Beating Cancer in Heels: Have you perfected your life threatening illness story?

During Breast Cancer Awareness Month, I have luckily been able to share my story of being a young woman diagnosed at a young age. With that said, telling the story over and over can sometimes be exciting, purposeful, overwhelming or FAKE.

I say fake because sometimes you just want to get the story over with due to the fact that you’re just exhausted from talking about it. You might have thought you were able and willing to tell it perfectly but just like life, you never know what emotions are to come.

Sometimes, I look at back at certain interviews or reflect on certain conversations pertaining to my story and I squeeze my eyes closed and say, “I wish I would have worded that differently.” I wonder if this is how Miley Cyrus feels every day?

Of course, when you have time to anticipate the conversation, you have some time to prepare, but what about when you don’t? Have you ever found yourself not in the mood to talk about it, beating yourself for not telling the story perfectly or being too negative to too positive? I have.

Whether you like it or not, because your life has been threatened, you have been blessed with a unique perspective. I have written about this in a previous article but it’s true. You have the power to share that to enlighten others or make them aware of the realities of life. Stand tall when telling your story, my Coachee! Use that time to empower yourself!

Although I took this path in spreading awareness, I am only human and sometimes I need not to talk about it and there is nothing wrong with that. Your job is to empower yourself in this life and if it helps other, AWESOME!

Remember, you can’t control anyone’s reactions but your own. So keep your expectations of others low and always know that you never know who it will help.

Now, Coachee, let’s help you help yourself when it comes to preparing to tell your story. Whether it’s to one person or to millions, you never know what impact it may have (no pressure) so let’s work on it together! I’m promise it’s worth it!

Ask yourself…

• What message do I want to get out when telling my story?
• Am I in the mood to talk about everything right now?
• What about my story makes me feel empowered?
• Is this person really listening?

Empowerment: It’s how you see yourself that matters.

Inspiration for the week: My friend Jenny Lidice Saldaña is a comedian, writer, actor and a breast cancer survivor! She talks about her journey all the time and finds a funny way to tell it. She inspires me and I know she will do the same for you! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PyP3qUdOZW8.

Calming sentence of the week: I am doing the best I can; I am doing the best I can.

That’s it for today, Coachee! Stay tuned for more tips and stories from your Life Coach Marlena!

What is Life Coaching? Someone helping you make positive changes in your life by holding you accountable and exploring how YOU want to DO IT!

If you are interested in being coached one on one please contact me at Marlena@MarlenaLC.com. You can also follow me on Facebook, Marlena Ortiz.

REMEMBER: Women between the ages of 20 and 40 diagnosed with cancer get six free coaching sessions through the nonprofit BeatingCancerInHeels.org.