Today marks a very special anniversary.
Six years ago (9/27/09), I was in exactly the right place at the right time.
Early afternoon on a normal fall day in Poughkeepsie, New York, I took out the trash and went blank.
When I awoke five days later in an ICU room with a broken neck, I was confused, scared, and in denial.
What had happened?
A thousand pound tree limb struck me, leaving me unconscious with a broken neck near a dumpster. Thankfully a Good Samaritan (still unknown to me) called the paramedics, saving my life. This freak accident sparked a ripple effect of loss. Almost simultaneously, I lost everything I held dear: my health, marriage, and career.
What could possibly be the upside of losing everything?
The answer is perspective. Although I thought at first that I had lost everything. It was a gift. I had the opportunity to architect a new life, piece by piece. I turned a 'bottom of the barrel' circumstance into a 'nowhere to go but up" through changing my perspective.
In order to share this powerful lesson, I, first, created Look Up Day, celebrated each 27th of the month to remind us all to:
1) Be aware of your surroundings, appreciating the beauty around you as well as hazards. In essence, be in the moment and mindful.
2) Spin each situation positively. Although many situations appear negative at first, they are all learning opportunities. There are NO wasted experiences. Every hurdle, wound, and life hiccup turns into wisdom.
I continue to celebrate Look Up Day, but I realized shortly after its creation that #LookUp was such a crucial life tool that we should all carry it with us each and every day. A monthly holiday wasn't enough. I use #LookUp as a mantra to create that mindfulness daily. I share #LookUp with you, readers of my books, and the world. Use these two wise words to tap into your power of perspective. You, too, can turn your lemons into lemonade, limoncello, or margaritas. All it takes is your conscious effort to flip your mental switch.
If you like the message of #LookUp, please share it with your connections on social media using the hashtag #LookUp. You can also connect to #LookUp on Facebook and Twitter.
Don't forget to read the full story in my debut book, When All Balls Drop, and my most recent, With New Eyes, which came out 9/8/15!
Here’s to looking up!
