Tag: mindfulness

Disability

PART 1: THE JOY HIDDEN INSIDE THE HARD MOMENTS

OUR BEAUTIFUL CHALLENGES

This series is about those moments—about the strength I found not in perfection or ease, but in breathing through the most complex and beautiful parts of my journey. Each part of this series explores how challenges shaped me, taught me, and helped me discover joy in unexpected places.

My life journey has been beautiful, but challenging. So when my yoga teacher asked us to pick a joyful moment from our journey, I surprised myself by choosing the most difficult time of my life. I decided it because those challenging moments are the ones I made it through. I reached the other side. And how many people can genuinely say they’ve fought through the most complex parts of themselves without giving up?

Most people see joyful moments as something bright and easy from the start. And yes, that would be simple. But my joyful moments come with a price, shaped by the challenges I’ve had to face. Without those struggles, I wouldn’t walk the way I do, talk the way I do, or live the independent life I’ve built as a person with a disability. If everything had come easily, I wouldn’t be who I am today.

What I’ve learned is that not every joyful moment begins joyfully. Sometimes you have to find the joy hidden inside the complex parts.

In yoga, this lesson becomes even clearer to me. When class begins, and I take that very first deep breath in, it’s like my whole body remembers what it feels like to slow down, to open, and to let myself be fully present. When the teacher says, “Breathe into the challenging moments,” it’s more than instructions for a pose—it’s a reminder of how I live my life. And when she says, “Let your breath guide you,” I can’t help but smile from within. Because, as difficult as my challenges have been, they’ve also become some of my most joyful moments. They taught me how to stay present, trust my own strength, and keep breathing even when life felt heavy.

Every time I breathe through a pose, I’m reminded that I’ve breathed through much more complex things. I’ve survived moments that once felt impossible. I’ve crossed through storms that once felt endless. And each time, I came out firmer, softer, and more myself.

So when my teacher says, “Pick a joyful moment in your life journey,” I realize I could never choose just one. Joy doesn’t show up only when life is easy. Joy shows up when you fight, when you grow, when you breathe… and when you find yourself standing on the other side of something you thought would break you.

My joy has always lived inside my challenges—and that’s what makes it so powerful.

Disability

PROTECTING YOUR PEACE IN A NOISY WORLD

OUR BEAUTIFUL CHALLENGES

“Peace doesn’t mean life is quiet — it means finding calm within the noise.”

Lately, it’s been challenging for me to write non-fiction. I’ve been doing more fictional writing because it takes my mind off what’s going on in the world. I’ve also been spending more time meditating — really, doing anything that helps me focus on something positive.

There’s just so much happening around us right now. So much information being thrown at us all at once, so many opinions and points of view. It can be hard to know what to think or where to stand. Sometimes, I even question myself — wondering if I’m being influenced by one side or the other. That’s how I feel about life in the world these days.

But this isn’t a blog about which side of the aisle I’m on, or an attempt to persuade anyone to see things my way. Because, let’s face it — that’s what makes the world go round. If everyone thought the same way, it would be boring. Whether we agree or not, we’ve all seen how what’s happening in the world affects each of us in one way or another.

For me, it’s about finding ways to protect my peace — to keep from being consumed by everything going on around me. When too much is coming at us all at once, we have to learn not to force ourselves to take it all in.

Here are a few simple ways I’ve found to quiet the noise:

Meditation: After a long day of listening to or scrolling through the news and social media, unwinding with meditation is a great way to decompress. It doesn’t have to take long — even ten minutes can help clear your mind and reset your energy.

Reading: A good book can take you anywhere you want to be — far away from the chaos of the day.

Music: Turn it up and dance out the worries. There’s something freeing about moving to your favorite song and letting the stress melt away.

Exercise: Sometimes, all you need is to sweat the day’s worries out. A walk, a stretch, a workout — anything that gets your body moving can do wonders for your mind.

I could make pages upon pages of ideas to help clear your mind from everything you hear throughout the day, but it all comes down to one thing: protecting your peace.

We live in a world where information never stops — it’s loud, fast, and sometimes overwhelming. But you have the power to step back. You can choose when to listen, when to unplug, and when to breathe.

Taking care of your peace isn’t ignoring the world; it’s preparing yourself to face it with calm and clarity. Because when you nurture your inner peace, you see the world more clearly — and you respond with love, not fear.

Disability

MY PATH TO PEACE STARTS AT THE YMCA

OUR BEAUTIFUL CHALLENGES

Fridays have become my favorite day of the week. At the YMCA, I get to spend two hours in Ta-chi and meditation—a time to let go, breathe, and recharge from everything the week has placed on my shoulders. Living with cerebral palsy doesn’t take away the fact that I face the same stressors and responsibilities as anyone else. In fact, stress can weigh heavily on me because it can cause my CP symptoms to flare up. That’s why this Friday routine has become such a vital part of my life—it’s my anchor, my reset button, my peace.

When I first heard about Ta-chi, I never imagined I would be able to participate. But with the proper modifications, I found my way in. I sit in a chair, moving as best I can, and still receive the same benefits as anyone else—just in a different way. By the time class ends, my body feels so light and relaxed, like a bowl of jello, and my mind feels clear.

What makes this journey so special is the support I’ve received. Many instructors have been willing to adjust the movements so I can fully take part. My Ta-chi instructor, especially, has been a true gift. She always makes sure I have a version of each movement that works for me. Sometimes, she’ll even pause to show me an alternative before continuing with the class. She recently added a second Ta-chi and meditation class that’s more chair-based, blending gentle movement with mindfulness. To me, it feels like pure balance—movement for my body, calm for my soul.

Fridays at the YMCA remind me of a powerful truth: wellness looks different for everyone. What matters most is finding a way to nurture your body and spirit—no matter your limitations, no matter your challenges. With creativity, support, and persistence, peace is always possible. And if I can find it in my own way, so can you.