My life's passion sprung from the search beginning in my early twenties to find my younger, creative, soulful self. My former spontaneous free spirit was barely recognizable in a cloak of perfectionism, eating obsessions, and harsh self-loathing.As I watched the workings of my mind, I realized it was my punishing thoughts that were at the core of my self-obsession. But why?During our socialization process, we layer on beliefs, opinions and stories that conceal the glowing essence of our soulful nature. Many of these thoughts and beliefs are self-limiting and erode our self-esteem.The work we do in the world and the stuff we accumulate; wealth, possessions, and promotions, make for a comfortable life. They don't give us a window into our soulful selves, nor do they answer the big life questions, "Who am I," "What happens after our death," and "What is my life's purpose"?My master's work in Transpersonal Counseling Psychology, my position as Florida's Disaster Mental Health Coordinator, and life as an art gallery owner and working artist was all extremely insightful and rewarding work. Paralleling my career, I sought answers to life's big questions.I found the answers are within us all. To find them, we practice observing our thoughts, feelings and reactions to daily life situations. My first book, Roadmap to Ease - Release What Weighs You Down - Embrace What Lights You Up, a teaching memoir, is available on Amazon. Its teachings explain how our thoughts work against us, how to avoid their trap, and acts as a guide on the journey back to our creative, awakened, soulful, happy selves.