Enjoy the Ride!

Yesterday, I met with my mentor and she gave me two wonderful pieces of advice that gave me a light bulb moment. Let God be God and you are not responsible for saving everyone. After she said that, I immediately thought about a train.

When you get on a train, you resolve yourself that all responsibility for your safe arrival is in God’s and the conductor’s hands. I don’t even question it. Likewise, I realized just like in life, many people will get on and off the train and come in and out of my life and I will moving forward embrace that reality.

When someone decides to get off the train, the conductor doesn’t stop them. He just make sure they arrive safely and exit appropriately. Light bulb moment is I need to do the same. God is gracious and he doesn’t force us to serve him or stay on the train. When we decide to get on or off, he is there willing and waiting to direct us and our path. So if it don’t fit, I won’t force it.

So moving forward I’m resolved to sit back and enjoy this train ride called life and embrace all the arrivals and departures with a smiles! As the saying goes people come for a season, reason or a lifetime but everything happens for your good. It is either a Blessing or Lesson and either will be instrumental in your growth. Tests always comes before testimonies, so hold tight and enjoy the ride!!! ❤️🙏🏾❤️

Thanks Toleda Hart for the Wonderful Advice and May God Continue to Bless and Keep You! ❤️❤️❤️

Life is adventure and enjoy the ride!

Self Management – Person Centered Care and Disease Management

I worked in healthcare for over 10 years with a major MCO/ Manage Care Organization and I’m very passionate about Disease Management, Care Management and Self-Management and Person-Centered Care. Please Watch the movie on Netflix!

What the Health! ❤️

This is the My Best Gift and IT IS FREE!
My way of preventing other from losing a loved one early due to a very preventable health disease. Miss You Always Mom, Dorothy Mae Roberson! ❤️❤️❤️

My best suggestions is to do the following:

  1. Meet with your PCP/ Primary Care Doctor
  2. Address your health issues or possible health issues?
  3. Most health plan offer a free Health Risk Assessment, it will immediately let you know your health risk triggers including behavior health and mental illness.
  4. Exercise at least 3x per week for 30 minutes
  5. Develope a accountability and support system to follow-up with you.
  6. Monitor the negativity!!! (Person, place or thing)
  7. Laughter is actual like medicine! It good for you and practice laughing daily.
  8. Practice being grateful and counting blessings daily.
  9. Create a health a journal and track your health and wellness goals!
  10. Make all Goals SMART, Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, Time Based
  11. Finally, do you own assessment and ask yourself what are your strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats to achieving your health and wellness goals.

Example, I will exercise 7x per week and set my alarm on my cellphone to walk for 30 minutes daily, to reduce my blood pressure.

  1. I will ask my significant other or neighbor to go walking with me 3x per week.
  2. I will download a free app to count my steps and aim to walk 7,000 steps per day.
  3. I will track my blood pressure and monitor my weight weekly.
  4. I will take action to improving my health and monitor my progress monthly in my health journal because I love me and my family and want to live a long and healthy life. #mentalhealth #health #wellness #depression #wellbeing #stress #love

Elevation and Progress

In life, people come in categories; thrust, lifters, drags and weights. The people who fall in the thrust and lifters position, empower, call you to action, hold you accountable, activate your greatness gene, motivate, inspire, affirm, support and feed your mind, body and soul. They encourage life and living. On the other hand drags and weights do just the opposite. They attack, kill your spirits, joy and remind you of the old version of yourself and not the God ordained Person You are Created to Be! ❤️❤️❤️

Therefore, in order to fly higher, achieve more altitude, we must release the drags and weights! Point Blank Period! Elevation only occurs when the weight is RELEASED. Then God can allow You to Ascend to New Levels! Drags are obstacles and all you have to do is untie them and wave 👋 see you later! Traveling to a higher level and wish you well!!! ❤️🥰❤️

Preventative Breast Exams – It Can Save Your Life!

A few years ago, I completed my yearly mammogram early one foggy Saturday morning. A week passed and I got a letter basically telling me they saw something. The letter suggested I have a diagnostic ultrasound on my left breast due to lumps being found.

The second I saw the letter, my mind shifted. I instantly had great clarity and knew what was important and what wasn’t. God, Jesus and the Holy Ghost had to have a conference call immediately.

I got up and placed my Bible on the floor and stood on it. I started to pray and remind my Heavenly Father, you said ask and it shall be done ✅. I said Lord Jesus, I have to be here for my children. I belong to you and my assignments are no where near finish. I said, God just like you healed me and kept me from death at 7, 25, 41, I need that same grace and power at 48. I claimed it in Jesus mighty name and said Amen as I was standing on my word of God literally and physically.

I went to have the test completed as soon as possible at Oak Lawn Breast Advocate Center. The intake receptionist calls my name and she was wonderful. She looks me in the eyes and said don’t worry, you are going to be fine! Watch and see! I’m called back, put the gown on and go into the room for the ultrasound and she looks and takes pictures and said she will be back!

She comes back and said Sharon absolutely nothing to be concerned about. It was a benign cysts that bursted on their own. She said see you next year! I instantly said thank you God! God is Good and she said he is good all the time!

Then she told me that she had a really good friend that she encouraged to have a breast exam. She went & they found a lump & it was cancerous. She said her friend always calls and thanks her for encouragement to get the breast exam. She said when her doctor did the biopsy they found a very aggressive cancer. However, they found it so early she didn’t need the traditional treatments.

She stated her friend was absolutely positive, the only reason she is alive TODAY is because she insisted she get tested. Although, she had no earthly 🌎interest in being tested otherwise. Now every year she does all the routine exams suggested by her doctor yearly.

 

The nurse said I’ve seen too many women that come through the door too late! It’s so sad when an early test could have changed everything. Amazingly, people prioritize their cars and houses better than their own health.

My greatest hope is that people will always make time for their health or unfortunately, they will have to make time for their illness. This year I will turn 54, my yearly mammogram is completed.  I faithfully schedule and complete all my wellness exams. My friends and family often crack jokes because I go to the doctor for any and everything I suppose to! Especially, since I worked previously in the health care field, I believe in practicing what I preach. ❤️❤️❤️

Finally, my take away and call to action is please be a priority in your own life. Prioritize your health and do all your well-being health screenings and tests. Plus, I hope my story helps someone! Prayerfully, it will stop one person or family from crying and feeling helpless in front of a casket! Small actions now can extend your life and create a brighter future. ❤️

Life is a Gift

Make Your Time Count!

On June 22, 1995, an extremely hot day in Chicago. The weather had been almost 100 degrees for several days and it was declared a heat emergency. Hundreds of people died that month as a result of the extreme heat in Chicago. In addition to the crazy heat, I gave birth to my 1st. Child via emergency C-Section. I was very excited and hopeful. However, 4 days later my son passed away after 19 staples. I was on the maternity ward and suffered from engorging breast and no baby to feed and a pain that pierced the soul.

Then I promised God in my hospital room, I would use my pain as focus and motivation. I decided to get my masters, buy a house and remember life is always a gift! Each day your allowed the opportunity of being 6ft up, value and appreciate that present.

Time is the ultimate gift and that is why it is called the present. It is the only thing we never can replace or get a refund. Therefore, always value your time and who gets it! Starting today, established healthy boundaries and let no person, place or thing cross that line moving forward!

Time is Irreplaceable
Healthy Boundaries

Always choose your peace, forgive, move forward and don’t look back. Embrace you and make it a standard to be appreciated and not tolerated. It is absolutely a DIFFERENCE! If someone doesn’t appreciate your presence, let them absolutely enjoy your absence. The best intervention of all time to me is the Caller ID! It’s a game changer and in my opinion worthy of a Nobel Peace Prize! As a result, we never again in life have to talk to anyone who is toxic and attack our heart, mind or spirit! Just look and let that telephone ring!!! ❤️❤️❤️

Happy Memorial Day

Happy Memorial Day! Hope you and your family are reflecting on your family and all the men and women who have served and sacrificed their life for our freedom. Thanks Brent Thompson for the correction. I learned today Memorial Day is not for all soldiers but for those who served and lost their life. Veteran’s Day on the other hand is for all who are retired or are currently serving. We truly do appreciate all who have sacrificed for our freedom and honor them and their wonderful families. My God Rest their souls!🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾

You Can!!!

I truly believe that something great is in everyone. However, often we forget that every great anything started off small. Someone decided to take action and stared fear in the face and said I’m ready. Unfortunately, death and fear often steals so much from us! The reason death is so cruel and challenging is because the it also takes with it dreams, ideas, stories and the list goes on and on. Plus, let’s not forget wonderful recipes! I learned so much from my amazing mother but managed to let that recipe for her banana pudding not to be documented.

Likewise, fear is also very vicious! The thought of failure often stops most people from even attempting. As I get older and wiser, I’ve come to realize we only fail when we don’t try. We have to learn to fail our way right into success! Each failure brings you closer to success. Study all the greats and this is a common theme!

Finally, we have to get very comfortable and realize your real support system will most likely always be small literally and physically. What do I mean by that? I mean you have to learn the life lesson that quality is better than quantity in many cases. Everyone or person, place or thing isn’t for you. Find your village and watch you grow and thrive. Eliminate anything that doesn’t help feed your mind, body and spirit. Be very strategic at your most important role. Deciding who gets FaceTime and front row seats will be so key to your growth and elevation! So ask yourself again what time is it and get started! You got this because you were born too be great and greatness is a choice!

Mental Health – No More Suffering in Silence

Resources available

On 4/26/18, my high school friend committed suicide. Rhonda and I were extremely close in high school and she spent countless nights at my parents home. Rhonda was Brilliant. I mean that literally and naturally smart. I remember the day so clearly when she said I want to be a lawyer and leave her career of being an RN. I cracked a joke and said Rhonda, because it’s you and your so SMART go for it. I went with her to her orientation at Kent Law School and I was so excited for her. She graduated with high honors and was elected to be a judge.

Rhonda, help me get my first job and a huge factor of me making the honor roll in high school. Rhonda was that type of person that had high expectations and worked hard and had very little tolerance for not striving. She paid so much attention to the details.

Possible Warning Signs

We need to learn to take better care of our mental health as well as our physical health. We have to create an environment were we make our loved ones feel comfortable telling us they are not ok and no judgment, just love, understanding, support and encouragement to seek help. I regret not going out that last time. I have learned through death to make time for those you love and let them know how you feel all the time.

Help is available 24/7

I decided to share because especially in times like this, we might not know we have a family member or friend struggling with their mental health because they always appear so strong. Call, listen and check on your family and friends. Sometimes people suffer in silence and it’s my hope that perhaps this might help one person. Comforted that my friend knew I admired, loved and was very proud of her. Shared our last text. ❤️🙏🏾❤️

Steps to Forgiveness and Healing!

1. What is the definition of forgiveness?

A conscious decision to release resentment or vengeance for an individual or a group regardless if they deserve it or not.  The process does not mean you are excusing, condoning the issues or forgetting.  However, you’re committed to your health and positively moving forward by all means necessary.

Why is forgiveness so hard for most people?

There are several reasons or possible answers why forgiveness is hard.  For example, the reasons could be the following:

  1. Past Traumas
  2. Secrets
  3.  Verbal Abuse
  4. Sexual Abuse
  5. Physical Abuse
  6. Domestic Violence
  7.  Cheating

is What is the Benefit of Forgiveness?

The benefits of forgiveness are clear and simple.  Improved health and ability to move forward.

What is the Cost of Unforgiveness?

The cost of unforgiveness is your time, illness, depression, and being stuck.

2. Be direct with yourself and identify your pain and issues for your emotional pain and distress.

· Identify: Who you are having a hard time forgiving?

· Identify: What your issues are clearly and write them down?

· Identify: When this incident occurred?

· Identify: Where this incident happened and how long ago and details?

· Identify: Why or how the incident occurred?

3. Acknowledge your feelings and own each and every last one of them! Address all issues step by step so you can heal and appropriately MOVE ON!

· Only you know how you exactly feel and what you need to feel whole.

· Communicate effectively and be the expert of you

4. Forgive yourself and be clear the real bottom line is forgiveness is always for you and about your health and wellness bottom line.

· The Price of Unforgiveness

· Effects of stress on your mental health

· Owning your health and completing wellness exams

· Seeking help, counseling, therapy, pastoral counseling, EAP or internal/external

5. Be your own superhero because no one is coming to save you but you!

· Do the necessary work to heal

· Ask the hard questions?

· What is the Blessing or Lesson? It is always one.  Find the answer!  You owe it to yourself.

6. Be compassionate and empathize and put yourself in the other person’s shoes.

7. Allow love back in.  As long as we have the Blessing of 6 Ft UP WE Can Start Again!!!

Patterns: Health verses unhealthy

Healthy Relations Have These Qualities:

  1.  Scheduled Time Together That’s a Priority
  2.  Acceptance
  3. Boundaries
  4. Respect
  5. Trust
  6.  Integrity
  7.  Forgiveness
  8.  Healthy Boundaries
  9.  Individuality
  10. Compassion/ Empathy
  11.  Understanding of their Significant Other’s Love Language
  12.  Open Communication

Unhealthy Relations Tend to Have Issues With:

  1.  Lack of Trust
  2.  Jealousy
  3.  Lack of Respect
  4.  Domestic Violence
  5.  Physical Abuse
  6.  Verbal Abuse
  7.  Sexual Abuse
  8.  Cheating
  9.  lack of Support with physical Responsibilities, chores, children, bills, etc.
  10.  Feeling Lonely in the Relationship
  11.  Lack of Anticipation
  12.  Lack of Consideration for Needs and Wants

YOU CAN ALWAYS START OVER: New Beginnings

8. The Challenge

· Set Healthy Boundaries

· Communicate effectively

· Listen to your body

· Own Your Health and BE Unapologetic!!!

9. Eliminating all negativity, persons, places, things including relatives & close friends if necessary.

10. Be a Healer and Speak Life!

· Build Up People: Cheer them on

· Lift up People: Speak life and be an encourager

Comfort People Grieving Whatever Period in their Life literally or Physically: Let people know their story isn’t over and a new positive chapter is beginning. Be positive and tell how the Lord can turn any situation around. Trust the word and not your current circumstance. Use the word to increase your faith.

Let Your Light Shine! Let Jesus’s Spirit live in you and guide all your steps and actions!

Sharon Rowe, M.S.
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