Page 8 - July 2022 CW Magazine

The move to the DC area was only four short Decision. A Latin-root word that means to cut-
months prior to 9-11-01. The day that changed off leaving no other option. In this defining
so much for many, and turned my personal moment, I had to decide there was a real
and professional life upside down. I had new possibility of healing and choose to fully
job duties that included being a Mortuary participate in my own rescue. Next, I had to be
Officer for a local family whose loved one was open to different knowledge about my
on the plane that fateful day. The stress was off medical status, and that conflicted with what I
the charts, and a few months later I was learned in school and in the medical
diagnosed with breast cancer in January 2002, environment. Shifting introduced holistic and
a fight that would last another ten years. alternative treatment options, and I’m happy
Remember, I was in the military, parenting to report I’ve now been cancer-free since 2010!
and building a business/brand for the very first Finally, I realized that muscles aren’t just built
time! in the gym. Intentional thinking and
perseverance are built when growing through
This journey alone has its own set of twists and a situation, and remain for a lifetime in your
turns, and near the end, an 11-month to 1-year toolbox! What if I would have never taken
period filled with eight surgeries intended to these three initial steps? I do believe I very well
get my body to heal. I was exhausted beyond may not be alive today, as I got to use these
comprehension at this point, and wanted to tools all over again some 21-months ago when
give up when it happened. A heavenly an unexpected brain tumor showed-up in
experience that again changed everything for October 2020! Learnings from two decades
me, and a story for another day. Suffice it to say prior were the keys to healing again. Physical
that I heard the still small voice loudly say to challenges or not, is your remaining stuck or
me, “I’ve Got This!” For the first time in years, I an unwillingness to apply these tools, killing
had real hope, a certainty that I would actually the dream only you were divinely created to
make it through the journey. Three key Power share with the world?
Tools emerged from this experience that I
believe are foundational to running the show
called life.

Before revealing those Power Tools, let’s
examine a fascinating thing about the human
mind and behavior - its habitual nature.
Humans live much of life subconsciously,
meaning without really intentionally thinking
or acting. Do you remember that drive to the
gym or office in detail? Or, perhaps you know
the phrase, “I could drive that road in my
sleep!” This is true in many areas of our life, and
thus challenges arise as a result. I was at this
crossroads myself when Decision, Shift and
Muscle Building arrived on scene.

THE CONTEMPORARY WOMAN MAGAZINE www.thecontemporarywoman.com I 8