For one day a year we placed the posture of our entire future into the hands of Miss Feldman — our track suited, middle school gym teacher. Shirtless, in a line of developing teenage girls, we stood single file in the basement of the Central Junior High girl’s locker room. One by one, Miss Feldman told us to bend over. Touch our toes. For some reason, we were perfectly trusting that her gym teacher education qualified her to assess the condition of our spines.

Waiting in line for maybe 10 minutes, I was able to create a scenario in which I had scoliosis. Stepping closer. Girl by girl. Of course I had it. Without any rhyme or reason, it became my reality. Forget the sports I played. Forget the health I enjoyed. I had scoliosis. Of course I did. Even in the damp coolness of the pink basement, I began to sweat. It was my turn. I bent over. It took maybe 5 seconds. “You’re fine. Next,” she said.

Of course I was fine. Now laughing.

The power of suggestion is strong. I learned that early on. Every day before going to school my mother would say, “Goodbye. I love you. Have a nice day.” I guess the key word was “have.” It gives you all the power. (A power never to be given away!) She didn’t say, “I hope it’s a good day.” She told me to have one. Now, you might say, well, everyone says that. But sometimes we don’t always see the power within that statement. The power within ourselves. So I remind you. I remind myself. To have a nice day.

It’s so easy to get caught up in the worry of it all. Life is challenging. And there are so many things we can’t control. So on the days when I’m stuck in a line of doubt, I go through my personal checklist. Are you loved? Yes. Do you love? Yes. Safe? Yes. Capable? Yes. Willing? Oh, yes! Do you have scoliosis? No! “You’re fine,” the mirror answers. “Have a nice day!”