Tackling Adversity…

Tackling Adversity-by Laura Celly

Just read online how Jane Fonda has recently been diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma
and her story gave me some energy that I want to share with you. As many of you know I am a
Breast Cancer Survivor and my journey with cancer started in 2018 and led me into the
ambiguity of the COVID-19 pandemic. If I can just say when the news hits you about cancer it
is never an easy topic to hear, digest, process, or understand. There is just a flood, a complete
tidal wave that hits you and you are just trying to reach for air to survive. I know that feeling, but
with God’s grace and his plans for me, my case was treatable with a couple of surgeries and
some hormone receptors. It was the initial shock of the diagnosis that relinquishes you of all
your energy.

However, in this news story about Jane Fonda, she immediately states the survival rate of 80%
for her type of cancer. She also points out that her cancer will not interfere with her climate
activism. Then she goes on to share what she will learn from this experience. In the article she
is quoted as saying, “Cancer is a teacher and I’m paying attention to the lessons it holds for me.
One thing it’s shown me already is the importance of community. Of growing and deepening
one’s community so that we are not alone. And the cancer, along with my age–almost 85–
definitely teaches the importance of adapting to new realities.” Work Cited Gonzalez, Sandra.
“Jane Fonda announces she’s been diagnosed with non-Hodgkins Lymphoma.”

Now that quote is very powerful, because she is sharing with us her recipe for survival. Step 1
-she speaks positively about her prognosis. Step 2- she faces her crisis right in the face and says-
I am not going to let you kick my ass, you are not going to stop me from my fight. Step 3- she
admits that she cannot do this alone, she knows she needs help, she needs support from her
community, you cannot be alone in this battle, because it is a true battle your body will be
fighting against those cancer cells. Then finally she mentioned what she has learned so far, the
importance of adapting to new realities. This is by far the most powerful step.

Adapting to new realities is critical! As I mentioned earlier in my video, transformation, flexibility,
and adaptability are the elements that will help you get past some of the hardest times in your
life. You must focus on your fight still, your passion, your end goal, never let it leave your sight.
You are in control of your life situation; you can transform your life situation by exploring it not
hiding from it.

It is so easy when you have a cancer diagnosis to struggle and get pulled into a cesspool of
negativity, doubt, and struggle in all aspects of your life. But I have to tell you Jane Fonda today
has gained even more respect from me today because she has shared her strategy for survival
and transformation for everyone to learn.

At Maximize U, we can work together to build the community you need to reach
your personal goals, develop the strategies to break into the transformation humans need and
crave to be survivors! Please keep visiting our website at www.maximizeu.life as we add more providers and services
for you to grow and develop! These are exciting times!