Got Hope?

I’ve had a rough week. It started high last Thursday. After months of trying and years of dreaming, I was overjoyed at finding out I was pregnant for the first time. It ended low today, after the nurse midwife told me I most likely miscarried already but they won’t know for sure until next week when they can do an ultrasound. I asked, “Is there any hope that I am still pregnant? Any hope that the baby is okay?” She said, “I don’t want to give you hope. I can’t say you won’t have a miracle baby, but most likely, no.”

When I returned to our apartment complex I decided to take the elevator. I walk up the 4 flights of stairs 95% of the time, but I was so emotionally and physically drained, I didn’t have it in me. When the elevator doors opened, the first thing I saw through the glass wall was a bumper sticker on the car in front of me. Got hope? it read.

No, I thought. No hope. But that is not true. Even as I read it, I thought, “Is this a sign?” During this past week, I kept looking for signs from from the Universe that everything was going to be okay. When I had my blood drawn on Monday to see if hormones indicated the pregnancy was progressing, the kind woman hugged me and told me her daughter bled throughout her pregnancy and had a healthy boy. Today when I got my blood drawn again, I noticed the phlebotomist’s last name was Sellers. My maiden name. I can’t remember meeting someone (outside of my family) with that last name before. He also hugged me because of my tears.

I’ve had signs this week that all will be okay. Maybe there’s not too much hope left for this pregnancy, but hope is growing inside me for a future one. And even though I don’t want to admit it to myself, I am still holding out for a miracle.

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Postscript: I know a lot of people don’t let others know they are pregnant right away because of the risk of miscarriage in the first trimester. I just couldn’t help myself, I was so excited. I respect other people’s decision to stay private, but looking back, I wouldn’t change a thing. This is me. I am an open book (much to my extremely private husband’s chagrin.) Life is ups and downs, tears and jumps of joy. I went through the whole roller coaster in the past 7 days. Through the drama, I got closer to those I shared this experience with. I want to thank them all (including the 2 hugging phlebotomists) for their support. I am grateful I am on the ride with such wonderful people.

Dare to Commit. Take a bold step.

My wonderful friend, Kristen, posted the following quote on her Facebook profile today:

"Until I commit myself, there's a hesitancy- a chance to draw back. But the moment I commit myself, then God moves also and a whole stream of events erupt." John Maxwell

I hadn't heard that quote before but I love it. It reminds me of a favorite quote of mine by Cheryl Richardson: "If there's one thing I know for sure, it's that when we combine Divine Timing with action steps that honor our soul, things often fall into place. If you're willing to take a bold move toward something you dream about, there's a good chance that the Universe will rise up to support your efforts. And with the power of grace behind you, there's no telling what might happen!"

I challenge you to ask yourself, "What am I holding back from the world? What do I dream about but have not yet dared to commit to?" I believe we all have gifts to give this world and the world would be a better place if we each took that bold step forward. Go ahead, take a leap.

Let our growing community know what leap you dream about taking and what is holding you back. Or, tell us about a leap you took in the past when the Universe rose up to support you. I'm loving your comments- keep them coming!

Messages from the Great Beyond (Part 2)

In my last post I told you about my serendipitous week. Here is event #2:

Last Thursday I received a text from my friend, Amber, who was having lunch in my neighborhood. I was planning to walk to the library, but decided I would ask her if she wanted to stop by instead so we could catch up. We had a great heart-to-heart talk and then she was on her way out. Suddenly she yelled, “I have been looking all over town for this book! I need it for my book club and it is checked out of all of the public libraries. I was about to give in and buy it.”

The night before I put my 4 library books in a stack on the kitchen counter, in anticipation of the walk I was planning to make in the morning. The walk I didn’t take because she texted me. The book she had been looking for over a week, Unaccustomed Earth by Jhumpa Lahiri, was sitting right on my kitchen counter.

We promptly went to the library. I returned the book and she checked it out.

I chalk it up to another sign from the Great Beyond that most of our worry is futile. We get what we truly need when we truly need it. It was also another great example of being in the right place at exactly the right time.

Do you have any serendipitous events to share? Please add them in the comments. I would love to hear them and maybe post them in a future blog.

Messages from the Great Beyond (Part 1)

I love serendipity and I don’t believe in coincidence.  I believe serendipitous events are messages from a Higher Power (call it what you like: God, the Universe, Her Highness).  These messages tell us there is some order to things and we don’t need to worry quite so much.  I have been worrying about the same thing for a few months now, so I was delighted to have TWO serendipitous events happen last week.  I am sure someone out there is trying to tell me I am in the right place at the right time and with a bit of patience and faith, all will be well.  I am hearing the message, Universe.  I need to let go.  Now, since I am sharing it with the whole wide world, can it maybe happen a bit sooner? 

Here is event #1: 

Last Saturday my husband and I were walking around our downtown neighborhood after our couples massage (before you are tempted to think we live an extravagant lifestyle, I will tell you we don’t own a car, which is why we were walking).  We decided to go into a vintage shop that I like.  My last purchase there was a Clumsy Smurf glass. (Remember the glasses that used to come in fast food kid’s meals?)  The glass cost me $3.00 and has brought me joy each time I use it.  Anyway, this store is pretty large (2 floors), so while my husband checks out the vintage Playboy magazines and classic vinyl records, I just skim over the merchandise and see if there is anything new.  Downstairs I noticed a box of about 60 vintage postcards.  I pulled one out and looked at it.  Then pulled out another and turned it over.  This card had writing on it.  Whoa!  The postcard was mailed in 1906 to Walnut Street in Lancaster, PA.  My hometown!  I know that street!  Of all the stores in all of Atlanta, in all the postcards in the box, I found this one.  Somehow, 103 years after it was postmarked, this card traveled 748 miles to reach me.  Such serendipity.  I said, “It’s a sign!”  My husband said, “If you think it's a sign we should move to Lancaster, we have a problem.”  Men.  

Compassionate Awareness

If you are following this blog because you want to make some positive changes in your life, you have come to the right place.  Today I will share the first and most important step to successful behavior change.  Are you ready?   Drum roll please.......

It’s compassionate awareness.  Were you expecting something more flashy?  

Here’s the deal: you cannot change what you do not fully acknowledge.  A lot of people come to me because they want to eat better, lose weight, or have less stress.  When I ask some basic questions, a problem becomes apparent.  They are not fully aware of all they eat, why they eat, and what they do to manage their stress.  I highly recommend you monitor the behavior you want to change (writing it down is usually best.)  It is important to do so in a non-judgmental way.  Judgement usually leads to guilt which often leads to more of the behavior you want to change.  Don’t even try to make changes at first.  Just be aware of them.  I think you will be amazed at what happens next.  

Come Bloom Along with Me

As I mentioned in blog entry numero uno, I’m going to use this blog to get you thinking about how you nourish yourself.  I’ll give you tips and have guest bloggers share their wisdom as well.  I plan to make this blog as inspirational and motivational as possible.  We’ll get crafty on occasion too so get your colored pencils, scissors, and glue sticks ready!  I love quotes and questions so I’ll be providing those to challenge you to examine your relationship with food, your body, and your self.  

Come bloom along with me, the best is yet to be.  

Hello World!

Today is the first day of my blog, Nourish. Create. Bloom.  I am honored that you found your way here and are reading my words.  

I love the word nourish.  Of course, I am a dietitian, but I think nourishment is about a lot more than eating well.  We nourish ourselves with loving thoughts, guilt-free self care, gentle movement, positive relationships, and lots of laughter, just to name a few.  And creativity!  Being creative is so therapeutic.  It stimulates the right side of our brains and gives us a break from our analytical selves.  What feeds the soul more than playing with glitter?  The thing is, most of the women that I work with in my nutrition and wellness coaching business are not nourishing themselves with all the great stuff I mentioned above.  Not enough nourishment leads to a wilted flower.  I am hoping this blog motivates women to make their nourishment a priority.  After all, that’s what allows us to grow and bloom into our beautiful and radiant selves.  And what could be a better gift to give to the world?