The Lesson of Hope Excerpt
As a coach, author, speaker, singer, artist, consultant, radio host and Reiki Master, I share hope, possibilities and empowerment with the world. I help people who are stuck in the "hamster wheel" approach to life. Trapped by fear and the mistaken belief that busy-ness is the same as purpose, they can’t stand the way they’re living, but feel powerless to stop. For many years, their story was my story. And it may be your story as well.
The short version is that too many years “on the wheel” resulted in utter exhaustion and despair. I was the classic Type A over-achiever. Over time, my resumé looked like an ad for Who’s Who: Full scholarship to a private liberal arts college. Graduated summa cum laude in three years. Made partner in an international consulting firm at age 30. Eventually served as a senior partner in four of the world’s largest and most prestigious global professional services firms.
That probably sounds great—until you understand the price I paid. Anorexic and ulcer ridden at age 19. Followed by decades of working non-stop with little attention to my personal health and welfare. In the final years of my consulting career, morbid obesity and profound depression defeated me daily. I retired, feeling disillusioned, disconnected and betrayed by the very life I’d created.
Yet today, in my late 50s, I find myself in the best health of my entire life. While I still have ups and downs, my days are permeated with deep peace, lasting joy and meaningful relationships. This transformation is the result of a Journey to Wholeness that began in 2005. Including a sustained 80 pound weight loss and freedom from a 10-year bout of debilitating chronic depression.
Losing that weight, and keeping it off, is the part of the story that many people respect and even envy. But that's just the tip of the iceberg. Once I saw that excess body weight is often just a symbol for excess internal weight, I realized it's not primarily about losing body fat. It’s about caring enough for myself to create an environment in which I nurture all aspects of my life.
Where did this insight take me? Over a period of two years, I shifted from taking good care of myself to falling in love with myself. And when I fell in love with myself, everything else in my life finally fell into place.
The transformation was profound: no longer a hamster trapped on a wheel, I became a vibrant, joyful, fully engaged woman. And so the journey that began with transforming my own life shifted very naturally into meaningful work as a Life Coach, through which I help others discover that health, peace and joy are possible for them as well. Because if it's possible for me, it's possible for anyone.
Interested in exploring the complete lesson and others based on my book, Choose Your Energy: Change Your Life! (Hay House/Balboa Press 2013)? Click the FREE download link below.
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Every day, people just like you are moving forward into lives they love. By exploring their stories and the lessons they have learned, you can apply the same powerful insights to bring about the changes that will move you forward into the life you dream of.
Congratulations on making this important commitment to yourself. You’re worth the effort!
Click here to return to the books excerpts page to enjoy other sneak previews and download additional FREE workbooks based on my book. Every day, people just like you are moving forward into lives they love. By exploring their stories and the lessons they have learned, you can apply the same powerful insights to bring about the changes that will move you forward into the life you dream of.
For more insights into
everyday approaches to
loving yourself, read
The Art of Extreme Self-Care
by Cheryl Richardson.