I have felt sadness lately.

On Monday one of my girlfriends messaged me to let me know that a woman that we both follow via social media died. As soon as I read her message I felt the sudden punch of shock.

I was first introduced to this women through her father, John Wineland, who is a speaker, relationship coach and teacher. My friend sent me a podcast to a profound interview that he gave about romantic relationships. Since then I follow him and listen to his wisdom.

In May, I came across a Soul Pancake video called “Finding Beauty in the Sadness” which followed Claire Wineland and chronicles her experience of living with cystic fibrosis. Since I viewed that video I was surprised to learn that she is John’s daughter and impressed at how she beautifully embraces life and it’s struggle in ways that can both inform and teach people of all ages.

During her short time, she started a non-profit called Claire’s Place Foundation for families living with cystic fibrosis, she authored a book Every Breath I Take: Surviving and Thriving with Cystic Fibrosis and gave three Tedx talks in across California.

The sadness I feel, is sadness for knowing that such a beautiful light and spirit is gone, shortly after a lung transplant. In reading how peaceful she was when she died and the ceremony that her friends and loved ones did for her, in her honor, adds to the beauty of a life well lived.

For this Wednesday lets celebrate life and move closer to living from our hearts as Claire lived her life knowing that death was always around the corner.

Here is the Soul Pancake video “Finding Beauty in the Sadness: My Last Days”.

Love – Stephanie XO