In the midst of challenges, love shines the brightest
It's time for me to send out another newsletter, and I've been struggling with what to share. I'm not sure what feels meaningful anymore, what's worth the time, or what might be valuable. I returned to New York from Los Angeles last Saturday, feeling a mix of emptiness and anxiety. My sister's chemo treatment, which we affectionately refer to as "Miracle Juice Injections," began two weeks ago. While the injections went relatively smoothly, the days that followed were challenging.
Seeing a loved one in so much pain is indescribable. You can't prepare for how helpless you'll feel or how much you wish you could make it all go away. Two days before her treatment, the doctor found more cancer – a fast-growing tumor in her pelvis and a possible spread to her right lung. On the morning of her treatment, her doctor revealed that her cancer is due to a genetic disorder. She then turned to me, and as our eyes locked, the rest of the room blurred like an out-of-focus camera. "You and your brother need to get tested too," she instructed.
One thing that I know for sure amidst all this chaos, frustration, mourning, and pain is that I've never felt more love, support, or acceptance for my sister. That's all I feel and want to feel. No more fights, misunderstandings, or miscommunications that keep us from talking for long periods. All I want is to give her love and support for who she is and what she wants. As I write these words, it dawns on me why this path of love feels so important and meaningful. It's also the relationship I strive to have with myself.
So you can probably understand why promoting a new program might not be at the forefront of my mind. What has been happening, though, is that I find myself taking a deeper look at what I want, who I want to work with, and what I want to let go of. It has also caused me to reevaluate the way I work. I've made a decision to work with only 8 one-on-one clients a week moving forward. This will allow me to dedicate more time and space to show up for them in bigger and better ways and support them even more fully.
I'm opening up two one-on-one spots this January for my year-long program, Catalyst. Click here to learn more and start the enrollment process.
Here are some tips on how you too can use adversity to find clarity
Embrace Vulnerability: Understand that it's okay to feel vulnerable during challenging times. Accept your emotions and allow yourself to experience them fully.
Seek Support: Reach out to loved ones for support, just as you did for your sister. Talking about your challenges and feelings with others can provide clarity, as it allows you to gain different perspectives and insights.
Reflect on Your Values: Use adversity as an opportunity to reflect on your values and what truly matters to you. This reflection can help you gain clarity on your priorities and goals.
Practice Self-Compassion: Treat yourself with kindness and self-compassion during tough times. Be as supportive and understanding to yourself as you are to your loved ones. This self-love can lead to clarity in understanding your needs and desires.
Learn from the Experience: View adversity as a teacher. What lessons can you learn from these challenges? How can they lead to personal growth and a clearer sense of self?
Set Boundaries: Protect your time and energy to focus on what truly matters. This can lead to greater clarity in decision-making.
Practice Mindfulness: Engage in mindfulness practices such as meditation and deep breathing. These techniques can help you stay present in the moment, reducing anxiety and fostering mental clarity.
Journal Your Thoughts: Keep a journal to express your feelings and thoughts. This process can provide insight and clarity into your emotions, allowing you to better understand and process them.
Find Meaning in Adversity: Seek meaning in the challenges you face. Sometimes, adversity can lead to a deeper understanding of your purpose and values.
Set Clear Goals: Set clear and achievable goals for your own personal growth journey. Having clear objectives can provide a sense of direction and purpose during adversity.