It’s Choice Not Chance That Determines Your Destiny

“It’s Choice Not Chance That Determines Your Destiny” -Jean Nidecht

I believe that All life’s experiences are connected ~ A series of events and outcomes that lead to the next chapter of this extraordinary journey called “Life”. What might have at one time seemed like an insurmountable challenge may have turned out, in hindsight, to be a great blessing. I believe that the profound power of the human spirit has the capacity to change the course of ones life regardless of external circumstances. 

I know this to be true firsthand. As I rewind the hands of time, ~ in retrospect, I can clearly see how even the most painfully traumatic experiences, were somehow linked together, creating the path that has led me to where I am now. I often refer to this journey as “The Yellow Brick Road” ~ the path to my spiritual evolution. One never knows where life’s road may lead us…but the one sure thing is that it’s the choices we make along the way that do indeed determine our destiny.

Twenty years ago I could have stayed on the path of the statistics given me with my MS diagnosis of being in a wheelchair and blind. Instead I chose to defy them. By living out loud on my terms…with love and gratitude.

Closing my business and retiring from a successful 23 year career as a fashion designer in 2000 was incredibly scary! Six months later I was presented with the opportunity to immerse myself in the studies of Function of Anatomy, Nutrition and Brain Health.

Two years later (2002), my husband was diagnosed with metastatic colon cancer. Over the next 2 years, I would be his support system, his advocate and second set of eyes and ears at every single medical appointment and treatment. That would have been nearly impossible had I not closed my previous business.

November of 2003 we journeyed to a clinic in Switzerland to undergo a series of promising cancer treatments not available in the USA. While there, we discovered that this clinic had a remarkable success rate treating autoimmune illnesses including Multiple Sclerosis. Upon our return home, I found one doctor in all of Los Angeles that would administer the treatments I brought home. To this day uses that same protocol to treat his patients with autoimmune disease and as a result has helped thousands of his patients.

In the final days of my husband’s journey, he would often say “It’s all about you…You have much to do before we meet again.” It took years for me to realize that his decision to go to Switzerland was not about him…it was his gift to me so that I may fulfill my destiny.

Since childhood, The Wizard of Oz has always been one my favorite stories ever written. There was always that part of me that saw myself in every character.

Dorothy’s journey begins as a result of a traumatic experience. She finds herself in unknown territory. Frightened and confused, she follows a path with a clear beginning and an unavoidable end. She battles (perceived) evil in various forms, found companions along the way to help and had companions who scattered in times of turbulence. On her journey through the dark forest, she found her inner power, … her truth ~ eventually leading her back “Home. 

Like Dorothy, my clients’ journey begins as a result of a traumatic experience. Usually, it’s that diagnosis for which there is no known medical cure. They find themselves in unknown territory, frightened and confused. They often follow the path of the statistics laid out before them of a clear beginning and an unavoidable end.

Through The Alchemy of Hope and Healing, I guide my clients along that yellow brick road through the dark forest of fear, hopelessness and despair into OZ , the land of endless possibilities, hope and healing.

Take a moment and look at those three words again. Really look at them, then take in a deep breath, close your eyes and exhale as you say them out loud, 3 times…Possibilities, Hope, Healing.

Note how that makes you feel…hopeful, peaceful, excited or frustrated, doubtful and fearful?

There’s no right or wrong here…just awareness as to where you are and where you would like to be.

When I first met my client Kay, she was fearful of even leaving her house to get the mail without assistance. Because of her mobility challenges with Multiple Sclerosis, and given the statistics that she would be in a wheel chair and lose her ability to speak within 10 years, she was afraid that if she fell, she wouldn’t be able to get up or call for help. Today, 10 years later, I’ve had the honor of attending several concerts, theatre productions  and  participate in the MS walk for the past 4 years, in which she is able to walk 1½ miles of the 3 mile loop!

“You’ve always had the power, my dear. You’ve had it all along.”
Glinda the Good Witch, The Wizard of Oz

With Heartfelt Gratitude,
Sónia