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Are you currently battling breast cancer or know someone who is? Have you celebrated with a breast cancer survivor? Or have you lost a loved one to the disease? No matter how the disease has touched you, we stand with you to spread awareness, find hope, and grieve well in the fight against breast cancer.

According to current statistics, it is expected that, in the coming year, more than 40,000 deaths will be linked to breast cancer, and millions of people are battling breast cancer. Moreover, one in every eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime as well as thousands of men. In our collective struggle, as men and women, we can join forces to fight breast cancer in a number of ways.

1. Participate in Wellness Programs & Lifestyle Changes

When possible, men and women should participate in a wellness program and take part in all the tests required to monitor current health status. According to the Mayo Clinic, studies show that some lifestyle changes contribute to a marked decrease in breast cancer risk.

For example, here are a few suggested changes:

• Limit alcoholic beverages
• Quit smoking
• Control weight
• Stay physically active

2. Get Involved & Spread Awareness

Next, it’s important to remember that the possibilities to get involved in the fight against breast cancer are virtually limitless. There are some established ways of participating in spreading awareness for breast cancer: donate, participate in a Race for the Cure, become an advisor/volunteer for a breast cancer program, host a fundraiser, or wear pink to spread awareness.

However, your original ideas are welcome too, so don’t be afraid to bring them to the table. For example, one woman started a nonprofit that provides unique hospital gowns for women battling illness. Another woman began writing encouraging letters to fellow breast cancer patients, and she also started her own nonprofit that has sent over 60,000 handwritten cards and letters to 152 patient centers. The point is, don’t limit your own impact. Think outside the box and find the most meaningful way for you to become involved.

3. Share Inspirational Stories of Hope

The women and men who have battled and are battling this disease are a great source of hope. Read their stories and allow them to change you. Ultimately, no matter the story of your own life, you can find inspiration, hope, and encouragement in the stories of others. Let’s be loving, compassionate, and above all, changed. And be sure to share the stories that impact you the most with others through social media. That way, you can inspire others and raise awareness for breast cancer at the same time.

4. Find a Support Group

If you have recently been diagnosed with breast cancer, you are not alone. Consider joining a support group where you can talk with others who are currently battling the disease. In them, you may find much-needed encouragement and comfort.

5. Connect to Grief Resources

Finally, if you have recently lost a loved one to breast cancer, your road to healing is just beginning. Emotions may be raw, and that’s okay. It’s normal to feel grief, anger, pain, frustration. Author, educator, and grief expert, Dr. Alan Wolfelt, puts it this way: “From my own experiences with loss as well as those of the thousands of people I have counseled over the years, I have learned that we cannot go around the pain of our grief. Instead, we must learn to embrace and express it. This is hard but absolutely necessary work.” Facing the pain of grief is hard, but in the end, it is the only way through.

We all need support and encouragement on the journey through grief. Consider talking with a friend, making an appointment with a grief counselor, or finding others who are going through a similar situation. You may even be able to find local support groups for those who have lost a loved one to cancer. You can also visit Dr. Wolfelt’s website, the Center for Loss & Life Transition, to learn from his experience helping people walk through the journey of grief toward healing.

It’s that time of year again – St. Patrick’s Day! It’s the day to wear your greenest attire, maybe catch a parade, and celebrate the luck of the Irish. But while St. Patrick’s Day is a popular holiday across the nation, what do you know about the man himself? Today, as we celebrate St. Patrick through wearing shamrocks and drinking pints, let’s take a moment to look into his life and legacy.

St. Patrick’s Story

Much of the available historical information on St. Patrick comes from his memoir, The Confession, which describes details of his life, the people he came in contact with, and his inner spiritual journey. While he is associated with the Irish, St. Patrick was actually born a Roman (in the area we now know as Great Britain). When he was a teenager, he was captured by Irish pirates who raided the area, but at age 20, he had a dream in which God told him to flee. He escaped from captivity and made it to the coast, where sailors found him and took him back to his homeland.

In the memoir, Patrick claims to have received a vision that inspired him to return to the land where he was formerly enslaved, a land populated by pagans and Druids, to spread Christianity.  He studied for the priesthood, became a bishop, and eventually returned to Ireland, where he converted scores of people to Christianity. Patrick is credited with bringing Catholicism to Ireland. Legend has it that he used the famed shamrock as a tool to explain the Trinity to his converts. He died on March 17, 461, at Saul, Downpatrick, Ireland, the site of his first church.

The Origin of the Holiday

On March 17, 1631, the church held a Feast Day in honor of the life and work of St. Patrick. This was the birth of St. Patrick’s Day. Ever since, the holiday has continued to celebrate the life of St. Patrick.

The Importance of Ceremony

St. Patrick’s Day reminds us of the necessity of ritual and tradition. It suggests that our need for rituals of commemoration is so strong that it can span hundreds of years and reach millions of people who did not even know the person at the heart of the celebration.

Do you have a loved one you’d like to honor in some special way? Consider choosing a day, perhaps their birthday or date of death, and wear a special color in their memory. Maybe you could even eat their favorite meal. Or you could see if your friends or family would like to join you in remembering someone special.

(St. Patrick’s Cathedral in Dublin, Ireland)

If we use rituals to honor historical figures like St. Patrick, how much more important is it to honor our dearest loved ones? Consider creating a new tradition that best reflects your loved one’s life (it will vary from person to person).

Every life is special, and we should find meaningful ways to honor the individual qualities of a loved one. What we can learn from St. Patrick’s Day? That remembering those who have gone before is important. And that it’s always an honor to participate in special ceremonies for those who mean so much to us.

Valentine’s Day can be a challenging time for those who are grieving, especially those who have lost a spouse or significant other. You may find that Valentine’s Day triggers your grief or reminds you more strongly of your loss.

But Valentine’s Day can also be a special time of remembrance, an opportunity to reflect on the love you shared and to find comfort in memories. With a little planning, you can find avenues for healing during this time.  Here are a few ideas to help you cope with your loss on Valentine’s Day:

Take Time to Honor and Remember the Person You Love

While you may be tempted to block out your memories and ignore your grief, taking time to think about your loved one can be a great way to honor their memory this Valentine’s Day. Reflecting on the past can be a healthy way to cope with the holiday.

Do something special in memory of your loved one and celebrate their life and the time you had together. You may want to look through photographs, listen to their favorite song, or watch their favorite movie. This would also be a good opportunity to visit the graveside and bring a fresh bouquet of flowers. No matter what you choose to do, find what you feel comfortable with and embrace your loved one’s memory.

Have Some Quiet Time

The hustle and bustle of Valentine’s Day can be emotionally draining when you’re grieving, so don’t be afraid to take some time away by yourself! Breathe deeply and allow yourself to feel whatever you need to feel.

You can also look for healthy ways to express your emotions. Allow yourself to cry, write in a grief journal, or do something creative, like painting or drawing. Maybe you could try coloring or spend some time in meditation. You could even list everything you are grateful for experiencing with your loved one or record yourself talking about your favorite memories.

No matter what you do, allow yourself to take time away from everything if you need it and let yourself grieve in a way that works for you. Find ways to reinvent the holiday to help it fit your needs as you grieve.

Spend Time with Loved Ones

While it’s good to spend some time in solitude and reflection, it is also important to find a healthy balance. Many people who are grieving, especially those who have lost a spouse, can feel lonely on Valentine’s Day. Look for opportunities to socialize with people who support and care about you. Go out to dinner or prepare a meal together. Meals are communal experiences, opportunities to show love and support. You might even enjoy a favorite comedic film or television show together.

Numerous studies have shown that laughter plays an important role in lowering stress, improving mood, strengthening relationships, and contributing to overall health. By taking time to laugh with people you love, you take a healing step, and the stress of the holiday becomes a little easier to handle. Remember that couples aren’t the only people who can celebrate and have fun on Valentine’s Day.

Talk About How You’re Feeling

Your friends and family care. Don’t be afraid that you’ll “bring them down” if you talk honestly about the sadness you’re experiencing during a typically “happy” time of year. If you need time to get something off your chest, this is perfectly acceptable. You shouldn’t feel guilty for taking time to express your grief around others.

Too often, our culture encourages us to stifle sad emotions and to put on a happy face. This can make those who grieve feel guilty or ashamed for not being able to pretend to be happy all the time. Reject this irrational guilt, stay in the presence of people who care about you, and confide in them. Let them support you. If your friends and family are unable to support you at this time, join a support group or find a counselor to talk to.

Treat Yourself

If you don’t have someone to bring you flowers and candy on Valentine’s Day, why not treat yourself to something special? Get a massage, choose a beautiful bouquet to brighten your home, or pick out your favorite chocolates or dessert. Valentine’s Day is a day to spoil yourself and enjoy a little self-care, especially if you are missing someone special.

Valentine’s Day will never be the same without your loved one, and it’s okay, even healthy, to experience sadness at this thought. But by planning ahead in the days leading up to Valentine’s Day, you can prepare yourself for the holiday and find peace of mind amid a dizzying array of hearts, cards, and candy.

“The British were indeed very far superior to the Americans in every respect necessary to military operations, except the revivified courage and resolution, the result of sudden success after despair.”
– Mercy Otis Warren

As we mark the Fourth of July and the independence brought about after the Revolutionary War, it’s impossible not to remember the historical men and women who played key roles in the creation of our nation. Men like George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, and Thomas Jefferson are easily remembered, but what about the women – the ladies of liberty – who also deserve our remembrance and respect? Today, let’s talk about Mercy Otis Warren and how she influenced the American Revolution with her mightiest weapon – a pen!

Biography

Early years

Born in Barnstable, Massachusetts, on September 14, 1728, Mercy Otis Warren was the third of James and Mary Allyne Otis’s thirteen children. Like many women at the time, Mercy didn’t receive a formal education, but she learned much about history and politics from her father, her uncle, and her older brother, James Otis Jr., who helped her build her passion for writing.

In 1754, Mercy married James Warren, a friend of her brother and a politically active patriot, and the two had five children together. Thanks to her husband’s position and commitment to the colonies’ cause, their house became the center for much of the political action at the time, and the two often hosted groups of Patriots in their home. In fact, she and her husband were friends with John and Abigail Adams, who supported and encouraged their efforts to aid the Revolution, and the two couples often exchanged letters.

Early Influence on the Revolution

As unrest began to build in the colonies, Mercy was determined to build support for the Patriot cause. While she could not become involved in politics as a woman, she did have one powerful skill she could use to influence others: writing. Starting in 1772, Mercy wrote and anonymously published multiple satirical plays and dramas that criticized Britain’s policies and their Loyalist support.

After the Boston Tea Party in December of 1773, John Adams wrote a letter to James, Mercy’s husband, that asked for Mercy to write about the event. Mercy did, writing a poem titled “The Squabble of the Sea Nymphs; or the Sacrifice of the Tuscararoes,” which the Boston Gazette published on their front page. Her works helped fuel support for the Patriots’ cause and brought the nation closer to the fight for independence.

Writing the History of a New Nation

While Mercy’s early writings shaped the course of the Revolution, the works she wrote after the Revolution made an even bigger impact. Mercy was unafraid to stand by her political beliefs and examine the actions of even the most powerful politicians despite some of the backlash she received. After the drafting of the Constitution in 1787, Mercy wrote a pamphlet denouncing the Constitution, pointing out that it moved power away from the people without protecting their rights – an argument that encouraged Congress to add the Bill of Rights in 1789.

Additionally, her most famous work is History of the Rise, Progress, and Termination of the American Revolution, a detailed historical account of the Revolution she lived through. Within its pages, Mercy provides a detailed picture of the events of the Revolution, along with her own commentary. Unlike many of her contemporaries, she argued against slavery, stating that the practice was contrary to American principles. While the collection was not popular when published in 1805, Mercy’s account is valued by historians as one of the earliest accounts of the Revolution, with many significant insights about the historical figures of the time.

Mercy continued writing for many years until her death in 1814. She was buried next to her husband at Burial Hill Cemetery in Plymouth, Massachusetts.

Key Contributions

At a time when women were discouraged from formal education and politics, Mercy became a powerful force in both realms. Her writings paved the way for the Revolution and created a space for women’s voices and opinions. In addition, she passionately supported many causes, including the rights of the people, education for women, and the abolition of slavery.

From her plays to her historical accounts, Mercy left her mark on the Revolution and shared her unique perspective on the events she experienced firsthand.

Interesting Facts

• Hosted political meetings at her home
• A close friend of many Patriot leaders, including John and Abigail Adams
• Wrote three satirical plays criticizing British policies: The Adulator (1772), Defeat (1773), and The Group (1775)
• Wrote History of the Rise, Progress, and Termination of the American Revolution (1805), one of the first accounts of the Revolution
• The first female historian in the United States
• A statue of Mercy stands outside of the Barnstable County Courthouse in Massachusetts

The Importance of Legacy and Remembrance

As you can see, Mercy Otis Warren lived an extraordinary life and used her words to help shape our nation during a difficult time. She was a patriot. An intellectual. A wife and mother. A brilliant writer. A feminist. A historian. She left a clear legacy, both to her children and to the fledgling nation she helped found.

As we remember Mercy Otis Warren and the events that made her life both ordinary and extraordinary, take a moment to think about your own life. Are you leaving a legacy that you and your family can be proud of? Have you shared what’s most important with those you care about?

With our legacies, we contribute to the future. What we do matters. While most of us will never be famous or well-known, that’s not the point of a legacy. Instead, think of legacy as your opportunity to take your family and the next generation to a level you can only imagine. Just like Mercy did!