

When she was 41, Helen married the love of her life. Nine years later, the marriage ended when she discovered her husband was having an affair. That’s a devastating experience for anyone, but Helen was particularly thrown. 

She had done the work to discover more about her birth mother and the circumstances surrounding why she gave her up for adoption. She learned about her past. She even wrote a book about it. 

Helen thought she had done the work necessary to accept and understand her past and was content with the direction her future seemed to be taking her. The end of her marriage changed everything.

Her divorce process taught her that the work of self-discovery and self-acceptance is never done, and that’s okay. As people, we’re meant to grow. 

To learn more about Helen’s work and story, check out her website. She has phenomenal resources available, including a podcast, a grief recovery program and coaching programs of various lengths to help you heal, find peace and practice being present.