I’m a firm believer that we’re all put on this earth for different purposes. We’re here to learn lessons and teach each other lessons. When we go through transformations and large life changes, I think it’s important to discuss and share with others so they can apply it to their lives.

This year marks 2 ½ years breast cancer free, and I’m healthy, vibrant, strong and feel amazing. I feel that it is important to share a bit about  my journey as I would never want anyone else to go through what I went through. 

Anything that I can do to prevent any of my listeners from becoming that 1 in 8 statistic, I will shout it from the rooftops. 

Here are some of my biggest takeaways from my journey. 

Tapping into my higher power

One of the first things I did in the beginning of my breast cancer journey was going to a place of prayer, something that a lot of you may relate to doing during difficult times. 

I believe that there is a higher power and that everything happens for the greater good. I knew I needed something to grab onto that would keep me grounded to get through it all.

I asked my higher power, “What am I supposed to do?” in order to help me get through this, and truly sat still and listened. 

Everything happens for me, not to me

One of my mantras throughout my life has been that “Everything happens for me, not to me.” 

Prior to my diagnosis, I had gone through hardships where I was forced to push my fears to the side and push forward with what I knew was best for me in my life. 

Knowing that I could get through other hardships helped me gain perspective of how strong I truly am. 

Seeing how much better I was on the other side of those hardships gave me a lot of hope for my cancer journey. If I could get thorugh those difficult times, I knew I could get through this as well. 

Get the support you need

There were many instances of grief, despair and anger that I went through on my journey, but was able to continuously pull myself out of it. 

One of the biggest reasons I was able to do that was that I got the help that I needed. I realized that I couldn’t get through this all alone if I didn’t have a support system, something that can apply to every difficult situation that anyone is in.

I turned to therapy, got energy healing, read a lot of books, leaned on good friends and family, and was able to regain a sense of control by doing so. 

Listen to the nudge your body is giving you

One thing about disease is that it is a way of your body giving you a nudge that you need to look within yourself and make some changes. 

I took this seriously and asked the cancer what it was trying to tell me. I sat still, listened to the voice loud and clear, and it told me to slow down. 

For years, I never felt good enough or felt like I got to where I thought I should be. I was pushing and pushing myself, and not giving myself the rest that my body needed.

If you are a perfectionist, this is a lesson for you that running constantly without giving your body rest can cause illness. It’s vital that we remember to give ourselves grace, rest, and learn how to manage our emotions. 

Using meditation as a tool

I have never been considered good at meditating, but found it to be such an essential tool during this time. 

My thoughts like to swirl and wander, but I’ve learned that it doesn’t matter. Whatever your mind needs to do, it will do. You just need to be still, receive and allow the process to happen.

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Remember, you are braver than you think. This journey was a long and tough one, but you just have to take things one step at a time. 

Every single chemotherapy session knocked me down, and every single time I did what I needed to do to heal myself physically and emotionally after that treatment.

You never know how strong you are until you are faced with a tough situation. This applies to everything in life.  I hope that you can apply to any difficult situation in your life and remember that you have it in you to get through it all, no matter how hard things get.