Hello and happy summer!

Going out the door yesterday I encountered my first hummingbird. It stopped in mid-flight staring straight at me, boldly presenting itself for my enjoyment. I remembered that I had neglected to clean and fill my feeder, so after walking my dog I took care of the hummingbirds.

Just a few days ago, I watered and fed several plants on my front porch that I had neglected last year. I had given all of my time and energy to my dog Jasmine, because I thought it would be the last I would have, and it was. So, now my plants, one gardenia and one miniature pink rose bush are delightfully exploding with color and vitality!

Going through the trauma of cancer changed my outlook on life. These two routines in my day were so simple, yet I got so much pleasure out of them both. Hummingbirds are a marvel and a wonder – and I didn’t have to look for it, it came to me! What a surprise! And the plants – well, I’m just grateful that they had enough life left in them to thrive again. All it took was a little attention and TLC. They felt better, and so did I.

There are several words that I see here: accomplishment, joy, and gratitude. Just looking at them makes me feel better, they all have a positive ring to them.

I had to get used to not having a routine. So any accomplishment I make, even in baby steps, makes me feel like I’m going forward.

The surprise visit by that type-A hummer gave me pure joy!
And, well – whenever I go out to the porch now, my plants give me a grand display of beauty.

Accomplishments are empowering; joy is life-giving; and when I’m grateful, I don’t get bitter.

This week’s article is very inspiring, and I’m adding two links for articles by two different BellaOnline editors that I think you will enjoy. One deals with empowerment, and the other, gratitude.

When we go through cancer, we feel as though we lose control of our lives, and that can make us bitter.

Make a list of the things that you still have control over; and then make a list of the things that you still have to be grateful for.
I think you'll be surprised!
Have a blessed and healthy week!

Empowerment/Gail Armanini – Breast Cancer site http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art28597.asp

Gratitude/danielle barone – Family Health site http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art172435.asp


Here's the latest article from the Cancer site at BellaOnline.com.

Courage for the Harder Days
No matter how much success we've garnered while overcoming cancer, we all still have those days when we just can't chase those blues away. This article will encourage and inspire you not to give up the fight!

http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art42732.asp

Please visit cancer.bellaonline.com for even more great content about Cancer.

To participate in free, fun online discussions, this site has a community forum all about Cancer located here -

http://forums.bellaonline.com/ubbthreads.php?ubb=postlist&Board=297

I hope to hear from you sometime soon, either in the forum or in response to this email message. I thrive on your feedback!

Have fun passing this message along to family and friends, because we all love free knowledge!

Rann Patterson, Cancer Editor
http://cancer.bellaonline.com

One of hundreds of sites at BellaOnline.com