Motivation for my Fab Over 40 Participation

​As a (stage 4) breast cancer survivor, I feel motivated to encourage the ongoing efforts to help raise funds for awareness, early detection, research and treatment.  Back in 2013 I went through the ups and downs of my own Journey with breast cancer which ultimately would end up being an incredible awakening Journey of initiation and a Gift which brought me closer to my heart.

Cancer invited me to make the choice to face my fears and vulnerability and lean into my supports. As much as it was an incredible blessing to have amazing supports from my loved ones as well as solid health benefits from my employer, allowing myself to feel into my own mortality and the vulnerability that comes with facing the Unknown, letting go was very difficult yet offered me hope. Hope for a quantum shift in my life, one from striving to one of peace, acceptance and trust.

Often, I would cringe when folks would tell me that I was “a strong fighter”.  For me, it wasn’t “a fight” it was a gentle, raw and courageous act of surrender. Nothing to do with helplessness though, on the contrary, for me it was all about choosing to accept I had cancer yet move forth and reshaping my whole life, reconstructing my own life to feel a fuller alignment.

I knew, it was necessary to allow myself to lean into the great unknown and trust no matter what.  Whether I was to live or not, fully re-aligning with life and all its offerings, I had to learn to slow down and reclaim my capacity to feel more connected.  First with myself and the nurturing environment that held me. I chose to give my trust 100% to myself and to my timeless allies: the Air, Fire, Water, Earth and Sky and to spend most of my days with beloveds Trees (Pine, Cedar and Birch) and my family: my loving husband and our braveheart dog Luke at the time and Maje, Nora and Tamrah our Horses and my everyday companions and confidents.

Late that Autumn, my mother-in-law and I planted hundreds of perennial flower bulbs. I thought, if I make it I would enjoy a fuller and exquisite garden. If I didn’t, I would leave a more bountiful legacy of Beauty, one of my own medicines: loving to create beauty and share it.

11 years later, long after experiencing the treatments (4 months of ongoing chemo followed by 16 radiation treatments) of my healing journey, I have experienced and learned so much about my own personal capacity for embodied health and experienced many healing modalities.  I have travelled to South America several times to devote time to learn to slow down and clear my whole being from lifetimes of multigenerational traumas.  The medicines of elder Plants and generous indigenous healers and other shamanic practitioners have help encourage me to come back home to my heart and to heal my mind, body and spirit.

Now, as I continue to grow, learn and heal, I continue to feel a strong calling to continue to support others in their own process with the liminal. As a trauma counselor, I serve as a guide to support others to also reclaim their own inner Lighthouse. What a gift.

Being a part of the Fab 40 contest this year has been a fun way to take part to also help raise money in support of others that are also traversing their own health journey through the portal of breast cancer. From crisis to breakthrough, I experienced so much love and support in my own journey and giving back feels great!  

We are now a few weeks into the contest and I have made the “top 10” list in the “fab over 40” cohort. Next week, I hope to make it to the Top 5 and onwards hopefully to the semi finals and finals.

Should I ‘Win” the most votes towards this important cause, I would then represent the 2024 fab Over 40, a celebratory and symbolic milestone and perhaps, opening further opportunities to continue live as fully as possible and support others in their own wellness journey. Whether I receive the most votes or not, I know I am a winner simply for still experiencing the fabulous gift of being Alive.  

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