My unwillingness to let this diagnosis beat me has convinced me wholeheartedly that you can do anything you put your mind to – you just have to believe.

I am often asked “How do you keep going through this journey?” Quite frankly, I don’t have an answer. After pondering, however, it really is not about “how” but rather “what” I am doing, thinking or saying to myself that is the difference.

Simply speaking, we all have choices. And I choose to bury “c” as if it does not exist and continue living life as though nothing has changed. Ultimately, I still believe I can do anything!

Have there been off days? Absolutely! Maybe not the best week? Of course! Do I have frustrations with the process? Who wouldn’t!

And how do I approach that aspect?

By allowing myself to ride the roller coaster of emotions that come along with whatever is being felt. There’s no sense in stopping myself from at least feeling something. It’s important to feel the bad in order to appreciate the good. And usually somewhere along the ride, a change occurs. It could be a word or two from an outside source, an email or uplifting song, words of endearment from my husband or daughter. Or maybe just time.

Yet again, the life lessons children teach us are invaluable. Watching Gia play in two volleyball games this weekend opened my eyes even more so than the makeup lesson. Determined to serve overhand (against my judgment), her mind had decided that she was ready to consistently attempt to do so. Now, mind you, Gia had been struggling with her overhand serve all season. But that did not matter to her. Bouncing the ball (or I should say smacking it) on the gym floor before her first serve, Gia glanced over at me and whispered “I’m serving overhand!” My heart pounded and my breathing stopped – if that’s even possible! The look in her eyes said everything. Gia knew she could do it. Even if physically she was not capable, her mind convinced the rest of her body that she could. Tossing the ball in the air, a purposeful whack landed the ball on the other side of the court.

In that moment, it became apparent that Gia was following in my foot steps. Her mind conquered her matter – and so has mine – believing that we can do anything we set out to!

Prompting yourself every day of this can be challenging, especially when adversity hits. But your heart is a strong muscular organ that needs to be put to use. So when you are questioning where it is you are in life or what your next step is or how you can achieve your hopes and dreams, just remember the mind is a powerful force that can take you and your heart wherever you want to go!