Steve Jobs notoriously said, “You can’t connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backwards. So you have to trust that the dots will somehow connect in your future.”

As my life evolves, I find more and more truth to this concept – there is a path you are following in life and it connects to everything else.

I Diagnosed My Own Skin Cancer
In 2001, I got into a disagreement with my new husband of 3 months. I locked myself in the bedroom of our one-bedroom 800 square ft. apartment to stew. Not realizing how bored I would be in my righteous sulking, I picked up Glamour magazine and started flipping through the pages. Finding an ABCD’s of skin cancer guide sheet in the issue, I decided to do a full body scan and found a suspicious mole on my back. That mole was ultimately diagnosed as melanoma and resulted in a large, scary, life-changing surgery. My sun-worshiping, tanning booth, yo-yo dieting days had come back to haunt me. I was not invincible.

Finding Deepak
At the same point in my life, I was a basket case of stress in a fast-paced job at L’Oreal that took every ounce of my energy and produced so much anxiety I ended up in the emergency room (more than once) for anxiety attacks.

Feeling a little lost, I was given a book “Seven Secrets of Success” by Deepok Chopra. It reset my mind frame and made everything seem attainable.  I was always very motivated, but as a new follower (and stalker 😉 ) of Deepak, it became clearer that I can control my life and achieve anything. I quit my job at L’Oreal.

Tackling My Only Fear
As everything in my life flourished, I still could not tackle my fear of skin cancer. At least 35 removals and 5 doctors later, I avoided the sun at all costs, bundled up in 95 degree weather and hid in the shade. You really can’t comprehend how scary it is to be diagnosed with cancer (of any kind), unless you have gone through it. This could potentially be my demise.

My fear lasted up until 4 weeks ago.

During a routine 3 month checkup, my savior, Dr. Wang – the director of Memorial Sloan Kettering in Basking Ridge, NJ (referred to me from a previous doctor who met him at a conference –> dot), told me to Live My Life. He said I would miss out if I continued to live in fear and my mind would eventually convince my body that it was sick and create illness. It was a life revelation for me.

After this eye-opening appointment with Dr. Wang, I randomly turned on the TV one afternoon (which I NEVER do) and Deepok Chopra was on Oprah’s Soul Sunday. He was talking about his book “Ageless Body, Timeless Mind.” His main premise was we can control the health of our body through positive thinking (it’s a fascinating read). By taking care of your body (eating well, exercising, nourishing your mind), you can stop illness and the aging process. He said to “Live Your Life” to the fullest potential.

I felt as if the last 10 years made a full circle.

Dots Continue To Connect
In the last 10 years, being Deepak inspired, I have accomplished so much more than I ever imagined. I have started 3 successful businesses, checked “become a trainer” off my bucket list, started a health and nutrition blog (with an equally motivational partner), learned an exorbitant amount of information on health and nutrition and have practiced what I preach. I have learned and shared with many that you can heal your body from the inside out. My goal was to motivate others in life to be happy and live their life.

I have not had another melanoma in over 10 years.

I realized there’s a good chance channeling all of that positive energy and practicing healthy living over the years ultimately helped me heal my body from the inside out.

The Dots All Come Together
• I find my melanoma • Deepak Chopra inspires me to de-stress and live life up to my potential • I dedicate myself to inspiring others and living a healthy lifestyle • After many, many doctors, I am driven to Dr. Wang, who ultimately teaches me my own mantra • Deepok shows up on TV on a random Sunday to talk to me once again • I realize my healthy behavior and positive energy  has ultimately helped me keep my body healthy • I learn my own life lesson and hope to continue to inspire others.

So I pass on the message to you….look back at your dots and see how they have dictated your future.
And, most importantly… Life Your Life.

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