The 22nd National Cancer Survivors Day® takes place this Sunday, June 7, 2009. NCSD is the world’s largest and fastest growing cancer survivor event. Having started in the United States, it is now observed in countries as far away as Australia, Italy, and Malaysia.
The event is an annual, worldwide Celebration of Life providing participants the opportunity to come together to celebrate life and to demonstrate to the world that there is hope and quality of life following a cancer diagnosis.
The non-profit National Cancer Survivors Day Foundation supports hundreds of hospitals, support groups, and other cancer-related organizations that host National Cancer Survivors Day events in their communities by providing free guidance, education and networking.
The National Cancer Survivors Day Foundation, administrator for the celebration, is encouraging everyone to participate in their community’s event. To locate the one nearest you, check with your local hospital or American Cancer Society office, or call the Foundation at (615) 794-3006 or e-mail info@ncsdf.org.
More information on cancer and cancer survivorship:
National Cancer Survivors Day: www.ncsdf.org
National Cancer Institute: www.cancer.gov
American Society of Clinical Oncology: www.cancer.net
American Cancer Society’s Cancer Facts & Figures: http://www.cancer.org/docroot/STT/STT_0.asp
Friday, June 5, 2009
Monday, May 25, 2009
Reflections - One Year Later
One year ago this week I was diagnosed with stage 2 colon cancer. It is the crash landings in life that bring us to the realization that we may need to choose a different course. Reflections of my journey reveal a deeper awareness of who I am and all that I am capable of achieving.
Having now faced the possibility of death intensifies and gives power to the second half of my life. One of the many gifts I received from cancer was the strength to overcome fear. To reevaluate what is important in my life so that when death knocks at my door again, I will move through the tunnel of light with no regrets. Once you fully appreciate that ev
ery experience in the material world is finite, you realize how amazing life is. We take for granted things we have no idea are so fleeting. When age forces us to see how much is now gone, we are shaken to realize all the things that are over and will not come again. But then something happens … we come into our own and realize life can be whatever we want it to be. This freedom has allowed me to slow down and give sanction to embracing my dreams. From that has come mental and physical healing.
ery experience in the material world is finite, you realize how amazing life is. We take for granted things we have no idea are so fleeting. When age forces us to see how much is now gone, we are shaken to realize all the things that are over and will not come again. But then something happens … we come into our own and realize life can be whatever we want it to be. This freedom has allowed me to slow down and give sanction to embracing my dreams. From that has come mental and physical healing. 
The lessons to be learned in life have to do with the fragility of the human heart and the graciousness of the human spirit; the suffering involved in simply being human and the struggles to survive the experience; the joy and laughter when our families and friends are well; and the tears and sadness when love and lives are over.
Today, I am challenged by the universe to match my talents with compassion, my intelligence with humility and my intellect with wisdom. The grace period of my youth is over. I am standing at the front of the line, ready to embrace midlife and the wisdom that emanates from it.
At this point, my greatest potential failure isn’t that I won’t move on with my life, it’s that I won’t use the totality of my imagination to empower me to live the most creative and fulfilling life possible.
With this thought my soul continues to expand as I embrace new adventures, love deeper than I thought possible, connect more intently, simplify and surrender the things that no longer matter.
As I move into "Phase 2" of my life, I do so with a happy heart and the confidence that comes from knowing the best part of my journey is yet to come.
Sunday, May 17, 2009
Experience the Mountains to Sound Greenway
To many Seattle area locals, the Mountains to Sound Greenway has become one of the crowing jewels of the Pacific Northwest. The “Greenway” as it is lovingly called, stretches over 100 miles along Interstate 90 from the shores of Puget Sound in Seattle, over Snoqualmie Pass and into Central Washington. The Greenway encompasses protected and working forests, farms, historic sites, lakes, campgrounds, rivers, trails, wildlife habitat and vibrant communities. Of the 1.4 million acres of land in the Greenway, over 750,000 acres have been preserved and are held by local, state and federal agencies in trust for the public good.
The Mountains to Sound Greenway Trust, founded in 1991, is the nonprofit organization founded by Jim Ellis, to help protect these lands and preserve them for public benefit. The Trust works to preserve this land by encouraging public land acquisition and through environmental stewardship and educational activities. They have successfully united hikers, corporate executives, government leaders, environmentalists and community advocates who share a vision of careful planning for growth balanced by preservation of forested open spaces, clean air and water, for ourselves and for future generations.
As many of you are aware, I have been given a unique opportunity to come to Seattle and work with Jim Ellis on his upcoming autobiography. Part of Jim’s exciting life story includes his dedication to preserving The Mountains to Sound Greenway which for him, began as a lifetime labor of love in memory of his brother Bob who passed away fighting in World War II.
Jim and Bob Ellis fell in love with this beautiful country back in 
1936, when their father gave the two boys title to land located
adjacent to the Raging River (near the town of Preston seen on the map above). The stipulation was that they work together without their father's help and build a log cabin. Armed with nothing more than a booklet diagramming how to build a log cabin, the two boys went to work. It took them three summers to complete the project and was a monumental feat for two young boys alone in the wilderness with nothing more than a booklet and the grit to get the job done. They met people along the way who cooked them better meals than their provisions offered and a man with a mule who they paid to help them pull the tree logs they had cut down in the woods back to the cabin site. "Hermit Haven" as it was dubbed all those years ago, has stood the test of time and remains in the Ellis family today. Above is a photo of Jim outside his cabin last week.
My trip with Jim included a personal tour of the Mountains to Sound Greenway, with him pointing out key vistas along the way. Photos below show a small portion of the Greenway facing northeast toward Snoqualmie Pass on a beautiful clear day.
Experiencing the beauty of this county first hand guided by the man who has given so much of himself to save it, was a rare opportunity. It is God's country to be sure. Since 1991, the Greenway Trust says that together government and private partners have saved 200,000 acres of forest and farmland through public purchases and conservation easements. The Raging River, a tributary of the Snoqualmie, supports one-fifth of the larger river's chinook runs that have been devastated by logging and building. Jim remains hopeful that the once-plentiful chinook runs will return now under state ownership.
For additional information on the hiking trails throughout the Mountains to Sound Greenway, visit their website at http://www.mtsgreenway.org/.
For additional information on the hiking trails throughout the Mountains to Sound Greenway, visit their website at http://www.mtsgreenway.org/.
Saturday, April 25, 2009
Break Out of the Fish Bowl
Part of the process of just living life, creates routine. It happens slowly until the day comes when we realize we take the same route to work everyday, we come home and watch too much mind numbing television with no educational value, and go to bed at the same hour each evening. We fill our homes with material things that give us comfort and somewhere along the line, make us feel secure. We dig in and although our lives are “busy” and filled with beautiful things that make us feel life is good, it's all routine.
When I look outside my “fish bowl” thoughts of “what if’s” swirl around in my head. What if I wasn’t so “dug in”? What if I could pick up and go somewhere new to test the waters, fill my days doing what I love the most, and meet new people that could have a profound impact on my life? What would that new perspective and those new friends feel like? I’ve dug deep reaching outside myself to embrace change, moving around more than most and happier for the wisdom and freedom it has given me. In the effort to keep things fresh, I have always been eager to challenge my mind and adapt to changing environments. But it can be so easy to slip back into my routines and wake up feeling locked inside a fish bowl. Harnessing my inner restlessness has given me the power to grow and demand more from myself.
In mid-April it was time for me to break out of the fish bowl once again and expand my life possibilities. My latest need for change has brought me back to the city of my youth, Bellevue, Washington. When I left in 1976, Bellevue was a small sleepy town referred to by Seattleites as the “Eastside”. The downtown core had few office buildings and those that existed were no more than 10 stories high. Bellevue was easy to get around, with little traffic and views of Lake Washington that could take your breath away. I went for a walk yesterday in Bellevue's downtown park and found that growth has not escaped the Eastside; the skyline of Bellevue has changed. A photo of the Bellevue skyline as it is today appears above.
For all the changes that have come about here, it is still a place of beauty. As I write this, a bald eagle appeared just outside the wall of windows of my room, giving me the privilege of watching him glide over the lake as he fished for his lunch. The Pacific Northwest is known for the beauty of its four seasons. I arrived just as spring had sprung. Flowers can be seen popping out of the ground at every turn. This place seems to be blessed with a disproportionate number of flowering cherry trees that are coming into bloom, painting a flurry of pink against the blue sky I seem to have brought with me. I am blessed to experience life in a new and different way.
When I look outside my “fish bowl” thoughts of “what if’s” swirl around in my head. What if I wasn’t so “dug in”? What if I could pick up and go somewhere new to test the waters, fill my days doing what I love the most, and meet new people that could have a profound impact on my life? What would that new perspective and those new friends feel like? I’ve dug deep reaching outside myself to embrace change, moving around more than most and happier for the wisdom and freedom it has given me. In the effort to keep things fresh, I have always been eager to challenge my mind and adapt to changing environments. But it can be so easy to slip back into my routines and wake up feeling locked inside a fish bowl. Harnessing my inner restlessness has given me the power to grow and demand more from myself.
In mid-April it was time for me to break out of the fish bowl once again and expand my life possibilities. My latest need for change has brought me back to the city of my youth, Bellevue, Washington. When I left in 1976, Bellevue was a small sleepy town referred to by Seattleites as the “Eastside”. The downtown core had few office buildings and those that existed were no more than 10 stories high. Bellevue was easy to get around, with little traffic and views of Lake Washington that could take your breath away. I went for a walk yesterday in Bellevue's downtown park and found that growth has not escaped the Eastside; the skyline of Bellevue has changed. A photo of the Bellevue skyline as it is today appears above.
For all the changes that have come about here, it is still a place of beauty. As I write this, a bald eagle appeared just outside the wall of windows of my room, giving me the privilege of watching him glide over the lake as he fished for his lunch. The Pacific Northwest is known for the beauty of its four seasons. I arrived just as spring had sprung. Flowers can be seen popping out of the ground at every turn. This place seems to be blessed with a disproportionate number of flowering cherry trees that are coming into bloom, painting a flurry of pink against the blue sky I seem to have brought with me. I am blessed to experience life in a new and different way.
Since arriving in Seattle, I have met some wonderful people who have gone out of their way to make me feel at home. Life’s perspective has changed once again, all because I dared to pull myself out of my fish bowl and explore the "what if's".
Sunday, April 5, 2009
Moving Beyond My Comfort Zone
Standing on the edge of my comfort zone beckons change from within. Changing my habits, attitudes and expectations doesn’t come easily. Finding the courage to let go and become an option thinker, open to new possibilities has in my past brought much reward and happiness.
Embracing life and expanding my potential is a life-long commitment I made years ago, but it never comes easy to embrace major change. Security and familiarity can become an addicting drug if I allow myself to become too complacent. I keep pushing myself to ask “I wonder what I could become. I wonder what I can do. I wonder where I could go in my life -- if I just let go and am willing to explore a new way.”
Creativity is a gift we each hold in our hearts and minds. Believing in ourselves is the ultimate motivation to achieving our greatest potential in life. My life can become nothing great without a fearless spirit. With the clock ticking, the time to explore and achieve my dreams is now. I believe that God aligns the universe to work in concert with our destiny. Being open and willing to let go sets the process in motion. We meet people who believe in us and have the ability to open doors; our responsibility is to walk through the door and live up to the expectation. The people in our lives are there to teach us lessons about love, compassion and our own immorality. Growth and an inquisitive willing spirit are the result if we are willing to break through our comfort zone.
My next adventure begins in April with a trip back to the city of my childhood, Seattle, Washington. As many of you know, I have made this trek up and down the west coast on several occasions. When I left Seattle for the second time in 2005, the sunny weather of Southern California had called me back and I was fairly confident the N.W. would become just a memory. But as I’ve recently learned, the universe has other plans for me.
The next chapter of my story began in January, when a friend introduced me to a “Snow Bird” from Seattle who had come to Laguna Beach to work on his autobiography. He was in dire need of an editorial assistant to help with his manuscript. I had recently been laid-off from my job and in search of a way to incorporate my passion for writing into my next career. What I soon learned was that this 87-year old man was a long-time environmental activist, and civic leader working on numerous projects throughout Seattle that have served to transform the city into the vibrant community that it is today. His many stories are about stepping out of your comfort zone and how one person can’t achieve great things alone. It is imperative we embrace our friendships along the way, these people who cross our paths -- they have been put there for a reason. It is up to us, to uncover the greatness we can bring about together.
The universe has spoken and so once again, I’m jumping off the edge of my comfort zone and opening myself up to all the possibilities ahead of me.
Embracing life and expanding my potential is a life-long commitment I made years ago, but it never comes easy to embrace major change. Security and familiarity can become an addicting drug if I allow myself to become too complacent. I keep pushing myself to ask “I wonder what I could become. I wonder what I can do. I wonder where I could go in my life -- if I just let go and am willing to explore a new way.”
Creativity is a gift we each hold in our hearts and minds. Believing in ourselves is the ultimate motivation to achieving our greatest potential in life. My life can become nothing great without a fearless spirit. With the clock ticking, the time to explore and achieve my dreams is now. I believe that God aligns the universe to work in concert with our destiny. Being open and willing to let go sets the process in motion. We meet people who believe in us and have the ability to open doors; our responsibility is to walk through the door and live up to the expectation. The people in our lives are there to teach us lessons about love, compassion and our own immorality. Growth and an inquisitive willing spirit are the result if we are willing to break through our comfort zone.
My next adventure begins in April with a trip back to the city of my childhood, Seattle, Washington. As many of you know, I have made this trek up and down the west coast on several occasions. When I left Seattle for the second time in 2005, the sunny weather of Southern California had called me back and I was fairly confident the N.W. would become just a memory. But as I’ve recently learned, the universe has other plans for me.
The next chapter of my story began in January, when a friend introduced me to a “Snow Bird” from Seattle who had come to Laguna Beach to work on his autobiography. He was in dire need of an editorial assistant to help with his manuscript. I had recently been laid-off from my job and in search of a way to incorporate my passion for writing into my next career. What I soon learned was that this 87-year old man was a long-time environmental activist, and civic leader working on numerous projects throughout Seattle that have served to transform the city into the vibrant community that it is today. His many stories are about stepping out of your comfort zone and how one person can’t achieve great things alone. It is imperative we embrace our friendships along the way, these people who cross our paths -- they have been put there for a reason. It is up to us, to uncover the greatness we can bring about together.
The universe has spoken and so once again, I’m jumping off the edge of my comfort zone and opening myself up to all the possibilities ahead of me.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)