New Season

Hello Beautiful People!

I hope this posting finds each of you well. I am grateful to share that my dissertation is finally complete. This month marks almost a year since my last posting. And its approximately 85 days to the new year. Personally, this blog entry unfolds a new season in my life and beginning of a new chapter. This journey has been transformative for me and I hope that this time in my life will inspire not only me but others to continue to dream and live courageously!

My dissertation and participants taught me how we can face anything even in uncertainty. It also confirmed the importance of relationships, creating memories, and adjusting to changes. My hope is that each day we all find the beauty in small things and experience the fullness in our gift of living.

Dream Big,

Kimberley

Think Pink This Month: Breast Cancer Awarness

Hello Beautiful People!

I hope this posting finds you well.  I have been away from posting from quite awhile. As you know this month is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, I am currently finishing up interviews for dissertation on Breast Cancer Survivors and Intimate Partners. I would greatly appreciate if you could share with any friends, colleagues, or even breast cancer survivors. I am thanking you in advance for any help you are willing to provide. If you have any questions or concerns, please let me know.

Continue to be the best you inside and out!!!

-Kimberley

Questions/Thoughts/Comments

Hello All,

I have not posted a new blog entry in awhile because I have been diligently working on my dissertation proposal.  I have been reading several articles and books that I think will be great references to have in your library. (I will post a reading list very soon).

I want to open this blog entry up as a Q & A. Please leave your questions, thoughts, and comments in the  box below so I can address anything you are each curious about during the month of April.

I read today that, "it is an extreme act of faith to believe that there is more ahead of you than behind you." -TD Jakes

What are you letting go of and making room for in your life? Just a thought!

Take care and be good to yourselves! I cannot wait to hear from each of you.

-Kimberley

Resources to Share

Hello All,

I hope the new year has been a blessing so far!  I discovered a few blogs this past week and I wanted to share with each of you. Please let me know your thoughts and if you have any other resources to share with other readers. The second link is a great article about the usefulness of yoga and mindfulness with cancer patients/survivors.

I would love to hear your thoughts!

http://lifeovercancerblog.typepad.com/

http://crazysexylife.com/2011/benefits-of-yoga-and-mindfulness-for-people-with-cancer/

Breast Cancer (BEST CANCER)

Hello All,

My sister, who is a singer and songwriter, composed a song a few days ago called "Best cancer". The song was written in our honor of a family friend that was recently diagnosed with breast cancer. As you know, cancer has touched many that are connected to us on a daily basis.

Let's continue to support one another and connect to those who need us during this challenging time.

Please watch the video below and tell others about the great message that Kirby is sharing through this powerful song!

http://youtu.be/cVzKL5BEBsQ

Happy New Year (Different Meaning)

Hello Readers,

I pray that each of you enjoyed your holiday time with your family and friends. This week marks the beginning of change.  Like most people, many have made new year resolutions that they want to accomplish through the new year. I decided to do something different this year with a nontraditional resolution. Instead, I plan create change with my mindset that doesn't limit me to one specific goal.

My new outlook for the year 2012 is to seek more opportunities to be the best I can be. I know it might sound clique but I want to focus on mind, body, and spirit within the year. Of course, this new outlook will bring about some positive as well as negative differences in my life but I am expecting greatness.

I want to pay more attention to ways that bring joy and peace and offer genuine gratitude to myself and others in life. I challenge each of you to bring a new meaning to a happy new year and what that means for you. What would a happy new year look like? What specific things will it bring to you and others that are connected to you? What brings you joy, peace, and gratitude?

Cease this year and expect unmerited favor,

Kimberley

Beyond the Shock

Today, I discovered an app for an online community for women diagnosed with breast cancer. It is called Beyond The Shock and you can install it for free on your IPhone. It links survivors of the disease to others who are seeking emotional support through the use of education, personal videos, and even a forum for questions and answers.

It is sponsored by the National Breast Cancer Foundation. The guide is unique way to offer women a way to connect and to share their personal stories of how they are connecting and fighting breast cancer.

If you are interested, here is the link for NBCF website. www.nationalbreastcancer.org

I also found a book called Coping with Breast Cancer: A Husband's Perspective written by Ricky Sides. I ordered it this evening so I will offer a brief book review soon. The book is about the author's personal account of dealing with his fear, depression, and denial while supporting his wife and taking care of their child.

Got Pink: Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Are you wearing pink this month? October marks 25 years of awareness, education, and power for women diagnosed and/or surviving breast cancer. Several organizations are honoring women and their family members during the entire month. From walks/runs like "Race for the Cure" to NFL players wearing pink during game days to my bank making a donation to fight against breast cancer with every pink card swipe. Everyone is getting involved in some way to give back.

I often wonder what is the patient's response to this month. What is their relationship to breast cancer?  What does it mean to become a survivor? What is survivorship like for their family? Does the month of October mark a different meaning for the breast cancer patient and her family?

Please feel free to leave your thoughts and/or questions. I would love to hear from you.

Below is Susan G. Komen for the Cure website, if you are interested in more information or connecting with others this month.

http://ww5.komen.org/Default.aspx

Essence Feature on Breast Cancer

I recently read the Body & Spirit feature in Essence magazine on "The Black Woman's Guide to Breast Cancer". I found the information to be useful for women of any color. The guide addressed 3 steps on prevention, surviving, and thriving with the big C. The first step was your anticancer plan, the second step was your early-detection plan and the final step was your best cancer plan.

Awareness is key when knowing your body. I found that the article provided a nice blueprint for women dealing with the possibility of illness and experiencing cancer as part of their lives now. It was disheartening that they didn't include any information about family and/or community support.  My sense is that the author was focused on the individual guide and not a collaborative guide. As we know, illness affects the patient but also other people connected to her.

The magazine is still on stands with cover issue honoring women with power and our first lady, Mrs. Michelle Obama. Check it out and let me know your thoughts!

Mind and Body Connection

Several months ago, I read this article via CNN.com and I wanted to share with each of you. I am a firm believer in the connection between your mind and body. I am sure after days of chemotherapy, radiation, or just daily activities your body might be in some form of fatigue or even pain. Research studies have shown that meditation and hypnosis can assist to alleviate nausea, vomiting, stress, anxiety, and fatigue associated with chemotherapy.

If you are interested in learning more about meditation and hypnosis, I would love to elaborate further and even share more information with you that might be useful.




http://www.cnn.com/2011/HEALTH/04/05/meditation.reduce.pain/index.html

Celebrating Life

I was reminded this week that celebrating life is important in living.  Typically, we celebrate important events like birthdays, anniversaries, and graduations but how often do we celebrate moments in your daily living. I challenge you today to reflect upon celebrating you on a daily basis. Awake each morning with a mindset of the day being a blessing. Its quite common for challenges to come along during your day but take a moment, stop, and reflect upon the simple things that can allow you to focus on the celebration of living. I challenge you not to wait until an important event to celebrate. It's a gift to live, experience new things, and even to revisit things that you might overlook because of the clutter of daily routines. Again, celebrate the blessing that is you!

Being Present

What does it mean to be present? Personally, I feel that being present allows you to be comfortable with where you are no matter what is going on around you. It's an inner knowing that brings about comfort, peace, and confident assurance for you.

I can imagine for women and loved ones dealing with illness each person might have different meanings of what it means to be present. As a family therapist, I'm genuinely interested in understanding what it means for each of you. I enter the therapy room offering that mindset with all my clients. It allows me to genuinely listen, be curious, and to build a relational connection through sharing your experience with me.

With all the changes that cancer can bring, I can imagine that being present might be quite a challenge. For a moment, I ask you to center yourself and focus on experiences that allow you to be present. Note and feel that particular experience that brings about that inner peace and joy. Cancer doesn't have to rule your life and you can find moments that allow you to have a life you want just simply by being present.