MY LIFE Matters: Health and Wellness Issue - 24

Cover Story HEALTH
my energy focused within. In addition to supporting my mental
health and mental hygiene, I can guide my body in movement
and exercise, breathing and praying in as much or as little as I
am able to do at the time.
From a young age, physical activity and movement have been
a part of my life to support my mental health. Life at home was
not always easy, but I was very athletic, and fitness and movement
helped me along the way. Playing sports, listening to inspirational
music, and hanging out with friends was not only good for
my mind but also my body. The feelings you get from playing a
sports game, doing a hike, running, riding a bike, or learning
how to swim for the first time are incredible. Learning a new
skill, language, or exercise was also good for my mental hygiene.
It definitely kept depression and boredom at bay. Physical activity
and movement look a lot different when recovering from cancer
surgery or strengthening the body after cancer treatments, but
even light movement, deep breathing, gentle stretching, infrared
sauna, and taking nature walks can do the body good.
As a child I enjoyed running long distance. My love of running
evolved into playing tennis and volleyball when I was a teenager.
When I joined the Navy as a young adult, both my mind and
body went through rigorous conditioning. Cancer has changed
the types of fitness and movement my body can do, even the
frequency or duration I am comfortable with. What has not
changed is the importance or role that physical movement has
had in supporting my mental health and health hygiene.
I joined the military in my early 20s and began living a life
of independence. Being a U.S. Navy sailor, I joined boot camp,
thinking I didn't need to swim. One of the biggest lessons I
learned was learning to swim. In the U.S. Navy, they teach you
to swim by having you go up on a platform 12-feet high in the air
and jump off the platform into 12-feet of water while your peers
are watching. I remember jumping off the platform and saying,
" God, you've got me " and hitting the water. You're either going
to swim or you're going to sink. Little did I know my time in the
military would prepare me for the challenges of breast cancer.
In the Navy, your instructors literally force you to embrace your
fears by running through the wall of fear every day. They call it
mental fortitude. The Navy prepared me to face fear head-on
every day, whether I wanted to or not. With cancer I had to face
my fears every day, because if I didn't, I would be stuck on the
couch or in bed languishing. That was never my idea of fighting
cancer. So mentally, every day, I would do something that I feared:
Learn a new language and try to speak to someone who speaks
that language; go to lunch by myself; or do a Facebook Live telling
my breast cancer journey to inspire someone. I had to face my
fears. This was one of the ways to invest in my mental hygiene.
" Embrace the Suck, " is what the Navy would say. Embrace my
fears and be stronger for it.
Taking a deep breath, learning how to breathe intentionally, and
feeling that movement and air fill your body, lungs, and mind is an
incredible feeling. Feeling that mind-body connection proves we
are all designed to do incredible things. I credit my faith, healthy
lifestyle, and wellness as the key to my survivorship.
Whether you are navigating the breast diagnosis, treatment,
VIEW LIVING LIFE NOW
Lisa wants Women Of Color living with breast cancer to be
passionate about living life now.
Lisa did not have an easy life growing up, but her fierce determination
to be successful and make something meaningful of her life
brought her to the U.S. Navy at a young age. Military life provided
many life lessons, it helped Lisa evolve physically and mentally
while providing her with the skills to take on any challenge. Faith is
a guiding force in Lisa's journey. One of her mantras is, " I shall live
and not die, but declare the works of the lord. " These words are a
constant reminder to make every moment count.
Lisa was told she could expect 5 years to live, to know Lisa is to
know she would beat those odds. As a 2x breast cancer survivor and
metastatic breast cancer THRIVER, Lisa refused to live life on a timer
- she makes every moment count. " If you do not fight for you, who
will? " Lisa is a mentor, leader, and role model not only in the breast
cancer community but for us all.
24
MY LIFE MATTERS
HEALTH AND WELLNESS ISSUE SPRING 2023
or survivorship, you can't pour from an empty cup. Investing in
your mental hygiene strengthens your mind-body connection.
You must prioritize yourself EVERY DAY! Your life depends on
it. It all starts with a strong mind and mental outlook.
In the spirit of health and wellness, I encourage you to not let
fear destroy your life. Confront fear by embracing the love you
have for yourself and your journey. Talk about it. Inspire others
with it as you grow. Take it one day at a time, one breath at a
time, and one moment at a time. Move as much as you can. Say
no to the couch and embrace those nature walks. Walk and talk
to God, because He surely is with you. Remember Amy Lee's
quote, " Never fear shadows, it only means there is light somewhere. "
So, when life gets dark, there is light somewhere. You have
light within yourself. Your mind will surely find it. Hope never
disappoints. Remember that FEAR is nothing more than False
Evidence Appearing Real. Love is the opposite of Fear; stay in a
posture of love for yourself mentally. You my dear are stronger
than fear. You are Love and you are Light! l
THIS IS LISA'S LEGACY. WHAT'S YOURS?
#MYLIFEISMYLEGACY
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Te9IC71Vm-Y&list=PLE-CxJeQXaUSBihy2VMVhbSCn_HtfXhpN&index=12 https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/mylifeismylegacy
MY LIFE Matters: Health and Wellness Issue

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