“Trust your gut.” I hear this idiom all the time. Is it because I am always worrying and often doubt myself? Probably. But it really sticks with you, doesn’t it? Just trust yourself. Trust your gut. You’ll know what to do. When you make an impulse decision, or feel generally queasy while deliberating big decisions, that is your digestive system communicating with your brain- this link is called the Brain-gut connection. This connection is so frequent and strong that researchers are even saying your gut may be to blame for anxiety and depression.

I called in sick to work with the worst migraine I have had in a long time. I am talking, sick-to-your-stomach-how-can-you-possibly-drive migraine. My job relies on a very strict schedule so it was hard to find a cover for my late shift. I decided to rest, eat, and just go in for those 2 hours in the afternoon.

Then my apartment caught fire.

I won’t bother you with the details but here is what you need to know (in no particular sequence):

1. It was an electrical fire (read: not my fault)
2. I put it out with my fire extinguisher
3. I got myself and my cat Olive out unharmed
4. There was little damage and my apartment has been checked out by firefighters
5. Last year a building in our complex burned down from an electrical fire

I feel ok. Shaken up, and paranoid but ok. The situation could have been so much worse, I realize but it still robs me of my sense of security in my own home. I had a hard time leaving my house this morning. I kept checking the outlets around the house and unplugged anything I could. I thought about how I can protect myself but my cat is alone during the day and...I can’t even finish that sentence. What is worse, is that I had to retell my story about 9,527 times to my coworkers so I haven’t had time to stop thinking about it and try to move on. But some good came out of this: I learned I am a badass.

I. PUT. OUT. A. FIRE. I saved lives!! Sure, I wasn’t running into burning buildings and carrying out unconscious victims, but people and animals are alive today because I acted fast. I yelled “fire!” to alert my neighbors. When I grabbed my fire extinguisher I could hear my mother’s voice in my head: PASS. Pull the pin, Aim, and Sweep from Side to Side. She taught me that when I was a kid just in case I ever needed it. I am so glad she did. My coworkers are all going home to check their fire extinguishers and escape routes. The firemen and emergency phone operator all gave my congratulations for how I acted.

Each 9,527 times I had to tell my story my co-workers unanimously said: “Wow you are so brave and smart. I don’t know if I could do that.” To be honest, yesterday morning I would have said the same thing. I would have doubted myself.