"Dashing Divas" Are Now An Official Team!

Thank you for signing up for 26.2 with Donna

The National Marathon to Fight Breast Cancer

This registration is for the race on February 21, 2010. 

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"Ours is not an endless hope - our hope is endless"

Well, there is no turning back now!  I officially registered today and paid my dues!  I had to fill out a questionnaire and they asked what my purpose for running was.  I answered to raise awareness for the cure.  But after I thought about it there is something more important I want to raise awareness of - HOPE.

I think holding on to HOPE is the most important ingredient in finding the cure.  HOPE IS the cure.  HOPE is expecting to get what we want and I believe it is from this fountain that all else flows.  HOPE is what kept me hanging on in the darkest of nights during my own journey through breast cancer - in the greatest of pain - in the most fearful moments - when I had no guarantees -  when I had no one but God who could help me. HOPE kept me alive.

Here are a few of my favorite quotes about hope:

I HOPE you never lose HOPE whatever battle you are fighting today!

Hope is a waking dream.

 

~ Aristotle ~

 

To the sick, while there is life there is hope.

 

~ Marcus T. Cicero ~

 

Of all ills that one endures, hope is a cheap and universal cure.

 

~ Abraham Cowley ~

 

We must accept finite disappointment, but never lose infinite hope.

 

~ Martin Luther King Jr. ~

 

The very least you can do in your life is to figure out what you hope for. And the most you can do is live inside that hope. Not admire it from a distance but live right in it, under its roof.

 

~ Barbara Kingsolver ~

 

He who does not hope to win has already lost.

 

~ Jose Joaquin Olmedo ~

 

Hope, the patent medicine for disease, disaster, sin.

 

~ Wallace Rice ~

 

He who has never hoped can never despair.

 

~ George Bernard Shaw ~

 

Hope is the companion of power, and mother of success; for who so hopes strongly has within him the gift of miracles.

 

~ Samuel Smiles ~

I originally had planned to "race to the starting line" of the marathon by myself but several people have asked to join me on the journey.  I am very touched and excited to have company in my glorious quest!  So I am forming a team called "THE DASHING DIVAS" to trail in the footsteps of Donna Deegan for this heavenly cause!  Does anyone else want to join the team?  Remember - the goal is to GET TO THE STARTING LINE.  Any step beyond is a victory in my book!

I signed up for the half marathon which allows you to walk  (just as far as you can.)  My mission is to raise awareness and possibly donations for the cause.  I am in the process of putting together a gameplan for THE DASHING DIVAS team to come together for possible meetings, workouts, walks, and motivational sessions.  We OF COURSE need to design our team "uniforms" diva style that we will be wearing to compete.  I am also looking for "cheerleaders"  who can show up on marathon day for moral support and pep club duties!  The following divas are the first to express interest in joining me in the race:

1.  Kelly Black

2.  Elayne Mines

3.  Missy Losco

4.  Debi Rochford

5.  Helen Martin

Let me know if you would like to join the team!

I appreciate any prayers for "The Dashing Divas" and the marathon cause.  Let's put a little hope in our hearts.  We'll see you at the starting line!

Yours in HOPE,

Dashing Diva Rene

 

The Dashing Diva Has Arrived!

"Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?"   Esther 4:14

Now I am really in gear because I "got my diva on" thanks to artist extraordinaire Stacy Aasved!  Stacy will be helping me document my "work in progress" as I go along.  Thank you Stacy!  Check out the rest of her creative genius at her website:

http://creepykidz.blogspot.com/

So what's a diva to do?  I think there is a "DIVA" in every woman.  Each of us is DARING - IMAGINATIVE - VIVACIOUS - AUTHENTIC.

We each have a sleeping DIVA inside us  waiting to be roused by the kiss of a prince!  Jesus is the "prince" of my life who whispers to my heart and soul.  He beckons me to shine my light.

He encourages me to be DARING.   I have been attending bible study classes with my daughter Scarlett each Monday night,  and we have been studying the Beth Moore series on the book of Esther.  Reading about this mighty queen renews my faith that I was born "for such a time as this!"  Last week the lesson addressed the issue of fear.  It really hit home as I made my first atttempts to DARE to believe I could actually participate in this marathon and follow in Donna Deegan's footsteps.

I realized that sometimes fear makes you take a few steps backwards.  I have done this over the last few weeks as I attempted to launch my mighty crusade.  But here is what I have learned.  The sneaky ole devil uses fear to paralyze us most often with what MIGHT happen - all the "what if's" of life.

• WHAT IF I can't make it to the even the starting line?
  
• 
  
• WHAT IF I can never eat my favorite foods again?

• WHAT IF I don't have enough faith to see me through?
  
• 
  
• WHAT IF my cancer comes back?
  
• 
  
• WHAT IF I lose everything?
  
• 
  
• WHAT IF I never change?
  
• 
  
• WHAT IF my heart never mends?
  
• 
  
• WHAT IF all my greatest fears come true?
  

Esther teaches us by example, when she issues the most powerful statement a DIVA can make in the face of any dire consequence - "If I perish, I perish."  When Esther says this she is telling God that no matter what the consequences of being courageous, she is trusting HIM to see her through.  She is hanging on to hope.  She is believing that her God is bigger than any problem she might have.

A DIVA uses her IMAGINATION to think on what God tells us to in Phillipians 4:8:

"Whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just,

whatever is pure, whatever is lovely,

whatever is commendable,

if there is any moral excellence and if there is any praise,

think on these things."

I have created affirmations that I read aloud each day to imprint the truth on my subconscious from which all my actions will flow.  I also believe that our thoughts are electromagnetic forces and like attracts like from the universe.  I think this is what God tries to teach us in the bible when he tells us to "renew our minds."  Here is my morning "championship"prayer I pray each day" in addition to reciting various bible verses - especially Psalm 91.

DIVA CHAMPION PRAYER

With God all things are possible.  God is the source of endless possibilities and endless blessings.  God is good, very good perfection now.  With god, each day holds the promise of new achievements.  Every day is God's new opportunity.  Yesterday is over and done with.  Today is the first new day of God's blessings.

God is the perfect champion.  God is the perfect re-creator.  God is the perfect remodeler of my body.  God is the miracle maker.  God is the way, the truth, and the life.

I am created in the likeness and image of God, therefore, I respond to life's challenges as God would - by knowing the truth that sets me free and delighting in the discipline process necessary to remodel my body to perfection.

I therefore claim for myself, Rene Williams, the perfect body transformation to my ideal size, shape, and weight or better.  I now know that I AM restoring my body to its greatest potential and healing my relationship with myself.  I now heal and release all thoughts that interfere with this claim, whether known or unknown, conscious or unconscious.

My thoughts are now one with, the same as, and in tune with God's thought.  I invoke His Divine Presence to heal my limitations and negations of fear, rejection, sadness, limitation, confusion, lack of faith, lack of trust, resentment, anger, pain and frustration now.  These false beliefs are healed, forgiven and lifted into the light.

I AM enlightened.  I AM strengthened.  I AM forgiven.  I now welcome positive thoughts and emotions of love, self-acceptance, happiness, joy, unboundedness, clarity, faith, trust, forgiveness, wholeness, wisdom, healing and peace.

I thank You Lord that I am whole, complete, and free as you created me to be.

I now release this prayer fully and completely into God's hands knowing that God answers all prayer.  I decree it and it is so.

God wants us to be VIVACIOUS women.  We were born to be lively and spirited.  The dictionary also defines VIVACIOUS as "hard to kill."  Divas do not give up!  We Do It Victoriously Always!  We are tough cookies.  Tough times never last but tough cookies do.

Most of all Divas are AUTHENTIC.  We are honest and trustworthy.  We are REAL WOMEN.  Our souls magnify the Lord.  We understand our purpose in life is to shine the light of joy in the world for others to follow.  Donna Deegan has shined the light on my path,  inspiring me to pursue a glorious quest to conquer cancer one woman at a time.  If Donna can do it I can too.

I invite you to join us in the cause.  Get involved and make a difference by believing that anything is possible with God and a DIVA on a mission!  See you at the starting line!

Have a heavenly day.

Rene

Take These Buns and Shove It!

"A faithful man shall abound with blessings"  -  Proverbs 28:20

I am happy to report to you that I am starting to build up steam in my training program.  I am walking faithfully each day at least 3 miles.  I am getting a grip on healthy eating and have reduced my calorie intake.  My meals are mainly vegetables, protein and either grains or fruit.  I drink several protein drinks a day made with whey.  I take my vitamins, drink a green drink and drink plenty of water.  I have dropped a couple pounds and am starting to feel alot more energetic and clear headed.  I'm catching up Donna Deegan!  I can't wait to meet you at the starting line!

This past Sunday morning my girlfriend Debi and I headed to Jacksonville beach for a sunrise walk.  That day would have been my 34th wedding anniversary but God called my sweetheart home after a knock down-drag out battle with lung cancer that ended 7 months ago.  Debi and I made it to the beach just in time for a glorious sunrise with a picture-perfect sky.  Brilliant red clouds flanked the horizon as the sunlight peeked out from behind them.

Then suddenly as we strolled along, we looked to see a perfectly formed huge heart shaped hole right in the middle, with the sun shining through.  There was no "kinda looked like" to it.  It was a big beautiful heart.  Wonder who made that?  Then as we walked further we spotted a message in a bottle in the sand.  A folded piece of paper stuck out from a crack in the plastic bottle.  We couldn't resist.  We pulled it out and opened it.  There was the following hand printed poem written on the paper:

You Who Never Arrived

 

   You who never arrived

in my arms, Beloved, who were lost

from the start,

I don't even know what songs

would please you. I have given up trying

to recognize you in the surging wave of

the next moment. All the immense

images in me -- the far-off, deeply-felt

landscape, cities, towers, and bridges, and

unsuspected turns in the path,

and those powerful lands that were once

pulsing with the life of the gods--

all rise within me to mean

you, who forever elude me.

You, Beloved, who are all

the gardens I have ever gazed at,

longing. An open window

in a country house-- , and you almost

stepped out, pensive, to meet me.

Streets that I chanced upon,--

you had just walked down them and vanished.

And sometimes, in a shop, the mirrors

were still dizzy with your presence and,

startled, gave back my too-sudden image.

Who knows? Perhaps the same

bird

echoed through both of us

yesterday, separate, in the evening...

Rainer Maria Rilke 

Haunting huh?  What do you think are the chances of finding a heart in the clouds and a message in a bottle with a poem about someone not being able to find the one they love?  Two miracles in one day - the anniversary of the day our two hearts became one.  I know that Johnny knows I keep searching for him and wondering where he is now.  He knows I still wake up each morning with an expectant heart looking for him in the form of blue butterflies.  I know he is trotting beside me each moment while I train for a glorious quest.  He would want me to be victorious.

I count my victories every six months at Mayo Clinic when I report for my cancer check-ups.  My next one is coming up in a few weeks.  This year I am 5 years cancer-free.  Thank you Lord that I am healed.  The victory is always Yours.  Now onward and upward to resurrection and becoming who I was born to be.   The starting line is where I'm headed that leads to the next beautiful chapter of my life.

Have a heavenly day!

Rene

Finding The Fountain of Youth

“Behold, I make all things new”  -  Revelations 21:6

 

The devil made her do it.  Eve ate the apple from the “tree of knowledge” and the apple has been a part of our human destiny ever since!  All throughout history it has been used as food and medicine.  Hippocrates treated patients with the vinegar as far back as 400 BC.  Could this fermented descendant of Eve’s fateful bite indeed be the perfect food?

 

Throughout biblical times vinegar was used to treat wounds and infections and it has been cited in a multitude of medical texts.  What is the magic ingredient that gives this sour “medicine” it’s mighty power?  Potassium!  It is the star mineral around which all the other minerals revolve.  It is what attracts “living water” to our cells.

 

The main function of potassium is to promote cell, tissue and organism growth.  It is necessary to replace dead cells and tissue.  I say it is the stuff of RESURRECTION!

 

I have been reading up on this miracle tonic because of the many marvelous things it can do for our bodies to maximize our greatest potential to heal and have vibrant health.  Apple cider vinegar is an important ingredient of my comeback plan because it is known to do the following according to Patricia Bragg’s book “”Apple Cider Vinegar”:

 

-       cleans out clogged arteries

-       relieves chronic fatigue

-       flushes out fat

-       rids body of toxic wastes

-       relieves headaches

-       combats corns and callouses

-       zaps sore throats and laryngitis

-       balances ph of skin

-       restores the acid to alkaline balance to body

-       relieves sunburn pain

-       rejuvenates skin

-       heals minor cuts and abrasions

-       treats yeast and fungus infections

-       stops pain and itching from insect bites

-       helps scalp and hair conditions

-       soothes muscle soreness and aching joints

-       strengthens heart

-       improves digestion

-       fights kidney and bladder problems

-       combats gallstones

-       shrinks prostrate

-       helps female troubles

-       fights arthritis

-       helps regularity

-       dissolves acid crystals in stiff joints

-       banishes stiffness from body

-       normalizes blood pressure

-       relieves muscle cramps

-       keeps you healthy, youthful and vigorous

-       fights bacteria and viruses

-       strengthens and clears eyes

 

Is there something apple cider vinegar could do for you?  I am ready to try to knock out a few things from the above list!  For daily maintenance it is recommended to drink an “apple cider vinegar cocktail” by combining a few spoonfuls of the vinegar with some raw honey in a glass of water.  Once a day keeps the doctor away!  If you are really serious about results it is recommended to drink a glass on rising, before lunch, and before dinner.

 

I am incorporating this elixir of life into my daily habits because I suspect I may be deficient as many people are.  Body signs of potassium deficiency are:

 

-       Bone and muscle aches

-       Body feels heavy and tired – its an effort to move

-       Shooting pains or dizziness when straightening up after leaning over

-       Morning dull headaches upon rising or when stressed

-       Dull faded hair that lacks sheen or luster

-       Itchy scalp or premature thinning, balding hair

-       Itchy eyes that feel sore or uncomfortable and appear bloodshot or watery

-       Eyes that tire easily and will not focus when they should

-       Tiring physically and mentally with the slightest effort

-       Loss of mental alertness

-       Difficult decision making

-       Memory failure

-       Easily irritable and impatient

-       Nervous, depressed, in a mental fog

-       Mental exhaustion chilly hands and feet

 

Bottoms up and cheers to you if you decide to join me in a quest for a stronger, longer and healthier life!  I’ll see you at the starting line of your own marathon, to the life of your dreams.  I encourage each of you to dream big, think big, but enjoy the small miracles of everyday life.  Remember, nothing is impossible for God.

 

Have a heavenly day!

 

Rene

 P.S.  I invite you to tune in to WAYRADIO this Saturday morning at 9:30am located on 550AM station for my interview on the Journeys With Christ show hosted by Carldon Layhee.  Find out how to keep hope in hopeless situations!  God bless!

 

The Making of A Champion

“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and love and of a sound mind”  -  2 Timothy 1:7

 

This is scary stuff folks.  Did I say I was going to run a marathon?  What was I thinking?  This is me.  Diva Rene Williams.  Never in a million years could I have ever predicted I would see myself competing in a marathon.  Only the strong and tough dare to compete in such a monumental challenge!!  Who do I think I am?

 

So where do I begin?  How do you make a miracle?  What is a DIVA to do?  First let me explain what DIVA stands for:

 

Do

     It

        Victorious

            Always!

 

If I plan on being a champion and making it to the STARTING line – I need to start thinking like a champion.  The Lord tells me I can overcome fear because I have been given all power to overcome any obstacle.  As Vince Lombardi says in his famous speech:

 

“Winning is not a sometime thing; it’s an all the time thing. You don’t win once in a while; you don’t do things right once in a while; you do them right all the time. Winning is a habit. Unfortunately, so is losing.”

 

Your goals determine your habits.  If I am going to make it to the STARTING line I have to change my daily habits.  This past week I have been scouring my personal library with all my books on eating properly, exercise, motivation, goal setting, and winning.  I realize to achieve this mighty quest  I have to do the things I did to accomplish other monumental goals in life.  I have to visualize what it is I want to be and start “faking it until I make it.”  I have to start acting as if I have already achieved it in mind, body and spirit.

 

So here I go.  I have made a daily checklist of the things I am striving to incorporate into my life each day that will empower me to maximize my greatest potential.  I am taking baby steps daily to add each one in gradually until I have transformed my habits completely.  I think I read that anything you do for 21 days straight becomes ingrained in your mind as a habit.  Here’s the list.  I will explain each item on the list and why it is important as I go along in future columns.

 

Daily Champion Checklist

 

1.     Increase water intake

2.     Start walking daily

3.     Body brushing

4.     Stretching Exercise

5.     Face exercise

6.     “Eat To Live” eating plan

7.     Sunshine moments

8.     Mini trampoline jumping

9.     Drink apple cider vinegar cocktails

10.  Take  digestive enzymes

11.  Drink a green drink

12.  Say positive affirmations

13.  Prayer time

14.  Do sit ups for core strength

15.  Take multi-vitamins

16.  Moisturize body

17.  Bible study

18.  Rest

19.  Meditation

20.  Deep breathing

21.  Footcare

 

The beauty of this list is that I feel it is a checklist for transformational good health in general.  I will continue to run a never-ending marathon to prevent cancer from returning to my body.  I believe our health is a powerful weapon in thwarting any disease.  So whatever marathon in life you are running yourself – whatever problem, disease, stronghold or situation you are struggling to overcome – take control – take power over it – take a stand and become all you were born to be.

 

I believe I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.  I believe we all can.  I invite you to join me in your own transformation.  Together we can all find heaven on earth!  Onward and upward!

 

Have a heavenly day!

 

Rene

 

 

Crossing The Fear Line - Day 1

"Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers."  - 3 John 2

It’s been over 5 years since I heard the news over the phone.  Breast cancer – stage 3.  I sat in a parking lot alone in my car trembling as I called back the radiologist.  I was numb listening to the compassionate voice that later became the Mayor of Jacksonville’s wife.  “I’m so sorry.” she said.  I hung up the phone in disbelief.  The next call was to my Mother.

Since that moment I have been to the breast cancer battlefield and back.  In the summer of 2004 I went through 3 months of chemotherapy every 2 weeks.  Every hair on my body disappeared.  Even my eyelashes.

I rested a month before they removed my right breast and many lymph nodes with a radical modified masectomy operation.  I went for physical therapy for a month to reduce my swelling and restore range of motion in my right arm. 

I started 2 more months of oral chemotherapy that blistered the palms of my hands and the soles of my feet and caused unstoppable diarrhea .

They stopped the chemotherapy, and I was admitted to the hospitable for dehydration, and almost died that Christmas 2004.  I was saved by a miracle.  It was the best Christmas of my life.  I discovered home is where the heart is.  They sent me home the day of the “great sunami” that we all remember.  I recuperated for another month with weekly blood tests.

Then it was another 6 weeks of radiation.  My scarred right chest turned black as it burned through any last wisps of cancer hiding in the shadows.  I still continue to take Arimidex for another 10 years to prevent cancer's return.

Last year my husband Johnny was diagnosed with terminal lung cancer in May 2008.  He died this year February 21, 2009.  I do not understand why I survived and he didn’t.  It doesn’t seem fair.   He was my soul mate.  But I take comfort knowing where he is at now, and I know who he is having supper with tonight.  He is in a much happier place with a lot of good company!

So here I am Lord.  I’m in need of resurrection.  Out of the misty fog comes a light to my soul.  You send me my answer through my most precious angel – my daughter Scarlett.  She calls to tell me she has decided to do something magnificent.  She wants to help find a cure for cancer by running in,  and raising funds for,  the 2010 National Marathon To Fight Breast Cancer here in Jacksonville, Florida, hosted by Donna Deegan to benefit Mayo Clinic - 26.2 with Donna.  The race takes place on the anniversary of Johnny’s death.  I beam with pride at her courage.  And then I think to myself – why not me?

Then I freeze in fear.  What am I thinking?  I’m out of shape.  My emotions are still swirling in grief.  I feel helpless searching for my purpose in life.  I certainly am in NO condition to take on such a huge challenge.  I feel so alone.  Then I stumble upon an article about a book by John Geiger called “The Third Man Factor.”  It reminds me through several incredible true stories – that we are NEVER alone.

The Wasteland – T.S. Eliot

Who is the third who walks always beside you?

When I count, there are only you and I together

But when I look ahead up the white road

There is always another one walking beside you

Gliding wrapt in a brown mantle, hooded

I do not know whether a man or a woman

But who is that on the other side of you?

I remember years ago how brave I was during my journey through breast cancer.  I know how brave I was during my husband’s battle with lung cancer.  Where is my courage now?  Where is “the one who walked always beside me” during those moments?  I read T.S. Eliot’s poem and I realize – oh yes.  He is still here.  My Lord has never left me.  It is I who have been wandering in the valley.  It is time to walk back towards the light.

I decide that if I truly believed before that nothing was impossible, and trusted God to walk with me through it all, then running an impossible marathon is no exception.  Perhaps these are the first steps to the new chapter He has waiting for me in life.  When we ask God to direct our paths we must be willing to take the first step.

So here I go – crossing the line of fear.  I am committing myself to the impossible dream.  For me it is not reaching the finish line.  It is reaching the starting line.  It is showing up the day of the race and proving God right.

I invite you to follow along with me as I “dash after Donna” to the race.  Donna Deagan is an incredible woman who has inspired so many through her example of determination to make a difference in the world.  It takes great courage to live a life in front of the public’s eyes as a newscaster, and let us have a peek into her private world and her soul.  It makes courage contagious.  Because Donna lives, the world is a better place.  She teaches us to live for more than ourselves.  As a role model – she shows us the glorious heights that are possible for each of us when we live our life on purpose.

So here I go.  I am throwing my hat in the ring.  I am going to run the marathon - or technically the "half marathon."  I begin "training" tomorrow.  I hope you'll join me each day to track my progress and hold me accountable.  Perhaps you might want contribute to the cause.  Maybe you will just find something in my journey that will spark your own resurrection.

I will be sharing what I learn each day as I read and research information on healthy eating, good exercise and how I am incorporating it all into my personal training program.  I will also be sharing my emotional and spiritual journey I am experiencing as I make the transformation back to my "personal best."  This is a journey God and I are taking together.  I want to pave the way for every woman to make a comeback with the ultimate trainer - God himself.

I hope you'll join me!  I dedicate this quest to my Heavenly Father, His Son, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit, through whom all things are possible.

Rene