Epic - Revitalizing Weekend!

This weekend was nothing short of incredible.  Although, it was only a 24 hour get away, it filled my mind, body and spirit on so many levels! 
 
Last week I had a really powerful Reiki session.  One thing she shared with me was that I needed to get away on a vacation.  She didn't say where or for how long, but she did say, you are at your most peaceful on a beach - next to the ocean - with the sun shining on her face.  That is definitely a true statement!  She told me I needed to go on a get away now to sort through some personal growth items I'm currently working through.  I left there thinking, "Well yeah it would be great to go on vacation right now but financially, that's just not an option."  I instantly interpreted what she was saying as me needed to go on a big, island get away - because those are my favorite kind :)  I put it out into the universe that a get away would be great and left it at that ....
 
The next day I spoke with my bestie, Meg, and she also said that she needed a get away and started talking about more of a local get away.  The way things just started falling into place, to pull us exactly where we needed to be was amazing and powerful!  I learned that I can adventure right in my very back yard to get absolutely everything I need and more! 
 
We headed over to Orcas Island which is a short drive and ferry ride away (I love I live somewhere that I can hop on a ferry!)  We stayed in the cutest little cabin right on the ocean and I really wanted to stay longer.  There was a really cool little town with shops, bars and restaurants.  After a great dinner right on the water we hit up a unique bar with tons of character and homemade cocktails.  We topped off the night with a soak in the hot tub under the stars and some quality bonding time.
 

 
 
 

Day 2 we headed into Moran State Park, which held

some pretty extraordinary beauty including pristine nature, waterfalls and the highest point on the Islands, Mt. Constitution.  Looking over everything you can't help but feel infused with a life and energy that is undeniable.  I went on this trip with an intention of connecting with my higher self and setting my intentions for my life moving forward and that's exactly what I did.  At the top of this mountain I burned a list of my intentions as a symbolic means of moving forward and beginning to manifest my dreams into reality.

 

I am so excited for the life I have in front of my and the amazing blessings I know are coming my way!!  2015 is going to be a very big year for me, I can see it and feel it!  What a great feeling :)

If you'd like to see all of the great pics from my outing at Orcas Island, feel free to head on over to my Facebook page and take a look Facebook.com/heather.dalton.754


 

Setting an Epic Stretch Goal

Have you ever had one of those years where you just KNOW it's going to be a HUGE year for you?  You can just really feel that big things are about to happen?  Well I am on the verge of one of those years and I'm super stoked about it.  I'm even more excited to share it with all of you, in hopes of inspiring and motivating as many people as possible to do some really cool stuff! 

The year started out with a life saving journey, I mean what a way to kick of 2015!!  As many of you know, I donated a portion of my liver to my step dad on 1/26/15.  I knew that this would greatly impact my life, but I didn't and still don't fully know to what level.  What I do know is, SO many blessings have already come my way since this all began.  I have met and connected with so many incredible people.  Complete strangers that reached out and donated money to my Go Fund me page or sent kind words to support me on my adventure!  Hundreds of people danced for me, followed my progress and posted daily to motivate me ... I was just completely blown away!  It's because of all the support, my commitment to my health and my drive to be balanced mind, body and spirit - that I've been able to recover so quickly!

It's mid March and by the end of this month, my liver will be for the most part, fully regenerated.  Wow the body is so amazing isn't it!!  I'm feeling stronger, healthier and more alive everyday!  I feel like I'm radiating with positivity, love and great karma it's totally awesome :)  I feel like setting some big - stretch goals to see what I can do this year! 

6 weeks post surgery, and I'm easing back into my workouts, but also pushing myself enough to make sure I know where my limits are.  I'm setting my sights towards the end of the summer and I'm setting a really EPIC goal. 

My bestie, Meg, won a lottery spot to hike the Enchantments in WA.  She's been wanting to do this for a few years and this is the year it's meant to be!  I'm setting a goal to take this hike with her, and 7 other homies, to celebrate her birthday!  It's the beginning of Sept. so this is a stretch goal for me but I think I can do it!  I've always wanted to do a trip like this, it's an experience of a lifetime and definitely fits into my theme for 2015!!  It would be a 3 day, 18 mile round trip, hiking and camping adventure.  You gain quite a bit of elevation but the views are sick!! 

I'm going to start training by continuing with my strength and interval workouts, as well as getting outside to do some walking, hiking and soon .... the stairs!  My goal is to start hiking at least once per week, so I can build my endurance and then do the stairs 1-2 times per week.  And when I say stairs, I mean stairs!  The Seattle area even has it's own book hello!!

I'm looking for others that want to set stretch goals too, so we can hold each other accountable!  What do you say?  Is there something you've always wanted to do, but just don't know where to start or just haven't started?  Let's do something epic together! Email me at heatherchristine312@gmail.com

The Word of the Day is Progress!!

Yes that's right, my word for today is progress!  Despite this cold still lingering on and on, I can feel myself starting to turn a corner.  I am still really congested and go through periods where I have very little energy.  Today was a little different though, today was special.  Despite my cold, I heard that little voice in the back of my mind saying, "It's time, today should be your first workout day!"  I knew my body would tell me when it was time to start easing back into it and today I got the message.

I wasn't sure which workout was going to call me first and it was one of my all time favs, PiYo!  For those of you who have never tried it before, it's a fun and dynamic combination of yoga and Pilates.  You're in constant movement and Chalene Johnson totally kicks your but.  I have been feeling the need to stretch and strengthen, so I figured this would be a good place to start.  I also really like that there is a great modifier that you can follow to meet your level, which was heaven sent and boy did I need it.  I modified just about everything and even made up a little on my own to compensate what I couldn't do.  I kept reminding myself that this is step one of what will be a whole lot of steps.  Just take one day at a time!  I also managed to get in 30 squats for a challenge my accountability groups are doing.  It felt really great to get back in with my groups and accomplish my first workout post surgery - no matter how modified the workout was!

 

I know I have to go slow and take baby steps to get back to where I was physically.  This journey is really going to force me to grow in the patience department.  It's also going to force me to learn a new speed, slow.  I am looking for all of the positive lessons I will learn from this journey and I'm looking forward to growing in those areas.  It was clear after todays workout that this phase of my journey is going to be slow going.  Today starts day one of my training to strengthen my body in many ways.  Today I start the physical journey ... I can do this!

 

 



 

Pre-op Visit Scheduled!

You know the day is definitely getting close, when you receive your pre-op schedule in the mail!  I fly home to Michigan this Sunday and then the 1 week countdown begins!  On the 21st I will be at Henry Ford for my pre-op visit and I'm actually looking forward too it.  I think this will answer some of the questions I'm having, allow me to tour the facilities I'll be staying at, as well as connect with my surgeon again.  I only met him on the day we were doing all of the testing to determine if I was a match.  That day was such a whirlwind filled with lots of information, meeting with different departments and lots of people.  I'll definitely be looking forward to connecting with him again.  I'll also get to meet with my transplant coordinator, who is totally awesome, along with a nutritionist and pharmacist. 

 

 

I made a request to have my picture taken with the surgical staff  before we get started.  I told them this was important to me for a few different reasons.  One,  I'm documenting this journey for myself and my family to have forever.  I want to always be able to look back and share this with others and to remind me that I made the ultimate sacrifice to save a life and to continue to live the best life I possibly can!  I also want to shed a positive light on live organ donations because there are so many others out there who are in need and who are waiting!  There are so many people out there who are really sick and are waiting for a miracle.  By making the choice to donate, I'm not only saving the life of someone I care about, but I'm also giving someone else on the list, the chance at life too! 

The other reason I wanted to get a picture before hand was because I am a big believer in energy!  I do a lot of meditating, yoga, breath work, etc.  I also attend things to help me balance my energy like sound baths and Reiki sessions.  I believe that the better the energy in the operating room, the more smoothly things will go during and post surgery.  I want to share a moment prior to surgery with everyone that will have my life in their hands.  I want there to be a good, positive vibe in the operating room before they cut me open. 

 

Per usual, Henry Ford has been awesome and my coordinator said, "Heather, I'm going to make that happen!"

 

The countdown begins ......