No Excuses

Determination

Motivation

When you expire

Three years ago today I was diagnosed with cancer. It is the most important date in my life. The day that could have meant my expiration has proved to be my rebirthday.

I think the most important thing a man needs to know is who he is. Cancer redefined my life. Being a survivor continues to do so.

In the blur of the last 3 years I continuously slip back into old habits: worry, stress, doubt. I then overcompensate: brag, boast, "act as if". One who is at peace with himself typically doesn't have to play that game; he merely acknowledges any negative presence and continues.

With that in mind, it has become clear to me that I have not saved enough time for reflection to stay grounded, to keep in touch with what matters, to know that ever changing sense of self.  Last night I couldn't fall asleep, as too many of those negative thoughts were in my mind. So, I got out of bed, lit a candle and sat in its flickering light. Thinking about my life, I sat and mulled over what is important, what is appropriate and what is the priority.

The last day has been an incredible reflection for me, and I encourage everyone to do the same.  Turn off everything from time to time. Tune in to yourself. It is so crucial to really know where are and where you should be.  Don't let the important things in your life expire. Hold on to their memory and live with it everyday.

Be well. Do good
Brian
ecaware.org

Finding what matters again by letting go

Let go.  It's incredible; the things that you allow yourself to do and experience when you let go.  No expectations.  No ego. No assumptions.  No judgment. No predisposition. Just observe.

After spending the day reading, I decided to make it a low key night: stayed in, cooked and watched a movie. My netflix queue was topped off recently, refreshed with award-winning blockbusters, independents, foreign films, and classics.

Two weeks ago, I was blown away by the Kirk Douglas in the title-role of Spartacus.  There are some really questionable scenes in the movie, but looking back at the time when it was released, I can imagine that it was ground-breaking --- to say the least.  Last week I finally saw The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, which tapped into some of my feelings about the certainty of death.  Not sure if it is my having battled cancer or other recent emotional events, but I was locked in for 3 hours straight.

Tonight's film was the Diving Bell and the Butterfly.  I knew nothing about this movie prior to pushing play tonight.  Within a few minutes, I find out that it is a story about a man trapped in his own body after a stroke.  The script, story-telling, cinematography, casting, score and everything else were superb.  It's not often that in the middle of a movie, you think "I may have a new one to add to my favorite all-time films".

A lot of this ties back more to my general feeling right now.  Assumptions and expectations only bring pain, and I have had way too much happen recently to not acknowledge that.  Letting go is key.  I don't mean that to mean accepting mediocrity and living in the absence of effort or passion.  I think it is more about the disposition of self prior to action, rather than after or during.

I once wrote an email encouraging people to never let go the child-like sense of wonder and awe.  That is the crux of what I am restating here.  Let go of being an adult. 

ECAA gets Social

SMO means Social Media Optimization.  It's a buzz word that has penetrated the business word.  Firms of all sizes, industries and pursuits have an interest in Social Media to a degree.  That interest may range in some firms having a simple blog or facebook page (which was created but left unsupported) to some firms specialist in SMO, curating all elements and tools at his/her disposal.




My non-profit, the Esophageal Cancer Awareness Association (ECAA), has branched out its SMO initiatives and we are now on Facebook, Twitter, Linked-In and Wikipedia.  A membership following has been cultivated, and over the course of the next year, our growth strategy will employ SMO. ECAA's ability to reach its membership, speak to their beliefs, and empower action is critical.  Social Media is a tool; SMO is a process that we see as a key in achieving our goals.

Mid-September ECAA plans to launch its newly rebranded website.  At that time, I plan to really drum up the outreach.  Lots of activities will unfold thereafter, so get ready to get involved.

Be Well. Do Good.
BG

BGalgay@ecaware.org