A privilege to know Heather Von St. James

My dear hubby is a fan of ... I don't know what it's called... If you know, please let me know correct term of such movie: Many lives are in danger; alien, natural disaster, zombies, doomsday, sinking ships, ....

Anyway... After how-manieth time I watched it, I learned a lesson that I force my family to remember.

Most of the time, main reason why survivors made it to the finish line is the... Determination. Be positive, focus, don't EVER think of giving up. The will really makes a way... To survive.

In real life, it's not that simple. But really... Please don't give up. 

I am honored to share a story of a real life survivor.

This amazing lady is Heather Von St. James.

Though practically I've only know her for less than an hour (that's all it takes for the strong urge to overwhelm... Go and share the story... Go...), I think we really have a lot to learn, facts and wisdom, from her.

She was diagnosed with a very rare form of cancer, mesothelioma. This cancer caused abnormality in mesothelium, a layer that protects many internal organs.

As a sneak preview of the good stuff, here is a message from her:

 I am 44 and a mother to a quirky 7 year old, Lily. She is my only child, and was just 3.5 months old when our lives were turned upside down. I was diagnosed with mesothelioma; a type of cancer that sadly kills 90 – 95% of people who have it.

After an intense treatment and recovery journey, I am happy to say I am cancer free 7 years later! My experience was a difficult one to say the least – but I’d like to turn my pain in to purpose and become someone that other people can look to for guidance, inspiration, and hope in situations like my own.

Lessons start here:

http://www.mesothelioma.com/heather

Please go and see how positive, strong, and kind she is. How supportive family can make a difference. And how resilient human is. 

I am not sure on how the action all started, but it is very heartwarming to see how many people come together with common aim of helping one another, helping others.

You can also learn some facts that might've saved your life, your love ones. 

By the way, do you feel it?

...

Have you now?

...

Are you also feeling something is pulling your heart to share her story and her purpose?

Go and share... Don't be shy... It's not only her fight, it's our fight. 

Thank you, Heather, for showing us a good way to live. Thanks to all supporters of Heather too. Hope many will follow your footsteps. 

Why people play games

Last week, we went to swim.

I had one goal in mind, build their confidence.

You see, they know how to swim. But, we did such a great job making them understand of water danger. They're so scared of drowning (or maybe this is an inherited instinct from my dear hubby). 

Anyhow, so I stood in the pool, and they swam to and fro the edge of the pool. 

Slowly I increased the distance.

After a while it turned into a game. We took some landmark such as tree, poster, lifeguard tower, as target to meet. 

They had fun! To set their target and to meet it is such a great feeling.

I met my goal, the kids had fun. Ahhh... Bliss...

Come to think of it, I think people inherently like to perform. Game provided a no-pressure opportunity to challenge one-self, and to exceed the set target.

How about using it in parenting? Encouraging the kids to to better?

Children deserves you at your best... Not the leftovers

I read that looonggg time ago. Thank you to whomever wrote it in a blog (only remember that it was a blog). Sincere apology that I can't give the credit when it dues.

However, the simple sentence gave such a strong good slap.

For so long, I am not at my best. Tired from work, other family/friends commitment. I might be around them, but not 100%. 

So this post is meant to pass it on... And a reminder for me in the future. 

Children deserves us at our best, not the leftover.