A New Leaf Has Turned

For years I have been coaching myself on staying calm, not getting angry with situations out of my control, and playing the "The sky is falling" role. It hasn't worked all that much so far, so I have decided to try something new.

A dear friend of mine in Hawaii has been inspiring me to be a different way. A way that is more positive, influential, and more cool. She has helped me become a stronger performer and has pointed me in the direction of a more positive life. A life of an influential role model for others in my, or similar, situation. Being an advocate for other people who are or have been terminally ill but are still involved in a performing art. I have been a competitive baton twirler and in color guard for many years. Since then I have been diagnosed with Cancer, fought Cancer, three years later, diagnosed with Cancer again, and beat it again. My doctors told me I should not dance, spin, nor twirl for a while so I could heal and get better, but knowing me, I'm too tenacious to be kept down. So I started to get right back out there and twirl and dance and spin again.

It didn't take too long for me to get back to where I was and I was twirling like I was in no time. I became a better twirler than I was before. I may not be as flexible as I once way, but I still got it. Anyhoo, for a long time, I have been struggling with panicking or getting too frustrated and even loosing some hope too soon. Well, I have decided to turn over a new leaf and make a strong effort to stay positive, look on the brighter side of everything, and keep my chin up no matter what. Not just for myself, but for my students, my family, and for the people who look up to me. Even the brightest people whom I look up to feel down at times. They feel insecure at times, they feel frustrated at times, but they still keep going and so will I.

I cannot just panic or throw my hands in the air and shout, "the sky is falling" anymore. I have to face my struggles and my situations in the work place and in life with my head held high and remain cool, calm, and collected. Not just like that, but with a confident smile and my chin up high. And so it is.