As 2024 winds down I find I haven’t written about myself in the longest. I suppose that’s a good thing as far as healing from 2023’s woes goes. But I’ve wanted to help others along the way too. So, I’ve decided to tell you a story of ‘Finding Peace: My Transformative Year in 2024’. Hopefully it will encourage others to seek the help they need to make life’s journey easier to navigate.

All stories have an ending to where it began and that’s where I’ll start. Sitting alone in a movie theater in November, the thought of a single movie line hadn’t crossed my mind. Let alone one that would transform my entire year with its meaning. But it did and this is where I found peace within myself…

Best Movie Line Applicable to Real Life

‘Once You Learn to Harness Your Emotions, The Sky’s The Limit.’ – Michelle Yeoh as Madame Morrible in Wicked

I had begun fighting those ‘emotions‘ in February of 2023 and they were persistent as ever. More so a full year later (February 2024) as my radiation therapy for cancer was over. I was now focused on something I hadn’t addressed earlier on.

But I wasn’t sure what to do. Then I noticed someone who had been following me for months on Instagram. And I was impressed. I thought I’d run one of my ‘Meet Me’ interviews with her. And she agreed.

That makes Agnes …

The Starter

The article with Agnieszka (Agnes) went really well. So, well that I decided to ask her for help.

We collaborated on several articles based on our sessions together. Sessions that involved everything from avoidants to synchronicities and anything imaginable in between.

The turning point in my growth began during a trip to Minnesota in July. After an excruciating 19-hour bus ride I was exhausted and lost in my thoughts. Too many memories crossed my mind from how I got there, to why I was traveling at all. Both stemmed from lost friendships I was hurting from.

Agnes found time for a video call shortly after I arrived in Minneapolis. Once I saw her on my laptop I began to feel at ease. To make our hour plus conversation short, I was simply reminded why I was traveling to start with. Why it didn’t matter where my ticket came from. And a subtle reminder it was about ‘Me Time.’ Not about the pain linked to the lost friendships.

A few months after the trip, Agnes took a new position. She would be in charge of more than 100 others mental health. Our time has become limited as have our articles because of her scheduling. We still talk as friends, and I’ll cherish her forever.

The Middle Reliever

Meeting the same way as Agnes, through a ‘Meet Me‘ interview, Jodika brings heat. I was drawn to her because of her strong beliefs in directness. No hidden agenda here, she tells it like we feel it with NO mixed signals.

Closure has been the focus of many of our conversations. Something I was sorely needing. Her words and technique are controversial, but definitely effective. I mixed a few of her short videos into a single blog. They best explain it in ‘Breaking the Jar of Hearts.’

Jodika has become not only a confidant but a true friend.

Setup Specialist

When COVID first broke I found my primary physician elusive. So elusive I was forced to make a change. A change I’ll never regret.

Doc started from scratch. Tests, scans, lab work were the norm. Getting caught up on immunizations was priority. Then more in depth screenings like a colonoscopy. An ultrasound for the blood flow in my legs and a lung test were just a couple others she ordered.

Through it all she saved me twice. The first time required a colectomy in 2021. She, also, was the driving force that detected elevated PSA levels associated with my cancer diagnosis. None of the procedures were recommended by my past primary and I was well within their guidelines.

She knows about my therapy and has even suggested meditation and yoga.

My Closer

Algorithms can work wonders. And this time it didn’t fail. She was there right in front of my eyes. I needed to find peace and the former psychiatry specialist turned meditation teacher seemed the perfect fit.

She agreed to an interview, and we’ve been working together ever since. With several meditation sessions behind me, I have learned various techniques of breathing and relaxation.

And thanks to requited therapy conversations, things have turned wonderfully positive as she’s there with more than an ear. More articles to come on my meditation journey.

Caroline has even connected me with a yoga instructor she uses and come 2025 I’ll be venturing further into self-help. Now that’s left is looking for a dietitian like her and doc suggest.

Wicked

‘Once You Learn to Harness Your Emotions, The Sky’s The Limit’ has echoed in my mind’s chambers. It has been there for two months now. I’ve learned, through it all, my emotions don’t define me. It’s my character that counts.

Much like that of Elphaba aka The Wicked Witch in the movie. I am no more ‘Wicked’ than her. Our meanings are of good intentions, yet others want more from us while offering us little or nothing in return.

Time After Time

I can’t say I couldn’t have done it without them. Yet the four have been there ‘time after time‘ for me. That alone makes them special. Special because they care.

Caring has become less a norm in this generation. where it’s easy to run and hide as opposed to confronting one’s problems or fears.

Talking to Caroline today, she said. “I’m here to shine a light on those things you might not see so clearly. What’s holding you back. I have fears holding me back too.”

Then she added, “It’s my life journey to make peace with those.” In which I now reply, then we’ll make ‘peace’ with them together.

And to the individual that sent me this text, “Good morning, Rick! I don’t know why, but I always seem to first want to call you Ollie.” My response is the same. If I didn’t want to meet for lunch or breakfast, I wouldn’t have agreed to. Can’t wait to see you there.

Bring on 2025, I’m ready, are you?

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