This last Saturday, our Lifting Hearts group held a breast cancer awareness fair, in cooperation with Fresh Market in American Fork. It was a busy day, and I had a great time talking to women about breast cancer. What made it even more enjoyable were the "sister survivors" that I spent the day with.
I've been thinking about those women who shared the day with me, and how much I admire their attitudes, their courage, and their perseverance. It's not easy to deal with a cancer diagnosis, but it is possible. To get through cancer with hope and patience is also possible.
Zig Ziglar once said: "You cannot tailor make your situation in life, but you can tailor make your attitudes to fit those situations."
This is what I see in almost every survivor I meet. They are women who have taken a bad situation - one that can be overpowering, terrifying, and way too big to handle, and they've turned that situation into something that will foster miracles, and mold their characters.
I so admire those qualities that these women hold - love, charity, patience, courage, sisterly kindness - the list is almost endless.
Thanks for sharing the day with me, and helping me remember what watching out for each other means.
Here's to you, my fellow survivors!
"Crises refine life. In them you discover what you are." - Allan K. Chalmers
Showing posts with label Courage. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Courage. Show all posts
Monday, October 24, 2011
Thursday, September 15, 2011
THURSDAY THOUGHTS - "...To Choose One's Attitude."..
I,probably like most of you this week, have been thinking about the awful attacks of 9/11 ten years ago. As I watched the TV specials which chronicled the horrific events of that day, I am so proud of how our country has moved forward. I visited my son, Ryan, who lives in Brooklyn and can see the Freedom Tower from his apartment window. We took a stroll right by it and also visited the temporary memorial that stands right across the street. There were memorials for heroism all around me. I certainly felt that I was standing on hallowed ground.
As I think of all the lessons of life to be learned from this experience, I am reminded of a wonderful quote by Victor Frankl,a survivor of the cruel Nazi regime. He states: "...everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of human freedoms - to choose one's attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one's own way."
We Americans are continuing to move forward and not only those who were directly effected by the events of 9/11. I see ordinary people around me every day who exhibit extraordinary courage and optimism. Take for instance, a man I met at the bank who is well into his seventies and who is supporting three of his nephews by running a lawn mowing business. Or the woman two houses away from me who is staring death in the face each and every day as she takes care of her husband who is in the final stages of M.S. I see women facing cancer with courage and determination as they complete radiation treatments, Chemo Therapy and breast reconstruction surgeries. I also see people struggling with their children and the poor choices they make; with husbands who are less than supportive and a variety of other health issues....and most of them seem to do it with a smile. Kudos to all of you and the many others that I don't even know. I continue to learn great lessons from each and every one of you. So carry on! Many of you are having positive influence on others that you aren't even aware of as you choose to continue with a positive mental attitude no matter WHAT your circumstances are.
Kathy Christensen
Survivor
Member of Lifting Hearts Support Group
As I think of all the lessons of life to be learned from this experience, I am reminded of a wonderful quote by Victor Frankl,a survivor of the cruel Nazi regime. He states: "...everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of human freedoms - to choose one's attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one's own way."
We Americans are continuing to move forward and not only those who were directly effected by the events of 9/11. I see ordinary people around me every day who exhibit extraordinary courage and optimism. Take for instance, a man I met at the bank who is well into his seventies and who is supporting three of his nephews by running a lawn mowing business. Or the woman two houses away from me who is staring death in the face each and every day as she takes care of her husband who is in the final stages of M.S. I see women facing cancer with courage and determination as they complete radiation treatments, Chemo Therapy and breast reconstruction surgeries. I also see people struggling with their children and the poor choices they make; with husbands who are less than supportive and a variety of other health issues....and most of them seem to do it with a smile. Kudos to all of you and the many others that I don't even know. I continue to learn great lessons from each and every one of you. So carry on! Many of you are having positive influence on others that you aren't even aware of as you choose to continue with a positive mental attitude no matter WHAT your circumstances are.
Kathy Christensen
Survivor
Member of Lifting Hearts Support Group
Thursday, July 14, 2011
THURSDAY THOUGHTS - Living From Your Heart
GUEST POST:
"I remember my husband telling me once to listen to my heart when making decisions. He told me that our brain gets so overloaded that many times our thinking gets clouded. He continued to tell me that "your heart will never lie to you, whereas your brain is often influenced by things that are currently happening in your life."
I recently found a quote by one of my favorite authors, Richard Carlson, which seconds this most wonderful concept:
'Living from your heart means that you choose a life and style that are true for you and your family. It means you make important decisions because they resonate with your heart and your own values, and not necessarily with those of others. Living from your heart means that you trust your own instincts more than the pressures from advertising or the expectations of society, neighbors and friends.
Living from your heart is about trusting that quiet voice within you that emerges when you quiet down enough to listen. It's that voice that speaks to you from a place of wisdom and common sense instead of from frantic chatter and habit. When you trust your heart rather than your habits, new insights will pop into your mind. As you learn to live from your heart you will become calmer, happier, and less stressed. you will be living your life instead of everyone else's.
The way to live more from your heart is to commit to doing so. Ask yourself questions like, "How do I really want to live my life?" Am I following my own path or am I doing things simply because I've always done them this way, or because I am living up to someone else's expectations?" Then simply quiet down and listen. Rather than trying to come up with an answer, see if you can allow the answers to come to you as if out of the blue.
Living from your heart is one of the foundations of inner peace and personal growth. It will encourage you to be kinder and a great deal more patient. Give it a try. You'll be surprised, even delighted, at what you might discover.'
I feel that cancer patients learn to do this more than most other people. They are driven to, because of living with CANCER (very probably the most feared word in the English language.) Kudos to all of you as you make this journey with courage, determination and tenacity. Living from your hearts gives you peace along the way and enables you to reach out and help others as you go along.
Kathy Christensen
Guest Blogger
Sister Survivor
"I remember my husband telling me once to listen to my heart when making decisions. He told me that our brain gets so overloaded that many times our thinking gets clouded. He continued to tell me that "your heart will never lie to you, whereas your brain is often influenced by things that are currently happening in your life."
I recently found a quote by one of my favorite authors, Richard Carlson, which seconds this most wonderful concept:
'Living from your heart means that you choose a life and style that are true for you and your family. It means you make important decisions because they resonate with your heart and your own values, and not necessarily with those of others. Living from your heart means that you trust your own instincts more than the pressures from advertising or the expectations of society, neighbors and friends.
Living from your heart is about trusting that quiet voice within you that emerges when you quiet down enough to listen. It's that voice that speaks to you from a place of wisdom and common sense instead of from frantic chatter and habit. When you trust your heart rather than your habits, new insights will pop into your mind. As you learn to live from your heart you will become calmer, happier, and less stressed. you will be living your life instead of everyone else's.
The way to live more from your heart is to commit to doing so. Ask yourself questions like, "How do I really want to live my life?" Am I following my own path or am I doing things simply because I've always done them this way, or because I am living up to someone else's expectations?" Then simply quiet down and listen. Rather than trying to come up with an answer, see if you can allow the answers to come to you as if out of the blue.
Living from your heart is one of the foundations of inner peace and personal growth. It will encourage you to be kinder and a great deal more patient. Give it a try. You'll be surprised, even delighted, at what you might discover.'
I feel that cancer patients learn to do this more than most other people. They are driven to, because of living with CANCER (very probably the most feared word in the English language.) Kudos to all of you as you make this journey with courage, determination and tenacity. Living from your hearts gives you peace along the way and enables you to reach out and help others as you go along.
Kathy Christensen
Guest Blogger
Sister Survivor
Monday, June 13, 2011
MONDAY MEMOIRS - Chemo Courage
Lately, I've been hearing about several people who are just starting chemo, and it has reminded me of my chemo days. I remember my first chemo treatment - I was so scared. I had just had a bi-lateral mastectomy two weeks earlier, so I still didn't feel well. I didn't have numbing creme that first day, so it HURT when the nurse poked into my port. Here's a few pictures...
In this one, I'm looking pretty worried because the nurse is trying to find my port!
And here is where she found it!
The rest of my chemo "sticks" weren't so bad - I came to LOVE that numbing cream.. I am very glad that I had a port put into my chest - it made things much easier.
I won't tell you the whole story of my first chemo here, but I will say that I was frightened beyond belief. I watched the first drip and started crying - I wasn't sure what to expect. Would it hurt? What would the chemo do to me? But, it didn't hurt, and I made it through 6 treatments. Little by little I lost things... my hair, my strength... but, I'm happy to say I finished, and I'm better now.
Today, take your journal out and write down everything you can remember about that first day of chemo or radiation. Write the details, your feelings - everything. And then write down one or two things that you learned from this part of your cancer journey... "I am stronger than I thought I was", "I survived losing my hair, and nails", "I learned about charity, love, and service". These are all things that I can say about that part of my cancer journey. It's good to recognize these kinds of things - it's especially good to recognize the strength in yourself.
“Courage is doing what you're afraid to do. There can be no courage unless you're scared.” - Edward Vernon Rickenbacker
In this one, I'm looking pretty worried because the nurse is trying to find my port!
And here is where she found it!
The rest of my chemo "sticks" weren't so bad - I came to LOVE that numbing cream.. I am very glad that I had a port put into my chest - it made things much easier.
I won't tell you the whole story of my first chemo here, but I will say that I was frightened beyond belief. I watched the first drip and started crying - I wasn't sure what to expect. Would it hurt? What would the chemo do to me? But, it didn't hurt, and I made it through 6 treatments. Little by little I lost things... my hair, my strength... but, I'm happy to say I finished, and I'm better now.
Today, take your journal out and write down everything you can remember about that first day of chemo or radiation. Write the details, your feelings - everything. And then write down one or two things that you learned from this part of your cancer journey... "I am stronger than I thought I was", "I survived losing my hair, and nails", "I learned about charity, love, and service". These are all things that I can say about that part of my cancer journey. It's good to recognize these kinds of things - it's especially good to recognize the strength in yourself.
“Courage is doing what you're afraid to do. There can be no courage unless you're scared.” - Edward Vernon Rickenbacker
Thursday, April 14, 2011
THURSDAY THOUGHTS - Outliving Your Self Judgments...
In her book, "Kitchen Table Wisdom" Rachel Naomi Remen shared the following thoughts:
"The life in us is diminished by judgement far more frequently than by disease. Reclaiming ourselves usually means coming to recognize and accept that we have in us both sides of everything. We are capable of fear and courage, generosity and selfishness,vulnerability and strength. These things do not cancel each other out, but offer a full range of power and response to life.
Life is as complex as we are. Sometimes our vulnerability is our strength, our fear develops our courage, and our woundedness is the road to our integrity. It is not an either or world. It is a real world. What a blessing it is to outlive your self judgments and harvest your failures."
What great food for thought!
Kathy Christensen
Guest Blogger
Sister Survivor
"The life in us is diminished by judgement far more frequently than by disease. Reclaiming ourselves usually means coming to recognize and accept that we have in us both sides of everything. We are capable of fear and courage, generosity and selfishness,vulnerability and strength. These things do not cancel each other out, but offer a full range of power and response to life.
Life is as complex as we are. Sometimes our vulnerability is our strength, our fear develops our courage, and our woundedness is the road to our integrity. It is not an either or world. It is a real world. What a blessing it is to outlive your self judgments and harvest your failures."
What great food for thought!
Kathy Christensen
Guest Blogger
Sister Survivor
Thursday, March 17, 2011
THURSDAY THOUGHTS - Our Finest Hours
Neal Maxwell shared a quote in his book that truly caught my eye. it reads:
"For the faithful, our finest hours are sometimes during or just following our darkest hours. Only the Lord can compare crosses, but all crosses are easier to carry when we keep moving."
Just think of the people you know and respect. Most of them didn't get where they are by having a life of clear sailing and no storms to weather. My own mother is now in the final stages of Multiple Myeloma (Cancer of the bone marrow). Her life is full of pain, but she keeps moving. Each day for her it takes courage just to get out of bed and begin a new day, yet she does so and remains pleasant and courageous. The disease has left her frail and weak. We are grateful for my father who sees to her every need. It is indeed a true and noble love story playing out right before our eyes. Despite the fact that my father was an award winning athlete in his younger days, and my mother was a most skilled secretary, I think that their finest hours are being lived right now as they finish out their days caring for each other. Many times the days are long and the going gets rough, but they keep moving; chugging along each day, counting their blessings as they go.
I believe that as much as we are fascinated by the lives of the rich and famous, many of the most inspiring examples of courage and tenacity are displayed in the lives of those right under our noses who carry on each and every day without the fanfare of the media. I see many of you in the group Sister Survivors. You, just like my parents, keep moving as you courageously face the challenges of each new day. So carry on, forge ahead, continue smiling, and as my Grandma Belle always said, "Keep on Keepin' on!"
Kathy Christensen
Guest Blogger
"For the faithful, our finest hours are sometimes during or just following our darkest hours. Only the Lord can compare crosses, but all crosses are easier to carry when we keep moving."
Just think of the people you know and respect. Most of them didn't get where they are by having a life of clear sailing and no storms to weather. My own mother is now in the final stages of Multiple Myeloma (Cancer of the bone marrow). Her life is full of pain, but she keeps moving. Each day for her it takes courage just to get out of bed and begin a new day, yet she does so and remains pleasant and courageous. The disease has left her frail and weak. We are grateful for my father who sees to her every need. It is indeed a true and noble love story playing out right before our eyes. Despite the fact that my father was an award winning athlete in his younger days, and my mother was a most skilled secretary, I think that their finest hours are being lived right now as they finish out their days caring for each other. Many times the days are long and the going gets rough, but they keep moving; chugging along each day, counting their blessings as they go.
I believe that as much as we are fascinated by the lives of the rich and famous, many of the most inspiring examples of courage and tenacity are displayed in the lives of those right under our noses who carry on each and every day without the fanfare of the media. I see many of you in the group Sister Survivors. You, just like my parents, keep moving as you courageously face the challenges of each new day. So carry on, forge ahead, continue smiling, and as my Grandma Belle always said, "Keep on Keepin' on!"
Kathy Christensen
Guest Blogger
Thursday, January 6, 2011
THURSDAY THOUGHTS - Strengthening the Life In Us...
Guest poster, Kathy Christensen...
I love the thoughts in the Book, "My Grandfather's Blessings" by Rachel Naomi Remen M.D. She has treated countless terminally ill people over many years and her perspective is simply amazing. The thought I want to share today is this:
"Sometimes the very things that threaten our life may strengthen the life in us. Loss and crisis often activate the will to live. When this happens we may grow larger than the obstacles that face us and free ourselves from problems that never go away by living beyond them."
I see examples of this all around me in the group Sister Survivors. Cancer is not something any of us would wish on anyone. It is scary, life threatening and to put it bluntly....no fun! But as I observe the courage of the members of this group, I truly see women who are reaching out to help and strengthen others. Indeed they are living beyond the problem of Cancer and helping others to do the same. My thanks to all of you....You are amazing women.
Much Love.....
Kathy Christensen
I love the thoughts in the Book, "My Grandfather's Blessings" by Rachel Naomi Remen M.D. She has treated countless terminally ill people over many years and her perspective is simply amazing. The thought I want to share today is this:
"Sometimes the very things that threaten our life may strengthen the life in us. Loss and crisis often activate the will to live. When this happens we may grow larger than the obstacles that face us and free ourselves from problems that never go away by living beyond them."
I see examples of this all around me in the group Sister Survivors. Cancer is not something any of us would wish on anyone. It is scary, life threatening and to put it bluntly....no fun! But as I observe the courage of the members of this group, I truly see women who are reaching out to help and strengthen others. Indeed they are living beyond the problem of Cancer and helping others to do the same. My thanks to all of you....You are amazing women.
Much Love.....
Kathy Christensen
Thursday, August 5, 2010
THURSDAY THOUGHTS - Lance Armstrong...
I read the book, It's Not About the Bike by Lance Armstrong while I was going through cancer. It was an amazing book. What a fighter. I can't even imagine being able to physically do what he did while fighting cancer. He is an example of courage, devotion, and pure determination. Here is a quote from Lance that I love:
"If children have the ability to ignore all odds and percentages, then maybe we can all learn from them. When you think about it, what other choice is there but to hope? We have two options, medically and emotionally: give up, or fight like hell." ~Lance Armstrong
"If children have the ability to ignore all odds and percentages, then maybe we can all learn from them. When you think about it, what other choice is there but to hope? We have two options, medically and emotionally: give up, or fight like hell." ~Lance Armstrong
Monday, July 12, 2010
MONDAY MEMOIRS - Courage...
Take a minute to answer this...
What makes you a COURAGEOUS person?
What is your definition of COURAGE?
Has your idea of COURAGE changed since your diagnosis?
What makes you a COURAGEOUS person?
What is your definition of COURAGE?
Has your idea of COURAGE changed since your diagnosis?
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