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Life Reimagined Series

Pur·pose

(noun)

1. The reason for which something is done or created or for which something exists.

(verb formal)

1. Have as one’s intention or objective.”God has allowed suffering, even purposed it.”

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I created this blog to chronicle my colon and breast cancer diagnosis and ensuing fight to survive as an opportunity to share my journey not only with family and friends but the community at large.

My quest has introduced me to some incredible doctors, nurses and medical providers, as well as, fellow cancer patients in the WordPress community.

Describing my experiences is one of the best ideas I’ve ever had. Not only is it cathartic, but has enriched my life by opening the door to the examination of my faith, will, hopes and dreams for the future.

Now, that I’m on the survivor end of the cancer struggle, my thoughts are focused more in terms of what I want to do with my life moving forward and how cancer has impacted my choices and decisions.

I consider myself to be a lifelong learner and as a part of my personal growth, I’ve decided to start investigating the possibilities of what my life my hold. I’ve also decided to share my journey of introspection and discovery as I take classes and reflect on ways to live my life on purpose.

I invite you to join in this journey of discovery by taking an online class through the Life Reimagined Institute. Maybe together we can discover our purpose and the endless possibilities.

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Discover What’s Next – Living Your Life on Purpose

Instructor: Richard Leider

Purpose is a powerful thing. The simple act of having one can improve your health, reduce your risk of disease and make you happier and more productive. And a purpose-led life isn’t just for the privileged few – it’s for everyone, including you.

In Discover What’s Next: Living Your Life on Purpose, you’ll join Richard Leider, renowned life coach, best-selling author, and thought-leader at Life Reimagined, in exploring how your gifts, passions, and values can guide you toward a greater sense of purpose and bring more joy to your years.

Follow the link below to begin the journey of living your life on purpose:

https://www.thebigknow.com/course/discover-purpose/session/lr-purpose?utm_source=lr&utm_medium=email&utm_term=&utm_content=purpose&utm_campaign=general&cmp=EMC-LR-ECP-20160503-NE

Celebration Summer! 🎉💃🏼

Blessings abound as I celebrate the 40th Anniversary of crossing into the sisterhood of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. with my line sisters, the Eloquent Eleven.

Our love and bond is ever strong as we’ve shared our life’s joys, milestones and heartbreaks. I recently read an article about the enhanced benefits, well being and happiness associated with a strong network of girlfriends. I can attest to that observation as my sisters have always loved and supported me and their energy has truly lifted me throughout my cancer journey.

Eloquent Eleven in Marco Island, Florida 2014

As I discovered and took on the challenge of fighting the colon and breast cancer diagnosis, we were planning this 2016 reunion and had chosen Maine as the destination. Mid plan, my sisters made the decision to take the weight of traveling off my plate and come to see me in Charlotte for our celebration.

Eloquent Eleven at Lake Norman, NC 2016

I always smile and my heart is full thinking of this group of incredible, dynamic women I’ve had the privilege and blessing to call family. As we continue to fellowship and praise our remarkable sisterhood, I thank God for each and every one.

Don’t You Worry Child – Swedish House Mafia 📀

This blog is all about Faith because of its impact and my belief that our decisions, viewpoints and life are determined by Faith or the lack thereof. My Faith led me to surrender and put my life in God’s hands as I went through treatment for colon and breast cancer. My decision was based on Faith, my viewpoint on the outcome was based on Faith, and the enrichment of my life, as a result, was achieved through Faith. I heard “Don’t You Worry Child” a couple of years ago and the message resonated. As has been a pattern of my life, I sometimes come to music, actors or movies after the fact. By the time I heard this tune by Swedish House Mafia, they had already disbanded. They broke up in 2012 and ended with a series of world concerts entitled, “The Last Tour”.

“The Last Tour” served as a farewell letter to their fans. The group was a house music superband whose songs were driven purely by emotion. Between the visuals and the adrenaline pulsating beats, fans can’t help but drop into the groove. Recently, I caught the documentary Leave the World Behind: Swedish House Mafia’s Final Tour which highlighted the fans reactions to their breakup and powerful music which had everyone in a frenzy.

What was most intriguing about the band’s breakup was the reasoning. The 3 bandmates – Atwell, Steve Angello, and Sebastian Ingrosso revealed that they couldn’t communicate their feelings toward one another or express anger at the lack of commitment to the Swedish House Mafia project. In addition, Axwell, the leader of the band, made a comment about not wanting to be a 40-year-old DJ. Being in a band can be a lot like being in a marriage, if the couple can’t be honest with their feelings, it can lead to a lot of unnecessary pain.

Maybe if the band had greater Faith in their friendship being able to survive the truth of their feelings, they could have worked through their challenges. On the other hand, maybe it was just time to move on and start the next chapter in their lives. That realization in and of itself is an example of Faith since just as they decided to separate, the single “Don’t Worry Child” made its debut at number one in the United Kingdom. In the United States, the song became Swedish House Mafia’s biggest hit, peaking at number 6 on the Billboard Hot 100, making it their first and only top ten single.

In its’ lyrics, the message and inspiration of this tune are, as we negotiate life we experience both happiness and lost. However, God is always there and has a plan for you.

Steely Dan 🎶

I’m proclaiming this to be Celebration Summer! First, my Birthday/Chemo Over Party in May, then vacationing with wonderful friends last week and now, finally seeing Steely Dan in concert. Donald Fagen and Walter Becker sing songs of my college days and bring back so many treasured memories.

Seeing them made me reclaim and exclaim how much I love my generation! Let me repeat, I love, love my generation!! We brought Rock, Funk and Jimi Hendrix to the world. Yes, I’m a hippie and proud of it! We rocked out in the 60’s and are still killin’ it today.

Jimi Hendrix

Jimi Hendrix

Carlos Santana

Carlos Santana

hippieswoodstockpeacelove

hippiesWoodstock-couple-Courtesy-Bobbi-and-Nick-Ercoline

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George Clinton

George Clinton

Hanging out at the Steely Dan concert last night with Steve Winwood as the opening act gave me the opportunity to revel in the atmosphere and memories of the 70’s. We danced and sang and even though we’re a little older and a little greyer, our youthful and free spirits endure.

I’d never seen Steely Dan live so this concert was really a treat. I’ve been a big fan since their beginnings in 1972 and have every lyric and note etched in my mind. As Walter Becker was introducing the band he reminded us that he and Donald Fagen have been making music together for 50 years! Quite a feat for any relationship. I love the memories of the past but it was awesome to see what they look like today.

Donald Fagen, Walter Becker

Donald Fagen, Walter Becker

Walter Becker, Donald Fagen

Walter Becker, Donald Fagen

Steely-Dan-Tour

Steve Winwood

Steve Winwood

Steve Winwood Steely Dan

The reminiscing didn’t stop after the last number but continued on the way out to our vehicles. The girl walking in front of me still had “My Old School” spinning in her brain and bid the crowd to singalong. Never one to turn down the opportunity to warble a tune, I chimed in with the lyric, “…and I’m never goin’ back to my old school…” with the accompanying hand claps. My kind of people.

Nothing like reliving old and making new memories. What a blessing!

Sounds of Serenity

I am filled with joy having spent a fabulous week of relaxation on the lanai of two very dear friends; reminiscing, hugging and appreciating the feelings of calmness and serenity. With all the worldwide madness happening every day, it’s important to take a step back and rejoice in the blessings and inspirations in your life. The day to day can be overwhelming at times and we can feel helpless from the inability to control the situations surrounding us.

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Breath. Inhale, exhale and let go of all the stress you’re holding onto. I often need to remind myself to do so. I can’t control the chaos in the world or behavior of others, but I can control internalizing my anger, pain, and disgust by making it a point to spend time with awesome friends, volunteer, take a nature walk, and appreciate God’s glory.

The first thing I did after being diagnosed with not one but two cancers – colon and breast – was to seek the solace of meditation and finding my happy place. My physical body and spirit didn’t need the outside stress, having enough on my plate to deal with. I needed to find strength and faith from within; which is where true peace and serenity lie.

I use this video as a reprieve from stress. A tranquil place. A serene place. My own private happy place.

Peace ✌

Happy Friday!

Happy 60th Birthday, Honey

This post is dedicated to my wonderful husband in celebration of his 60th birthday. We’ve shared a lot of special memories throughout the years since becoming friends in high school. Perhaps it was providence, but we ended up living in the same dorm and eventually falling in love at The University of Michigan. We joined our lives together almost 38 years ago, and were blessed with two beautiful children who have grown into remarkable spirits.

So, in honor of you Kevan, blow out your candles and let’s take a trip down memory lane.

Love You!

Forever Friendship 💖

Once again, the Lord has blessed me with the opportunity to spend time with some very special friends while celebrating my incredible husband’s 60th birthday. True friendships are a treasure. It’s the joy of knowing that even if you haven’t seen each other in years, you don’t miss a beat hugging and joining together like you were never apart.

Both my immediate and extended family are really close. When I hear or read stories about feuding families and estranged relationships it makes me sad. Our love for one another is really all we have when you think about it; a fact I appreciate even more having fought for my life battling colon and breast cancer. Material things don’t matter or last. Real friendship is forever.

Thanks Ron and Margaret for your love and support. We were blessed the day we met with a friendship that endures and will always mean the world to me.

friendship3

friendship

Friendship

From Faith to Possibilities 🙏

Faith or the lack thereof contributes to the overall outcome of a situation or goal we’re trying to attain. It’s our attitude adjustment that sets us on the right path.

Stress, worry, negative thoughts are all manifestations of lack of Faith. Is the glass half empty?, making lemonade out of lemons are both expressions we use to describe Faith; how we approach challenges in our lives.

The teachings of my guru Don Miguel Ruiz, author of the philosophical guidebook, “The Four Agreements”, explains the relationship between Faith and manifest destiny. We manifest what we believe in our minds; the reality we create for ourselves. We’ve been conditioned by family, teachers, peers to think of ourselves in a certain way – “you’re lazy, beautiful, creative, evil” – but Faith can help free us from that mindset to create the life experience we desire. We write our own story and Faith is the key.

I’m a walking testament of Faith. My cancer journey started with me adopting the Fourth Agreement – “Don’t Make Assumptions” – as my mantra. I asked my doctors’ crucial questions and wasn’t afraid to express to the Universe what outcome I envisioned.

So, let’s not misunderstand, Faith is not passive. It requires actions alongside the belief that I will come out stronger and more empowered as a result of my challenges. To that end, I researched my diagnosis of colon and breast cancer and armed with that knowledge embarked upon the mission of beating cancer.

I had faith that I wouldn’t have any major side effects and I didn’t. I had Faith that all my cancer would be removed and it was. In my mind’s eye, I saw myself walking hand and hand with God and always believed that with him beside me I could make my Faith a reality. Everyone’s circumstances are different, but with Faith, Gratitude, and Prayer, I was blessed to come out on the other side stronger and my Faith endures.

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If we can release fear and disbelief and embrace Faith and possibilities, there’s no limit to what we can achieve!

Blessings

My motivation for creating this blog was to share my experiences in my fight against breast and colon cancer. To let my friends and family join in my journey if from afar. My message has always been about strength and the power of God to get us through our trials and tribulations.

My other motivation was to express and give testimony for my many, many blessings and favor from God. I continue to praise and pray for friends, acquaintances and fellow bloggers who are fighting the terror of cancer and loss.

One thing is for sure, tomorrow is not promised so be grateful and live a purposeful life of love. Even as we read the newspapers and watch tv we confront the realization of the uncertainty and fragility of our lives.

In the spirit of praise and gratitude for another day, I share “Blessings”. My testimony to the power and miracle of faith and prayer.

Random Acts of Kindness

randomactsofkindess

I subscribe to Rodale Wellness and receive their daily newsletter for ideas and inspiration for living a healthy life. This particular article stood out as an excellent and very relevant topic for Livinginthemoment2015. The idea of this piece is instead of focusing on negatives, make positive changes in your life. Practice acts of kindness.

Here’s the challenge:

In the next seven days complete at least one random act of kindness. But, not just any act of kindness, it must be an unsuspecting random act of kindness.

Holding doors, giving up your seat for the elderly, and picking up trash on the street does not count as completed homework. You should do those things all the time! An example of an unsuspecting random act of kindness could be paying the toll for the vehicle behind you, picking up a round of coffee for people you always see in the morning on the way to work, or giving your jacket to a runner that looks cold during early morning hours.

But here’s the catch: Please do not tweet, post, or brag about anything you do for this homework assignment. Bragging about doing nice things defeats the purpose of that very same act. The only two people that will know the exact details of what you did is you and the person that you surprised. Now go make your city and the world a better place!

I’m up for the challenge, how about you?

Inspired by an article in Rodale Wellness by — BROGAN GRAHAM & BOJAN MANDARIC