March brought a bit of personal drama my way. After an abnormal mammogram, followed by another more detailed test, I had a biopsy to remove suspicious cells that the doctor feared could be breast cancer. Since this was my second experience with this kind of news over a series of years, I spent the better part of March wondering and worrying about what might become of the rest of my life. As a wife to my devoted husband of 23 years Steve, an almost 13-year-old son Kyle, and a 7-year-old Golden Retriever named Shadow, I lost a fair amount of sleep about this turn of events. And, that biopsy wasn’t fun at all.
The good news is that I am cancer free, and I couldn’t be more relieved. For those of you who lent personal support during this challenging time, I thank you.
This was just the wake-up call I needed about a lot of things in my life and business. I realize that I’ve been planning my life around my business instead of the other way around. That is going to stop right now. Enough already about putting my life and personal plans on hold until such time that the business is doing this or that. “Someday” isn’t on the calendar, and this isn’t a dress rehearsal.
How are things different already?
1) I’ve declared Friday nights and all day Saturdays as “technology free” days. The focus is on family and personal time with my husband and son.
2) Shadow and I are taking more walks.
3) I am tending to my garden and loving it.
4) I started taking Yoga today, and I am going to stick with it and make regular appointments.
5) I am going to see Oprah in person at the Live Your Best Life 10 Year Anniversary Celebration for O Magazine this May 7 – 9. I’ve been a fan for a decade. It’s time to be in the same room with her. And maybe I’ll get lucky enough to share that cup of tea with her that I’ve been dreaming of for so long to thank her for the impact she has had on my life.
6) And, on the business front, I am make Extreme Bio Makeovers a priority service in my business. I love providing this service. I love connecting with clients in this very personal way. And I know I can help people walk taller and act more boldly in telling their stories to invite the right opportunities, especially for those who find talking about themselves difficult or who just can’t find the right words.
For reasons stemming from my own life experience, I really understand how important it is to be seen, heard, and celebrated. It’s my gift to pay close attention and ask the right questions to uncover what makes you special and different. I love listening to your stories and turning them into media opportunities and other avenues to share your magic with the marketplace.
And, when you love doing something as much as I love doing this and clients get so much value out of it, why wait a moment longer before making it a priority?
For starters, I’d love Thursdays to be Extreme Bio Makeover Days in my practice. When that day books up consistently, I’ll add a second day to provide that service. And then we’ll see what happens after that.
If Anastasia Soare of Anastasia Beverly Hills can be known as the eyebrow guru (she’s also Oprah’s very own favorite) who travels the world arching women’s brows to frame their faces in the best possible way, I can start blazing my trail as “The Bio Whisperer” who coaxes your best story out of you so you can do more of what you love, while making you sound like the rock star you are as you are doing it. If not now, then when? At least I a boldly declaring what I want to happen next. That feels really good. And I can’t wait to get started.
And, if you are overdue for your mammogram, make your appointment today so you can hopefully have the peace of mind and gratitude that come with a “cancer free” diagnosis.
