What I now have to show for a life excessively touched by Cancer is a firm grasp that the present moment IS a Present – and a sizeable box of Thank You cards for being there. “Carpe Diem” is inscribed on a silver bracelet gifted from a friend recovering this week. Seize the Day. You must.
Ovarian Cancer haunted my gene pool, 3 times, so sitting with my Mom-in-Law in 2006 for her first diagnosis of Breast Cancer, I was the epitome of ignorance – though wonderful loving support. 6 years later, at her 2nd Diagnosis, I had been around the block. Now with 3 close friends/thrivers I told Mom’s Doctor to STOP talking and let Mom catch her thoughts. Then I asked the question everyone should carry on a note: “What do we need to know that we have not asked?”. Doctors become amazing resources from that point. Healing follows Believing – in your Doctor, your treatment plan, your family, your higher power. -Pam 1/31/14

What are your top tips? This is my list: (January, 2014)

1.       Be authentically you.  What did you love doing at age 5? Do you thrive at what you do now?

2.       Breathe deeply, move and stretch frequently.  Walk to balance. Pray and meditate daily.

3.       Focus your eyes upward often, to assure your brain accesses pleasant thoughts

4.       Speak to yourself as you would to a friend - with love and encouragement.

5.       Give everyone benefit of the doubt.  You don't know what's going on in their life.

6.       Your words have power to materialize.  I’m not slim, creates slim. I’m not fat, creates fat.  Avoid words that are tentative ie. try, should, could. Replace with more impactful “I WILL”.

7.       See, Touch, Feel the outcome you intend, dreams you dream, in your mind NOW, so that your plans will get you there. Remove hurdles in the path.

8.       Nourish your soul with love and good music. Turn off toxic TV,  news, advertisements

9.       Nourish your body by eating mindfully and unplugged, with family or alone to soothing music.

10.   Know what is true for you in this moment - not believing everything you hear and read, or even your own stories for that matter.

11.   I choose to avoid, where possible, high fructose corn syrup, artificial additives & food coloring, partially hydrogenated oils, chemicals on my skin, chemicals in cleaning products, hormones antibiotics and pesticides in my food.  Yes: Coconut Oil (Extra Virgin, cold processed organic), baking soda, citrus and white vinegar will replace most cleansers and lotions. Chemical sensitivities and joint dis-comfort in my early life gave motivation. Prevention of diabetes, cancer, heart disease and Alzheimer’s disease are added incentives.

12.   Eat more organic raw food, and less genetically modified, processed and packaged food. Dark leafy greens, ancient grains, seeds, berries, healthy oils (avocados, nuts) are powerhouse foods. Test to know your alkalinity is optimal (6.5 to 7.5). Search for Acid/Alkaline food reference chart. Dis-ease will not thrive in an alkaline environment.

13.   In choosing a relationship, consider my Mom’s advice: A man will treat you like he treats his Mother. A woman like she treats her Father. Pay close attention before committing.

14.   Giving IS Receiving.  Your problems diminish when you are busy doing for others. This is great therapy for mood elevation and wellness.

You may be snowed in up North & the Southern Mountains, or relaxing and basking in the glorious weather to the South. Invest a few minutes, or hours, to play with this exercise I assign to select clients.  Favorite Pen is important...words flow with more grace. I suggest a tiny quality notebook to carry with you, or a blank sheet of paper will work. Now begin. Create your ATAP REVERSE Bucket List. Yes, we don't care what you want to do.  List the meaningful and amazing moments, adventures and travels of your life. WOW! Look what you have already done! Oh The Places You've Been! - Dr Seuss

Next, ponder the activities you enjoyed as a child. Include the sights, sounds, smells and feelings if within your reach.  That's it.  Watch your mind play with the implications. Are you still doing the things you love?  Or living in a state of "Have to" obligations?  What might you shift to achieve an "I GET to" state of being - without walking out on responsibilities?  We must all work against the grain at times - but joy comes in those aligned moments. Find them and en-joy.
-Pam