His Name Is Connor

March 20, 2012 By Tina Moore 6 Comments

I want to introduce you to a very special little boy. His name is Connor. Look at that face and beautiful smile; it’s easy to see the love and zest for life in this child’s face. In his mother’s words:

“Connor is my Sir Lancelot- radiant, brave and full of empathy for others.”

That’s Connor’s brother, Kayden. Connor is his little buddy. Every photo I viewed shows the love between these two brothers. Kayden has a goal inspired by his brother and YOU have the power to make it come true.

Here is Connor’s story: At just 7 years old and in grade 2, after feeling dizzy and falling at school, Connor was diagnosed with medulloblastoma, a malignant tumour in the cerebellum of the brain. After an initial misdiagnosis of an inner ear infection, his parents wisely took him to BC Children’s Hospital insisting on another examination. After failing his neuro vitals, a CT scan followed by an MRI discovered the malignant tumor which was 3×5 cm in diameter.

I think about that moment, when his parents received the news that their healthy, sweet little boy has a malignant tumor. I’m sure the breath was sucked out of their lungs and time stopped and raced at the same time. It is certain; they will never be the same again.

Connor’s medical team was amazed how quickly he recovered after the tumour was successfully removed in emergency surgery on September, 19th, 2010. His parents were told that his tumour was “standard” and with six weeks of radiation and nine rounds of chemotherapy, Connor had a 95% survival rate! Hope was high!

When treatment ended fourteen months later on Halloween 2011, his family rejoiced believing Connor could be a ‘normal’ little boy again.

Sadly, nausea and vomiting never stopped after his last round of treatment and his platelets never recovered despite the numerous transfusions. He had always bounced back so quickly…

Connor relapsed on November 12th. He had signs of a stroke and was rushed into emergency surgery after a CT scan showed what looked like a mass of blood. The tumour was back, but far more aggressive. Now it was the worst form of medulloblastoma possible.

His parents, brother, family, friends and medical staff were blindsided. The surgeon cried because after seeing Connor in surgery the first time, he believed he would beat it.

Dear, sweet Connor was initially angry and said he didn’t want to die.

It is hard to imagine being a parent in that position. Life does not prepare you for that depth of pain.

As a family, they cried, held each other and talked about everything. They showed Connor in the little time he had left, how much he was loved. Canuck Place Hospice gave Connor superior care making sure he was pain-free. Grief counsellors helped him come to terms with dying.

This little boy became incredibly intuitive and calm. Wise words regularly came out of his mouth. Friends, teachers, family, nurses and others who were affected by his bravery, quiet wisdom and kind heart continue to write notes to him on his Facebook wall. He touched so many lives in a short amount of time.

Connor passed away in his parents arms on December 21, 2011, just days before Christmas.

I think of him every day when I look outside and see the sun peak through the clouds. I think of his family who miss him beyond what words can describe. I think about his mother, because she is my friend.

Kayden really misses his little brother and would like to honour him by raising funds for BC Children’s Hospital. Kayden’s goal is to raise $1,000 which will then be matched through the ChildRun organization. You can help make Kayden a proud big brother by making a donation in his name, HERE.

Think of the incidentals in life: the coffee in the morning, the sandwich at lunch or a few drinks after work…give that up for one day and you have your DONATION. A powerful and profound impact can be made by such a simple and easy gesture.

Every school day, 46 children are diagnosed and 7 children die due to childhood cancers. No one believes this will ever happen to their child but when it does, your world changes, your priorities shift and life stands still…

Please make a DONATION in Kayden’s name to honour his little brother, Connor.

Funds raised are going towards an Oncology wing and PEDIATRIC CANCERS.

Thank you.

With a loving heart,

Tina

PS. Give your children an extra hug today. Life is precious.

THE Jog Blog – 61

March 15, 2012 By Tina Moore 1 Comment

(I’m FEELING a bit FLUSHED, how about you?)

F is an important letter for me. I started to run on my 39th birthday with the goal of running FORTY kilometers on my FORTIETH birthday. I worked hard and ultimately celebrated that goal. I changed my life in a profound way. For FUN, I thought I’d write today’s blog in honour of the letter F…and when I think of the letter F, I automatically think of FIREMEN…they are my FAVORITE!

Here are FIFTEEN (or so) reasons why I run for FUN!

FIRST, I have been known to run for FIREMEN.

I run to keep FIT.

I run to FEEL FABULOUS.

I like to run FAST and I like to run FAR.

I love running with FRIENDS and FAMILY.

I run to process my FEELINGS.

I run to FORGIVE and I run to FORGET.

I run to FIND mySELF.

Running makes me FEARLESS.

I love to run FREE.

I run to FOCUS.

I run to FIGHT CANCER.

I run because I like moving FORWARD in life.

I ran FORTY kilometers on my FORTIETH birthday.

I ran FORTY TWO kilometers on my FORTY SECOND birthday!

I have run FURTHER than I ever thought I would!

I run to FINISH.

I will run on FRIDAY.

I will run FOREVER.

Life is completely different for me now that I’ve incorporated running into my life. I truly am living my FORTIES better than I’ve ever lived my thirties. I have embraced who I am and it gives me the FREEDOM to live life to the FULLEST.

Wishing you a FABULOUS, FANTASTIC and FUN weekend my FRIENDS.

With a smile,

Tina

I am a Survivor

March 13, 2012 By Tina Moore Leave a Comment

I am a survivor.

I lived with, accepted, tolerated, lied and even made excuses for the abusive actions of men in my life. I grew up in dysfunction and believed love equals pain, shame and guilt.

Many people don’t realize the profound impact emotional and verbal abuse have on their self-esteem and self-worth. They don’t realize that critical, angry and punishing words or silent treatments are abusive. It’s about power and control and has nothing to do with love.

According to the Mentalhelp.net website, these are the traits of an abuser:

  • Insecure
  • Needy
  • Distrustful
  • Often jealous
  • Needs to be in control
  • Blames their behavior on others

I can tell you, with 100% certainty that my last two relationships had ALL those traits. They were extremely insecure, possessive, controlling, manipulative, needy and I was always the reason their life was in chaos or why they weren’t happy.

I was called a financial liability even though I worked three jobs and never asked for a dime.

I was told I was getting fat, or I was too skinny. My clothes were too tight or too loose, too sexy or not sexy enough.

I was lazy or working too much. I could never get it right because the rules always changed.

My time was always monitored, meaning if I went out with friends and wasn’t home by 10:00 pm, the phone would start ringing. It became easier to stay home but my friendships suffered as a result.

I began to isolate and soon showed signs of depression and anxiety. Now I was an emotional liability as well as a financial liability.

I was told I didn’t understand HIS pain or I wasn’t there for HIM emotionally. I could never do or say enough to make him feel happy, secure or wanted and as a result it was MY fault he had the affairs. It was exhausting.

He told me I was forever ‘screwed up by my past’. I was ‘damaged’. Who else could possibly want me?

NO ONE WILL EVER WANT ME OR LOVE ME LIKE HE DID.

NO ONE WILL BE AS GOOD OF A LOVER AS HE WAS.

NO ONE WILL EVER TAKE HIS PLACE.

I believed all that bullshit for a very long time. He fulfilled my belief that love equals pain. He also fulfilled my belief that I didn’t deserve kindness, love, affection, generosity, security or RESPECT without some sort of punishment.

How did I turn it around?

It took HARD WORK, SELF REFLECTION, COURAGE, DETERMINATION and making a DECISION to change my life.

I focused on ONE relationship only: The relationship with mySELF.

I created a sacred bond with mySELF.

I did this through JOGGING, JOURNALING, READING and surrounding mySELF with POSITIVE, LOVING people. I used AFFIRMATIONS, setting and completing GOALS and HONOURING every emotional step along the way.

I LISTENED TO MY INSTINCT.

I NURTURED MY INNER VOICE.

I RESPECTED MY BODY.

I MADE MYSELF THE PRIORITY.

If your relationship with yourSELF isn’t respected, honoured and valued then all other relationships will reflect that belief.

Remember: You are not defined by your circumstances, you are defined by your choices.

PLEASE, CHOOSE YOU.

With a smile, love and compassion,

Tina

THE Jog Blog – 60

March 8, 2012 By Tina Moore Leave a Comment

We’ve all heard the enormous benefits of meditation: calming the mind bringing peace, tranquility and a state of wellbeing.

I used to find meditation challenging. I couldn’t stop my mind from racing. My brain resembled the chaotic movement of a racquetball pinging off every wall with no real direction. It brought no sense of calm, clarity or wisdom but rather created more chaos, confusion and frustration.

Although I knew the benefits, I couldn’t seem to reap the rewards until…

I started to jog.

Yes, jogging is a wonderful way to meditate! It allows me to purge the negative, chaotic thoughts in a healthy way leaving my mind open. It also gives me the natural, happy high of endorphins that can last up to 12 hours!

I meditate two ways while I jog:

    1. I use mottos. Repeating a single phrase or word keeps me focused, centered and manifests the results I am looking for in my life.
    2. I run in nature, away from the cars, city noise and mass population.

        Running on a trail through fields or forest or jogging along the ocean or a gentle stream is proven to bring more peace and a sense of wellbeing. The calm surroundings bring you closer to yourSELF and away from the stresses of life.

In 1996 a study showed that negative ions – invisible air molecules released by trees, increase the oxygen flow to the brain helping to alleviate such things as SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder).

SAFETY TIPS WHEN RUNNING ON TRAILS

  • TELL SOMEONE WHERE YOU ARE GOING AND HOW LONG YOU WILL BE. Check in with them when you return.
  • CARRY ID – either your driver’s license safely tucked into a secret pocket or an ID bracelet.
  • RUN WITH A DOG.
  • BE AWARE OF YOUR SURROUNDINGS. When you run on trails you have to watch where you are stepping so you don’t turn an ankle, but do be mindful of looking up, listening and using your instinct.
  • RUN WITH A FRIEND. Although you may want your alone time, find a friend who will not speak during this run. Respect each other by staying quiet, giving each time to reflect and meditate, yet keeping safe by jogging together.
  • BE VISIBLE. Wear bright colored, reflective clothing and stay on the trails. Do not go into completely remote areas and risk your safety.
  • DO NOT RUN WITH MUSIC. This is a time to be aware of your surroundings and to leave other stimuli at home.
  • CARRY YOUR PHONE. This is for emergency purposes only, not to check emails or texts.

Although it seems like a lot of rules when you just want a little peace and quiet, they are easy to incorporate and will keep you safe.

If you really want to get centered you could join the Marathon Monks of Mount Hiei, Japan.

They trail run between 24 and 82 miles (38 – 132K) A DAY for a 1,000 days straight in order to reach enlightenment. WOW.

If you struggle with meditation, allow your footsteps to create a pattern. Listen to the rhythm. Be aware of your breath. Let go.

I wish you a beautiful weekend full of peace, quiet reflection and the beauty of nature. What a gift!

With a smile,

Tina

Love The One You’re With

March 6, 2012 By Tina Moore 1 Comment

Have you ever loved someone so much that you would do anything for them? You always have their needs, comfort, thoughts, emotions and well being in mind?

Think of how much you love your child, spouse, parent, friend or sibling and what you would do for them.

You worry about them when they are struggling or beam with pride when they reach a goal, celebrating their success.

You’d stay up all night nursing them until their fever broke.

You’d tell them they were beautiful when they felt insecure.

You’d cheer them on when they applied for a new job, an audition or entrance into university.

You’d support them as they struggled with depression, anxiety or stress; you’d find help and offer to listen with a compassionate ear.

You’d squeeze their hand when they were scared.

You’d save up money so they could have something nice.

You’d send them a quick note or buy them a bouquet of tulips for no particular reason except to say, “I love you” or “I appreciate you.”

You’d honour their boundaries, hear their voice and respect their thoughts, opinions and emotions.

You’d forgive them.

You’d say, “Im sorry” if you hurt their feelings or didn’t tell the truth.

You know you’d be devastated if anything were to happen to them, so you appreciate each and every moment with them because those are the gifts of life.

Now, what if that person whom you love so much is YOU. What if YOU were to LOVE yourSELF that completely, with that much intensity, passion and commitment? What if YOU LOVED yourSELF so much you’d do anything for you?

Does that seem selfish? Why?

Why can’t we LOVE ourselves to that capacity? Why do we feel like we are being selfish, egotistical and somehow full of ourselves if we fall deeply, madly and passionately in LOVE with who we are?

Can you imagine how much LOVE you could extend to others if you loved yourSELF that much? It would multiply your capacity to LOVE infinitely.

Please…

LOVE, HONOUR AND RESPECT YOUR INNER SPIRIT – it is the essence of who you are.

LOVE, HONOUR AND RESPECT YOUR BODY – it is beautiful and works hard for you fighting disease and remaining healthy.

LOVE, HONOUR AND RESPECT YOUR THOUGHTS, EMOTIONS, IDEAS AND OPINIONS – they have value and purpose.

LOVE, HONOUR AND RESPECT YOUR CHOICES, DECISIONS, VALUES AND MORALS – they are a lifelong journey of lessons, laughter and love.

LOVE, HONOUR AND RESPECT YOUR PAST – it proves your strength and brought you to today.

LOVE, HONOUR AND RESPECT YOUR GOALS, POSSIBILITIES AND OPPORTUNITIES – they are the adventures of life.

Value yourSELF.

Honour yourSELF.

Truly, deeply, and completely LOVE WHO YOU ARE.

Remember: You are with yourSELF 24 hours a day, seven days a week…

LOVE THE ONE YOU’RE WITH.

With a smile,

Tina

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