Today's Topic - We Are Stronger Than We Think We Are

It was 2014 and I was feeling really ill. It was an unfamilar feeling that I'd never felt before. When I took a deep breath it was an abrubt exhale and I felt like I was getting kicked in the sternum. I went and got a blood panel done, they called just hours later and told me my liver enzymes were elevated to 1300, (normal is 35) and that I needed to get myself to the ER stat.

Scared and in disarray, I drove to the hospital and waited... They finally admitted me, three days in I had become a pin cushion having to get my blood drawn 2x a day. Multiple tests were run, multiple doctors in & out, and horrible hospital care. My IV was dripping fluid getting me and my bed soaked. They had me on so many drugs I experienced my first migrane and threw up until it was bile.

Fast forward one week later, after a liver biopsy it was confirmed I had autoimmune hepatitis. I was then put on Prednisone for the next five months. I had moon face and side burns from the steriod. I remember talking to God and telling him I couldn't live like this and I was ready to go. My support team of friends and family helped me through it with tough love and laughter. Fast forward to today, I am managing it with grace and am very aware of my emotions. I don't allow negativity, anger, or resentments to reside in me for long- I quickly work though so it doesn't take residence in my body. I'm healthier today than I've ever been. #strengthwithin

Today's Topic - Change

I'm in awe of how resiliant we are. We've been faced with the biggest global challenge we've ever encountered and yet, we are finding a way to improvise, overcome, and adapt. We have found creative ways to connect with each other. 

The world has become quiet, the earth is repairing itself, and we are being repaired from the inside out. Those of us resisting change aren't alone- change isn't easy but required so we can grow.

I invite you to ask the question, "How is this pandemic changing me and what will I do different moving forward?"

Today's Topic - Being Present

I heard someone say once, "When you have one foot in the past and one in the future, your pissing on today". That's always resonated with me and while, like any human I can get caught up in it too;  knowing this, I can quickly bring myself back to the present moment.

In the present moment I have a roof over my head, food in my refrigerator, I have my health, my bills are paid so I have no problems. The fear comes from either losing what we have or not getting what we want.

Whenever I feel scared of losing what I have, I get to work and create a back up plan. Whether that be a 2nd job, checking out insurance options, or whatever.  I think many of us don't give ourselves enough credit that we are survivors and powerful beyond measure.

So, what back up plan are you conspiring to give yourself a little bit of peace?

Today's Topic - Global Connection

Who would have thunk that a virus would force us all to slow down, take inventory of what's really important, and help us understand that we are all in this together? Whether we are with our kids and families or simply alone, we are exactly where we need to be to learn what we need to learn.

This isn't happening to us, it's happening for us. We have an opportunity to get comfortable being uncomfortable with the unknown and, if we can surrender to that concept we can be free.  Change isn't easy but it's required of all of us to make a conscience shift during this time. If we can practice leaning in to "what is" it will make the transition a little bit easier.

Love & Light~

Today's Topic - Perspective

Meet Nick Vujicic. Nick was born with no arms or legs and somehow he's found a way to spread joy all around the world.  Seeing this picture of him on the beach smiling makes me very grateful that I can walk into the grocery store without someone having to carry me, so I can get the things I need for my family.

Nick is completely dependent on people for help.  He has no choice but to ask for help. Maybe because we have a choice, it makes it all that much harder for us to ask when we need it the most. That would be our pride getting in the way and is a dangerous thing for our well being to allow it to run the show.

Today I'm grateful for my arms and legs. I'm grateful for hot water and sunshine. I'm grateful of my eyesight so I can see the sky. I'm grateful for the little things.. What are you grateful for?

Love & Light~

Today's Topic - Planting Seeds

For me, I see this pandemic as an awesome opportunity to make a conscience shift but I realize that not everyone shares my enthusiasm. I realize some are scared and paralyzed in fear, some are experiencing extreme depression, some are experiencing a loss of hope.

Many are saying, the world will never be the same and I hope they're right because we've become such a "me" society and done so much damage to Mother Earth, the world desperately needs a change. The earth is repairing itself, the ozone, the atmosphere, the smog is dissapaiting giving it a change to breathe again. Hang in there and reach out for help. This too shall pass.

Love & Light~

Today's Topic - Two Wolves

While none of us have control over this pandemic, we do have a choice of how we react to it. We have a choice of the content we take in both in what we watch and listen to.  Some images cannot be unseen and can torment my mind, so I'm very selective.

For me, I choose love, faith and hope. I choose to see the beauty and blessing that's being given to us. I choose to make the best of the situation and try to better myself.

Love & Light~

Today's Topic - Transformation

All butterflies have "complete metamorphosis" and to go through the process, they experience a temporary struggle in order to survive and completely transform into a butterfly. Our world and all of us who live in it are experiencing "complete metamorphosis". We are experiencing a time of struggle.

The blessing in disguise is that we get to regroup and really evaluate our lives. For me, I'm evaluating what gives me joy and what no longer serves me that I need to let go of. We are all in the unknown and the only way to find peace in that is to trust the process of life. Trust and have faith that we will come out of this better people and we will survive.

So, my question is- how will we take ourselves into the world when this pandemic is over? Will we go back to our old ways or will we transform into the greatness we were all meant to be? One things for sure, this global virus is teaching us that we are all equal no matter who we are, religion, race, social status, etc. That's the miracle..

Surrendering To "What Is"

Surrender is something I've been practicing for many years. As much as I don't want to admit it, I'm a control freak but I know I can't control anything or anyone outside of myself. The only thing I have control over is the way I react and respond to what's happening around me.

Surrender sets me free of my fears and I practice by going to the worst case scenario and asking myself, can I live with that? The answer is always yes because most the time I'm just tellling myself scary stories. Scary stories are always worse then what usually happens but when I get caught up in them, they become very real for me and I have a physical reaction. I tense up, get headaches, and feel irriatable.

I know I can always change the story in my head and that will give me peace. I breathe in and practice acceptance and then I'm free.

We're All In This Together

As we're all having our own experiences and emotions with COVID, it's the lesson being learned that sparks my curiosity.  We can either deal with our emotions or they will have their way with us. I KNOW we will get through this; the question is how will we take ourselves into the world moving forward?

For me, I'm taking this time to do an internal cleanse by reevaluating my work & personal life. What brings me joy and what is it I need to let go of that no longer serves me. I invite you to share your feelings here and "work it" together so we can help each other become more whole and fulfilled.

Sending love & light around the world!