You may not remember this, but I had some large unexpected medical bills a few months back. I want to share with you now the results of that campaign, as well as the life-changing lessons I learned along the way, and how it all finally turned out this morning.

First – The Overview:

You might remember that I thought I was having a heart attack a few months ago. Being the good closet geek that I am, I googled what to do when I was having unusual symptoms at 2:30 am one August morning – all web suggestions were ‘get thee to the ER’. So I did. And the bills that came in for all the providers were staggering as an uninsured person.

One of my clients / friends decided to launch a donation campaign to help defray those costs; the original goal was to raise funds to pay for the ER facility fee, ER physician fee, cardiologist fee and labwork. Within the first week, enough was raised to handle all the ancillary fees and the first payment to the hospital. Altogether, the final total of $2200 was gifted by both people I knew and who I had yet to meet (which boggled my mind, to be honest – the generosity of human spirit in action is a humbling experience, especially when it came my way). ;+) I had been a professional fund raiser way back when in my corporate career days, but this gave a whole new understanding of philanthropy in an up close and personal kind of way.

Second – My Big A-Ha (or, The First Insight…):

I went wayyyyy beyond my comfort zone by asking for what I needed, to share my vulnerability with people and trust that I would not be judged for it. I had significant reservations about the whole thing. And I can’t say that I didn’t have a couple of unexpected responses from people, but it was then that I learned how glad I am to have had the physical experience to listen to the voice of my inner fears made tangible so that I could conquer them by looking at the truth of it. And 99.5% of the responses were overwhelmingly positive and supportive as people shared with me their own experiences.

People said that they now had courage to ask for what they needed themselves through my example, that they were going to be more responsible with their health, and that they were inspired to go beyond their own comfort zone as a giver to receive help and support from the people who love them. All amazing and wonderful bits of personal stories, which were heart-felt and most appreciated to hear… what a gift.

Third – An Overdue Growth Opportunity:

I learned to receive. This may sound deceptively simple as a summation, but it was – and continues to be – something that has rocked my world. A big part of my personality rested on my ability to be the giver, to be ‘the rock’, and to not be ‘needy’ as I could always manage, to get by, that other people needed support much more than I did. I always figured I could handle ‘it’ on my own, and I did for a long time. Then my world cracked open, and I nearly didn’t have a choice. It took a physical scare of this magnitude to show me the power of compassion for myself and to allow others to give to me. This is something for which the people who donated to my cause, as my teachers, have left an indelible mark upon me forevermore with the spirit of support and generosity.

Fourth - I Had to Get It Again…:

In every lesson, there’s an opportunity to slip even when you know what you know. That is, after the initial push of the donation campaign in September, and I had paid what I could on the bill, things quieted down. I needed to handle what was left of the outstanding balance (now about $5500). People encouraged me to file for financial assistance with the hospital, but I didn’t think there was any possibility there so I didn’t for a couple of months. By October, I realized that I was again doing my old patterns – handling it all on my own, bravely (maybe stupidly) against the odds trying to figure out a way to get this balance handled as quickly as possible.

Finally, a friend visiting me for a week convinced me to file the paperwork with the hospital, to do it different, to show up in a new way with myself and to ask for support in a new way (notice a pattern here?). So I did. And, despite my follow-through on that filing process, I was told there wouldn’t be an answer for at least 90 days. On top of that, I wasn’t pregnant, terminally ill, a single mother, a minority, disabled or on assistance from any other agencies (darn it), which they told me would have been helpful to make a determination in my favor. I had the misfortune of being basically of whole mind and body, caught between the cracks of a system that has inefficiencies built into it in order to make it work. It wasn’t a happy time for me to take in the enormity of what that meant for me personally.

Fifth – My Biggest ‘Takeaway’ From It All:  

The Universe always has my back. Today, as I was sorting out my year-end bookkeeping, as I was assessing where I am this year vs. last year (and noting this particular balance owing on the books), I got word that the provider review was complete. Against all expectation, the outcome of the situation is that the hospital forgave my entire remaining balance! My new balance is zero.

I have to say it was an emotional experience for me on so many levels. I’m so grateful that this resolution occurred during December, the last month of the year (and the last month of a 9 year for me, in case you know numerology). And all of this has occurred during a month where I set a personal intention to ‘quantum leap’ myself… that process alone has been insightful, transformational and something that I believe will become the foundation of the next level of my work with clients. It IS possible to quantum leap! It’s not for the faint of heart, but that is another conversation… ;+)

My point here is to share with you my gratitude for my powerful teachers for me this year, to thank all who showed up in my world for their generosity and support, and to let the world know how much I honor their lasting contribution in my world. And, honestly, to flat out celebrate with big joy and gratitude the inspiring outcome of what I initially thought was a situation of trauma and despair as it has now shown itself to be – a multi-faceted experiential gem of discovery, gratitude and connection.

Most importantly, thank you for your contribution to my journey in whatever way that turned out to be… Know that you and your generosity is blessed daily. And that it is being paid forward… thank you for being in my world. ;+)

Sending you and yours wishes for abundance and radiant blessings throughout this holiday season and beyond ~~~

Lynn

Yesterday I went to an event called BYOC: Bring Your Own Content that was hosted by Brian Massey, the Conversion Scientist. And for whatever reason, when I got there yesterday, I was the only person who didn’t have a printed name badge. I was the one with a hand-written label stuck to my shirt, while the other 30 or so in the workshop had ‘pretty’ name badges in the plastic sleeve.

The workshop was interesting because the whole focus was on what needs to happen on your website and in your content to ‘convert’ people to taking action. One of the takeaways for me personally was how to use the four personality types as revealed through Myers-Briggs to come up with copy that speaks to each personality type. So, while I’ve been a copywriter for a long time, it was really cool to see how specific items in content appeal to each personality type. It truly was more about the ‘science’ of awareness that creates connection with your audience and converts them to taking action that will positively support them in getting the solution they are seeking and have discovered through your information.

At any rate, the day closed with Brian gifting a lab coat that has custom embroidery with his logo, which is pretty cool. I mean, who wouldn’t want to be a scientist, right? So the gifting process was determined to be based on pick a number and whoever was that number on the alphabetical sign in sheet would win. The number was chosen, and the winner was the event coordinator, Melanie Wise (who was awesome!) but who declined the prize so someone else could win.

The new method of awarding the winner was to use people’s name badges in a drawing. Which is great, except that I didn’t have one. (Although, come to think of it, I wasn’t even ON the sign-in sheet that was used the first time around….) Anyway, I peeled off my label and handed it to Melanie and she said she’d figure out what to do. About three minutes later, the drawing was held and I was the winner! Against the odds, I won!!!! Wow…

So here’s what I learned from that experience:

1)    If a prize (or anything else) is destined for you, it will be yours.

2)    Trust that being different is what will get you noticed. My tag didn’t feel like everybody else’s name tag; mine had a texture to it. So my odd name tag was like a magnet for the person who drew it out of the basket!

My question for you now is: where are you different? And are you hiding it or are you allowing that to be seen? Your answer can give you insight about what’s happening in your life and business right now. Conformists never made history, and if you are ready to get out there and make things happen, shout your difference to the world!!! That makes everybody a winner. ;+)