It’s October, the beginning of fall in Michigan, my favorite time of year. I love the cooler temperatures, but most of all, I love all the colors. The leaves are changing and falling and it reminds me that life is never stagnant. Life is ever changing and just when you get a little bored, it switches gears again, sometimes a little, sometimes a lot. In a few weeks I will be celebrating my birthday. If you look up life expectancy for a female in my area, it is 81 years old. So, considering my age, my life is half over….depressing. Since I am an optimist…wow, I still have almost half my life yet to live (sounds better don’t you think?). This past week has been pretty big for me. Last Wednesday I attended the TEDxDetroit conference and it was awesome. For those unfamiliar with TED, it is a gathering of leaders, creators, entrepeneurs, artists who meet and share their passions and positive ideas for change. I have to admit I felt a little out of place, it seemed too big for me to be there, but I’m so glad I went. Afterward, I thought, why not me? each person there was exactly that…one person desiring change and trying to make a difference…so, why not me…why not you? Some of the great quotes I heard ,‘Take care of your fears or they will own you,’~ John U. Bacon; ‘Experience life changes….allow them to affect you, change you, guide you,’ ~Nathan Hughes; ‘The job of a leader is to define reality,’~ Jackie Victor. There was so much energy and inspiration there and it was there to push each of us to be catalysts, I’m ready, how about you?
Attendees at TEDxDetroit
Also this week it was test time for me again, yes, that small reminder that I had cancer. It’s not bad, a couple weeks ago the breast cancer stuff was clean, and now was a general neck test. I did the regular exam in which my doc said, ‘You look healthy, but then again, you always look healthy, cancer or no cancer.’ OK, kinda comforting. Anyhow, after 3 vials of blood, I wait. One of the tests, if you have been reading my blog for some time, is a test that’s only done on very few people because not only was my cancer rare, but I also carry an antibody which messes up the regular blood test that would be able to detect my cancer. In fact, this test was only approved by the FDA last year. Because of that, this blood test is only run once every few weeks so I should be getting the results in 3-4 weeks…or somewhere near my birthday, excellent. Can’t worry about nothing right now! To be completely transparent, my mind’s been all over the place lately…still struggling with the personal issue I referenced awhile back along with new-ish job, cancer check ups, etc; but as always life moves forward. In one of the most watched talks on TED titled ‘How To Live Before You Die’, Steve Jobs says, ‘Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life. Don’t be trapped by dogma – which is living with the results of other people’s thinking. Don’t let the noise of others’ opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition.’ Ask any cancer patient and boy do we know our time is limited! I look back at my 40+ (whoops, almost revealed my age), and I’ve made some mistakes, some bad choices, some good; the great thing is, is I can look forward with lessons and experiences from my past, knowing full well that my time is limited and continue on with courage in my ‘second half’.
Today I wear Dior Addict Gloss in Princess. I LOVE all the Dior lipsticks and glosses. The lipsticks are extremely moisturizing and the colors are beautiful. The glosses are not heavy or sticky yet they have pretty good staying power. The color Princess is light pink with a little bit of sparkle, something you would picture Cinderella wearing. I chose this color because it’s simple. I’ve been wearing alot of red lately, but today I chose simple because that’s how I want to be today, simply at peace. Cheers!
Anna's Lipstick Journey 
Hi you are an amazing writer ! I would love to hear more about the conference :). Miss you I will wait to hear about test results
Your friend
Diane
Xoxo
Sent from my iPhone
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Hi Diane! Thank you, we need to catch up soon…and try new lipsticks too! See you soon!
So thankful to be receiving your blog, as you’re always an encouragement.
Love you, sweet Anna
Thank you Pat!
❤️ Thought you’d be done testing. Good to “hear” you plowing along embracing life while the medical peeps keep you hanging. Grrr. If I ruled the world all test results would be immediate.
Love you and I’ll be back around looking for more good news. ❤️
Thank you Jo! BTW, I tried to respond on your blog and it wouldn’t show up…Happy 91st to mom!!
Xoxoxo!
Thanks Missy 🙂
Every time i read your sweet messages it reminds me how short a time it is for ALL and yet..we forget..however, not you, and THIS is the reason why you are here!! LOVE ON!! CHEER ON and know, you are an inspiration because you live from within and out, not the opposite, which is the weakness of man, greed and unknowing. How BLESSED we are to have a friend in blog world like you…all knowing, embracing with eyes wide open, heart wide open, speaking with an addictive gloss this week!! 🙂
Brenda, your words made me cry. We all need a cheerleader and I’m proud to have you as one of mine!
oh…now i am tearing up. p.s. everytime i put on lipstick i think of you, yes, thankfully say a prayer
One of your best writings…full of insights and written with a sincere heart! Love ya…
Steve Jobs says, ‘Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life. Don’t be trapped by dogma – which is living with the results of other people’s thinking. Love this quote !
Happy birthday to my fabulous and 40ish friend!
Thanks Jess!
Anna, thank you so much for your posts! You always give me some new nugget to think about and to treasure! One of the pluses of having had thyroid cancer is that I have been introduced to your blog. Happy Birthday! Celebrate life!
Thank you Carole!