My 39th Year and Goals for 40

I've had this quote front of mind since my birthday. It's so easy to mindlessly let one year roll into the next. I am certainly guilty of it, but I was gifted this wake up call and I plan to be as intentional as possible with what time remains. I am one year closer to 40 and I couldn't be more grateful. Brad and I try to celebrate everything these days - not just special occasions. I mean as much as we can celebrate from our living room. There was cake and some snacks - I wasn't super hungry, as it was the end of my chemo week. But, I do not take for granted that I've been given another year on this planet.

Brad and I flash-forwarded to our potential future selves a few Halloween's ago

Here's hoping I make it to this:

A few lessons from the past year:

1. Do not take it for granted - health, people, hugs, travel - you never know when a pandemic, brain tumor, or something else may come along and turn life on its ear. As much as possible, I wish to stay present in this moment.

2. We are not control of this life - we don't choose a life, we live a life.

3. Importance of a true partner - my parents' had it figured out long before I did, but having your best buddy by you to navigate this wild life makes everything a bit easier and much more fun!

3b. Importance of a strong network and personal relationships - this year was made so much richer by our network of family and friends pouring support and love into us. I am so grateful for every call, text, card, prayer/kind thought, and gift. I have felt so loved and supported. And, now more than ever, I am reminded that friends are the family that you choose.

4. Resiliency and Adaptability - something we have all learned this year, but more than ever - I have gratitude for my natural ability in both of these areas. Back to the control point, we can only control our reaction to life's twists and turns. It's typically the resistance to change and swerves that causes the most suffering.

5. Life balance - though this tends to be a false term for most. I do hope most of us have learned this year, that while we love our work (hopefully), I will not be on my deathbed talking about the gifts that I closed. I hope I'll be talking about people that I helped to develop or students who went on to make differences in their communities because of their education at Charlotte. Or that I brought someone joy or helped them to see what's best about them.

6. Without your health, nothing else matters - I have a renewed commitment to the importance of taking care of my body and changing my lifestyle to live a long and healthy life - which includes eliminating meat, dairy and alcohol from my diet; removing products with toxins from my cleaning products, skincare, hair and makeup routine, making meditation a priority, and managing stress.

Goals for My 40th year

1. Continue to grow personally and professionally and invest in others in meaningful ways

2. Travel more of the country and the world

3. Keep talking to myself like a friend and encouraging those around me to do the same. We are all so damned hard on ourselves.

4. Learn something new - research shows that taking up a new hobby at 40 (something totally new to you) is important for brain health. Brad and I have both been interested in learning American Sign Language and are looking for some virtual options.

I think this is going to be the year of wild hair styles. I have never had short hair as an adult and as my shaved head starts to grow out, Im thinking fauxhawk, fun colors - this might be my only opportunity to pull this off!

Health Update

Not much to report, which is a good thing!

My newest MRI essentially showed no change, which is the currently the goal.

I'm still doing PT and OT and was cleared to start doing some light strength training at home. Tuesday morning, I did my first 20 min peloton bodyweight strength class in about 6 months ... I am still SO sore - along with a 20 min ride. Not bad for the week after chemo! The Peloton told me this morning that I was on a 73 week streak!