Find a goal that challenges you and go for it…

By: Gina Lawson

Last summer I went on a European trip with my brother to the Baltics/Eastern Europe/some Slavic countries (Finland, Estonia, and Poland) and I had a great time. Traveling makes me feel the MOST alive. 

What makes YOU feel the most alive? Of course, I love my son and my friends and family, but what besides them makes you get going? We all need to have something outside of our circle that is essential to our identity (separate from them) that makes us who we are and this can help each and everyone of us ground ourselves, keep ourselves motivated, and get our mind off of thing during hard times that is essentially us;  before and/or after the lives we created before our families and obligations. 

I love traveling and experiencing different cultures. The more culture shock, the better. My major and bachelor's degree in college is in International Studies and I enjoy learning about other countries and other cultures. For me, part of taking care of myself, is exploring other lands, learning, and taking time for myself to understand the world.

My other passion is making art; drawing, painting and sculpting is another form of mediation and joy for me that I also like to part take in from time to time. I have many things I'm interesting in and like doing. What's yours? 

Find a goal that challenges you and go for it. Whatever that means..learning a language, a new skill, acquiring something, it can take time and resources, but it can be empowering and help you focus, take your mind off of your health, bring up your self esteem and confidence and can be empowering...and no one has to know your your diagnosis. You can go by yourself or with a friend/s and the determination can help your mindset. 

Please pick a goal; however little or small, or irrelevant to what you think, it will help you, guaranteed