When they tell you “You can’t go on that path, it is beyond you!” —grab that path as your destiny. ~Likutei Sichot
Hero #1
Just recently I met a woman, Julie Lorenzen, at the Larkspur Community Center where I do my morning workouts. The Center has become more of a holy sanctuary to me than simply a gym to exercise my aging body. She caught my attention for an obvious reason: her left leg Is amputated at the knee, and I was impressed by her diligent workout routine. So, me being me and curious about her story, I introduced myself, and we’ve spoken a few times since. We plan on continuing this connection as our days go on.
Seven years ago, there was a scuba diving accident that broke her leg. One thing led another. There was painful nerve damage that couldn’t be relieved. Finally, amputation was her only solution. All from a broken leg! What also drew me to speak to Julie was her steady smile. The little I know about her from our few interactions is that she is still skiing, mountain biking and road bike riding. She told me that her steady smile is choice. “I have so much to be grateful for in my lifetime that I choose to focus more on my gifts rather than my loss.”
Has it been easy?
Of course not.
What does easy have to do with anything important?
Her challenging days aren’t going away, but with support from many key people and her steady determination, her warm, steady smile is always close by. Sometimes closer than others.
Please send your blessings to Julie on her courageous journey.
Hero #2
A few weeks ago, a woman contacted me after reading my Inner Hero column in the Source. Another hero in my life had arrived!
If you make it a habit not to blame others,
you will feel the growth of the ability to love in your soul, and you will see the growth of goodness in your life.
—Leo Tolstoy
“Hi Burt, I am writing a book entitled, “From Breakdown to Breakthrough.”* Would you please read it and give me any suggestions you might have?” The title itself sold me on my answer. I said, “Yes, I will!” My new hero’s name is Nancy Reynolds. Once she delivered the book and I started to read it, more inspiring, heroic lights lit up around me. Our heroes are our role models!
Nancy grew up in the military world. Her dad was a pilot in the Air Force doing dangerous missions. She moved from state to state, country to country with her parents and siblings. It was a harsh and dysfunctional family. Both parents were severe alcoholics, and dad was regularly and unpredictably physically and emotionally abusive to the children. They learned to hide their horrific lives, and pretend that all was well when they went off to school each morning. They hid, frozen in their fears of more brutality if their truth ever leaked out. There were moments of joy, but terror was their domestic foundation.
Then, a miracle… Nancy was always looking for inner peace, not ever knowing where to look. Her religious experiences never panned out. Talk therapy didn’t either. Then a Kripalu Yoga Teacher Training arrived. It included both yoga skills and opportunities to share her inner life with fellow students in daily healing circles. She learned to bare her soul and release her toxic, hidden stories. Finally, Nancy was not alone! She discovered her tribe of soulmates.
The sun was finally rising.
Nancy has never left that loving, disciplined pathway to inner peace. It became clear her calling was to help others seek their truth and heal their inner wounds.
There are a lot of us out here. Thank God!
Please awaken and forever nurture your inner hero. We need you.
Blessings on your journey home!
*”From Breakdown to Breakthrough,” by Nancy Reynolds, will be available this spring on Amazon.
– Burt Gershater is a local counselor, leadership trainer, speaker and writer. He can be reached at info@burtgershater.com
This article appears in the Source March 5, 2026.
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