When I was asked to comment on what I would
have done differently in the hope of preventing breast cancer, “lifestyle”,
was my immediate response. I would have done my lifestyle differently. I
was twenty-six years old the first time I was diagnosed with breast cancer
and burning the candle at both ends. Living the high life in London with
a personal mantra of, “Work hard, play hard”. The second time
I was diagnosed with breast cancer, at twenty-nine, I was well on my way
up the corporate ladder with only a few rungs left. Two years later, my third
diagnosis stopped me in my tracks. I needed
a new mantra. ”Being before
doing”.
The concept of “being” never appealed
to me. Doing was far more productive and what I believed was necessary in
order to succeed in life. It was important to be seen as successful. I have
a different understanding of what success looks like now. I was always interested
in things like yoga, art and meditating but they took time. Believing that
those activities were luxuries,
I never made much time just to breathe, play
and relax. Choosing and preparing good food also took time, which I believed
was better spent rushing around.
Nine years ago I consciously decided to
change my lifestyle, for the sake of my life. Creating space to simply
be, without an agenda, is a necessary part of my day and has become the
platform for my doing. Making art and yoga now help me to release unexpressed
emotions from my body, without judgment. The process of living consciously
now interests me more than the product. Success for me now looks like living
an authentic and passionate
life as me!
