Wisdom From Maria Ross

In 2008, I was like most dynamic women: running on life’s treadmill, overbooking myself, pursuing all my passions at once. Ha. Trying to “live my best life” almost stole it from me.

I almost died from a brain aneurysm. It turned out to be a gift: The hectic pace of my life finally caught up and it was time to make a change. My recovery was amazing, according to doctors.

So what did I learn?

Focus. You need to start playing the record of your life at your speed, rather than letting it play you. Stress and change played a major role in my crisis. Forced to reframe my life due to the brain damage, I’m actually happier. I have to focus on one thing at a time, to value quality over quantity, and shut down when I need to so I can keep my mind calm.

Learn to say no. You don’t have to do it all or even try to foolishly pursue work-life balance. There is no such thing. You must prioritize and let go when it makes sense. Not everything may get equal attention at the same time. I now confidently turn things down to proactively make time for the work, people and projects that really matter….Continue reading at InspireMeToday.com.

Maria is a brand strategist, speaker and author of two books, including her recent humorous and heartfelt memoir, Rebooting My Brain.

Photo Credit: Gail Lynne Goodwin

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

devon l.

2:22AM PDT on Jul 13, 2012

Life is such a mystery....something happens to us and we think "oh no"...and then lo and behold down the line we end up in a better place because of it... perhaps it's important not to get fixated that things are either good or bad.... sometimes the whole picture isn't developed yet...

July 13
send a green star

Marianna B M.

1:29AM PDT on Jul 9, 2012

noted

July 9
send a green star

Bernadette R.

7:49AM PDT on Jul 8, 2012

Gail,May God continue to Bless you! Funny how we have to live and learn...if we only knew ahead of time! I try to take 4 deep breaths and hold and then release now letting out all the toxic stress...seems to help every time..in any situation...one at a time..one breath at a time. Life is far too short to sweat the small stuff. My Grandma used to say...Take time out for a walk in the fresh air, Have dinner or a meal with family at least once a day and always take time to pray.
I miss her....she was so wise!

July 8
send a green star

Marianne B.

1:55PM PDT on Jul 7, 2012

Stress does more damage to our bodies than we realise. make priorities in your lifestyle. You should be priority #1....when you feel stressed, BREATHE

July 7
send a green star

Mori H.

11:36AM PDT on Jul 7, 2012

4 paragraphs on brain injury? why? As a person living with a TBI I would like to have heard more. This is another one of the Non articles that seem to proliferate Care2 these days.

Gloria p.

5:29AM PDT on Jul 7, 2012

When people don't say no they are cheating themselves & those they say yes to.

Past Member .

3:02PM PDT on Jul 6, 2012

thank you for this article.