Twitter - a Bird's Nest of Hope & Love

Image by Boris Veldhuijzen van Zanten via Flickr

There are those; the cynical, the nay-sayers who would challenge the idea of an online community that is like a family.

Yes, many of us are professionals looking to meet and expand our networks. Some of us have products or services that we can promote and gain clients from. All types of business people connecting with others in their field to find reprieve from the pushy side of business and be able to share ideas, attend webinars, exchange knowledge, information, and join a group.

Health issues such as; Autism,Breast Cancer, Heart Attacks, Strokes and other causes have a platform.

Politically, it has extended for many of us an eye into the throws of national and global issues without the bias of msn, and gives us information and a voice to express our concerns on subject that affect each of our lives no matter where we live. politics We can find groups such as TCOT that one can be a part of to express freely concerns about our country.

Imagine a group of guys discussing with intense brevity the biggest fish they ever caught, current trades and stats in their favorite sports or even Fantasy Football. Fantasy Football

Additionally, for women; there are the clubs, groups or organizations that draw those who would perhaps never be able to attend an actual live meeting due to children, work, illness, or financial restrictions. To find a plethora of resources, make new girlfriends to connect with, develop and share special friendships with, and find encouragement from each other is found sometimes from a simple 140 character tweet that can brighten up a person's day.

The benefits of Twitter are endless like the reverberation of a smooth stone carefully aimed skipping across a quiet pond. The ripple effect is almost immediate. A word, a cause, a comment can create such a passionate response and support.


For me, it has been only a few months since I discovered Twitter, and admittedly, I have to say it has been a blessing. Funny how God uses the oddest things to help us out when we need it the most. Moving to a new community where I know no one, working virtually with my clients, I spent days and nights focused only on work. On top of an extremely cold winter, missing my grand kids, left me with no energy or desire to seek groups, organizations, let alone trying to make friends. Hating the thought of being stuck in a blue winter mood coupled with an attitude of lethargy, I spent my free moments searching the internet to mine its caverns for untapped treasures.

I started with FB, and rapidly became bored and frustrated, because it did not offer the "live" interaction or dynamics of topics and people I could easily communicate with. It was more dry and stoic, thus I continued my search in hopes of finding something that would suit my personality, and what I found, literally changed my life!

Don't get me wrong, I was busy with work, have a huge address book of professional contacts and business friends. Having traveled all over the world, made friends in different countries, continue my relationships with them, but Twitter was different. The social interaction, the opportunity to meet other professionals, learn and be current with politics, technology, issues, and concerns of today, infused my excitement about Twitter in a most profound way. I looked forward to tweeting with new found enthusiasm and anticipation. Finding new friends and an avenue to interact immediately was sheer delight.

You may even be nodding your head in agreement as you think about why you are on Twitter; personally, it has given me a voice to express my experiences with Breast Cancer, expertise as a Business Executive and Coach, an amateur gourmet chef, a chocolatier, wine connesuier, mom of twins, Grand of 6, an author and writer of books and stories that I can now share. To be involved in causes that are important to me as well as others gives new meaning to social networking.
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As prosaic as it may sound, it already feels like home, like a comfy sweater, like a nest that I share with other tweeps. Home in the sense, that when I log in, I find myself reading with awe some of the wonderful tweets from friends I have found and developed relationships with. It brings a smile to my face, and warms my heart. I know that my presence makes a difference in someone's life and my tweets have value and impact.

I may never meet any of the people on Twitter, but I know we make a difference in each others lives in some way. We all leave an impression in the hearts of those we have come to know. Our imprint will be like a spirit that continues to reach and touch others lives that cannot be taken away even if Twitter goes away, (which I hope never happens).
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We have built an international under-pinning of people who share the same basic desires; to relate to other people who share similar interests and are looking for friends to expand their networks, to be free to speak, pursue their desires for freedom, self-sufficiency ,reward for hard work, protection by our government, and ultimately being able to thank God by honoring Him with our lives.

So thank you Twitter and all the new friends I have made and yet to make. Thank you for being so kind to invite me into your lives and allow me the privilege of sharing mine with you. Thank you for "being" there, with words of encouragement and affirmation. I hope that I too, can be an encourager and offer bits of wisdom and grace to those I meet.

These are my reasons, what are yours? Would love to hear your comments. Thanks!

From a Survivor to a Winner! (by Nava Writz, edited by Monika Shaw)

I use to call myself cancer survivor; no more! Now I call myself cancer winner thank you Monika~

I was 32 at the time, when my sister set up for me a check up after I told her I was bleeding internally. The office visit which should have been routine turned into a life-changing moment which I recall so vividly as my emotions were running wild wondering what could have caused such an urgency on the part of the doctor. You see, I was trying to have a baby via In-vitro fertilization and was particularly interested in the making sure I was doing everything I could to be healthy and have success.
As the door was left slightly open to his office, I was able to hear the doctor asking my other doctor questions; “I am really upset I don’t like what I see. Didn’t you notice something wrong with her?” When he returned to the room I was in, he insisted that I must have a biopsy, right away, not even suspecting that my life was about to turned upside down.
My other doctor which was an Invitro pregnancy specialist, and was visibly shaken as he proceeded to have the biopsy taken, saying he would contact me in two days. Friday, I received the call inviting me and my significant other to meet with him in his office. As he began to explain all the medical terminology the only thing that registered with Cancer, and the rest was a blur. My mind was racing and the only thing I could think of I blurted out the obvious questions as to whether I could die from this. His answer was no comfort, but realistic as he replied with a “yes, you may”. I cried the entire weekend.

As this happened in 1989, I did not have access to a computer to conveniently type in queries related to cancer, cervical cancer, etc.
So we started various tests including cat-scans, MRI-s, and blood work. Soon it became quite clear that there was no other choice for me than to have a radical hysterectomy with a Stage C3 cancer, best to take it all out. And so it was that on April 6, 1989 I went into the operation fearing that I lost all hope of my dreams to become a mother.
8.5 hours of surgery, with 36 lymph nodes sampled 6 were cancerous. The day I left the hospital I said life can be so great if I will not need to go to radiation No such luck ~
Six weeks of radiation and one chemo implant, I recall going into the radiation therapy room and begin to vomit. Yet, in spite of all the discomfort, it was finally over and will never forget when the doctor said “you are cancer free”.

I celebrated, and my life has never been the same knowing that once you face the fact that your life is at risk.
The darkest day of my life was soon being filled with light as I adopted my first child, a boy. Shortly thereafter I was able to give him a brother. And so with much gratitude and love I celebrate these two dates October 8th and April 15th the birth of my boys as the most wonderful gifts I ever received from God.
In life I have learned that we can have a plan but what God has for us is the best plan.
I find it so interesting that God worked out bringing me these two wonderful and precious gifts through two young women who would have considered abortion, but instead were able to bless me to be a mom. Personally, I recommend women to reconsider their position in life regarding abortion and ask God who this child can be a blessing to; there are so many women with empty arms, waiting for their child to arrive.
I used to think of myself as a survivor, but after reading Monika’s description of The Winning Woman – I too now declare that I am a Winning Woman!
(Editor: Monika Shaw)

Have you had your Breasts Checked Lately?

Over 2 million women living in the United States have been diagnosed and treated for breast cancer.

Are you one of them?

Here are some interesting facts;

• Breast Cancer is not caused by STRESS or injury to the breast

• Approximately every 12 minutes Breast Cancer claims another life
• Most women who develop Breast Cancer have no family history of the disease
• Breast Cancer impacts over 240,000 new patients a year in the US alone
• An average of every 3 minutes a woman is diagnosed with Breast Cancer
• Approximately 86% of women who were diagnosed with Breast Cancer 5 years ago are still alive and living their lives
  
• Approximately 77% of women who were diagnosed with Breast Cancer 10 years ago are still living
  
• Approximately 52% of women who were diagnosed with Breast Cancer 20 years ago are still living
• After the age of 40 risk of getting Breast Cancer increases dramatically

What can you do to be aware?
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I am a living testimony to being a Breast Cancer Winner! Over 12 years ago I was diagnosed with this disease after finding a lump the size of a 50-cent piece in my breast. I had a radical mastectomy and have been doing checkups for years now. First I had the mammogram - but that was painful and difficult with an implant, so I researched and found an alternative that works great for me. It is called Thermal Imaging or Thermography, and it is so easy, you are done within 15 minutes or less. They take a "heat" or "thermal" photo and can see a better picture of what is going on in your breasts. To find out more I have added this link for your reference and education;

http://www.breastthermography.com/breast_thermography_mf.htm

Breast Cancer is not to be treated with ignorance or pretend it won't happen to you. My mother did not have Breast Cancer, and I am the only one in my family to have ever had it.

Give yourself and the ones you love the biggest and best gift of all - your life by taking just a few minutes to get an exam. The above link will help you find locations where you can get checked and diagnosed.

Here's to your Winning Breasts!