"Every step forward begins with a moment of awareness, no matter how small." 📱

Dear friend on the recovery journey,

Can I share something close to my heart with you? When I was first lying in that hospital bed, paralyzed by GBS, I desperately wished for a roadmap - some way to navigate this unexpected territory I found myself in. Today, I want to share with you what emerged from those challenging days - an approach that helped me find my way back to connection with my body, one gentle step at a time.

Your Guide Through All Seven Stages

The AWARE method we'll explore today serves as a versatile framework that adapts to your needs across all seven recovery stages. In the early stages of Initial Shock, Reality, and Resistance, this method helps create stability and understanding. As you progress to Acceptance and Active Engagement, it deepens your practice. In the final stages of Integration and Living Your Purpose, it becomes an effortless part of how you navigate life.

The Birth of AWARE

You see, this method didn't come from textbooks or theory - it grew from real moments: those six days of complete stillness, the first flicker of returning sensation, learning to walk again, and even finding my way through grief while recovering. Each letter represents a step I discovered was essential in my own journey, and now use to guide others on their unique paths:

A - Assess: Meeting yourself where you are, with kindness W - Witness: Learning to listen to your body's whispers A - Adapt: Finding your own way forward R - Respond: Taking steps that feel true to you E - Evolve: Growing through each experience

Let me walk alongside you through each step, sharing what I've learned while honoring that your journey is uniquely yours.

A - Assess: Meeting Yourself Where You Are

You know that moment when you're trying to figure out where you are on a map? That's what Assessment is like - but instead of judging where you "should" be, it's about understanding where you are right now, with gentleness and compassion.

I remember lying in that hospital bed, unable to move. At first, I felt so frustrated with my body. But then I realized - this moment of complete stillness was actually my first lesson in true assessment. It wasn't about measuring what I couldn't do; it was about noticing what was actually happening, with curiosity instead of judgment.

In this phase, we simply:

• Take stock of our current reality with kindness
• Notice patterns without trying to change them
• Honor our starting point, whatever it may be
• Create a gentle baseline for our journey ahead

A Note From My Heart to Yours: Assessment isn't about finding what's wrong - it's about understanding where you are, so you can honor each step forward. Remember, every journey starts exactly where you are. 📱

W - Witness: Learning to Listen Deeply

During those days of paralysis, witnessing became my only option - and surprisingly, my greatest teacher. When we couldn't rush to "fix" anything, I discovered something profound: our bodies speak to us constantly, sharing wisdom in the quietest of moments.

Think of witnessing like listening to a dear friend who has something important to share. It involves:

• Observing sensations with gentle curiosity
• Noticing connections between emotions and physical responses
• Recognizing patterns in your energy and tension
• Building trust in your body's messages, one moment at a time