Have you ever had a moment where EVERYTHING you knew or planned for yourself completely changed in an instant?
One of the times this happened to me was when I discovered I was carrying twins. In a split second, I was reminded of how I have no control. The path I had laid out for myself (just having one baby at a time) was never in the cards for me. This realization should not have been earth-shattering to me because as the child of divorce, I know how unexpected life can be. As a daddy's girl, my world was rocked when my father left when I was just 12 years old.
My father's abandonment had a profound impact on my childhood and adolescence, but adjusting to the fact I cannot control BIG things in my life has been both the hardest and most rewarding lesson. Then, unexpectedly embarking upon a high-risk mom of multiples pregnancy and welcoming three kids in less than three years, was one of the biggest waves I had to ride in adulthood. I continue to be reminded of how I am along for this crazy ride called life and I need to learn to ride the waves, or I'll drown!
Most recently I was diagnosed with breast cancer at 42 years old. This was not on my "life to do list" and news like this could easily put me in survival mode; however, I have learned how to go from surviving to thriving.
Over the years, I have done (and continue to do) the hard work to understand who I truly am. My actions and words align with what I believe, my values, and what I stand for. I use this knowledge and certitude to create a life where I respect myself and the boundaries I put in place with confidence.
Believe me, living my most authentic life is not innate and cultivating my vulnerability is damn hard. Being true to myself has definitely created uncomfortable situations and exceptionally challenging family dynamics. Despite it all, I do not concern myself with who I think I should be or who others think I should be. I can just be, and now I am able to "show up" in any and all situations as the person I am meant to be. Living with authenticity feels fantastic and this skill is what I want to share with you.
Just like every other person on this planet, I will always be a work in progress. There is ALWAYS more to learn and more room to grow and I hope sharing my experiences will help you grow into the truly amazing person you are meant to be too.