My Will to Live – Jermaine Gandy

To be friends with or a follower of Jermaine Gandy is to be showered with a positive word each day. He doesn’t allow his battles to affect the way that he speaks life into others. You would never know what he has been through by the attitude and outlook that he possesses. He takes what the enemy throws at him and gives God a greater praise. Suffered a stroke, still praised God. Lost his ability to walk, still praised God. Cancer survivor, still praised God. Multiple surgeries, still praised God.

Jermaine details the things that he has faced and overcame in his recent book, My Will to Live, which is available through the link below. Imagine writing several books detailing your journey, just to face another health crisis a few months after the latest book’s release. Jermaine doesn’t remember much about the events leading up to his recent surgery. What he does remember is feeling extremely tired, short winded, and not feeling like moving. He waved it off until finally going to the hospital and it’s a good thing that he did, he learned that he had a stroke and he was going through a medical emergency. Jermaine experienced what is referred to as a Thyroid Storm.

A Thyroid Storm (also called thyroid crisis and thyrotoxic crisis) happens when the thyroid gland releases a large amount of thyroid hormone in a short amount of time. It is a rare complication of hyperthyroidism. It is life threatening and if it is not treated, it can be fatal. The thyroid produces hormones that affect almost every organ in the body including the heart and brain. The thyroid being compromised can lead to organ shut down.

Getting diagnosed with a thyroid disease is not always easy. Jermaine detailed his own journey to his medical diagnoses which includes not being taken seriously and even being suggested to consult with a mental health professional. Thyroid diseases can start with something as simple as fatigue, cold sensitivity, and irritability. Often those things are explained away as nothing to worry about.

Jermaine has since had his thyroid removed. During the surgery, doctors discovered several nodules on his thyroid as well as some small tumors on the nerves in his neck. Thank God that the tumors were not cancerous. The stroke did leave him with left sided weakness for which he is doing therapy for. He is expected to make a full recovery and he is back to giving God praise while sharing his testimony.

If you have not purchased his book yet, I encourage you to do so. Also, I encourage you to follow and support his journey.

Follow Jermaine on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61562336121422&mibextid=ZbWKwL

Purchase My Will to Live by Jermaine Gandy

https://app.thebookpatch.com/BookStore/my-will-to-live/110f5f4d-901a-44fc-8b72-8a9b69c25701?isbn=9798890901330

Stop Comparing Yourself

One way to disturb your peace and inner happiness is to compare yourself to someone else. Remember you are uniquely made, what is for you will be for you, you are irreplaceable in the places/situations meant for you. No one can come close to being you. Don’t allow setbacks or other people’s actions to change your confidence. You exist for a purpose and it is not to be what already exists.

Cultivating Your Land

It is easy to look on the other side, at how wonderful it looks then begin to fantasize about what it would be like to be on that side. But we are looking at the surface when we do this. We are comparing the surface outcome of another “grass” to the hard work, soil, long days, and watering that we are doing on our side. We think if we get to the other side then life would be easier, things would be better but we forget that we are going to have to take care of that “grass” then same way we were before the move. We must be mindful that work must be done no matter where you land, if you want better you have to do better, nurture and cultivate your land.

Be Careful Who You Listen To

“SOME PEOPLE YOU TRUST WITH ADVICE ARE POISONOUS, REGARDLESS IF THEY’RE YOUR RELATIVES OR FRIENDS. BE CAREFUL WHO YOU LISTEN TO”

This quote is very true. Too often we listen to the advice that comes from people that we trust without thinking about their intentions, their mental or feelings. People that have not healed will give advice that can poison your mind and current situation. The poison may not be intentional but you have to be mindful how much you ingest and how often you ingest it. Some people speak from a place of hurt, anger, resentment, etc and are toxic to those that they try to “help” They unintentionally speak their experience onto others. Be extra mindful what you allow into your mind and who you allow to speak over you regardless of their position in your life. When you have a moment check out influencer Tabitha Brown, she has a great video speaking on this subject.

Outgrowing Yourself

Have you ever woke up and found that your old ways were no longer appealing to you? Or maybe you decided to make the conscientious decision to change? Sometimes we grow to be bigger than what we were going to be or where we thought we would stay (that is a message on its own!), and that’s okay. It is okay for your past (or even your present) to not fit your future. It is okay to want more than what you currently have, it is okay to dream bigger. Give yourself permission to outgrow your current place of comfort and reach for more.

It is a lesson that I, myself, had to learn. I allowed others to place me in a box and I turned around and placed myself in a box within their box. Then one day I woke up and the boxes no longer fitted me. I couldn’t see myself being happy when being there and even more important, I didn’t want to remain there. So I made the decision to step out the boxes and pursue me.

My Cut Off Game is Strong

Crazy how we live in a society where people are boastful about how quickly they can “cut” someone off. Even crazier how people will cut off a business based on a bad experience but will hang on to the same toxic friendships or toxic relationships. A business will mix up your order and you’re done with them but a girlfriend/family member/significant other will tell your business, lie on you, cuss you out and that’s still your “bestie” or “family”. Hmmm. Maybe the game is not strong but more like selective. You should cut off things that are bad for your health, whether it is physically, mentally, spiritually, or emotionally. The amount of time you have known someone or how strong that bond is should not outweigh your well being.

Supporters or Jealousy?

This quote by Pastor Kim Jones is very good advice. When we think of people supporting us, we automatically think that it is for our good. There are times when people are “supportive” to be close to you but there are hidden agendas. This does not mean to be suspicious of everyone lol but definitely vet those around you and if something feels off, believe that feeling