* Happy Holidays *

Photo courtesy of Laughing Elephant

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!

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I just wanted to share this little image I found on the web with you. Such a clever little design! I hope that everyone is having a nice weekend. I feel pretty humbled this year. I got the best present I could ever ask for: my scans came back clear! I'm done with treatment and my health is restored. I have the greatest love of my life, Elijah, by my side.  My family is in good health as are my friends. I have to say, this is my Heaven on earth. I could not ask for more. I do not need anything more. Nothing is more precious than this moment.

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Photo courtesy of V magazine

"You can choose to believe in anything, and that includes believing in yourself."

-don Miguel Ruiz

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Polaroids by Lili

The Four Agreements

I recently read a clever little book called The Four Agreements by don Miguel Ruiz. It's a wonderful quick read about how you can start making choices to guide you to personal freedom. I found it wonderfully refreshing and practical for everything in life, even cancer. Here is a quick summary:

1) Be impeccable with your word

Speak with integrity. Say only what you mean. Avoid using the word to speak against yourself or to gossip about others.

2) Don't take anything personally

Nothing others do is because of you. What others say and do is a projection of their own reality, their own dream.

3) Don't make assumptions

Find the courage to ask questions and to express what you really want. Communicate with others as clearly as you you can to avoid misunderstandings, sadness, and drama.

4) Always do your best

Your best is going to change from moment to moment; it will be different when you are healthy as opposed to sick. Under any circumstance, simply do your best, and you will avoid self-judgment, self-abuse, and regret.

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Photo courtesy W magazine

"Go where the love is."

-Arlene Butler

The Beautiful Truth

Photo courtesy of Beautiful Truth website

I went and saw a very interesting movie tonight called The Beautiful Truth. It's about the Gerson Therapy and how it's cured many people who were written off as "lost causes". It was interesting to hear their stories and  learn about Dr. Gerson, described as "one of the most eminent geniuses in the history of medicine" by Dr. Albert Schweitzer. Another emphasis in the film was the importance of a good, healthy, organic diet and the importance of juicing. And while you get to hear about an alternative perspective to treating life-threatening diseases, you also get a plethora of information regarding the pharmaceutical companies, farming companies, and the overall medical view of treating disease in America. Definitely worth watching!

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Photo courtesy of Look NY Magazine

"Say it straight, simple, and with a smile."

-Yogi Tea quote 

Psssssst

After my 2nd cycle of chemo, my hair did indeed start to fall out. Not in big clumps, it was more like every time I ran my hands through my hair, I would have a bunch of strands between my fingers. I noticed that getting my hair wet when taking a shower only made more of it fall out, especially after washing it. So I decided to try using dry shampoo. I found a great one called Psssssst: Instant Spray Shampoo. No joke! No water needed! It looks like it's straight out of the 70's, but it works. So instead of washing my hair with water, I used Psssssst. I really feel like it helped my hair stay intact for as long as I could possibly keep it (4 cycles). This might not be for everyone, but hey, it's definitely worth a shot. (Note: only using Psssssst for 2 months and never washing my hair with real shampoo & water did leave a yellowish residue on my scalp. Needless to say, after shaving my head, it felt incredible to scrub my scalp and the residue came right off).