Sea-salted star-stuff… gifts and miracles

“The cosmos is within us. We are made of star-stuff.
We are a way for the universe to know itself.” ― Carl Sagan

I’d like to share something written by my friend Rebecca (with an acknowledged nod to Carl Sagan), who is still in need of a 10/10 donor for a stem cell transplant to treat late stage lymphoma. She will be taking her chances with a risky 9/10 match in a couple of weeks unless a miracle happens. Those of you who know me, know I do not ever talk about miracles, but this woman has a way about her that inspires me to think and speak in these terms. And it is the only appropriate word for this occasion.

If she were to find a match, it would most likely be from someone of Sephardi Jewish or Middle Eastern heritage and that 10/10 person is out there somewhere, they just don’t know how vital (literally VITAL!) their stem cells could be. So, even at this very late stage, I would ask anyone reading this to think about who they could ask to consider registering as a potential donor, no matter which country they live in or what ethnic background they have. If they can’t help Rebecca, they might be able to help someone else who is just as special, as we all are.

Here are some contacts to make it a bit easier:

UK – aged 16-30: Anthony Nolan
UK – aged 18-55: Delete Blood Cancer
USA – aged 18-44: Be the Match
Canada – aged 17-35: One Match
Quebec – aged 18-35: Héma-Québec
Australia – aged 18-45: Australian Bone Marrow Donor Registry
Israel – aged 18-45: Ezer Mizion Bone Marrow Donor Registry

In case you need any further motivation, Rebecca is possibly the wisest, kindest, warm-hearted, spirited (in every sense) woman I’ve never met (I am not someone who normally gushes like this either) – I do hope I get to meet her one day. Her enthusiasm for life, her generosity and love, despite the issues she is facing, totally awe me. Maybe this is why…?

“Have a life full of wonder, please. Live with your eyes open to the wonder that existence EXISTS. The mathematical grandeur of existence, it is incredible, mind expanding to truly think about and try to grasp.

Do not allow the pettiness of the human made lifestyle control your thoughts and outlook, live a fearless life. Nothing bad can overcome you. I promise.

Think about it, THINK about it, what are you actually truly afraid of?

LISTEN to me, beloved, really think about my question, what are you, at your core, afraid of? Now, think about how YOU will behave, what you will and can DO, if your fear comes to pass. Visualize not how you would FEEL, but how you would ACT. See the moments happen, and see both your immediate/visceral and planned/favored response to them. Change around how you would act to however you would WANT to. In your mind, play out these scenes. Make them putty in your brain, mold them to your favored ending AND digest how you would handle the worst scenario.

NOW, KNOW that this is your worst fear and your plan on how to deal with it. NOW LET GO OF THE FEAR. You now know your options and the outcome of the feared thing, that you CAN handle it, and of course, it may NEVER happen anyway. 

LIVE! FLY! 

When you FEEL blue, say to yourself “I FEEL BLUE” BUT, don’t say to yourself “I AM BLUE” because that is not WHO you are, it is only HOW you FEEL at that moment. It is NOT you. YOU are sea salted star stuff, you are a gift, you are a miracle. You are made of many awesome bits. Share that with existence, which you are a part of. LOVE”

Those first and final sentences keep resounding with me. It makes me happy to think that I am and we each are a gift made of many awesome bits. I hope her words have a similar effect on you. Love! x

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