4:41 AM

4:41... AM. No, not insomnia. I got up at 4:30 to get the coffee going ☕ make breakfast and whatever else is needed to get Liv out the door to College peacefully as I do daily. Thank goodness it is usually not at this painful hour, still early though .Why? When I was 17 my mother told me I was not worthy to go to college even though it was what I dreamed of. A career in the medical field or social work. If someone tells you that you are not worthy remind them that you are. If someone destroyed your dreams. Build new ones. My children are destined for greatness. It is our honor to support and nurture that in any capacity. They are more than I could ever dream of and am so proud to witness it.

It is kind of ironic this reminder came up on International Women's Day. In working on our family tree this year I came across a huge family tragedy. My Poppa's family on my maternal side comes from hard working German immigrants who were coal miners in Pennsylvania. On this day in 1886, 3 of them were killed on one of the worst explosions at the Uniondale Mine. My 3rd Grandfather 40, his son and namesake 18 and his brother were killed. While this tragedy is soul crushing and heartbreaking enough for my 3rd Great Grandmother. While she was attending their funeral their youngest child an infant died as well. They had a total of 10 children she was 40 years old. She ended up living until 1931, 86 years old. On her gravestone it simply said "Mother". On this International Women's Day I would like us all to remember the unsung hero's. The women that have faced such extreme sadness, challenges and tragedy but didn't fall down. They stood up. Their love for others helped pull them through. It wasn't easy but day by day they did it. Today I honor Gertrude Cope and hope that there is a little bit of her in me

 

National Epilepsy Day

National Epilepsy Day is today. Most of us who have a seizure condition will not tell you. Why do you think that is? Because we are ashamed. We are scared that you will think less of us. Well I don't. I have told you lots about my life the last 12 years and it has not always been pretty. If you think less of me for the way God made me. I don't mind because one thing this condition has given me is strength. I am not considered an epileptic because that handful of medications I take every single day. It keeps my brainwaves even. You have to have 2 or more seizures to have epilepsy at this point with one - I have irregular brainwaves. With every good though there is bad. This medicine has given me many side effects. Many I have dealt with over the years and many I am just starting on another journey with. So if I teach you nothing else. I will teach you compassion for those with this or ANY invisible illnesses. Even though I look ok if I have another seizure there is a high risk I could pass from it as any seizure patient can. I will teach you what to do if you see someone having a seizure. Most people have NO clue. Over a lifetime 1 in 26 people will be diagnosed with the disease. Yeah. ➡️1 in 26 ⬅️This is why I'm so passionate about being healthy and living a clean and toxin free life. Everything I do to be healthy lowers my risk. I know I down a handful of pills a day to live but I will do my best to make sure the rest of my environment is as safe as possible. Some people say, Why try with all that is in the air and all around? Everything you do causes something. 🤦🏼‍♀️❎ I say, why not! I will reduce my risk to as many chemicals and toxins as I can. This isn't just about me. It is about my family too. Making choices for them now can set them up for a better future.

Are You Ready For Some....Kindness??

I had joked on my IG that I was going to need protection when I went to the store this morning and I should bring my husband because of my shirt. Little did I know how true this was! First, we are not bandwagon 49er fans. This has been on my keys 10 years. My husband will watch win or lose and has his entire life. We are Northern Californians. I am proud of that. I will always be a Californian no matter how long I have lived out of the state. This shirt is not a political statement. It is not one state vs another. It does not mean I am a certain political party. It does not mean I am here to destroy "your state". No, I'm not a "comifornian" either. YES, all things I heard this morning.
Over
A
Shirt
Y'all need to get a grip. This is terrible.
So, how about we remember this is fun for a game. How about love for your fellow American no matter where they are from or what they like. We are "ONE nation" still, right?? Be proud of where you live without being intimidated or attacking another. Also how about kindness in your actions and words? If you need help in finding that I put up a calendar for "Friendly February"

Remember the person in the store. The person you see online. They are not your enemy. The thoughts in your mind about them are. Change your thoughts and make the world better ✌

Running with a Pride not a Tribe

Yes, I am in one of those businesses but I am not one of those girls. I don't show up at events dressed like I'm 20 years younger with matchy shoes and bags with my tribe. I don't act like a drunk teen who doesn't have true time for people "below" me. I don't take the accomplishments of people who have worked so hard without me and act as if I waved my wand over it and did it when I had barely a thing to do with it. This is what I don't like about my business. It is why I don't go. I was in High School. It wasn't my thing. If it is or was yours and you love and need this in your life. More power to you. What I need is to help others and I get to define that. I had a day where I almost died in my 30's. I fell to the ground in front of my children while we were volunteering at a soup kitchen. I do not remember two hours of my life. There was a flash in an ambulance and all I knew was they were driving me fast away from my babies and there was nobody there for them. I woke up in an ER where I was given a misdiagnosis. Later to find I had a gran mal seizure. I have a seizure condition and am treated 2x a day for the rest of my life. This put me in a tailspin of PTSD and a massive weight gain. After years this way I figured my life was a gift not a death sentence. I found happiness. Lost over 100 lbs in a year. Then I started to help others do the same. This is my why. My company helps me to help others do the same. Find help health and happiness. To live toxin free. It is my honor to help those families. That is my focus. That is the girl I am. I am the black sheep. I am the girl who does it her way. I help others before myself. My focus is you and making an impact on your health not an impact on how I appear. I know my life is a gift and I want to make sure you all have the power to live your life to it's fullest.

So in all this I feel I travel with a Pride like the Lion.  That is how I define my business - A pride of lions. Pride is the state of holding one's self or another in high esteem. As we all do within my business. 

2020 Health Challenge

I see so many celebrities posting about a "Dry January" GIRL... I have been dry for 11.5 years!! For those of you who don't know me closely, no I'm not in AA. If you are I commend you though. I can't drink because my meds say there would be an alcohol interaction. This is something many chose to ignore with many meds as they love to drink. I don't ignore it. Also having irregular brainwaves alcohol messes with them. So in order to have the healthiest brain and best chances at NOT having another seizure I do not drink. If there is something you can to do be your healthiest - Give up something, add something - I challenge you to do it!! If I can live my life without alcohol ( my husband does too in order to support me ) You can do what you need to do as well. What has your Doctor been telling you to do but you ignore the advice? Should you workout more, give up a certain type of food, stop smoking, stop drinking, limit sugars, drink more water, eat more fiber, less meat, less calories even more calories! Whatever it is love yourself enough to actually do it. Years ago I decided to do so. I changed my life. I listened to the Dr's. Fixed my blood pressure. I lost over 100 lbs and have maintained it 8 years. Helped my brainwaves by not drinking. Strengthened my bones with vitamins, collagen and working out. We may be handed a bad diagnosis BUT we can do our best to take ownership and help heal our bodies.

Did You Hear?

Since I know more than say, think more than I speak and notice more than most realize here are some things to help those who have gossipy issues get through 2020 with a fresh start....

1. Rumors are carried by people with hate in their heart. Spread by fools and accepted by idiots🤦🏼‍♀️ 2. If they gossip to you, they WILL gossip about you🤷🏼‍♀️ 3. Gossip dies when it hits a WISE person's ears 🙌

Make it your habit to shut down conversations that aim to bring other people down. Make this year the year you rise above hatred and smallness. Be an example for those both young and old. If you have time to gossip you have time for something positive. Find a healthy new habit. Workout your mind, your body or your heart. You are what you surround yourself with. Rise above

A New Decade

Walking in and out of the hospital for the past few days I have passed this lady. She brings my heart a sigh each time. 10 years ago a friend of mine passed of cancer in this building. It was this time of year. Cold and dark most days out. She longed to be in the sun. We would push her down the hall to the big windows to sit in the sun. One morning she said I just want to FEEL the sun. So we wrapped her up as warm as we could head to toe. We pushed her past the nurses station. I believe to this day they pretended not to see. Jumped in the elevator and out the front door. We stood in front of this statue with her in her wheel chair. She knew her time here was almost over. She didn't say it but I know it. She felt that sun. Breathed that air. It was truly the most beautiful vision. Today is the first day of the year. Of a new decade even. Try to find the beauty in it. Even in the sad memories.. even in an ordinary moment. Life is beautiful. Just look.