Have you heard that today? If not let me say it directly to you. Whatever the drama: finishing a degree, living with grief, giving a presentation, moving on with your life after major changes, going on deployment, raising a challenged child, staying sober, healing a heartache, or managing a life with cancer. Maybe two or even three of the above apply. A carefree life doesn’t really exist if you are living, experimenting and growing.

You may think, “Doc, you don’t know how it is for me. You can’t understand all I am going through, there is so much pain and tragedy, fear and disappointment, I don’t feel as if I have this at all!”

Aah but you do! Let me offer to you a change in thought: Do not doubt yourself. Whatever you focus on grows; reliving a past drama over and over makes it the main focus of attention in your life. Its important to know where you are headed. You can persevere with positive anticipation if you trust yourself.

Think about when and where you have been strong or even fierce. Did you deliver and raise a child, move to another state, finish a degree, help to run a business or organization, succeed in a sport, hold a dying loved one’s hand, been a good and devoted friend when someone needed you, lived on meager means, overcome addiction, changed careers, or been physically or mentally stronger than you ever thought you could be? Sure you have.

Not to diminish how terrifying and life- altering a cancer diagnosis is, but you’ve met so much adversity in life already. Don’t believe for a minute this is too much for you. I see strength rise in the old, feeble, fearful, tearful, weak and overwhelmed everyday. What I also see is the rebound, relief, steel determination, balance, faith and hope, love and devotion, smiles, new direction, overcoming and miracles.

Believe in yourself. Today and everyday look in the mirror and tell yourself that you’ve got this. Say the words out loud and often, then trust me you can make it so.

Please share your own positive self-talk. Joanne