My Life's Journey just took a sharp Left Turn.......

My husband never goes to the doctor, but he went for a complete physical last week for the first time in 5 years. What prompted him into making this appointment was his not getting over a bout with bronchitis, loosing about 20 pounds (without trying) and a few other issues.

The "call" came from the doctor's office yesterday with his test results. He has Type 2 Diabetes. We will be going back next week to start him on meds; be given a glucose meter, nutritional advice, and whatever else necessary to start our new journey. He's in a bit of denial, which is quite understandable. I am not surprised, given that fact that I myself had gestational diabetes while carrying my children and my dad has Type 2 Diabetes. I just had a "feeling", which I brought up to him before the test results came in. He told me that I was crazy because as far as he knew, no one in his family has ever had this disease. Well, now they do.

I must share with you, dear reader, just a bit of my history. After having my kids (in my thirties) and being on the heavy side (to be kind), the doctors told me to watch my weight and to quit smoking because I was in the high risk category for getting Diabetes in my forties. I have since taken off all the weight needed and have maintained my size for many years now. I have done this by completely changing my eating habits (which I will go into more depth in another post).

Simply stated, I do no eat anything out of a box (except pasta on occasion). No processed foods and the more veggies the better. My carbohydrate intake is quite low, yet I just about drink extra virgin olive oil. In a nut shell, I've been eating like a diabetic for many years now. As for the smoking, well, let's just say, that's all gonna change for the better.

My husband also smoked, until this morning. When he got home from work last night and after our long talk with each other and then with our children, I put into motion his new diet regimen. I did not want to wait for his appointment next week because his AC1 number what very very high as was his fasting glucose level.

This morning, I sent him off with 2 hard boiled eggs for breakfast to replace his 2 daily donuts (he simply loves sweets). I also placed small healthy meals in his lunch bag and off he went, leaving behind his newly purchased carton of "smokes" on the kitchen table.

Now, there are a couple of ways in which you can "go" when life goes left. We could wallow, worry, and steep ourselves in self pity and despair. Or, we could do just the opposite and change directions from left to right, having the attitude that this new adversity presented to us will be looked upon as a gift of sorts. A reason to make life changes for the better. I have chosen to take control behind the wheel of misfortune and make a sharp right turn!

In doing so, these adverse circumstances will allow us all (the four of us) to live a happier and hopefully healthier lifestyle for the following reasons:

1. Better food choices for all! Remember, now my children have a grandfather, father (and a mother on the edge) with Type 2 Diabetes.

2. More exercise! This, I am not too thrilled with, as I am not too fond of the "E" word. Even though we have a complete gym downstairs (which with recent guidance from my dad on his last visit, my son, has become quite happy to do) and my daughter has her own gym membership at the local gym. Now to get me and my husband in gear, the slugs that we are.

3. More doctor visits for my husband and I! Yes, I'm gonna have to bite the bullet myself and start going for regular yearly physicals. My husband will unfortunately have to make routine visits for the rest of his life.

4. Quitting smoking! Let me first just say that we do not smoke all over the house. It's either an outside "job" or in the store room in the basement. I hate the smell of smoke and have never wanted my kids constantly surrounded by it's toxins. This being said, I will be struggling. I am hoping to get some kind of RX in order to help aid me through this eminent and most difficult personal/physical journey.

I share this recent event with you, dear reader, in order to hopefully assist you with your own physical/medical adversities at this time. You are not alone.. Please know that this is not the first, the worst, nor the last one I expect to have in my life here on earth. I wanted to show to you how and why I have decided to deal with this issue in the here and now. I also wanted to set a personal example of how I try to approach adversity.

Please walk with me in this decision to make that left turn right. To seek hope into what the future may bring and to have peace of mind in knowing we've made the "right" choices and the strength to make it through.

Questioning Everything and Everyone....Go ahead, It's OK!

I've always had a bit of an issue with "authority", in every aspect of the word. No, I'm not disrespectful (quite the opposite) nor have I ever been. I easily find myself questioning those around me, in whatever capacity, as to what information I am being fed, at any given time, by whatever the source. I question things around me and search for answers that feel right. Answers that are logical, concise, and make clear sense to me.

It does not matter from who,what or even where I get the information I require. If it does not smell right, I will ask. I have no problem questioning anyone in any position or occupation. I do not care about the degrees held or the position appointed. These things do not intimidate me on any level.

I prefer to make choices that I feel are best suited for me and my family and, in order to do so open and honestly, I refuse to just take someone's word for things if it does not feel right. I have learned to not be manipulated into believing in things just because they are either written, spoken, or televised for that matter. I require all points of reference.

I know what it is like to put trust in others who should know better only to have find out (many many years later) that this trust was manipulated and, in turn, distorted my view. Coming full circle (I will discuss "circles" very soon), I see that my natural instinct to question has always been most true to me.

I share this view with you, dear reader, so that you will allow yourself to question those around you. To not believe in things (whatever they may be) just because you are told so. Just because you've read it some where, and so on. Anyone can write a book, preach a vision, or be a pundit on television.

I want you to be able to look at your world circumstances through a wider and more loving lens. To know that whatever it is that does not feel or seem right to you, it's more than acceptable to find the path that does suit you and the ones you love by questioning it. It's OK to question authority in all aspects. It OK to wonder why you've been doing certain things in your life that bring you no joy because you feel guilted into it by whatever force. It OK to ask "why".


You must allow yourself to inquire about all things in order to live a more peaceful and harmonious life. You know, in your heart and soul, what is right for you. You also know that you must always be true to yourself. As humans, the act of inquiry is most natural and necessary. Be true, be happy, and start asking yourself the most important questions.

"It's the end of the world as we know it" ...Time to take charge and close those doors!

Tomorrow, May 21, 2011 has some predicting The End of The World, The Rapture. I take none of that crazy talk seriously but it did get me thinking as to how we can all turn this around into something wonderful, positive, and empowering. I see an opportunity here to use this moment to reflect upon our lives with the purpose of closing the doors (in essence, ending the life) on some of the issues that have been annoying us, bothersome, and contributing to sleepless nights up until this point.

Why not choose to end these disturbances (kill them off) ourselves instead of waiting for them to dissipate as time goes on. Because, in some circumstances, by being completely honest with yourself, you know very well that that is not going to happen. We must try to become more proactive in our approach concerning these matters.

For instance, is there a relationship that is going absolutely nowhere, never will and/or is a great burden to you? Well then, close the door and end it. Is there a negative behavior that you posses knowing full well that is bothers and irritates others? Then, again, close the door and end it. Is there a project that has been nagging at you to finish? Do you feel that it is just too big to handle and it's keeping you up with worry at night? Go ahead, make plans to just get it over with, closing the door and ending it.

 By making these difficult decisions and following through, you will ultimately gain  the confidence needed to not allow these types of situations to enter or stay long into your life again. You will have the power to close the door and end it yourself. You will be the master of your own destiny. The commander and chief of your world. You will forever insist on being treated with respect and dignity, by being in control of how others interact with you. You will find yourself actually wanting to treat others with respect. With hard work and perseverance it could become your new second nature.

The ending of the world as you know it (in certain aspects in your life) will allow new doors to be opened. It will also breath new life into your outlook, and in turn, attract more positive energy to you with a bright and strong vibe leading they way.