Some pathways are newly made. Others appear as crossroads where we meet people who have a profound affect on our quality of living. The twist and turns of all our lives weave into the hearts and minds of people who seem to unexpectedly enter our lives for some mysterious or miraculous reason.
In Ribbons of Life, I’ve been energized by so many with their understanding, encouragement, laughter, and love. Inside our body, veins travel into major arteries pushing blood that involuntarily pumps into our hearts. RoL’s heartbeat comes from a variety of survivors and supporters who, although they voluntarily participate, receive a mix of involuntary gifts that can capture our souls.
Many pathways have brought us together as we share one meaningful crossroad that helps us move forward. While we of all know that life can be filled with adversity–some expected and some unexpected–we have been led to each other.
Despite COVID still being here, I continue to be energized by this special crossroad of camaraderie as if we were all meant to “be” together. If we look at COVID from a positive perspective, we have adapted together quite well by doing some pretty amazing and inspiring things despite our physical distance. After all, we are not only survivors. We are thrivers! And as George Burns once said, “You know you’re getting old when you stoop to tie your shoes and wonder what else you can do while you’re down there.”
This past December and January, Ribbons of Life had two ZOOM Fests and three Create 4 Life ZOOM classes. I am not the first to say how inspired I am by those living through current medical adversities and feel comfortable enough to share some of their experiences. Donna I. even showed up ZOOMing from her hospital bed. I feel continuously blessed by such a genuine, sincere, and caring group of women (and men) affiliated with Ribbons of Life. Together, we continue to learn from each other, provide useful coping tips, and provide virtual hugs in the form of smiles, eye contact, kind gestures, caring words and some laughter. You see, each of us has made a choice. A choice to live while uniting ourselves in the loving blanket of RoL’s mission: to provide breast cancer education, advocacy, emotional and social support.
December 2020
Our December ZOOMFest was our annual December “Celebrate the Uniqueness of You” program with each participant sharing what brings them joy and/or makes them unique in our world. All of these gifts provide us with a light that lifts us up during the dark months and times.
That next Saturday in December, Jo Ann Kirkby (our fabulous Create 4 Life Team Lead) had us sharing some homemade Christmas Tree ornaments from past Christmases. Little did we know that while showing our ornaments that we would tell incredible heartwarming stories connected with each ornament or object. This proves how much our Create 4 Life program (while not in our studio due to COVID) continues to have us inspiring one another. Stories about great-grandmothers, grandmothers, mothers, sisters and children who have touched our lives with their wisdom from all generations– including those who live deep within us. I really wanted to include some of these stories that I was given permission to share along with the affiliated names, but unfortunately, this blog would be in too many parts as there were so many stories.
Goal Setting #1
At the January ZOOMFest, I shared my simple method of goal setting that I’ve used for years helping participants identify meaningful topics, individual goals and actions to take to accomplish their goals for 2021 and further. I explained that I used this method while creating Ribbons of Life and motivating others to join in. I explained when we were down, I recalled a joke by George Burns who said, “When you bend down to tie your shoes, figure out what you can do while you’re down there.” Sometimes that is what goal-setting is about as new possibilities can appear when you’re down.
Goal Setting #2
On Tuesday, Jan. , we were taught the second part of goal-setting by nurse Rachel W. who taught us journalling techniques. She her special gift of knowledge in journalling that can help us with our goals–even if they are just to be able to get from the bed to the bathroom without assistance. She also shared that the $5 grab bags at Michaels are worth the surprise. So I went to Michaels and voila! There were $5 grab bags. Returning home, I couldn’t wait to open the bag. To my amazement that were about $50 worth of items–including items to use for my 2021 journal! I couldn’t wait to share the excitement by texting Rachel. So much fun!
Goal Setting #3
That next Saturday, was the third and last part of our goal-setting. Jo Ann Kirkby gave us with tips on how to create our own 2021 vision board and/or vision journal. We cut and pasted our selected magazine pics and stickers focusing on our goals identified in the first section. We were quiet, then talked sharing organizational tips and things that made visualize our goals with some that made us laugh. We were all having so much fun. None of us wanted to end the ZOOM.
And now we continue our year. Karina has helped me finish this blog message. At one of the ZOOM Fests, she had a slip of the tongue calling our organization “Ribbons of Love”. Then she said, “Well, there is a lot of love in Ribbons of Life, and that we are the only organization she knows who lives up to their mission statement. I can’t tell you how good that made me feel.
Ribbons of Life has given me many gifts and has made it possible for me to still participate despite my distance in miles while now living on the East Coast. The love extended to so many through these past 19 years has surpassed my goals and possibilities and has turned into so much more. I feel it inside. Believe it or not, this feeling is difficult for me to put into words. And when that happens, turn to the masters of arts, literature and music. Quoting Henry David Thoreau. “It’s not what you look at that matters. It’s what you see.” And, to me, that seeing comes from within.