One of the best parts of living past breast cancer diagnosis and treatment is that I get to learn so many new things. Even after bilateral mastectomy, I get to support others and I also get to see how I plan my life and space for my creativity. This concept of post-treatment accepting myself as creative is so new that I'm eager to share tidbits about my 'journey' with you even if you're way ahead of me. (And, if you haven't yet embraced yourself as creative, please let this support you to say 'yes' to it! It's one of the best post-treatment gifts you can give yourself.)

This morning when playing in my garden of multi-colored Iceland poppies, I realize again that quality of life is a mater of focus. For so long it was on cancer, treatment, being scared and wanting to live. Now I seem to be more aware of my choices. Just as I can focus on the weeds or dead stuff or spent blooms, I can also think in ways that cause me to feel blocked and stuck. I can feel frightened, annoyed or worried about the many bumble bees and their flurry of activity around "my" flowers or I can feel joy and delight that 'my' garden is contributing to the honey production process in a distant hive.

Whatever you're thinking about is literally planning what's next. We sisters in this breast cancer sorority have new choices ahead. When you're worrying, you are planning. When you're appreciating you are planning, when you are admiring, you are planning, when you are fretting or complaining or whining, you are planning. What are you planning?

While doing a mundane chore like trimming away spent flowers, I see that even that act can spur my creative juices to flow more freely. Now that I'm no longer focused on treatment and doctor appointments and hospital visits, I can choose to focus on other stuff. I choose flowers. When I take time to admire the currently thriving blossoms and put my focus there, I feel up-lifted and ready to explore new ideas. This early morning garden experience brings into focus again that the conversation I have inside my own head is under my control. I can think in ways that enhance my creativity, up-lift my spirits and bring a smile or I can do the opposite and all while 'working' in the garden. You can too! What are you designing?



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