but it is also an invitation to come home to yourself.

Healing is the foundation for growth and fulfillment.

Due to complications from a previous spinal cord fusion,

I spent the better part of seven years in bed in chronic pain and dependent on heavy narcotics.

But slowly I began to realize that I could lay in my bed in pain all the time

or I could live life and believe that I could heal.

When you numb the hard, painful things, you also numb the beautiful experiences.

So I began weaning myself off all pain medicine, and slowly I started waking up to the world again,

looking for beauty everywhere I went.

Yellow is the color of grace and joy,

the color of gratitude.

It means the hope of new adventures,

it's the laughter of friends and the hug of a loved one.

Yellow is the color that inspires me to sit quietly, reflect on the present moment,

and awaken to the beauty and goodness all around me.

Yellow is the color that inspires me to find healing,

just as I did with friends in Hawaii.

As I explored Kauai, yellow found me at every turn.

It encouraged me to push past my physical limitations and to speak lovingly to my fears.

It was there when we snorkeled along the emerald cliffs on the Nā Pali Coast,

when I kayaked to hidden waterfalls along the Wailua River.

It was there when I tasted poke in Hanalei.

When I ate shaved ice for the first time,

and when I learned the art of Samoan fire knife dancing.

In its purest form, yellow reminds me of hope, healing and resilience.

Mine and yours.

I am Ruthie Lindsey. This is what yellow means to me.