I was diagnosed with diabetes as a 24-year old auditor at Main Lafrentz. The doctors, wanting me to comply with a strict regimen, were very clear, “Mess up and you won’t like where you are ten years from now.” In that moment, I was “freed” from grandiose ideas of immortality so common at that age. You know that wonderful AICPA insurance many of us enjoy? My health situation really hit home when I was turned down! 

Thirty years later, I am proud to say that I have thrived in life and health, almost complication free. Looking back, I have always made necessary changes to make certain that my life was worth living TODAY. Because it just didn’t feel like tomorrow was a “sure thing.” 

Now, when I get asked how I started my business and why I left, I share a few lessons learned.

Seize the moment and embrace everything after that with an optimistic outlook. I got married six months after I learned I had diabetes. (When given the chance to back out, my husband replied, “Everybody gets something. I’m in!”)

Take chances. Eight months after I was diagnosed, I moved from public accounting to industry. When advised to reconsider having kids due to the risks involved, I forged ahead and now have two beautiful, healthy daughters.

Life is too short. After losing my job in my 30’s, I began outsourcing myself to other overworked CPAs and never looked back. No regrets – ever!

I think important decisions come much more easily, clearly, and quickly when we take a moment to ask, “If I only had ten healthy years left, what would I do?” and then do it! Who knows? It might be truer than you think!

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