All posts tagged: Gratitude

#Just5Minutes – Week 4 of making the decision to take my life and body back is 1/2 way over

The sunrise on the way to barre class this morning – beautiful. It makes getting up super early just a bit easier.  – I’ve worked out 1-2x a day, every day. – I’m focusing on doing yoga 2x a week – not just when teaching it. My next goal is to do it daily for a 30-day challenge. – I’m still going to PT an average of 1x a week – I’ve made sure that I’m walking as much as I have been – especially when taking the kids to school or picking them up. – I’ve gone to bed at a reasonable time each night, but I’m still working on getting enough sleep and rest. Pacing has never been my strength. – I’m making sure that I’m taking my supplements each day, and working on improving my nutrition even more (although I’m super hungry all of the time, which isn’t usual for me). – I’ve been trying to make sure I make time for acupuncture, massage and other alternative therapies that I know help, …

What matters is that we showed up – together. 

Powerful class today.  12 people total showed up – vulnerable, open-minded and honest. I did the same.  We are all in this together.  While I’m learning to teach yoga and mindfulness to our community, versus solely speaking and writing about it, those who’ve come to our last three mind-body classes, have showed up to face their own fears surrounding movement and anything that may cause additional pain or trauma. What matters is that we showed up – together.  What matters is that we allowed ourselves to be vulnerable and open-minded.  What matters is that we know that we are not alone.  What matters is that we allowed ourselves to focus on the positives and what we can do, not just what we can’t – even if it was for #just5minutes.  I’m blessed and grateful to have the opportunity to walk this journey with all those who open themselves up and allow me to walk with them. Not lead them, but walk beside them.  Today was humbling.  Thank you to Deborah Norris, Ph.D. and everyone at …

Gratitude for My Extended EDS, Mast Cell and Chronic Illness Family

When you lived in the middle of chaos – personally, professionally and literally, for about 2 years straight, fighting and climbing to the pinnacle of some invisible hill, one that only you can see, there are moments that keep you going just when you want to give up. For me, those moments have been the unwavering support and help from some of my very close EDS/MCAS/broader chronic illness world friends – not all are named here, but these women have been by my side, rolled up their sleeves and helped me with no questions asked. And they have really helped me. They have devoted their own time, resources, and what little energy they have to helping me with my far too many projects. They’ve helped make my aspirations come true, they’ve listened and supported me through a ton of crazy BS I’ve endured to get to this point, and they’ve worked – hard. Really hard, because they believe in what I do and they also care just as much as I do, if not more. …

Life by Design – Gratitude for doing what I love 

I started my first business 10+ years ago after I had baby #1 after I was diagnosed with EDS. This business was also started after being on long-term disability from my “career” job, one that I loved, and after facing the decision to accept or decline permanent social security disability at age 27yo. I declined it. My choice — being disabled at 27yo didn’t feel right for me, and working, doing something, helps me manage my health and well-being. I also needed to help support my family, be available for my son (only one baby at the time), and have flexibility around my husband’s job. I figured I could find something that I could do on my own, and I did. Five years ago, I started a 2nd business to serve the community that I was now a part of — both as a patient and volunteer. I wanted to use my degree to help disseminate education and work with people on how they could best help themselves, if they didn’t have a physician or PT …

Mast Cell Madness and A Yoga Retreat (YTT 15hrs)

Mast Cell Madness and A Yoga Retreat In January, I received the results from an eight-year-old colonoscopy that was stained for mast cells – the same month I started yoga instructor training with The Mindfulness Center. Despite doing what I do and the fact that I was helping Dr. Afrin publish his book, the results were not easy to accept. I felt anger & resentment, not to mention emotional and very scared. For me, mast cell issues have been a part of my life since I was a kid – I just didn’t know what “it” was. And no matter what I was or what “it” is (the EDS/MCAD/Dysautonomia/chronic illness combo), the reality is that about a year and a half ago, things dramatically changed after I got the flu shot for work. When you work in hospitals, especially in the OR, you are required to get the influenza vaccine – something I’ve done a number of times with no issues, or so I think. Three hours after I got the shot, I doubled in …