One of the good things in life is connecting with someone new and immediately feeling a “click.” Their attitude, perspectives, or whatever, clicks with yours. And if you’re fortunate, they will inspire you too.
One such person, for me, is Lynn Abaté-Johnson, (also, known as @LAJBiz on Twitter).
We met online when we were both invited to participate in the Curatti Lead Generation Roundup. And although it was business that brought us together, it’s who we are as people that’s enabled our friendship to flourish.
Over the last few years, Lynn has faced some life-altering and even traumatic events. The death of her beloved mother, California wildfires, an earthquake, moving residence, and a business rebranding.
Whew!
Despite all those challenges, Lynn has steadfastly put one foot in front of the other, day by day, and kept moving forward. Embracing the changes with courage.
Recently Lynn posted a status update on Facebook that I think sums up her perseverant attitude ideally. When I read it, I immediately felt one of those “wow’ moments.
Here is the update, in the raw. See if it resonates and inspires you too. By Lynn Abaté-Johnson.
“All.The.Years.
I feel like I have a reprieve from that roller coaster (I know it’s temporary).
I’m optimistically realistic.
Every time I board the flights between San Diego and Sonoma County, I count my blessings.
My family, friends, mentors and work-mates who are family as well.
I’ve paid.
Plenty of dues.
For the first time in my life, I finally feel deserving of these moments, relationships, prosperity in all of the most important forms.
My mom, her life and death.
The journey of grief I’ve been on the past 2 years.
The book I’m struggling to write.
The community work I’m empowered to BE and do.
Passion projects I get to be involved in.
Struggling to get another blog post out.
It’s ALL important for me.
ALL worth it.
ALL learning. ALL love.
So tonight, I’m on another short flight back to the beach along the #bestcoast, listening to favorite songs, noticing the #SonomaCounty #sunset.
Wishing to be exactly where I am in this moment. Things that used to rattle me no longer hold the intensity it did before my mom was diagnosed.
Yes, that sucked.
Yet, her BRCA2 gene and ovarian cancer also brought many gifts.
Love, patience, honoring her as she aged so rapidly over those 6.5 years.
Still, worth it ( this feels weird to even think-how could all that pain, horror, ugliness have been worth it?).
I still don’t exactly know.
But it was.
And is.
Every tear, every smile, laugh, crisis of confidence…
It just dawned on me that this trip back to San Diego, instead of returning home to my humble RV, I’m returning to my new home, for the first time.
Soooooo trippy when I reflect on what it took to “get” to this moment.
I am reminded of my new mantra for this year, “don’t flinch”. Stare it down. Whatever “it” is. Just don’t fucking flinch and out of the audacity to look that fear and doubt in its snout, the highest good comes, in its time, without forcing a thing. Flow, magic, the alchemy of the dance we are in with ourselves and the relationships we get to choose.”
Thanks so much for sharing, Lynn.
Let me know in the comments if Lynn’s mantra resonates for you too.
Winslow Eliot: Do feel you’re a nail or a hammer?
Hi Amanda and Lynn, it did hit home with me, my mom died of cancer in less than 6 months she was diagnosed and started not to feel where. They never discovered where it started….It was awful to see what happens to the human body, much less my own mom. It’s been over 5 years and the sadness is not as intense, I even visited her and now my dad’s grave to clean up today.
Life changes and we have to pick up, move on…..Ever since then I have left go of fears and try to live life to the fullest as I realized how short and fragile it can be.
I’m so sorry to hear about your mother’s illness and her subsequent passing on. I remember when your dad passed too. It can be overwhelmingly hard to keep going after loses like these but I’m so glad to hear that you’ve been able to let go of your fear and focus on each day.
Thank you for your generosity in sharing my words here, Amanda. My hope is that our words will encourage your audience along their own journeys through life, especially during those times when it seems like a roller coaster ride that is not very fun.
My pleasure Lynn. Your mantra really resonated with me and I also hope my readers find it as inspiring. I’m sure they will, thanks so much for sharing your thoughts here.