How to Live a First Class Life in 2020 by Lindsey Vertner

 

Most people hear “first-class” and automatically think of high-end, luxury experiences. However, living a First Class Life has absolutely nothing to do with your bank account balance.

 

“What does it mean to have a First Class Life, then?”

I’m glad you asked, Sis!

 

Living first class is about the QUALITY OF LIFE YOU CREATE for yourself. It’s about shedding the masks of fear and doubt; about showing up 100% authentically you and being completely unapologetic about it; and about walking in your purpose with full gratitude. It’s being intentional about choosing to create your happiness despite the struggles surrounding you. When you live a First Class Life, you are creating a life full of purpose, fulfillment, and happiness – for yourself and everyone connected to you.

 

Our ability to create a life that we choose became clear to me after recovering from a traumatic experience in May 2007. One minute I’m driving on the highway – the next minute I wake up in a dark room, and I had no clue where I was. I couldn’t see, I couldn’t move, and I couldn’t talk! I just KNEW I had become the token black girl in a horror movie, and I was about to be the first to die! In a panic, I went from 0 to 100 faster than a Drake song makes you cry! My panicking did me no good, though. I exhausted myself so much that I passed back out.

 

The next time I woke up, it was daytime. A nurse filled me in on the past week (that I had no recollection of). I had been in a “fatal” car wreck. I was pronounced brain-dead on the scene. The car I was driving flipped multiple times before landing upside down off the opposite side of the highway. I had to be cut out of the car and flown by helicopter to the nearest trauma hospital – where I was again pronounced brain dead. So much had happened: multiple surgeries, a blood transfusion, repositioning my skull back together, life support, you name it! Oh, and I was also paralyzed! Imagine minding your business one day and the next you’re brain dead and paralyzed!

 

If you thought that was crazy, to the shock of my medical team, I made a full recovery and wobbled out of the hospital in exactly one month. God’s grace handled the supernatural, and my medical team handled the scientific. But at some point…the rest was up to me. I had to be a willing participant in my recovery. I had a choice to make. Was I going to be a victim to my circumstance or was I going to be a victor and fight for the life I desired?

 

I chose life and took full responsibility for the quality of life I wanted to live! The 3 things I practiced are so simple that it’ll make you wanna slap yo’ mama! (But don’t do that, Sis, because we just became friends and I ain’t trying to lose you!) I want to share with you the mindset shifts that enhanced my recovery and allowed me to create my First Class Life ever since.

 

The first step is to focus on the positives instead of the negatives. You can’t focus on both at the same time. You can’t have a positive future with a negative mind. If you stand straight up and look up at the ceiling, can you see your feet below? Nope! Because they are on opposite ends. You attract more of whatever you focus on in life because where your focus goes, your energy flows. When you focus on the positives, you attract more abundance. When you focus on everything you don’t have, you attract more lack. I could’ve focused on all of the pain and injuries, but I couldn’t change the past. So, what was the point? It takes the same amount of energy to be miserable as it does to be happy. So, you have to choose wisely.

 

Next, you must be committed to your choice and set your intentions for what you desire. You commit by putting action behind your mindset. For weeks, I had therapy all day, every day! Physical therapy was tough, and shock therapy was painful. I didn’t want to do any of it, but I had clear intentions on what I wanted for my life and that was to walk again. So, I got my butt up and put in work. When I wanted to give up, I focused on my goals to keep me going.

 

Lastly, you have to have fun! Life doesn’t have to be so serious. Did you know that laughter and happiness actually boost your immune system, is linked to longer life spans, and decrease your risk of depression? You can’t choose what happens in life, but you can choose how you respond to it. Tension in the room? Crack a joke! Can’t tell jokes? Give a compliment! My hospital visitors often arrived expecting to spend the time in sadness. However, once they saw me smiling and my spirits bright, it improved their moods and increased their peace!

 

Now, listen, Girlfriend! I know you’re thinking, “Ain’t no way it’s that simple!” Sometimes in life, we dismiss the obvious because it seems too simple, but it’s the small, consistent changes that make a significant impact on our lives. Always remember that you have the power to determine what kind of life you want to live despite the struggles you may face. If I can literally come back from death’s door, then there is NO obstacle you can’t overcome! The power lies within you, and your First Class Life is waiting!

 

A 2007 wreck left Lindsey Vertner brain dead and paralyzed. However, she turned her painful story into a powerful purpose by teaching others how to overcome their obstacles and create a “first class life” full of purpose, fulfillment, and happiness! As a coach, speaker, and author, Lindsey teaches millennial moms and start-up entrepreneurs how to master their mindset and balance their lives through self-care, self-worth, and self-discipline. As co-founder of The Unleashed Woman, she organizes women’s empowerment and networking events. Connect with her at www.LindseyVertner.com

–Lindsey Vertner is an award-winning peak potential strategist, speaker, and 2X Amazon #1 best-selling author. Learn more about her at www.LindseyVertner.com, and join the

 

First Class Life Facebook community at http://www.bit.ly/firstclasslifegroup.