Life sure throws a lot at you; sometimes in bits and pieces, often in waves and other times it just throws everything all at once.  This is how I felt the day I was diagnosed with a rare neuromuscular disease that the doctor told me would take my life.

At that moment, I felt like I couldn’t breathe. I was in shock and I desperately wished I would’ve told my husband to come with me.  I had so much confidence that the doctor was going to tell me he could fix me and provide next steps that I told my husband to go to work and I’d call him with the plan.  Never in my wildest dreams did I think I’d be told my next steps would be carrying me to the grave.

The days, weeks and months that followed were full of unanswered questions, worry, hopelessness and despair.  Maybe you’ve been here before too.

I started searching for something to help me, a super food, a magic supplement, an extreme detox . . . the list goes on and on.  I didn’t know what I didn’t know.

The funny thing about the diagnosis is that I felt like it came out of nowhere.  The reality was, it had been brewing in my body for years.  My sugar and diet coke addiction, lack of sleep, and running my body into the ground all fed the problem.  But I didn’t know what I didn’t know.

And I was killing myself from the inside out.

People have said many times over “I’m so sorry you had to go through that.”  And I will quickly reply, “I’m not.”  This journey has been one of the greatest gifts in my life.  It has challenged me, stretched me beyond measure, and has called me to respond with grace, truth and love.

I’ve learned many lessons along the way:

• Be present
• Don’t sweat the small stuff
• Show and tell people how much you love them
• Smile often
• Know that your best is going to look different from day to day, keep going!
• Be a bright light in the lives of others
• Serve from the heart
• Give more than you’ll ever receive in return
• Do something that scares you
• Offer grace, truth and love to others
• And do the same for yourself
• Practice gratitude
• Pray and trust
• Learn from your mistakes and get ready for round 2
• Have fun
• Nourish your body with whole foods
• Hydrate daily, every process in the body depends on it
• Listen well and speak less
• Take ownership of every choice you make, the good, the bad and the ugly

The greatest lesson of all though is the lesson about a specific relationship.

I never realized that this body of mine needed as much from me as it was giving.  Honestly, I did whatever I pleased, ate sugar, exercised a lot, lived off caffeine, slept 5 hours a night, and just thought it would show up regardless of how I treated it.

Until it didn’t.

The greatest lesson I learned is that we must treat the body like a best friend.  Feed it well, speak only words of kindness, provide it fresh air, new perspective and daily movement.  Thank it for all that it provides and promise to give the same in return.

I promise you, when this relationship is sound, it will fuel success in every area of life.

Here’s to you and your best friend!

XO,

James, my incredible A/V lead in Chicago, joined me each morning before my sessions to check to be sure all was well and then I’d share some wild orange essential oils with him to boost his energy for the day.  I appreciated this morning visit day after day because it offered connection.We all need to start the day with connection.

Have you ever met someone and felt like you’ve known them forever?  That was what it was like with Vicki and Jim. They hosted me in their home during my travels to Longview and I felt like I’d known them for ages; they exude love. Beautiful sunsets and views of their flower gardens brightened every bit of my being as we enjoyed conversation in the warm evening air.  It was paradise and such a gift to feel at home while miles away from my own.  Love goes a long way.

I had an incredible moment of life coming full circle when I checked in at the Courtyard Marriott in Cleveland only to have the General Manager, Nick, come out and say, “I thought I knew that voice!”  There’s a first for everything folks! Nick shared that he attended my session on how to be stress free just a week before at the General Manager’s conference in Chicago!  The world is a small place and we’re all connected. 

My flight back home from Cleveland was to arrive in time for me to join my family that night for dinner to celebrate a special occasion.  Because of a safety issue, the flight was delayed when six TSA agents and a police officer walked onto our plane and didn’t return until a few hours later.  Following this event, we learned that there was also a mechanical issue and as a result, I arrived home 6.5 hours later than planned. But in the midst of the delays, I met Curtis, a Southwest pilot who was trying to make his way home on our plane.  I learned a great deal about air travel and as a result have a deeper appreciation for the work these folks do taking me from place to place.  I was also very thankful that the airline did what was necessary to allow me to safely return home. There’s gratitude to be had in all circumstances.