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  • Do These 5 Things to Make Sure You Stay Motivated

    Do These 5 Things to Make Sure You Stay Motivated

    You’re midway through the project, and you’re chronic condition hijacks your p;ans.  Motivation is about to go out the window, and you feel helpless to keep it. What can you do to stay motivated, so that you’re able to stay on track through the remainder of the project even though you are not feeling well? Try these tips:

    1. The first thing you need to do is to visualize your success. Before you go another step, you need to see yourself at the end of the project with everything accomplished to your satisfaction. Why? Because what we tell ourselves will happen – will happen exactly how we tell ourselves. So if you’re caught up in thoughts of failure, you’re already likely to crash and burn. Likewise, if you see yourself at the finish line, with the project completed, you’re much more likely actually to succeed. Sometimes you may have to zig or zag. But do keep a positive image in your head, and keep going.

    2. Next, stop worrying. Yes, that’s easier said than done, but the more you worry, the more you’re going to derail not just your motivation, but any energy and enthusiasm you still had for the project. To do this, you’re going to have to look critically at what you’re doing and ask yourself if there are things you can change. If so – change them. If not, then let them go. Motivated people don’t get caught up in worry, but instead, they make it a habit of looking to the future. Just because you aren’t feeling well today doesn’t mean you won’t feel well again.

    3. If you intend to stay motivated, then you’re going to need to be consistent in action and in setting positive goals. Motivation flags when neglected, so to keep the energy where it’s going to do the project the most good, you’ll want to make sure that you’re constantly moving forward. That means checking your motivation levels daily and then taking action to keep those levels up. Even if you’re taking the weekend off from work, you should take at least a few minutes to indulge in thoughts about your project, where you remind yourself that you’re looking forward to jumping back in on Monday or even Tuesday morning. That keeps motivation and interest high even when you’re not working.

    4. If you’re still having trouble with motivation, check to see who’s hanging around. It could be that you have too many negative influences around you. Surround yourself with positive people, who are also highly motivated individuals. All that positive energy is bound to rub off on you!

    5. Lastly, keep a positive environment where motivation can thrive. Listen to music that motivates. Use positive affirmations, read motivational books or listen to podcasts that make you want to jump right back into your project. A lot of staying motivation comes from feeding yourself with a steady diet of things that motivate. And if you need a coach, signup for an express coaching session @CrohnsInterrupted.com

    Staying motivated doesn’t have to be an impossible task. Some attention to the details will keep you on track as you work and help you to get to the finish line. Be mindful of what you’re doing, and with a variety of positive influences, you’ll get to where you want to go.

    Be Inspired, Be Encouraged, Be Hopeful

    The Possibilities Are Endless!

    Your Courageous Coach,
    Makeda Armorer-Wade

  • 5 Reasons to Develop Your Creativity in Daily Life

    5 Reasons to Develop Your Creativity in Daily Life

    “You might think that creativity is something you can’t do. So many people say, ‘oh I’m just not the creative type.’ But it is within everyone to be creative. And it’s not just good for the soul. We each have different skills and different ideas about how to express them. Creativity comes in all shapes and sizes, and it has some unexpected benefits for the rest of your life.”

    Creativity helps you solve problems

    • Fostering your creativity trains your brain to be more adaptable and flexible in dealing with all sorts of problems. Not just how to manage your day to day responsibilities, but how to solve that problem with a work project or a relationship or a career issue.
    • Being creative takes you out of the linear thinking mode and the confines of regular logic. Options stop being only black and white. Your mind can look at your problem from many different angles and sees potential nuances that you otherwise might miss. I was never someone that was good at art like my sister. But I always enjoyed writing, which led me to becoming an bestselling author.  Make a list of the things that you like to do.

    Creativity can help you live longer

    • Surprising but true. Studies have shown that being creative can actually reduce your mortality risk and add years to your life. Cooking, drawing, woodwork, knitting, or writing all fire different neural pathways in your brain and help to reduce stress and anxiety. I truly believe being able to share my story to motivate others has given me life and a reason to continue to create.Creativity slows cognitive aging and enables you to lead a happier, more fulfilling life.

    Creativity grows your confidence

    • Learning a creative skill takes application and lots of practice. Mastering your chosen art form helps you develop confidence in your abilities that will overflow into other areas of your life. After writing my first book, I began speaking at a number of venues. As you overcome failure and succeed in making beautiful things, you will see that persistence and optimism is the way to success.Failure is a great teacher.

    Creativity is immensely satisfying

    • There is nothing like starting with raw materials and being able to make something unique from them.  You know you can start with zero skills and learn a completely new skill. Who knew I would be able to help so many people by sharing my story.

    Creativity helps you express yourself

    • Making artwork, writing a blog or creating your own style with an item of clothing, allows you to make something that is completely yours. No one else can make the exact same thing that you can. Nobody can be a better you than yourself. Throw caution to the wind and try something new.
    • Living a creative life can help you see that whatever you bring to the world is unique and special.  For help in deciding what area to explore, set up an  15 min express coaching @http://crohnsinterrupted.com

    • Be Encouraged, Be Inspired, Be Hopeful

    • The Possibilities Are Endless

  • 12 Strategies for Staying Motivated, So You Reach Your Goals

    Stay Motivated         

     

     

     

     

    CCFA Fundraiser Spin 4

    Each year I ride in the Spin4 Fundraiser for the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation. It is not always easy to keep up with your goals when your health is tenuous. But I believe you have to plan to succeed, or you plan to fail by default.

    Without motivation, you’re dead in the water. Nothing gets done, and worse, you can’t find the energy to change that situation. How do you change that?

    Simply by not getting there in the first place. The trick is to STAY motivated, even when you’re not feeling it. Check out my suggestions.

    1. Stop procrastinating. Chances are if you’re procrastinating you’ve stopped working, and motivation is already slipping.  When this happens, you need to give yourself a sharp kick in the backside and keep going — no excuses. If you are not feeling well, allow yourself time to rest, but keep the dream alive.

    2. Cut out distractions. What’s going on around you? Is something taking your attention away from your work?

    3. Change of scenery. If you’re still having trouble, it might be because you’re growing stagnant. You’ve been working too long, and you need to clear your head. Take a walk. Go for a drive. Or if you’re stuck at work, then take your laptop to an empty conference room or simply get up and move around— anything to create a change.

    4. Exercise. Nothing stimulates the brain and gets it going again like exercise. You don’t have to commit to an hour-long run to get your motivation back. Even a short jog or walk around the block will get your heart pumping and your brain producing endorphins to jump you back into high gear again.

    5. Meditate. Or in contrast to the last item on the list, slow down. Close your eyes. Breathe deeply. Find your center and your calm. Relax and let go of what’s going on around you.  You may even want to take a moment and stretch.

    6. Stop worrying. While this one is easier said than done, the main idea here is to let go of the things you cannot change, so that you can keep looking forward without anything inhibiting you. Remember, change the things that you can, and accept the ones that you can’t.

    7. Listen to music: Put on music that puts ideas into your head, and a bounce to your step. The genre doesn’t matter. It’s how the music makes you feel that counts. Use whatever gives you get up and go to get back in motion.  Music always makes me feel better.

    8. Make a Daily To-Do list. It might be you’re losing motivation because you’re too overwhelmed by big goals. Break those goals down, and then drop those bite-sized pieces on a daily To-Do list. Be careful not to overload the list with too much. You want to set yourself up for success – not failure.  I do this at the end of each day. It allows me to move goals forward without guilt.

    9. Find someone who motivates you. Maybe you need a mentor. Someone who believes in your “Possibility”. Give yourself time to meet with your mentor, or to read on a regular basis.

    10. Visualize success. Most importantly, see yourself completing the project in as much detail as you can imagine. A positive visualization of success tells your subconscious that you can succeed. Sometimes that’s all you need to get your energy back.

    There are many more things you can try that aren’t on this list. The important thing to remember is that we’re all different. If something motivates you, then use that to keep your project on track. If you need help to figure out your purpose, schedule an express coaching session @http://crohnsinterrupted.com

    Be encouraged, Be Inspired, Be Hopeful
    The Possibilities Are Endless!
  • How to Stay Motivated without Burning Out in Tough Times

    How to Stay Motivated without Burning Out in Tough Times

    We’ve all felt it, the soul-crushing exhaustion that isn’t so much physical as mental. Where you can’t do one more thing at work, even though you love your job, and even whatever reward system you have in place isn’t enough to get you moving again.When you have to teach your children yourself or manage their online learning; while meeting the needs of your job while working at home can be challenging.

    That is burnout, and it hits all of us at some time or another. Today is Monday and we are back to the unfamiliar rat race of working at home.How can you avoid this dreaded quicksand trying to suck you down and keep you from being productive? It’s all in staying motivated.  Yes I said it. We have to stay motivated.Being a person who has to manage a chronic health condition, I find myself having to self motivate all the time. I wanted to share some of my tips with you on how I stay motivated. Thankfully there are several ways to do just that. Mental health is key so let me know what you do to stay motivated in tough times.

    1. Take breaks during the day. You can’t keep going endlessly without breaking down. Every now and again, it’s good to lift your head and take a look at the world around you. So get up, grab a drink of water, move around a little. I’ve been trying to drink hot water with lemon which is quite refreshing. How do you know when to stop? Pause the moment you feel your energy flagging, and before you get so drawn into the doldrums that you lose your motivation to move around. My rule is to stand and move around once every hour. It helps to keep the stiffness in the joints down.

    2. Get rid of your devices. There’s nothing quite so de-motivational as the digital age. The problem with being connected is that people can reach you anywhere, anytime. That means you never quite leave the office, and by extension, you’re never really not working. A ringing phone is a request to be acknowledged. You will have to prioritize who to answer or respond to. Another tip is to limit checking your work email outside of work, and refuse to discuss business outside of normal business hours unless it’s an emergency. This break is necessary for optimal health of both body and mind. You must have realistic boundaries.

    3. Take weekends off. Again, with the world so connected over the internet, and everyone working at home, it’s just too easy to keep working, even when you’re supposed to be spending time with the family. Embrace your downtime and give your work a rest. Having the weekend off will leave you more motivated on Monday and ready to tackle another week of work.

    4. Ask yourself why it matters. If you’re feeling a little burned out, it’s time to remind yourself why you do the things you do anyway. Why were you so passionate about this job/project? Recapture this feeling, and your motivation will come flooding back.  Sometimes we do what we do, because we are committed to those that we serve. But remember if you don’t take care of yourself, you won’t have anything left to share with others.

    5. Just what kinds of breaks do you have? If all you do on your downtime is watch Netflix, chances are you aren’t stimulating your mind. That leads to a further boredom/malaise that’s even harder to shake. When you have the weekend off, give yourself something to do that engages you physically and mentally. Exercise, play a sport, go outside if possible, visit a museum when the social isolation has been relaxed. Stimulate the senses. You’ll be surprised at the motivation that comes from trying something new.

    6. Check your health. If the feelings of fatigue persist, a check-up might be in order. It could be that it isn’t burnout at all – but instead, you might be fighting a bug or be a little low on some essential vitamin.  I make sure to stay on top of my medical appointments to catch issues early.

    7. Find a different job. If you’re constantly burned out, then it’s possibly time to find something new to do. Take some time to reassess why you do what you do, and whether you’re as passionate about it as you used to be. If you are unable to change what you do. You may be able to negotiate the way that you do your job

    Avoiding burnout is possible, but it means listening to your body and mind. Breaks are not only a good idea; they’re integral to good health. Remember, staying motivated means taking care of yourself on every level.

    • Be Encouraged, Be Inspired, Be Hopeful

    • The Possibilities Are Endless

    If you need support in sorting things out, schedule an 15 min express coaching session at CrohnsInterrupted.com.

     

  • How Dare They!

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    My heart is broken for the family of Seven Bridges from Kentucky. Bridges family, please accept my sincere Condolences. Today I read an article that was written for Essence by Brianna Edward’s, dated 1/23/19. I have attached it below. It spoke about this beautiful 10 year old child who took his own life, because he was bullied over wearing an Ostomy bag. How dare they! Is anyone bullied because they go to the bathroom. An emphatic NO! Think about it. Everyone does it, one way or another.

    I’m so angry over the level of ignorance that exists regarding having an Ostomy. This is the reason that I use my experience to provide awareness. When people thank me for my courageousness, I tell them that it’s not about me. I truly believe that understanding what an Ostomy is and the function of it, will shift the mindset of those who have one and those who will get one. There is one more group that needs to understand the benefit of an Ostomy; it’s those people who think they have the right to shame, bully or allow it to happen. People who have Diabetes, Cancer, high blood pressure and other illnesses are not shamed. This is why I wrote my book, Crohn’s Interrupted: 7 Steps to Love Your Ostomy. It’s a book that everyone needs to read because it may just save a life.


    Yeah it’s that serious. A child died because the adults, the children and the community did not have enough information to make this child feel comfortable, to live his life Triumphantly. I will continue to bring awareness and be a fierce advocate for those of us who are ashamed and suffering in silence. Please invite me to speak at your church, book club, Sorority or Fraternity. We must not fail our Community. We must not fail our children. We have to do all that we can to save the lives of those around us. You don’t know how many people have an Ostomy, because they are ashamed to be judged. Help me to pull the black curtain back and normalize living and thriving while having an Ostomy.
    #Essence
    https://www.essence.com/news/10-year-old-kentucky-boy-kills-himself-because-of-bullying-over-his-colostomy-bag-parents-say/

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  • Commentary Wed. January 3 on The Karen Hunter Show

    Last Week I was listening to the Karen Hunter show on my way home from work. I love to hear about all the positive things that she is doing in the community and the information that she provides. The show is well rounded; she does technology, wellness and finances. On Fridays she hosts foolishness Fridays which I think is hilarious. Last week for wellness Wednesday she had on doctor Hadiyah Nicole Green from the Ora Lee Smith cancer research foundation. This really sparked my interest in what is going on with them. They are raising money to start clinical trials and cancer research. After listening to her I became determined that I would follow up and support her efforts by sharing my book Crohn’s Interrupted 7 Steps to Love Your Ostomy. Because, as a result of rectal cancer many people end up with an Ostomy. 120,000 Ostomy surgeries are performed annually. But one of the things that really broke my heart, was a male caller who shared his story about having anal cancer. He said that unfortunately he was going to have to have surgery that would result in him having to wear a perminent bag. He sounded dejected and hopeless. Both Karen and Dr. Greene gave him their sympathy, for him having to wear a bag for the rest of his life. They both wished him luck and courage. Well, he will actually need both. And this is why I need to be out front doing Ostomy awareness. Because I understand first hand the journey to accept and love your ostomy. He will need a little bit of luck and a whole lot of courage for the journey that is ahead of him. I wanted to jump through the radio, to offer him support and encouragement. This is why I came out of the closet; to advocate and speak for those of us who are faced with wearing a bag. I immediately pulled my car over Googled the number to contact the show. I waited on hold for 15 minutes, however the segment was over and I did not have an opportunity to speak to Karen and her audience. Maybe one day! But I really wanted to reach out to that gentleman who called, to let him know that all was not lost. When you are faced with having to get an Ostomy of any type, the news is devastating. You are petrified, anxious, unsure and a myriad of all types of questions run through your head. How am I going to live? Why me? How am I going to tell my family and friends? What am I going to tell them? Will I ever be able to work again? What will people think about me? Am I going to smell all of the time? How am I going to manage all of this? And the list goes on and on and on. But I want people to understand 3 things. The 1st is you are not alone. There were 450000 people in this country with an Ostomy . Many who live in shame and secret. 2. 120 ,000 people get ostomies every year, so he would be joining a huge group of survivors. Adjusting is a mindset. Sometimes itp just takes a small mind shift a little at a time. 3. I created a resource to share that which I wish I had. The resource that will help you to understand the journey you are about to embark on, from a survivors point of view. Please read it, it will help you transition into this new normal that you are going to experience. And if you need additional support, please schedule a free consultation at Crohnsinterrupted.com.
    Many blessings. #Karenrebel #KarenHunter #ccfa #Ostomy #LoveYourOstomy #CROHNSINTERRUPTED #livinglifetriumphantly

  • Happy New Year!

    365 New Days; 365 New Opportunities!

    Happy New Year Crohn’s Nation and to all of you who support us. Battling Crohn’s Disease is a way of life. You have to work hard to live intentionally and on purpose.

    People compliment me on using my story to encourage and give hope to others. They have shared how embarrassed they would be, if people knew about their diagnosis and the struggles they face daily. But this is the exact reason why I wrote both of my books. Crohn’s Interrupted Living Life Triumphantly and Crohn’s Interrupted 7 Steps to Love your Ostomy.

    People talk about diabetes and they talk about high blood pressure or cancer. So why can’t we talk about Crohn’s Disease without being embarrassed? Simply, because people see it only as a bathroom disease. For many years people’s reactions made me feel embarrassed about a condition I have no control over. WELL NO MORE! I’M DONE! The days are over when I’m going to let someone who doesn’t have a clue, dictate how I am going to experience my life. Nobody has the right unless we give it to them. I say, don’t give it to them. Take back your power. I did. This is not just a bathroom disease; and I’m going to spend the next year increasing awareness around Crohn’s Disease, Ostomies and all of the peaks and valleys that are required to manage the unpredictability of this horrid disease. I want to lend my strength to the many, many people living in shame and isolation . This year I am going to Interrupt Crohn’s and encourage and motivate my fellow Crohnies and Ostomates to live life on purpose and without shame. Help me to get this dialog started. Invite me to your church book club, Sorority, Fraternity etc.

    Ask a question or leave a comment below I’d love to hear from you.

    Get your Copy!

  • New Clinical Trial Treats Crohn’s Disease

    Good Day Crohn’s Nation.

    I am so excited to be able to provide this news to you. More than 3 million Americans suffer from Crohn’s Disease. I have been doing my best to educate, and inspire people like me who suffer with the unpredictability of Crohn’s.

    As I have believed for some time diet is related to treating Crohn’s Disease.

    My nutritionist and I have worked out a diet that has helped me a great deal. It is free of dairy, soy, corn, wheat and other foods. This is one of the reasons that I created a food journal that you could download for free on my website at CrohnsInterrupted.com. I want to help as many people as I can. You can track your food intake as well as how those food make you feel. This way you can have an informed conversation with your medical doctor. And while most medical professionals have encouraged me to eat whatever makes me feel good; I have found certain foods make a difference.

    So this week on fox 59 they announced a clinical trial of diets to treat Crohn’s Disease. They are enrolling participants at 33 sites nationwide. This may be something that you are interested in and it may be beneficial to you.

    Should you decide to try it please hit me back and let me know what you found out.

    https://www.google.com/url?rct=j&sa=t&url=https://fox59.com/2018/08/17/new-clinical-trial-treats-crohns-disease-with-diet/&ct=ga&cd=CAEYACoUMTM3MDg5NzEzNDY3MjIxOTMwNDYyGjFkMWZhZDI5NmFlNTgyODA6Y29tOmVuOlVT&usg=AFQjCNHz1qKUX_TaD2n_touKuOVJAodNoA

  • Why you must advocate fiercely!

    Today has been a day that I prayed would come for Gabrielle Union. You see they broke the story on GMA, and I letter read her story on People.com/health/gabrielle-union-adenomyosis. And while I usually talk about Crohn’s Disease and this is a different diagnosis, I am happy that she developed her resiliency muscle. She implored the three actions that I encourage my clients to use. Insistence, Consistence, Persistence are three words and actions that are needed to develop your resiliency muscle.

    Ms. Union, wife of NBA star Dwayne Wade was finally diagnosed with Adenomyosis. She is finally able to understand the reason behind all her devastating miscarriages; eight to nine to be exact. My heart breaks for their loss. But to finally know and recognize that she did not cause the loss of her children, nor was she responsible is only known because she stayed in action looking for the answers. She was insistent about finding the reasons for this happening. She was consistent in seeing several different doctors and persistent in not accepting the flimsy excuses of being a career woman and waiting too long to have children.

    This is a problem that occurs over and over, that is a pet peeve of mine. Crohn’s patients including me were misdiagnosed because people don’t take your symptoms seriously. Or they don’t believe you and want to give you the cookie cutter treatment plan. People we must be our own advocates and hold the course until we get the needed answers.

    Well Gabrielle I applaud you and your efforts to find out what was wrong. I applaud your willingness to be insistent, consistent and persistent to get your experience, a diagnosis. And while she told People.com that dealing with infertility in the public isn’t easy. I respect and am proud that she is standing up and owning her situation. She is a true example for us women who go through so much and allow ourselves to be shamed. The beautiful thing is that being a mother does not require you to birth the children yourself.
    Gabrielle, I congratulate you for living your life on your own terms and not allowing anyone to cause you to dim your light.

    People.com/health/gabrielle-union-adenomyosis #crohnsinterrupted #livinglife triumphantly #crohnsdisease #ibd #ibs #colitis #life #health #ccfa #support #survivor #ostomy #live #youareenough #possibilitiesareendless #breakthrough #iamanoisemaker #people.com #makedaarmorerwade

  • Where in the world has Makeda Armorer-Wade been?

    Get Crohn’s Interrupted

    She’s back……

    Since my last writing I made the decision that I wanted to step out and begin to touch the lives of people in the Crohn’s Nation on a larger level. I have dubbed Crohn’s Nation as anyone who has been diagnosed with Crohn’s Disease, Ulcerative Colitis, have an Ostomy or are a caretaker for any of the above. I have been attending and participating in events that have allowed me to give some inspiration and information. I have been speaking to all ages and all audiences because Crohn’s Disease does not discriminate.

    My goal is to ensure that I leave everyone that I touch in a much better place. It can be because I shared a story, made you feel heard by listening to yours or because I gave you vital information that helped you to make a decision. If I can make you smile then I have done something right.

    So just to give you a bird’s eye view, here a few of my adventures.

    I have participated in several interviews with freelance writers such as Reynaldo Leanos , T. Martinbrough , NY Times and Buzz Feed. I had a spectacular sold out book signing kickoff at the Schomburg Center for Research and Culture. I began speaking at several churches on the local level participating in several community programs to provide awareness and educational material about Crohn’s Disease.

    I met and spoke with several amazing public officials such as Nassau County Legislator Siela A. Bynoe, and North Hempstead Councilwoman Viviana Russell; N. Y. State Senator Jamaal T. Bailey; N.Y. State Assemblyman & Speaker of the House Hon. Carl E. Heastie to promote the need for Crohn’s Disease awareness. They were open, receptive and warm to my concerns about spreading awareness through the Crohn’s Nation and why CD (Crohn’s Disease) is an important health issue that needs to have attention brought to it.

    Hosting the incomparable poet Nikki Giovanni at The Schomburg Center for Research in Black
    Culture

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    I hosted and spoke with the great Nikki Giovanni who was quite interested in me as a young author and the awesome poet Sonia Sanchez who is also my Soror initiated in the Lambda Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Inc. as well as Joy Reid from The Daily Show. Three women whose work I love and respect, actually had time to share a few nuggets and words of encouragement.

    And to top it all off, I was able to meet and present to Dr. Natacha Jriege at the Horacio Odubar hospital in Aruba. We had an interesting discussion about Crohn’s Disease and how and why I chose to write my book. And as the discussion progressed I shared with her that I was not an MD. She was amazed that I was able to discuss the topic in such detail and with the use of medical terminology. I donated several books to their department explaining that while the medical profession generally deals with the diagnosis and treatment of the disease; I deal with the emotional and psychological aspects that will assist the patient in managing the symptoms and their life. As a result of working with me they will have hope, be encouraged and work with their medical providers as a partner instead of a victim. We agreed to keep in touch.

    Stay tuned and follow me on IG at Crohnsinterrupted_llt and Fb: Crohns Interrupted Living Life Triumphantly.
    Look out for my new online class coming soon.