Lynn’s Comments:  Here’s my submission for #shareyourstory campaign as part of  http://www.wouldyoulikeyourcancer.com/shareyourstory.html:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=_LAEz5O-DXQ

Lynn’s Comments:   After reading someone else’s blog post, I got inspired and thought I’d write a letter to my dream man and future husband.   I thank you, my DREAM MAN for:

• your unconditional love
• your time and care taken to plan our dates
• your kisses
• your gorgeous smile
• your touch
• your endless hugs

and for absolutely everything!!

Love you!! ox ox ox

Lynn’s Comments:  On Saturday, March 16th, 2013, I attended the official launch and fundraiser of The Youth Code.    It is a new non-profit organization that aims to help children of abuse live a life beyond surviving.   Kalista Zackhariyas, the brainchild behind the organization is using her personal life experience to transform the lives of many, give hope and creating amazing futures for children.

The launch was held at the Grand Banking Hall of One King West.   It was co-hosted by Supermodel/Actor Sam Sarpong from L.A. and Veronica Chail from Bollywood Boulevard.    The evening entertainment included:  The Winner from So You Think Can Dance, Hip Hop Artist and Former Child Soldier Emmanuel Jal gave a great speech and performance, along with singer Keisha Chante.   I enjoyed every moment of the entertainment and was moved by all who graced the stage.

With an abundance of food and desserts, there was also a silent auction of great items!

We all have life experience for a reason, and it was so touching to see an amazing woman who made her dream to make a difference in the lives of others a reality!!

Please donate generously to this organization:   The Youth Code.

My Prayer is that all children in the world have love, food and a comfortable place to sleep.  AMEN

With Actor/Supermodel Sam Sarpong from L.A., Co-Host of the Launch!

Lynn’s Comments:   I first heard about World Women Global Council last month and was kindly invited by Sanjukta Das to participate and speak.    Little did I know at the time, I accepted, but it was also an opportunity for myself to be recognized and receive a Women’s Hero Award for International Women’s Day.   I have always enjoy getting out into the community, engaging with others and speaking to an audience.

Celebrating Womanhood and the launch of World Women Global Council was held on Saturday, March 9th, 2013 from 5pm-8pm at the Art of Living Centre in Mississauga, Ontario in Canada.  It was an excellent evening with the MP, Brad Butt of Streetsville, Mississauga as the lead speaker.   Women Hero’s honored included:

Shelly Siddoo

Lynn Manwar

Meena Chopra

Asma Mahmood

We also got to hear Debra Eklove, President of the Art of Living Foundation Canada speak which was extremely enlightening.  Overall, it was a great celebration, moving, educational and inspiring!   Being a woman is wonderful and I had the chance to speak about some of the women who helped me on my journey back to recovery in 2012.  I am extremely grateful for all the women who touched my life, as I made it because of them!

Mala Singh Presenting the Women's Hero Award

Lynn’s Comments:   It was my birthday on Feb 6th and I turned 40 this year.   I decided to keep it quiet and have a small gathering of friends and family at a South Indian restaurant on Gerrard St.   It was a nice lunch and while I was at the restaurant, I felt my father’s presence and him saying to me, that this was your last hug.  Little did I know at the time, but it indeed would be the last hug, as he passed away the same day.  I only found out about his passing 2 days later.

Hearing about my father’s passing was indeed tough news, but not surprising.  He had several strokes in the past several years and dementia overtook him.   I was so grateful, I had the chance to see him one last time on Dec 11th, 2011.  I had a challenging year recovering from cancer in 2012 and I never got around to going to visit him again.  With him now gone, I savour every memory and moment spent with him.  Our lunches spent in restaurants around Toronto.  My favorite place to dine out with my father was at the Westin Prince Hotel near Don Mills and York Mills.

My father was my mentor and guide.  He was there to give me the best advice ever, when I first dealt with cancer at age 24.  He reminded me at that time, not give up on my dreams.  I always enjoyed listening to his stories.  What a great story teller my father was and maybe one day, I’ll write those stories in a book.  The best gifts I ever got from my father was his time and of course, jewellery from all around the world!!

Hopefully, God blesses me with a man who is my life partner and treats like Gold as dad did!   I declare that I am so LUCKY!!

Watch this video about a gift from my father:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=rutKcdvVYjU

Lynn’s Comments:     I have been reflecting lately on what makes my life so extraordinary and realized it’s the feeling of LOVE I get from all around.  You share love with family, significant others and friends, but have you ever thought about loving your co-workers?   Love in the workplace—do you think that goes hand in hand?   Years ago, I remember, reading one of Marianne Williamson’s books and she wrote about when you have anyone walk into your business—to basically give and send love their way.  I never really thought of expressing love in a business—but it was such a profound moment.

It was my birthday this past week and I arrived to work on Wednesday, February 6th, I found flowers and a card on my desk waiting for me.  It was such a lovely gesture of kindness from my work colleagues.    I definitely felt the love from my workplace and it was wonderful feeling to get such a beautiful gift!!   If you remember someone’s birthday, they definitely will feel like a million bucks!

Can you think of some ways in which you can acknowledge/appreciate or love your coworkers?   I  suggest you:

• give them a compliment
• buy them coffee or tea
• give them a card during the holiday season
• bring them back a souvenir after you go traveling
• give them a hug—depending on the relationship and level of comfort of both parties

When you personalize your business relationships and show appreciation and love—-the actual business relationship will transform and provide rewards bigger than you can ever imagine!

 Lynn’s Comments:   January is the month of new beginnings and a time when many make resolutions for the upcoming year.   The third week in January for me, marks my new beginnings.  As I’ve been off work for 1 year, my return to work was officially on Monday, January 21st, 2013 and on Friday, January 25th, I started a 6 month health lifestyle program.

2013 is a special year for me, as I will see more hair growth, new hair styles and a completely new way of life.   I just moved to a brand new building, which I absolutely love.  I’ve taken on a completely new lifestyle and I know for sure it’s going to be completely fulfilled.

What new beginnings have you taken on?   I suggest write down your dream list and take action towards a new beginning.  We’d love to hear your stories and what you’d like to work towards in the upcoming year!

Lynn’s Comments:  With the Holiday Season in full gear and seeing friends and family, it is a time for reflection. It is an opportunity to give thanks, reflect where we’ve been and where we are headed in the coming year.   As I think back over these holidays, I am amazed that I survived one of the biggest challenges of my life.   Last year, on December 23rd, I left my surgeon’s office, and went to St. Michael’s Cathedral, and cried my eyes out lying on the church floor.   Now a year later, I am in a completely different space.

I GIVE THANKS FOR:

• my beautiful new curly hair that has grown
• my breasts and my scars that have healed
• the ability to move my right arm and lift things
• reduced swelling in my right wrist
• the time I spend with family and friends
• my new home and new furniture
• all the support I received from family and friends in the past year
• MY LIFE and my renewed sense of being!

Sometimes, it take something like Cancer to put things in check and to know what’s really important in life.  I encourage you all to Give Thanks this holiday season.   Gratitude brings more abundance into your life and leads to pure happiness.

What will you give thanks for in your life?

Lynn’s Comments:   Ever since I was a young girl, I always dreamed of living by the waterfront.   Anytime I was feeling stressed out, a little down or needed some cheering up, I would find myself in east end Toronto by the Beaches, in a lost gaze at the water.   In my early 20s, I thought wouldn’t it be amazing if I could actually live by the water.  Fast forward about 14 years, and I had a powerful coaching session with Jacinta Whelan in October 2007.  A few days later, I created a new vision board for myself that included a waterfront propery.   The following month, I was at a VIP Sales Night of Empire Communities and purchased my first waterview condo even though I just broken up with my boyfriend 2 months earlier.

Sometimes in life, we may be waiting for the perfect moment, or situation to pursue our dreams.  However, sometimes, going after those dreams, means just seizing the moment and taking action.  It doesn’t matter what is your situation is now.  You can have and be anything your heart desires.  Passion, vision and a commitment to having it all is the key to achieving and realizing all of your dreams.

Here’s a proven Six Step Method for Living Your Dreams Powerfully:

1. Decide what dreams are important to you

2. Write down your dreams on a piece of paper

3. Get some magazines, scissors and create a vision board

4. Visualize already experiencing and feeling your dreams

5. Tell your friends and family your dreams as you put it out to the universe

6. Take action towards fulfilling your dreams and give thanks for having received full realization of your dreams!

My proud moment of realizing one of my dreams happened on November 20th, 2012 when I received the keys to my new place on the waterfront.   It so amazes me to look out the window and experience something I’ve dreamed about for years.  It is a wonderful feeling and I am so grateful.

I encourage you all who want to live their dreams powerfully, to take the first step today.   Keep looking and moving forward and before you know it, you’ll be there— LIVING  THE MOST POWERFUL DREAM FULFILLED LIFE!

Lynn’s Comments:  During my recovery in 2012, I did some research and come across the Young Adult Cancer Canada organization and noticed some great programs that they offered.  I attended their Retreat Yourself East in July 2012 in Nova Scotia, just 4 weeks after my breast surgery.  After that retreat, I decided to submit my application for the survivor conference happening in Toronto early November 2012.

I arrived to the Radisoon Admiral hotel by the Harbourfront and got my hotel room swipe card.  I arrived at my hotel and met my room mate for the weekend.  She greeted me with a smile.   I then proceeded to the Admiral Ballroom to register for the conference and head to dinner.   I was felt a range of emotions—excited, scared and wondering what will unfold over the next 4 days.

In many ways—it was so reassuring to be among a community of people who have been down a similar path as mine after all the first time, I had faced cancer I was 24 and then 14 years later, at age 38.   I saw several familiar faces from the Retreat in Summer 2012 and also some strangers as well.  In total there were 90 of us, including both survivors, supporters and those are just living with cancer and they have to been on treatment until they pass on.  It really just moved me to meet those just “living with it” and I was without words to be honest.

We had workshop sessions which were useful that include topics such as sexy singles, dealing with anxiety and depression and managing brain fog.  After cancer, I haven’t had the slightest clue on where to begin where dating is concerned.   I had also been feeling anxiety about moving just 2 months after treatment has ended and wondering how would I manage brain fog at work.   However, we learned some great techinques and suggestions in all the workshops, and I feel better equipped as I transition into this new chapter of my life.

One of the most touching moments, was when a young man (my age) shared his personal story of losing his wife to cancer and his journey as being caregiver to her.  There was not a dry eye in the room and it brought me to tears, as I thought wow!—what a ride it has been to have my mom and my aunts be caregivers for myself in their senior years.  Caregivers are the key to every patients road to recovery or last moments on planet earth.

The food was awesome, accomodations comfortable and the community became family by the end of the weekend.   I am so grateful that this organization exists and all the work that the staff of YACC do.  YACC has lifted me up!  Lynn is back—so get ready  to see me out in the world