busy

Going out!

This was my attempt at going out the other night and putting on a little make-up! Yes, I emphasize ‘little’ because I’ve never liked wearing make-up with a mask on my face! Although masks are not required as much as they were before, I have not been vaccinated and don’t want to take any chances! Life has changed. While I’ve pretty much gotten used to this ‘new normal,’ I realize how frail life is and want to stay as healthy as I can. Tomorrow’s agenda: doctor’s appointment and teaching students online! I’ve been so busy with work.

About Zina

Zina Hermez authored the best-selling book, “Not Without God: A Story of Survival.” Her stories have been featured in various guest articles, medical journals, magazines, newsletters, and over 250 of her own blog articles. As an educator for more than twenty years, she’s had the privilege of working with thousands of students from different backgrounds and parts of the world. Her upcoming book, “Not Without God: Hope In the Storm” will be out later this year. Her writing endeavors earned her an invitation to speak at the Harvard Faculty Club’s “Business Expert Forum.” Zina’s goal is to help others overcome adversity, and she strives to do what she longs to–help other people. She’s appeared in Christianity Today, the Southern Writers magazine, and Suite T blog among other places. Socializing with friends, taking business trips, listening to music, and meeting new people are among her hobbies. She was recently featured on Color Speak (a Grace and Truth Radio World! podcast). You can connect with her on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, or Twitter.

Ever think about giving up? Don’t.

If you don’t try you will never know what God has in store. Stay the course. We have the capability of improving our lives. Small steps are motivators!

I achieved my goal of walking a mile yesterday! I’m sore, but it’s worth it. I have to keep on going. As I think back, I’m disappointed—this time last year—I was up to one hour straight on the elliptical (doing more than 3 miles). I am not far from that, so I am going to shoot for 10,000 feet.

In the last several months, I have become a full time caregiver, not only distributing medicine, but making frequent visits, and sometimes staying in hospitals with loved ones for several hours. I’m an emergency contact. I’m an advocate and a “scheduler.”

I’m working on endurance when it comes to walking, though, and it’s really coming along. I keep track of my steps on a counter, and I’m increasing them. I’m so grateful for my life experiences, and for the friends I have made!

ed6547f2-71e6-4625-b8c8-0e6d8776c65f-e1562953387204.png I’m excited about an upcoming trip to New York in the fall. I will be going to an event at Carnegie Hall! I will get to watch and learn from world-changers, speakers, experts, and authority figures who have made a difference. I will get to meet celebrities, also!

Being in NY will give me the greatest feeling, and I am really looking forward to it! My hard work has brought me here, the late nights, the lack of sleep, and the pain in my body from just sitting up and writing for so long has paid off.

I hope that my writing will one day have a big impact, and in some ways I believe it already has. I never gave up on my hope of walking after my accident; I was determined to have the career I always wanted, and it is very exciting to see that come to fruition.

We have an amazing God who always keeps his promises so long as we call on him! We all have burdens, to each his own, and they are not here to hinder us—but to make us better—to teach us patience, to be kind, and to love one another. God wants to perfect a great work in us!

About Zina

Zina Hermez is the author of the best-selling book, Not Without God: A Story of Survival. Her various stories have been featured in magazines, newsletters, guest blogs and other places around the web. She has written more than 200 articles. She works as an English teacher in Detroit, and she’s had thousands of students. She’s taught at automotive corporations and began her own teaching services. She currently home-schools at churches and teaches writing. Her goal is to help others, and when Zina is not writing or teaching, she enjoys talking on the phone, going out and socializing with friends, or trying something a little adventurous! You can connect with her on Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, or Instagram.

When things change…and they do.

“Loneliness has never been a respecter of persons. The world’s greatest artists, writers, and composers…everybody, has felt this terrible thing called loneliness.” –Billy Graham

Things have changed. Experiences in our lives can do that. I feel like I’m waiting for my life to be normal again. Then I’m reminded that my life has never been “normal” since I was young. So I get used to a new normal, or whatever that means. I do my best to help others while sometimes neglecting myself. I know it’s not good for me. When one suffers we all suffer, I believe. Have you ever watched a loved one suffer? Their pain can hurt you.

Right now I am trying to figure out how to make it through the day because I’m so busy. There is so much to do, and my to-do-lists keep growing. I’ve been maintaining a work-out schedule, and that makes me happy. I have to write each night. I have this hunger to hit the keys! I would like to keep up with that.

It really helps me. I hope it helps you too! I‘ve been thinking about how nice it would be to have a cup of coffee with a good friend. I enjoy social time with others. I’ve been lonely. Recently I’ve been doing more talking on the phone. But it is nice to go out, and actually see friends.

What do you do when things become unmanageable? What do you do when things become tough? What do you do when all that you do is not enough?

About Zina

Zina Hermez authored the book Not Without God: A Story of Survival and created the Spinal Cord Injury Solutions! online website. Zina works as an English Language Instructor, and has been an educator for nearly fifteen years. Her thousands of students have been from many parts of the world, and she’s worked with all ages.

Zina writes articles on faith and overcoming disability, and her stories have been featured in Christianity Today, Spinal Cord Injury Zone, SCI Access, newsletters, and medical journals among many other various publications. To learn more about Zina visit http://zinahermez.com.