|
Yukie Yoshida was thrown a curve ball that nearly put her out of the game. While in Tokyo, her Japanese physician gave her great news. “Your breast exam is clean as a whistle. “You’re in tip-top shape. Go have fun.”
Shortly after returning to the United States, she and her son went scuba diving in Mexico. But a few days later she began to feel uneasy. Maybe a touch of the flu or a bad taco. By the time she returned to California she felt better. But almost as an afterthought, she got a routine breast exam from a U.S. doctor.
The physician floored her. “Sorry” he said, you have stage three breast cancer”.
Yukie was devastated. Surely the American doctor had to be wrong. Her Tokyo physician said she was fine. The discrepancy tore at her. Not believing the American doctor, she got a second opinion.
The finding was confirmed. Stage three. She was crazy with panic. While driving home from the exam she could barely maintain control of the car. Not due to cancer, but because of uncontrollable shaking.
Accepting her fate, Yukie had a mastectomy. Chemotherapy followed with hair loss, diarrhea, incessant vomiting. She never dreamt she could become so miserable so quickly. A thief had suddenly trespassed and stole part of her body and all of her health. With no husband, a teenager in school, bills to pay, and the insurance company threatening to cancel her medical…it was a sinking, hopeless feeling.
During this time, Yukie thought of her son. She thought of her mom, her friends, her future, and most of all, her dad -- who died of cancer twenty years earlier. Now her father seemed to speak to her, whispering just three words of inspiration: Fight back, Yukie!
At that moment, she took charge.
She put on an old brown wool hat where jet-black, waist-length hair had once been. She began to exercise. She ventured outside the house to shop. Of all places, she met a guy in the in the tomato section of the grocery store.
“Nice tomatoes” he said. Yukie smiled. They began dating.
Even though life had rained on her parade, she refused to devalue her altered physical state or downgrade her status as a woman. Instead of expending energy on private pity parties, Yukie, decided to fight.
Now, armed with that attitude, she’s moving forward and not looking back. At 54, she’s backpacking and scuba diving all over Asia, giving precious little time to compare or despair.
The following are four action tips you can use immediately to dare more, and compare less.
1. Strive for "crashproof excellence".
There is something you do very well. Make it even better. Become a master at what you do so you can somehow help others by applying that skill. Consider yourself one the best in the business, then make it a reality. You will find this gives you strength, reduces stress and increases confidence.
3. Learn from others.
Get in the habit of talking with people who don’t compare themselves to anyone. Learn from their sense of independence. Note how they handle difficult situations. Refuse to downgrade your confidence or self-image as a beautiful woman.
3. Run a reality check.
If your performance, attitude and drive are sagging due to current problems, make a list of all your accomplishments. Include those items that make you feel worthy and capable. Ignore the flubs. Focus on achievements made this month, week or even in the last few hours.
4. Find a reason to fight.
Sooner or later, life throws a curve ball Your attitude will have an profound effect on how you deal with that unexpected surprise. The main thing to remember is, you're not alone. We've all in this together, both men and women. Therefore sit down and list all the reasons you have to flat-out fight cancer. Friends, family, and your future are just a few of the reasons you will overcome your adversity. Therefore, fight it...with the total intention to win.
Remember, when you compare and despair, you enter into a mentality of defeat and powerlessness. Don’t trash your power. Trust more in your creative instincts and move forward with authority!
|
