Reflections Revisited
Sep 16, 2022
On July 18, 2020, at 7:30 PM, a small group of women sat around a campfire and gave birth to the first video production of Hiking for Healing's "Conversations by the Campfire." Campfires should be relaxing, heart-to-heart, virtual sharing of questions and answers, storytelling, and maybe even some marshmallows and smores.
In writing this Blog entry, I reflected on one of my answers to a question during our first "Campfire." I remembered what I had written a few years ago in my "bio." The question asked how my journey through Breast Cancer changed me physically, emotionally, and mentally.
That excerpt reads as follows:
"I truly believe that it doesn't matter how many trails I hiked or how many miles I accumulated over the years. What is of value is what I learned from the lessons that transformed my life as I knew it and my life as my new beginning (my new normal)! One of the greatest joys and blessings derived from trail time and experience is being able to share the stories of the trail, the magical healing energy of the mountains, the lessons of survival, the confidence of depending on myself, and the strength and courage to trust and ACCEPT the SUPPORT of others. And, yes, the wisdom to learn to RECEIVE."
From my passion for sharing what I had learned from the trail, the things that transferred from the challenges on the trail to the new challenges that faced me in finding a new normal after Breast Cancer was born, "Hiking for Healing – bridging the gap to a New Normal."
My surgery, a bilateral mastectomy with no reconstruction, took place on April 17, 2017. What I had learned from my hiking experiences, my time on the trail in Mother Nature, and the support and love of my incredible friends allowed what could have been a very sour "lemon" to become the best "lemonade" ever. I truly believe that these combined experiences have made me a better person. It has given me the tools to flow through this pandemic in a much calmer and peaceful place.
Update: September, 2022
I found this old blog post I wrote during the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic. I still believe my thoughts at the time were true, and I would like to add a short addendum now.
I think it is essential to include the acronym P.A.R.T.
P. Perseverance: Never quit when you want to quit. Keep going! One step at a time. Just keep moving. Tomorrow is a new day.
A. Attitude: A positive attitude is imperative! Believe in yourself. Laugh!!! HUMOR is an ATTITUDE!
R. Resilience: Believing that YOU can return from a devasting illness or injury.
T. Triumph: YOU are a winner!! You always have been.
Now, find your peace. Find your foundation, your connection, and do YOUR P.A.R.T.
Reflections 2022
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