We had the good fortune of connecting with Mimi Amaral and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Mimi, what matters most to you?
What I value most is getting out of my own way so I may tap into my inner truth and innate guidance from source. I believe we are all born with a connection to source [higher Self], but along our journey through conditioning, family and friend’s expectations, cultural and societal influences we are pulled away from that inner knowing.

Trying to remain tapped into the inner essence to guide us with all the noise surrounding us is not easy, but if we can take an eagles-eye perspective and respond to life rather than react we can be successful. No human is immune to bumps, lessons, or growing pains along their journey. However, we can all learn to meet these head on, face them and ourselves, and walk through while learning the lessons needed, picking up the tools offered, and sharing insight to heal ourselves as well as empower others to heal too.

From birth to the breath I take in this moment, I am grateful to say that I have walked through many dark valleys and have witnessed the beauty of dawn breaking on many hills. I can honestly say that all the growing pains were worth it. Additionally, one way in which I may honor the life given; I do my best to share the insight I have gained to empower as many humans as possible. That said, I also acknowledge that not all humans are ready to be witnessed or helped. Even if your intension is coming from a place of nonjudgmental empowerment this action can feel intrusive, unwarranted, unwelcome, and overwhelming. Everyone has their path, timing, and journey, and that must include both hills and valleys for them to grow. At the most, offer an ear and then leave it alone … If they want and feel comfortable, they will take the next step when they are ready.

I value this principle because it has transformed my knowledge to wisdom, exponentially expanded my spirit, and has provided depth and breadth to my life’s journey. The aforementioned principle can be applied to intimate partnerships, family and friend relationships, and cultural, societal, and vocational situations.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I’m grateful to say I wear multiple hats, and anyone who is interested can go to my website: https://mimipsy-d.com/

I would like to dive deeper into one aspect of my journey which led me to writing multiple books. The book I would like to focus on today is near to my heart because I wrote it after being my father’s caregiver for his end-of-life process, and it is hitting home again because I did the same, for ten years, for my mother who just passed on February 7, 2023.

I wrote and published the book in 2019 because I had no idea what I was doing when I took the journey with my father, and I never wanted anyone to feel as lost as I did during that process. The title of the book: Death: Before & After, A Survivors Guide; sold on amazon.

Recently I honored both parents on social media with this statement with their picture: Dad and mom are together again … I’m truly grateful to both of you for embracing your union in a time when it went against the belief of your families, friends, cultures, and society. At age 16 [dad] / 17 [mom] you both fully embraced your love to co-create a life for 53 years with 4 children; dad: Owner/ CEO of DHS Construction Company, and mom: homemaker. Thank you for giving me life, for loving me the best way you knew how, for doing better than your parents, and in some ways being an example of courage, resilience, and independent thinking. I’m grateful to have been able to care for you during your last phase of life [dad 2 yrs./ mom 10 yrs.], for the co-created transparent healing process with both of you [you are witnessed], and for being able to hold your hand during your transition … Love you both, Rest in peace. [Dad: 1944 – 2013 / Mom: 1943 – 2023].

That post opened a door for several to inquire about how to walk the journey, so I posted the following with the aspiration to empower anyone who is or will be walking the process with their parents:

The post honoring my parent’s life opened a door for some of you to inquire about my insight on how to hold space and foster a communicative connection with parent[s]. I think the most helpful insight I may share is this:

May I first suggest doing this sooner than later, and not waiting for your parent[s] last phase of life. Either way, when embarking on this process be mindful about the patience, selflessness, and great care that needs to remain present with yourself and toward your parent[s] during the journey. Especially if this process occurs in the last phase of life because your parent[s] are at their most vulnerable and will need you to protect them, advocate for them, and fully take care of them in every capacity.

Try to remember that parent[s] are merely individual spirits on their own path carrying the wounds inflicted by their parent[s] and trying to figure out their journey as it unfolds; Just Like You … Parent[s] are: No better, no worse, and have many needed experiences and lessons toward their own evolution. Parent[s] do not have the answers for your journey, only you have the key to your life’s path. When opening the door to communicate, remind yourself to be present to hear and understand rather than listening to reply or react. Hold a nonjudgmental safe space while asking the questions that need to be answered and allow all subjective truths to be held and witnessed. Also, allow your parent[s] to ask you questions that they need answered. If something triggers you during this process, pause for a moment and inquire to yourself, “What do I need to understand or learn so I may heal and make a change.”

Additionally, I learned many of us are holding voices within that are so loud they silence our own, these perspectives are then reinforced by those we surround ourselves with who have been raised and influenced in the same way. The whispers that hinder us from hearing our own guidance and knowing, and that unconsciously drive us are filled with the: expectations, fears, guilt, shame, regrets, and need for grandiose stimulation that were imposed upon us as children. May I suggest that we all honor our spirit and life enough by taking the time to sift through the voices so we may recognize what is not ours and learn to say, “This is not mine to own.”

To accomplish this, become still within, take a bird’s eye view, be the observer while using discernment, and begin to ask yourself, “Who’s voice is this?” Just by witnessing the voices it increases self-awareness, which expands the spectrum of vision and understanding allowing you to see which voices are not your own. With time and patience, the identification of where the other voices originated becomes clear. The next step would be to understand the origin of each voice, who it came from, and to begin the healing process so you may learn to hear and trust your own guidance and knowing for your life’s path.

Finally, remember that some parent[s] may choose to embark on their journey of self-actualization toward healing, and some may not. No matter how much you want to heal it does not mean a parent will be open to take the journey with you, or even have the capacity to do so. If that is the case, then at that point continue to do your inner work and accept their subjective position, without losing focus on your own healing and expansion. The truth is that no one needs to be judged for the choice they make, which includes your parent[s].

By sharing the insight I gained from the journey I took with both parents, and writing the following book it allows me to honor them, the life I am given, and empower others along their journey.

Title of Book: Death: Before & After, A Survivors Guide

Book Synopsis:
Within some cultures, the process of death—before, during, and after—is not commonly or freely discussed. With great care, this book delves into many aspects that may be present along the spectrum of the end-of-life journey: from legal aspects (i.e., executor and medical directive), hospice care, and palliative care to family dynamics, funeral arrangements, and the logistics of closing a loved one’s life. In addition, this book provides firsthand accounts within each chapter to help support those who may feel alone, lost, or unsure of how to navigate the process. Furthermore, the book discusses a commonly overlooked aspect, assisted suicide, in hopes to generate awareness and create a safe space for an open discussion for those wanting to understand more about this topic. No one is alone; we will all face this aspect of life’s journey with a loved one at some point during our lifetime.

Book: https://www.amazon.com/Death-Before-After-Survivors-Guide/dp/1948719207/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1680717235&sr=8-1

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Personally, I’m more of a have a picnic under a tree at a park or walk under the moonlight on the beach having a deep transparent conversation type of human.

However, there are so many amazing things to do in California that the items would be too long to list. That said, in Southern California, I would recommend Santa Monica Pier and Manhattan Beach. There are so many amazing things to do and delicious food choices. As for Northern California, I would definitely recommend touring and dining in Sonoma/ Napa wine country as well as Hot Air Balloon ride with champaign brunch. Additionally, there are so many places to hike, camp, and go sightseeing along the entire coast of California: from oceans to the redwoods.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I believe all who have touched my life in both large and small ways deserve credit. From my parents, chosen family, and friends to colleagues, local coffee crew, and the humans who stopped me on the street to say hello. Everything and everyone can be an empowering interaction and teach us something. I would not be who I am today without each interaction.

Website: https://mimipsy-d.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Dr.MimiAmaral/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@mimiamaral162

Image Credits
Tammy Stover

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