Keep Hope Alive - Guest Post by Cameron Von St. James

This week I'm running a guest post from Cameron Von St. James. I hope you find it as inspiring as I did. And for those of you who are interested in more information about caregiving, I would like to recommend this valuable website www.LifePathSolutions.biz.

KEEP HOPE ALIVE

I will never forget the day that my wife was diagnosed with cancer. From the very moment that the words "malignant pleural mesothelioma" escaped our doctor's lips, I knew my life would be forever changed. That day, November 21, 2005, was the day that I became a caregiver for a cancer patient. To say I was unprepared for the job is an understatement. Three months before her diagnosis, we became proud first-time parents to our daughter Lily. While we had envisioned the next few months as a joyful time in which we prepared for Lily’s first Christmas, instead our world took a dark turn, and we began a difficult fight for Heather’s life.


The emotional implications of caring for someone with cancer are unimaginable. Before we had ever left the doctor’s office, we were urged to visit a specialist to discuss treatment options. We were offered three choices: a great regional hospital that did not have a mesothelioma program, a local university hospital and a mesothelioma specialist in Boston. I looked at my beautiful wife and it was clear that she was terrified and completely in shock, and I knew she needed help. She looked at me, her eyes desperate and pleading. Without a moment of hesitation, I made the decision that we would visit Boston and seek help from the specialist we had been told about.


The next two months were a blur. The diagnosis interrupted our daily routine. My wife and I had both been working full time before she was diagnosed. After, however, she was unable to work and I was only able to work part time while caring for her, taking her to doctor’s appointments and constantly making travel and childcare arrangements. The list of things to do seemed never ending. My worries that we would spend all of our money and lose all of our possessions while fighting her cancer were overpowered only by the bone-chilling fear that my wife could die. On several occasions, I felt myself near a meltdown but I kept telling myself that I had to be strong for Heather. In the end, my determination to be strong for my wife always outweighed my fear.


Caring for someone with cancer is difficult and it was only the generous love and support from friends, family and complete strangers that made our journey bearable. We can never express our gratitude enough to those who helped us through this difficult time. If I can offer anything to fellow caregivers of cancer patients, I urge you to accept help when it is offered. It leaves you with less to worry over and reminds you that people care about you. Don’t mistake accepting help as a sign of weakness; it is actually a sign of great strength!


After months of surgery, radiation and chemotherapy, Heather successfully beat the disease and became cancer free, despite the grim odds we were given initially. This experience reminded me how precious time is, which is why I returned to school as a full time student studying Information Technology two years after Heather’s mesothelioma diagnosis. After learning to manage stress and properly handle my time while fighting cancer with my wife, I was able to apply those skills learned through hardship to my studies. As a result, I graduated at the top of my class and was designated as class speaker. Before my wife’s diagnosis, I would have never guessed that I would be living my dream. I have learned that we should never give up hope that we can become more than we ever imagined. If you or a loved one are currently fighting cancer, don’t give up. There is always hope, as along as you continue to fight for the ones you love.

Below is a link that should be helpful.
http://www.mesothelioma.com/blog/authors/cameron/

Heart Strings

Through the years men and women have honored their mothers with songs, flowers, gifts and jewelry.
Yvonne de Villiers had a different idea. She founded a company, Luna Guitars.
Yvonne’s mother, Cuban-born Hilda Williers, a professional electric bass player, performed regularly in the 1960s during a time when female bass players were rare. Yvonne watched with pride as her pioneering mom performed with a popular rock group.



Yvonne loved music, but her true gift was in the visual arts realm as an accomplished stained-glass artist. She embarked on a mission to use guitars (and later other instruments) as a canvas to design instruments that would look as beautiful as they sound. Now Luna instruments are a favorite of men, women and children of various sizes and abilities.



Is Hilda proud of her daughter? You bet. The feisty octogenarian is 88 years old and still going strong with 17 music students in her studio. No doubt she is also pleased that Yvonne has incorporated a key value that not only she taught her daughter, but nearly all mothers try to emphasize to their children as well, to share.



This includes the company’s community involvement encouraging Luna players to share their music as a force for inspiration and healing in their communities, as well as providing musicians the opportunity to offer their thoughts and music on the company’s website. Please check out a sample or two at http://www.lunaguitars.com/artists.php
Also in the spirit of sharing, Luna offers numerous contests throughout the year for individuals to win a free instrument. You can check out the current contest by going to the company’s website http://www.lunaguitars.com/moonflowercontest/about.php. The entry deadline is May 13.
More information about Luna Guitars instruments, the company’s unique story, as well as the family of individuals who play Luna instruments is available at www.lunaguitars.com or call 1-866-857-1647.

ABOUT LUNA GUITARS

Luna Guitars creates instruments that are uniquely tailored to better fit a player’s body, hands, musical style, personal taste and artistic sensibility. Yvonne de Villiers, founder and lead designer for Luna, uses her skill as an award-winning, architectural stained glass artist to create stunning designs and inspirational messages to further enhance the player’s musical experience.

MISSION

Luna’s mission is to craft fine stringed instruments with artistic sensibility that are comfortable, affordable and inspire people of all ages and walks of life on their musical journey.

POST SCRIPT

I recently acquired a beautiful Luna guitar. I loved playing when I was younger, but sadly gave it up. Watch for future blogs about reactivating past passions. And to all you musicians out there, be sure to check out Luna Guitars. Rock on.

Beauty School Rocks!

I enjoy highlighting positive things folks are doing and wanted to share the news with you.



Students and employees from ITS Academy of Beauty schools in the Fort Worth area, as well as its sister school in New Mexico, Olympian University, raised $1,200 from a recent 5 K run/walk to benefit the Susan G. Komen foundation for breast cancer research.



Forty members laced up to form the school’s team, “Beauty School Rocks,” including Margie Wisniski, chief of operations of ITS Academy of Beauty and its affiliate schools throughout the U.S. Thirty men and women from the schools operated two booths at the race, one in the main expo and another in the kid’s area, and provided thousands of bags with free samples of shampoo and conditioner, coupons and a list of services at the award-winning cosmetology school.



“This race was very personal to us,” said Wisniski. “We were honoring Deborah Marie Chambers , a dedicated nurse who passed away from breast cancer in 2007. However, she is just one of 39,620 women who have died from breast cancer and we are doing our part to see that this tragic statistic declines.”



Additional statistics from 2013 from the American Cancer Society include: 64,640 new cases of carcinoma in situ will be found (CIS is non-invasive and is the earliest form of breast cancer) and 39,620 deaths from breast cancer. Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women in the United States, other than skin cancer. It is the second leading cause of cancer death in women after lung cancer.

Our “Beauty School Rocks” team is one of many ways ITS Academy of Beauty and our affiliate schools are championing causes that matter in our communities. We teach our students about outward beauty, but we encourage kind acts to develop inner beauty as well.”

ITS Academy of Beauty provides students with a distinguished environment that mirrors many of the upscale salons that will employ the cosmetology students after they graduate and earn their cosmetology license.

According to a U.S. News and World Report hairdresser is cited as one of the best jobs of 2012. In a March 21, 2012 article in USA Today, beauty salon sales grew 5.4 %.4 in the last two years vs. a 2.3% sales increase in 2009. With the Bureau of Labor Statistics projections of 15.7% employment growth expected by 2020, the future of hair salons and the future of hair stylists should continue to grow.
In addition to the award-winning cosmetology school in Fort Worth, the company owns and operates ITS Academy of Beauty schools throughout Texas and Lawton, OK, Olympian University in New Mexico, Hair Benders Academy in Florida and International Academy of Hair Design in Arizona.

For more information visit www.beautyschoolrocks.com or call 1-877-275-4442 to be connected to a school in your area.

Rejection Stinks, But You Don't Have To

I was searching my files for an article I wrote for a nursing magazine and found this blog article from last year. I don't have any new rejections, but thought other writers may benefit from one of my blog reruns. Plus, it gives me something to post while I think of a new topic to write. Here it is...

I saw the email in my in box and my breath caught in my throat. I was expecting a response from a major publishing company about the book. A “thumbs up” would be the catalyst for an exciting new path in my writing and speaking career. It would also be a dream-come-true for my co-author Jackie.

The first couple of sentences were complimentary, “clearly written, stories that excellently illustrate your points, something that would prove of benefit to the general reader etc.” But the bottom line was no.
I had to remind myself to breathe. I could feel my chest tighten. My throat seemed to shut down, as if words trying to form there would no longer be able to escape. I looked out the window and the gentle rain seemed to be a substitute for the tears that would not fall from me. I come from stoic stock and crying just gives me a headache. I find it best to move on.

This letter was one of many rejections I’ve received in my life, but this one hurt more than most. I notified Jackie, who I knew would be disappointed as well. I sat for a moment and thought about what I would do. I pulled out my sample query letter and book proposal, searched the internet for another publisher and sent a revised letter off to someone new. I still didn’t feel better so I queried a couple of literary agents as well.
For a moment I felt like a failure, but then I realized the situation was the perfect opportunity to practice what I preach and take steps to erase my own negativity. Step one is acknowledging the negativity and deciding to do something about it. That comes automatically to me now so I skipped off to step two, erase and replace. I searched for new publishers and agents and set a new course. I didn’t beat myself up for being rejected, I concentrated on what I could do – try again. The third tip I tell folks is to smile. I took a shower instead.

No one likes rejection, but rejection and a smelly body are a bad combination. After my shower I started to dress. The closet doors in the master bedroom have mirrors. I stared at my reflection and gave myself a cheesy smile. No, I didn’t feel like it, but I did it anyway. As I dried my hair I thought about what really keeps people in a funk. I think it is loss of hope. There are any number of disappointing things that can happen to us, but as long as we can hold on to a glimmer of hope, there is the prospect of a better outcome in the future.

Even though I have written, lectured and coached folks on erasing negativity, I am only human and have bouts with personal negativity. But, with practice, I have learned to employ tactics to minimize the amount of negativity I allow into my life. And you can do the same.

If you would like to watch a you a short you tube video on Three Tips to Erase Negativity, go to

http://youtu.be/208XAm-x3R8

Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have queries to write, people to call and smiles to fake until I can generate an authentic one of my own. Ha! Just writing about fake smiles made me laugh, a little laugh, but a laugh all the same. And the rain stopped. I’m feeling more hopeful already.

Touching the Sky

I love gravity-defying dreams. I had one last night. I climbed on top of a large rock and jumped off. Before I hit the ground I had the power to slow myself down and enjoy a feather-soft landing. I was playing this game over and over with friends. Jump, slow down, land softly.

I’ve had even better dreams where I jump up and turn on some magical powers where I could inch myself even farther up into the air. Sometimes it was just air, other times I would inch upward until I could touch the ceiling.

In my wakened life, I’m vertically challenged. At 5 foot 2 inches tall I’m lucky to touch the ceiling of a doll house without a ladder. However when morning comes and I open my eyes, I still carry a piece of these empowering dreams with me throughout the day. I don’t put these jumping feats to the test. That would ruin my fun (and my knees). However, I let my imagination enjoy these gravity-defying moments before I look in the mirror and see that Newton’s observation



about falling apples is indeed hard at work and pulling my breasts, butt and skin to the ground.

While there are physical realities that are not a lot of fun (aging being one of them) I remind myself that I’m in charge of my own thoughts. When I was a kid I probably spent more time in my imagination than in the “real world.” A box could be a rocket, a tree could be a castle and, as Shakespeare said, “All the world’s a stage…”
A great deal has been written about creating our own reality.

Some may scoff at the notion, but I believe it is true. Detractors tell me, “Why would I create negative things in my life?” It’s a good point, but unfortunately the reality is not only we put a lot of our attention on negative outcomes, we give it OUR PASSION.

Think about the last time someone cut you off in traffic or did some other rude action. Did you release the negativity after a minute or so or did you replay it in your mind over and over? Did you let it rest, or did you tell a few friends and family members about the episode?

I imagine thoughts are like little bubble pictures above our heads. They are fragile and can pop and disappear, or we can charge it with strong emotion and give it a burst of energy. Given time, this unhappy situation will demand a repeat performance and manifest itself in your life again.

In the first chapter of our book, Erase Negativity and Embrace the Magic Within, I encourage folks to reduce unpleasantness in their lives with three simple steps.

1. Pay attention to your thoughts, speech and actions.
2. Erase the negativity and replace it with something more positive.
3. Smile. Even if you don’t feel like it.

If you prefer to see me mug for the camera and go into more detail on these three tips I invite you to go to my you tube site
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=208XAm-x3R8

I also invite you to use your imagination and create happy scenarios in your mind. When slumbering a dream can turn into a nightmare, but in our awakened imagination we can bring our dreams to life, and no one will have any idea of why you are walking around playing with friends, making a soft landing from a tall cliff, or simply touching the sky.

A Good Word for a Good Friend

I learned that a friend I had worked with years ago had passed away. Patricia Susan Schultz was only 63 when she died. I didn’t learn about it until nearly a month after the funeral.



Pat and I worked at the City of Mesa’s Parks, Recreation and Cultural Division for many years. Pat was one of the first people I met. She was the coordinator of the senior and specialty programs and I did public relations for the Division. She was famous for her love of glitter and sparkle. Valentine’s Day was her favorite holiday, and ironically it was on that day that she died.

Pat had a truly sunny personality and was loved by nearly everyone. I still find it difficult that she is gone. I regret not staying in better contact with her over the years. I truly meant to give her a call, but my good intentions were replaced by the myriad of errands and work that cropped up.

After I left the city I divorced, moved and changed my last name, so it would have been a lot more difficult for her to find me than vice versa. Generally I have been proactive about keeping friendships alive, but in this case, due to all the difficulties I faced with divorce, unemployment and my new role as a single parent to a very unhappy teenage daughter, I chose to focus on dealing with my problems rather than the friendships that nurtured my soul.

Now the opportunity to sit, laugh and have lunch with this delightful former co-worker has slipped away.

In our book, Erase Negativity and Embrace the Magic Within, my friend and co-author, Jackie, write about the importance of good friends, positive role models and developing right thought, right speech and right action. Pat was a stellar example of all these fine attributes.

As bad as I feel that Pat passed away before I had a chance to reconnect with her, I also know it will do me no good to beat myself up about it. The best I can do is forgive myself, say a prayer each day to honor my dear friend, and use it as an example of how important it is to stay in touch with people I care about. We never know how long any of us will be on this planet and it is so important to make the best of every moment.

Last night I had a dream. I was at a café and my friend, Rossan, led me to a table. Much to my surprise, Pat was seated there. At first I was relieved to see that I had been wrong about Pat’s death and that she was very much alive. I gave her a hug and we began talking. Another person walked past the table and said hi. He also was relieved to see that the article he had read about Pat’s death was wrong too. Then I realized that Pat was dead, and she just wanted to give me a chance to say goodbye to her. Much of this happened telepathically.

Although Pat was at a café, she did not have any food in front of her. I see that as a sign that there was “nothing else on her plate” in the earthly world. She was ready to move on to a more celestial experience. She took that moment to meet with me, let me know she was okay and gave me the opportunity to say goodbye. Real or not, when I awoke, I felt that I had truly experienced the opportunity to bid adieu and let her know how much I cared for her, even if I had been remiss in keeping in touch.

In a moment, I knew Pat would ascend to her heavenly duties, probably organizing dances, socials, classes and heavenly parties. I knew she secured a good spot in heaven, but I think I had a few doubts about my own future.

My last words were, “Please put in a good word for me, will you?” Then I awoke.
When I opened my eyes I was smiling. I felt at peace because I knew Pat sensed my heart rather than my actions and would put a good word in for me with the powers that be.

Free Spring Music Concerts and Classic Car Shows

West side residents and visitors can enjoy free, live music as well as a classic car show Friday evenings 6 to 8 p.m. April 5, 12, 19, 26 and May 3 at the Village at Arrowhead Shopping Center, 20050 N. 67th Ave. in Glendale.

The Roadrunners 50s/60s band will kick things off April 5, followed by Still Cruisin’ Band April 12, The Big Zephyr April 19, 360ci Sound Machine April 26 and The Swing Kings Band May 3. All music will be performed on the patio of AJ’s Fine Foods.

“Our Music at the Village concert series is a wonderful way to enjoy live music and check out some beautiful classic cars,” said Mary Walker, president of Power Promotions and event coordinator for The Village at Arrowhead. “We encourage folks of all ages to join us for this free, family-friendly event.”Whether you want to gaze at the latest in fashions, cruise down memory lane checking out classic cars or simply enjoying live music in a beautiful and relaxing atmosphere, this event has something for everyone.”

The Village at Arrowhead offers specialty shops that provide the ultimate shopping experience with distinctive fashion, home furnishings, restaurants and personal services in one of the most architecturally unique and aesthetically pleasing shopping centers around.

For more information contact Marks Public Relations at 480-664-3004.