It was a quiet, balmy 82 degrees on Sunday evening as I was driving home after watching the Academy Awards at my friend’s home in Palm Beach. I was thinking about work and feeling excited about the week ahead as The Art of WOW Conference was about to begin in two days. As I neared my home, literally fifteen feet from my turnoff, I noticed a car heading towards me. Just as we were about to pass, the driver of the other car swiftly, at full speed, smashed directly into my door. The force of the impact pushed my car into a guard rail, ricocheted off, and spun 180 degrees. The other driver’s car door embedded itself to the splintered metal of my door.
I remember Palm Beach police officers helping me out of the car and protectively sending me off in an ambulance to Good Samaritan Hospital. Fast forward, three hours later, I miraculously walked out of the hospital. Although my car was totally destroyed, I felt like the luckiest person in the world!
One of the videos I play for the women in Art of WOW is of Oprah Winfrey talking about how life whispers to you from the time you wake up until the time you go to bed every day. And, if you don’t hear the whisper, it gets louder and louder until it thumps you on the head. Although there are certainly unforeseen disasters in life, Oprah believes there are many things in life you can control if you pay attention. I believe I was ‘thumped on the head’ Sunday night because I need to embrace gratitude more often.
Now a week later, I feel so blessed for my wonderful family, friends, and clients. I was reminded that the root of joy is gratitude and that I don’t need to look for extraordinary moments to feel joyful.
Is life whispering to you?
Roz, I am thankful you are ok and appreciate you sharing your story. I feel very blessed to know you and so many wonderful other people in my life. Thanks for reminder to be grateful and that we will experience joy in our lives when we do so. Your friend, Jim
Grateful for you, Roz! Thankful you only got a thump on the head and no serious injuries.
Thanks so much for reaching out and making me feel so cared for.
I totally agree. We can conceptually talk about how great it is to be alive. It’s quite another thing to see life flashing before your eyes. I imagine there is no better moment to understand the true meaning of life. You are phenomenal and SO unbelievably happy that you walked away from that accident (even wiser than before)!
Dear Barb: Perhaps I lived through this ordeal because I couldn’t bear missing the opportunity to read your NY “best seller” in the near future.
Roz, so happy to hear you are doing well after the car accident! Appreciate the reminder to count our blessings and express our gratitude for our health, careers, and loved ones.
Dear Misha: It’s funny that we need reminders but we are only humans. Now I have an excuse to stop sweating the small stuff.
i am so happy that you are okay ROZ you be safe nd let me know if i can do anything for you. i am happy that GOD sent an angel to look after you.
Victor, you have often been my angel for myself personally as well as my son Sean. You have no idea how much I have felt blessed for all that you l have done for me. Just glad you are okay!
I am so glad you are well and healthy, Roz! Thank you for sharing your story with all of us and for the reminder to listen for life whisperings and to be grateful of everyday joys .
Best wishes,
Tsetska
Tsetska: So awesome to have you reach out to share. Thanks for caring.
Hi Roz,
What a scary moment. So glad you are ok. It truly is these times that make up sit up and pay attention.
With Gratitude,
Candace
You hit the nail on the head. Thanks for your wisdom!
Its a wonder that given all the many things most humans have to be grateful for how often it takes the thumps on the head to remind us to take the time to think about what’s right in our lives and express gratitude at the end of each day. To begin with I Amso grateful to be living in florida I’m surrounded by green leaves, beautiful flowers, quacking ducks and sunshine. Most of my family is up North and dealing with snow, ice and freezing temperatures. . I’m grateful for all the wonderful clients I have the privilege of working with – and so very grateful that you my dear friend suffered no injuries. You are a gift To me and so many others.
Alex…Over the 40 years that I have known you, you have thumped me on the head when needed to see my gifts and what I have to be grateful for. I have gratitude for your friendship, love and truth. I have learned so much from you. Perhaps this time, I needed a refresher course!
Roz,
So sorry about the thump, and so grateful that you and the other driver survived. Hopefully she got a louder thump – she really needs to wakeup to the realities and dangers of driving while drunk. Hey, I’ve been whispering to you and your paramour to find more time for yourselves for a few years now :). Time to “stop and smell the roses” – or gardenias or whatever grows in sunny Florida!
So many possible outcomes of this accident… While the hospital visit and damage to your car were both unwanted consequences, I also agree with the Oprah “whisper” philosophy! You were always a grateful person, before this accident. A real reminder to all of us to live each day to the fullest!