Oh What I Learned, 10 Years Later…
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.
My story is personal and emotional. The outcome of which has redirected the way I live my life. My mindfulness around existing has changed. The path that I continue to walk, the one where I encounter bumps and twists and turns and the one where the sun shines and flowers bloom provides redirection and renewal. I now understand that disease is caused by lifestyle and disease is set free from predisposed conditions by the way we live our lives and the choices we make. I have changed and will continue to change the way I live my life. I welcome change, I encourage change and I celebrate change.
“We only change, once we know what we are changing.”
This is one of my tag lines, one that I share with my family, my friends, and my clients. I believe it. I believe that once we are aware of attitudes, behaviors and thoughts, anything is possible. Truly…. anything.
Reflection creates gratitude and I look back at the changes I have made in the last 10 years. Reflection, not regret. I find time alone to reflect on the people, the love, the journey, the wins, even the losses to recognize my experiences, my path. With reflection, I gain understanding of what motivates me and what discourages me. It is then that the bounce begins. With the risk of being cliché, life is full of ups and downs, I enjoy the ups and learn from the downs. I embrace each moment as an opportunity. I am living life, with mindfulness and with emotion, one moment at a time, cancer free.
The story I still did not share, a lesson or two learned, I did. My 10-year cancer free wish is that I inspire and encourage you to reflect, to feel and to walk your own winding path of life full of meaning and promise.
