Write to the Woman in the Mirror - A younger version - I chose age 33, the woman I was in 1996.

step 1 - Acknowledge Faults - Limited up to 15 - DONE (see post from Sept 18, 2014)
step 2 - Affirm Personality - DONE (see post from Sept. 20, 2014)
step 3 - Acknowledge Talents & Gifts - DONE (see post from Sept. 21, 2014)
step 4 - Affirm Personality - DONE (see post from Sept 22, 2014)
step 5 - Write to the Woman in the Mirror
step 6 - Read aloud the Writing in step 5
step 7 - Embrace the Woman in the Mirror


Step 5 - Write to the Woman in the Mirror - A younger version - I chose age 33, the woman I was in 1996.



Dear Woman in the Mirror,

You don't realize this but in 10 years you will be diagnosed with stage 4 cancer. It will completely shock you because you will have finally lost 90 pounds. You will no longer be obese. You will also in this time be diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes. You will also have a complete ankle replacement. Remember when you were 20, traveled to Norway and Sweden and went snow skiing? Remember falling down the ski slop? That injury eventually killed the ankle bone.

The cancer you will have is called Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL). You will hear "treatable but not curable." Your kids will be 13, 14 and 18. You will become very angry and determined to live. You will create relentlessHOPE as your mantra. Since you are reading this, you make it into "non active" disease. Eventually you will gain back all your weight but then lose again 75 pounds. You will adopt a healthy eating pattern of low carb meals consisting of fresh green veggies, whole proteins, lean fish and very little red meat.

Cancer will come and cancer will go. Friends also will come and go. I won't tell you who sticks around and who leaves. You would never, ever ever believe me if I did. You don't know your friends or your family as well as you think. Enjoy who you have for this season...and don't be afraid to let them go. Embrace who comes. Release who leaves.

I can tell you ...that every thing you experienced you will put to use as you move forward in your life. EVERYTHING! I cannot stress enough that fact. Everything: hard, silly, negative, good, productive, interesting, shitty, fun, difficult, painful and joyful. Each element melts, molds and forms into you.

You are an amazing woman. You are a rich & eclectic myriad of experiences. You have been given a voice to encourage and empower. You will use it in ways you cannot imagine. Please listen to her. Listen to that voice you hear when you see that woman in the mirror. LISTEN TO YOU! You know your dreams & desires. You know your heart. Your know your faith and your doubts. I challenge you, dear one to compassionately accept and embrace the woman in the mirror. She is your best friend. She is your guide and your trustworthy companion. She is your lover & she is you.

No one else like her exists in this world. No one is better suited to care for you. Cancer tried to take her from you ...but TADAAAAA!!! You are living proof that living with cancer can be done with joy, with success and of course with relentless HOPE!


Cheers, Suess....from your woman in your mirror.

of desires & dreams

life offers a journey to each 

insecure,i turn to face mine.

not knowing makes smiles hard to find

uncertainty creeps inside

fear robs sleep while unknown steals confidence.

when did they appear?

how has doubt and skeptic thoughts found cover in my soul?

when?

 was i not looking?

or in chaotic busy-ness simply denied their presence?

mirror, help me.

alone.

alone am i responsible for what my mind allows inside.

alone must i face tomorrow.

tomorrow. to wake up and find holes where now fear and unknown rest.

i’d like to step out with confidence

where o where is joy?   where o where is strength?

truth? some days i fail  . . grow tired  

oh so weary of passive healing.

i long to laugh, to run, to feel whole.

i yearn to run forward, feel my peace

a hug, a wink, a tender touch

i breathe, i discover, i hope.

today.

i determine to do.

 rediscover

that which gives to life, depth and truth.

oh, life offers journey deep.

with breaths deep, i wince no more.

i straighten my resolve

come friend

come with me my dear  

take my hand

come come come step in unison

let’s journey together and unearth places -

places 

where desires & dreams meet reality.