Sunday, January 31, 2021

Why I Take Steps


        It seems like someone is always fundraising for something, and it can feel impossible to balance a budget during girl scout cookie season. So for those who feel like they can't give $, I understand. Here's a little piece of my story, a mini behind-the-scenes look at why this cause matters to me, and why now.

DO YOU WANT TO KNOW 
WHY I TAKE STEPS?

        Imagine being 14 years old, swearing up and down that you're NOT anorexic, and that you're not eating because your stomach hurts. You keep going to school because honestly, the distraction helps, but your blood boils every time someone notices your size 8 turned size 00 figure and comments "you like great!". My mom raised me with good manners so I put on that fake smile, said something like "aww thanks" and vented to my friends later. Imagine being 14 years old, and being scheduled for a colonoscopy. Thank God that my tribe was mostly future doctors, and they were fascinated more than grossed out by the "butt camera" details. Fast forward 10 years and hundreds of blood draws later, and imagine the next chapter of the battle. Imagine you have a husband and a job, and after years of being relatively okay, the pain is back with a vengeance. Your doctor suggests surgery. For years, you've been so careful, knowing that getting pregnant during a flare could be disastrous, and your doctor tells you not to let your disease control your life. But what if... and what if... the fears are too scary to even speak them.

        Now fast forward one more time, another 7 years to the current day. You're living the American dream. Married, employed, with 2.5 kids and a house with a yard. Your disease is under control (at least according to the tests), but you still have accidents more often than your children. You look at these adorable amazing miniature versions of yourself, and remember that your disease has a genetic component.

Baby Steps for A Cure

        Sure, I'd love a cure for Crohn's Disease. I'd love to not need IV medication every 8 weeks, to not need to think about horrible prep drink for at least 20 years, instead of 3. But that stuff doesn't bother me anymore. Like so many other hardships in life, I've adjusted, and barely notice that it's not normal. I take steps and I am 100% committed to this cause, not for myself, but for the millions of younger patients. For the ones who got diagnosed at age 7, and never got to have a normal childhood. For the ones who's surgery didn't help, who's medication doesn't help, and who feel like they won't ever be able to date, or work, or go on vacation like a normal person. I #TakeSteps to stop the stigma, to raise funds, and to do what I can to save others from the pain that I've experienced.

        I've lived with Crohn's Disease since sophomore year of high school, and have had more than my fair share of pokes and prods. Yes, it's true that what doesn't kill you makes you stronger, and my diagnoses helped shape me into who I am today... but that doesn't mean I'd wish it on my worst enemy. So if you can spare the cost of a few fast food meals, consider donating them to CCFA, your guts will be glad that you did, and many others will be forever grateful.


xoxo

MamaGali

Saturday, January 30, 2021

What If....


Good morning,

This post is for you, and you, and you over there in the back. Yes, I see you. I've been you, and I'm here to tell you that it's okay to show up, to speak up, to be seen. There's a middle ground between standing in the spotlight, and hiding in the shadows, and for me, that middle ground is here.

Can you see the tears still shining in my eyes?

 This newest poem, "STOP" is for all those like me, for each person who for far too long has held back from being true to their heart. It's time to start stopping, start starting, and live.

 "STOP" 

What if we put a STOP

To feeling ashamed?


What if we shared our truth?


Like an innocent child

With no filter,

Who hasn't yet learned 

To hold back and hide.


"Conceal don't feel"

Sings the queen of ice and snow.


And maybe 

we can't help

But sing along 

because

 that's what we've been told 

for years and years

just like she was.


What if we put a STOP

To feeling ashamed?


How much happier would we feel

Showing up authentically?


Sure there'd be haters,

There always are...

But if we STOP being afraid 

If we STOP being ashamed

THAT'S when we find our tribe.


And finding your  tribe

is priceless.


    As part of my 2021 "100% Committed" mission, I make a commitment to myself, and to you. I commit to show up authentically, at home, at work, online, and anywhere else where I might spend time.  So often we give advice to others, not following it ourselves. That's why one of my many missions this year is to "Walk the Walk and Talk the Talk, for IBD and for Me", I'm going to confess that the first draft of this message was #PostedFromThePot. Actually, some of my best poetry and prose is written from the "throne", because as a mom of 2 living with Crohn's Disease, I spend more than my fair share of time in the restroom. Okay I admit, sometimes I'm hiding out, hoping for an extra minute alone. Often though, I'm just following my gut, and a gut with chronic inflammation doesn't have the same needs as one without.

    I've decided to set aside the shame that so often is linked to Irritable Bowel Disease. Sure, my guts are cranky and overactive, but often, so are my thoughts, and my years on this Earth have taught me that #RealTalk can help me (and you) process the chaos within, literally AND metaphorically!

    Will you join me in this quest as I #TakeSteps and share my story, as I #StopTheStigma by starting conversations? I hope that you will (no pressure though, truly).

    Let me know in the comments, or, if you're not quite ready, click here to show your support with a donation to Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America. CCFA is an organization that funds research for a cure for Crohn's Disease, and it's cousin Ulcerative Colitis. They also fund much-needed support for newly diagnosed patients, and so much more. CCFA helped me when I needed it most, and all these years later, I've finally found the courage to talk about it.

    I hope that you'll start a conversation with me, in public or in private, and know that I won't judge. You are loved, and you are NOT your illness, you are NOT your struggle, you are so much more.


Xoxo

MamaGali

Thursday, December 31, 2020

Life Lessons from 2020 *Spoiler Alert* Take Action

Do you want this year to be better? Me too. 

So what are we gonna do about it???


I say "we" because you're not alone, and neither am I. 90% of men, women, and children struggle on our path to success because we try to do it all and have it all without symbiotic support. Symbiotic is a fancy biology word for "you scratch my back, I'll scratch yours". And you can fact-check that all you want, it's not fake news because 88% of all statistics are made up on the spot 😉.

My life lessons for 2020 are listed below, in a graphic, in a poem, in a list, because that's the way that my mind works. If you're in a rush, and too lazy to read all the way through (yeah I said it) here's a spoiler. The year, the month, the minute, they're as good or as bad as you decide that they'll be, and that's not an exaggeration. Each of us has so much more power over our attitude and over our circumstances than we give ourselves credit for. How do I know? 

I've learned it and I've lived it. 

If you need a scientific study to believe what I'm telling you, they're out there. If you prefer to pray about it, well nothing's standing in your way. If you prefer to just read on, and make up your own mind, c'mon then, here we go.

The Gali-Original Graphic

Pilot Your Path


The Gali-Original Poem

 "Here's How"


When we collaborate, 
when we conversate, 
when we courageously create,

THAT'S when the magic happens.

When we're authentic, when we're true, 
when we follow our hearts
stop thinking, and DO  

THAT'S when the magic happens.

Decision time friends.

Will you choose to keep waiting,
to keep wishing, to keep wanting,
Or will you take inspired action,

and make magic with me?

                                               The Gali-Original Bonus Poem

You don't need my permission, but you have it all the same.  
It's time to take the wheel and drive, or if you prefer, take the reins. 
Whatever metaphor you end up choosing, the end result doesn't change. 
The power is yours. The choice is yours.  
What you will you choose?


 The Gali-Original List


1. Dream Your Destiny
2. Plan Your Path
3. Take Inspired Action


So now that I've shared my life lessons from 2020 in all sorts of different formats, what have I decided

I've decided that I'm going to choose laughter. When my house and my heart feel chaotic, I'm going to choose not to scream, I'm going to choose not to stress, I'm going to choose not to cry. Instead, I choose laughter, I choose love, I choose life. And if and when I forget, I'll give myself permission to try again.


Those moments of the day, those Manic Mondays and Terrible Tuesdays, each ordinary playlist of Eat. Work. Sleep. Repeat. Those moments make the memories that we'll look back on when we're older. One of my favorite songs taught me how many minutes make up a year (spoiler alert - its 525,600 minutes), and we have so much more power over how we spend those minutes than we believe.

So if you feel trapped, then move. You're not a tree! 

It really is that simple. Now, I'm not advising you to quit your job today, but I'm also not advising you to stay. I'm just saying, stop overcomplicating everything, stop living in a prison of your creation and then complaining that its uncomfortable. Now, before you accuse me living in a glass house and throwing stones, I hear myself. I know that these words are for me as much as for you. Personally, I believe God gave me this gift over words so that I can use it. So that when I put pen to paper and when my fingers fly, maybe, just maybe, I'll stop stop "I". Maybe my eyes will be opened at last, and maybe yours will too.

So as 2020 comes to an end, my lessons learned are these. Choose Laughter. Choose Life. Choose Joy. Choose them every minute of every day, and if you stumble, get back up. It won't be easy, but you're not alone, and neither am I.  The bible says "All things are possible...", and if you fire your cynical side, your skeptical side, your doubts, maybe you'll start to believe it as much as I do.

If you've made it this far, thanks for reading. Take inspired action TODAY. There's really no reason to wait, and let me know how it goes. I'd love to support you on this wild ride, and even share mine too.

If you haven't made it this far, well you've already clicked away, so you won't even see when I release my inner toddler and use a gif to make a face at you!

 

Sending you peace, love, and light, in this year and the next,
Your friend, Mama Gali