How to Begin Again? First New Steps.

Dear Subscribers, 

This is a new step for me, back from the brink. Maybe you need a new step too?
I was slowly shutting down. A few years ago I began to have more and more trouble breathing. Then came the dreaded diagnosis -- emphysema. I saw my mother and an aunt slowly suffocate from it. I knew I had a lot of work to do to avoid despair, panic, depression.

I've had arthritis since my 30's -- all over, with bone spurs springing up like mushrooms. The combo left me so short of breath that I could only walk about half a block before I had to stop to catch my breath -- with joints on fire.

Grateful for the work I've done on myself and with others for decades, I managed to find peace most of the time. But since I didn't know what I could count on my body for, I stopped planning seminars and most travel. My gaze turned inward, the outer world grew smaller. I didn't feel as if I had much to share that would help anyone but me.


But wait! After the third respiratory specialist fires me for refusing to go on oxygen, I ask my family physician if there is a definitive test for emphysema. You betcha, a CAT Scan.  The results come in on my birthday, three years ago, No Sign of emphysema! The best birthday present ever .Off the drugs, on with life. My breathing slowly improves. But now my knees begin to give out. The left one locking in oddly bent positions, so on March 30 I got a new one. Amazing. Here I am a few days after surgery.

In the middle, there's this cataract surgery, but enough is enough! So what's this got to do with you? I promised useful info, not a litany of my troubles.

At some point, we all have to begin again in recovery, from the loss of a loved one, an addiction, a divorce, getting fired, release from prison, the military, a death sentence. Sooner or later we all have to make some kind of new start. Daunting?

I turn to a quote from my own recovery book, Travelling Free, info: http://amzn.com/1878639048  "If we want to change our lives, all we have to do is turn, perhaps ever so slightly and take the very next step in a new direction. It's never, ever too late to change course and follow our dreams."

• Tell my dear subscriber list, "I value our connection; this is why it's been so long since you heard from me."
• Equalize the focus on the well-being of self and others -- from mostly fixed on others
• Accept new coaching clients
• Walk or do water aerobics and the dang knee exercises
• Have a really good time

Time for you to set out I a new direction? Cheering you on to inspired first steps.

With love and thanks,

Mandy