Finding the Opportunity in a Stroke

I had a stroke in June 2011 and went through a complete transformation of self, learning so much from facing such a life-altering experience that almost killed me. The biggest questions in my mind became “What’s really important in life?” and “How do I create a new life for myself?”

We are presented with opportunities from one minute to the next throughout our lives, good and bad. When the opportunity comes in the form of a life-altering experience such as mine, our choices of how to handle it will either propel us forward on a journey of inner peace or make us sink in the quicksand of despair. And I determined I wasn’t going to sink!

One of my mantras was “Never give up!” Never underestimate what you can achieve when you believe in yourself! Believing in yourself doesn’t come from “with-OUT”; it comes from within, from that heart-centered place where our god/dess essence resides.

It’s about having self-love. It’s about knowing that you have something to offer the world – your special gift, whatever it is. It’s about knowing that no matter what your situation is, you have the wherewithal to meet that challenge head on and deal with it.

Life’s journey is full of magic – the marvelous, the miraculous and the wonderful – but it’s not without its hurdles along the way. And when we come to these bumps in the road, we need to have faith and believe that the Universe “has our back” and will be our pillar of strength, propping us up and propelling us forward.

When we surrender to God, the omnipotent, omniscient, and omnipresent power in all of us, magic happens. When we are in the presence of this inner personal power, we are transformed, and when we are transformed, our world is transformed, because the world is only a reflection, a macrocosm of our microcosm. We are all part of the Divine.

When we are grateful for our blessings and can maintain an optimistic attitude through thick and thin, there’s no limit to the opportunities that will present themselves to us. When one door closes, a new one opens. Life IS meant to be good!

So what’s really important in life? When you are operating from your true essence, your heart center, life takes on new meaning.

Look at the trauma as a gift of the soul and see how it can transform you into a different person, a better person. Take one day at a time and enjoy each precious moment. Appreciate the little things in life. Cherish yourself and your loved ones. Be adventurous and embrace new challenges with a fervor. Take the road less travelled. Seek out what gives meaning to your life and go after it passionately. Live your life to the fullest as there is no time to waste!