While most people traditionally think of Valentine’s Day as being a time of  intimate dinners and romantic gifts, my perspective is slightly different. Four years ago today, I pulled the bell of completion in the oncology unit of Greater Baltimore Medical Center – I had just finished my 36th radiation treatment. And while I have spoken earlier about my breast cancer diagnosis and how it has influenced me in my purchasing of personal products, you can’t appreciate how invasive this illness is because once you receive your diagnosis – more things change than you can possibly imagine. 

 

Being Told What to Do

Not long after I was diagnosed, my physicians set a course of treatment for me and I learned what products I could and could not use.

That may not seem like a big deal, but consider with cancer you literally are fighting yourself. What we crave as children is to be an adult, yes? Why do we crave so much to be an adult? Because nobody can tell us what to do! We are in control! We call the shots about everything…where we go, who we see and what we buy…. at least that’s what we think.

 

Giving Back Isn’t Convenient – Selfishness Reigns

We pretty much operate on that premise until radical change alters how we live. Sadly, the majority of us live in this way. We have a false sense of being in control and subsequently, we develop a condition of selfishness. Our protected little bubble of a world is all ours and we resent if anything comes along to disrupt the cozy routines we set up for ourselves.

Our comfort zones shrink considerably when it becomes all about us. Personally, I regarded myself as a kind person, but if I was asked to extend myself beyond the boundaries of my comfort zones, then I invariably would find a way to wiggle out of an understanding. I would refrain from extending myself beyond surface or token expressions of kindness.

Not something I am proud to put in writing, but in the spirit of disclosure, I’m laying my cards on the proverbial table and coming clean.

 

Eating Humble Pie – the Hard Way

So imagine how it feels to start using a natural deodorant (one that is doctor preferred) and after having it on for a very short time, you start feeling sweaty and even worse, you know you stink. You STINK! You’re sick with a body whose cells are going haywire – NO CONTROL, you’re fatigued, your focus is shot and now on top of everything else you know you smell horrible. So much for your comfy cozy bubble of a life where you were in control. Not only have you been taken down a cosmic notch or two, you’re feeling seriously humble and questioning why you have been so self absorbed.

 

Finding a Way to Give Back

By the conclusion of my radiation, I had a radically different opinion about myself, about life and about how I treated others. God works in strange ways though and my ability to give back wouldn’t fully form until a little over three years later with the addition of my then, soon to be husband Barry and our development of an idea to make all natural products.

By mid to late summer last year, my curiosity as to whether or not I could make my own deodorant (minus the chemicals) reached a crescendo and I made a decision one Sunday that I could! I think people are intrigued about making diy (do it yourself) products but insecurity or a general fear they’ll somehow do it wrong prevents them from trying.

My advice: What’s the worse that can happen?? You screw it up? SO WHAT? The worse thing that can happen is you have a great story to share with family and friends…so get out the pots and pans and ingredients for your desired concoction and start cookin’!

 

Because I shook my intimidation and gave it a shot, I recently approached the same hospital I received my treatment from and made a pitch for them to recommend our deodorant  to patients while they undergo treatment and I’m excited to report, the head nurse said yes! We have one more hurdle to cross, but it’s looking good. 

 

Is Giving Back Natural?

Personally, my journey towards giving back was not a natural process. I had to be pulled out of my comfort zone. But now my desire to give a little dignity to someone undergoing treatment feels like the most natural thing in the world to do and I’m proud to be part of any process that restores a person’s sense of self esteem even if it’s only to smell better.

How do you define natural?

What ways do you give back?

 

Finding a better way to live,

Cathy