Our “GUEST BLOG” series continues and we excitedly introduce you to Jennifer Navara.
A little bit about Jennifer in her own words:
I am a Health and Wellness Coach and have been living with chronic illness since childhood. It is often assumed that because I’ve made the decision to stop “living my label,” that I am completely symptom free and well again. This is not the case. I am continuing on and allowing my light to shine despite anything. Yes, even the most debilitating symptoms. Every morning when I open my eyes I realize how grateful I am to be experiencing all that I am able to experience. The good and the bad. And nevertheless, I persist.
My passion is to help everyone realize that despite any obstacles they are facing, they can find true peace and happiness. That the Universe wants only for us to live our best, most healthy, most abundant and most loving life. Its up to us to create it.
We further share her story……
Sow Positive Seeds…..Harvest a Healthier You by Jennifer Navara
You must master a new way to think, before you can master a new way to be. ~ Marianne Williamson
Having lived with chronic illness since childhood, this particular quote resonates so deeply with me. I learned from a very young age, that my identity was based on a particular diagnosis or label, depending upon doctor’s opinions of what they thought I was dealing with. Additionally, these varied opinions came with different recommendations and lifestyle changes that I, or my family needed to make in order to accommodate my ever failing health. Spending the majority of my life searching out solutions and treatments, sitting in the waiting rooms of doctors offices, and reading about all of the negativity that surrounded the “diagnosis of the month” …, you can easily understand how negativity and the victim mentality came into play. It was very deep rooted, and in fact began to spread to every aspect of my life – until I decided to make a change. I realized that in order to attract what I wanted, which was health and happiness, I had to “be” the energy that I wanted to attract.
Mindset matters, period. It doesn’t matter where you are in life or what your circumstances happen to be. It is your mindset and your attitude toward the challenge, that determines your direction and how far you will go. You either head toward illness, or you head toward healing. I was once very much stuck in the mindset of illness. I surrounded myself with negativity by allowing my mind to be pulled into the “what ifs” and the worst case scenarios with regard to my odds of beating Lyme Disease. I allowed the negative self talk and the voices around me, to dictate my direction. It was constant, negative chatter, and I was making this a part of my being, a part of me. I was stuck and sinking quickly and I was more scared than I have ever been. I mean, lets be honest, when you are dealing with extremely debilitating symptoms on a 24/7 basis, it is VERY easy to fall into this trap. But I realized is that this was like quicksand, and that it wasn’t getting me anywhere close to where I wanted to go. That’s when I decided that things were going to change, and guess what ? They DID !
I decided that this illness was not who I am. I decided that if I wanted a healthier, happier life, it was up to me to go after my dreams. I decided that no matter what it took, I was going to put every effort and ALL of my energy into solutions rather than problems. I decided that my focus needed to be on gratitude for everything that I did have, instead of what I was lacking. I felt deep within my soul, that there were greater things for me and that I had a calling much more powerful than any illness. When my energy shifted to the positive and towards gratitude, miracles unfolded. I went from being bedridden every day, to enrolling in online classes to study Holistic Nutrition, and to become a certified Health and Wellness Coach. I went from sedentary, to actively moving my body through breath work and yoga. I changed my mindset from constant worry, to calm and peacefulness with the practice of meditation. All the while, still dealing with the very same symptoms that I had before, but this time, looking at them through loving eyes – being kind to myself and loving my way through this, every step of the way. You see, frustration, sadness, anger, judgement and disappointment are all a part of the human experience and are emotions that are normal and quite valid at times. It’s when we stay trapped there, that the problems don’t find solutions. It’s when we choose to focus our attention on everything we have to be grateful for, that we see more of the same. What we focus on, is what will grow – and I choose to plant my garden with love, health, vitality, kindness, and gratitude.
What seeds are you planting in your own garden? Today, I challenge you to take note of all you have to be grateful for, and list at least 5 things. You’ll be amazed at the shifts that take place once you focus on all of the blessings around you. I promise, it’s worth it.
Blessings and Love to all,
Jennifer Navara
Reach out and keep in touch with Jennifer……
Website: theilluminatingpath.com
Fitness Ambassador Story Link: virago-fitness.com/viragowarriorbios