The Joys In Life

Being able to drive again has given me so much appreciation for so many of the things we take for granted everyday. Not just being able to go to the grocery store by myself, or drive my kids to school. There are things like taking my daughter to dance and watching her do what she loves. Driving to my kids' school and helping in their classrooms, something I wouldn't be able to do if I couldn't drive. Watching my son play football on the playground this morning with pure joy on his face, I drove out of the parking lot with tears streaming down my cheeks. I was actually able to drive to the store and buy an anniversary card for my wonderful husband. There are so many things that I couldn't do before, and my eyes have been opened to the little joys in life. They are present every day. You just have to open your eyes to see them.

Give Them All You've Got!

I started volunteering in both of my kids' classes this week. In both of the classes, I got to sit with kids and have them read to me, making notes on fluency, comprehension, etc. The difference in abilities among the students is staggering! You can definitely tell which kids are read to and which aren't! One of the kids (who was struggling) told me point blank, "I don't like to read, I like to play video games!". Here lies the problem. Our society has lost focus on the fundamentally important things in life. Yes, our kids need to be kids. But we can't lose focus on teaching them the basic skills they need to succeed in life. Turn off the TV for 30 minutes and sit down with your child and a book. We owe it to them to give them all we've got!

Get out there and meet people!

Last night I went to a networking event for local businesswomen and it was fantastic! There's nothing like being surrounded by women who are confident, talented, and willing to both listen and share about business. I met so many new people and was blessed to share the Trump Network with each of them. If you are a businesswoman (or man) you should try to find a group like this. Surround yourself with like-minded people who are just as determined as you are to succeed, regardless of the economy. It will not only make a difference in your business, but in your daily life as well. The key: GET OUT THERE AND MEET PEOPLE!

Take Control!

I have discovered over the past 2 years, in my struggles with my health (and the complications that come along with it) that I have to take control of my own destiny. I have listened to so many people talk about the terrible economy and how bad things are and it finally hit me, I don't want to be one of those people! I have begun the practice of beginning and ending every day by reading a positive goal card. Wow, what a huge difference that makes! By giving thanks for the blessings in my life and reminding myself of the goals I want to attain, I start my day with a positive outlook that can only be soured by my own accord. I saw my epilepsy doctor last week and she said she has never seen me so vibrant. The bottom line? Take control of your life and don't let others bring you down. It will make a huge difference, it has for me!

Keep Your Eyes and Your Heart Open!

Love comes to you when you least expect it. At my last visit with my epilepsy specialist, I noticed a flyer for the Denver "Strides for Epilepsy" event. I came home and looked it up. The Epilepsy Colorado foundation has a walk/run event to benefit epilepsy every year. I immediately signed up and formed my team, "Jammin' For Jen". I emailed the information to all of my friends and family. This was a huge step for me. I have had a hard time coming to grips with the fact that I am an epileptic. It has been a tough year and a half, and I still had this tinge of hope that it would all just go away. (My last hospital stay woke me up from that dream!) I wasn't expecting a huge response to my email, I was sending it more as a step for myself, to let the people in my life know that I am planning on standing up for people who suffer just like I do. I got an incredible response. My friends and family donated over $1300.00 to my team! Wow! Talk about an overwhelming surprise. My eyes and my heart were both opened to the people who love me and care about what we have been through this past year.
Then, on the day of the event, (mid-June, I might add), a huge rain storm was upon us. I was certain that nobody would be coming out into the downpour on a Sunday morning to walk around the park. But again, I was proved wrong. 20 of my friends and family showed up to walk in my honor. I can't even begin to describe the feeling of knowing those people were there for ME, because they care about ME. It was completely overwhelming. As the walk began, I looked up at the dark sky raining down on us and said "Please, Lord, just give us a little break!". My request was granted. The rain let up just long enough for us to finish the 5K walk. After the walk was over, it started pouring again, only harder than before! These beautiful friends of mine who came out with their kids bundled up and smiles on their faces did it out of pure love for me. Imagine if I had neglected to form a team. Imagine if I hadn't emailed the information to everyone, out of embarrassment or denial of my situation. Love comes when you least expect it. My heart was overflowing on Sunday, simply because I had the courage to open it up to the possibility of something good.
Continue to Ascend and Live. You never know what is waiting around the corner for you...

A Sock in the Gut

So, out of nowhere on Sunday, I started having partial seizures. I had several of them throughout the morning and early day. Then I came home in the afternoon and laid down on the couch. Apparently I had a gran mal seizure while sleeping on the couch. BUMMER!!! We muddled through the rest of the day baffled, and then while putting my kids to bed that night, I had an aura and ended up having another gran mal seizure. Two in one day, after going almost a year without one, and 4 months with no partials. I spent 2 days in the hospital trying to find out what is causing these little devils (had another one while in the hospital), but there still are no answers. What a huge setback for me, and for my family. I am back to no driving, and trying new medications. I am trying very hard to stay positive and to stay focused on my faith and my family. Please pray for us.

The bright side is that we are headed to Las Vegas this weekend for our Trump Network convention, and I know it's going to be great. I can't wait for our new products and marketing tools. Building our business has really given me a purpose and a drive, and the people we have met in this business are incredible. What a gift!

I wish you all the ultimate in wellness and happiness. I'll keep you posted on me as things develop. Until then, continue to Ascend and Live.

I'm a WHOLE person! (Strange, but true!)

I spent 45 minutes on the phone yesterday with my holistic neurologist (she's AMAZING!!!!), and I felt like I had just seen a psychologist, a nutritionist, and a neurologist among other things. Let me tell you something about naturopathic doctors (taking nothing away from traditional medicine, of course): they TRULY CARE about you as a WHOLE person! It's remarkable! I have seen so many doctors in the past year; general practitioners, gynecologists, neurologists, radiologists, the list goes on. But I have been introduced to naturopathic medicine through our amazing company, as a way to possibly find an answer to the questions that nobody else wants to hear. To start off with, Dr. Mac (the lead clinician for our company) remembers me every time he sees me (he sees thousands of people in this company every where he goes!) and truly cares about what I am doing to improve my health, how our products are playing into that, what doctors I am seeing, etc. His sole purpose in this company is to help people, and he TRULY CARES!!! (is there a pattern here?)...then I met Dr. Cohen. I was referred to her by a fellow doctor in the Trump Network. She has changed my life. She has caused me to look at aspects of my life I never would have thought of in reference to my health; sleeping and eating habits, emotional stability, relationships in my life, supplementation, medications, physical activity, etc. The list goes on. The important thing here is that she looks at them all together, as a whole (because I am a WHOLE person, not a big blob of independently working systems!). The amazing thing is that it really works. Why is it so hard to figure out? Why is our medical system set up so that we bounce from one doctor to the next, trying to figure out what's wrong, then end up taking 5 different drugs to "solve" the problem(s)? It's really a crazy thing. I feel so blessed to have found natural medicine and for the difference it is making in my life, giving me the opportunity to ASCEND AND LIVE. That's right! Get out there and find it for yourself, then send me an email and tell me how much you love it! It's all about Ascending and Living, and being the best you can be!

Every Day is a Small Success

Here I sit, tired and unmotivated. That's my m.o. lately. Holy week got me a bit off kilter, so I'm trying to get back on schedule with my supplements. It's times like this when I realize that what I'm doing REALLY IS working, and I need to be so thankful for it! Amazing that the Stress Test was right under my nose and I didn't take it sooner!!! UGH!!! Anyhow, I got up this morning and looked out my window at beautiful Pike's Peak, and I was instantly reminded: I'm alive, my husband and my two beautiful children are healthy, and this is where I'm supposed to be today! Every day is a small success. I can feel myself continuing to get better, my energy increasing, and my love for life returning. I feel so blessed to be where I am, even on days like the past few, when I am off my schedule and I feel like standing outside and screaming at nobody in particular (the neighbors might think I'm crazy...).
But really, it's not about me. It's about HIM. It's about thinking outside of the box, outside of yourself. Our society is so focused on "looking out for Number 1" that sometimes the selfless act of helping someone else is lost, overlooked, forgotten. I truly am blessed to be a part of a company that can change people's lives. The Trump Network has really helped us to refocus our priorities, to reevaluate what is important to us, to model for our children the beauty of giving of yourself, the warmth that you feel when you help someone less fortunate than you, the way a smile can change someone's day. It's not about me, or you. It's about US. According to Matthew Kelly (one of my favorite authors), Individualism is ultimately self-destructive, "The rights of the individual have been strengthened at all costs, with no regard for right or wrong." I agree with him. We need to stop thinking in "me, me, me" terms and really think "how is this going to affect society today, and societies to come?". Every day that we spend thinking of others before ourselves is a small success. But, that's just my 2 cents for the day, my small success. Get out there people, and Ascend and Live!

Living For Today!

We have really been concentrating as a family on living each day to the fullest. Today I was reading an article in this month's Sunset Magazine, and it went straight to the heart of what we as a family are learning from the past year and a half of chaos. You should read the entire article, a very short editorial by author Anne Lamott, but here is my favorite quote: "What fills us is real, sweet, dopey, funny life. I've heard it said that every day you need half an hour of quiet time to yourself, or your Self, unless you're incredibly busy and stressed, in which case you need an hour. I promise you, it is there. Fight tooth and nail to find time, to make it. It is our true wealth, this moment, this hour, this day." WOW! Talk about a woman after my own heart! Now get out there and find that time, people! Live for today, soak up every second of happiness and sunshine, and never look back. You will be so glad you did! Have an amazing day!!

On The Right Path...

So after 2 weeks of the rigorous supplement program, I am truly feeling better. I actually feel alive again!!!! It is amazing the things you miss out on when you are overcome by an illness. Don't get me wrong, I'm not 100% cured yet, but I feel so much better, and I have hope. Hope is an amazing thing, a wonderful blessing. I thank God for it every day. I will keep you posted as I continue to put my feet one in front of the other on the path that has been laid out before me. Where will it lead us?

We're on the right path!

This Saturday was our regional meeting for the Trump Network. The company president, Lou Decaprio, came to speak to us and to share some of his methods in success. It was amazing. I feel so blessed to be a part of a company being lead by this man. Lou is a genuine person who truly cares about everyone, to the point that during his talk someone in the audience sneezed, and he stopped to say "bless you". He's unbelievable, and you really just have to meet him to believe it. We met Lou early on in our Trump Network adventure, and have shared my health story with him along the way. Ski and I were so excited to share with him the good news that one of OUR tests was part of my diagnosis! He was not only excited and very happy for us, he asked me to write my story and send it to him so he could share it with the rest of the leadership team. Everything about the meeting on Saturday sent my husband and I home saying to each other, "we're on the right path". This company is exactly where we belong...working with true people in a company that does nothing but help everyone it can. So blessed, so blessed. Have an amazing day!

Gearing Up For The Future!

So here I am reading the book Dr. Cohen recommended (the one I've been raving about), and he recommends sleeping until 9am. Unfortunately, my husband isn't buying it (love you, honey!). I am, however, feeling the benefits of the recommended supplements for adrenal fatigue, and I'm loving it! I am so excited for the much-awaited turn in my health and I would love for you all to join me! Let's get healthy, people!

We are meeting with Lou Decaprio, the president of the Trump Network, tomorrow. It's sure to be exciting and inspiring. I'll fill you in on Monday. In the mean time, feel free to check out my website it you're listening to my call to "get healthy"...it couldn't hurt, right? You only live once! Have an amazing day!

I'm back and ready to conquer!

OK, so after a grueling day of the stomach flu, I'm back in commission. It's amazing what a day in bed does for you. I actually feel refreshed and ready to go! Now it's time to continue on my journey to renewed health. I'm reading the book Adrenal Fatigue and getting some great answers. Never give up!!! Time to go spend some time supporting our amazing team. Have an incredible day!

The Journey is Beginning...

So after 4 days of my children having the stomach flu (and fearing for myself!), I started my natural supplements today. I haven't gotten my other test results back yet, so I'm excited for that. But more importantly, I am hopeful for what this new NATURAL supplement regimen is going to do for my cortisol levels, my epilepsy, and for ME! :) Most importantly, I guess for my family. Some days I wonder how they put up with me! I guess I should just apologize every morning when I get up for what is inevitably going to come out of my mouth at some point during the day, due to my lack of energy and patience. Anyways, back to the subject-I'll keep you posted on how I feel the next few days, introducing new supplements gradually.

I am halfway through the book Dr. Cohen recommended to me. So far it has helped me come to the conclusion that I am in serious need of some medical attention...wait...I knew that! I think I'm starting to get to the good stuff-where he tells me how to heal myself. Stay tuned...

Here We Go!

This is it, the beginning of a new venture for me...blogging my progress as I strive for improved health and financial freedom.
First, a little bit about me:
I was diagnosed with mid-life onset of epilepsy last March. It has been a long year for us with lots of visits to see different doctors, trying to find an answer. I have lost my identity, my memory, my drive, my love of life. Every day I have prayed for an answer...not even a cure, just an answer. Every doctor I have seen says simply that there is no explanation...just keep taking the medication...you'll have to take it for the rest of your life. This is the medication that makes me want to sleep all day, or feel like I AM sleeping all day! Their solution? Take an anti-depressant!
In May of 2008, we were introduced to the Trump Network by a wonderful friend of ours, trying to help me find a balance in my life and my body! I took the Privatest and started to take the custom essentials and immediately felt a difference in myself. Don't get me wrong, I certainly wasn't cured, but it definitely helped me with the everyday challenges, like getting out of bed, loss of energy, etc. I could feel myself coming back. Kory and I discussed taking all of the tests that our company has to offer, but we let life take over and put that idea on hold.
In continuing to struggle with partial seizures and on and off days, we never stopped looking for a new doctor. That was when Dr. Bergman, a fellow Trump Network marketer, referred us to a colleague of his who is a holistic neurologist (a board-certified neurologist also certified in holistic medicine). We figured it was worth a try!
Dr. Cohen spent more time with me than any of the other doctors combined. She ordered some tests, one of which was a cortisol test. Cortisol is a chemical/hormone released by our bodies in time of stress, to help your body react as well as recover from stressful situations. We met with Dr. Cohen yesterday and found out that my body is in total adrenal failure...basically it's not making cortisol because it has exhausted all of its resources to do so. This is a condition that is completely reversible, and could easily be pinpointed as the cause for everything I have been going through this past year, including the epilepsy. It is easily treated with natural supplementation, which is the route I'm going.
The kicker here is that Kory and I realized that the Trump Network, OUR COMPANY, offers the exact same test that Dr. Cohen did! Had we done what we had originally planned and taken all of the tests, we would have begun addressing this problem in May, saving us much heartache and undue stress. The answer was right under our noses and we didn't see it!!!
On that note I have to ask you all to take a second look at your health. You may think you are perfectly healthy, or that you don't need a custom supplement, whatever may be the case. The point here is that I thought I was perfectly healthy as well, until I had a seizure in the shower, broke all of my front teeth off, and watched as my life was turned upside down. Don't wait until your life is turned upside down to be proactive about your health. If you don't use the incredible, affordable products that the Trump Network (and Ski and I) have to offer, please go somewhere, and never take your health for granted.
God bless you, and here's to a healthy future for all of us! Have an incredible day!