In my previous blog, I talked about beginning again. You know when everyday life gets in the way of your goals then guilt and shame prevent you from restarting. That’s one level. Then there is a completely different and more serious level…the Wake-Up Call.

The Wake-Up Call usually involves a near life-threatening situation. It doesn’t matter what the situation is as long as your mortality comes into question. It can be from illness, accidents or even a crime perpetrated against you. In my case, it was illness.

I contracted pneumonia. I knew the moment it happened. I could feel something happening in my lungs. By the next day, I had a 101° fever and was down to approximately 15% breath capacity. I could inhale shallowly for 1.5 seconds. And it was not sore but painful to breathe. I actually went to bed that night wondering if I was going to wake up the next morning. The following night and I wondered the same thing. It had never occurred to me before that I wouldn’t wake up the following morning.

This probably shouldn’t have been a surprise to me because the Universe had been sending me messages for at least six months that I needed to take better care of myself. For the previous three years, I’d been putting my book and business first and my health second. For the next three weeks, I dropped everything and focused purely on my health. I was left no choice.

When I related my feelings before going to bed those two nights to my sister, she quoted some advice I’d given in her couple months prior. There is nothing like getting advice back that you’ve already given. It’s a slap in the face. Another component of the Wake-Up Call.

I made the necessary changes. My health comes first and my book and business come second. I’m doing yoga and meditation everyday. I make sure that I drink enough water to stay properly hydrated. I eat well. I exercise at least three times a week. I get enough sleep. I do my spiritual reading every day. I take my vitamins. All of this takes priority…period. And my thinking now is that that this priority will ultimately benefit my book and business, not hinder it. So, my suggestion to you would be make the appropriate changes in your life now before the Universe presents you with a Wake-Up Call. Don’t be left without a choice.