Teamwork [Birthday] Tuesday!

Tuesdays tend to be uneventful, but today is a very special day: My loving fiancé was born on a day like today, 32 years ago. So, first order in business: a big thanks to my future mother-in-law for bringing him to this world. It is also one of my best friend's birthday, and he's in Chicago being awesome.  Happy Birthday to you both, and to anyone else whose b-day is today!


Last night my much awaited Team #JoelleStrong promo business cards arrived and they look GREAT! I'm really excited to share them with people and hope that they pass them forward. I gave one to each of my office neighbors (because they're too awesome to be called "coworkers" or just "colleagues") and I got some motivational feedback from them.

 One of those motivational feedbacks was very inspiring. As it turns out, one of my office neighbors is no stranger to cancerous tumors that hide inside your chest. What are the odds, right?! I don't feel at liberty to share her story in detail here, but I will say that -besides the goose bumps- it was very inspirational. She showed me her battle scar, which reminded me of Joelle's open heart surgery comment regarding her treatment.

It is funny how we tend to see scars and marks on our bodies as something bad, ugly, or shameful. My friend's biggest "scar", besides that one on her chest, is where her hair used to be. She struts so proudly without hiding it, telling the world "Yes, I have cancer. You bet I'm beating it!". It's quite humbling to see other folks with the remaining marks of past battles, and hearing how hard they fought.

My mother's cancer scars are barely visible to plain sight. I got to see them some years ago while I was in graduate school and I had a cancer scare.  Hearing the words "maybe it's cancer" feels like someone dumped a bucked of ice cold water over your head. The minutes after I heard the doctor's words my mind blocked everything else out. I still don't know what she said, but my brain came back to hear her instructions.

Since she asked me for my family medical history I had to ask my parents for that info. (which still kills me that they found out), and as a result they had an emotional breakdown. That's when I saw hers very clearly and it had the color of fear. Besides feeling somewhat responsible, my mom also felt scared for me. It was an awful experience, and I highly respect those brave souls who have to break the news to their loved ones.

I'm glad (and lucky+blessed) to say that it all turned out fine, but that experience will never leave my memory. Thank God I had my parents and very close friends holding my hand during those weeks. My birthday celebration that year (2 weeks later) was very significant.

However, I don't want anyone to get on a sad note, but on a reflectively happy and grateful one instead. You see, life can be one too many things, and we often describe it negatively. Rarely do I see folks realizing its value until a crisis comes around. When we see others going through a tough time we complain on how terrible life can be, how unlucky, how unfair...

Instead, I think we should motivate and support those going through a tough time to enjoy themselves every minute possible. They're already dealing with the bad stuff, why add more? Help them wear their battle scars proudly. Show them it's ok to have fought and won. That we all have faced adversity, fallen, made mistakes, but we have the capacity to roll with the punches, correct mistakes, and stood up.  The grass is greener on the other side, they say? I say change your lens and take a look around again.

On my end, I can say that although I haven't won the Lotto, nor do I own everything in the world, nor I have figured out my mission in life, I am incredibly and truly blessed. From experience, learning to appreciate certain things in life makes you feel at peace, and honestly happy.  

May you find your inspiration and never let it go.
Happy Tuesday, y'all!
-B

PS to my fiancé: FCMA.TAM.LLTL.