It has been many months since I last posted on this website.
Due to a very unexpected challenge in my life that required all of my time and energy, I have not written my monthly newsletter since last August.
It had been 14 years since my first cancer diagnosis and I thought it was behind me.
Then in August I was diagnosed with a recurrence of breast cancer.
It was a complete shock.
It moved me to my core.
It forced me to examine all of my values.
It required me to focus inward and use all of the tools that I have in order to navigate the uncertainty, the unknown, the challenges, the decision-making and, most of all, the patience needed to move forward.
Being an observer of people, I continue to learn so much about human interactions.
I want to share 4 of those insights with you today, as I believe they are relevant to all of us.
1. Patience is a virtue
When navigating uncertainty, it is important to be patient with our surroundings, with the time it takes to get information and results, with the healthcare system, with others and most importantly with ourselves.
It helps to ask ourselves these questions every morning:
What do I need today to take care of myself?
What is in my control that I can do today?
The answers are mostly small things, but they make a big difference.
2. Use my favourite word: AND
I can go for a walk AND cry, AND dance, AND find spirituality, AND sing, AND feel vulnerable AND feel strong. These things can all be felt at once, and one does not rule out another.
3. Let go of expectations
Accepting what we receive allows us to feel positive, grateful and more loved.
Each person gives in their own unique and unexpected ways. Some people will surprise you in a good way, some will become closer to you, some you thought would be there for you will not.
Everyone will give in their own way. It is not always easy to let go of expectations, but it makes receiving so much better.
4. Ask for help
If you don’t ask, people don’t know how to best support you.
I created a WhatsApp group for the people close to me during these past months. I asked for what I needed – things like meals after my operation and daily rides to radiation. Instantly, friends showed up to support me and often thanked me for allowing them to feel that they could help me in the ways that I needed.
Asking lets both sides feel grateful.
Asking for help is not about weakness.
It’s about wanting to feel close to others.
Life is not what we plan.
Our lives are full of challenges and unknowns.
Life pushes us out of our comfort zones and forces us to find strength and resilience that we didn’t even know we had.
Life asks us to be kind and patient with ourselves. To take care of ourselves. To prioritize our health and well-being.
I look forward to posting again as I return to the work I love.
With appreciation,
Claudia