Having fun posing as if I am a celebrity in front of the photo wall at this Hampton's International Film Festival after-party event (see the name of my company by my right elbow) at East Hampton Studio's!
It's fun to pretend, and being the actor I am, quickly had my friend with Athena's Cup snap a picture. Living far from the rich and famous, of which I am neither, I also enjoyed posing with the high end cars on display with Exotic Classics - another game of pretend (as salesman Jeffrey Merritt assisted). And I was interviewed by the fun-loving and wonderful team at Hampton's TV (VVH-TV) which has coverage from NYC to Montauk and was streaming live during the event. You can watch their interview with me here. Being a southern girl far from the big city, they were welcoming and gracious!

This picture and interview were mere fractions of seconds in the scheme of my life, but might appear as if I held a social status that I don't have. As I've told people who asked about how I was able to go there and to the Emmy's, I say, "Have cancer and be an advocate, and you, too, will have opportunities!" tongue in cheek. My friend Jean (to whom my book is dedicated), lived life fully with Stage IV breast cancer, and always said she was a star in her own life and encouraged others to do the same, shining wherever they were planted. She didn't like to travel and woke up every day, dressing as if she was on the red carpet and doing the things she loved. She didn't need Hollywood-she was Hollywood. She loved her life no matter where she was planted.

The fact is, we don't need a red carpet, status, or wealth to be a star. Embracing and savoring life, both the good and the bad, is what makes up the life of a star… the routine moments we often take for granted until a loved one is no longer there to share them-those moments.

So what matters most for me? My husband, sons/daughter-in-law, family, and friends! Opportunities to make a difference and help others comes in a close second, but don't think for a moment that mere seconds in a photograph make up a life. My life is far from perfect, but it's my life!

Facebook or Twitter postings and celebrity photo-ops of others may make us think everyone else is living the "good life" but us. What I know for sure is that behind every picture, Twitter, or FB post, there is a story and a life of relationships, joy and pain, success and failure… and not always what they seem! You need look no further than Demi and Ashton in what seemed like the perfect life.

When the camera stops rolling (as in our work or other roles) and we are home alone with our thoughts (and loved ones), what matters most? Only you know the answer, but one thing is for sure, you can shine wherever you are planted. Choose the life you want, make it happen, and star in your own life!

Shine on!

Wishing you peace, love, and strength,
Pam

When I was diagnosed with breast cancer over 7 years ago, I never imagined that I would be writing my story in the form of a book. It was clearly a labor of love that took two years of extremely hard work. I wanted to quit so often, for so many reasons, I never imagined I would see the day it was complete!

But I was pulled by the desire to make a difference and had always been taught that when much is given, much is expected. I could not keep it all to myself. I was in a position to share what I had learned from leading experts in the field and my own personal and professional experience because not only was I asked to write the book with that title, I had nearly 30 years of professional experience in educating the public around health promotion, disease prevention, and had always been good at simplifying information (was a Special Education teacher early in my career).

To be diagnosed with a recurrence the day I was to submit the manuscript was ironic. I shared in the epilogue that I would continue the story here, which I will… but for now I am happy, healthy, and living life fully, launching a book I hope will make a difference.

I have been blessed by friends from coast to coast who have helped me launch the book and am extremely grateful. I have been in Los Angeles and Berkeley, back home to Raleigh, and off to New York this week again to share my message at the Hamptons International Film Festival. I have used social media (FB and Twitter) and every possible chance to share the message of the book. I won't review details of the book here (see synopsis at the links to the left about the book) but I will share some pictures and links to stories so far, below. My book is from a small publisher so there is no "official tour" …just me, spreading my message of hope and health. Please consider buying a book here on my website and share the message to all those you know and love. It's a resource no woman should be without!

I will be speaking locally at Rex Wellness Wakefield this Wednesday, next week at Rex Wellness in Raleigh on Monday, and back to Wakefield and Cary the following week.

With love for a beautiful fall season filled with all good things,
Pam

Television:
NBC's My Carolina Today at 6:50 mark
WRAL interview with Pam Salsby
Coming this week, another story (to be posted)

The Official Book Launch hosted and sponsored by Embassy Suites Brier Creek and Cary Magazine (more photos to come in their upcoming issue:

A beautiful space called the Flight Deck at Embassy Suites Brier Creek, perfect for a book launch!!! It was a beautiful, fall evening!

An incredibly delicious white cake with strawberry filling sponsored by Catering Works, the talk of the party! And co-founders Sharon Bigelow and Beth Roach with www.navigatecancerfoundation.org whose organization was the beneficiary of an awesome raffle at our launch party! And more delicious food sponsored by Phil and Pat Whitt (proud parents and supporters).

With my biggest supporter, my husband Jerry with a gorgeous sunset behind us (thank you Jonathan Fredin with Cary Magazine for the photo)… and good friends Kristin Dill and Zane Creamer, among many others. Thanks for coming out!


Dad signing in the guest register… and drawing at the end of the evening with my son, Jeremy and daughter-in-law Caroline in the foreground doing the drawing!

Below… more launches/book events:

With my friend Susan Helmrich (Swim Across America.org) at the launch in Berkely and her friends.

With my filmmaker son Dustin and hubby… and awesome friend, Suzanne Lindley (www.beatlivertumors.org) at Debbie Durkin's EcoEmmy's gifting suite.

To a small but awesome group at 24 Hour Fitness in LA (with former classmate Joey Bullock) and another wonderful group at www.weSpark.org in Sherman Oaks (no picture)


Mike's Way to A Cure Day at Jersey Mike's Wakefield (Wake Forest area) where 50% of proceeds went to Komen (food sales)-did a book signing and posed with the manager Marcus and Chris.

One of my favorite books, A Pace of Grace, The Virtues of a Sustainable Life, by Linda Kavelin Popov caught my eye this week after sitting down for a moment to rest after a long holiday week. I was feeling especially grateful for the special time with my family and my son and new daughter-in-law. It was filled with lots of extended family time, special older traditions (going to the mountains to get our Christmas tree, watch a small town parade, etc.), new traditions, and great food. As I thought about the month ahead and how excited I was, I was also thinking about the lists of things on the horizon... decorating my house, shopping, helping my son and his wife move to a new house , my birthday, my son's birthday, my husband's birthday, my niece's sweet 16th birthday, mailing packages, helping my other son plan to move to LA after Christmas, Christmas parties, wrapping gifts, work, medical appointments, etc.

Holiday demands in addition to the life we already have, can often overwhelm and stress us to the max if we let them, taking away the joy and magic of the season-limitations on time, finances... too much to do, too little time, and not enough money to go around!

The book reminded me that there were ways I could change that. This year I will do my best to choose a "pace of grace" to be present to savor all that is ahead and appreciate the gifts around me. Through my own experience with cancer and watching others living with cancer, I am always reminded of how precious and fragile each minute, each day, each week, and year of our lives are. We can appreciate them more when we create a pace that works for us and allows us to see the gifts around us. That doesn't mean sitting still in a corner and meditating necessarily, but it does mean choosing where our energy goes, where it doesn't, and enjoying each experience for the gift it is.

When we are able to have gratitude in the moment and be present, and plan our days with a pace of grace, we will likely be able to:
-See the magic and beauty in the lights, decorations, and celebrations
-Connect to our spirituality and and reflect on the meaning of the holiday
-See the opportunity the holidays afford us to give to others, showing appreciation, love, and kindness to those we love (and strangers we show love to)
...all of which makes us happier, more peaceful, and able to appreciate the goodness in our lives.

If we can learn to savor our lives during the holidays, think how easy it will be to carry over these habits into the new year! Here's to a pace of grace and a beautiful holiday season!


A special Thanksgiving table for a new tradition at my house with my son's in-laws

A special day with my 94 year old grandmother and other family

Special tradition in Blowing Rock, NC

My Texan husband taking care of our special tree

My son and new daughter with their first Christmas tree (he's 6'5-taller than their tree!)

Discovered a delicious, refreshing new way to make a tuna salad that is perfect for using those yummy garden tomatoes that are plentiful this time of year...

Chop up some white onion, tomato, cucumber, and cilantro and mix with your can of tuna and a little salt, pepper, and garlic to taste... add just the right amount of mayo (it really makes the difference-so make sure you use enough) and generously squeeze fresh lime juice on it to bring all those flavors together, and VOILA! Add a little jalapeno to really make it pop. Eat it alone, on a sandwich, or rolled up in a corn tortilla.

Enjoy!

I tried to post a picture of this delicious salad but had technical difficulty. Just imagine all those fresh vegetables from the garden, cool and fresh, mixed in just the right manner, and ready to cool the summer heat. :-)

Then again, you may be able to see the picture here: Picture

What an amazing fall it has been with many twists, turns, highs and lows! I have not had time to attend to the blog, as such, but will attempt to share and fill in the gaps. Today my in-box has been full of gratitude/Thanksgiving notes and stories that remind me, yet again, of the gifts around us.

I am feeling most grateful on this Thanksgiving and the list of things I am grateful for is endless. The survivors I work with everyday continue to inspire me with their courage and grace. My connections within the cancer community are blessings to me, both in the work they do that serve as inspiration but for their personal stories as well. My colleagues and fellow faculty members at Wellcoaches who share a vision of excellence and making a difference in the world are an awesome gift in my life.

Being a mom, a wife, daughter, sister, sister-in-law, friend and aunt are those roles that really make life worth living. Good friends who understand my heart and love me for who I am with all my warts, are blessings of light and sunshine. My youngest son is home until January after being at film school for the last 2 1/2 months, so does it get any better than that? My other son started his first official job as an environmental scientist and it is the job of his dreams (with benefits and his own apartment!). The FOUR of us will actually spend some time together over the holiday, so life is good :-). My husband’s erosion control business is weathering the economy and doing well, thank God, as our medical bills are never ending. He is one special guy, too. How did I get so lucky? Yes, I have had one interesting fall. After some major surgery (indirectly related to cancer) in August, I had to go in again, in October for some repair. I picked up a lovely virus this time, which knocked me down for 3 weeks. I am just now able to do some cardio and how grateful am I!!! So since the first of August, this fitness professional has been challenged regularly, and is building up her strength again, just like her clients. It’s a reminder that even 5 minutes is better than nothing when going from out-of-shape to becoming fit again.

And yet with the challenges, the fall was filled with exciting travel for work and pleasure (see pics below). Work highlights include finally meeting some of the Vermont survivors I have coached and the great people at Rutland Regional, submitting a grant with Duke, and seeing some of the positive longitudinal data come in for our study. Lots to look forward to in 2009!

So, I am preparing for a wonderful weekend with brother, sisters, mom, dad, nieces and nephews, brother and sister-in-laws, enjoying food and laughter, between all our traditions. Wherever you are, no matter what your circumstances, take a moment to appreciate the things you have in your life. Studies do show, that gratitude is the most important component to life satisfaction and happiness.

Wishing all of you love, peace, and happiness!


Table Rock State Park outside of Greenville, SC
Pictures of beautiful VERMONT!


The great team at Rutland Regional!

A surprise visit from my twin nephews in Kentucky!

Hook ‘em Horns!!!


Wurstfest in New Braunfels, Texas, my husband’s home town. Here, my husband (left) is with a high school friend who took us to the OPA room as special guests. Thanks Jimmy!

Some of our Texas family we got to see on our visit!

This past weekend a blessing came into my life, and her name was Jody. She was a participant in a workshop I led for Wellcoaches. Her positive presence, energy, and kindness inspired me on many levels. She has a gift of seeing people's strengths, a skill that great coaches possess. Her informal coaching with me has led to my decision to write a blog. As you may note, I have posted once a year up until now!!! It makes me LOL (laugh out loud for those of you who don't follow internet slang). So, I don't know of a better place to start than with gratitude. Thank you, Jody, for being the beautiful person you are. You are my inspiration! Stay tuned!