A Wake-Up Call
I hope this message finds you taking good care of yourself. I’m sharing a reflection that’s been on my heart, one that might serve as a gentle interruption for anyone who needs it.
Bryan Dyson once said:
“Imagine life as a game in which you are juggling five balls in the air. You name them—work, family, health, friends, and Spirit. Work is a rubber ball. If you drop it, it will bounce back.
But the other four—family, health, friends, and Spirit—are made of glass. If you drop one of these, it will be irrevocably scuffed, damaged, or shattered. They will never be the same.”
Let that sink in.
I Thought I Was Living a Meaningful Life…
For years, I was doing all the things:
Showing up for others.
Volunteering.
Working hard.
Serving my community.
Being the dependable one.
On the surface, it looked like I was thriving.
But deep down, I had dropped the ball on myself.
I had been so busy juggling everything that I lost track of my own needs, my health, my peace.
And eventually… my body made the decision for me.
The Wake-Up Call: Cancer
I now see clearly how my constant doing, my deep “doer” identity, and chronic stress led me to a cancer diagnosis. It wasn’t just random. It was the result of a life lived out of balance.
I remember the moment it hit me:
“I haven’t been paying attention to me—so now I’m being forced to sit my butt down and do it.”
And I’m not alone.
As a facilitator for the Cancer Support Community, I hear this same story again and again from fellow cancer thrivers:
“I didn’t slow down until I was forced to.”
or
“I ignored the whispers.”
or
“I pushed through the signs.”
If You’re a Doer, This Is Your Sign
Are you someone who moves from one task to the next, barely breathing, never resting?
Do you check all the boxes but forget to check in with yourself?
Please don’t wait for illness to become your wake-up call.
Instead, pause.
Re-evaluate.
And ask yourself:
Where am I in the life I’m creating?
What It Looks Like to Choose Yourself
For me, choosing balance and self-love looks like:
- Starting each morning with quiet reflection (My Morning Practice, meditation, journaling, prayer)
- Eating away from my desk, making meals sacred and nourishing
- Resting when I need to: a walk, a nap, or simply closing my eyes
- Asking for help, and allowing others to give
These small shifts have been life-giving.
Self-Care Isn’t Selfish
Self-care is love.
It’s not a luxury, it’s a lifeline.
It’s how we protect the glass balls: health, family, friends, and Spirit.
Life is always speaking to us, through the body, through our emotions, and through our longings.
The question is: Are you listening?
Let this be your gentle interruption.
Your moment to realign before something bigger forces you to.
You matter.
Your energy, your health, your joy… they are precious.
Please treat them that way.
P.S. Do you know a cancer thriver who may love some support and community? They are warmly invited to learn about my work and book a complimentary discovery session with me by clicking here.
