When I was very ill a few months ago I spent a lot of time engaged in visualization exercises. For those of you who aren’t familiar with visualization, it is a practice that encourages you to form mental images that relax and motivate you.

Research has shown that the same neuro-pathways in the brain are as activated when you vividly imagine experiencing something as when you actually do it. Using your mind to create an image of what you want creates a strong impression on the brain and helps improve performance and get results.

In addition to providing relaxation benefits, visualization has been shown to improve irregular heart beats, aid with digestion and promote a greater sense of happiness and satisfaction.

Many of you know that I love the beach. I have always been a water baby (for those of you out there who are astrological folks, I am born on the cusp of Pisces and Aries which explains why water serves such a critical function in my life). 

However, it wasn’t until I got very ill that I truly realized just how much I loved the water. I would sit in my zero gravity chair (because I really couldn’t move very well) and imagine myself at the beach…listening to the sound of the waves, feeling the sand on my toes and enjoying the warmth of the sun on my skin.  

I would envision myself plunging into pools, lakes and oceans cleansing myself of my disease. All I could think about during the rough days of Sept-January is that I might never get well enough to see the beach again. And it truly broke my heart.

It was at this point that Dave gave me one of the nicest gifts I have ever received. He gave me a card that said “If we can’t go to the beach, I will bring the beach to us”. He had bought a few DVD’s of relaxing music and beach scenes which really lifted my spirits. I would spend hours watching the beach scenes and wishing in my heart of hearts that I would get well again to be able to visit the ocean one day.

Fast-forward just a few months and we were able to make it happen! Dave and I were both beyond grateful for this opportunity because we realized that it meant that we had crossed a major hurdle in our medical journey.

When I saw the gorgeous beaches and blue waters of Turks & Caicos I cried of happiness and gratitude. Never did I enjoy sitting on the beach and swimming in the waters as much as I did this past week.

Through working with a healer, I have realized that every day a person can create a new script for their life. We all have a choice in how we want to live our lives and what the story is that we want to create.

I understand now that Dave and I needed to go on a vacation in order to gain some perspective and create a new story for ourselves. We have been through so much this past year and I think that we both have been operating from a place of panic and urgency.

Although my medical situation is still extremely serious, it is not as dire as it was a few months ago. I realized that, prior to this trip, we both hadn’t had the chance to recalibrate our ‘story' to adjust to this new normal. It was really important for us to throw out the past, cast away our doubts and create a new path starting right now. We are not in denial of the past but we will take that learning with us to inform a brighter future.

As we swam in the water I felt cleansed of the past. I realized that my fear of how badly I was feeling a few months ago was paralyzing me a bit from truly moving forward. I committed that I would start over again and begin writing the story of “How Jen is going to live this new chapter of life”.

I will always cherish this vacation because I find it so symbolic. It represents not only the strength and perseverance it took for us to get there but also for the valuable insights we have learned along the way.