When the situation overwhelms, let your love take over. Look for it. Look for the light with more intensity than ever in all the density and confusion that's swirling on the planet. This is what it means to have faith; faith that you'll keep finding the light. Don't waver in your gratitude for what is good and miraculous. Refuse to go numb. Instead, use questions to build your strength. You will get angry. Some days you will be devastated. But even on the days that you might fail to be compassionate, please don't let go of what you know deep in your bones... that compassion illuminates the darkness. If you look with your soul, you will keep finding light... everywhere.

— Danielle LaPorte, White Hot Truth

Finding Light in Overwhelm

A Real-Life Moment of Frustration

Yesterday, I hit a wall. My computer refused to download my latest YouTube video. Despite clearing space, transferring files, and spending hours moving things to an external hard drive, and doing the same  a few weeks ago, my computer stubbornly said, “NO!” My Sunday goal — editing and posting my video — vanished. And with it, my energy and optimism.

I was frustrated. Tired. Angry. At the computer. At myself. At my financial situation. It felt like I was swimming upstream…again.

The Moment That Shifted Everything

In the middle of this emotional swirl, Danielle LaPorte’s words from White Hot Truth played through my earbuds. Her words stopped me cold.

Words like overwhelm, confusion, anger, devastated, and darkness echoed how I felt. But then…

Words like light, faith, gratitude, strength, compassion illuminates the darkness reached into my heart like a soothing balm.

A weight lifted. I whispered to myself, “It’s okay. You’ll just share with everyone that there will be no video this week.”

Moving from Toxic Positivity to Authentic Acceptance

For years, I wore a mask of “Everything is awesome” — even when I felt anything but. I’ve worked hard to come home to myself, learning to sit with my feelings instead of masking them.

I've shifted from a mindset of “Everything is happening TO me” to “Everything is happening FOR me.”

This small frustration — though it impacts my business — isn’t life-threatening. But it still matters. And it reminds me how far I’ve come.

My Hard-Earned Perspective

I’ve faced battles much bigger than a stubborn computer:

• Breast cancer.

• A spinal growth causing unbearable pain (removed surgically, only to grow back larger).

• A neurologist who washed his hands of my case.

• Severe depression and suicidal ideation.

• Hospitalizations.

• Workaholism.

• Abuse.

Each experience, no matter how painful, shaped me into a deeper, more authentic version of myself.

The Light We Can Choose to See

This moment wasn’t about a computer glitch. It was about perspective. About grace. About choosing to see the light — even when frustration clouds your vision.

I want you to know, you’re not alone in your overwhelm, frustration, regret, sadness, or anxiety.

Maybe Danielle’s words will help you redirect your heart today, as they did for me.

We’re In This Together

I truly care about you and your journey. I want you to be content, fulfilled, and know that you're never alone on this winding road called Life.

Let me know if this resonates with you. Let’s keep sharing and walking this path — together.

With love and light,

Barbara Lynn Burns

#MoreArtLessStress #ArtHeals #YouAreNotAlone

P.S. Thank you for being part of this community. Sometimes sharing our real moments helps us all find a little more light.

[Leave me a note — I’d love to hear your heart.]