LIFE IN A WORD

The word is IF

Definition: Merriam-Webster Dictionary - used as a function word to introduce an exclamation expressing a wish

About "LIFE IN A WORD"

Each month, I select one word that captures a powerful life lesson - one that has shaped how I think, feel, and grow. My hope is that these reflections inspire you to pause, look inward, and explore what that same word might mean in your own life.

Posted 2/26/26

My first blog on July 8, 2022 focused on the word purpose. I used it as I shared a story about how my 88 year old mother, who lost her independence, and way of life after a stroke, found her purpose. 

Today, as I sit on a recliner beside the bed of my now 94 year old mother in the memory care unit of an assisted living facility, I’m thinking a lot about the world around me and asking many questions. Most of them begin with the word “IF”. Such a small word, but one that carries so many perspectives, opportunities, questions, challenges to the mind, doubts and contemplations. 

If I never…

If I always…

If I could…

If I should…

The “ifs” of life are infinite. So much of what I guide my clients through about their own lives is the importance of surrendering to the uncertainties of life but also reaching for the possibilities of change. In other words, some of the “ifs in life are not up for grabs, but some are.

So as I sit next to what could be the last few days of hearing my mother breathe or speak, I am remembering the feelings shared by other daughters as they reflected back on the last days of caring for their mom’s. The struggle of questioning if they did enough.

I witnessed their commitment and their love for years and I know that there is no judgment to be had that would say they didn’t do enough. They did enough. They did their best. No matter how many times they heard it from me or others — or even told it to themselves in quiet moments — the doubt still lingers.

Today I am finding strength when those same friends and others speak similar words to me.  What was true for them is true for me - we did our best for those we loved. The late-night calls. The appointments. The sacrifices. The moments of patience.

While these days pass and I watch as my mom prepares to leave this world, I am finding comfort by embracing the times I didn’t say “if” and just said “do”. Do is defined as bringing about, committing and executing. And I will echo to all the other daughters out there - try not to struggle with the haunting question of “if”, allow the reality that we can surrender to the uncertainties of life and still embrace the love, caring and strength we exhibited when we “did”all we did. When we went the extra mile more often than not. Not because we had to, but because it was within our hearts to do so. This chapter of life, the reality of the daughter becoming the mother, is a bitter sweet one.

As our mothers were there for us from the moment of conception, through all the milestones of life, so too are we poised at their side as they are poised for leaving this world for heaven or whatever you believe is our final resting place. 

It is because I have witnessed the love and devotion of these daughters that I have come to deliver this message. You did a lot. You didn’t pause and say, if, you made the decision to do. To be there as much as you could, to create space in your life when the life of your loved one was nearing the end of their space in this world. 

And if you got to do it all over again, you’d do it exactly the same way. I direct this same message to everyone who has lost a loved one or is going through one of life’s more difficult chapters. 

Wear your heart honestly and your love proudly. And, if you ever doubt if you did enough, remind yourself that you did good. Because deep down inside, you know you did.

LIFE IN A WORD

The word is VULNERABLE

Definition: Merriam-Webster Dictionary - Being in a situation where one is likely to meet with harm.

I am directing this blog to those of you who are feeling somewhat immobilized by the challenges of divorce. But it speaks to any of life's transitions. The emotions, the losses and the fears associated with change that put you in a vulnerable space.

About "LIFE IN A WORD"

Each month, I select one word that captures a powerful life lesson - one that has shaped how I think, feel, and grow. My hope is that these reflections inspire you to pause, look inward, and explore what that same word might mean in your own life.

Published 1/16/26

Before sharing my story, let me offer words commonly associated with vulnerability. As you read each one, pause and notice how it lands within you:

Powerless. Defenseless. Susceptible. Weak. Passive. Helpless. Unprotected.

These words—and the emotions they stir—sit at the core of vulnerability. Yet vulnerability, as uncomfortable as it feels, does not have to be permanent. It can be understood. Managed. And ultimately, transformed.

If you or someone you know is recently divorced and these words resonate with you, please read to the end for the opportunity to take one very important step forward.

My Story on Vulnerability

Imagine a time when it felt as though the world was turning against you—when fear and helplessness consumed your thoughts. Finding a way out seemed impossible. Yet, sometimes, just when things seem darkest, something shifts.

Perhaps it was a moment of clarity—a quiet awakening or a subtle change in perspective that moved you from impossible to possible. That moment, however small, became a turning point, beginning a shift away from vulnerability and toward strength.

Lost at Sea

Picture this: You’re steering a small sailboat in the middle of a vast ocean. The weather begins to change. Waves crash against the hull. Water rises around your feet. Darkness settles in.

This image captures the essence of vulnerability—powerlessness and exposure to forces beyond your control.

Now imagine that in the darkness, you spot a glimmer of light off the bow of the boat. A direction. A possibility. That light ignites your inner voice and pulls you away from fear, guiding you toward safety.

The ability—and the willingness—to look through the darkness is what allows you to change course. It’s how you navigate calmer waters and find your way back to shore.

Navigating a Way Out

We all encounter moments of vulnerability. The difference between staying stuck and moving forward lies in how we respond to challenges.  Awareness, intention, and support can shift vulnerability into manageability—and eventually, into strength.

If you are recently divorced and still searching for the light, you don’t have to do this alone.

I offer a no-cost, no-obligation Discovery Session—a safe space for you to explore what feels heavy, uncertain, or overwhelming.

Together, we’ll uncover the roots of your vulnerability and begin applying tools that support clarity, confidence, and forward movement.

If you’re ready to move from feeling vulnerable to feeling empowered, I’m here to walk alongside you.

Reach out today - your path forward starts with a single conversation.

To learn more or schedule your session, visit my website : bit.ly/3srFKL8

or email me at innervoicelifecoach08@gmail.com

You are not broken.

You are breaking open.

Please schedule your appointment today! https://www.innervoicehealthandlifecoaching.com/contact-4

LIFE IN A WORD

The Word is MOMENTS

Definition: Merriam-Webster Dictionary - A minute portion or point of time

About My LIFE IN A WORD

Each month, I choose one word that captures a powerful life lesson—one that has shaped how I think, feel, and grow. My hope is that these reflections inspire you to pause, look inward, and explore what that same word might mean in your own life.

Posted 12/27/25

My Story on Moments

I am constantly amazed by our brain's ability to recall moments that hold special meaning. How do they happen so spontaneously? Why do some memories stay while others fade? I often have more questions than answers—and so does the scientific community.

The National Institute of Health (NIH) describes the brain as the most complex part of the human body: “This three-pound organ is the seat of intelligence, interpreter of the senses, initiator of body movement, and controller of behavior... the brain is the source of all the qualities that define our humanity. It is the crown jewel of the human body.”

In a world that never stops spinning, I want to focus on the power of standing still to enjoy special moments. It starts by letting go of the "before" and the "after" to fully inhabit the "now." Be Here Now is the mantra I want to share with you. Don’t miss it. Engage with it. Feel it in your body and your mind. When you are truly present, you’ll be amazed at how your brain "bookmarks" that moment for future enjoyment.

The Queen Sized Bed

One such moment occurred in the wee hours of Friday, November 28th—the day after Thanksgiving. I woke up wide-eyed and smiling "from ear to ear," an expression my father used to describe a joy so large it fills your entire face.

I was in my queen-sized bed, but I realized my body was positioned like someone clinging to a life raft to avoid drowning. I was braced against my nightstand just to keep from falling onto the floor.

The culprits? My three- and five-year-old grandsons.

If you have ever shared a bed with grandchildren, the picture is immediately clear. By some law of physics or divine intervention, children in sleep gradually slither toward you. They sprawl, they rotate, and they colonize every inch of space you thought was yours.

There I was: the five-year-old’s knee in my belly and the three-year-old’s arm strewn across my head. In that cramped, slightly uncomfortable instant, the smile hit my face. No matter how compromised my position was, no matter how sleepless the night, the connection to these two beautiful children warmed my heart. Even now, as I write this, that same smile returns.

The Stranger in the Service Station Lounge

Because I believe nothing in life is truly random, I want to share another moment from just last week. I was walking through the door of the service station just two short steps behind another customer. I waited my turn and then took a seat in the customer lounge. Normally, I bring a book or my computer and focus on either of those things. However, in that moment, I immediately struck up a conversation with the gentleman. And before too long we found an incredible amount of common ground.  We engaged in conversation for over an hour and probably would have gone longer, but for the fact that we were informed that both our cars were ready.

Why Moments Matter

I share these stories to emphasize that moments are the fabric of meaningful connection.

My grandsons left an indelible mark on my heart through their physical closeness that night; my encounter with a stranger left an indelible impression of a different kind—the simple, profound connection between one human and another. In this big, unpredictable world, find comfort in knowing there are endless connections to be made and cherished when you learn to live in the moment.

As we move into this New Year, may your heart and mind be open to living in the present. When life gets hard—and it will—I hope you can reach back and recall those tiny moments in time and allow yourself to once again smile from ear to ear.

Wishing you a happy, healthy, and peaceful New Year - filled with precious moments!