Before you face the next hard thing…

I’d love to share a mindset tool with you that I’ve been practicing a lot recently.

As you may know, I had a double mastectomy in March of 2025 after a breast cancer diagnosis.

A few weeks ago, I had my fourth, and hopefully final, reconstruction surgery.

To be honest, the last year or so has been a lot.

The surgeries were painful. The recoveries were long and difficult.

And I was really dreading going through it all again.

I could feel the fear. The dread.

That deep vulnerability of being in a situation where I was once again relying on doctors and nurses for my care, and my family for my recovery.

My hyper independent personality is not a fan.

But I noticed something interesting.

When I focused outside of myself, I felt powerless.

But when I turned inward, I felt something shift.

So I asked myself a simple question:

What is actually within my control?

The answer was clear:

my thoughts, my feelings, and my actions.

So I decided to use a tool I’ve used and taught before, but this time, I lived it in a deeper way.

Visualization.

For a few weeks before surgery, I practiced imagining what I wanted.

I pictured in detail:

• a successful surgery—the last one

• feeling calm and supported

• experiencing very little pain

• recovering quickly and easily

• feeling hopeful about my future and my health

• feeling like myself again… sooner than expected

I didn’t force it.

I let it be soft.

I would do this on walks, in quiet moments of prayer or meditation, and as I was falling asleep at night.

I would picture it, and more importantly, I would feel it.

The calm. The strength. The ease.

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And something powerful happened.

As I practiced feeling calm instead of afraid, my mind began working with me instead of against me.

I started having new ideas.

For example, during past surgeries, my pain was never fully under control.

I would leave the hospital in pain, always trying, and never able to catch up.

So this time, I clearly (and kindly) told the nurses:

“I won’t be leaving until my pain is under control.”

And they were wonderful.

Then, I asked my husband to wake me every four hours the first night to take my pain medication so I could stay ahead of the pain, and he was amazing.

I also realized I hadn’t nourished my body well during previous recoveries, so I decided ahead of time exactly what I would eat to support my strength.

And I gave myself full permission to rest—truly rest—for several days.

The result?

I only needed pain medication for a few days.

My energy returned so much faster.

And I feel so much better than I did after my previous surgeries.

I’m still healing, of course.

But I am honestly amazed at how well I’m doing.

The power of our mind and spirit never stops impressing me.

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And here’s what I want you to know:

You can use this, too.

Not just for big things…

but for everyday moments, decisions, and desires.

Here’s a simple way to begin:

1. Set your intention

Choose something you want to create or experience. Start small. Maybe it’s something you’ve been putting off, or a conversation you want to have, or simply a way you want to feel.

2. Imagine it clearly

Let yourself daydream. Picture it. See it. Feel it. What does it look and feel like to already be there?

3. Practice when you’re relaxed

In the morning with your coffee. A walk outside. As you fall asleep. Let it be easy and natural.

4. Keep it light

This isn’t about pressure or perfection. When it feels light and safe, your brain becomes more open to moving toward it.

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You don’t have to control everything to feel empowered.

Sometimes it begins with something as simple as:

choosing what you allow yourself to imagine.

I’d love to hear—what might you begin to visualize for yourself?

I’m here, always cheering you on.

Marcy