ç'est la vie RN

Tag: health

  • When Life Yo-Yo’s, Fix Your Eyes

    When Life Yo-Yo’s, Fix Your Eyes

    I recently read a blog post called “Yo-Yoing” by Phyllis Kritek. I felt her quietly narrating my own life. She described the back-and-forth rhythm of trying to stay consistent, only to be pulled away by everything life keeps throwing in your direction. The tension between intention and reality…I feel it deeply.

    Because if I’m honest, life has been lifing.

    From grieving the loss of my great aunt around Thanksgiving to celebrating the birth of my newest great-nephew, my heart has been stretched in various directions; grieving and rejoicing, slowing down and showing up. And somewhere in between all of that, the things I want to do (like writing, reflecting, being consistent) feel harder to hold onto.

    The blog put language to something I hadn’t fully admitted: sometimes it’s not a lack of discipline, it’s the weight of life transitions. There’s this subtle guilt that creeps in when you’re not producing or keeping up with your own expectations. But what if the pause isn’t failure? What if it’s simply evidence that you’re human, walking through real moments that matter?

    Still, I’ve realized something in this season: while life may feel like a yo-yo…up and down, forward and back…my focus doesn’t have to be.

    Scripture reminds us we should be continuously “fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith…” Hebrews 12:2 (NIV)

    Not fix our eyes on our productivity.
    Not fix our eyes on our consistency.
    Not even fix our eyes on how well we’re “handling” life.

    Fix them on Jesus.

    Because He is steady when everything else isn’t.

    I may not have written as much as I planned.
    I may not have shown up in all the ways I intended.

    But I’ve been present for the moments that mattered.
    I’ve loved my family.
    I’ve felt the weight of loss and the joy of new life.

    And maybe, just maybe, that counts more than perfect consistency.

    So, if you’re in a season where your rhythm feels off, where your goals keep getting interrupted, where life keeps “yo-yoing” you in unexpected directions… you’re not alone.

    Give yourself grace.

    And then gently, intentionally, lift your eyes again.

    Because even when life is inconsistent—
    He never is.

  • Paint the world pink

    Paint the world pink

    Before the month is out, I want to take some time to talk pink. October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Despite the marvels of modern medicine, the incidence of breast cancer remains high in the United States, with breast cancer mortality rates disproportionately affecting black women. The Susan G. Komen Foundation website is a wealth of knowledge for all things breast cancer. On a more personal note, navigating the journey of breast cancer—whether it affects you personally or someone you love—brings a whirlwind of emotions. I am a witness to both the heartbreak of losing a loved one and the joy of seeing someone overcome this disease. Both are profound experiences.

    I lost a friend to breast cancer. She was in her mid-40’s, had a strong marriage, and amazing kids. She would give me the best pep talks. I miss her dearly and to this day, I ask God, “Why her?” I find comfort in Psalm 34:18, which says, “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” In the midst of the pain, I picture God’s presence never leaving her or her family. He was there in the silence, in the tears, in the prayers that seemed to have no answers. Grief is not something to rush through; it’s something to walk through. There is comfort knowing we do not walk alone.

    Conversely, I have a friend with a family history, and she’s been on top of it all our adult lives. She is a breast cancer survivor and a true overcomer. John 16:33 reminds us of Jesus’ words, “In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” It’s not that survivors don’t face challenges—they do. The emotional, physical, and spiritual toll can be immense. But God gives strength in every battle, every chemo session, every tear shed in fear or exhaustion. Through it all, life after breast cancer is a testimony of God’s faithfulness and we can find peace knowing He holds every outcome in His hands.

    So, if you’re in the middle of this battle—whether grieving or fighting—know that God is near. He’s your strength when you feel weak, and He’s your comfort when your heart is heavy. The ups and downs of this journey can be overwhelming, but He promises to be with us through it all, making us overcomers in Christ.

    What are some practical tips you can do today?

    • Know your risk factors
    • Follow the recommended prevention tips
    • Complete your monthly breast self-examinations
    • Complete your annual mammograms
    • Say prayers of healing for yourself and/or others
    • Volunteer or participate in your local breast cancer awareness events/ministry