As I approach my 12-year anniversary since undergoing heart surgery at the age of 44, I find myself reflecting on the journey that has shaped me into the person I am today. It's a journey marked by determination, fear, joy, and the unwavering support of those around me.
Let me take you back to that pivotal moment in my life. The fear was palpable as I faced the unknowns of surgery and the uncertain future that lay ahead. But through it all, there was a flicker of determination burning within me – a determination to overcome this obstacle and emerge stronger on the other side.
The road to recovery was not easy. There were setbacks and challenges along the way, both physical and emotional. The fear of relapse often loomed large, a constant companion reminding me of the fragility of life. But through it all, I refused to let fear dictate my actions. Instead, I chose to embrace life with renewed vigor, cherishing every moment and pushing myself to new limits.
One of the greatest sources of joy in my life has been my love for the outdoors. There's something about the crisp mountain air and the rugged terrain that fills me with energy and vitality. Whether it's hiking through dense forests or scaling rocky peaks, being in nature rejuvenates my spirit like nothing else. It's here, surrounded by the beauty of the natural world, that I find solace and strength to face life's challenges head-on.
But perhaps what has truly sustained me through the ups and downs of my journey is the unwavering support of those around me. From family and friends to healthcare professionals and fellow adventurers, their encouragement and belief in me have been a constant source of inspiration. They see me not as a patient or a survivor, but as their physical explorer equal – capable of conquering any obstacle that comes my way.
Of course, my battle doesn't end with my heart surgery. Living with diabetes adds another layer of complexity to my journey, requiring constant vigilance and self-care. There are days when I feel like I'm fighting against my own body, struggling to keep my blood sugar levels in check and maintain a healthy lifestyle. But even in those moments of doubt and frustration, I remind myself of how far I've come and the countless obstacles I've already overcome.
At the heart of it all, my journey is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit. It's a reminder that no matter how daunting the challenges we face, we possess an inner strength that can carry us through even the darkest of times. As I look back on the past 12 years, I am filled with gratitude for the experiences that have shaped me and the people who have stood by my side every step of the way. And as I look ahead to the future, I do so with renewed determination and a heart full of hope.
JHB a life explorer!
See you again soon!
The Third belief is to achieve balance. To feel the feeling of balance, My Goal is for my mind, body and spirit is working in a very symbiotic way, even if it is for nanosecond, because I know that life is movement and the push and pull of movement will always create an imbalance in life, so I want to be aware enough to enjoy that nanosecond of balance and know when I need to tweak it to regain my balance. To take inventory of those moments of balance in my soul and remember it.November 31, 2011, I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. So not being awake, I blindly was not paying attention to what I was eating and drinking. My blindness and fear were killing my body, I had develop Type 2 diabetes, like my father and mother and maybe even my grandmother on both sides of my family, so after my diagnose I knew that I need to drop some serious weight. I choose life, so I searched the internet and read so many different books and articles, advertisements you name it I read it. My many google searches for example "How to cure diabetes?" "Can I reverse diabetes?"just to name a few. So after my reading I realized to achieve success I would have to FOREVER change my diet, add movement such as walking, running the gym and yoga but most of I want to play outside in god's playground. I want to LIVE!I want to thrive! The old saying of everything in moderation is complete bullshit, that's a lie that I told myself. With my predisposition for diabetes, guess what? The reality is sugar does't work for me! So I went cold turkey and started following "the Diabetic Solution" by Dr. Bernstein's book and I starred seeing immediate results. I started taking my Blood Sugars 3 times a day everyday! I still do at least twice a day. Now 4 plus years later my BS are normal and I'm at healthy and a good strong weight(which I work very hard to keep). My phiolosphy of Courage Endures was starting to form! Movement of the mind, to make decision has become the fuel of my core beliefs. My body started wanting to move and was able to move more and for longer. My soul was moving starting to move, i started reading Lama Surya Das's book and well as Thich Nhat Hanh's books. I like their books because it gave me the power to say "NO" and mean it. With help from my family and friends who helped me so much in overcoming the idea that I was a going to be fat forever and die soon. I also accept and understand this life is a marathon and I will fight for my life and I will work hard to be the best I can be, because that juice is worth the squeeze. My happiness starts with movement of the mind and movement of the body, so decision made!The hard part is to have courage and to demonstrate an enduring form of courage that will power me into the future on a daily basis. The act of seeking courage is so important to me, so while Andrea and I were dating she would often engage me in some beautiful conversations, she would ask my questions about what I believed in and my she would ask me about my own living philosophy, that she has been witnessing me trying to deploy. So I was talking with her and we were discussing Courage and how choices are made...I said basically, you either choose to live or you choose to not live. I had chosen in the past not to live honestly with who I am and who wanted to be, then in a moment of being able to clearly express my thoughts to her about life, death and courage I said this: which is with me everyday of my life and I mean it. (Andrea wrote this down) 