" KickStart ... "

You want me to come over

I got an excuse

Might be holding your hand

But I'm holding it loose

Go to talk then we choke

It's like our necks in a noose

Avoid the obvious

We should be facing the truth

Start to think it could be fizzling out

Kinda shocked because I never really had any doubts

Look into your eyes, imagine life without ya

And the love kickstarts again

Starts again

And the love kickstarts again

Starts again

~ Example ~ KickStart ~ 

***

We all set an example by simply being.  And for those of us with the extra challenge of a health concern, it is critical.  Being Present.

We focus on the future generation and our children when leading by example, being good role models and parents.  Yet there are times when we need someone to lead us.

During times of uncertainty and darkness, 

we look to those with strength and courage to lighten the load.

During times of sadness and grief, 

we look to those with love and support to carry us through.

Personally speaking, it has been possible to still live, hold a job, take care of families & friends, and remain active in the community ... with cancer.  Now, life has more meaning, more purpose, more value.  Now, living this life is about creating an environment where others can feel comfortable in sharing what they are facing.  A calling, a purpose ... whatever it may be, regardless, it feels good to be useful.

And there is always help along he way.  Blessed to have a few in my life who inspire me every day with their passion, their zest, their spark, their wisdom, their guidance and the simple love of life ... no matter what challenge they are facing.  They motivate me to live authentically from heart and soul because they’ve taught me that perhaps this diagnosis is a part of my life and not necessarily the cause of my death.

We find ourselves in situations out of our control.  Cancer can be one of them.  It is unpredictable and it is a game.  A game to get ahead of it and neutralize it.  And just when you think you’ve got it figured out, there is another lesson to be learned.  A journey full of suffering and blessings all packaged into one.  

Acceptance ...

Leading by example implies you take responsibility and choose as what you are going to do with your challenge.  And so you have a choice ... do you let it define you or do you let it drive you?  Because either way, life is happening through you, not to you.  Choosing what you do with it determines how you live ... your example to all those around you.  The way you live, act and behave matters.  Consider what your influence, how you want to be remembered and what is your legacy.  

Because setting an example by the way you be 

is the only authentic way to positively influence your world ...

www.walkstrong.ca

" Responsible ... "

If for just a moment, you had to be responsible

For all the things you've said and done.

Would you sit back and relax or fasten all your safety belts?

Everybody's judgement comes.

Maybe in this moment you're feeling irresponsible

for all the things you've said and done.

"I am a wrecking ball, I've run the guillotine, 

and I blame everything just to keep my hands clean.

Maybe for a moment you need to feel responsible

for all the things you've said and done.

~ Cloud Cut ~ Responsible ~ 

***

So if no one is in charge of your happiness but you ... 

can you make yourself happy? ...

In the past, looking to others to boost your mood is a recipe for disaster.  Waiting for others to notice that you are down and expecting them to make you feel better.  You see, relying on others actually made me feel worse, because it was impossible for them to know what would make me feel good.  And even if they tried, it was never truly satisfying ... and conditionally on them, where you lose your own power.

Acceptance ... it was up to me to make my day and life better.  

And I had come to this realization but had no clue where to start or what to do.  

So I started by being still and listen.

I realized it was about taking responsibility ... because others had their own responsibilities, themselves, to be concerned with.  Figuring out what makes you feel good, what makes you smile again, requires honesty ... real honesty, with yourself, rather than blaming someone else.  Once you are able to make yourself feel better than you no longer need to wait for it ... you can create & enjoy it on your own.

I realized it was about listening to my needs ... too many times of waking up in a funk, feeling tired, down, and just plain blah.  So I asked ... what would make me feel better now ... and I wait for the response in stillness where it presents itself.  By asking the question and then listening to what you need means you not only devote your energy in the moment to caring for yourself but also start to trust that you’ll be able to take care of yourself consistently, no matter what is happening around you. 

I realized it was about being grateful for what I have ... because what makes me think I would be happier with having more?  Practicing gratitude helps to shift your mood, helps to get you unstuck and simply gives you a new perspective on whatever it is that is consuming your life.  

We have the choice to live in the world, each day, as we wish.  We can either be dragged along with it or take responsibility for how it unfolds.  Make the commitment, take the time and turn making yourself happy a daily practice of self- care, because frankly, it is YOUR responsibility to bear.

www.walkstrong.ca

" My Fault … "

I took a walk on a Saturday night

Fog in the air

Just to make my mind seem clear

Where do I go from here?

I see my breath pushing steam through the air

Shaking hands run through my hair

My fears, where do I go from here?

Is it my fault, is it my fault?

We’ve been missing each other

My fault, is it my fault?

We’ve been missing each other

~ Imagine Dragons ~ My Fault ~

***

It’s all your fault ... words that you never really want to hear because it implies you did something “wrong”.  But what if this was actually a good thing?

... personal responsibility isn’t a burden, it isn’t something you give away, it’s a gift that allows us to be so much more on this earth than any other living thing ...

To be a human being means to live with the option of reason and logic and therefore we must take responsibility for our reasoning, and our choice not to reason.  Choosing not to reason and putting your fate into the hands of someone else, allows us to blame others for whatever the outcome.

It is about taking ownership over your life because it is impossible to truly “own” your life when you are disowning your actions.

... life is a series of actions and to disown them is to disown yourself ...

We are not helpless and we are not meant to be victims.  It is about owning your choices.  It is about taking care of yourself.  It is about achieving your goals.  It is about taking back full control of your life.  

... live your life consciously ... move with purpose ... make reflection a regular routine ... revisit life goals ... take a personal inventory of your relationships ... consider your impact on the world ... spend wisely ... waste less ... review how you spend you time  ... and explore yourself … 

A life lived of choice is a life of conscious action. 

A life lived of chance is a life of unconscious creation.

- Neale Donald Walsch