Sarah's Thoughts behind the Art, a special guest post

Please welcome my dear friend, Sarah, who graciously wrote a Guest Post about her beautiful and meaningful artwork.... 

There was a lot that inspired me to draw this picture. Originally, when I sat down with my sketch pad I intended to draw some sort of general "cancer support" something or other. So I started thinking about all of the people in my life that have battled cancer. Some have fought and won. Others have fought and lost. As I sat there thinking about all these people and trying to decide on what to draw, I received a text from my dear friend Connie. In that instant I knew it was a sign. I was suppose to create this for her. She is a cancer survivor. She is an amazingly kind, generous and all around awesome human being. Connie has done so many wonderful things for me. I knew at that moment this was suppose to be a gift to her to say "Thank you for being you and being my friend."

I am touched and honored by Sarah's drawing of me. Seeing myself drawn thin is really cool, and is helping me be able to see it actually happening. It's a much appreciated bonus. 

Sarah has drawn me as a strong athlete. This resonates in me because that's how I think and dream of myself, even though my body now doesn't reflect it. I know that all these Cathe Friedrich workouts are transforming my body day by day. 

The color selections in Sarah's piece are packed with special meanings. Purple for all cancer Survivors, and happens to be my favorite color. The upside down placement of the purple ribbons signifies a Survivor. I just learned that last month at an Ovarian cancer Survivor support group. So if you're a Survivor and wear a ribbon flip upside down! 

The  Peach tank top signifying my first cancer win over endometrial, otherwise known as uterine. That first cancer was subtle- much like the color. 

The Teal ribbon is appropriately wrapped around my lower body like a shield. I like that it's big and bold, because Ovarian cancer came into my life big and bold. It also changed my life in positive big and bold ways. 

Sarah even took great care in coloring my eyes green, and drawing my hair into crazy curls. 

I truly love this drawing, and I'm deeply grateful for Sarah's friendship and artistic talents. 

Starting Again. Again.

Where to start? I have so much to share with my dear Readers, but haven't the time. Same ol' story, I know.

I'm working on refreshing this blog and bringing it back. Again. Please look on the right side of the screen... My dear friend Sarah drew this piece of me in celebration of Remission. She'll be writing a Guest Post about her inspiration for this beautiful piece soon!

I'm 18 days away from a full year since chemo treatments. I can't believe it's been a year!! I've glossed over many cancerversaries the past several weeks. Though they each have deep meaning to me, my focus has been elsewhere. I think that's a good sign. I've focused mostly on my business, but also on finishing Cathe Friedrich's Shock Training System (STS) and releasing negative emotions through Young Living essential oils and writing in my journal.

Remission is beautiful and full. I thank God every single day for this amazing life, even on the days when I'm not feeling particularly grateful because human life is sometimes challenging. Those are the times when it's most important to have a grateful heart.

Guest Post- Holistic What?

My friend Tricia wrote a special Guest Post for me. Tricia is a fellow Cathlete, fellow Reiki practitioner, fellow blogger (http://mercade.wordpress.com/), Southerner at heart, my Beachbody Coach and is an encouraging and all-round wonderful person. Love and Light shine brightly through her. Read her post, you'll see. 

Tricia, you have my deepest gratitude and respect!

          I became a Reiki practitioner back in 2004 or 2005. I can’t believe it’s been that long!  I hadn’t really heard about holistic healing at the time.  A friend brought it up at work one day, just because she had seen a listing for a class through a community school.  She did some research on it and wanted to take the class.  She had a background in crystals already, so had some insight into the field of holistic energy. I’d never heard of the practice, nor was I versed at all in holistic medicine. I wasn’t really all that excited about it, but it sounded intriguing. I told her I’d take the class with her. 

            After 2 weekends of classes and my first attunement, I became a Level 1 Reiki Practitioner, able to give self-treatments and work on family and friends.  I liked how the treatments made me feel. It wasn’t an immediate feeling.  It took time.  Reiki is a slow healing process, not a quick fix.  I enjoyed getting together with a small group of people and giving and receiving treatments once a month.  Who knew this would only be the beginning of a journey into holistic wellness.

            About a year later, I received my attunement for Level 2 and a year after that, Master Level.  I can now give attunements to anyone who wishes to become a Reiki practitioner.  The title is something of a misnomer as no one every really becomes a master at it! There is always something to learn from and share with others.

            After a time, I attended another workshop, just a demonstration really, on reflexology.  I fell in love with it!  I began looking into the different modalities, for there are many different schools of practice in reflexology.  I found one that I liked and met the instructor.  I felt connected to her, so registered for her course. 

            You might think that I’m a full time holistic practitioner now, but that is not the case.  I still only self-treat with Reiki and give reflexology treatments to my husband who loves them! The treatment with reflexology is done on the feet and he just loves that!

            After that first introduction to Reiki, I became a firm believer in holistic medicine.  I started taking workshops and classes on everything I could. There’s a lot I still want to learn and do, but time and money, especially money, have become an issue over the last couple of years.  So, I wait, as patiently as I possibly can until I can start back up again!

            If anyone asked for a treatment, I wouldn’t hesitate to give him or her one! It’s something that must be experienced and can’t really be explained.  The practice can be described, but the experience of a treatment cannot.  It’s different for everyone.  Someone very sensitive and in tune with themselves may notice a difference during their first treatment, but others may not. I would recommend everyone try a treatment at least once for the experience. Doctors and hospitals are bringing these practices into their offices and patient rooms.  There is a basis for the power of holistic treatments. It is not mumbo jumbo, but a respected and widely used practice to assist in the healing of people with and without ailments.  Everyone can use some healing, whether to relieve stress, increase relaxation, improve sleep and much more!