We had the good fortune of connecting with Annah Elizabeth and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Annah, do you have some perspective or insight you can share with us on the question of when someone should give up versus when they should keep going?
“Giving up” is not a word in my vocabulary. That said, I have been known to come at a problem “every which way to Sunday…and then some,” which has left me thoroughly spent and exhausted. In those times when I did feel “successful,” there were great costs that came with that: emotional, mental, social, physical, spiritual, and often times, financial, too.

Someone recently proposed the question to me: “What if you were to think about it as allowing something to end,” as opposed to “quitting” or “giving up.”

This resonates with me on so many levels. Recognizing when we are in a position to affect change keeps us inspired and motivated, which has a greater likelihood of success. When we are feeling beaten down or exhausted by fighting for/against something, it is much harder to enact positive change.

When we allow something to end, we can always choose to create a new beginning around it, once we feel rested, rejuvinated, or have new perspectives or resources to utilize in our endeavors.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
In the face of tragedy, mishap, or mayhem, one question reverberates outward: “How am I going to survive this?”

What you are really asking is, “How am I going to heal?”

Our world is filled with common–conscious and subconscious–beliefs like “The death of a person is the ultimate loss;” “Your grief is forever;” and “You will always grieve, you just learn to live with it,” I stand as living, breathing testimony that, not only can you fully heal from any adversity you face, you are born with everything you need to do just that.

I’ve always been a “helper,” someone who enjoyed making a difference in the world around me, but it was the death of my firstborn, Gavin, following unexpected delivery complications, that became the catalyst for turning this passion into a profession. Hours after I heard those words, “I’m sorry, he didn’t make it,” I had one distinct thought: I did not want to spend a lifetime mourning my son. At the time, I didn’t know what that meant, what it looked like on the other side, or how the heck I was going to get there, but I knew what I didn’t want, and I went from there.

Over the next seven years, I would go on to experience two, second-trimester miscarriages; two, complicated but successful pregnancies; a six-week psychiatric stay for severe depression; and one final pregnancy, in which I discovered that my husband and my best friend were having an affair, six weeks before that child was born.

One question drove me forward through all those losses: “How is it that some people go on to live happy, fulfilled lives following tragedy, mishap, or mayhem, while others succumb to drugs, despair, a life of void, or suicide?”

That inquiry spawned thousands more, and I relentlessly pursued the answers. Reflecting on the answers, I discovered the traits of those who are able to triumph over adversity. The most critical piece of my research revealed that we are each born with five, universal gifts, Facets that exist in a hierarchy that is unique to each of us. At the top of your hierarchy is one Facet that simultaneously drives both your suffering and your success. Learning how these Facets impact and influence your daily life, and how to put them to work for you in positive ways is a key component of your success in the face of struggle and strife.

Armed with these insights, I was able to discover what it was I wanted with regards to my son’s life and death. I wanted to one day be able to celebrate his life. I am living, breathing testimony that your grief does not have to be forever, and I stand as a beacon of hope that you, too, can turn any struggle into success and any heartache into healing. In my work to help you achieve your dreams, I offer a blend of academic and alternative modalities, designed to meet your unique and preferred needs. Services include transformation coaching with my groundbreaking program The Five Facets Philosophy on Healing; energy medicine services, coaching, and certifications; spiritual resources, evidential mediumship, and more.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Raleigh changed a great deal while I was living in NY, and I am still learning all the cool places, but these are some of my faves so far! Raleigh has so much to offer, you could come for a week every year and never see everything!

OUTDOORS
Raleigh has done an exceptional job of maintaining green spaces. They are everywhere! In North Raleigh, alone, there are two smaller lakes with walking trails (Lynn Lake and Shelley Lake), as well the larger areas of William B. Umstead Park and Falls Lake Recreation Area. These types of sites are all around the Triangle area!

There are many gardens around, including N.C. State’s JC Raulston Arboretum; Sarah P. Duke Gardens; WRAL Azalea Garden; NC Museum of Art Park, and so many other hidden gems! Sunflowers at the Dorothea Dix park are a summer spectacular!

Smaller beaches can be found at many of these sites, and the ocean is only a quick, couple of hours away!

ART
The NC Museum of Art, and the Exhibition Hub Art Center Raleigh are two of the places I’ve most often visited. Horse & Buggy Press in Durham is a great little graphic design and book production studio that houses many local artists. There are sooo many more to explore!

FOOD
You can find any cuisine at any price point you want in the Raleigh area! Some of my favorites are Relish; Ni Asian Kitchen; Sassool; Coquette; Bad Daddy Burgers; Char-Grill; Cleveland Draft House; Brigs; First Watch; Village Grill; Captain Stanley’s Seafood; Cape Fear Seafood, Mayflower, Nantucket Grill, and Two Rooster’s Ice Cream and Goodberry’s for treats. Steak lovers will love one of Raleigh’s staples, The Angus Barn, as well as Winston’s. Raleigh wouldn’t be complete without a trip to the NC Farmer’s Market.

ENTERTAINMENT
There is never a shortage of things to do in the Triangle area! Whether you are looking for concerts, comedy, or anything else, you are sure to find something that suits you! The NC State Fairgrounds hosts indoor and outdoor events all year long! The Downtown area also hosts a range of festivals and events throughout the year.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Wow… This might sound trite, but honestly, I’d like to give a shoutout to every person who has inspired me by following their dreams, for their courage to heal their own heartache and to turn their struggle into success, to those who have supported and/or uplifted me personally, professionally, and philanthropically on my journey through Life. I also acknowledge those individuals who have challenged and tested me, for in the face of the strife, I have been able to elevate myself, and to reach levels of success I might not have otherwise achieved.

There are a few quotes that keep me moving. Chinese philosopher, Lao Tzu’s, “The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step;” Eleanor Roosevelt’s, “Do one thing every day that scares you;” Maya Angelou’s, “When you learn, teach;” Emerson’s, “Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail;” and Mark Twain’s, “Courage is resistance to fear, mastery of fear – not absence of fear.”

And a shoutout to every person and institution who has believed in me and this work I pioneer, and granted me opportunity to keep inspiring others to know that they, too, can fully heal and live their best life, no matter their adversity.

Website: https://www.annahelizabeth.com

Instagram: @annahelizabethheals

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/annah-elizabeth-244b2ab0/

Facebook: @AnnahElizabethHealGrief

Youtube: @AnnahElizabethHeals

Image Credits
Kristin Guynn Photography

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