On My Journey I've learned...

On My Journey I've learned...

• To celebrate the small wins as much as I do the big.

• To remain teachable.

• To offer myself the same forgiveness I offer others.

• To own my talents and share my gifts.

• To acknowledge my self worth, daily.

• To remain humble.

• To live in gratitude at all times.

• To live from the end.

• To count my blessings.

• To say I love you freely.

• To except love without hesitation.

• To practice daily affirmations.

• To believe in something larger than myself.

• I've learned BELIEVING IS SEEING, and NOT the other way around.

These are just a few that came to mind...each day I add to my list. Today I honor those living with or without illnesses...we all are trying to find our voices on this journey. I dream of a day when

the cure has been brought to light. Until that day comes, I continue to flood by body with this nutrition and know that I am giving my body the fighting chance it deserves. Just 13 months ago I began my holistic wellness journey...I only wish I would have started sooner. I know I have realigned with my true spirit. I am worthy! I am whole & complete...and I am loved.

For those living with Chronic illness...there is hope. I have proudly made it my mission to share this hope, even with those who may not be ready to hear it yet. Because, I know it will help you. I know it can save your life too. Someone cared enough to stick with me until I tried it...and I am forever grateful. When we find something that works, it is our duty to share.

TO YOUR JOURNEY,

Mare

What's your name tag say?

For years I wore a name tag that said “Hello, I am Fibromyaglia & Sarcoidosis.” Like so many living with Fibro and Sarcoid, I fought for years for the Doctors to tell me what was wrong with me. The more I heard “There is nothing wrong with you, the tests don't show anything, you're fine, you look fine... bla bla bla” I began to believe I was crazy. I felt very alone. Was it all in my head? I wanted so badly for the Dr's to give it a name, then at least I would know how to deal with it. Years later a Doctor finally did. Guess what, I still didn't know how to deal with it or pronounce it.

So I packed my bags, put on my name tag, and headed into my cave called fear. I liked it there. It was dark and I didn't have to fight any more. I finally had a name tag with a title and I clung to it for dear life. Hell, I fought a long time to get it, I wasn't going to give it up that easily. It was more a “See, I told you something was wrong with me and I wasn't faking it!” Picture it...a grown 40 something year old woman...sticking out her tongue “I told ya so, I told you so!” Not pretty, right ? It was really kinda sad. I sat in my illnesses, I sat there allowing the pity and the poor Mare's to comfort me.

I hid behind my illness out of fear. I said “I'd do anything to feel better”. But each time someone tried to help...I stayed stuck in my fear. I remember sitting in my cave and thinking this was it. I lost all hope of a normal life. With anger boiling over, I yelled at my higher power “Really, This is it?” Then the day came when the fear became bigger than the illness and I'd had enough. Out from the cave I came “This is NOT what I was put on this earth for...there HAS to be something to learn, some kind of positive to come from this”. I changed my mindset and opened my heart. The first of many steps I took to reclaim my life!

Today, I am fearless and living my truth. Today, I'm helping others living with limitations, see their truth. I help them to embrace their power and gain control of their health and their life. I had to go through the loss and the struggles to appreciate this gift. I had to get past the fear to see just how amazing life truly is. Life is about connecting with your authentic self, standing in your brilliance, knowing YOU have the power to create the life you want, and above all else, being of service and sharing your gift. Want more for others, than yourself. You can't give away what you don't have.

Today I'm still wearing a name tag...but this time I replaced Fibro with FEARLESS, Sarcoid with SERENITY, Limited with LIMITLESS, and Handicapped with CAPABLE! Today I am a woman who stands in her brilliance. I am a woman inspired. I am a woman empowered. I am a woman who remains teachable. I am a woman of service. I am a woman FULL of gratitude. I am a woman who says “YES”. I wear my new name tags proudly as I go confidently in the direction of my dreams!

With love,

Mare

A Life of Purpose and Dreams

Why is it, when we were kids, we knew what we wanted to be when we grew up, but then as grownups, we lose site of that dream. I think it's a crime for people, places, or things to stand in the way of our dreams. It's a life sentence in solitary confinement, when we're the ones standing in our own way. It may have been a well meaning parent, or family member, following in their parents foot steps. Trying to guide us with tough love. Telling us our dreams were just that, dreams. Believing you only get somewhere in life through hard work and sacrifice. Trying to project their fear based reality on us.

When I was a kid, I wanted to be a rock star. Who didn't? I was the lead singer in a band during High School. But, after hearing “You need to get a real job, you'll never make it as a singer” I let that dream go. I knew I was creative, and I wanted to do something in the arts, but all I ever heard was “It takes a nine to five job, real hard work, long hours....”. You know the rest. I'm sure you've all heard that at some point in your life. It was about a title, and how much I made, not whether or not I was happy or fulfilled. I wanted to be a writer.  My 11^th Grade English teacher told me “You can't spell, you'll never be a writer”. So, once again I walked away from another dream.

Becoming a Mom was a dream I was never going to walk away from. Even when I heard “You have to married first”. Nope....that wasn't my intention at that moment. It was all about having a baby. Two years later, my dream came true. Then again 6 years later, another dream came to life. I was meant to be a Mom, and I was blessed with 2 amazing daughters. My girls are my inspiration. I do everything in my power to encourage them to follow their dreams. To take risks, to take chances, to live THEIR life, and to love what they do. To FEAR NOTHING! At a very young age, Katie wanted to grow up to be a Veterinarian . She now attends a Vet Tech Program in college. Sarah wants to be a Photographer, and she's doing it too! She plans on furthering her career after high school. Both my girls are doing what THEY wanted! I pray they never ever lose sight of their dreams. They are talented women, and I know they are destined for great things.

So, isn't it our turn? Don't we deserve to live our dream, to love what we do, to live our purpose? I say HELL YES IT'S OUR TURN!! So what are we waiting for? What are you allowing to stand in your way? People, places and things have no power over us. No matter what we've been told. We are ALL destined for great things! It's time we stood up for the child inside us, and allowed the dreams to come forward. If we dream it, it will come!

Knowing our thoughts create our destiny, why would you ever want to listen to the negative voices, others or your own. The joyful people I know today, surround themselves in positive light. They live their dreams, they live each day with purpose. The negative people I know, work 9-5 in jobs they hate, with people they hate, and begin to hate themselves. JUST STOP IT! If working 9-5 is what fires you up, then embrace it. Love it! But if you find yourself sitting in solitary confinement, it's time to reach for the key my friend. We are not promised tomorrow, don't waist another second in your personal prison.

Parents, lets empower our kids. Show them it's a beautiful thing to dream, and if they build it, it will come. Encourage them to fear nothing, and to believe in themselves.

For me, I'm putting my money where my mouth is...I'm moving forward with my writing dream. Can't wait to send my first book to my 11^th Grade English teacher. It's never too late!

Blessing,

Mare