The Courage to Thrive

Yesterday my oncologist gave me a heartfelt hug and said she hopes to never see me again.

I have officially made it to the ten-year milestone without a reoccurrence! Thanks to early detection and excellent care, my risk is now so low that my doctor says it’s no longer necessary for me to come back for annual check-ups.

I immediately thought of my parents, who both died of cancer, and all the other cancer patients who never hear these words from their doctors. The staff congratulated me and I walked out the door for the last time--teary, relieved, and deeply grateful.

Paradoxically, breast cancer made me more fearless and willing to take risks. Of course, there’s no silver lining to having tumors in both breasts and needing to get a double mastectomy. However, as a survivor I learned to tap into my inner strength and dare to do things I had previously only dreamed of.

-I proposed to my partner (now spouse) and we had a beautiful wedding surrounded by family and friends. For the first time in my life, I embraced the idea that perhaps I deserved my happily ever after, too.
-I learned to stand in my power as an accomplice for racial justice.
-I founded a Faculty Institute for Inclusive Teaching at my university.
-I left my position as a tenured professor after 22 years in the academy to broaden the impact of my work.
-I opened my own business to help leaders and organizations advance inclusion and belonging through courageous conversations.

Stay tuned for my next 10 years as I continue to live and work with joy, courage, and authenticity. 💜

Coaching question for you: Imagine there were no barriers to you living your dream. What would that look like??