“When we are no longer able to change a situation, we are challenged to change ourselves.” Viktor Frankel
After completing chemotherapy the end of September 2018, gone is that comforting monthly routine – like a little bird being kicked out of the nest. I am now monitored every three months, and there is always a flicker of anxiety leading up to those appointments, but so far so good (with the exception of my burrito adventure last week - see prior post!)
Over the winter months I began searching for a purpose, a reason why I survived and others did not. What could I give back to the cancer community while re-focusing my life? Who would help me look under that rock where I have kept my feelings buried? Sure, I’ve had many a cry fest in the comfort of my home. But to open up to others – well that was something I was just not raised to do – you know, that strong German work ethic, sweep everything under the rug and keep moving forward. The thought of sharing my emotional roller coaster ride is pretty scary!
While searching the internet I found
A Fresh Chapter: https://afreshchapter.com/ I applied for and was accepted into the Peru program which is scheduled in November 2019. My fee was covered 100% by donations from my wonderful, and I mean wonderful friends and family. The program includes a two-week volunteer trip in an under-served cancer community in Peru with a six-month on-line program to explore those roller coaster emotions after a cancer diagnosis. It teaches resiliency, empowering us to seek new possibility and purpose in our lives. Bingo! I am so excited to share with you all the insightful things I learn!
Our first section is the Discover Series – broken down into four Themes: Possibility, Intention, Vulnerability and Perspective. Articles, blogs, books, Ted Talks and documentaries are explored within each theme while journaling your feelings with writing and art. I am just finishing the Possibility theme and wow – just wow! Instead of focusing on adversity, look instead at the new skills, strength and resiliency inside of YOU.
I read Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl over the weekend. It is a memoir of his life in a Nazi death camp and his spiritual survival. One of my favorite quotes from the book is:
“Everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of the human freedoms – to choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one’s own way.”
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