5 year anniversary! Woo hoo!

So, it's August 30th. August 30th. A pretty big day for this gal. As you know, 5 years ago today was the day of my little "BIG" accident. Crazy how time flies.

I'm ready now to really grab my career/life by the horns and steer it towards that bright light I've seen at the end of my tunnel. I know, no matter how long this journey  will be, in the end everything will be ok, and here's why......

While I was in the hospital (Methodist Rehabilitation Center), I had a mini vacation. Hard to believe right? However, it happened. I can't remember how I got there, but I was suddenly transported to this place. It wasn't a beach, or a lake, but in front of me was this huge body of water. It was beautiful.
 The sun was low, and the water looked as if it was the suns personally mirror reflecting its image back perfectly. There was a man sitting next to me on my left. I never turned to see his face, but I could see him in my periphery. I had no desire to look at him because it was as if he was this old friend Id known forever that I just felt completely comfortable with. We were both sitting looking forward at this magnificent body of water. Then he spoke while still starring at the water.

"I have a message to sent out to the world."
"Ok"
"And I am going to do it through you"
"Ok"
" I choose you because I know you can handle it"
"Ok"
"Only, you'll never know what it is, and you never will"
"Ok"
"Now, you need to know, you have a long road ahead of you. It won't be easy. You'll go through a lot of ups and downs"
"Ok"
"But I PROMISE YOU, everything will be OK in the end"
"Ok"

And that was our conversation. Just the way I would want it. Short, to the point, but full of information, insight, and encouragement. Before I knew it, I was back in the hospital. The man was gone. No body of water anywhere, just the 4 walls around me and the television monitor connected to my bed.

I believe in a heaven and a hell. My relationship with God, is very special to me because its mine. That man was my God. He knew me, spoke my language, and gave me hope. After that, I've never seen him again since that day. But I don't need to ( I mean that of course in a good way).

My friends and family along with random strangers I've meet throughout my life are the best angles a girl can have. They know, as well the big guy upstairs knows, that Im not perfect. I have my flaws just like everyone else, and they still care and love me for it. That is so  rad!

So, Im here. 5 years and standing strong. I was told that I have a long road ahead of me and I best be walking on down it. I started on this path the day I realized I was alive, and trust me, there is absolutely no way I'm stopping now.

Thank you to everyone, and I mean EVERYONE who has been a cheerleader, a rock, a friend. You're part of this amazing story as much as I am. I truly love all of you and thank my lucky stars I have you in my court.

Today marks a huge milestone and a new beginning. Kids, my ticker is still running, and so am I :)

Nicole

Radio show pics and a little bonus

Told ya I'd put these bad boys up....

Bob Gallo - Radio DJ on Supertalk

About to go on air. Feeling pumped.

BONUS photo

I put up this bonus photo for a reason. In two more days it will be August 31. August 31, 2013 will mark 5 years since my accident. 5 years of my heart beating. I've been alive for 5 years after a pretty horrific accident. I've kept it up this far, so might as well just keep moving forward.

Nicole

Super Talk!

So yesterday was pretty cool. I was on SuperTalk MS Radio yesterday. Here is link to the program I was on:http://www.supertalk.fm/ . Not gonna lie, I think it went pretty well. No complaints on this end.

 Check out the behind the scenes: ( having difficulty with upload) pictures soon to come :)

Nicole

Expecting the unexpected

This morning at 8a.m  I'll be on MS Super Talk radio at 8a.m. I've done radio interviews before, but Im not gonna lie. I'm a little nervous. Which is not necessarily a bad thing. I had a professor once tell me, "it's good to have nerves. It's the minute you think you "have it", before you perform, well....that is the time when you need to worry the most". In other words, if you go into any situation thinking it will go perfect it usually doesn't. So, your nerves are a cushion to help you remain humble and up for anything. I may have paraphrased that a little incorrectly, but I think you guys get my drift.

"Expecting the unexpected". That is by far one of my favorite expressions, and something I preach often. Things happen, there is a hiccup in your plans, a delay on the way to an appointment , something gets canceled. The point is, sometimes things are out of our control. We can put such energy into expecting things going or happening a certain way, that when a monkey wrench is thrown into the equation, we're clueless as to what to do now. How will we go on? Well, not to worry. So there's a snag in your plans. Doesn't mean it will be a bad out come. That is unless you allow it to. Perhaps maybe whatever happened happened for some interesting reason.

I/we don't have a crystal ball, we can't tell the future, but we can embrace the "unexpected". I speak for myself when I say I embrace the unexpected. It's a reminder that things don't always go expected to plan. The main thing to know is that it isn't the end of the world when there is a ripple in our daily lives.

Breath, embrace, and carry on....

Nicole

Time passes...and before you know it, a new beginning emerges

Well, after seeing how long it's been since my last post, it feels right to write this.

On August 31,2013, it will be five years since my accident. Weird. It is an extremely odd feeling knowing that you almost left this world. That there could potentially have been no more watching the run rise, the sunset. No more laughing, crying, no more building memories to reflect back to, and the list goes on and on.....

But you guys, I'm here. Imagine that. Through some pretty horrific odds, I'm here. The past five years have definitely been interesting. My entire thought process has been "get better " and "got to find a job". There's a problem though. Just getting better and finding a job is not that easy. Especially when your clueless as to what direction your life is going in now. Especially after a major, never saw it coming, accident.

I sorta had this life plan. Then the accident happened and everything changed. The life plan I had was altered. There had to be a new plan. A new goal. My heart was beating, so I knew that life wasn't over yet. It was now going to begin in an entirely different way. A new chapter.

So, the last five years have been trial and error. What can my body do, what can't it do (yet), what things need work in order to function properly, and what was I gonna do now? That's when public/motivational speaking flew in. It was up my alley. Think about it. I'm still performing, Im on a stage, only this time I'm playing myself. Easier said then done sometimes.

My life has been moving on this up and down roller coaster with no stops or place to pull into. Yet, that's all about to change. This gal is about to embark on a new adventure. The adventure I've been searching for and just couldn't find. But things are starting to become clearer. I've done the hard part. I worked on getting better and I still continue that. Though Im not in physical therapy as frequently, I'm still working towards my recovery. My body gets stronger everyday. Things are starting to wake up slowly more and more.

The hospital days are a thing of the past. Now the challenges of creating a new me, a new life is at the top of my list. Once again, I'm making progress.

I'm sharing this with you because I want/need you to come on this adventure with me. Good or bad, we'll definitely see. Plus, it makes things more exciting. You know......... venturing into the unknown with guns just a blazing? That's me, only my guns are the confidence Im striving for every day :)

So, I welcome you, the year, and every bump along the way to take a deep breath. We've made it this far. Might as well just keep moving forward :)




Nicole

Simple words huge impact

There is much to be said about the simplicity of things. Such as words. I'm not talking about words you spout  out during an argument, or when you see something or someone that triggers a one word response just due to how you feel about it.   I'm talking about the simple word or words that we forget to use sometimes in our daily lives. The ones that are so simple yet can have such a huge impact. Words as simple as "Please" and "Thank you", and that's just an example. Think about any word or words that have been said  to you, positive ones, that really impacted you. Now, knowing how good that made you feel, think how it would make someone else feel coming from you. They'll get to experience that good feeling you have. Sharing the wealth (experience), is nice.

However, don't do it only to pride yourself , for example "look what I did. I'm a good person". Do it out of sincerity. Because you did it from your heart.

Every kind deed done is a ripple in the sea life. Hence, you never know what kind of day a person is having or what they may be experiencing in their life.  By one simple kind gesture/word you have the opportunity to change the out come of someone's whole day, and in some rare instances their life.

When I was working in different theaters here and there, the best piece of advice I received when working with my fellow colleges was, no matter what is going on the two best words to always use were, please and thank you.  Little did I know how powerful that advise would be.   These two words are just a small example of the kindness we can share with others in the form of verbal expression.  It is important to remember that you should incorporate those and others into every situation.  So throw the pebble let the ripples begin...

Nicole

Sound the trumpet

ATTENTION! ATTENTION! So summer is still here, and many of us are adjusting back into our regular routines. Some of us are embarking  into school mode, some are getting back into the work force and sitting behind a desk, others have and are still working non stop. For them this is just another season change.

Change is an interesting word isn't it. So I ask you this, "would you say we change or do we evolve?" Personally I like the thought of evolving. You're still yourself with a little added bonus as time goes by. Not only are you adapting and over coming but making additions to one's self. Usually around this time our lives really start getting into the swing of things. The end of summer and a new work year on the horizon. This is short because I want you to think....is this the year I change or do I choose to evolve. Ultimately the ball is in your court. So choose wisely.
Nicole