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Are You Afraid of Success? Don’t Let Fear Hold You Back!

Nov14

I’ve talked about my illness many times and how debilitating it could be. For years, fear held me back. I had a host of excuses lined up as to why I had every right to be afraid of failure. I didn’t think I “had what it took” – strength and determination. I didn’t want to be seen as a failure. I talk about my fears and weaknesses in my book, “My Journey Through Fibromyalgia: Rumors, Ravages & The Rescue.”

The fact is everyone has something that holds them back. It doesn’t have to be health issues or low self-esteem issues that dragged me down.

When my health improved, I finally realized that, yes, I really wanted to be successful. But the thought of being successful was fearful, too. You might be thinking, “Who would be afraid of succeeding?”

Success would bring a lot of changes. What if I succeeded and wasn’t prepared for all that went along with my “success?” It would bring attention to who I am – to what I do. What if I’m not the person others think I am?     

The questions rushed at me: “What if I do succeed?” “What would I do then?” “How would I handle it?”

The answers to those questions were slow coming to me. It took over seven years to step out of my comfort zone.

Well, actually, it really helps when someone pushes you out of your comfort zone! Knowing that I am in God’s will certainly doesn’t hurt, because I can trust that I have exactly what I need, exactly when I need it. Still, I let fear interfere with my decisions.

Several years ago, my friend Jim Cockrum, recognized as the most trusted Internet marketer and author of Silent Sales Machine, had this “grand” idea for me to start filming instructional videos. I was scared to death. There was no way I would have considered trying without that nudge.

My first video attempt didn’t turn out like I planned. Ten minutes into taping, my assistant made me throw away twenty poster boards with everything I thought I needed to say. Without the posters, and with flowers and a wreath in my hands, I talked for two hours non-stop. The videographer had to stop me so he could take a break.

That first video is still on YouTube and has now been viewed 147,120 times! And, yes there are many more videos. Last summer, views on my YouTube Channel flew past one million! I am still amazed!

The next time I was really pushed out of my comfort zone was when the Chamber of Commerce Business Women asked me to speak before their luncheon. I turned them down three times before relenting. Terrified, I carried pages of notes.

Guess what? I never even looked at the notes. I made eye contact instead and was a resounding success.

But the biggest challenge was when Jim Cockrum asked me to speak at his major conference in Orlando, Florida, two years ago. Was I scared? Oh yeah! But I did it. That video is also on YouTube.

You never know what you are capable of accomplishing until you try. Just turn your past loose and step out! Step Up!

I know you can do it!

Good Article on Having Surgery With Fibromyalgia

May5

Surgery When Suffering From
Fibromyalgia & Chronic Fatigue

by Adrienne Dellwo

I read this informative article by Adrienne Dwllwo about how to prepare to go through surgery when you suffer from Fibro & Chronic Fatique…

"Fibromyalgia (FMS) and chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) both can be exacerbated by physical trauma. It's common for people with these conditions to be especially concerned when facing surgery. They're generally worried that their condition(s) are likely to flare afterward, which may complicate recovery.

So far, we have very little research-based knowledge of the impact of surgery on FMS or ME/CFS or how our symptoms impact the recovery process. However, a couple of researchers have put together recommendations for us based on their knowledge of the conditions and what they've observed in their patients.

These experts are The Fibromyalgia Information Foundation, which was founded by researchers at Oregon Health & Science University, and Charles W. Lapp, MD, who founded the Hunter-Hopkins Center in Charlotte, NC, which specializes in FMS and ME/CFS.

The specific issues we could face after surgery are numerous. Here are those that are pointed out by the experts mentioned above as well as a couple of other considerations, as well as what you can do about each one."

CLICK HERE to read more…

My Fibromyalgia Book Has Been Released

Apr24

"My Journey Through Fibromyalgia:
Rumors, Ravages & The Rescue"

IS NOW ON AMAZON!


My book has finally been released! It has been such a long journey — over 6 years to write my book. This was hard. I suppose it's always hard to talk about about your fears, your pain and your battles. But, I did it so that those of you who are suffering the ravages of this disease could benefit from my own experiences. 

I've already received so many emails from ladies who have read my book, their words have touched my heart while bringing many tears! There were many times while writing My Story I decided to push it aside – sometimes for weeks – sometimes for months. It was always during those times when I would hear God's voice in different ways saying this was a story that could help so many — a story that had to be told.

If you have never been on my blog before, I want to take a moment to tell you a little about me. I am Nancy Alexander and I have lived with Fibromyalgia since I was 28 years old. I'll soon by 67 years old. 

I am married to the man of my dreams – my Knight in Shining Armor – Steve Alexander. The ravages of Fibromyalgia almost destroyed our marriage, but, thanks to God's faithfulness and His hand on our lives, we share a beautiful love story between us and the Lord we love and serve. 

We are also blessed with amazing Christian sons who married the women of their dreams – beautiful, caring wives who have given us 5 of the most precious grandchildren we could have ever imagined.

Now back to how Fibromyalgia almost destroyed my life and all I hold dear.  

After becoming almost totally disabled for close to 5 years, I had to make a decision. I had to fight for my life! I had to make a conscious choice about how I was going to deal with it. I've chosen to live positively and to fight back – to fight with all the strength I can muster up, which….sometimes isn't much.

Sure, I could have given up and lived my life alternating between the bed and the couch. It was hard to get up; it was hard to function as other people around me did; honestly, that wuld have been the easier choice.  

There is a difference between living my days in bed giving in to Fibromyalgia and making that conscious choice to ACTUALLY LIVE!  

I am "ACTUALLY LIVING" in Anderson, South Carolina with my hubby, Steve and our fur baby, Jenna. We have 2 amazing Christian sons married to the most beautiful wives (inside and out) who have given us 5 of the sweetest, mose precious grandchildren ever!!

I have received emails for more years than I can count from women who are fighting the same or similar battles as me. They are hurting… in pain, they tell their stories over and over again to many doctors in the medicat profession who don't believe they are physically ill, but mentally ill. 

I know how devistatingly hard that is, because the same thing happened to me. Then, you face family and friends who find it hard to believe you can feel well one day and not able to get out of bed the next day. 

I want to help YOU! This is what God has called me and my husband, Steve, to do. That is why we shared all the intimate details of my (our) story. We both want you to know that you CAN overcome! You CAN get help! You can have a career and you can succeed in reaching for and grabbing your dreams. I know — I have done that!  Do I still hurt? Yes, of course, I do!  Do I give up anymore? No, absolutely not! I run a very successful online business as I have learned to manage my health and my symptoms in such a way that I do have a happy, fulfilling life. 

I would like to give you an opportunity to read the first part of my book at no charge — the Prologue and Chapter 1. Maybe you'll decide thie book can help you and want to read more. I'm praying it will make a difference in your life; I pray that you'll be stronger and you'll fight for all the help you need.

To read the prologue and the first chapter of: "My Journey Through Fibromyalgia: Rumors, Ravages & the Rescue", CLICK HERE.

Love & Blessings, Nancy

 

What Dianne Dennis had to say about my book:

“Nancy,  It was an honor to read your book! I started reading Monday night and even though I knew the outcome I was not able to put it down! I read through page 108 until I couldn’t stay awake any longer! These are the words that came to mind as I read your story; resilience, compelling, moving, inspiring, heartbreaking, hopeful, insightful, honest, revealing.

You are one of the most resilient people I know! To live through what you have is mind boggling.  I just wanted to reach out and hug you when you felt so alone and misunderstood. I am so happy you finally found some relief and a physician who cares for you and that you and Steve found support and love again!

God bless you and Steve for sharing your struggles and story. It is going to help and inspire so many! Nancy I am so thankful to God that you are still with us!

I can not wait to purchase the hardcopy!  May God continue to bless you and Steve!"

Regards,   Dianne

 

Coming Soon… “My Journey Through Fibromyalgia: Rumors, Ravages & the Rescue”

Mar13

It Was The End of 2009 When I First Talked with
Laura Poole About Co-Writing My Life Story

The very first call I had with Laura Poole about co-writing my book was late in 2009 or early in 2010, I believe. In those six to seven years, I have changed my mind; talking myself out of writing this book more times than I can remember.

You see, I had written MANY books on wreath making and other subjects – seven of them, to be exact. But, when you’re writing about something so very personal, it’s HARD – it’s REALLY hard!

In writing my memoirs which cover more than six decades, dates needed to be correct. Finding a timeline was almost impossible as we went back through medical records, family photos, notes, letters and personal papers.  

As we went further and further back into painful details, I realized my mind had purposely blocked many memories – the ones that I could no longer handle – the ones that I never thought I would go back and dig up again.

There is something really scary about putting the details of your life on paper for others to read. Those were the times, I wanted to back out. Those were the times, I put the notes, the recordings, and the personal papers and photos into the back of a deep drawer thinking I would never revisit them again.

But each and every time, God spoke to me and to Steve in different ways that we were to continue. From your notes, posts and personal emails, we know that many of you are and have been going through the very same things that I did – that we did – and it was God’s prompting that led us to go forward. I had a story to tell that could help YOU as you may be facing almost the exact same things.

It’s finally time to receive the book in my hands tomorrow and read through it one last time before putting it out there for you to read. It is my prayer that you will be gentle with your thoughts and feelings. I also pray that it will help each of you who may be suffering from a chronic disease as I have for most of my life. I pray that God uses this book to lead and guide your steps saving you and your marriage from what Steve and I both endured.  

Remember… You CAN do it, I Know YOU Can!

From the Back Cover

“I love to surround myself with people who challenge me. Those rare souls who
endure and persist and eventually find a way to overcome seemingly impossible odds with
determination and focus, and ignite something unique and special inside us. You simply
can’t have too many people like that in your life. Prepare to add Nancy to your list of
champions.

Her story is likely to destroy your excuses and procrastinations and inspire you to serve,
build, and grow starting now. Nancy is living proof that business done correctly is virtuous
and empowering—but she’s as humble of a person as you’ll ever meet.” ~Jim Cockrum
(Internet business coach and best-selling author of Silent Sales Machine)
 


For twenty-five years, Nancy Alexander battled a mysterious illness
without a diagnosis. Despite spells of total debilitation and
hospitalizations with no answers, she managed to fight through and raise
two sons and create a successful business. Like many marriages where
chronic illness is at the forefront, Nancy’s suffered.
This is her story of fighting the medical system to receive a diagnosis and
to not only save her marriage to Steve but restore it to a place of joy. Years
of rumors from doctors and friends, the ravages on her body from disease,
and the rescue in the form of a doctor and nutritionist all culminated into a
place of wellness that Nancy now shares with her readers.
Though she didn’t always know it during her journey, God’s hand
guided and protected her and Steve. Nancy’s story will uplift and encourage
those with chronic illness that answers are worth fighting for, and God’s
strength is sufficient on even the worst days.

 

How God Has Used Me

Jan18

Gratitude Because God is Using "Little Old Me"

I'm Feeling Gratitude Today 


I don’t mean to sound surprised, and I don’t mean to boast — but me?? — I have always trusted God as my savior – my Lord – involved in and orchestrating everything in my life… I grew up in what I considered an unhappy home… nothing really bad .. just unhappy, and feeling unloved.  (I do know different now, but didn’t then and couldn’t understand as a child.)

 

But, well, finally – now things are different!  The signs from God’s leading in my and my husband’s lives are bold, attention-getting, crying your eyes out, screaming to the top of your lungs, singing praises to the Lord… kinds of signs and “holy touches”!

 

Me…Nancy…Nancy Alexander from Anderson, South Carolina (a middle-sized Southern town of not much significance) — who has never gone far away from home except for a few trips to Washington, DC, when my uncle was alive, or the wonderful cruise my husband surprised me with for our 25th anniversary — the Nancy who got really sick at 28 years old when she had two little boys to take care of, who had dreams of being a GREAT Mom — a beautiful, sexy, encouraging wife to a husband who adored, cherished, and looked upon none other — one who would make a difference in this world one day by touching lives, leading others to my Lord and Savior by being the sort of Christian that others admire — traveling through and praising God for this beautiful world that we live in (or) just being the “Matriarch” of our little family — being looked up to — honored — loved — overwhelmed with the hugs and kisses and “Mom, I Love You” stuff… this was what my dreams were made of and what I wanted more than anything else in this world!

 

I have found that God definitely has plans for us, and that He certainly answers prayer.  I know that my prayers have been answered, but God and I have had to engage in many breakdowns, talks and tears (mine), about the fact that he didn’t answer my prayers and pleadings in my time, but in His time — 30 to 35 years later.  (And, by the way…it took my son, Matt, to remind me that even though it has been sooo many years…God HAS answered my prayers!)  I now can and do Praise His Name for His faithfulness, steadfastness, and love because these answers to my hopes, dreams, and pleadings have been much more than I could have ever imagined.

 

Yes, His time is certainly NOT our time and His dreams for us and for me personally came at His “right time”.  These dreams which are being answered now in my life, totally take my breath away, with faith in God…dreams eventually are answered.  These answers are maybe not the answers we expect, but can be beyond our own imaginings.  I would not be the person I am today without the many years of being pruned by God; without going through the many impossible situations with health issues, family and life.  I tried so hard for so many years; I thought I would never be freed.  But… I now know that I would not be blessed with the experience I now possess with which I can help others I come across in this world (and notice… I did say world!) – without the many years of God’s hard work in my life.

 

Don’t worry, I’m not going to go through my entire life’s story here, but I just want to tell you about a tiny little book:  “The Prayer of Jabez”, given to me by my son Matt in 1990, and how it made such an impact in my life.  I knew I was in trouble and had known for some time… life was a “chore”, life was not what I had dreamed, expected, and wanted it to be — my life was broken and filled with pain and hurt; I even knew that if I lived long enough, I would probably end up in a wheelchair.  I had come close to giving up so many times, but didn’t have the courage or strength to even do that.

 

Anyway, this tiny little book with the sweet inscription in the front from my son, Matt, led me to read it that day.  It is such a tiny book that it can be read in one day — but the words, and the meanings of those words have taken me many years to learn how they apply to my life.  This short prayer; “The Prayer of Jabez” has been prayed by me every single day of my life since I received it in 1990 — and on some days of turmoil and stress — more than once.

 

I began many years ago praying this prayer for me – myself first – to be healed; then, later on I changed the names, and prayed for Steve, my husband, and second my sons, Matt and Andy.  So every single night I pray this prayer four times.  As I lay my head down on my pillow, I began these prayers.  I could not sleep unless I did.  I used to pray them silently, until I realized that Satan cannot hear our thoughts, only our spoken words…so I started praying them aloud — I wanted him to know the strength of my trust in God.

 

The Prayer as I have prayed it:  “And Jabez called upon the God of Israel; Oh that You would bless me indeed.  That You would enlarge my territory, and that your hand would be with me; and you would keep me from evil so that I might not cause pain.”

(or) 1 Chronicles 4:10

“Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, “Oh that Thou would bless me indeed, and enlarge my coast (territory), and that Thine hand might be with me, and that Thou would keep me from evil, that it may not grieve me!”  And God granted him that which he requested.”

 

I knew these were powerful words.  I read the book several times, but when I would get to two specific phrases each time, I would find myself thinking… (how in the world would this ever apply to me…?).  That didn’t stop me, though, and I kept right on praying.

 

The first phrase that I just could not understand was “That You would enlarge my territory”, and the second was “And keep me from evil so that I might not cause pain”.  God has now revealed to me exactly what each of these phrases means.  Each statement has changed my life in such amazing ways;  both for the good – but one involving anticipation and excitement, and the other – well, let’s just say the other caused a great deal of pain.  But just for now, I want to talk about the first one — the one which brought unbelievable hope, praises, joy and excitement to my mundane life.

 

Each time I would stop and think.  Here I am… a woman with a finally diagnosed disease of fibromyalgia — and eventually celiac disease.  How in the world could God enlarge my territory?  For a while I could hardly ride in a car for 30 minutes.  A few times through the years when fibromyalgia released its terrible grip on my body and my soul for a short while, I could go a few places;  like Atlanta on several buying trips for a business I kept holding onto; or…there was that one time when I was able to go on a cruise that my husband surprised me with; and a couple of times through the years when I was able to make the 5 hour trip to Myrtle beach.

 

But, “enlarge my territory”!?…

Well, this is where I certainly did God an injustice!  I did not trust Him like His word commands us to do.  But, can you see how I would question; how could He enlarge “my” territory when I can hardly ride in the car for more than 30 minutes…I couldn’t even go up a flight of stairs.  I could never visit all of the states in the United states as many people do (and I would love to do), and I certainly could not (even if the funds were available), fly to other countries.  To me, for many years, that was what “enlarge my territory” meant – to be able to spread the word of God far and wide to all the ends of the earth.

 

Then, a couple of years ago, I picked up this little book again.  It had been lying on my bedside table for years just for the comfort it gave me to see it there.  As I picked up this book and started reading again, I flipped over to the chapter where it was talking about expanding my territory.  As I flipped through the pages, reading quickly, my heart started to flutter a little – I felt something in the pit of my stomach….I HAD BEEN WRONG!  Here they were talking about this applying to our everyday lives.  To people we come in contact with everyday. To businesses which needed God’s help to grow and expand…but in His direction only.

 

So, that night as I began to pray, I began to envision in my mind that – YES – God can expand my territory.  To my friends, my neighbors, and my business selling wreaths on the Internet.  Then, every night thereafter, I had those thoughts in my mind as I spoke the words aloud – instead of the negative and distrustful thoughts and words of doubt clouded with a little hope that had always hung around in the back of my mind.

 

And now where do I begin?  How do I tell you the miraculous ways that God has enlarged my territory?  Well, my business is flourishing, but not in the way you might think — in monitory terms — although I have started to finally make a little money instead of just having a fun hobby that I excelled in and cost us a fortune!  Oh, but God is so good, his dreams for us are more incredible than ours could ever be!

 

My husband, Steve and I have just written a book for and about my business.  It is a book on how to do what I do — how to start an Internet business when you know nothing about the Internet — and yes… a list of every supplier that I buy from, and what I buy from each.  This is something that NO business owner EVER DOES!!  These suppliers and vendors are searched out and tested for many years.  In writing and selling this book, I am creating my own competition!

 

DO YOU SEE???? DO YOU SEE the point I am trying to get across here?  God’s plan for me was not to become a successful Internet Entrepreneur merely making and selling wreaths.  His plan was not for me to just become a success filming how-to videos on wreath design (although that’s a part of my life and business).

 

HIS plan for me was to reach ladies (far and wide — “expanding my territory”), ladies who are and were just like me.  They are trapped in bodies that are weak and sick.  They have fibromyalgia or other health issues which have gone undiagnosed for many, many years….just like mine.  No one understands, maybe they have not found a Doctor yet who even believes they are “truly” sick.  They need hope, they need joy…they need a reason to get out of bed every morning…they need God’s help and inspiration.

 

I am so humbled… I am so overwhelmed… I am so overjoyed that God is using “me” to help these women!  In the last 11 days that my book has been for sale, we have sold over 50 copies!  I am receiving so many emails, it is not humanly possible to answer them all, from women all over the world who are desperate.  They are where I was so many years ago!  God is leading me to help them in ways that I cannot yet begin to fathom!  I could let this totally consume me, but I have peace and trust in God now that I know what “He” is doing, and is doing so well!  I am only along for the ride – along with my faithful, loving husband, and a renewed marriage – and we are open to do whatever God’s will is for us!  We finally KNOW FOR SURE that “His will” cannot be matched by any earthly designs.

 

So…. “enlarge my territory”!?…

Okay…. get this…. in the last two weeks, I have had people on my website from over “Thirty-Five” countries!  I have several “big” Internet Marketers” waiting for me to set my book up for Affiliate Sales so that they can sell it.  They believe in me…and my gift — my talent and they say my story has touched them deeply!

 

So…don’t tell me that God cannot enlarge your territory because he did just that to me — Nancy Alexander — from Anderson, South Carolina!