Tag: #IARTG

IF ONLY I….

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                       Do you sometimes say to yourself:

If only I had not worked so much…If only I had been a better parent or better child…If only I had tried more things or taken risks…If only I had spent more time with loved ones…If only I had pursued my dreams…If only I had taken better care of myself…If only I had done more to help others…

As we travel through life how many times have we bypassed opportunities, were not in a kind or generous mood, or abused our health? Leave “if only’s” behind and keep moving forward.

Ethos3
  • Do not be afraid to open doors, at least peek inside or perhaps walk through them.
  • Look at each moment as an opportunity to do or say something nice or helpful.
  • Your body is the only one you will have, so cherish and nurture it. What you do today may well determine your health for tomorrow.
  • People come into your life for a reason, whether family or friends. Learn from them, love them, and let them love and teach you.
  • There are always risks to any decision or action, take the risk and learn from it.

The hardest thing and the right thing are often the same. (Isaac Slade)

Move forward with love, and forgiveness, and you will learn and grow. YOU WILL LEAVE “IF ONLY” BEHIND.

Thank you for taking the time to read this blog. I welcome your comments.

TWO BRIGHT LIGHTS

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THIS IS A TRIBUTE TO TWO INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE JOURNEYED ONWARD…

ARLEIGH CASTLE WAS MY ROLE MODEL AND LIKE A MOTHER TO ME, WHO I “ADOPTED” AS MY AUNT ARLEIGH. SHE WAS THEATRICAL, FUN, SPIRITUAL, AND ALWAYS THERE TO HELP ANYONE. SHE WAS IN SUMMER STOCK, SOME TELEVISION COMMERCIALS, AND WORKED FOR CAPITOL RECORDS. AUNT ARLEIGH PASSED AWAY PEACEFULLY IN HER MID-90’S.

JIM TONJUM WAS OUR SON-IN-LAW, WHO WAS LIKE A SON TO US. HE JOINED ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS AT A YOUNG AGE AND DEVOTED HIS LIFE TO HELPING OTHERS. HE LOVED BOXING AND WAS OFTEN SEEN AT THE GYM HELPING TROUBLED YOUTH FIND THEIR WAYS TO PEACE AND HEALING. JIM DIED UNEXPECTEDLY IN HIS HOME WHILE EXERCISING. HE WAS 58.

HEALING AFTER LOSS BY MARTHA HICKMAN IS A BOOK I HIGHLY RECOMMEND. IT IS A SERIES OF DAILY SHORT DEVOTIONALS.

AS MY TEARS FLOW OUT, LOVE FLOWS IN.

SEPTEMBER

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I originally wrote this blog in late August with the intention of posting it on September 1st. However, health issues changed my energy, concentration, and ability to do my usual activities. I believe I am now truly back.

The month of September symbolizes a time to make changes by improving oneself, finding forgiveness, and doing what is best for the soul. As I reflected on what the month symbolizes, I prayed about the things I needed to change that are obstacles to my growth and well-being.

The colors of autumn are vibrant and up lifting. Red symbolizes passion and desire, orange represents positivity, and yellow means happiness. The season of autumn also represents the impermanence of life. Therefore, it is important and healthy to embrace the present. There will always be changes which challenge us to live life to its fullest every day, every moment.

Thank you for being my fellow traveler in this journey of life. Your support and kind words are uplifting, inspiring, and informative.

THE HEART…DID YOU KNOW? PART II.

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I welcome you to today’s blog which I hope will give you some interesting information to help your health AND to celebrate certain people.

On my blog dated Feb. 13, I shared about the “Broken Heart” syndrome. This condition actually can occur from a stressful situation which causes muscle weakness in the left ventricle of the heart.

Research has also shown that 1 in 6 people who have this syndrome had cancer . Those cancers are breast, lung, internal sex organs, and the skin. The exact correlation is still being investigated. These patients were more likely to pass away within five years compared to those with broken heart syndrome who did not have cancer.

Some of the larger medical institutions have now developed cardio-oncology departments for closer observation and treatment for such patients.

Through my 13 years of being a cancer survivor, I have not met anyone who has had this phenomenon (to my knowledge). However, it is important for everyone, the survivor and his/her care partner, to be aware of this condition.

Which brings me to those who are care partners (caregivers or caretakers). February is the month honoring those who are silent heroes and heroines. I prefer the title care partner because I see the relationship as one of partnering: asking, saying, listening, responding.

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I am deeply grateful for my husband, Jim, who has been my care partner every minute of this unplanned journey with ovarian cancer.

My book, Outshine: An Ovarian Cancer Memoir is available at no cost from now and until March 14. It is important that every woman know about this cancer which is called as the silent killer. If you want a copy of the book, please send me your name and address at kareningalls1941@gmail.com.

FICTION IN A FLASH CHALLENGE #8

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Award-winning author, Suzanne Burke offers another opportunity for fun and creativity. Everyone is welcome to enter this challenge. For details go to her website https://sooozburkeauthor.wordpress.com/.

I love all cats no matter their size or breed. The majestic lion is certainly at the top of my list. When 13-year-old, Cecil, was killed in 2015 on a hunting expedition, I was deeply saddened. Most lions in the wild live to an average of 15-years and those in captivity to as much as 30-years.

This photo prompt inspired me to write the following Haiku poem.

Please let your creative juices flow, have fun, and enter this week’s challenge. Go to https://sooozburkeauthor.wordpress.com/ and support Suzanne Burke at Twitter @pursoot.

Thank you for visiting my website today. I look forward to your comments.