It’s easy to be happy when everything in your life is going right.
But when you hit a roadblock or perhaps some bumps along the road it can feel like a heavy cloud sits right over your head. I’m sure we have all been there. Can you feel the rain? It can happen on a perfectly sunny spring day. It’s the worst kind of storm.
Since I’ve been sitting at home trying to find answers to my health problems I’ve had a lot of time to think. A lot. Maybe a little too much. I keep thinking about how to find a way for some greater good to come out of all of this. I keep thinking about Robin Robert’s cancer battle and her saying “make your mess, your message.” I have certainly been in the middle of one big mess.
I want to advocate for something that relates to the struggle I’ve gone through. It’s certainly not an obvious choice because what I have been fighting is complicated and there is no test I can encourage you to take to help keep this from happening to you. It’s not like this could have been prevented. I am so lucky that I don’t have a life threatening disease. There are so many people that are fighting the battle of their life and putting it in that perspective makes my problems seem trivial.
But my mess is still a complicated series of problems that is hitting me where it hurts the worst. My voice. My livelihood and my way to make a living. Allergies, asthma, chronic sinus problems… not being able to talk hits me in the gut. It has shaken my spirit.
What I decided to do is continue to find ways to share some joy on my blog through a series of positive posts, inspirational ideas or joyful pictures.
I’ve had grey days. I’ve had my fair share of storm clouds. I pride myself in finding a bright spot in the darkest days. I try my hardest to find the ray of light in the cloudiest moments. But when you talk for a living and you’ve spent the past two years trying to get your voice to be reliable it hurts. I know sometimes I could use a pick me up.
I refuse to hide under a cloud. We only get one life. One chance. You never know how long you have or when you might get hit with something that will really bring you down. Something that will truly darken your day and your spirit.
Find Your Sunshine.
“Nothing says sunshine like the first daffodils of spring…”
Find your ray of sun on a grey day.
Find something that will clear the skies even for a short while.
When you get knocked down over and over... When you aren’t getting solutions or the answers you need… Keep trying until the clouds clear.
“Reina’s “sunshine” is eating grass- it makes her so happy"
Refuse to take no solution as your solution. Refuse to live in the dark.
“Look at that smile!”
That’s what I had to do. I had to fight to get healthy and come back.
“My nephews on Easter. I’m getting better so I can hang out with them again. Aren’t they the cutest ever?”
And I’m almost there. I can see the rainbow.
Find Your Sunshine.
It may not be a huge message. But it’s mine.
My mess, my voice problems, have been a huge cloud over my life.
I know first hand how hard it can be to stay positive. But I will try to do some of the work for you. Keep checking back and I’ll keep posting things I find positive, encouraging and “sunny.” Even on those grey days.
My message. Find your Sunshine.
“My infamous cardinals… they bring me so much joy! Once I get back to work I’m saving money to get a better camera so you can see these things better!”
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What’s your sunshine?
What things bring your joy when everything else seems to be going wrong?
Shirley Deters says
I'm so pleased to have found your blog -you have been a favorite of mine since I moved to Ashviille area - I'm proud of how you are handling this medical problem and still being inspirational for so many of us. I hope you will be well and smiling, and back on TV, real soon. I too shall try to find my sunshine today. keep up the good work and may God bless us with his Smile today.
Perry Lee Brown says
Julie, I am so sorry you are having to go through all the bumps in the road that you are but just remember who the Great Physican is. He is so good. In 2005 I felt so good thinking I was healthy and soon found out I had lung cancer.I never smoked and thought that was the way you got lung cancer. I lost the upper lobe of my right lung and went through about four months of chemo losing all my hair
but that seemed trivial if I could just get rid of the cancer. The Lord blessed me through the surgery and the chemo. I had my church and other churches in Brevard praying for me. The Lord answered those prayers as well as mine. He has blessed me through all of this and still blessing me. I had my checkup in January 2013 and got a good report. It has been a little over seven years since I finished my chemo. God has truly blessed me. So keep your faith and trust in Him. God is so Good All The Time. God Bless You.
Robin @ Simply Southern Baking says
Julie, what an inspirational message and especially meaningful right now as there's a bump in the road that has come my way. We actually headed to the coast yesterday at 5:30am to find our sunshine. Getting up early was well worth the amazing sunrise we enjoyed on the beach! Let's just keep looking up!
JulieWunder says
Oh I love the beach 🙂 ESP sunsets
Good luck dealing with your "bump"- I wish you strength and good luck
Those blondes sound awesome!
Frank Burrell says
What a message! You inspire so many of us. You are in the right place. So many good doctors in Asheville.
JulieWunder says
Yes, I have found some great drs
Thank you so much for your kind words
Jordan says
I love your blog! I hope you'll chekc mine out, I'm still a newbie.
JulieWunder says
Ok! Thanks for letting me know about it,
Libba Pressley says
Good morning Julie and WOW what a truly meaningful message that I needed to read, especially this morning. Your blog has inspired me as well to be a better person to those around me. I was feeling pretty down in the dumps this morning about my life situation and then for some unknown reason, I came to your blog today. I know now that it was from God. He needed for me to come here and read your blog for some understanding about myself. And sure enough, that's exactly what happened. My spirits are lifting right now as I am responding, and it is truly an amazing feeling. It's hard or next to impossible to describe unless you've been there, but I hopeyou believe that you have made a difference for me and lots of other folks out and about. I'll be thinking about your continued recovery and look forward to your announcement about when you get to go back on the air again! Hang in there, and I look forward to your next post and inspiration!
Love always, Libba
JulieWunder says
Libba,
I am so happy you found some comfort in my blog. I hope you continue to find strength in your struggles.
Thanks for reading and I hope to see you back here soon.
Julie
Madeline St Onge says
My sunshine is my doge and flowers too. I pray you feel better really soon Julie, I miss you so much. Sending lots of prayers and hugs and love girlie
JulieWunder says
Love those puppies
Denise Ploof says
I can understand your frustrations. i too have a sinus problem only mine stems from an upper jaw surgery that when they closed everything up, they didn't realize that a bone had shifted and now blocks the sinus cavity from draining. So I deal with many different types of facial and jaw pain when the sinus cavities act up. When I went to see the ENT, it was exciting to count all the tiny screws that were holding my upper jaw together, it freaked him out!! lol I do hope that your voice comes back stronger than ever because mine only goes out when that one sinus cavity is full. I do remember though, the day that I went home from the hospital, I could smell EVERYTHING!! I took smell for granted because I didn't know what it was like with the sinus problems that I did have, but to smell everything so clearly was unbelievable. I can still smell the flowers and everything else but not when that sinus cavity decides to be stuffed. It is really strange to think that what I thought that I could smell was normal but after that surgery, things changed for me and it amazed me on how much I was missing out on. I do have other medical issues, but the thought of my jaw surgery came to mind when I had heard that you had sinus surgery. And like with your voice, allergies have been my culprit. I work in the public and a customer treated me so rudely claiming I was contagious because I didn't have a voice for almost 2 weeks. I was embarrassed to say the least but then I thought, he has no idea the trouble I go through daily dealing with sick customers who have the flu and yet, I have not been sick but now, dealing with allergies and he thought I was contagious, he has more to learn what contagious is. So hang in there and let the healing continue!!! It is a long road but in the end, you will be back to your self!! God Bless you and can't wait to have you back on the weather!!
JulieWunder says
Oh wow. It sounds like you have been through a nightmare and can relate to my voice problems. It's so easy to take speaking for granted.
Thank you for reading my blog and sharing your story. It's nice to hear people overcoming obstacles.
gary brown says
this was so good thank you GOD bless
JulieWunder says
Thank you gary
Margaret Baillie says
Julie,
You have inspired all of us by your beautiful smile as we woke up each day to hear what the weather would bring our day. It inspired us to smile the first thing when wake up each day also. We miss that smile and we wish for you that which you are trying to provide us with , "Sunshine everyday of your life" in some inspirational way.
JulieWunder says
Oh wow Margaret!
Thank you so much
. That makes my day.
Julie
Steve Riedesel says
Julie,
What a beautiful message from a beautiful young woman - both inside and out. 🙂
I am now 6 years on the other side of having open heart surgery - 6 bypasses in all. March 16 - 17, 2007.We had moved to Asheville less than a year before, and I feel so fortunate that we were here and I had the surgery at Mission Hospital, only 3 miles from where we lived in North Asheville at the time. I feel that the surgeon saved my life.
I just returned from the downtown Y when I picked up your post. I work out and do water aerobics 3 to 4 times a week. I volunteer at the art museum, I usher at ACT and the Lyric Opera, work with Homeward Bound, sing in my church choir - Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church in North Asheville - walk a lot, etc. I thank God each day for being alive. I've told my grandson (he rolls his eyes when he hears it now :-))that I will see him enter college. He's 10 so I have a way to go. BTW,his parents both have masters' degrees from UF.And my wife and I celebrated our 50th wedding anniversary last summer.
On anniversaries such as my surgery, I collect hugs from some of my favorite people. Even got some cyber hugs from a couple of FB friends. So let's give each other a cyber hug. ::-)
You're doing well. You'll be just fine. Take care.
<3 xxoos
Steve
JulieWunder says
Thank you so much Steve.
Your story is so inspiring and I love the idea of getting hugs on your "anniversary"
Thank you so much for sharing.
Stay strong and positive.
Julie
gloria daves says
Hey..Julie..this certainly has inspired me...been having a struggle in my life..my mom moved in w me several years ago..and she has a lot of health problems.which I watch her struggle every day...plus..I work and leave her alone..I am single..and have to work..and then I had some health issues that I am trying to resolve..then..our AC/furnace went out this week...to be told it would take 4000.00 to replace...I am a mere schoolbus driver...don't make that kind of money..seems I just can't get ahead...but reading your story has made me view my situation a bit differently...thanks for.sharing...and I am praying for you...and that your voice will return..and be as good as new..and you will be back to work..soon..take care..GOD bless....Gloria
Esther Sorensen says
Hi Julie, you are such a ray of sunshine, and with your rainbow in sight you are not far from the pot of gold....your voice. We miss your morning smile but that too will return in a short time when you are back on the morning news. My prayers are with you everyday for your recovery.
Jeanne Heath says
Julie,
I'm the "Gator" from Orlando - I was having voice problems too and since I am a teacher - that's a real problem. I found out that I had food alleries that were contributing to the problem. Check on that. Hope to see you back soon,
Jeanne
JulieWunder says
Jeanne-
I'm sure you talk a ton too!!!
I am allergic to a ton of things but not foods. Thanks for the tip though. It's amazing what causes voice problems. It's easy to take talking for granted.
Julie