"The REPURPOSING of Our Lives In and Out of the Cancer World” - The Concept That Evolved Into an Ide

annalexandria said:

I think you have another book in you, Craig...

not exactly the same as the book outlining your experiences with cancer that you've already worked on, but utilizing pieces of it.  i can see this book being called "Repurpose Your Life".  In it, you use what you have learned from the many challenging experiences in your life to teach people how to move through any challenge, and come out the other side in better shape.  You could do a little research and get some ideas for personal exercises (I mean psychological, not physical, although that could be part if it), techniques, and practices that folks can use to function better during and after hardship.  You could use anecdotes from your own life to give it a personal touch.  This would not be a book just about cancer, although that would be a part of it.  It would have a much bigger audience, because almost everyone has a time in life when the burdens become overwhleming, and almost everyone needs some help getting through those times.  I could see a website component as well, where people could interect directly with you....kind of an online Dear Abby with a Texas accent!  I really think you do deserve a larger audience, and I think that "repurposing" your book might be the way to do it.  Think about it anyway...you have a gift, and there must be a way to share it.  Hugs~AA

That's a wonderful idea!  I like it, of course.

Funny thing about the book...it's not all about cancer...I actually wove my life story into the storyline....it's about topics of cancer....my own cancer experiences....along with other personal stories that tied into the subject matter of that chapter...along with alot of the other stuff I do...

So, it's interesting that you mention that...Chelsea complimented me today and said she had read lots of literature, but that she liked what I said better than any others she had read. 

What does that tell us?

It told me alot and I really needed to hear that...you and her and many others, really help be believe...make me want to hang on...when I'm ready to quit...like now...just keeps hurting to bang your head on the wall. 

I like the idea of yours to Repurpose the book...or maybe to use this Repurpose theme for what you are talking about...and leave the book on its own merit...perhaps, what I might do might lead back to that. 

I don't have any magic wands that I use for exercise and technique to help deal with problems....you've all seen how I do it.   I've always believed that we have the innate capacity inside everyone of us to do what I've done.  All I've done is have the problem...talk the problem out...look to see where I went wrong...openly examine the conflict...and then reach conflict resolution...and then tell you all about it:)   

But, I get what you are saying...and maybe I could elaborate your idea...I do like it.

And, I especially like the 'website component' where I could directly interact with folks...feedback feeds me...without it, I don't write...the inspiration stops...because, I don't write for me...I write for all of you.

Dear Abby with a Texas accent?  I'm blushing LOL!  Big hugs! 

I appreciate you and Chelsea's insight on a bigger audience...what I've tried to do here, I'd like to try and do on a larger scale, because so many of us are hurting and in pain...and I think I can help in the ways that I try and do that.

You've given me alot to think about...and you're very smart, but that's not news to me:)

Thank you for your unbridled support!

-Craig

Annabelle41415 said:

Oh My Goodness

I'm taking some time off the boards, but saw your post and wanted to let you know you are being thought of.  You, my friend, have a way with words and I've always told you that.  Can see why this was something near and dear to your heart especially after all you went through and the path and courage that you have taken on this site and in your life.  You have been through much "Lion" and you totally roar with awesomeness (oh is that a word )  Glad you have the Lion picture up again.  It serves you "perfectly".

Kim

"Just when you thought you were Out - Sundance drags you back in..."

LOL!

So, nice to see you again...you're a great friend from stopping by to see me when you're on 'vacation.'    

I would say, Kim, that you are among the very first that ever talked to me...and now, after all of those years, the story has been told...and I'm glad that you were there from Start to Finish...I never would have imagined it turning out like it did.  I never could predict any of it...I came to help those with cancer...and stayed because of the deep friendships I formed, which was more important to me than my own cancer. 

I know it's been a train wreck of a ride...and honestly, it was very hard for me to reveal the things I did...even though it might have looked easy...it takes alot to lay one's soul bare and vulnerable to even a friend, much less a big room where you don't know who's listening - and who's watching...

I know most people can't  truly be that honest with themselves...and if they are, most are unable to confess it in the way that I did.

There is something about public confession thought that is so freeing...because it finally breaks the chain of the Enabler...and shatters the pretense that one has had to live behind and conceal for a lifetime.

And something about the truth and out in the open where's it's more or less on record...it's just liberating.  I'm freer now than I've been in over 40-years.  I broke free of the shaclkes that bound me...and together, those who reached out to me, have helped me in the healing process now.  And I feel like I will be ok. 

There have been some profound changes since I wrote the post...things I didn't expect...and I think when I can, I'll talk to you via PM about some of this. You might as well know the last piece of the puzzle. 

Just thank you and continued blessings!

-Craig

tommycat said:

HI Craig,
You certainly are a

HI Craig,

You certainly are a pillar of support for many on this Board.

Thank you for taking the time to share**********

Tommycat

Nice to see you!  Thank you for reading!

***** can be interpreted so many ways, LOL!

Where's my hug?

Here's yours...(((T)))

Thanks for coming by:)

-c

Phil64 said:

ditto from me

Craig, you have inspired me with your writing style AND CONTENT!!!  You being a survivor of this horible disease is important to us in ways that are difficult to express in words.  It gives us hope for ourselves and hope that someday we will see even higher survivor rates overall.  And your sharing your heart has taught me to openly share my heart... With my family and friends and the general public.

One of the scriptures I read today ties into your repurposing message for me as well...  Especially with the Lent and Easter season upon us:

We are experiencing all kinds of trouble, but we aren’t crushed. We are confused, but we aren’t depressed. We are harassed, but we aren’t abandoned. We are knocked down, but we aren’t knocked out. But even if our bodies are breaking down on the outside, the person that we are on the inside is being renewed every day. (2 Corinthians 4:8, 9, 16 CEB)us. 

 I especially connect with the renewal being done on the "inside" in spite of the cancer battle (or maybe catalyzed by the cancer battle).

I want to share your passage with my family and friends via my blog.  And I whole-heartedly believe that your passage will find a magazine to be published in! It NEEDS to as it will reach a lot more people and help a lot more people.  I also think your book and publishing parts in a magazine are an AND/BOTH situation (as opposed to an EITHER/OR situation).

One more thing I wanted to share...  I'm a little reluctant to try and put this in words because I'm afraid it may not come out right.  But I'll do it anyway as I'm sure you will see through my limitations and know what I'm trying to express from the heart!  What I want to say is that - while I'm hoping for a cure for myself...  For a cure that will allow me to maybe live well into retirement...  That is still my hope...  However, knowing you have survived this cancer for nine years means a world to me...  If I can somehow manage to battle off this second reoccurance of cancer (if I can call it that, even though the stupid tumors were probably there from the get-go), and I can manage to survive for nine years...  Wow, to me that would be HUGE.  What that would mean to me...  I will walk my daughters down the isle at their weddings. I will have a daddy-daughter dance with them. I will have the opportunity (maybe with your help???) of writing and saying something full of Love and wisdom at their weddings!  I would maybe hold some grandchildren in my arms and rock them to sleep.  I would see my youngest son through college and into a career.  I would see my oldest son pursue his dreams and maybe see him perform on Broadway (in a play directed by my Tony-Award-Winning cousin). I would grow younger with my wife through the years, holding her hand and loving her just a little more everyday. I would have an opportunity to reach out to more people and both learn from and with them, about the meaning of life and our purpose on this earth. WOW!  Nine years could mean a lot to me!

And I too encourage you to reach out to your neice and nephew and great neice! And reach out to other youth! Like a song I once sang at my Eighth Grade graduation says - "I believe OUR children are OUR future. Teach them well and let them lead the way. Show them all the beauty they posess inside.  And give them a sense of pride to make it easier. Let the children's laughter, remind us how it used to be."  Wow, I rattled off these lyrics as if I sing this song everyday...  I don't.  But if you are interested (and even if you're not).  I decided to include a picture of me singing this song at my graduation. :-)

God Bless You my friend!

With Love and Sincereiy,

Phil

(Blog: http://Pscamihorn.me)

 

 

And you know I'm going to lean on you when I have to - and support you if you falter.  We'll get you to all those activities...save me a seat:)

I don't think you'll need me to help you write anything - I know you'll handle it just fine...but I'll be in the background if you want to chat:)

Thanks, Phil...it feels great to really make a difference and have such an impact in another's life....I never thought it would ever be possible for me...it has been life changing for me...and you you know, then I gotta' talk about it.

Hey, great pic of the young Phil....man, you had hair, LOL! LOL!

Thanks for sharing yourself, Phil....you learn well, Grasshopper:)

Just glad to be a part of it.....take it easy and keep rockin' the kazbah!

-c