My Wish is to Make a Difference….If I am the boy, maybe you could be the starfish?

When my sister, Vanessa, and I were growing up, we were lucky enough to have the most wonderful, supportive parents who instilled in us at a very young age to believe that anything is possible if we believe it to be so; that we can achieve anything in life if we just set our minds to it. They always taught us to be kind to others; that if we saw a lady wearing a top we liked and she looked lovely that we shouldn’t be afraid to tell her so; to be happy for someone if they bagged a promotion at work; that if someone cut us up at a junction we should not react with fury but respond with love and acceptance; to smile at strangers, just because…..😊

How lucky are we to have such amazing role models? You never know how your attitude, your words, your smile can make a difference to others, and possibly just when that person needs it most. ‘Paying it forward’ has always been a pleasure to me. And with all of the life lessons mentioned above, it’s stood me in good stead for coming to terms with, and dealing with the biggest blow ever, the greatest life challenge I will ever have to face. 

When I was told I had grade 3 breast cancer, I’ll admit it took me a couple of weeks to digest the information, to admit and accept it was happening to me. I spent the best part of two weeks in total denial in my mind, unable to face up to what was actually happening to me, what could happen I guess, and what I would have to go through in the months, maybe years ahead. I spent hours crying at the thought of the long, agonising road ahead of me. The ‘not knowing’, the fear of the unknown, the endless hospital appointments, then the waiting for CT scan results to tell me whether the tumour had spread and was curable or not! (How I slept a wink in those agonising days, I have no clue!) 
And then after that period of desperation and being at a loss in life, I cast my mind back to the life lessons bestowed upon me from a young age, and my precious Mum and Dad’s caring, warm and encouraging voices rung in my ears…..’you can overcome anything if you have the ‘want’ and the ‘will’ to do so’.

That’s all it took…..the biggest, yet simplest decision of my whole life was made, it was being presented to me on a plate…..my strength of mind was being tested….my mind was made up….I will survive this! No question! No doubt, an unwavering belief that I would absolutely and categorically live through this disease. My focus was to get through this difficult period in my life that was being launched at me, dropped on me from a great height. To me, it was simple! I’d achieved a lot in my life, and brought a lot of positives into my life, just through, what I believe to be, the power of intention, the power of thought, and pure belief. This life-threatening situation was to be my biggest test yet!

Many people have been so forthcoming and kind in saying that they find my attitude towards my cancer diagnosis inspiring and uplifting. I’m still floored, in a good way, by the hundreds of messages I’ve received from people showing their support, care and love and that will stay with me until my dying days (which is not yet!) 

But, you see, I don’t necessarily see myself as inspiring, I see it as a choice. It was no big decision to be this way, to think like this, it just happened and it was simple to me. I chose to use my powerful mind, which is far more equipped than any computer, to overcome the physical ailment in my body. And I know I’m not free of cancer yet….oh, but I will be. What other option is there? Why would I lie down and decide that this is my lot, that it’s ‘curtains’ for me? I’m too young. Mid 40’s is no age to die! 

It’s true, life throws up the unexpected at times. These days I just keep pushing on, believing in the possible not the impossible! I realised, when I needed to realise it most, that I AM made of strong stuff. And it’s only when you have ‘strong stuff’ to deal with that it’s brought right to the forefront of your mind. And I wouldn’t have been dealt this hand if I wasn’t able to cope with it. I truly believe that. 

The main aim of my ‘Boobie blog’, apart from the fact that I am finding it truly stress releasing and cathartic, is to help other people, like my lovely parents taught me, with a mindset change. And to help others believe in their ability to overcome absolutely anything with the right attitude. We have the power within us; we sometimes don’t see that because we’ve never had the experience before. I don’t wish you this experience but practice now, be mindful now, whatever challenges you are facing. 

A dear friend, a few years ago, once said to her husband that she had been ‘Abbie-fied’ after spending some time with me, chatting about all things to do with the ‘power of the mind’ and on the subject of ‘to visualise is to materialise’. To this day, that is one of the biggest compliments anyone has ever given to me. 

In the hope that I can make a difference to just one person, maybe more than just one, the following heart-warming story is why I want to share what works for me, why I am constantly putting myself out there, why, if more of us adopt a more overcoming attitude in life, we will have the belief that absolutely anything is possible. 

I see ‘Impossible’ as ‘I’m Possible’. What about you?

#belikeabbie

My wish is that…..’If I’m the boy, YOU will be a starfish’.