Every year I tell myself that I am going to write about my cancer, that I am going to share my story… and every year, I don’t do it. This year is different, this year is a milestone. Today I celebrate 10 years of being cancer free.

These words resonate with me. They have ever since I first read them upon a kitschy piece of art with 2 glass stars, a tiny rolled note with an unknown message, and a few other good luck objects floating around inside its boxed frame.

I often imagine an umbrella over my head. I clearly see the triangular seams of this umbrella divided into different thoughts, concepts, ideas, emotions, and choices. My umbrella protects me from myself. It protects me from runaway thoughts and allows me to reframe my moments one notion at a time. I hold tightly the handle and breathe deeply when decisions of challenge come my way.

Mindfulness is an awareness of anything and everything. It happens when we pause, when we hold space, when we create stillness.

Marking my 1 year anniversary of daily meditation 10 minutes every morning.