A Journey of Hope

 

During this morning's meditation, I was reflecting on my healing journey. Monday marks 51 years since my father ended his life. He was a tortured soul who lost his way on earth leaving much pain and suffering in the wake of his life. Yet out of the massive destruction of his life, the beauty of my life emerged after the diagnosis of Post-Polio Syndrome.

Fifteen years ago, on May 25th which coincidentally was his birthday, I took a leap of faith leaving behind my award winning career as a VA social worker to 'heal my life' from the once devastating effects of paralytic polio and trauma. At the time I had no idea what that meant. I did know about the works of Dr. Bernie Siegel, Wayne Dyer, Tony Robbins, Lisa Nichols and other 'new age' teachers that I turned to in order to tap into the Divine Intelligence within me. My imagination was ignited through the power of my pen as poetry poured out of me as a spigot of creativity turned on in my heart and soul. 

I made this video at the suggestion of Tony Robbins on social media in December of 2008. He encouraged people to make a video about a journey from crisis to transformation and then share it in his group. After seeing the video, he made a donation of $1000 to our Race for Rehab fundraising page.

 As I began to share my journey of transformation in 2008 many people asked how it was even possible to reverse a progressive neuromuscular disease. I referenced the journey of Evy McDonald who I learned about through Bernie Siegel. She healed her life with ALS. She was also a survivor of polio and child abuse. I referenced Bernie's works and how people were able to harness the power of the mind and understand the meaning of their diagnosis in their lives as a way to heal their lives. Since then, I refer to the works of Dr. David Hamilton, Dr. Joe Dispenza and the luminaries in the Heal Documentary.

When one person has been able to do something that was previously thought impossible, it opens the doors for others to do the same. Everyone thought that running a four minute mile was impossible. Once Roger Bannister broke the 4 minute mile in 1954, others realized it was possible and were able to go beyond what was once thought to be impossible. Over 1600 people have broken the 4 minute mile as of April 2021!

The title of the first book in my Trilogy of Transformation is Coming Home: A Memoir of Healing, Hope and Possibilities. I went on to write Going the Distance: The Power of Endurance and The Adventures of Runnergirl 1953 that completed the trilogy of my healing journey from diagnosis, to the Boston Marathon and to Bermuda Half Marathons 2016, 2017 and 2018 after a serious knee injury. I briefly returned to the Post-Polio Clinic after my left knee 'blew out' in December of 2014. I was told I never should have started running, that I would need a total knee replacement in a few years and I should stop running or cap my distance at a 5K. I was blessed to find a chiropractor who recommended I read Dr. Joe's, "You Are the Placebo" and Candace Pert's books," The Molecules of Emotion" and "Everything You Need to Know to Feel Go(o)d." We partnered together with chiropractic care, KT taping and revamping my strength training program. I even grew a new gastroc muscle in my left leg which the MRI had shown was atrophied. 

During the pandemic I once again turned to my pen, my Divining rod for healing. I compiled poems and essays that became the book, "Hope is a Garden: Poems and Essays From the 2020 Pandemic." Hope is the theme of my next book, "Into the Light: Emerging From the 2020 Pandemic."

Many people have asked me how I was able to hold onto hope when I was in the midst of dire circumstances growing up, after the diagnosis of Post-Polio Syndrome and during these challenging times. I was touched by grace after contracting paralytic polio with a near death experience where I met my guardian angel. I was blessed to meet many earth angels as I navigated life's challenges who helped to fan the flames of hope and faith within me.

May my journey fan the flames of hope and faith within you to be able to know that all things are possible despite appearances to the contrary. Be sure to listen to my recent conversation with Buzz Knight on his Takin a Walk podcast as we talk about my journey of hope.

From my heart to yours,
In health and wellness,
Mary

Be sure to visit my website at https://marymcmanus.com to learn about my journey to health and wellness in the wake of paralytic polio and trauma

Visit the News and Events tab to listen to my inspiring and uplifting interviews

My books to motivate, uplift and inspire you are available on Amazon 

 

 

 

 

Hope is a Garden

 

 

We started planting tomatoes when Ruth Anne was taking an Environmental Science course in her junior year of high school. I didn't feel particularly connected to gardening or growing our own food because I was caught up in working full time and managing our household while supporting our twins on their life journey. When Ruth Anne started her volunteer gig at ReVision Urban Farm, we purchased seedlings to have our own vegetable garden. During the pandemic, we planted tulips and created a flower garden for the first time since we moved into our home 24 years ago. When we planted the garden in October of 2020, I was inspired to write the title poem of my book, 'Hope is a Garden: Poems and Essays From the 2020 Pandemic":

 

Hope Is A Garden  

 

Dirt stained knees

spade turning over soil

feelings flutter

tenderly tilling the earth

lovingly placing bulbs

embodiment of expectations and hope.

 

Hope is a garden

holding seeds in hand

awe-some

everything they need to know

ready to burst forth.

 

Patience and perseverance

faith abides

kneeling

knowing no prayers needed

all unfurls in Divine Timing.

 

In darkness hope stirs

light pierces through

as new life breaks ground

yet invisible to the eye

seeds of infinite possibilities

hope the harvest of imagination.

 

We decided to go with a flower and herb garden this year instead of vegetables, purchasing our farm fresh vegetables directly from ReVisiona Urban Farm at their Farm stand on Thursdays. We bought seedlings in May and have been in awe watching our garden grow. There is a drought in Massachusetts. We use the water that is collected by our de-humidifiers to water the garden. It's the first time we've grown sunflowers. I've seen them fully grown in other people's gardens or fields but have not had the privilege to watch them slowly unfurl their magnificent flowers. The process reminds me of how everything occurs in Divine Timing. The magic happens when we trust nature with whatever endeavors we may pursue.

It is so easy to become impatient and ask "why hasn't this happened yet?" I hit the STOP button when I find myself thinking that way. I take a deep breath and say, "Just look at the magnificence that happens in nature in its own pace and timing. Nothing is forced. What incredible beauty is revealed deep in the mysteries and magic of all that is unseen. Possibilities happen in the unknown."

I am celebrating 15 years of healing since the diagnosis of Post-Polio Syndrome and in the wake of the once devastating effects of trauma and paralytic polio. There are always going to be challenging times, especially with the pandemic, but with an attitude of gratitude and opening up my heart to grace I allow my own beauty to unfold as I continue to heal. I allow poetry to flow through me and send powerful messages of healing, hope and infinite possibilities out into the world through my books and social media posts. 

I meditate in our garden feeling a connection to hope despite all the headlines. I allow hope and optimism, gratitude, grace, love and joy to grow deep in my heart being One with all that is. 

Look closely and see the beginning of the sunflower opening up among these magnificent marigolds:

 

 

 

 

We have an herb basket filled with mint, chamomile, basil, and lemongrass.

 

What seeds do you plant in your heart to blossom and grow into kindness, joy, love, beauty, hope, optimism, light, compassion and gratitude? Do you weed out thoughts of anger, judgment, resentment, unworthiness, lack and jealousy?

Here's to healing, hope and infinite possibilities in your garden of life!

From my heart to yours,
In health and wellness,
Mary

Be sure to visit my website at https://marymcmanus.com to learn about my journey to health and wellness in the wake of paralytic polio and trauma

Visit the News and Events tab to listen to my inspiring and uplifting interviews

My books to motivate, uplift and inspire you are available on Amazon