Learn Grit & Gratitude from Laura herself over at: https://www.laurabratton.com/ Get the reflection sheet here Summary In this episode of Retrieving Sanity, host Keegan Read speaks with Laura Bratton, who shares her inspiring journey of losing her sight due to a rare eye disease. Laura discusses the emotional challenges she faced, including anxiety and depression, and how she navigated these feelings with the support of her community. She emphasizes the importance of mindfulness, grit, and gratitude in overcoming adversity and highlights the significance of allowing oneself to grieve while also moving forward. Laura's insights on intuition, self-compassion, and the power of emotions provide valuable lessons for anyone facing their own challenges. Takeaways Laura's journey of losing her sight began at age nine. She emphasizes the importance of community support during tough times. Mindfulness helped Laura manage her anxiety and depression. Grit is about acknowledging difficulties and choosing to move forward. It's okay to grieve while also moving forward in life. Self-compassion is crucial for mental wellness. Laura's intuition has strengthened since losing her sight. Emotions should be acknowledged, not shamed. Laura's book, 'Harnessing Courage', shares her life story and insights. Daily practices are essential for maintaining mental health. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Laura's Journey 03:04 Navigating Loss of Sight 07:52 Emotional Reactions to Blindness 10:18 The Power of Mindfulness 12:33 Grit and Gratitude in Adversity 18:20 Permission to Grieve 20:39 Stress and Its Effects 22:52 Redefining Grit and Bravery 24:03 Understanding Emotions and Control 27:21 Holding Space for Emotions 29:15 Navigating Emotions and Self-Compassion 30:15 Harnessing Courage: A Personal Journey 31:29 Daily Practices for Mental Wellness 32:56 The Role of Shame in Emotional Health 34:55 Understanding and Managing Grief 36:19 Visualizing Nature: A Unique Perspective 38:59 The Power of Intuition 42:01 Empathy and Energy Awareness 45:09 The Gratitude Gauntlet: Real-Life Scenarios 54:53 Retrieving Sanity: Embracing Our Humanity Call 988 if you are experiencing ANY mental crisis! Be sure to check out Retrievingsanity.com for all past guest resources! Want to be a guest on Retrieving Sanity: A Mental Health Podcast? Send Keegan Read a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/retrievingsanitypodcast