Who am I, and how come I am writing this blog? I am a former corporate sales executive whose career ended with a breast cancer diagnosis. Thus, outwitting life has become my passion.
Luckily, I am also a resilient, funny, positive-minded, resourceful, and determined woman. My mission is to help others who experience life-altering situations by taking advantage of the opportunities they present. I have two children and one dog. Family and friends are my treasures. I am addicted to Diet Coke from McDonald’s.
I am an avid NY Mets fan with a soft spot for Military, Police, Fire, and EMT personnel. Yes, I cry at Hallmark and ASPCA commercials. Daily random acts of kindness are my jam. While faith-driven, I am not a Bible thumper. Breast cancer ruined the color pink for me. My cancer diagnosis upended my existence six years ago. I have been outwitting life every day since.
Outwitting Life Became a Necessity
In September 2016, my life was about-faced due to a breast cancer diagnosis. I lost my Vice President corporate sales position in the technology industry, along with my identity. We had to downsize our house, as I was put on disability. Every part of my life changed; it was a dark time.
My Family
Michael and I have been married for 32 years. We have two children, Erin (25) and Michael (20). Erin is graduating this May from Sacred Heart University with her MBA. Michael opted not to attend college and is learning a trade instead. They are both very motivated, and I am convinced they will each be a significant success in their respective field. We couldn’t ask for better kids!
Life is Surprising
I am not where I expected to be at this point in my life. However, I have so many things to be grateful for, so I concentrate on those things when I become frustrated. I have always been a “helper,” as Mr. Rogers used to say. So, I am continuing on that path by showing people that while tragedies may change you, they can also open up opportunities for you. The key is to look for them and embrace them.
Staying positive and keeping a sense of humor are part of my everyday life. It isn’t easy, but I work at it. I write a blog post once a week, offer “Wednesday Wisdom from the Honda” weekly on Instagram, and post inspirational quotes on Facebook and Instagram daily. I have chosen to move forward positively despite my challenges. Please join me!
“Your living is determined not so much by what life brings to you as by the attitude you bring to life; not so much by what happens to you as by the way your mind looks at what happens.”
Kahil Gibran