My Grandmother’s Whisper A Story of Awareness in Action

Awareness Is a Step: Transforming Beyond Reaction

Awareness is not the destination; it’s the first step in a much larger journey. It’s the moment we recognize where we are—beyond judgment—and begin to make sense of the truth unfolding before us.

But awareness, as powerful as it is, often catches us off guard. When we first encounter it, our natural inclination is to react—to move in automatic, programmed ways. This is where the real work begins. Growth is not in the awareness itself but in how we respond to it.

The Collision That Changed My Path

I’ll never forget the morning of October 16, 2015—a day that rewrote everything I thought I knew about myself and my life. It began like any other workday until I noticed headlights barreling toward me in my rearview mirror.

Stuck in a construction zone with no way out, I had mere seconds to make a choice: brace myself or release control. I turned my wheels to the right, leaned back into my headrest, and let go.

The impact was sudden and disorienting, spinning me into chaos—both physically and emotionally. My car slammed against the concrete divider and came to a stop, leaving me staring into the passenger window of the car that had been ahead of me. Tire marks loomed high on the divider, my body was still, and my mind raced.

Amid the chaos, something extraordinary happened. Sitting beside me in the passenger seat, calm and clear as daylight, was my grandmother. She had passed away two years prior, but her familiar voice—sweet with her Texas charm—cut through the noise:
"You’ve got to move your car out of the traffic, baby."

I didn’t question it. I reacted instinctively, doing as she said as if it were the most natural thing in the world. Years later, I would reflect on that moment—not just the miraculous appearance of my grandmother but the deeper truth it revealed about awareness and connection.

Reassessing the Reaction

In that moment, I acted out of programming and instinct, and it saved me. But it also illuminated a deeper truth: our reactions are often automatic, shaped by unconscious patterns. While these reactions serve us in moments of urgency, they can also keep us stuck in familiar cycles.

Awareness is a step, but if we stop there—reacting out of habit—we miss the opportunity to create something new. True transformation begins when we pause to reassess our reactions, asking:

• Is this reaction serving me?

• What can I choose instead?

This is where freedom begins—in the conscious choice to respond intentionally rather than reflexively.

The Programming Trap

After the collision, my recovery revealed how deeply I had been living in automatic patterns. Tasks as simple as picking out slippers or tying my shoes became monumental challenges. My brain, rewired by trauma, forced me to confront the layers of anger, fear, and doubt I had avoided for years.

Through this struggle, I discovered the profound gift of awareness—not just as recognition but as an invitation to rebuild intentionally. In the space between awareness and reaction, I found the power to choose differently.

Awareness as a Portal

Awareness is not a single revelation; it’s a series of moments—each one a portal to deeper understanding. The migraines, mood swings, and emotional turbulence after the collision became opportunities to slow down and listen.

What was my body trying to tell me? What was my soul asking me to see?

In these quiet moments, I realized my reactions were habits, not truths. And habits, I learned, can be changed.

Moving Beyond Awareness

The key lesson is this: Awareness is the first step, not the whole journey. What happens after awareness defines the path. When we move beyond reacting and begin responding with intention, we unlock profound transformation.

This work isn’t easy. It requires us to face discomfort, question programming, and sit in the unknown. But it is in this space—between awareness and action—that true freedom lives.

An Invitation to Pause

The next time you encounter a moment of awareness, pause. Ask yourself:

• What is this awareness showing me?

• Am I reacting out of habit or choosing my response?

• What possibilities open up when I pause and reassess?

This pause is where transformation begins. It’s where you step out of programming and into possibility.

Lighting the Path Forward

Awareness is the first step, but intentional action shapes the journey. My collision taught me to honor the space between what happens to us and how we respond. That space is sacred, full of potential.

As you navigate your own moments of awareness, remember: You have the power to choose. Let awareness be your portal, not your prison. Step boldly into the truth of the moment, and create the life you’re meant to live.