Category Archives: autoimmunity recovery

The Role of Love In Holistic Wellness

autoimmunity recovery, black women's health, healthy lifestyle, holistic, love, wellness

One of the concepts I share with my coaching clients who want to reclaim their heath and thrive, is to embrace love as the guiding force for their lives. Often, when we are dealing with chronic illnesses and auto-immune flares, we can become discouraged, feel bad about ourselves, and not want to be around others.

Our thoughts can become negative and we may blame God, blame ourselves, and blame other people for whatever role that we perceive they have played in causing us pain.

However, as we operate from a place of love, it can help promote our healing. Hate destroys while love builds. I encourage you to love God. Love yourself. Love others.

Sharing and showing love can take many different forms and I am reminded of recent gathering that brought some of my family together in bonds of love.

Last month my paternal uncle Wilfred celebrated his 80th birthday. This uncle is my dad’s youngest brother and one of only 2 of my dad’s 11 siblings who are still living. My father passed away a few years ago.

Earlier this year, several of us nieces and nephews floated the idea of coming together to help our uncle celebrate this special milestone birthday. We all live in different cities and states, mostly in the south, and my uncle lives in Las Vegas, Nevada. We knew it would not likely be possible for his older sister, who is in her 90’s, to travel to be there; however, the next generations (nieces, nephews, children, grandchildren) could do our part to make his celebration a time for family togetherness and love. I’m so grateful my husband, sons, and I were able to take this trip together.

WHAT A WONDERFUL TIME WE HAD! Some of my cousins I had not seen for many years, and some I met for the first time. The love was there and I believe it did us all a world of good. Many hugs and smiles were shared. This intentional celebration did a lot for me in my journey to healing of mind, body, and spirit. I believe everyone who was in attendance had their spirits lifted. My brother, Kevin, who is very close to my uncle, shared with me, “I’ve never seen uncle this happy!” It makes me feel good to know we made him happy! He has shown his love for us through the years.

If you are harboring unforgiveness and/or hatred in your heart, it may be interfering with your healing process. Ask God to help you release those burdens and give you a heart of love for Him, yourself, and for other people.

For those of you struggling with chronic illness, such as autoimmune disorders, and ready to invest in yourself for a high level of personalized support in taking control of your health, I invite you to schedule a call with me for a free Overcome Autoimmunity Discovery Call to see if and how I can help you! Click HERE to schedule your call or email me. I look forward to speaking with you.

Blessings!

Dr. Karla

How to Practice Gratitude and Heal your Mind, Body, and Spirit

autoimmunity recovery, gratitude, healthy lifestyle, joy, wellness, ,

Many years ago, when I was a member of Toastmasters International, I met this vivacious, energetic, beautiful lady named Irene Kertchaval (pictured with me above) who helped me embrace the concept of intentionally practicing gratitude. Years prior to our meeting, she had developed the daily habit of writing a list of 10 things for which she was grateful before going to bed. This helps her to keep a positive attitude.

While I don’t always write my gratitude daily (I’m working on it), I do acknowledge what I’m grateful for and give thanks. I have learned that having an attitude of gratitude helps to improve my mood and outlook on life.

Today, I want to share the power of consistently practicing gratitude as it relates to healing from autoimmune disorders. I will also give you 3 practical strategies that you can incorporate into your daily routine that will help you be more grateful and consequently improve your health.

I recently listened to a podcast with Jim Kwik of the Kwik Brain podcast and he shared that practicing gratitude changes the molecular structure of your brain as it promotes the release of neurotransmitters that lead to positive emotions.

Having a grateful mindset is good for your mental health in reducing anxiety and stress. The mind and body are intertwined. Therefore, a positive mental state helps to improve the physical health.

There are several ways you can intentionally express gratitude. Let’s take a look at 3 practical strategies you can implement starting today to help you have a grateful mindset:

  1. Make it a practice to start and end your day by thanking God for blessing you. Yes, even in the midst of whatever challenges you may be facing, or however you feel, look for the good and thank God for it.
  2. Each day, write a list of 5-10 things for which you are grateful. You may choose to write your list in the morning upon awakening, in the evening prior to going to bed, or at any other time of the day. (You may choose to enter your lists in your electronic device)
  3. Share with someone why you are grateful for them. It may be a family member, a loved one, coworker, neighbor, online contact, service provider, or whomever you choose. Letting people know that we are grateful for them and how they impact our lives goes a low way towards encouraging others and it helps us to be less selfish.

What are you grateful for today? Leave a comment below and let me know. Also, I invite you to click HERE to download a free gift for you. The CROWN TO SOLE Wellness Action Guide is my gift to help you take control of your health so you can thrive!

Circle of Strength: Embracing Sisterhood to Overcome Autoimmune Challenges

autoimmunity recovery, black women's health, holistic, personal wellness coaching, sisterhood, support, wellness, , , , , ,
Dr. Karla and Dr. Carolyn

This past weekend was very special for me as I celebrated the beauty and value of good sisterhood relationships. I was invited to participate with one of my close sister friends on a panel in which we discussed what makes our bond so precious.

My panel partner is my dear friend and colleague, Dr. Carolyn Lightford. We developed a friendship that quickly evolved into a sister bond many years ago during our 3rd year of medical school. Our relationship deepened during our time together in the same Family Medicine Residency program.

Carolyn and I have shared so much during these past few decades. Together we have laughed, cried, studied, celebrated, complained, prayed, and encouraged one another. We have also served as each other’s physician! God allowed our paths to cross many years ago and we agree our bond is for life.

The same day of the sisterhood panel, I acknowledged a milestone with another group of special ladies. My sorority line sisters, Vivian, Karen, Cathy, Monya, (my sands) and I celebrated becoming members of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. 44 years ago.

Take Five – MuRho-Delta Sigma Theta

These ladies became my family during a time when I needed support, community, friendship, and positive influences. We became that for each other during our quest to become members of the sorority. Forty-four years later we are still connected. We live in different towns; however, the love remains.

During the panel discussion we shared some of the “Golden Rules” of friendship which include:

  1. Listening well
  2. Honesty
  3. Extending a shoulder to cry on
  4. Genuine interest in one another
  5. Loyalty
  6. Acceptance
  7. Love

When I became ill a few years ago with auto-immune disorders, these sisters were among those who prayed for me, checked on me, loved on me, and encouraged me on my journey to healing and recovery of health. My sisterfriends are important in my holistic wellness.

I grew up in a home with brothers; however, I have been blessed with precious “sisterfriend” relationships throughout my life. I don’t take them for granted and I am forever grateful. If you are blessed with special sisterfriends, reach out to them and let them know how much they mean to you. They can be “lifesavers”.

If you are struggling because of autoimmune disorders and ready to invest in yourself for a high-level of dedicated, personalized, 1 to 1 support in taking control of your health to thrive, I invite you to make an appointment with me for a free Overcome Autoimmunity Discovery sales call to see if and how I can help you.

Click HERE to schedule your appointment today!

Blessings,

Dr. Karla

From Illness to Wellness: A Journey of Healing

autoimmunity recovery, black women's health, health, healthy lifestyle, lifestyle transformation, personal wellness coaching, wellness, , , , ,

Sometimes, it’s good to take a look back and reflect on where you have been to appreciate how far you’ve come.

I was recently looking through my photos and came across two that share a glimpse into my journey with autoimmune disorders.

The picture on top was taken in 2019, shortly after I became ill and this was how I dressed for bed. I was looking a “hot mess” with compression socks, Elastic bandage on my ankle, knee brace, and I had a heating pad on the floor next to the bed.🤣🤦🏽‍♀️

My body hurt from my neck down to the bottoms of my feet. My joints and muscles were inflamed and I had trouble moving around. It was NOT FUN. 😩

I prayed for instant healing but, it didn’t happen that way. However, as I implemented my step-by-step process for health recovery, my mind, body, and spirit were rejuvenated.

The picture on the bottom was taken 2 years later in early 2021. Praise God!🙌🏾. After my most recent visit with my doctor’s office last month, I was informed that everything continues to be stable! I can keep doing what I’m doing!

In my private coaching programs, I help my clients take control of their health using the same process I use for myself.

Recently, I launched my “Reclaim Your Health and Thrive” 12-Month Private Coaching Program, which allows my clients to experience a full year of a high-level of personalized 1-1 wellness coaching.

If you are ready to invest in yourself for this type of support to take control of your health, I invite you to make an appointment with me for a free “Reclaim Your Health” Discovery Sales call to see if and how I can help you.

Please CLICK HERE to schedule your call today. I look forward to speaking with you!

Blessings,

Dr. Karla