Adopt a Soldier

"Imagine all the people, living life in peace" John Lennon

Freshman year of high school my Sociology class adopted a unit of soldiers.  We each had our own soldier that we sent letters, mixed CD's,etc. to throughout the school year.  A great experience and a lot of fun; I always enjoyed having penpals.  Recently I received an email from my soldier through MySpace. He's a family man now, finished with the army, and now twelve years later he still has my letters and picture.  He wrote me to let me know how much my letters meant to him during his year in Bosnia.  His time in the army was rough on him and my words of inspiration got him through. WOW!!

I am so touched that he took the time to contact me, and touched that my words could mean so much. I did a little research and discovered several soldier penpal programs. A few links:
http://www.adoptaussoldier.org/
http://soldiersangels.org/
http://adoptaplatoon.org/site/

The programs vary, most include an option to be a penpal to a specific soldier, but some include information on sending care packages, with items such as shampoo, soap, crackers, books, scarfs, etc.

I am a proponent of peace, however I believe in supporting people and regardless of my political beliefs, I am grateful to those that chose to serve. I have decided to adopt a soldier.  It doesn't take a lot of time, but can make a big difference in someones life. I am also interested in getting a care package together and would love it if anyone out there wants to contribute. Leave me a comment and we'll get started!

Namaste

Existing's Tricky

"existing's tricky: but to live's a gift" This quote by poet e e cummings epitomizes my comprehension of life as I know it. I spent a good part of my youth existing, day in, day out, merely a shelf of a human being. I registered zilch on the emotional spectrum and actually spent several years in my early twenties cutting myself in an attempt to feel anything at all. Then came cancer, an answer to my prayers, or so I thought. A guilt-free way out of my existence. Seeing the fear and pain in my normally happy-go-lucky father made me reconsider this thing we call life. Could I truly grab life by the hand and really live? The answer to that question took five years for me to process.

I refused the standard chemotherapy and radiation treatments recommended by my oncologist and dedicated myself to healing physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually through natural means. I experimented with a 100% raw vegan diet, meditated, learned EFT, colonics, read books on healing, etc. I knew that I did not want to merely exist in this world, I needed to learn to truly live or I would simply "let go" of this life.

A year ago I had to make a decision, life or die. My body started shutting down, the cancer had infiltrated several of my organs and spread throughout my lymphatic system. the time had come to LIVE. I took time off from work (I am so blessed that my Dad is my boss!) and I've spent the past year experiencing life anad exploring what it means to live.

Now I work part-time and am determined to continue the next phase of my life journey. Through this blog I hope to gain the focus I need to start my own Happiness Project, heal my cancer, be the best doggie mommy I can be, and write my first novel. I am grateful for each day and know that "existing's tricky: but to live's a gift." Namaste