Living Beyond the Pink Curtain Of Breast Cancer

Photo Credit:  JZAngel

What I’ve learned from being a woman diagnosed with breast cancer at age 34 would fill a book.  In fact, on many occasions I’ve attempted to write that book, but I never quite finish it.  Perhaps because it’s never really over once you’re diagnosed with an illness.  It lingers, it teaches, it reminds us with occasional bouts of unease.  I don’t call myself a survivor ~ I think I’m more of an endurer.

Life is a journey of endurance ~ we take baby steps, sometimes forward and backward which I’d like to refer to as doing the cha cha instead of anything else.  Because this is earth school and it can’t all be hard.  There has to be some fun in it, even when it is hard.  For me, the idea of dancing lends itself to freedom, to soothing music, to partnering with helpful friends and family along the way and finally movement – forward and backward so that we never stay stagnant.  Because we learn.  We grow.  We experience situations and relationships.  We process those feeling associated with them.  We uncover truths about ourselves.

We find that we are stronger than we ever knew we could be.  Cancer gives us the opportunity to tap into the strength and courage that is innately ours and find our divine selves.

Cancer causes us to question our life’s purpose.  It can be seen as a time out, and perhaps even a reset to help us to align with what’s important.  It is a coming together of people in supportive roles to help us through the journey.  It is a wake-up call for sure if one chooses to wake up to our inner source of love and soul.

My cancer journey has had many twists and turns over the years.  It has not been an easy path, but there is much to be grateful for in my case.  I have gained so much from the experience and have been able to help many others along the way because of my experience.  While I don’t recommend getting cancer to experience the inner richness of this life school, I am grateful that I am still here to share and to help others along the way in this capacity.

It is the end of Breast Cancer Awareness Month so that’s why I’m posting this as I am here for you.  I have been where you are.  I have endured the chemo, the loss of hair, multiple surgeries, radiation, fearful sleepless nights and the fallout from the diagnosis and continued battle.

But I am still here to experience The Presents of Presence in this lifetime and for that, I am forever grateful.

Shine On!

xo

October’s Rabbit Rabbit

Happy October 1st, 2020! I was thinking of not posting my usual first of the month Rabbit-rabbit-white-rabbit-white-rabbit/ but then I started thinking that we may need all the luck we can get as we go into the Fall months with the virus, the political situation and all the unrest. So here we are!

The weather is turning cooler here making it feel like Fall has arrived, not only by the date, but by the weather indications. The brisk chill in the air is a lovely change as we begin a new month.

There are many people struggling these days with all different challenges. So may I remind you that I’m here for you and you are not alone. We walk through life’s journey together, aiding each other when needed, companionably without fear.

Keep shining your heartlights my friends!

Shine On!

xo

Where Will September Lead You?

The chill in the morning air has me excited as my favorite season emerges – Fall! There is something so exhilarating about the Autumn season for me that I feel invigorated with a fresh chapter on the horizon! Do you feel the same way?

The leaves are beginning to turn their jeweled tones of ruby, garnet and gold before they fall to the forest floor. The fresh start of a new school year (even though I know it’s an altogether different stressful year) still beckons me with an effervescence of a new beginning and all that it signifies.

I realize that we have many difficulties in real life with climate changes, earthquakes, political unrest, fear, the virus and all that we are experiencing. I have yet to meet anyone in 2020 who has not had struggles and I am not so naive as to believe that I can close my eyes and magically make it all better for us all. But what I can see clearly is the importance of grounding ourselves in nature by knowing who we are innately and staying centered in our thinking, our behaviors and our relationships. To be like the ‘little weed in the desert – wind blows one way, it goes that way and vice versa’ is not helpful. But nor is being so staunch in our beliefs that we are not open to listening to others.

Because listening is a key factor these days. Listening with an open heart as those around us are heavily weighted down with stressors helps. Sharing with trusted souls and connecting with heartlights are ways to bring healing energetic light to our world for we are all in this together. It is not an easy time for any of us at this juncture, but I always believe that Fall is for new beginnings so I am open to where September leads me. Are you?

Shine On!

xo

National POW/MIA Recognition Day

While I’ve never been in the military, I have had many family members who were and many friends who are/have been. Supporting those who protect us has been a special part of our family legacy.

I remember when I was young, my Dad wore a POW/MIA bracelet. As I recall, it was a silver bracelet with the name of a soldier engraved on it in block letters with a star sticker. I was fascinated by what it meant to wear that bracelet as he explained its significance to me.

I wanted a bracelet too so that I could pray for this soldier to come home, to be found and reunited with his family. Even back then at a tender age I believed in the power of prayer with fervent hope.

Unfortunately, neither my soldier nor my Dad’s were ever found as far as we know and in the shuffle of many moves, I don’t even know where the bracelets are. But I distinctly remember wearing the bracelet and its significance to me.

I have attended military functions and said a prayer for those who weren’t able to be there with us. The solitary candle lit by the empty place setting in remembrance for them always brought tears to my eyes for that symbolism.

So today I ask that you take a moment to remember the POW’s and those who have gone MIA (Missing In Action) and have never returned home to their families. It is heartbreaking for me to imagine not knowing what has happened to your loved one.

God Bless and Shine On!

xo

9/11 We Will Never Forget

It’s been 19 years since that day that changed us all. In remembrance, as you prepare for bed tonight…on this day 19 years ago:

246 people went to sleep in preparation for their morning flights.

2,606 people went to sleep in preparation for work in the morning.

343 firefighters went to sleep in preparation for their morning shift.

60 police officers went to sleep in preparation for their morning patrol.

8 paramedics went to sleep in preparation for the morning shift of saving lives.

None of them took a breath past 10:00 a.m. on September 11, 2001.

For the many more who died from illnesses related to being there that day, let us never forget. That day, this piece of history, changed the entire world forever.

For those who lost loved ones, please know that we keep you all in our prayers. We remember your loss and we send prayers to you and your family..

So please as you lay down to sleep tonight, tell your loved ones how much they mean to you, snuggle them all a little tighter, and THANK GOD for all of your blessings. God Bless.

WE WILL NEVER FORGET

Shine On!

xo

How Will We Look Back On This Time?

I wonder how in the future history books will this period of time (the year 2020) be remembered.  Will we define time by politics, the virus, the educational system changes, the fear, the lockdown, mask wearing, conspiracies, the election, the closing down of so many businesses, the crazy weather, the earthquakes, the violence, the deaths of loved ones, the now shortage of coins?  Wow, when you put it out there in a list, it’s alarming, isn’t it?  But there has been good in this year as well when you look for it.  Can you name a few good highlights thus far?  Please share!

As 2020 is a year jam packed with (dare I say) unforeseen changes in our lives, I also find it interesting that we quote ‘hindsight is 20/20’ when we look back and make sense of the past.  I wonder how we will look back on this year when we’re not in the midst of it.  Will we be able to better understand the working pieces of it from an observer point of view?  I also wonder how we will all find peace in the last half of this year with all of the worries we are already handling.

Since it is Sunday, I ask that you take some time to be from a place of peace and not fear.  Send out love instead of hatred or fear.  Put aside worry in order to replace it with the knowing that you are blessed, capable and supported.  Most importantly, connect with others.  We help each other along the way so please don’t forget to reach out with kindness to all.

Your heartlights need to shine now more than ever.  Light up your part of the world with your loving essence.  See the beauty in the simplicity in nature.  Surround yourself with positivity.  Keep your faith.  Hold steady.  Love your family, friends and all.

There is no other time but the present moment, so live your life to its fullest.  Continue on your loving path and allow mercy and grace to accompany your heartlights.

Shine On!

xo

What’s Your Piece Of Good News?

“Everyone has inside of him a piece of good news.

The good news is that

you don’t know how great

you can be!

How much you can love!

What you can accomplish!

And what your potential is!”

~Anne Frank

I saw this quote today and felt like I had to share it with you!  How incredibly inspiring Anne Frank was even under her dire circumstances!  I recall reading her diary when I was in school and it reminded me of how strong we can be when we have no other choice!

So since it’s Monday and the start of a new week (and the start of school for some students), I thought I’d send a little bit of inspiration to you!

Happy Monday My Friends!

Shine On!

xo

Knock Knock

You know how much I love the wildlife that live nearby so I had to share this story with you.  A friend of mine was awakened yesterday morning by insistent knocking on her door.  What she found when she went to the door was this groundhog!

A groundhog actually was knocking on her door!  Notice that he’s standing up on his hind legs and his front paws are on the door.  As my Mom would say, “it sounds like a story to tell it” (meaning it sounds farfetched), but you’ve got the proof here!  I have to agree, truth is sometimes stranger than fiction.

She explained that when she realized that it was a groundhog knocking on her door and peering in like a nosy neighbor, she went back upstairs to get her phone to take a photo.  When she returned moments later, he was still in the same position.  So we’ve aptly named him Nosy – for Nosy Neighbor!

What she found interesting was that he was still in the same spot peering in her window as if he was casing the place and checking it out.  Have you ever had any experiences with groundhogs like this?  I have a few in the backyard, but to my knowledge, none of them have come up to my door to knock!

I wonder what message he had to give?  Have you ever had any wildlife come actually knocking on your door?

Shine On!

xo

 

Happy 4th of July!

Being a Jersey Girl, the beach has always been important to me so when I saw this photo on FaceBook, I copied and pasted it here.  I wish I knew who the photographer was so I could give proper credit, but I don’t.  So thank you whomever you are!

We are in strange times here, aren’t we?  The laws (rules) keep changing so I’m never sure where we stand.  I guess that’s what the pandemic has started.  It’s made a lot uncertain in the world.  It’s brought fear, escalated emotions and a wide political divide.  But I’m not here to talk about that because that’s not what my blog is about as you know.

Instead, I want to go back in history and remember how our country was founded and the unity that breaking off from England to establish the USA resulted in a firm foundation.  I wish that unity again for all of us.  I wish we could see eachother as the same, yet different.  To be united as human citizens of our country and to celebrate what each person has to offer.  Because we all have goodness to offer and talents to share.

I’m reminded of hearing how we all bleed the same color and when we die, we all turn to the same dust.  What if we could remember that?  That yes, our skin may be different shades, our backgrounds and childhoods may vary, our socio-economic levels may not be the same, but…what is the same?  We are all humans on this planet who need the same things – food, shelter, clothing, air, water and love.

Love is what brings us together.  Love heals.  Love unites.  Love is a universal human emotion that grows when shared.  We can exponentially expand love without lessening it.  Love is essential.

I wish you love today and always.  Keep shining your heart lights dear friends!

Shine On!

xo

June First – Rabbit Rabbit

Rabbit Rabbit, White Rabbit, White Rabbit  came to mind this morning as it does at the beginning of each month.  What once began as a little family tradition and a monthly post here on The Presents of Presence has diminished over time.

There has been much turmoil lately in our world and I have been not posting as frequently for some time now.  I have missed you all very much, but other aspects of my life have prioritized themselves and blogging as you know, has taken a back seat on my to do list.

The dense dark vibrations of this world continue, but the choosing to be of the light, to shine our heartlights as we are meant to, in the most peaceful way possible emerges and blossoms in this month ahead.  What is not of love will dim and what is of love will grow as we connect with our inner heartlights and radiate kindness, compassion, and understanding with peace in our hearts.

We shine the light on truth and goodness.  We hold sacred the loving space in our hearts, minds and souls.  We join together with those who resonate similarly with gratitude for the blessings of awareness available to all of us.  May truth prevail.  May love surround you.  May mercy and forgiveness be yours.  May peace reign.

Shine On!

xo