Stereo Blind

My beautiful daughter has endured a lot over the last 2 years. When she was 18 months old, cataract surgery was rendered on her left eye. Thankfully my employer is a phenomenal ophthalmologist and surgery was a success. However the purpose of this article is not a memoir of her past, but rather a collaboration of her current diagnosis, our emotional journey and a relevance of wisdom McKenna has taught me throughout this process. Enjoy!

Last week McKenna had her typical four month exam with the ophthalmologist who is treating her for her post surgical care. I couldn’t be more proud of her as she sat independently in the exam chair and the visual acuity test began. This was the first time since her surgery that an accurate visual acuity reading would be incorporated into her visit. I was extremely anxious as she began reading off of the shapes; I was literally sitting on the edge of my seat. She excelled until the ophthalmic assistant covered her right eye and McKenna had to rely exclusively on her left eye. As the shapes continued to minimize, squares turned into circles and houses turned into apples and I knew the test wasn’t going well. But McKenna just sat there as confident as before and shined on. She has the most beautiful personality I’ve even known and she is the light of my life. I know every parent thinks that their child is exceptional but McKenna Leigh has such a wise and radiant soul. Her thirst for life and knowledge is unparallel to most three year old children and I am privileged that God blessed me to be her mother.

The overall exam results were not what I was expecting. Her visual acuity is 20/150 in her left eye; legally blind is 20/200. She is not making progress with the alignment of her eyes so patching her right eye increased from four hours a day to six hours a day. And then I learned that my beautiful blue-eyed daughter is stereo blind.

What? Stereo Blind? What does that even mean? In short, stereo blindness is the inability to perceive 3D objects simply because your eyes do not function together. McKenna will never enjoy watching a 3D movie and she cannot see 3D optical illusions. Playing sports like softball will be difficult because she cannot discern depth perception very well.  This news hit me like a tidal wave. I thought oh my goodness,  she’s going to miss out on so much on life. Scenarios of being bullied in school to parallel parking for her driver’s test just kept replaying in my head.  And then I realized that my darling daughter doesn’t even know what she’s missing….

Matthew 6:22- The eye is the lamp of the body; so then if your eye is clear, your whole body will be full of light.   

Without a doubt, McKenna Leigh is the light of my life and her illumination inspires me every day. As her mother it is my duty to safeguard her from the malevolence of this world. But there is peace in oblivion. I am not necessarily saying ignorance is bliss but what I am trying to convey is that dwelling on negative outcomes and the possible variables in life does not have purpose. McKenna doesn’t know what she’s missing. I’m certainly not going to direct my attention on her impediments but rather focus her strengths, have faith and instill confidence throughout her endeavors.

Have you considered the way you see your life? Are you manifesting negativity and worry with 20/20 vision? Or are you stereo blind to the uncertainties of life? Throughout life’s obstacles we could all take a lesson from McKenna's journey. Be positive, have faith and continue to shine.

The Month of Miracles

In the dictionary the word march can be used as a verb or a noun. March (verb): to walk in a stately, deliberate manner. To move forward, advance or proceed.
March (noun): the third month of the year, containing 31 days. Let’s not forget that the spring equinox is also in March. To me the month of March is undoubtedly my favorite month of the year. I can summarize the month of March into one simple but powerful word… Hope.

The month of March gives me hope.

Winter in Pennsylvania can be particularly long and cold. The sky is normally overcast and the trees look melancholy and empty. The air can be so cold that it seems to pierce your soul. As an outdoor enthusiast I have a tendency to internalize my surroundings. No, I don’t have seasonal depression but what gets me through a long winter is hope and the assurance of spring. When I think of springtime I think of new life and growth. What seems to die in the winter comes back to life and blooms. The month of March is symbolic to me because I often think to myself am I blooming or am I dormant? Will I march forward or will I stay in negative situations?

When a flower is planted in an unfit environment it will not blossom and eventually the flower will die.

Miracles can happen everyday but during the month of March I possess a level of discernment that I don't carry throughout the rest of the year. Have you recently reflected on your environment? Are you planted to blossom or are you stuck in dormancy? Are you willing to take the risk and march forward or stand still because of fear?

As we enter spring and the Easter season the earth will come back to life. My prayer for you is to find the courage to march forward and bloom.

Accountability

My last publication highlighted what living rich means but what I failed to present was an outline of my personal accountabilities. Hypocrisy runs rampant in our society and people are certainly quick to judge those who have a proclaimed faith in Christ. So please allow me to give you a personal attestation of my current journey and how I feel enriched daily. 

How I've donated my time...

Last year I started a photography business. I've offered several free photo sessions to local law enforcement officers and their families. I've recently submitted an inquiry to the Pennsylvania State Adoption Agency to volunteer my time and talent to take photos of children hoping to be adopted. I'm really excited about this potential opportunity. If it's meant to be it will be according to God's will. 

How I've donated money... 

If you read my last post, I mentioned to demonstrate random acts of kindness. The first time I wanted to "pay it forward" the person behind me bought a $20.00 gift card on top of their $7.00 coffee. What did I learn from this lesson? That I can purchase gift cards at the convenience of a drive through. Well that certainly was an eye opener for me! When I suggested to buy water and trail mix for a homeless person, I was writing from experience. He also had a dog with him so I bought his dog food too. 

How I've made a financial plan... 

Thankfully my husband and I were able to completely consolidate our debt. Our student loans, car loans and credit cards will be paid off in less than a year. I've also drilled into my brain that if I have to put it on plastic then I can't afford it. Opening a line of credit does serve a purpose but our society in general has become completely gluttonous when it comes to wanting something now and paying for it later. Save your money, if it's something you really want it will be worth the wait. 

How I travel.... 

It's through Wyndham Resorts. Basically a property is purchased within Wyndham and then Wyndham allots points to you annually to travel to any Wyndham resort. 

https://www.clubwyndham.com/cw/resorts.page 

Starting a charity...

I currently do not have a desire to start a charity. I was writing from experience of witnessing people speak about winning the lottery. However, I do have a burning desire to facilitate a local racing event in my community to benefit a local charity. I've been brainstorming for weeks and I firmly believe that if I create a solid proposal it will happen. Stay tuned! 

I've spent years wrapped up in my own universe and I failed to recognize that there's a whole world out there for me to shine and be a positive light. My ego was creating harm instead of harmony. I felt like I was a victim of circumstance instead of creating a reality full of abundant blessings and selfless love. A blessing is a blessing no matter how great or small. If you can be a positive impact to others you will create a higher self and have a resounding sense of peace in your life. 

Winning the Lottery

It's amazing to hear people talk about winning the lottery and what they would do with their earnings. It seems that there is a general consensus about starting a charity, donating to a charity, traveling or paying off debt. I've heard close friends say how the community would benefit because they would be able to contribute ample time and money. Well I'm here to tell you that you can live life like you won the lottery. I'm not talking about living irresponsibly, but I'm here to highlight what living rich means. 

1.      Donate your time. Time is precious. Time is finite. Contributing to society is so rewarding. Helping others in need is so fulfilling. Are you getting the message? You're probably thinking I don't have time to donate my time. I need to run my children here and there. Or my kids nap during that time and I work 45 hours a week. Here's a solution: Find a community outreach program that allows you to donate from home. Care packages and gift boxes can be constructed at your convenience. Mail letters overseas to our troops. If your children are older, take them along. Let them learn the value and importance of serving others and the community. I wholeheartedly agree that life is busy but if you want to impact your community and feel rich, donate your time. 

2.      Donating money. It's interesting that people only want to donate money if they have a lot of money. But you don't need to donate an abundance of money to make a difference. Random acts of kindness can go a long way. I'm a firm believer that goodness and kindness will be reciprocated. Pay for the person behind you at the drive through, if you see a homeless person on the street buy him some water and trail mix. If your kids are having a birthday party, replace gifts with canned goods to be donated to your local food bank. I'll admit I'm extremely hesitant to donate my money to big charities. I like to know exactly how my funds are allocated so I'd rather aid my local community than send funds out into the unknown. 

3.      Make a financial plan. One of the first recommendations upon winning the lottery is to hire a financial advisor. I've read stories about people going bankrupt after winning the lottery because they couldn't manage their money. I've also witnessed people (who did not win the lottery) going bankrupt because they can't manage their money. Hiring a mentor to help you make a financial plan and stay accountable may be in your best interest. If you know you can commit to a plan, look up free apps to help you manage your money. The bottom line is to make a financial plan, commit to it and pay off your debt. 

4.      Traveling. It would be nice to just have the funds to just hop on a plane and fly off into the sunset. But if you haven't won the lottery, it won't be that easy. If traveling is truly a priority and you make the investment, consider a vacation club. My family has invested in a vacation club where I can travel internationally. I can also exchange my points to cover airfare. If traveling is important to you may want to take this into consideration. 

5.      Starting a charity. This eats at me the most. When people say they would start a charity to benefit (insert what you are most passionate about) if they win the lottery. Really you ONLY want to take action if you win the lottery? You're clearly not that passionate about it. If you want to start a charity or outreach program then do it! If you market yourself correctly and can get the community involved, you can be successful. Collaborate with existing programs for ideas and take action. 

You don't need to win the lottery to live a rich existence. Sort out your priorities, make a plan and have faith. Life is all about blessings, not burdens. When you exert goodness into the world, blessings will come back to you. Let your heart and dedication be your driving force and you will live a rich and rewarding life.

Treat Yourself

One of my all time favorite TV shows is Parks and Recreation. Every year two of the characters treat themselves to a day of pure indulgence. What a fabulous concept! But what if you already live an indulgent lifestyle? Where do you discern between living within your means and living frivolously? 

I'm not just referring to compulsive spending but generally living thoughtlessly. Do you really need that extra glass of wine or a second helping of food? Can you think of a cost efficient alternative to your daily mocha frappe with coffee cake? You might be approved for a line of credit but do the payments stretch you so thin that you can't afford groceries? Every decision seems great while you're in the moment but when your daily habits are destructive to your health (or your bank account) it's time to take action. 

I recently had an epiphany about my poor eating habits. As a solution, I downloaded an app to help me keep track of what I'm eating. Subsequently, every time I want to splurge on something I don't need, I write down the cost of the item. It's amazing how much I'm saving now!

Hindsight is always 20/20. But if you take time to slow down and think before you act you can change negative habits into positive power to transform your life. You are in control of every decision and you are worthy to treat yourself once in a while. Indulgent habits are hard to break, but if you can find a new perspective to gain awareness you're choosing a positive step toward your health and happiness. Simplify your life and appreciate the little things. It's truly what matters the most.

Writers Block

I’ve been trying to brainstorm a new post for a few weeks. I write down topics of discussion when the thought presents itself but lately it seems like I am in a whirlwind that is on a path of destruction. I’m sitting here trying to embellish my words to capture your attention but I’ve hit a brick wall. So let me give you a brief synopsis of the wisdom I acquired over the last few weeks.

   

·       Turn setbacks into momentum. Aliments happen to the best of us. When it rains it definitely pours in my household. It’s much easier to channel my stress with a glass of wine while treating myself to something sweet but the show must go on. Use the setbacks in life to propel you forward.

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      The terrible twos are no joke. It seems like God turned on a light switch and my daughter is constantly on seek-and-destroy mode. Instead of letting my daughter go completely Godzilla on me while I lose my cool, we play scavenger hunts and I do my best to redirect her.  A broken spirit is much harder to mend than a broken toy.

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            Embrace criticism. Just smile politely when your work is criticized. Especially when it’s not constructive criticism. There is a huge difference! Try to sift through the information, perhaps see a new perspective but don’t take it to heart.  

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            PUT DOWN YOUR PHONE! Remember the days when your parents wouldn’t answer the phone past 7:30pm? Or when games were played on a table instead of a tablet? It’s so easy to get caught up in the news or who’s posting what on social media but honestly less is more. I have enough on my plate to worry about than reading about what Jane Doe had for dinner. If you are trying to build your business online through social media, set designated times to post then walk away.

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           Don’t get discouraged while learning something new. As a photographer there is always something new to learn. It’s so easy to get overwhelmed and feel discouraged. Take a deep breath and don’t be afraid to ask for help.

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            Stop comparing yourself to others. Surround yourself with positivity and gratefulness. Negative energy and bitter thoughts are extremely draining and counterproductive.  

Maybe my next post will be a distinguished article but for now life has me occupied. Go forth with peace and blessings.  

Community VS. Competition

Over the years as a marathon runner, I learned that running is certainly a “you vs. you” sport. Your personal achievements are simply based on how much effort you put into it. I never wanted to compare myself to others because I’ve never walked (or ran) a mile in their shoes. I wholeheartedly commend everyone who trains for a race. Whether you’re a veteran runner trying to qualify for Boston or a new mom trying to lose the baby weight, you have my utmost admiration.

I’ve been doing a lot of soul searching over the last few months and realized that I have a profound passion for landscape and portrait photography. It’s incredible to feel the same “runners high” when I take a great photograph. I desperately wanted to branch out and start advertising a business page but I soon realized that there are (literally) over a hundred photographers in my area. My insecurities and doubt instantly took over. How could I possibly compete or compare myself to so many talented photographers? I felt completely unworthy.

I continued to shadow a close friend as she went on photo sessions and she introduced me to a community of photographers who solely believe in community over competition. It was so refreshing to know that there are people who believe in serving the community and building relationships rather than competing and tearing one another down. I had the privilege of attending a dinner with some of these beautiful idealists. I was in awe of the instant fellowship I experienced. It was wonderful to hear new ideas of young entrepreneurs in my area who truly want to better our community.  

When I left I had steadfast peace knowing that it’s "OK" to start from scratch. There are people who genuinely want you to be brave and succeed. There are people who want you to take a risk and let go of your fears to watch you achieve your dreams.You just need to believe in yourself.