Reaching out for help with run sponsors....

 

 

Please, please if you know of a company willing to lend their support to Strength for Life, reach out and get us an introduction.   Thank you - you will be blessed!!!!

The Daffodil Principle ...shared from FB

An Inspirational Story ......

The Daffodil Principle

Several times my daughter had telephoned to say, "Mother, you must come to see the daffodils before the...y are over." I wanted to go, but it was a two-hour drive from Laguna to Lake Arrowhead. "I will come next Tuesday," I promised a little reluctantly on her third call.

Next Tuesday dawned cold and rainy. Still, I had promised, and reluctantly I drove there. When I finally walked into Carolyn's house I was welcomed by the joyful sounds of happy children. I delightedly hugged and greeted my grandchildren.

"Forget the daffodils, Carolyn I said! The road is invisible in these clouds and fog, and there is nothing in the world except you and these children that I want to see badly enough to drive another inch!"

My daughter smiled calmly and said, "We drive in this all the time, Mother." "Well, you won't get me back on the road until it clears, and then I'm heading for home!" I assured her.

"But first we're going to see the daffodils. It's just a few blocks," Carolyn said. "I'll drive. I'm used to this."

"Carolyn," I said sternly, "please turn around." "It's all right, Mother, I promise. You will never forgive yourself if you miss this experience."

After about twenty minutes, we turned onto a small gravel road and I saw a mall church. On the far side of the church, I saw a hand lettered sign with an arrow that read, "Daffodil Garden." We got out of the car, each took a child's hand, and I followed Carolyn down the path. Then, as we turned a corner, I looked up and gasped. Before me lay the most glorious sight.

through all those years? Just think what I might have been able to achieve!"

My daughter summed up the message of the day in her usual direct way. "Start tomorrow," she said.

She was right. It's so pointless to think of the lost hours of yesterdays. The way to make learning a lesson of celebration instead of a cause for regret is to only ask, "How can I put this to use today?"

Use the Daffodil Principle. Stop waiting...
 It looked as though someone had taken a great vat of gold and poured it over the mountain peak and its surrounding slopes. The flowers were planted in majestic, swirling patterns, great ribbons and swaths of deep orange, creamy white, lemon yellow, salmon pink, and saffron and butter yellow. Each different-colored variety was planted in large groups so that it swirled and flowed like its own river with its own unique hue. There were five acres of flowers.

"Who did this?" I asked Carolyn. "Just one woman," Carolyn answered. "She lives on the property. That's her home." Carolyn pointed to a well-kept A-frame house, small and modestly sitting in the midst of all that glory. We walked up to the house.

On the patio, we saw a poster. "Answers to the Questions I Know You Are Asking", was the headline. The first answer was a simple one. "50,000 bulbs," it read. The second answer was, "One at a time, by one woman. Two hands, two feet, and one brain." The third answer was, "Began in 1958."

For me, that moment was a life-changing experience. I thought of this woman whom I had never met, who, more than forty years before, had begun, one bulb at a time, to bring her vision of beauty and joy to an obscure mountaintop. Planting one bulb at a time, year after year, this unknown woman had forever changed the world in which she lived. One day at a time, she had created something of extraordinary magnificence, beauty, and inspiration. The principle her daffodil garden taught is one of the greatest principles of celebration.

That is, learning to move toward our goals and desires one step at a time--often just one baby-step at time--and learning to love the doing, learning to use the accumulation of time. When we multiply tiny pieces of time with small increments of daily effort, we too will find we can accomplish magnificent things. We can change the world ...

"It makes me sad in a way," I admitted to Carolyn. "What might I have accomplished if I had thought of a wonderful goal thirty-five or forty years ago and had worked away at it 'one bulb at a time'
Until your car or home is paid off
Until you get a new car or home
Until your kids leave the house
Until you go back to school
Until you finish school
Until you clean the house
Until you organize the garage
Until you clean off your desk
Until you lose 10 lbs.
Until you gain 10 lbs.
Until you get married
Until you get a divorce
Until you have kids
Until the kids go to school
Until you retire
Until summer
Until spring
Until winter
Until fall
Until you die...
There is no better time than right now to be happy. 


Happiness is a journey, not a destination. Thanks
Adriana Lessels for this!!!

“When it is obvious that the goals cannot be reached,

don’t adjust the goals,

 adjust the steps”.

 ~Confucious

Walking 800 miles away from cancer.......

This is an uplifting story.... "a walk of joy"

Take this time .

NY Times: Walking 800 miles away from cancer

 

"Only she who attemps the absurd can achieve the impossible."

~Robin Morgan

"It's All Relative" by the South Shore Theatre Experience

Once again, the South Shore Theatre Experience has selected Strength for Life to be the beneficiary of a performance. We can not say enough about the talented actors that share their talents with this theatre group. 

 

Please give them, and Strength for Life your support this Thursday, July 25 through Saturday July 27th.  "It's All Relative" promises a good time. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

All the best performers bring to their role something more, something different than what the author put on paper.

That's what makes theatre live. 

That's why it persists.

 

~ Steven Sondheim

 

 

 

Team “Strength for Life” and the LI2Day Breast Cancer Walk

Team “Strength for Life” and the

LI2Day Breast Cancer Walk

 

OMG!

 

How is that – get the picture? 

 

What an experience….I shared with Ginny Salerno (Founder and Executive Director) I finally appreciated the meaning of “awestruck” at her accomplishments. And this was at the conclusion of day 1… so much more to come.  From an outsider the event went on without a glitch – knowing all the pieces I am certain those involved in each piece would have a different answer – but there was no obvious signs of failure and frustration.

 

As you may know, Strength for Life participated for the first time this year on their 10^th Anniversary. Last year we were fortunate enough to be a special “grantee” and in the learning process decided to get more involved.  Our initial reticence in learning how to become a beneficiary was in knowing we had to raise $10,000 for LI2 Day - that is hard for a grassroots non profit to agree to.  Strength for Life is supported by our fundraising efforts and $10000 takes some fundraising.

 

Still quite naive, we decided to get our foot wet and learn more.  From the start, our questions (and there were many) were respected and answered in a friendly and warm manner. Two of our BOD (Dr. Barbara Donnellan and Teresa Doherty) were gracious to accept the challenge.  From her story and friendship Teresa recruited two more walkers – a team of “Four” for Strength for Life.  I pledged to volunteer as crew for the 2 – 3 day requirement.

 

The emails and directions were simple and well structured.  A meeting of crew members describing their roles was prearranged, prepared and efficient. The advice to walkers for “fundraising” was helpful, simple and took the fear of “how am I ever going to raise $1000???” sting out of it.

 

The weather!!!!!  On Friday (set up day) June 7^th the torrential rain from “Andrea” blew in…prior to Friday – the forecast had the storm coming in on Saturday. Strength for Life has a class in East Meadow on Friday – so I was excused from my Friday post. But the rain did not stop the LI2Day team.

 

Saturday 5:30 am check in for “crew” – Smith’s Point County Park – windy, windy, windy and wet. The wind did not subside however with the dawn and the excitement of the walkers, everything was brighter.  A fun aerobic warm up for the walkers, lots of positive energy and they were off!!!

 

My assignment was the “Serenity Tent” and merchandising…sounds like they selected a job to encourage me to come back (hmmm). 

 

The Serenity Tent is a respite from the excitement of the day, a quiet place to reflect and remember why they took on the challenge of a 2 day walk… It was quite beautiful, sheer curtains, spa music, journals for keepsakes and pictures of those who lost their battle.  Walkers were encouraged to sign the journal and light a candle (battery operated) which then made the tent aglow in the night.

  

The tents were puddle to say the least – and wet vacs were continuously working to dry them for sleeping. Inflatable mattresses were readied for the walkers and UPS did an outstanding job of collecting and delivering the clothes and sleeping bags of each walker and crew.  Again – well thought out and planned – we had an addresses (color coded) and everything worked smoothly. 

 

Now I got to hear from the walkers about their day – all good reports.  So they were treated to massage therapy, foot care, showers and dinner.  20 miles down – 15 to go!!! Many, many port-a-sans – some quite plush by Kohler, showers …. everything to make the overnight as comfortable as possible.  Dinner was supplied by “Carrabba’s” and quite delicious; music and entertainment made the evening fly by. Comfy pink plaid flannel pj’s were seen everywhere.

 

Crew ready at 5 am, walkers at 6 am – to get on the road at 7 am… and on time for all.

 

Serenity Tent – broken down, breakfast cleaned up, tents cleaned out, recyclables ready for pick up – and we left the camp sight.  The Crew had rest stop #3 for day 2.  Each rest stop is hosted by a beneficiary or team – the theme here was a 10^th Anniversary Birthday celebration – clowns, birthday cake, presents…. and handouts. 

 

 

 

I learned that at each rest stop the walkers were given charms or gifts – at the birthday party it was “whistle lips” and blowers.  The rest stops had port-a-sans; select rest stops with foot care professionals; food and beverages.

 

At the end of the walk an award is presented to the “most creative” rest stop.  I heard they were incredible and everyone was talking about their “charms” and goodies…

 

Since Strength for Life had crew and walkers and were able to participate at a rest stop we have a good idea of the many components of the day – and we are best prepared to find the appropriate team of helpers for years to come.

 

My surprise was to learn that so many were unaware of this incredible event and the Mission of the LI2 Day - “The Long Island 2 Day Walk” is organized to raise awareness and funding for the fight against breast cancer on Long Island. 100% of the donations raised by the participants are distributed to grassroots service organizations so the funds reach the members of the Long Island community affected by breast cancer.”

 

LI2DAY has raised over $4 MILLION from the annual 35-mile, two day walk. Local grassroots breast cancer organizations from Manhasset to Montauk receive funding from LI2DAY for programs that assist with medical expenses, transportation, prosthetics and wigs, physical therapy, child care, research, education and more.

 

The list of beneficiaries to see where your support is going.

 

The walk over the bridge,

let these pictures be that powerful statement. 

 

What a beautiful conclusion and tribute to those
“warriors of breast cancer”.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TheLI2Day Walk for Breast Cancer,

Smith’s Point County Park

June 8-9, 2013

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I would encourage your participation in future walks - you will be as "awestruck" as I was.

 

 

 

 

Here is a heart felt side note.  While working in the Serenity Tent, Teresa mentioned she loved the picture of Evelyn  - somewhat taken back by that comment because we always use that picture of Evelyn - I proceeded to let it go.  Sometime later she pointed out this photo of Evelyn Knapp (the inspiration for Strength for Life);

 

 

 

I brought this photo....

 

 

 

 

Now I was on a mission to find out who, in years past, honored Evelyn at this walk.

 

When I posted the photos on FB, Carissa Stavrakos "liked the photo"...Evelyn's Goddaughter and niece - walked the event in 2009 and 2010 raising $6000 for LI2Day... It really touched my heart to see that beautiful picture and see others honoring this inspirational woman.

 

 

 

"Make today a great one!" ~ Evelyn Knapp

LIWA's 2013 Organization of the Year Awards and Recognitions!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TEAM Strength for Life and the LI2Day Breast Cancer Walk

The Long Island 2 Day Walk is organized to raise awareness and funding for the fight against breast cancer on Long Island. 100% of the donations raised by the participants are distributed to grassroots service organizations so the funds reach the members of the Long Island community affected by breast cancer.

 

In 2012 Strength for Life was awarded a special grant from the LI2Day and decided to become a more active participant in the 10 year anniversary event. The 35 mile walk will be held June 8 - 9 beginning and ending at Smith Point County Park. The journeys of these women are far more challenging than 35 miles, here is one of the many incredible success stories.

 

"I have been battling cancer for the past 10 years. I was first diagnosed in 2003 shortly after moving to Long Island from Queens. I had a bilateral mastectomy and several lymph nodes removed. I chose not to do conventional methods against the recommendations of the doctors. That is when I began my quest for complementary and alternative treatments. I came across a variety of healing modalities right here on Long Island along with many local non-profits that offered support not only emotionally but financially as well. I owe so much to these organizations here on Long Island. I wouldn't be where I am today without them.

 

I have had 2 local reoccurrences since my first diagnosis and I continue to get the support from many of these local non-profit organizations. One grassroots nonprofit that is near and dear to my heart is Strength for Life. I attended an acupuncture support group which Strength for Life came to speak about their organization. They explained the many benefits of exercise during and after a cancer diagnosis and they went on to mention that they offered FREE exercise classes and equipment as well as a FREE wellness weekend retreat right here on Long Island. I immediately signed up and attended their first wellness retreat. I was in awe at all they offered cancer patients and survivors. It included a full day of all complementary healing modalities such as yoga, reiki, tai chi, as well as a guest speaker on health and wellness specifically for cancer patients. After that weekend I knew I wanted to be involved with Strength for Life so I offered to come back to volunteer my services as a reiki practitioner and the rest is history. I am now on the Board of Directors for Strength For Life and I am happy to be paying it forward and helping other cancer survivors get the information and help they deserve.

 

This year Strength for Life signed me up for the Long Island 2 day and I am very excited to help raise money for an organization that helps local non-profits like SFL and others. I have never participated in any other breast cancer walk in the past because I didn't feel comfortable with where the money I was raising was going. When I was told about the Long Island 2 Day Walk for Breast Cancer and where all the money goes I knew I had to commit. I am proud to say I have passed my goal of raising $1000 and I look forward to the upcoming weekend." ~ Teresa Doherty

 

As you may know, Strength for Life was founded in memory of a friend and mentor, Evelyn Knapp who lost her battle with breast cancer in 2005 at 40 years old. As an exercise physiologist, she spent her lifetime promoting exercise and proper nutrition and her motivation and dedication helped countless individuals to engage in a healthier lifestyle. After being diagnosed with breast cancer, she continued exercising throughout treatment. She would say it gave her a feeling of control in an uncontrollable situation. From there she made a new commitment to promote exercise for cancer patients so they, too, would experience the benefits. In 2005 she lost her battle with breast cancer. However, her mission was not lost. Our organization was formed in her memory so we may continue her work and make her vision a reality.

 

With the growth and expansion of recent studies supporting exercise as a treatment therapy there are only a few qualified programs available for cancer patients/survivors. What sets Strength for Life aside from other programs is our decision to travel to the client by finding donated space, this has made servicing Nassau and Suffolk County survivors possible and eliminates the burden to travel from the survivor. Strength for Life has classes at Mather Hospital, Stony Brook Cancer Center, Breast Cancer Help in Bay Shore, STARS Rehabilitation in East Meadow and the Seaford United Methodist Church. We continue to reach out to the survivors and find convenient locations to make the classes as accessible as possible. We have determined that four survivors in an area are sufficient for us to seek space and begin a class, knowing that word of mouth will allow for growth.

There is a true need for the cancer patient to exercise as shown in the 2010 American College of Sports Medicine guidelines. The report reads that cancer patients/survivors should “avoid inactivity”…since then there have been numerous studies touting the benefit of adding an exercise program to the treatment plan. With these increasing amount of sports medicine studies on exercise and its effects on cancer fatigue, pain management, lymphedema, nausea etc. lending credibility to using exercise as an integral part of the standard of care for most cancer patients we have found many patients/survivors are fearful to start a regime on their own.. Many Doctors have not even prescribed physical therapy leaving the survivors to fend for themselves. And research shows the effectiveness of exercise in reducing the risk of re-occurrence by 50–60% in breast and colon cancers, so survivors maybe learning they should exercise but not “how to” exercise in a safe effective manner.

 

For more information on Strength for Life please visit our website (www.strengthforlifeNY.org) ; call 631-675-6513 or email strengthforlife@optonline.net.  Donations in support of the LI2Day can be made to Team Strength for Life using this link LI2Day.

 

Thank you!

 

 

 

"Coming together is a beginning;

 

keeping together is progress;

 

working together is success."

 

~ Henry Ford