Raising The Stakes and Going “All In”…
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Terri Wingham is the founder and CEO of A Fresh Chapter, a cancer survivor, and someone who believes that we are not defined by the most difficult aspects of our story. |
Can you think of a moment in your life when you made the decision to go “all in”? When you pushed your chips into the middle of the table and took a giant leap of faith into your future? Maybe the moment you put down your Visa card and picked up a diamond ring. The day you signed the bold blank line on your first mortgage. Or the moment you threw away your final birth control pill package and decided to open yourself up to the possibility of someone eventually calling you Mom.
Were you terrified before you took the leap? Did you consider, even for just one second, opting out? Out of the “till death do us part” commitment, the massive mortgage payments, or the dirty diapers and Fisher Price toys because the voice of your Inner Critic got the best of you? Maybe you came up with a lengthy mental list of all the ways you might fail. How you might lose your job and default on your mortgage; marry the wrong person; or become a terrible parent.
Even with all of those looming doubts, did you jump anyway? (more…)
Comments (26)
No one else could be doing this but you!
Thanks Tucker. I could not do this without the support of you and Mitch at GO Overseas. You two are the best! Looking forward to drinking wine in Sonoma to trade stories sometime after I get back. T
Is it bizarre for me to reply to your post by saying that there are tears streaming down my face? Tried blinking them back. Tried swallowing the lump. You have an itinerary. That’s a leap and it’s definitely going all in.
I am really very proud to know you.
Be the change you want to see in the world. Ghandi was thinking of you when he spoke those words.
Live, Laugh, Love-
AnneMarie
xoxox
I am so happy to know you! Thank you for your constant support. I can’t wait to reunite on the other side of the world so we can keep telling stories and giving people hope! Big hugs to you my friend.
T
xo
It’s wonderful to see this taking shape – how exciting. I am very interested to know more of the cancer experiences of women in Asia (and other developing countries) particularly.
Now I just need to organise myself and make sure we can connect over here.
Well done!
Philippa
Philippa – Thanks so much for your comment and I can’t wait to have the chance to meet face to face. If we can make it work, I know it will be fantastic. Big hugs and see you soon. T
Terri:
Wow! I can’t believe we met in that little coffee shop in Hoboken, NJ, and talked about this and now you’re on your way! I’m sending big vibes of support and love. Take it all the way!
Survival > Existence,
Debbie
Thanks Debbie,
It’s exhilarating and terrifying at the same time. Would love to see you while I’m on the road, if you have any desire to join me for a week or two. Big, big hugs and can’t wait to catch up soon. T xo
Terry,
Something tells me this is why you’re here. Keep living your dream and stretching yourself. I am one of hundreds possibly thousands by now that believe in you and the path you are on.
Sending you big hugs, lots of strength and love,
Andrea xx
Andrea,
I have tears in my eyes as I read your comment. Thank you! Your words mean the world to me. Keep living your dream too and I will support you in any way I can.
Big hugs, love, and strength to you too!
Terri
xo
Great post Ter. I have 100% faith that you can and will do this, and will succeed beyond your imagination! Much love to you as you plan to embark on this epic journey. Amazing itinerary, and mission. Looking forward to reading all about your adventures , and rooting you on along the way.
Rach xo
Rach – Thank you so much for the support. It means the world to me. I can’t wait to catch up with you soon and hear about your recent adventures. Big hugs and much love to you! T xo
Terri what an amazing thing you are doing. I am so envious that you have found the courage to follow your dreams. My life is so safe even after coming through Breast Cancer myself. Hopefully following you on your journey will inspire me to step out of my comfort zone. Good luck with getting everything organised.
Clare xx
Clare,
Thank you so much for your words. I appreciate the support and I wish you courage and faith as you move one step closer to the edge of your comfort zone. Brene Brown, a favourite writer and speaker of mine, defines courage as having the ability to tell the story of who you are with your whole heart. Although this kind of course is scary, it is also deeply liberating. I hope our paths cross in the not to distant future and I would love to have you along if you’re up for even just the smallest leg of my upcoming journey.
Big hugs!
Terri
Terri
I am a firm believer in leaps of faith, cultural immersion and power of women. You are a brave woman who without a doubt will nurture courage, love of life and empowerment for many more cancer survivors.
hugs from Nicaragua
Blue
Blue – Thank you so much for your support. I look forward to one day in the future when our paths cross in person!
Big hugs right back at you.
Terri
Looks like an amazing journey Terri! Have a wonderful time and we might ~wave~ to you as also planning a trip to Africa this year 😉
Cathy
Thanks Cathy – I just went LIVE with my fundraising site, so the pressure is on. Can’t wait to meet in person one day and I look forward to keeping in touch. Take care! Terri
Hey Terri, I am not sure how I landed on your blog but I am really glad I did. You are a stranger to me but reading your various posts made me feel as though I am watching a long running movie that is so heartwarming and inspiring to watch you just hope it never ends. It even made me contemplates if I should pack my bag and join you there in Vietnam (its a lovely place!!) .Your feisty spirit to Never Say Die and believe that you Can Do it, to Dare to Dream big and reach out to fulfill your dreams against all odds amazes and humbles me. Your relentless pursuit to fulfill your dreams and make a difference to the life of others reminded me of an inspirational quote I once read and if I may share it with you here:
“What we are trying to do may be just a drop in the ocean. But the ocean would be less because of that missing drop. ~ Mother Theresa”
In my humble opinion, what you are trying to achieve now with your journey is a symbol of that saying. You are just one person, but yet one who can brings about many positive impacts big or small during your journey. Even now, I am sure your posts brings cheers and hope to many others who read it and this is just the beginning. There will be many more whose life you will impact and I wish you all the very best on this journey. I hope that you will always remember at times when the going gets so tough that perhaps you will feel that your effort is insignificant, that you made it richer for the world just for being present, for being that one drop in the ocean, a single drop with many rippling effects. Congratulations on what you have achieved so far Terri. & I look forward to cheering you on this journey. Biggest hugs!
Hi! Thank you so much for your comment. I would love you to join me in Vietnam – what an incredible adventure that would be. I LOVE the quote you shared – thank you very much. I have incorporated it into one of the new pages on my site for my upcoming Adventure of Hope. Your support and kind words mean the world to me. It’s scary to take risks and giant leaps of faith, but if each step brings me closer to connecting with more and more amazing people like you, every bit of the stress is worth it. Big hugs right back at you! xo
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I am so glad that you showed up to the screening of Wrong Way to Hope at the BC Cancer Agency Community Forum, that you asked a question, I answered, and you came to speak with me after.
I am so excited for what you’re doing. Going to Peru has been a dream for me for several years now. After I lost my right ovary to cancer, I felt like I had lost a bit of my life giving ability, so I helped support a little girl in Peru. I helped for 3.5 years and then the cost was just something I had to cut back. I have always wanted to climb Machu Picchu, and help others while I’m there. Now, if only I could learn a little spanish…
Can’t wait to share some of your stories through the Cancer Knowledge Network.
All the best to you!
Jen
Jen,
I’m so glad we connected too! I don’t believe in coincidence anymore, so maybe our meeting is a foreshadowing that you might join me in Peru? I have a long ways to go on my fundraising, but hope in the future, I can help support other survivors on similar trips. You just never know where life is going to take you 😉 I look forward to sharing some of my stories through the Cancer Knowledge Network and I hope someday soon, we get to sit down and trade travel stories of our own.
Big hugs to you.
Terri
p.s. What an amazing story about you and the little girl in Peru. Kudos to you my friend!
[…] When I think of the amazing ripple effect, we can create together, it makes it easier for me to Raise the Stakes and Go “All In” and to continue to Take Big […]
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