It's OK to Fall Down

Each day we are given the choice to experience events that offer significance and potential to further grow, evolve and develop within our higher selves. I need reminding now and again but the more I practice using my internal compass, the easier the events— to experience— manifest.



My methods of teaching, guiding, and of planting the seeds are by telling stories —based on examples from events in my life— in hopes of depicting it in such a way that my audience will relate on a personal level and learn to apply “the lessons” in their own life and in their own unique way. This reminds me of something that happened recently on a Saturday. I woke up that day and began to think of all the things I needed to do and began to prioritize. My first thought was to bring my dog to the dog park in the woods and that it would be nice if perhaps my niece and her dog joined us. I needed to get a few things from a Trader Joe’s that sells wine— to bring to a family event the following day— and I needed to walk my dog because we both needed exercise and fresh air. And while there was much, much more I should have/could have done, I made the decision that I would not allow myself to create a strict agenda and would remain flexible and open to go with the flow.


On the drive to pick up my niece it occurred to me that the Trader Joe’s on Memorial Drive in Cambridge sells wine and is located across the street from the Charles River. I much prefer to walk along the water so I went with the flow and changed up my itinerary.

As niece and I were walking our dogs along the Charles River I suddenly caught an uneven patch of the pavement in such a way that I could not stop myself from falling down. What surprised me is not that I fell— or the fact that I basically did a somersault—but that I sprung up so fast and so effortlessly. In the past this sort of thing might have taken days, weeks, or months of cultivation to resonate but the meaning/ lesson from this one came to me the very instant I sprung to my feet.


I explained to my niece who— at the time was very concerned by my fall— that I was not only fine, but I was wonderful!! There are times when we will fall and it will take a while to get back on our feet. There will be times when we need to ask for assistance in getting back on our feet. The bottom line is that we are all going to fall from time to time and it’s all up to us to get up. It’s up to us to know how to get back on our feet on track and to ask for help if we need it. While it may be scary at times, the more we do — the more we fall—the more we experience and the easier it becomes. Eventually our subsequent falls will barely leave a mark. Perhaps they will finally receive the recognition they deserve. After all, they exist to help us. They serve a purpose!

When we “get it”— the reason/purpose/lesson— it’s always in hindsight. What I’m discovering is that, for me, the turnaround time—between an experience and the lessons contained within them—has decreased so significantly that it sometimes creates feelings of an endorphin high. Bonus! I’ve reached the point where I am able to quickly recognize and decipher significant clues for my evolution— and with little effort. And now, almost every day I am flooded with such unique experiences that all contain a wealth of wisdom. I feel wealthy! I feel high on life. This one tiny experience contained significance for me and served as validation of how far I’ve come and as a reminder of all the work I did to get here.

Discovering your internal compass— and learning how to use it— will lead you where you need to be.

Happy Cancerversary to me!

While in traffic the other day, a beautiful blue vehicle caught my eye. To my surprise and delight, the name of the vehicle was Compass. This word has such significant meaning to me and my existence and it seems to appear at key moments. I’ve always had a great sense of direction when it came to driving but I discovered that it goes far deeper than navigating streets, freeways and interstates. My internal compass has, essentially, saved my life.



Today marks my nine year anniversary from my diagnosis of a — very rare and difficult to treat— form of cancer known as Angiosarcoma, which is reported to have five year survival rate of 20%. Next month will mark twelve years since my diagnosis of Breast Cancer and Melanoma.


I am no stranger to cancer or many other forms of adversity and I’m often asked how I survived. There’s no easy answer to this question. The very thing that tried to kill me in fact saved me and redirected me to the path (I veered from on more than one occasion)—and purpose of my existence.


Since I was a little girl, I’ve always been someone who wanted to be of service to others and make a difference in this world. At some point, after completing my treatments, I decided I needed to write a book. Why do survivors feel the need to write a book? Is it coincidence that most of the people who have tremendous passion and advocate for a variety of causes are those who have overcome extreme adversity? What did these people discover on their journey that they might not have, if not for their being forced into the face of said adversity? Does illness, trauma, tragedy all contain potential to lead us to transformation or do they manifest for the sole (SOUL) purpose of direction? Do they serve a purpose and can we learn from them? -Yes!


Would we learn the lessons contained within these experiences without them?


I had to learn everything the hard way but what I’ve come to discover is: when all is said and done, it’s really not so hard at all, in fact it all boils down to fundamental basics and learning to use our internal compass.


I shall continue: Writing my book and blog, being a volunteer at the hospital giving Reiki to patients, advocating for my many passions, being there for all who seek my help and seeking ways to best utilize my potential.


Wisdom may come with age but begs to be sought.


Today—like every day—I celebrate life by giving back and paying it forward with hope that I’ve made a positive impact on others. I might just indulge and dream about owning a blue Jeep Compass with a moon roof too!