It was Sunday, October 2, 2005

For several days previous, I had been experiencing a strange sensation in my chest. It wasn’t exactly pain, more like pressure--like someone was stepping on me or squeezing my heart. And it was random--nothing in particular seemed to bring it on. It began happening frequently enough, though, that on Saturday I told my husband that the next time I felt it, I was going to call the nurse.
The next morning we said good-bye, and I proceeded to get myself ready for the day. I showered, got dressed, and made breakfast for the kids--you know, the normal stuff. And then, without warning, I felt it again. “Well,” I sighed, “I did say I was going to call if it happened again.” So I called the nurse and began to describe my symptoms. She asked me a few questions and then said scariest words I had ever heard in my life: “Margie, I want you to hang up the phone and call 911.” It was like a bullet tearing through me. I started to cry. I knew what she was saying. She thought I was having a heart attack. “Margie--” I heard her say, “Will you do it?”
I had to compose myself. “Yes--” I said, “As soon as I find someone to watch my kids...” My mind was racing. How could this be happening? I was young--only 37! I was a vegetarian--aren’t we supposed to be immune? What followed was a whirlwind of EMTs, doctors, and tests. My final diagnosis? Stress.
Yes, STRESS had landed me in the hospital. In my journey to transform my own life, I have found that stress has become so commonplace,expected and, unfortunately, even admired, that it is like a dull ache. It’s there--it’s there all the time--but it hasn’t gotten so bad yet that we are motivated to do anything about it. And that’s unfortunate, because now that I am on the other side, I can see how amazingly wonderful and miraculous it is to live stress-free. My hope for this ride to have the opportunity to teach and demonstrate to others that they do not have to put up with pain--from stress, from abuse, from anything at all--for one more second.
EVERYONE deserves to live a life that is joyous and fulfilling and beautiful and abundant.
NO ONE is required to sacrifice these things for anyone or anything.
NO ONE is required to delay their happiness for any reason. Whatever the circumstances, there is a way out and a way UP.

Margie