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By profession I used to be a Technology Manager and Full Service Help Desk Manager working within Fortune 500 corporations.
I like people alot and always want to help.
I truly loved my position but, unfortunately it paid its toll on my health. While the job was rewarding in
some ways, it was very demanding and time consuming in other areas, i.e., managing a staff of 15 full-time employees
and a host of consultants, working 12-15 hour days, sometimes seven days a week and being on call, too, eventually caused
me to literally hit the wall and die a very slow death for a number of years.
Today, I have a new and highly rewarding position, that of a Minister. My personal ministry is called Encouraging
Word Ministries. I truly believe that as we go about our daily activities that we ought to encourage one another.
We can do this by simply extending a smile to someone who feels down or looks blue. A smile is infectious and
makes you and others feel good so practice, practice, practice!
It's a proven fact that laughter makes a person feel better, so laught a whole lot.....and don't work so hard, it's really
not worth it! OK?
When I say I have a new life and new heart, I mean it. I have CHF (Congestive Heart Failure) and a host of other
ailments that make CHF worse. I am truly blessed and thankful to God that I am still alive today.
Through divine intervention, I became eligible to be apart of a clinical trial for CHF. I am a recipient of
the Acorn CorCapSupport Device, www.acorncv.com, which is a meshlike stocking (similar to fishnet) that was placed around my heart to passively reduce its size from
that of a basketball to a more normal sized heart. The procedure is experimental and has not yet been approved
by the FDA. I believe the device is being used in some European countries, however. The device was designed to help
improve the quality of life for patients with CHF which is a chronic disease.
I've learned that we must take very good care of ourselves, men and women. Particularly women, because we are the
caretakers for everyone we love and some we don't even love (let's be truthful here!).
Learning to listen to our bodies is important and when acted upon can perhaps save a life before something catastropic
occurs with time.
I was always one to listen to my body, and take it for regular routine checkups, the whole nine. I was aware.
That was one of my mottos "Be Aware". However, being aware and acting on what one is aware of are two entirely different
things to say the least.
Women often times put things off until the very last minute, trying to do one more thing before the end of the day, a
never ending to do list...nearly cost me my life.
Today, I am learning how to formulate and act upon my "Not To Do List".
Below you will see my picture and info concerning my new job. I am a National Spokeswoman for the National
Coalition for Women with Heart Disease. This is a position that I am not paid for, however, it has given me
more satisfaction than some of my well paid positions, because it's about patient advocacy, about being aware, about
taking control of your own health. It is also about encouraging you to take your heart seriously, even if you don't
have heart disease, yet. Please know that I don't wish that or want that for you.
Heart Disease is the number one killer of all women in the United States of America. It discriminates against no
one. Each one of us has a heart. Here's a sobering thought: 1 in 3 women will be diagnosed with heart disease
this year alone!
Our lives today are filled with endless and occasional useless things to do, of which caring for ourselves is the least
important on the list, seemingly. When it comes to taking charge of how we care for our bodies and how it responds to
the daily grind of stresses in our workplace environment, family, and even unto affairs of the heart concerning our spouses,
significant others and all other key players, we are not handling things as we most certainly ought to.
We have learned how to eliminate gray from our hair, erase laugh lines, and other visible signs of aging...but we are
not taught that life springs from the heart...and we are to care for our hearts first and foremost. The heart helps
to keep, mind, body and spirit in proper alignment.
Our Lord and Savior is concerned with our hearts! Let's get concerned with the things that God is concerned about
and you will find all other non-essential "stuff" will become just that "non-essential".
Years ago, as a child, my Uncle Herbert, who is a retired science teacher, explained to me that "self-preservation"
is the first law of nature. Somewhere I think during the last 30 years or so we may have altered the laws of nature and
replaced that essential law with "do more, get more, be more for others" than to just be content with life as it is.
To enjoy it as best we can without unnecessary extraneous fluff and to encourage one another.
It would be good to sit and watch the sunset, enjoy the laughter of your loved ones "not so funny" joke, even.
Please don't get me wrong, I am still a doer for sure, but I try to be more selective in what I do...and how I go
about doing a particular thing.
This even includes what I decide to get upset about! I no longer get crazy when trying to get my point
across to someone who is clearly not seeing my point, etc. and has no intention of ever seeing my point...it's pointless.
So why elevate my blood pressure and heart rate for this useless event?
It would be better for me to elevate my blood pressure and heart rate by exercising at least 3-4 times per week for at
least 30 minutes a day to help prevent another cardiac event. This is certainly more useful to me...now that's taking
care and self-preservation at it's best. Agreed?
Go outside and enjoy this day. For even if it's cloudy outside ... remember that the Son is within You!
In essence I am saving my heart for more meaningful displays of action, like taking the time to create this website.
It is my sincere wish that you will come away from here more enlightened with a renewed sense of who you are, dedicating
time to care for yourself completely in all aspects while preparing yourself more fully to be all that you were designed to
be which is ultimately for His Glory.
There are truly enough hours in the day to get the important things done every day. God didn't make a shortage
of anything. Think about it...the water is still here on the planet, the rain comes from time to time, there is
food, there are more people, there is still time...to take care of you and all that is important to you, in manageable
portions.
Ladies, every dish does not have to be put away! But, for the kids that are reading this, the every dish does
need to be washed!! Lessen mom's stress by helping her to "de"stress from the daily chores that you've been
assigned and are not doing. OK?
Take note gentlemen, husbands, significant others, please try a little tenderness. Instead of her always battling
with you and telling you to get your checkups. Set up her physical exam for her from head to toe. She'll be glad
you did and when she's pleased, let's not forget, you'll be pleased ultimately!
My mom used to say "A stitch in time saves nine, an ounce of pervention is worth a pound of cure. It's
easier to keep up than to catch up." So help her out...by helping to ease the strain off of her heart. She's more
than likely bearing all of the family burdens, this can and does weigh her down needlessly. You'll want
her around and in good health for all time.
Get up from in front of the television, go for a walk together, talk with one another and listen to each other...and
pass up the fast foods more frequently. Let the family prepare a meal together for a change...don't call in the pizza
guy, everybody get together and prepare the meal...the little ones can fold the napkins, someone can pour the drinks, wash
the dishes, and then let her have little R&R afterwards just for her.
This may sound crass but here it is, for nearly 2 1/2 years, I didn't take a bath. I was too busy to do so, I only
took showers, imagine that. I'm now learning to enjoy taking a bath again! It is so relaxing and theraputic
for mind, body and spirit.
In many times, even a time such as this, right here and now and in quite times God speaks to us concerning
all matters of the heart. Won't you please take a moment to stop and listen to the One who gave you your heart?
Here's a heartbreak you can endure:
Love more, laugh more, live longer....healthier. Give your heart a break for a better reason today and I promise
you'll enjoy tomorrow even more than today!
Should you be a woman that has been diagnosed with heart disease, take heart, there is still alot of life in you.
One thing about being diagnosed is that it gives you an opportunity to really focus on what is important in your life.
It gives us a second chance to do it properly.
Recently I had the pleasure of sitting in on a presentation by Wayne Sotile, Ph.D, he's written a book "Thriving
With Heart Disease". Pick up a copy and read it, you'll be glad you did. You can also visit his website, www.thrivingwithheartdisease.com.
I am living proof that God still performs miracles everyday...if He did it for me, He'll do it for you too.
You are blessed therefore, please stop by again soon and be encouraged by giving an Encouraging Word today...and
while you're doing that tell a friend about our site.
Thanks!
I have a renewed heart & a new life! |
What a job!
I am a National Spokeswoman for The National Coalition for Women with Heart Disease, WomenHeart, and graduate
of its Science and Leadership Symposium at Mayo Clinic.
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Favorites
Here's a list of some of my favorite movies (in no particular order):
The
Blues Brothers, Somewhere In Time, The Big Chill, I'm Gonna Git You Sucker, The Graduate, anything James Bond, Mission Impossible
(1 &2), Shaft (the newer version, I think Jeffrey Wright is an amazing actor!), The Passion of the Christ, Children of
a Lesser God, Quest for Fire, Amadeus,
Here's a list of some of my favorite music and artists:
James
Brown, Al Jarreau, Lizz Wright, Sade, Ohio Players, my friend, Chris Cooper, Handel, Mozart, Beethoven, Mahalia Jackson, Sister
Rosetta Thorpe, Kirk Franklin, The Five Blind Boys, Wes Montgomery, Moody Blues, Alan Parsons Project, Steely Dan, Noel Pointer,
Dexter Gordon, Tyzik, Gloria Estefan, Carlos Santana, Benny Goodman, The Rolling Stones, Elton John, Duke Ellington, Michael
Jackson, and my favorite of all musicians is my daughter, Summer Chiani Wosu...I like her music alot, she loves music, she
is music...she plays the drums, keyboard, bass guitar, and a little bit of trumpet and she sings, too! We are all music!
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