The Glorious "All Clear"!

As far as miracles go, I've experienced my share of them...There was the car accident in Florida that I never should have survived, much less walked away from (BIG credit to my Guardian Angels on that one!) as well as countless other slightly less dramatic, but no less potentially fatal events. Then, in 2011 my first bout with triple negative breast cancer was too big, too dramatic, and too potentially lethal to forget. The miracle of coming through it was one of the greatest blessings of my life.

But, when my breast cancer re-emerged last fall, it almost felt like my miracle had been taken away from me...little did I realize at the time, that an even greater miracle was in the works. 

First, despite my rather grim prognosis back in November of Stage IV metastatic triple negative breast cancer, I managed to come through a difficult thoracic surgery with ease. Then, testing revealed that the surgery was a complete success and that there is now NO EVIDENCE OF DISEASE in my body!

But my miracle didn't stop there!

This week's visit to Boston confirmed that I am healing beautifully with no complications AND (this is the BEST part!!) I'm doing SO well that no further treatment is necessary!! No radiation, no nasty chemo - just frequent check ups and scans! Very unexpected and welcome news!! Two years from Jan, 2013 will be my first big marker - and I plan to sail past it!!

Can I hear a collective WHOO HOO?!!!!

When I left for Boston, I left with the intention that Dr. Sugarbaker would confirm my Inner Knowing that no chemo was necessary and that there was no evidence of disease. I fully expected that radiation was a given. Yet, when I made my intention, I threw in my customary - "this or something better" - because I know that we (as earth-bound humans) have a rather limited view of all the existing possibilities, whereas God can always come up with something heavenly to surprise us with ;). Well...I got my heavenly surprise!! Another miracle! I'm ready to move on!!!

So...now it's about continuing to heal, and remembering all the lessons I've learned (not that I'm done learning new ones!). 

There's so much I want to share with the world!! I intend to share through my coaching, my writing (a couple of books are well under way, plus articles and blog posts of course!), my voice, acts of service, and most importantly - the example of my life. I intend to share what I share in a balanced way that does not compromise my self care, self love, self respect, or personal boundaries. And in fact, THAT is one of the most important lessons I want to share with others right now - without self love and the self care that stems from it - you have nothing. 

I am ready to assist those who desire it, to go from feeling like life is happening TO them and AROUND them, to being confident in knowing that they are the deliberate co-creators, with the Divine, of their own reality. Just look at my intentions...IT CAN BE DONE!!! And I am confident that I can assist anyone else who chooses it, to get there with their own intentions.

God has given me the blessings of TIME, health, wisdom, grace and gratitude. I choose to show my appreciation by sharing those gifts with as many other people as I can...and God, I am open to receiving any  other gifts and blessings you choose to send my way!

You'll see more progress now on updates to my websites, Facebook pages, LinkedIn, etc...as I slowly re-enter the professional world. I ask that you help me spread the word! Do you know someone who could benefit from my coaching? Is there a group that you think might benefit from hearing my message - as a speaker, or in a group coaching session? Are you looking for a unique take on a one-day in-service or retreat? Please let me know! My primary website is: www.IntentionalBliss.com.

Meanwhile, continue to keep me in your thoughts and prayers, particularly prayers of gratitude for my healing, but also for strength, wisdom, and courage as I forge a new path forward. I am not only continuing to heal physically and emotionally from all that I've been through, but financially as well. It's been a year and a half since I've had a steady income of any kind. And although I have health insurance, there were expenses not covered - or not covered in full, there are loans to repay, and a lot of general everyday catching up to do!

And please keep reading my blog! I intend to keep it going with lots of insights and updates...in fact, share it with others if you feel inspired to do so! Soon I hope to have a e-newsletter as well.

So many ideas, inspirations, and ambitions! Do you ever feel that way? Tough to keep it in check sometimes, isn't it? But I intend to do so ;). Until next time...THANK YOU for all your love and support!

Bliss & Blessings!
Lisa

Two Steps Forward, One Step Back: Learning to Take Baby Steps!

Hello!

Yet again, I will say that "it's been a while...".

My healing process has been intentionally quiet, filled with introspection and lots of "a-ha moments". There have been weeks when my next 10 blog posts were written in my head, yet I never made it to the computer. Fortunately, I think they are all still there, just waiting to be typed ;).

Often, it's felt like two steps forward, one step back. I'll feel a bit better and get restless, anxious, inspired, all excited - and then I get on a roll, push forward, and BOOM! Big reminder that I went too far, too fast.

This week was a fine example of my body sending me a clear message to S-L-O-W down. After a rather hectic period filled with "catching up" on all the things I wanted to do, plus some emotional upheaval and stress added to the mix, fatigue caught up with me. Sunday morning I woke to the worst vertigo I'd felt in years! Unfortunately, it's continued all week - leaving me stranded in my recliner practically 24/7, trying not to move my head. (Can you say, "So much activity it made my head spin"? Or, "All that thinking threw me into a tailspin"? Ha!)

Sadly, it's a lesson I've had to learn over and over again. You see, I am a "recovering action addict" - often drawn to massive action when I'd be better off slacking a bit, or at least taking it one notch slower. I'm sure there are those among you who know exactly what I mean...But not to worry, recover I shall, to do better next time, when I heed the call to take "baby steps". 

Here's the thing though...It's easy to be tempted to jump back in full throttle when you feel like the rest of the world is moving ahead without you, or feel like you need to "catch up" on all the things you haven't been able to accomplish while healing - even though both are illusions! Fact is, you'll never "catch up" or get it "all" done in this lifetime and that's ok - you're not supposed to!! You're not in a race with anyone but your own ego. Everything happens on the timetable it's supposed to - divine timing - and you can't possibly be ahead of it, or behind. And yet I seem to forget this sometimes in my over-enthusiastic excitement to DO.

To be honest (cover your eyes Jeannette Maw!!), I've also caught myself allowing financial fears to creep into my consciousness and they keep me from listening to my body the way I should...well I listen, but I don't always heed what I'm hearing - like take it slow! Fortunately, I know on every level that lack is a big fat lie that doesn't serve me. We live in an abundant Universe, God is my Source, and I am always provided for...I am shifting that vibe for good - I am there, RIGHT NOW - I can feel it!

So...I guess what I'm trying to say is this: I'm not perfect. I'm learning as I go. I don't always get it right, but God/Universe ALWAYS has my back and everything is working out for my best and highest good no matter what that looks like right now. After all, I'm alive and well when just a few short months ago some pretty smart people didn't see that happening for me ;). There's no more convincing proof than that!

I got my miracle! And it was prayer and focus and setting intentions, it was trust and surrender and allowing, it was belief in a loving, benevolent God and Universe - and it was listening - to my own Inner Guidance, following only inspiration, never fear! That's what allowed my miracle to manifest. And that is the same process I am following to manifest miracles in every other aspect of my life...the same formula I am anxious to teach others.

There's no question about it, my journey with cancer has taught me plenty!! It's like a Ph.D. in life...with a requirement for continuing education...because we ALL need reminders sometimes. The key is to listen to the reminders with an open heart and mind when you get them and adjust course as needed. No self-recriminations - only self-love, compassion, and forgiveness.

If you're feeling a nudge to make a course correction, reach out to me. I'd be happy to assist you in any way that I can. I also have a book that I expect to complete soon that goes into greater detail on the process I used to focus my energies on the positive intentions I set back in November - intentions and desires that all came true for me. You'll be the first to know when it's ready!

I'd like to close this post with a great big thank you to all of you! Your support - whether it's reading my blog, commenting, sharing it, or remembering me in your thoughts and prayers - has been a Godsend! Please don't stop now ;). I've received uplifting get well cards and generous gifts that brighten my day beyond words and ease my way to healing! Thank you!!

For my family, even the biggest thank you seems inadequate. My parents and my sister have rallied around me with all forms of support imaginable, for so long now. Love, understanding, comfort, encouragement - and yes, a kick in the you-know-what when I need it! My sister took two weeks away from her work and home and family right before Christmas to take me to Boston and stay with me when I had my surgery...not to mention the COUNTLESS long phone calls when only a sister's ear would do...You're the best and I love you!! My parents have always been there for me - but never in quite so big or so generous a way as this...I am forever grateful. Your unconditional love, support, and understanding is a beautiful reflection of God's love and I pray that same love, plus mine, blesses you ten-fold!

I leave for another short trip to Boston on Monday. I'll be sure to keep you posted on how it goes and what my next step will be once I get back. Thank you!

Bliss & Blessings,
Lisa