Embracing Life’s Challenges

A Journey of Love, Resilience, and the True Meaning of Living Big

Some people come into our lives to remind us of the humbling beauty of the human journey, even when it's filled with challenges and upheaval.

Not many know that my book, Living Big – Extraordinary You in an Ordinary World, was inspired by my dear friend Bina and her loving husband, Russ. I had known Bina for many years before she relocated to Cornwall. She followed the love of her life, who preferred the rugged Cornish wilderness over the grey skies of London. They were young, full of energy, and ready to embrace new adventures. Together, they built a wonderful life and welcomed their first child.

When Life Throws Challenges

But life has a way of testing us, especially when we’re immersed in her joys. Just when we think we’ve settled into a rhythm, the unexpected reminds us that nothing is guaranteed. While our souls might excitedly welcome every opportunity to grow, sometimes things get damn hard. Bina and Russ experienced this when they welcomed their second child. We all celebrated her arrival and fell in love with the little bundle of joy. But it soon became clear that something wasn’t quite right.

In the months that followed, cracks appeared in their picture-perfect life. Everything they thought they knew about their future began to unravel.

A Life-Changing Diagnosis

Their baby girl was diagnosed with Rett syndrome. It’s a rare genetic disorder that affects nearly every aspect of development, with no cure. She cannot run, sing, or chat like other children her age. She cannot hug her mother or offer her father a gentle touch when he's tired. Nor can she argue with her brother like all siblings do or thank him for being her loyal knight in shining armor. Needing a wheelchair and requiring 24/7 care, this adorable child faces struggles most of us could never fully imagine.

Trying to Lighten the Load

 I remember embarking on the impossible mission to make sense of their pain when Bina & Russ first shared the news. One afternoon as we sat in a quiet pub and they described their challenging new life, I unwittingly tried to lighten their load. I blurted out one of those painfully annoying spiritual clichés that are supposed to make you feel better for about five seconds: 'Well, your beautiful girl is an indigo star seed. These little ones come from far away to remind us of the love that we are. ' Proud of my cosmic wisdom, yet slightly uncomfortable, I suddenly felt my husband kicking me under the table—his not-so-subtle plea for me to stop talking. Russ, on the other hand, sat stone-faced, his eyes filled with a despair I’ll never forget. It was the look of someone whose life had just split into “before” and “after.” The look of someone realizing that life as they knew it had changed forever, and what remained would be a wild dance of heartbreak and beauty.

Holding Space for Love and Pain

Over time, I’ve learned that some tears cannot be dried, no matter how hard we try. Earlier this year I escaped from the bustle of London to spend time with my lovely friends and try to finish writing my new book, which was taking longer than expected. Sitting in a corner, sipping tea, I smiled at how life reminds us of her largeness—if we allow it.

It was a typical Monday morning whirlwind. Bina and Rus hurried to get their daughter ready for school, all while searching for the missing car keys. Their adorably persistent son trailed behind, relentlessly lobbying for a new phone. The house buzzed with noise and chaos, while their cat and I just lounged in the sun. And in that moment, it struck me—this was their best life, unfolding right here, right now. Not because it was flawless, but because they weren’t waiting for life to slow down or get easier. They knew it couldn’t. They did not let her messiness stop them from being truly present and were not waiting for a better day to come. I came back to London knowing my new writing creation would soon be born.

Living Big in the Face of Adversity

In the face of unimaginable challenges, Bina and Russ have become beacons of strength, resilience, and love. They’ve shown everyone around them the power of holding space—not just for their children, but for themselves and each other. In their - often overwhelming reality - they’ve embraced the importance of being present. They allow emotions, struggles, and joy to coexist in their rawest forms. They don’t try to fix what cannot be fixed. Instead, they’ve learned to live fully in each moment, offering their daughter unconditional love as she navigates her unique journey.

Whenever I look into her joyful eyes, I know she feels the love holding her. 'Little one,' I think, 'you may not be from a faraway galaxy, but you are a shining star, and you know this, don’t you?' And my heart aches deeply when I realize that perfection doesn't belong to any world, yet we humans still try to force it into our lives.

The True Meaning of Living Big

Bina and Russ' remarkable approach to life — the way they hold space as they create room for patience, empathy, and acceptance — inspired one of the chapters of my book. Their story is a reminder that life’s hardships, though painful and unexpected, do not diminish her beauty.

Living big isn’t about grand gestures or a life free from adversity. It’s about finding meaning in small moments, offering love and grace to ourselves and others, and holding space for whatever comes our way.

Their daughter's diagnosis reshaped their world, but it didn’t break it. Instead, Bina & Russ inspire us all to embrace the unpredictability of the human journey and hold space for one another in the midst of it.