Life is messy. Stuff happens that causes us to feel. Healthy humans feel. Yet we live in a culture that is very judgmental and ill-equipped to handle the emotions of being a human.

That first brave step of feeling my emotions took an act of courage. Many times over the course of this journey I have cried and sobbed.

I’m going to hold the space for you to do the same.

When I learned about Sam’s drug addiction and life-threatening risks, especially with his use of fentanyl, I knew I had to elevate my level of self-care quickly. The stakes were higher and out of necessity I was compelled to prioritize my self-care at a higher level that I did not negotiate away.

Putting ourselves at the top of our list of people we take care of is probably one of the most important acts of courage we can do.

The #1 factor that will determine whether you’re going to thrive in the midst of managing crises around this disease—or not—is the quality of people you interact with every day.

How powerful is your own community? 

One of the most dynamic tools that will determine the quality of your journey from crisis to thriving is your willingness to examine your belief systems and pay attention to the questions you ask yourself.

For instance, when I learned that Sam was using fentanyl, the first thing I asked myself was, “What are the gifts and lessons embedded in this?”

Challenging my own beliefs, especially in a crisis, has become a rewarding process of exploration.

The crisis with Sam and his journey cracked me so wide open that I became compelled to learn something new every day. His disease urged me to get a “Ph.D”, so to speak, in being human. Sam’s journey caused me to become more focused in my own learning and self-expansion than I could have ever thought possible, and for that I am so grateful.

As you travel your own journey, I wish this active exploration and vigilant learning for you, too.