Giving is Living!

How important is giving back to the community, your family, your friends, or even a complete stranger you meet on the street?  Do you need to be wealthy to give back?  Do you need to have hours of free time?  Have you ever felt like you don’t have any skills that will be useful to someone else?  Everyone has something they can contribute to the world around them.  The tiniest acts of kindness can make the biggest difference in someone’s day.  Just ask Kristin Pedemonti who has given away over 500 bottles of bubbles on the NYC subway and carries a “Free Hugs” sign wherever she goes, because we all need our daily quota of hugs.




It is important to the community as well as you to be actively giving back each day, even it is simply giving someone a hug to make their day a little brighter.  I promise you that for every act of kindness you show not only will you bring joy to someone else but your day will be brighter and your body, mind and soul a bit healthier.

There are many ways to volunteer that don’t involve money in any way, not even a dime of gas.  You don’t need hours of free time to bring a smile to someone’s face.  Read a story to a child, compliment a stranger, give a hug to someone who may need one, share a meal with a neighbor, the list goes on and I am sure you can come up with a few of your own.  Become a virtual volunteer, check out ways you can volunteer online, no special skills needed, if you are living, breathing and can do anything at all you have what it takes to make someone’s day better.

A 2005 Stanford University survey of 7000 older adults found that frequent volunteering and helping others is linked to a healthier, longer life.  The study also showed it didn’t need to be giving on a grand scale, it could be anything meaningful.

Allen Luk's 1991 survey of thousands of volunteers in the US found that people who helped others reported better health than peers in their age group who didn’t volunteer. 

A recent survey of 4500 American volunteers showed the following;

• 73% reported that volunteering lowered their stress levels

• 89% reported that volunteering improved their sense of well being

• 92% reported that volunteering enriched their sense of purpose

So what are you waiting for?  Get out there and give some free hugs, blow some bubbles, give someone a smile..you have no excuse...I have given you links to some great opportunities and I’m sure you can create a few of your own...give to others and you will always be giving back to yourself.

For more on Kristen and her storytelling adventure as well as her literacy program please visit her site.  To leave comments on her TED video click here.

Smile and others will smile with you...

Have you ever noticed that when someone yawns you immediately feel a yawn coming on?   How about those moments of contagious laughter?  I remember moments of laughter with my family and friends that went on so long that my cheeks hurt, I was crying, my stomach was cramping, and I thought we would never stop laughing.

Do you notice that when you are spending time with someone filled with doom and gloom you feel a bit blue?  I suggest you pick a new color, after all there’s an entire rainbow.  Have you ever cried simply because someone else was crying?  Even if you had no idea why they were crying?  Do you ever find yourself smiling when someone smiles at you?  There is a correlation between your emotions and your facial expressions and a real smile is an emotional contagion.

So what is real?  How do you differentiate between a real smile and a fake one?  It’s all in the eyes, yes really it’s all in the eyes.  The Duchenne Smile was first identified by French physician Guillaume Duchenne who discovered a clear anatomical difference between a real smile and a fake one.  His research showed that a real smile activated not only the muscles that lift the corner of the mouth but the muscles around the eyes.  You know the ones, those muscles that we lovingly call crows feet..so be proud if your crow’s feet are quite visible..it is a sign that you have had a long life filled with smiles.  

Most often we associate a smile with first being happy, but did you know that if you are feeling down and you think of something that makes you smile, you now bring happiness to your day by first having the smile.  Try this experiment, think of something that makes you smile, keep smiling and now change your thought to something sad and try to maintain your smile.  If you are truly smiling and then think of something sad you can’t maintain that smile.  Now, think of something that brings joy to you and try not to smile..not so easy is it?

Each of us have so many reason’s throughout our day to smile and if you can’t think of a reason just stop and think of all the things you have to be grateful for in your life.  If you are still having a problem just look at the list of reasons to smile on this website and I bet you will come up with a few of your own.

Smiling improves your health and well-being.  When you smile and feel the joy associated with a smile you can lower your blood pressure, reduce anxiety, increase positive energy, and enhance the life of those you meet throughout your day.  A smile crosses language and cultural boundaries and is the best communication weapon you have and you carry it with you everywhere.  Whoever may have said that the mouth is a very powerful weapon may have been speaking about what comes out of the mouth but I believe that the silent voice of our mouths is equally as important.

No matter the emotion or the facial expression, it is undeniable that what is written on your face and is in your heart effects those around you.  The more genuine the expression, the more effective it is, so if you think faking a smile is going to make someone’s day..forget it...if you really want to make someone’s day, keep it real.  Make today the day that you unleash your inner smile guru!

Inspiration in the most unlikely places..

You may ask yourself, why I am visiting places along my journey that most people try to avoid.  The answer would be a simple one, love and inspiration.  I have learned that some of the most inspiring people are those you meet in some of the most typically uninspiring places.  With my family history of cancer it is only fitting that these destinations be on my agenda.  And I must say, using the Brompton is making that process a whole lot easier. 

I received a very warm welcome to MD Anderson, Orlando from the moment I contacted them right through to the end of a wonderful tour.  I was guided through the history of this premier health care facility and shown many unique features and programs by the centers Manager of Customer Relations.  She has had an impressive 23 years with this organization and her dedication and pride show, not only in her smile, but in the wealth of information she imparts.

 I arrived at about 10:15am and was greeted by two smiling happy women working the reception area.  As I waited for my tour guide to arrive I watched and listened.  This wasn't about what I saw as much as what I didn't see.  Yes there were people who were very sick coming and going from their appointments and treatments.  What was not present was sadness or an air of negativity.  I would find later in my tour that it didn't seem to exist anywhere in the building.

I won't linger on the history of MD Anderson, for that you can visit their website www.mdacco.com
I will instead touch on things that I think go above and beyond in making this a stand out facility.  The first thing you notice when looking at anything concerning MD Anderson is that the word Cancer in the name has a strike through it and underneath the name the words, "Making Cancer History".  This is one very powerful message.

This beautiful lady sits in the lobby/reception area, her name is Sophie and I was told she is the "Cower of Hope" and her name holds a special meaning.  Rearrange the letters, have you figured it out?  Hope Is!  She is adorable and fun, loved her rain boots and beads.  She helps to set the tone and lightened the mood of what could otherwise be a very somber environment.

I noticed a gentleman coming in with a wheeled cart filled to the brim with fresh citrus.  He was immediately greeted at the reception area with a smile and a hug.  He explained that this fruit was just a small token of his appreciation for the care his wife had been receiving.  He went on to explain what all the things in the basket were and then talked a bit more about his story.  I politely spoke up and said I couldn't help but overhear the conversation and that I was grateful to hear such an inspiring story.  He explained that he couldn't express how grateful he was and that if it weren't for the doctors and nurses at MD Anderson, he didn't believe his wife would still be with him.  This was just the beginning of the gratitude I sensed from so many people on this tour.  If you are reading this sir, thank you for the grapefruit!

 Up we go to a testing floor.  The first thing you hear and see when you come off the elevator is Craig.  He is playing a soft, soothing tune on his guitar, it was almost Zen like.  I was told that he is part of the Arts Program and moves around to different areas to play as a way of additionally soothing the patients.  It was amazing, thanks to Craig for taking his picture with me. 
It turns out that music is only a small part of MD Anderson's Arts Program and I would see some of that later in the morning. 

The little touches that make a big difference didn't end with the Arts Program.  Even the art on the walls was carefully chosen.  Next floor of the tour, I met a wonderful woman who had just come back from running with the Team Livestrong in Austin.  It was clear that she loved what she was doing.  Livestrong is a resounding message throughout this center.

One thing that stood out as I made my way around this facility was that they are treating the patient, not just the disease.  I was taken to an area where integrative medicine or mind/body medicine is offered.  The most fun for me with my massage therapy and Reiki background.  Once again it was the little touches that stood out.  Yes they offer presentations on healthy living, and nutrition, but who would have thought about a drum circle, tai chi, and a Labyrinth.  Better yet, how about afternoon tea.

Or how about the small class we passed along the way learning how to make healthy dessert choices.  I was introduced to the leaders in that class and I could immediately see they were very passionate about what they were doing.  They certainly had everyone's attention.

Just outside of this area where they held afternoon tea was a special bell hanging on the wall.  This bell is for anyone who has finished their treatment.  They are told to ring it in celebration of life and the end of treatment.  How cool is that.

There are many more great things I could say about the couple of hours I spent at MD Anderson however I would just like to end this post with a thank you to all the wonderful people at MD Anderson.  You are doing a spectacular job.  I think this last picture sums up in one word what the atmosphere at MD Anderson speaks volumes to.  So you see, many inspiring moments can come from the most unlikely places.  Share your inspiring moments in an unlikely place in the comments below.

Blessings

Where do I begin this update?  Every moment of the day I feel so blessed.  I am blessed to have all of you, my followers and supporters. I am blessed to be able to do what I am doing.  I am blessed by all the kind strangers I meet along this journey.  I can't begin to count all my blessings, I will start with the two newest.

The first came as a complete surprise.  I was contacted via Say Hello which isn't unusual but this time it was someone who was hired by a major university health system to do an educational infographic on cervical cancer risk factors and preventative measures.  It was explained to me that this company found me while researching information for the work they were hired to do and that my story inspired the design for the infographic.  Now how cool is that!  In less than a 2 week period of online collaboration the project was finished and is now live.  I am so honored to have been asked to be a part of this project that will be an educational tool for potentially thousands and thousands of women.  Please check it out, it is interactive so drive the car and whatever you do, don't forget to click on the bicycle.  Follow this link; http://iuhealth.org/cancer/cervical-cancer-risk/

On to the second blessing.  I do believe that everyone that enters our lives is a teacher and although we may not know the lesson at the time, we need to just be mindful and learn.  Some of you know that one way I am able to keep spreading smiles and happiness to survivors is by taking on some freelance writing projects.  I was searching through some ads and came across one that peaked my interest.  I could feel the emotion in the ad.  It was written by a father who lost his daughter to a little known disease.  I replied to that ad offering my assistance.  After exchanging a few email I was introduced to the founder of an organization that celebrates women.  Just this week I was featured on that site;  http://acelebrationofwomen.org/?p=76128 

I cannot begin to express the gratitude I feel for being asked to be part of these amazing projects.  The exciting thing is there are more to come.  I can't share just yet but you will be the first to know.

Positive intent brings positive results.  If you are struggling and not sure where you are going in life, set your intentions in the way you wish to go.  See life as you want it to be and that is what you will soon create. 
 

A World without Cancer?

In light of the most recent tragic loss of Steve Jobs, one of the greatest minds this world will ever know, I really have to ask what would our world be like without cancer?  Can you imagine a world where cancer is something you read about in a history book and never experience first hand?  I can and that is what makes this trip so much more important. 
If we can create a vaccine that eliminates a virus that is linked to cancer thereby effectively eliminating that cancer, there is no reason, in my mind, that we can't do it for other cancers.  Which vaccine does that, the HPV vaccine.  We can't stop there.  We need to keep pushing toward a cure for all cancers.  I don't want to hear about "rare" cancer's, all cancer sucks!  Whether you experience cancer first hand or you are a family member or friend, the impact is great.  We can't just sit back and do nothing.  Look around you 1 in 2 men and 1 in 3 women will at some point in their lives be faced with cancer, those numbers need to change.
Okay so maybe those of you reading this aren't crazy enough to ride a bicycle around the world, but we can all do something.  It may be just holding the hand of someone suffering or offering up a prayer, it may be speaking out and keeping this disease in the forefront of everyone's mind, we all have some way of giving back.  I challenge you to find yours!

The importance of One!

All change begins with one, and that one is you, that one is me.  If we each resolved to make a shift in our thinking, in the way we do things, and in our daily intentions, we would have a collective of intercultural cooperation. 
I will give you examples of those shifts from my own life.  Have you ever heard this when you were a child, "You need to eat everything on your plate, we don't waste food, there are children starving in other countries."?  At the time we all thought, but gee I don't like it and more importantly we couldn't identify with those starving children.  Even better, we would have gladly given them that food.  Now we are adults and we know all too well the reality of children who are starving in other countries.  The first step to ending world hunger;  be more mindful in your own home and at your dinner table.  As I learned the power of the message I was given as a child, I realized how important it was to only take what I could eat and even more importanatly to share the bounty with others.  When is the last time you made food to share?
Another great shift in my life came as a survivor of multiple types of physical and emotional abuse and being able to not only survive those realities but also come out a stronger woman.  I first had to bring peace into my heart.  There came a point in my life when I no longer let the fear and self doubt control my life and what I knew I needed to do.  I learned to love myself so I could live.  I came to accept that those things happened to me, however, they did not define me.  I believe that if we want to see an end to domestic violence, child abuse and to see world peace we must first shift our hearts and homes to a peaceful mindset.
I wear many different coats in the physical realm.  I am a mother, grandmother, sister, daughter, aunt.  I am a survivor of domestic violence, rape, molestation, and several serious health issues.  The list goes on, yet who I really am is simply Spirit.  All those other things are nothing more than roles I play on the stage of life and this is no dress rehearsal.  There are no second chances.  So my question to you is how will you make a shift?
I would be ill serving if I did not say to those of you reading this who may be struggling, it can and will get better when you intend it to.  If you need to talk it through, I encourage you to use the Say Hello page and send me a note.  I am here to inspire. 

The Final Countdown!

Wow, I can't believe I am on the final countdown.  In a couple of weeks I have my visit with the doctor and I am anticipating all will be fine and she will give me a green light.  Then it is out the door and down the road.  The fear and realty is setting in, I am about to spend an extended period of time purposefully homeless.  I hope to inspire all of you that I meet along the way.  I also hope you will follow my journey and post comments on here as I update the blog page. 
My apartment is looking like a tornado went through it, sale again this week.  The large furniture is gone.  I am sleeping on an air mattress until I head out, it is actually kinda comfy.  Still not sure what I will do about the puppies, really want to keep them together.  They would be like siblings who went to separate foster homes, sad.
Fixing some last minute issues with the bike, and I will simply say that if you are considering long distance cycling, be sure to use a customer friendly bike shop. :(
I can't wait to post pictures and video from the road!

How is being a survivor just like riding a bike?

This post is for all of you who have asked how did I get through the life experiences I have had and come out with a positive outlook. It is also for those of you who are struggling to find answers.
I would first have to attribute some of my ability to staying positive through adversity to a gift. At a very young age I discovered that I was able to separate who I am from my physical being, with the knowledge that what is happening to my person is not happening to me. This I truly believe is a gift from God.
I also know that some of the credit goes to watching my father. Having 8 children and many unexpected hurdles, to this day he just has faith and does whatever it takes to get through.
My life isn't just about surviving, anyone can do that, all you need is a pulse. My life is about living and not giving my life's energy to the negative things or negative people that come along. It is about awareness and about being here now. Does that mean I am never hurt, disappointed or have a bad day, absolutely not. I am just as human as the next person. What it does mean is that I don't live in those hurts, disappointments or bad days, I live through them to get to the other side and back out into the sunshine.
What can you do, well here are a few things to look at. What kind of energy are you surrounding yourself with? Studies have shown that we tend to become like the people we choose to spend our time with. Is it time for new friends, more positive friends?
What are you feeding your brain? What books are you reading or are you reading at all? Are you spending mindless hours in front of the tv? Are you learning new things? Here is a fun exercise for your brain; for one day do everything you would normally do but with your non-dominate hand, brush your teeth, comb your hair, do the dishes.
How are you caring for your body? Are you eating healthy? Are you moving each day? How about annual exams? Are you taking time for yourself?
Maybe you look at your life and all you see is stress. Determine is it dis-stress or eustress, is it bad or good. A bad stress would be a constant fearfulness, a good stress would be the excitement you feel when you walk into a gathering of friends and family who have surprised you for your birthday. If you are unsure how to deal with dis-stress contact me for suggestions.
Now you have a place to start, a new way of looking at the hurdles life throws in your path. No excuses.
I recall when I was about 7 or 8 years old my father was teaching me how to ride bike. He held onto the seat and I started pedaling. Of course, as any child would, I thought he would protect me from falling. I was so wrong, he let go and I landed in a rose bush. I was crying and scratched from the thorns. My father reached out his hand, helped me out of the bush, and said get back on the bike. At the time I had no idea that would be such a life lesson for me. When life throws you into the rose bush and leaves you wounded, get up, and get back on. The freedom I felt when I got back on and learned to ride is the same freedom I have every time I get back in to the game of life.
Being a survivor for me is much like riding a bike. The pedals on my bike are a reminder that I am the source of the power. God helps those who helps themselves. If I don't pedal, I go nowhere. The gears allow adjustments for the climb and help me to accept that change is a positive thing in life and it is there to help with the climb. The handlebars are clearly for direction and the knowledge that I can choose the direction my life goes. And last but not least, my helmet, my protection. This represents so many things. Friends, family, an organization that supports me in my time of need, and so much more. Most of all it represents the love I give myself everyday and in turn the love I have to share with others.
Share your love everyday, you will always get more than you give.