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TJ's Challenge Blog

Tapping into the Source

8/28/2011

13 Comments

 
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Hi Guys,

So I haven’t received too many questions lately other than “how are you feeling?” Soooo inspiration for a new blog post takes some serious thought…..  or thoughts….. hmmm, “thoughts.” Well, interestingly enough, that is exactly what I have been working on for the past couple weeks, and really since this adventure started for me. How do I focus my thoughts to keep me happy, motivated, and most importantly heal me? Isn’t that what meditation is all about? I know how to stay positive, how to truly believe, but how do I pinpoint that energy to do exactly what I want it to do?

I will tell you I most certainly have had all the right preparation. Every car ride, golf match, hockey practice or ski trip was filled with conversation on the power of the mind and positive thinking. “Teej-a-beej, do you know what made Phil Esposito great? He was always in the right place at the right time. He was able to visualize where the puck was going to go before it went there, put himself into that position, and score.” My father has always been a huge proponent of that if you truly believe something will happen, your sub-conscious mind has the power to make it happen. It’s almost as if he knew, as if he was preparing me for this challenge, maybe subliminally he did know. Any of you that know my Dad well, know that he has always had a knack at predicting things, so why not predict one of the most significant moments in my life?

“What the mind of man can conceive and believe, it can achieve” – Napoleon Hill

I can’t tell you how many times my friends have responded “Ok Dad!” after I felt my input to the situation was necessary. I can tell you the majority of the time I was just making sure everybody was ok, that they were safe and happy, regardless of how the outcome would affect me or how annoying I was being. I’m not saying I have always made the correct decisions when it has come to my own personal path, for I have made plenty of wrong ones, but when I see someone in pain I get this gut wrenching feeling that I just can’t  ignore. My Mom demonstrated this “trait,”  this ability to speak up, when others would not numerous times through my life. Her compassion for the wellbeing of others has become engraved into my soul, it is what feeds what many of you have deemed my “strength.”  You see…. every time I speak to one of you, or see one of you, or read one of your comments, I can sense your emotion…. I can see your  hidden tears, hear the fear tremble in your voice, feel the struggle to contain your emotions when we embrace. All those feelings are what triggers that trait, that call to action, I want to make it better….. I want to make it better because I can’t stand do see any of you hurting. I need to make it better, I will make it better. And from that emotion, that gut wrenching feeling I build resolve and a strengthening energy that grows with every comment, prayer and text you send my way.
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My parents may have provided me with the right mental tools to get the job done, but just because I have a sword doesn’t mean I know how to wield it. So it is my mission to learn how to manipulate, hone and master my skills. I need to learn how to take that strengthening energy, that positive belief and use it to my advantage. Fortuitously, my army is packed with compassionate and amazing people who have a breadth of knowledge, ideas and suggestions that have pointed me in the right direction. Everyday when I take a shower, I turn on some light relaxing music (usually Pandora set to Enya lol) and visualize the cancer rinsing from my body, I feel it slowly drain and think…. and believe:

“Let the Water rinse the cancer from my head down into my shoulders, rinse the cancer from my shoulders and into my chest, rinse the cancer from my chest and into my stomach, rinse the cancer from my stomach and into my hips, rinse the cancer from my hips and into my thighs, rinse the cancer from my thighs and into my calves, rinse the cancer from my calves and into my feet, rinse the cancer from my feet and into my toes. Squeeze the cancer out of my toes, rinse the cancer out of my toes, out of my body into the water and down the drain. The cancer is rinsed out of my liver, rinsed out of my lymph-nodes, rinsed out of my colon, rinsed out of my body, into the water and down the drain. The cancer is rinsed out of my body, into the water and down the drain.”

I repeat this process over and over again until I feel adequately cleansed, until I have drained every last drop of cancer out of my body. When I step out of the hot steamed up shower a burst of clean, pure, brisk, energized air hits me and I feel cured, I believe I am cured, I am cured. Now, If I can get such a rush from a shower, how can I harness that feeling in other aspects of my life?

A good friend pointed me in the direction of Reiki, a Japanese spiritual healing and meditation technique developed in
the early 1900’s by Usui Makao, but has influences that date back through time, multiple religions and martial arts. The practice is about harnessing your spiritual energy or “Ki” through mind, body and heart and the ability to heal yourself and others. If you are interested in learning about it, I am currently reading a great book titled: “The Japanese Art of Reiki: A Practical Guide to Self Healing.” What I have come to learn is that the practice of Reiki has been dramatically westernized over time, heavily simplifying the art, making sessions shorter, healing “instant,” and costs higher. This of course was not attractive to me and not how it was intended to be. I sought out someone familiar with its original direct form, called Jikiden Reiki. Well, that road has led me to a phenomenal human being named Jordan Blain. He has a spiritual healing practice called “Life Flowering” that combines not only Reiki but multiple ancient healing techniques. To say my mind was blown after my first session is an understatement, the level of relaxation and comfort I left his office with was unlike anything I have ever experienced in my life. I am looking forward to my next session.




That is where I stand right now, I like thinking I am kind of like Luke Skywalker the first time he met Obi Wan Kenobi lol…(to say I was a Star Wars geek as a kid would be taking it easy on me.) I am lucky to have been given this great power, this great energy, but I am just beginning my journey and have a lot to learn on how to tap into the source of it. I will be sure to keep you updated on my new adventure. =-P

Much Love – Teej

p.s. Alex and Marg thanks for pointing me in the right direction, I love you both very much!
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13 Comments
Marcia August 28, 2011
10/10/2015 12:08:05 pm

Hi Tj,

I look forward to all of your posts. They are such an inspiration to me and I am sure many others. I want you to know that I think of you and Amanda daily and pray for both of you to have as much strength as possible to get through these hurdles.

Ryan’s mother does reiki. She used it on my before, just for a few moments…you are right, it is amazing what another human being can do to make you feel so good without even touching you.

Anyways, I look forward to seeing you and Amanda soon.

I love you both,
Marcia

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Carol Hitz August 28, 2011
10/10/2015 12:08:27 pm

TJ,

Your attitude is not only refreshing, but infectious. We could all stand to live our lives observing Reiki principles. Keep up your positive attitude and know that you are a great example of how to live one’s life to all who know you. All I can say is that cancer had no idea what it was up against when it decided to mess with you!! Know that your “army” sends you love and positive thoughts your way every day.

Wishing you health and happiness.

Love,

Carol

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alexandra adelman August 28, 2011
10/10/2015 12:08:46 pm

I love you very much!

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alexandra adelman August 28, 2011
10/10/2015 12:09:06 pm

and hopefully you understand how you have now helped, inspired and guided all of us in so many ways. I’m eating legumes…I’m listening to my body…I’m raising money to help others… all because of you!!! You’re kind of like my new guru!!!!! Namaste :)

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Margot August 28, 2011
10/10/2015 12:09:26 pm

I love you so much Teej!
There is a Zen proverb ” the obstetrical is the path” that has been helping me a lot lately. What it means to me is that there will always be challenges and difficulties but it is the way we set our mind around them that is what really matter. I consider my mother to be one of the inspirations of my life as well and she has always said to me “problems and challenges are designed for our personal edification”. I truly believe this, and as much as cancer sucks, this situation is changing your life, helping to open your eyes to ways of looking at and living life. I also believe that your positive out look and approach will help save others lives some day as well. I believe the challenges, heartbreaks and hardships of my life have brought me to this place of devoting my life and dharma to the health and wellness of other and I see you taking the same path. Keep it up Teej.
I have been meditating a lot to the Indian deity Ganesh. I think of you often because Ganesh is the “remover of obstacles” I repeat over and over in my mind and sometimes out loud: om gam ganapataye namaha. Which essentially means om and salutations to the lord Ganesh, remover of obstacles, may we surrender to him” here is a link to a little more information. I am so glad the reiki has been such a positive experience! I can’t wait to hear more!
Love you so much!
xoxoxox
Marg

http://www.hindi-bhajan-song-videos.com/2008/06/ganesh-mantra-om-gam-ganapataye-namaha.html

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joe roller August 29, 2011
10/10/2015 12:09:52 pm

TJ,

Your shower visualization and its therapeutic cleansing makes perfect sense. I see a parallel in the healing power of positive thoughts and prayers coming your way from so many friends and family. Your writing leads me to think that you sense and feel that as well. Lots of positive vibes in and around you.

Best wishes

Joe

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Mike August 30, 2011
10/10/2015 12:10:14 pm

Can’t wait to see you on Friday. Love you so much.

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Tommy August 30, 2011
10/10/2015 12:10:47 pm

Keep kicking ass man.

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Andrea September 3, 2011
10/10/2015 12:11:10 pm

Hi TJ, (Amanda, Mylie, and Oakly)

I am a friend of your sister Tracey. I have been following your blog since you began your journey. Today I am compelled to comment because of the beautiful words in the Reiki Principles. I try to live by these very simple principles daily. It is not always easy, so I ask for help. I start each day with, “just for today…..” Living one day at a time gives us freedom, freedom from the unknown. Today, I am enough, I have enough, and I do enough. I, like you, want to master my skills of using positive energy. Everyday is a new opportunity to become better person. I am SO inspired by the simplicity of your needs and wants. Your selflessness is amazing. I do not even know you, but what I do know is you are a gracious, and kind person. I will hold you and your family, canine and human alike, in my positive thoughts. Today I am grateful you are willing to share your journey to help others strive for greatness.

Peace,
Andrea and Chili (my beautiful JRT)

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Joan Karol September 5, 2011
10/10/2015 12:11:27 pm

Hi TJ,
Reading the description of your cleansing shower, I could actually feel those evil cells being swept away! You are amazing. Sending our strength to add to yours,
-the Karol family

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Mrs.Armstrong September 6, 2011
10/10/2015 12:11:51 pm

T.J.
I hope you are now…..or you are going to (after you have beat this) …..go out and talk to the many people who are going through Chemo etc. You are such an inspiration! How you describe and write about this is amazing!
I have heard inspirational speakers but you are by far the best!!
I have a friend who is sick and she is also doing Reiki. I am going to give her your website because I think how you attack this will help her.
Also, I love what you said about your parents. I agree 100%!!!! They are great people, great friends to have!
You are in my prayers but I know in my heart those cancer cells don’t stand a chance!!!
Go with the force!!! Lots of love, Mrs.A

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Glenn Dawson September 7, 2011
10/10/2015 12:12:09 pm

TJ Your attitude and comments are truly remarkable and inspirational. You are in the constant thoughts and prayers of the Dawson family as you battle this dreaded disease. There is a God in heaven and with the prayers of your army behind you and your wonderful attitude no more can be asked. Best of luck and we will continue to follow your progress through your blogs. Glenn and Cathy Dawson and family

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chris brakley
5/19/2017 04:52:15 am

My wife was diagnosed with stage four colon cancer the doctors said he got all the cancer out after removing about twelve inches of her colon. Thinking she was cancer free we went home very happy.It took the doctors months to figure out I didn't have gastritis, but stage 4 small colon cancer. she started having terrible pain in her abdomen, and vomiting but no blood in either. I had a general surgeon do surgery and it was supposed to be laparoscopic but ended up being exploratory. They had to remove a foot and a half of her small colon (doing a resection), her appendix, one ovary, and part of the large colon. was on Folfox for 3 months and then Folfirinox for 4 months to try and get ready for surgery and the HIPEC (hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy) procedure. I was just told I am not a good candidate for this surgery because the surgeon did not see enough response with the chemotherapy. Now my oncologist is putting me on Erbitux and a cancer cell blocker. I am nervous because of possible side effects,after a member of my church introduced me to a doctor,which i contacted as fast a possible via email, he gave her his medication which she took as prescribed by him, last two month she was diagnosed colon cancer free, its will be nice if you also contact him via his mail drambermurray@gmail.com,am very sure he can be of help too. I am really happy sharing my story with you

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    TJ Baudanza
    ​A 28 year old, fighting to kick Stage 4 Colon Cancer's Ass.

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