Life Lesson/s 101

Since I began my spiritual journey, many years ago, I have understood the importance of reading. So when I was trying to figure out which side was up after my husband left me and after my diagnosis of cancer I began reading every book I could get my hands on. I read then meditated and even fell asleep with the words and lessons running lose in my head. So for me it was natural to turn to others for help, guidance and even assistance.

To my amazement I discovered that there were lessons all around me, just waiting for me to take the time to see and understand them. Once such lesson I gained from nature was during yoga. As a visual conesouir (graphic artist, designer and advertising), I began collecting rocks and other goodies to focus on during some of the more difficult yoga poses. I focus on the stones or other items and it keeps me from actually getting disoriented.

One day I was trying to set my stones and accessories up in the most "meaningful/beautiful" way. I played with it for several minutes to no avail. How frustrating...me...a visual specialist and I cannot please myself with any of my formations. I decided to let them merely fall out of the bag I carry them in and see what happens. To my disbelief, each and every time I have done this it is as if...the magical had of God/Creator has touched them and made beauty out of chaos. That is pretty much what I realized. Beauty can be created in the oddest ways and places. My efforts at "controlling" the display were improved upon by just letting nature take its course.

How often, I find that I have trouble giving up that control! I want to believe the illusion that I might actually have more control over my life than I do. I work daily to give up my control and welcome the chaos that each day brings. The more I am able to let go - the more I am actually gaining.

The Life Lesson is that we can gain "lessons, wisdom, knowledge" in the most unusual way and out of unlikely situations. Nature, when we stop to listen really provides so many lessons -- without judgement, criticism or hatered. For me, I feel most alive when I am alone atop my hill doing yoga, reading a book, singing, or playing on my bongos! There is no one to impress. No one to gain approval from. I feel free for the first time in my life.

Next time you are wanting to gain a bit of wisdom, you can read a book or you can go sit outside and spend some time with yourself and your world!

Fighting Cancer Through Diet

At some point in your life you will either know or meet someone who is going through or will go through cancer. I cannot say that I am surprised when I look at all the carcinogenic in the very air we breathe, the water we drink and the food we eat. When I looked deeper into the chemicals we put on bodies with soaps, deodorants, perfumes and textiles I began to understand how important it is to take responsibility for our actions.

I have already gone through my 'viola' moment after surviving breast cancer while going through an incredibly painful and financially devastating divorce. When you get to the other side -- after facing adversity head on -- the truth begins to shine through the clouds. I realize there is so much I can do to fight / prevent my reoccurrence. Of course there is no guarantees in life, but the odds are in my favor that if I change my destructive behaviors (food, emotional weaknesses, co-dependence, fear, anger, self-pity, more attention to my health) that I would increase my odds of living a longer...more enjoyable life.

I try to read and <gather> as much data as I can regarding areas that interest me or I feel to have significant value for future application. Eating healthy is something I believe in and enjoy sharing with others. There is nothing you can do better for yourself than take care of your body. The complete body: physical, mental, spiritual. This particular installment is about taking care of the physical through diet, but please remember there are as many useful tools available to help the individual in finding a path to peace and contentment; however, if you are not convinced that taking care of your body is important - I suggest frequenting a nursing home and volunteering with people who are unable to get around.

I do not wish to scare anyone into working out or eating healthy, but I do want you aware that you have a choice whether to take care of yourself or not. When I was a child my father told me many times, "you must pay yourself first." I did not fully understand it at that age, nor did I realize that at some point I too would be saying the same thing! Take care of yourself first...pay yourself....so that the life you do have (and the years you have) can be lived fully and completely. This is an expert from a newsletter produced through Saint Thomas Health Services for a cancer fighting menu. Enjoy!!
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Cancer is among the leading causes of death in the United States. Proper meal planning can go a long way toward lowering your risk of developing several different types of cancer.

Numerous observational studies have demonstrated that eating foods rich in antioxidants, or taking a multivitamin daily, can decrease the risk of cancer by up to 37%, says Dr. Brian Lee, an oncologist at the Middle Tennessee Medical Center. These lifestyle choices also can reduce the risk of dying form other diseases. Take steps to fight cancer today. Check out this sample meal plan:


At Breakfast:
Start your cancer fight with a breakfast that includes who grains, which are rich in nutrients that may prevent colorectal cancer. Good choices include whole-grain cereal, toast, or waffles.

Then, add some fruit and vegetables which are rich in many nutrients that can help ward off oral, stomach, esophageal, colorectal, and lunch cancer. In fact, some experts believe that a diet rich in fruits and vegetables could prevent at least 20% of all cancers.

So, toss some fruit on your cereal, add vegetables to scrambled eggs, or drink 100% juice. Aim for five or more servings of fruits and vegetables a day. To fit all these in, you will need to start early--with breakfast.


For Lunch:
Preventing cancer is about what you don't eat, as well as what you do eat. So, limit the following foods, which have been linked to stomach and possibly other cancers:

*Fatty cuts of beef or other meat
*Lunchmeats and hot dogs that contain nitrates
*Grilled, salted, pickled, or smoked foods

Instead, think low fat and nutrient rich. For example, try a lean turkey sandwich on whole-grain break, some fruit, and a bowl of minestrone soup.

Snack Time:
Use snack time to add to your fruits and vegetable tally. Munch on an apple or carrot stick.

For Dinner:
Serve up some spaghetti with tomato sauce. Cooked tomato products may reduce the risk for prostrate cancer. On the side, have cruciferous vegetables--such as broccoli or cauliflower--which may lower the odds of colorectal cancer. Cooking vegetables? Steam, bake, or microwave them to help retain their cancer-fighting nutrients.

Still having trouble fitting in five or more daily servings of fruits or vegetables? For some more ideas, log on to theis website from the National Cancer Institute: http://5aday.gov/