Life Lessons from Stroke Survivor and Author Erica Tucci
Radiant Survivor: Today, I have the great pleasure of being the host on Day 8 of Erica Tucci’s Virtual Blog Tour. Erica’s book Radiant Survivor: How to Shine and Thrive through Recovery from Stroke, Cancer, Abuse, Addiction and Other Life-Altering Experiences is celebrating its big Amazon launch on November 19th, 2013 at http://www.radiantsurvivor.com/book-launch/pages/pre-launch.php
Erica Tucci had a full life as a corporate manager of a Fortune 500 company, a healing arts business owner and an author of three books. It all came to a screeching halt in June 2011 when she had a stroke that left her completely paralyzed on her right side. While spending more than two years in recovery, she gained much wisdom about what’s really important in life. She re-entered the world with a new mission: to use her story as an inspiration for others facing life challenges, which we all have, big or small. That story can be found in her brand new book, Radiant Survivor. Erica is also an official Online Ambassador for the American Stroke Association.
Yesterday, Erica visited Tina Games at http://www.journalingbythemoonlight.com/spiritual-surrender/, where they talked about the lessons Erica learned from her stroke.
Today, I’d like to share with you a recent interview I had with Erica when I got to ask her some questions on living in the moment, letting go and letting God and, thriving. I hope you enjoy it.
Michael Lawrience: How Can Ordinary People Learn to Live in the Moment?
Erica Tucci: Michael, I’m so glad you asked this question. The other morning as I was lying in bed thinking what I was going to write about for this post, my “monkey mind” began chattering as it often does. I started thinking about everything I had to do for my book launch and I got completely overwhelmed. So I took a deep breath and remembered what my biggest task was for me “at the moment” so that I could completely heal from my stroke, from which I am still recovering. I had to surrender, and “let go and let God.”
By having the faith, trust and belief that the Higher Power “has our back” and is there to support us to the very end, giving us the guidance we need as we journey down our life path, I was able to pull myself out of the swamp of emotional overload about what I needed to do over the next few weeks. I was being in the present, since that’s all we really have; the past has already happened and the future hasn’t happened yet.
If we really trust and believe and have faith that we are being guided and supported in our lives, we don’t need to worry about our future. We can simply live in the moment and watch our lives unfold. I live by the mantra “I am on a magic carpet ride with Spirit at the helm,” and this is what helps me to live in the present moment.
Michael Lawrience: What Occurs When We Let Go and Let God?
Erica Tucci: I just touched upon this subject above but let me delve into it further. As I mentioned, my biggest task as I turn the bend and move down the last leg of my path to full recovery has been to surrender to Spirit (God, our Creator, the Universe, Providence or however you define the Higher Power). I’m not going to say that it is an easy task, because it hasn’t been for me. Rather, it has been a great challenge because by surrendering, I had to relinquish the “control” of directing my life, something I am not used to doing. BUT, when we realize that we do not have complete control of our lives…that we are “co-creators” of our lives…we see that as we do our part in our life odyssey, receiving the guidance of Providence all along the way, magnificent things can happen. Life will flow more organically, moving along from our own inner divinity. That’s not to say there won’t be twists and turns encountered, big or small. I certainly didn’t expect to have a stroke!
I truly feel that these kinds of “adventures” in our lives have lessons from which we learn, and pearls of wisdom that can only propel us forward in our life journey and make our lives more meaningful and authentic. We won’t be affected by what our outer reality dictates, because we will be living from our hearts and souls. And isn’t that a much better place to be?
Michael Lawrience: How Do We Thrive Rather Than Just Survive?
Erica Tucci: In my eyes, surviving is about just continuing to live, or to simply exist, after trauma. But thriving is about flourishing in your life; it’s about being happy, successful and fulfilled in your life on all levels…physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually.
What does it take to make you happy, successful and fulfilled in your life? What is really important in your life? What is your undying passion? What is in your heart? What do you yearn for? Ask yourself these questions and then put a plan in place that will help you reach your goals.
One lesson I have learned from my ordeal is what is really important in my life. I have realized what has been really important to me are the relationships I have with myself, others and Spirit, not my outer reality such as material things, recognition and vanity. And with this awareness, my life has taken on a different light, a much brighter radiant light that I hope to shine into the world.
I encourage you to find what will bring full abundance into your life so that you feel totally fulfilled and will help make you thrive rather than just survive, because…
As we transform ourselves, our world around us transforms.
I hope you enjoyed this interview with Erica Tucci and that you’ll check out her book Radiant Survivor.
Thanks for reading! Please share your comments and thoughts below. I love reading your feedback.
