Source: https://boldjourney.com/news/meet-cheryl-pace/
We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Cheryl Pace a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Cheryl, thanks so much for taking the time to share your insights and lessons with us today. We’re particularly interested in hearing about how you became such a resilient person. Where do you get your resilience from?
My resilience was shaped by the challenges and losses my family faced before I was born, including heartbreaking loss. Despite the pain and uncertainty, my parents’ unwavering love and determination to build a family through adoption and ultimately through my birth, taught me the importance of perseverance and never giving up on my dreams.
The profound story of Cheryl’s beginnings is a testament to resilience. Born into the lives of Mike and Jamie Ragland, this story unveils the extraordinary circumstances and heart-wrenching challenges that shaped their family’s foundation.
Mike and Jamie’s lives intersected as camp counselors at the YMCA, where they discovered a shared passion for nurturing children’s spirits. United by their love for one another and their dreams of building a family, they embarked on a journey that would test their resilience and define their unwavering love.
The couple longed to have children of their own and their prayers were answered when Jamie became pregnant. Joy filled their hearts as they anticipated the arrival of two precious souls. However, their joy quickly turned to despair when Jamie went into premature labor at just seven months.
As the first baby arrived and took its first and last breath, hope still lingered for their second child. Desperate to save their unborn child’s life, Jamie held onto labor for an agonizing ten days. Despite their tireless efforts, the couple faced the devastating loss of their second baby. It was a heartbreaking blow, one that shattered their dreams and left them reeling in grief.
With heavy hearts, Mike and Jamie found themselves confronted with the painful reality that they may never be able to conceive again. The uncertainty of their future weighed heavily upon their shoulders. Yet, their love for children and their unyielding desire for a family persevered.
In a hopeful turn of events, they chose to embrace the path of adoption. Welcoming a young boy into their lives, their hearts swelled with love and their family began to take shape. This young boy became their precious son, bringing immeasurable joy and a taste of parental fulfillment.
But destiny had more surprises in store for the Raglands. In a beautiful twist of fate, against all odds, Jamie found herself pregnant once again, with the child they had been longing for. And it was in this miraculous moment that Cheryl was welcomed into the world, named after the compassionate nurse who provided solace and support during their heartrending experience of loss of their twins.
Through the resilience and unconditional love of my parents, Mike and Jamie Ragland, I learned that setbacks and tragedies can be overcome with strength, faith, and the support of those who care for us. Their journey of loss and triumph has been a constant source of inspiration for me, guiding me through life’s obstacles and teaching me the power of resilience in the face of adversity, 10 spinal surgeries, a near death experience and a battle with Guillian Barre. As the famous quote says, “Resilience is not about never experiencing adversity, but about bouncing back from it stronger than before.” That’s what I have done my entire life and will continue to do as I continue to skip along the path of life.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
I am a humble servant of the light, a healer, and a lightworker. My journey into the realm of healing and spirituality began with a profound experience that forever changed the course of my life. After a near-death experience and a battle with Gillian Barre, I emerged with a newfound understanding of the interconnectedness of all things and the power of love and light.
Through these trials, I was gifted with the ability to connect with the unseen realms, to tap into the ancient wisdom of the Earth, and to channel healing energies for the highest good of all. It is through these gifts that I have been called to serve as a bridge between the physical and spiritual realms, guiding others on their own paths of healing and self-discovery.
As a healer and lightworker, my purpose is to facilitate healing and transformation, to help individuals reconnect with their true essence, and to assist in the awakening of consciousness. I believe that each and every one of us has the innate ability to heal ourselves and to tap into the limitless potential that resides within.
I own Be the Change—The Healing Collective where our mission is to empower individuals to embrace positive transformation, reclaim their inner power, and live a life filled with balance and well-being.
You can learn more at bethechangebethelight.org
I also have had the privilege of owing Change Your Pace Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork where we help people with their physical bodies. You can learn more about that at changeyourpace.com
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Looking back on my journey, I believe that the three most impactful qualities that helped me navigate through adversity were resilience, perseverance, and compassion. Resilience allowed me to bounce back from setbacks and challenges, while perseverance helped me stay committed to my goals despite obstacles. Compassion, both for myself and others, enabled me to find strength in difficult times and support those around me.
For those who are early in their journey and looking to develop or improve these qualities, my advice would be to focus on self-care, self-awareness, and building a support system. Taking care of yourself mentally, emotionally, and physically will help you build resilience and cope with stress more effectively. Developing self-awareness will allow you to understand your strengths and weaknesses, leading to better decision-making and goal-setting. And finally, surrounding yourself with a supportive network of friends, family, or mentors can provide guidance, encouragement, and perspective when facing challenges. By nurturing these qualities and skills, individuals can better navigate their journey and overcome obstacles with grace and strength.
Do you think it’s better to go all in on our strengths or to try to be more well-rounded by investing effort on improving areas you aren’t as strong in?
I believe that it is important to strike a balance between leveraging our strengths and working on our weaknesses. Focusing on our strengths can lead to excellence and fulfillment in areas where we naturally excel, while addressing our weaknesses can lead to personal growth, skill development, and a more well-rounded skillset.
By investing effort in improving areas where we may not be as strong, we can open doors to new opportunities, expand our capabilities, and overcome limitations that may be holding us back. Working on our weaknesses helps us develop resilience, adaptability, and a growth mindset, which are essential qualities for success in both personal and professional endeavors. True change and personal growth often occur when we step outside of our comfort zones and challenge ourselves to improve in areas where we may not initially excel.
In my own experience, I have found that while it is important to leverage my strengths and build on what I do well, I have also benefited greatly from addressing my weaknesses and working to improve in areas where I may struggle. Through this process, I have learned valuable skills, gained new perspectives, and become a more well-rounded individual. Embracing the journey of personal growth and skill development by addressing weaknesses has ultimately helped me become a stronger, more capable, and more adaptable person.
Therefore, I believe that striking a balance between focusing on our strengths and working on our weaknesses is key to achieving overall personal and professional growth. By acknowledging and addressing our weaknesses, we can unlock our full potential, broaden our skillset, and ultimately become more resilient and adaptable individuals. True change and transformation often happen when we are willing to step out of our comfort zones and challenge ourselves to improve in areas where we may not initially excel.
Contact Info:
Website: Bethechangebethelight.org
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