My Wealthy Affiliate Experience and Progress
As I close out the second phase of the certification training I am asked to reflect on my experience and progress. The timing of this assignment is brilliant.
What Led Me
Before joining WA a set of circumstances had evolved in my life that led me to seeking out a way to occupy my time, to restore plenitude and somehow supplement my income. To fully understand my WA experience and progress it is necessary to talk about the bigger picture.
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The Blessing in Disguise
In 2013, I was offered an opportunity to be the guardian of a newborn baby boy - at the age of 56, with 9 grandchildren and in my 35th year of working as a civil trial litigation paralegal. My workload at the time involved thousands of personal injury cases resulting from an incident that occurred in South Texas where highly toxic chemicals were released at a plant owned by the largest oil company in the world. It was the most intensive case I had ever worked with.
The stress from this job while caring for a newborn would take its toll in a normal situation, but I also had multiple deteriorating spinal conditions. Having had low back surgery (2009) I was diagnosed with several herniated discs in my neck in 2012. I literally functioned on pure exhaustion the first eight months after the baby was born.
More Change
The spinal conditions continued to deteriorate and my neurosurgeon let me know it was time to operate. By this time the baby was between terrible two and terrorizing three, and adoption proceedings had been finalized.
It was anticipated I would be off work three months to recover from a surgical fusion of three vertebrae in my neck. Although the procedure was successful I knew within a matter of weeks that the surgery did not correct the source of the pain. By four months post-surgery my doctor was convinced as well. Additional diagnostics identified a more serious condition of my thoracic spine. The other two discs in my neck remain herniated but haven't deteriorated enough "yet."
Permanent Changes
I was unable to return to work and was literally forced into retirement. I lost my income which required entering the kingdom of social security disability. As though major life events all occurring at the same time were not enough, my son was diagnosed with intellectual and speech disabilities. And there was more. Patiently waiting for me was the proverbial "cherry on top."
Last September, two days after my 31 year old daughter came to visit for the first time in a very long time, my husband decided it was the appropriate time to leave. He just took his clothes and his truck and left. He had never been an expert communicator but I had never experienced him not discussing something so serious. I obviously failed to keep up with his emotional needs during a time when I thought life was falling down around all of us. Admittedly, I'm not sure his needs were of any concern to me at all for several months, but I believed we were walking together and there was much hope.
Two weeks later I was served with divorce papers. He was seeking full custody of my son, and two months later me and my son were ordered to leave our home.
Reaction is the Key
I pulled myself up, brushed myself off, persisted and persevered, and one day in March of this year I was led to Wealthy Affiliate. I really would like to find out which WA member is responsible, but the main thing is that I arrived intact.
With all cynical cylinders striking full force, and a very limited income, I reluctantly signed up for the free membership. Everything I researched on WA supported what was represented. I was all in.
First Things First
I had a computer but it was purchased in 2009. It had been in every courtroom in Galveston County. I could not update Google Chrome. (I still don't understand that one). So I purchased a new computer with the small amount of money I had put aside and it arrived on March 31st. While I'm not exactly sure what lesson I was on in training everything I had done up to that point was on my iPhone 7 Plus.
I love to research and investigate naturally. It was part of my daily routine for half of my life. I fully understand that someone somewhere has the information to answer any question. I prefer to educate myself through those who have spent their entire career obtaining their knowledge. They have proven to be the most reliable sources. I find those people here, as you know
My Niche
The instructions were to select a niche involving a passion. It shouldn't be a surprise that I chose the health benefits of meditation. There are decades of scientific evidence supporting the effectiveness of meditation in treating stress, anxiety, addiction, chronic pain and more. Recent studies have proven that meditation literally increases the gray matter in the frontal lobe of the brain.
From what I understand, if I am safe to believe what I have read, topics of health and alternative solutions to treating symptoms is within the top three niches. I am not an expert by any means but meditation and sleep hypnosis is where I found relief of symptoms of the various medical conditions I have described. From stress and anxiety to chronic pain, insomnia and just pure fatigue. Except for my son, who is almost 4-1/2, meditation and WA are the only two positive things that have helped me maintain my resolve.
Today I have an assignment to write this blog. I have a growing website. Despite a long road ahead, I have had good reviews from WA members, my website is ranked by Google and the only errors are a theme HTML issue that will be corrected before the day is over. I have niche pages on Facebook, YouTube and Twitter promoting my website. I have written authorization from resources such as Harvard Medical School and the NCCIH allowing me limited use of their material. And I have several Affiliate agreements allowing me to start my product reviews and sales page.
Tone Down the Tone
Naturally, my writing has a strong legal tone. I have been writing as much as I can lately with a focus on remaining authoritative without coming across as though I'm making a legal argument to the Supreme Court. I was never good at grammar (have you noticed)? Once I learned about Grammarly, though, I knew I could do this.
The Challenge
For the last eight weeks the major challenge has been to put the computer away when I am with my son. (It always seems to be at a critical point). He is with his dad three days a week, so that is my computer allowance.
Sincerely, Thank You!
I very much appreciate the opportunity to blog about current achievements as part of my training. I would not have taken the time to look at my accomplishments objectively otherwise. My motivation is renewed with the reality that there are many great things to look forward to.
Thank you to those who have listened to me rant, responded with encouragement, calmed my over thinking and shared your valuable knowledge. I look forward to building stronger relationships with each of you!
I have no doubt that the remainder of the training will offer me exactly what WA promises. I am totally in my element here.
Namaste!
Carole B.
Recent Comments
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Well done Carole, it is never an easy road, but success comes to those who persevere. I think with all the health and emotional issues that have hit you, you are doing a fantastic job. Keep up the good work.
Thank you! And thank goodness I can set up laying on the couch. Otherwise I couldn't take more than an hour at a time!
Carole I,m going to make a prediction. You will accomplish EVERYTHING you set out to do. It never fails for someone tried like you have been! You will grow here and rock WA as it rocks you! This amazing guy Jon Morrow who I met at a conference last February has gone through an amazing experience.
While he is monetizing on his travail, I think it is fulfilling considering his deprivation! https://unstoppable.me/blog/
You have been one busy lady saddled with more than your share of life's hardships!
Congratulations on keeping your head screwed on right and charging ahead despite all the challenges in your way.
All the best to you!
Thank you for sharing your story.
Susan
What a story! It is amazing how things all work out for good in the end. I'm sorry that you've had so many challenges.
Yet, you are such a strong person that it sounds like the Lord will be using you to provide inspiration to others that are facing challenges.
Your niche sounds like another opportunity for you to help and give back.
I wish you more success than you can imagine at the moment. Take care and know that you are in my prayers.
I think my niche can help many people if I can just get them pointed my direction. It will happen!
Thanks!
Wow! Thank you for sharing. You have definitely gone through a lot of rough stuff but it sounds like you are still standing strong and determined. I wish you much success!!
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Hi Carole,
Thank you for sharing your story with us. You definitely are a determined hard charger. I foresee you doing really well with your online business as you have the determination of a winner. Keep up the good work that you are doing here and continue to improve and grow your website. As far as knowing who you signed up with, if you scroll completely down on your profile page, it'll be the first person that welcomes you here to WA. I wish you much success moving forward.
Jerome
Thank you Jerome. I found him! I hope he understands his business is part of my life!