Army Ranger Cory Remsburg

My dad had flown in WWII and Korea, so Army ROTC at LSU was a natural fit.  One of the ROTC instructors had started a Bengal Raiders group to train cadets to survive Vietnam.  We’d train weekends in the swamps learning tactics, leadership skills, teamwork, and a better understanding of our physical and mental limits.  You know how life works, that experience rippled into me becoming an Airborne Ranger.  When I broke my back it was my Ranger training that got me through 6 months of hospitalization and 6 months of a full body cast.  As I watched President Obama describe Army Ranger Cory Remsburg as a man that, “never gives up, and he does not quit", I understood where that came from.  Gain strength from your life ripples today. 

Friendship Factor

We sat by the lake on a wooden bench with the warmth of the sun at 6,230 feet above sea level.  For every 1k foot of elevation gained the suns intensity increases by 4%, so it felt like we were on a beach.  20+ years ago we’d sealed our friendship on a beach walk and a willingness to share our hopes and fears.  Saturday, we sat on the bench and talked about my cancer, about his move to a new job and community, about our kids.  We laughed, shed a few tears, and connected as we always do through our hearts.  I have no doubt that the energy of our friendship will continue to glow, long after our souls have departed.  Thank a friend today for their heart connection.   

Colorado Springs Weekend - Garden of the Gods

I’ve had conferences at the Broadmoor Hotel in Colorado Springs 4-5 times over the past 20 years, but its presence and mountainscape still leaves me breathless.  I stood on Cheyenne Lake and listened to the geese, closed my eyes and felt the cool wind wrap me in a calm healing spirit.  I turned, opened my eyes and saw the red tops of the Garden of the Gods, and memories like tears came back of my first visit as a child many years ago.  We all have places inside us that bring us a deep spiritual and emotional calmness – we just have to mindful enough to let go to get there.  Today, be mindful enough to let go. 

Mindfully Ignite Spiritual Connections

No scooter ride today.  I am on my way to Colorado Springs this afternoon, so after scrapping the ice off my truck windows, I drive to work in the comfort of a cozy warm cab.  As I pull out, I immediately miss my usual, almost sensual engagement with the space around me.  The high we experience as runners, bikers, surfers, and skaters is not just hormonal and endorphin changes, but deep spiritual connections ignited as we move.  My scooter rides, inline skate sessions, or walks, become moments where I am more mindful of how I explore and fully engage in this adventure we call life.  Today, move more, and be mindful of when you ignite deep spiritual connections to the web of life. 

Bernie Siegel & Winter Storms

National Weather Service today: Winter storm warning in effect for Southeast Texas, producing rain during the day, possible sleet tonight. All through high school I drove a stripped down 1948 Willis Jeep without sides, doors, or a roof. On rainy days I wore a poncho, but in hard rains I’d still get to school wet and would use the dryers in the gym to dry my clothes. I left today on my scooter wearing my overcoat, with raingear stored under my scooter seat. Bernie Siegel, in his book Faith, Hope & Healing said, “You make your own weather by focusing on sunny or cloudy skies.” Pay attention to your reflective focus today and choose joy to thrive! Faith, Hope & Healing - Bernie Siegel

MD Anderson Roberto Clemente, Jr. Meeting

I met with Roberto Clemente, Jr. last week and gave him a wellness coach tour of MD Anderson showing him the many faces of caring at our institution and he was impressed.  He was 6 when his dad died (1972) in the plane crash delivering supplies to Nicaraguan earthquake survivors.  Roberto carries on his father’s legacy of kindness and goodwill through the many projects he is involved in helping kids and adults.  It’s easy to see how he has become an inspiration to many.  As he drove off, I realized he had that stillness of spirit we see in people that live in the present, making the most out of each day, uncluttered by dwelling on past regrets or future fantasies.  Where will you dwell today?

Steve McQueen Weekend

Last week, I sat in a waiting room with a woman whose cancer had spread to her brain.  She had been a piano teacher and her hands were beautiful.  After a few minutes she said what all with advanced cancer wish, “Why can’t I just live with my cancer?” then smiled and said, “Let’s not waste a day”.  Her smiles and hug stayed with me all weekend as I rode my scooter around the back streets of Houston dreaming I was Steve McQueen in the movie the Great Escape and trying to catch up with my son who was running the marathon.  At the end of Mary Oliver’s poem The Summer Day, she asks, “Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?”

The Hand of God

I woke early this morning with tangled thoughts and wondered where my soul goes when I’m sleeping.  Does it wander beyond the world I know, stretching far past the boundaries of my mind and body?  I’d like to think there is a place it goes, where for just a brief moment; it’s touched by the hand of God.  A vision I don’t want erased.  Written 6/28/13

Connectedness

Listening to the stories last week during survivorship week and the gratitude expressed for the power of connectedness gave me a different meaning for “learning to dance in the rain”.  Part of being human is craving an intimacy with others and our spirituality, which allows us to step beyond self and creates a life dance of possibilities and peace.  I like Khalil Gibran’s description of our life dance, “..let there be spaces in your togetherness and let the winds of the heavens dance between you.”  Be mindful of your life dance today and the connectedness it brings your journey. Written 6/11/13 

Jon Kabat-Zinn Self Intimacy

The past four days I’ve been working in Charlottesville, Virginia on a 10 acre horse farm in a small cottage next to the front pasture and barn, a short walk from the main house. Charlottesville parallel’s the Blue Ridge Mountains so my views were full of waves of winter forest painted against a cloud filled sky. I spent my mornings and evening alone reading, reflecting, meditating, praying, and enjoying the peacefulness of solitude. Solitude filled with meditation and prayer, a chance to explore, regain perspective and an inner richness restoring self-intimacy. Take advantage of solitude moments that can restore your body-mind-spirit connections. Written 1/14/14

Follow Up Cancer Care Days

Today is my first cancer follow up care day for 2014. It starts with a 6:15am blood specimen, then a CT scan, chest x-ray, and finally a 1:30pm bone scan. These tests are important for they help us watch the prostate cancer that has metastasized to my lymph nodes. After 7 years of care days each 3-4 months I’ve overcome the nausea of worry, and learned to acknowledge the feelings, but then let go before they get too out of proportion. I truly believe my practice of mindfulness or the moment to moment intention of “living well” maximizes my well-being, creating a healing environment. Practice letting go and watch your life moments fill up. Written 1/14/14

Cancer Stories Shared

The three of us shared a bench in the CT scan area.  She talked about the 4th stage breast cancer in her bones and liver, but smiled as she talked about her husband’s love.  I was starting to talk about my cancer journey, but stopped and turned when the young man next to us apologized.  He was starting to cry, he had testicular cancer and it had spread to his lungs.  He wiped his eyes, smiled, and talked about how cancer had strengthened his family.  Minutes later their names were called and we all stood, held hands and wished each other the best.  Shared cancer stories have a way of weaving bonds of love and hope.  Her cancer bloomed love, his cancer brought a family closer together, and mine has empowered my message about the goodness of life, something you must never forget! Written 1/15/14  

Fly Me to the Moon

I had a melody stuck in my head last night, “Fly me to the moon, Let me play among the stars, Let me see what spring is like, on Jupiter and Mars.”   We all have moments we want to run away from life.  About midnight one of our cats stretched out along my arm, rested his head on my wrist, and immediately went to sleep.  The warmth of his coat and his tiny heart beat on my wrist brought calmness and confidence; a blessing received through another’s touch.  We’ve all been there, we just sometimes lose our way, but a little love always brings us back. Written 1/17/14  Show someone you care today!