Turning Lemons Into Lemonade
Turning Lemons Into Lemonade
Turning Lemons Into Lemonade
On February 26, 2014 I went into an estimated 2.5 hour surgery to remove a parotid tumor in my neck and face. The tumor had been discovered in late December while I was getting a massage.
Over six hours later, the surgery that was supposed to be pretty straight forward became much more complex. Apparently, the avocado size tumor had been growing for years and stretching my facial nerve along with it. While the surgeon painstakingly tried to remove it without damaging the facial nerve, the tumor was just too big.
When I woke up, my mom and husband had to break the bad news. The right side of my face was completely paralyzed. The doctor, after sincerely sharing in my sadness and frustration said, “Don’t worry it’ll be okay, in most cases the nerve will repair itself in 6-18 months. Unfortunately, if the nerve doesn’t come back by then, it probably won’t.”
I was devastated. As a professional speaker, I’m in front of audiences all the time, and I didn’t want anyone to see me looking like this. In addition to the aesthetics of it, my right eye can’t close all the way, and my speech is slightly impaired.
As if that weren’t enough, I have to go through radiation to ensure the tumor doesn’t return, another surgery, and a life that will forever be impacted by check-ups, tests, and treatments. This was not how things were “supposed” to go. I got angry, I cried, felt sorry for myself, and then cried some more.
Then, I put on my big girl panties and got right back up. We can’t always control what happens, but we can most certainly control how we react and respond. Do I still feel angry? Sure. Do I still get sad? Yup. Do I know that there’s a way I can use this lesson to become stronger and help others? Absolutely.
I have so many things to be grateful for, and I find that when I focus on those things, everything else falls into place. If you have some lemons in your life, it’s time to start making some lemonade.
If you have some lemons in your life, it’s time to start making some lemonade.
I was recently asked to provide an introductory video for a conference I’m speaking at. I’ve included it here as it echos much of the sentiment in this post.
I was recently asked to provide an introductory video for a conference I’m speaking at. I’ve included it here as it echos much of the sentiment in this post.
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Anne breaks down the daily habits and skills needed to grow and cultivate RESILIENCE.
I had an incredible time chatting with @dr.cindyspeaks on Positively Altered about one of my favorite topics >> resilience!
💪 We covered everything from how stress affects the brain to actionable strategies for resetting your resilience and reclaiming balance. Plus… we even talked donkeys!
🎧 Listen here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/episode-23-the-resilience-reset-transforming-stress/id1773804535?i=1000699134975
In this episode, we dive into:
🧠 How to train your brain for resilience
😩 The power of sitting in the “suck”
💡 Simple strategies to reset stress and find balance
If you’re ready to transform stress into strength, this one’s for you!
What is on your to-do list for the week? ✅
I’m sure it includes meetings, tasks, personal chores, and follow-ups, but does it include things that bring you joy?
Instead of waiting for happiness, create it.. You can even focus on enjoyable things while doing the have-to do things.
Slogging through paperwork? Light a candle and listen to your favorite tunes.
Going for a drive? Listen to a stand-up comic or a great book.
Don’t neglect what brings you joy and happiness—make it a ritual and part of your resilience-building routine.
You know that heart-stopping moment when you try to change lanes, only to realize that someone is in your blind spot?
Blind spots aren’t just for driving. In life and leadership, we all have blind spots—things others see clearly that we don’t.
The tricky part? Blind spots aren’t always glaring flaws. Often, they’re our good intentions getting lost in translation. So, how do you uncover them?
Here’s a simple twist that will make a big difference: Ask for advice instead of feedback. 🗣
This slight shift makes people more likely to offer constructive, actionable insights—without triggering defensiveness. Plus, it builds trust and strengthens relationships.
Rather than trying to make drastic changes, pick one behavior and integrate it into your day.
Want to start a gratitude practice? Do it while you brush your teeth. Want to take deep breaths? Practice while you make coffee. Adding a new habit to an existing one makes it easier to stick with it.
#mindfulmonday #habitstacking #atomichabits #jamesclear
Humor changes your biochemistry, emotions, thoughts, and behavior. 😆
A positive mood boosts your immune system! Whether you find your laughter through being around friends, going to a comedy show, watching funny movies, or just being goofy, don’t underestimate the power of a belly laugh and a sense of humor.
When something stressful happens, there are really 2 different things taking place.
There’s the thing that is happening, and then there is the story that you tell yourself about the thing that’s happening.
The story is where criticism, judgment, self-doubt, and shame come in.
Whatever you have going on in your life right now, take a step back and try to view it from a third-person perspective. See if you can separate the facts from the story you tell yourself about it.
If we can start to separate the situation from the story, the story becomes much less scary because we realize it is one we’re telling.
This makes it easier to accept where you are without judgment, self-doubt, and shame. What we practice grows stronger. 📕
Read Up on Resilience!
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Anne Grady is a Speaker, Author, and #TruthBomb Dropper.
Anne shares practical strategies that can be applied both personally and professionally to improve relationships, navigate change, and triumph over adversity. And she’ll make you laugh while she does it. Anne is a two time TEDx speaker, and her work has been featured in numerous media outlets, including Harvard Business Review, Entrepreneur, Forbes, Fast Company and Inc. magazines, CNN, ESPN, and FOX Business. She is the best selling author of 3 books. Her newest, Mind Over Moment: Harness the Power of Resilience, is available on Amazon now.
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I love you Anne!
I love you more, Mona 😉
I have been praying for you and will continue to pray that you make a complete recovery. I want you to know that you continue to inspire me! I appreciate your openess and your willingness to share your life with us. It just reminds me that everyone has their own struggles. Its amazing to me the things that you have been through this year but yet you continue to post and be an encouragement to me and so many others. Thank you for doing what you do Anne!
Hi Amber! Thanks so much for taking the time to comment. I don’t always feel inspirational, but it certainly helps to know there are people out there who find inspiration from me 🙂 Thank you very much for the prayers. Keep it up 🙂
Anne- I am so sorry you’re going through this. You are already a powerful speaker so full of great motivators, funny stories, and about how to work with different types of people. I would venture a guess that almost anyone that knows you will want to hear you speak no matter what, because it’s what is inside you that we all love. I for one can’t wait to hear you speak again and I hope we cross paths so that can happen. Take the time you need and I hope you heal soon.
Anne, you are such an inspiration and I just love your awesome speaking technique. You came to my company about 9 years ago for a leadership seminar. Your humerous stories and easy way about you helped me so much. You may remember me, I’m the person you had make the little “STOP” sign to put on my computer monitor to remind me to stop before I speak. Nine years later I still have the torn little stop sign and everytime I see it I think of you. You are a storng person and your positive energy will get you through this. Good luck and I will be thinking of you.
Hi Karen! Of course I remember you!!! It’s wonderful to hear from you, and I’m so glad the stop sign still helps 🙂 I appreciate you taking the time to comment and for keeping up with me!
Anne, I have no doubt that your great strength and wisdom will shine through this adversity and that your message will be more powerful for it. Also, dammit; I hate that you’re going through this!
Hi Julie, so great to hear from you!!! I appreciate your vote of confidence 🙂 I need it right now.
Thanks for sharing this, Anne. You’ll never know how many of us are impacted/inspired/encouraged/strengthened by your story.
I know you to be a fighter, so no matter the outcome I look forward to continued great things from you. #eyeofthetiger
I adore you, Sanaa’ 🙂 Thank you for believing in me.
Anne, I so appreciate you, am grateful and praying for you and truly love you and all you do. Thank you.
Anne, I was fortunate to hear you speak in Austin at TASSP this past summer and I enjoy reading your motivational emails. They always seem to arrive when I need them most. I am sorry for you what you are going through. I just emailed the following bible verse to a friend:
Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. Proverbs 3:5
Seems appropriate for you too. Thank you for sharing and I will say a prayer for you.
Libby
Anne – thanks for sharing; my prayers are with you!
I need to email you – if you have my info, please shoot me a line when you have a chance.
Blessings and Peace!
Anne,I will gladly make some fresh delicious spiked lemonade with you and have a drink!!!!
You have been an inspiration for years and I enjoy everything you speak and write about. Just keep trucking girlie, you’re a fighter!! Have a blessed day!!