The Guest House - Poem by Jelalludin Rumi, translated by Coleman Barks

A Passing Storm 
Original Painting by Brenda L Despres

As I work on a painting tonight, I am multitasking by listening to an audio book entitled, "The Joy Diet: 10 Daily Practices for a Happier Life" by Martha Beck. Don't get me wrong. I am definitely in a good place right now - both mentally and emotionally, but I always strive to find ways to keep that feeling steady.

In the first part of this book, Martha recites a poem that I find quite interesting ... and definitely worth sharing. It sanctions mood changes .... the ups and downs of everyday life ... and encourages us to accept and greet those altering personality shifts with a smile and a welcome.

Take a minute to read it for yourself .... I would love to hear your comments!

THE GUEST HOUSE

This being human is a guest house.

Every morning a new arrival.

A joy, a depression, a meanness,

some momentary awareness comes

as an unexpected visitor.

Welcome and entertain them all!

Even if they are a crowd of sorrows,

who violently sweep your house

empty of its furniture,

still, treat each guest honorably.

He may be clearing you out

for some new delight.

The dark thought, the shame, the malice.

meet them at the door laughing and invite them in.

Be grateful for whatever comes.

because each has been sent

as a guide from beyond.

-- Jelaluddin Rumi,

    translation by Coleman Barks

The Guest House - Poem by Jelalludin Rumi, translated by Coleman Barks

Meanwhile, I must get back to my art.

Until next time ....
~ B-Optimistic ~ :-)

My two-year anniversary since my last surgery!

Today it has been two years since my last surgery. I count my blessings each and every day that I was introduced to the doctors and surgeons that are now in my life. I know it is because of them, and the powers that be, that I am still here today.

If you are healthy, celebrate that fact. Having cancer is not only a disease, it changes your life. You just never know what is just around the corner. Know your body. Be fully aware that change is not always a good thing. And give someone a hug today. Just because you can.

Until next time ....
~ B-Optimistic ~

September is Ovarian Cancer Awareness month in Canada. Know the symptoms.
http://www.ovariancanada.org/?gclid=CKvb9-PF-sACFScV7AodI3gASg 

Photo: Hope Springs Eternal -  An original painting by Brenda L Despres

LIFE: The Memory Factor

I find it amazing how certain events that have happened during my lifetime have been etched into my memory with such force that just hearing the event mentioned takes me there immediately – all senses on high alert.  My heart still hurt whenever I would hear of another team being sent into space. Immediately I return to 1986, sitting in my car at the end of my driveway, tears rolling down my cheeks and a feeling of sadness and disbelief spreading over me. Why? Because that’s where I was when the news came on the radio announcing the explosion of the U.S. Challenger, just seconds into its flight and resulting in the death of the first female astronaut in the U.S. Space program. I will always recall the image of my co-workers in D320 hovering around a computer monitor uttering cries of disbelief as we all huddled together watching the events unfold during the terrorist attack of the World Trade Center in 2001. And me, standing inside my back door looking out in June 2002, home alone and crying my heart out, thinking that my days were numbered because I had just received a diagnosis of Ovarian Cancer an hour previously.

It’s more than 12 years later and I no longer see my diagnosis as a death sentence. I go through the entire range of emotions with each re-diagnosis, but the feelings of helplessness and fear of having cancer have faded over the years. They have been replaced with a combination of dread and anger – dread more for the surgical and recovery processes than the fact that the tumours have returned. Anger because this thing just won’t go away permanently … and probably never will. I have learned to live with my disease and I deal with each episode as it occurs, but I find that I become more frightened of the surgery itself rather than the disease and the fact that this process – not the actual cancer – could hold my fate.

But, as my oncologist and surgeon have both told me, there is absolutely every possibility that I will be around for a very long time, passing eventually from something totally unrelated to my cancer. With a strong faith in a higher power and trust in the expertise of my surgeons, that could very well be true!

Until next time ......

~ B-Optimistic ~

September is Ovarian Cancer month in Canada. Know the symptoms.

http://www.cancer.ca/en/cancer-information/cancer-type/ovarian/signs-and-symptoms/?region=on

SEPTEMBER is OVARIAN CANCER AWARENESS month in Canada!!

Educate yourself.

Know the symptoms. 

Listen to what your body is telling you. 

I will be adding several posts throughout the month in an effort to provide information 

about Ovarian Cancer and help promote awareness.

Listen to what your body is telling you!

NOTE: This poster was created by Mellissa F who, like me, also has experience with GCT - 

aka Granulosa Cell Tumour - a rare form of Ovarian Cancer.

What Does Your 'Happy Dance' Look Like?

I'm sure you've heard the term "Happy Dance" at least once in your lifetime. But have you actually personally done a Happy Dance? I have .... many times. But I've never put it on video because I'm sure my Happy Dance looks much better in my mind that it would to actually see it!! LOL

But this gal has ..... and it's fantastic. You really have to check this video out; then check out the other links as well. She was recently visiting St. John's, Newfoundland on the east coast of Canada and I discovered her when a post appeared on Facebook. Since it made me happy, I just had to share. Here are the links. Enjoy!! And then take out your favourite tunes and 'dance like no one is watching.'
Love this story!!
Watch the video first - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=37QBlyPcMBQ

..... Then watch the news story on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=704577456281117&set=vb.198993970172804&type=2&theater

...... And she's got a great blog! - http://tiffanystaropoli.com/about-tiffany/


Until next time ......
~ B-Optimistic ~  :-)

P.S. I am presently healthy and happy!! I hope to do a little more Blogging soon!