New HJ YouTube Playlist & Sneak Peek Giveaway

Any visitor to HJ who has taken an interest beyond the post or two that brought them here and has checked out the About page knows the story-behind-the-story of this place. Cancer is what prompted me to finally get off my butt (and couch) and pursue a long-held passion.

Well, it’s been nearly 10 years since I got that fateful diagnosis.

Ten. Years.

I’m well aware each moment after treatment has been a victory in itself, but to have been gifted 10 more years of healthy living? Humbling.

And what a 10 years it’s been!

The places I’ve seen, the people I’ve met, the adventures I’ve had…none of that would’ve happened if not for cancer.

Really? Absolutely.

I know this because I would’ve kept denying myself the right to have anything except a near-life experience.

And, yet, I’ve written very little here about most of my jaunts.

I’ve written some. But in reality I haven’t written about even 75% of them.

I’m not sure why. I’ve decided to correct that this year, though. Hopefully that means you’ll see more posts like “The Four Spookiest Ghost Stories From The Ghost Tours Of Anchorage,” and the spin-offs I promised in that post.

Getting Personal

But something else I feel strongly compelled about is to speak up about not only my cancer experience, but other life-altering experiences I’ve had –and survived.

You see, I know I caused my cancer. I let stress get out of control and consume me as I cared for my dying mother –a mother who never loved me, and who, if I’d ever held out hope of it being otherwise, used her last will and testament to confirm it.

Yet, there I was, caring for her with no help from my sister –who was my mother’s favorite and had been further “awarded” that honor by way of the will.

I never understood the mental and emotional abuse I’d suffered my whole life from them both until the social worker at my mom’s hospice confronted me. Confronted sounds harsh. Intervened might be a better word.

Anyway, she was among the people that helped steer me in the direction of healing –and realizing I’d been accepting a lot of responsibility for things that weren’t my fault. Such as, child molestation, bullying, and a suicide attempt…just to name a few.

Maybe it’s because I’m approaching 10 years, or because of the way the world is now. I’m not sure. Maybe it’s just the way the stars are aligned.

Whatever it is, I feel I have something to say about not only surviving and overcoming hard times, but thriving because of them.

The Calling

I’d like to help others embrace the negative and learn how to turn it into a positive too.

Because everywhere I go, I hear the same thing: How cheerful I am. How happy. And if my husband is with me people often ask if I’m always like that.

Of course not.

By nature, yes, I am a joyful person. So, yes, mostly I’m pretty happy-go-lucky.

But, yes, I’ve been hurt. I have bouts with depression. I’ve even hurt people. As much as that pains me to admit it.

Court’s Corner is Born

So I decided to start a new playlist on HJ’s YouTube channel called Court’s Corner to share my struggles and sorrows, triumphs and joys.

I hope it infects others with hope, strength and courage to not only face their battles, but to let them know they’re not alone. There are survivors out there. Fighters. Others willing to share the example that, yes, this too shall really pass. To spread the message of perseverance. To encourage them to seek out help when necessary.

The first video is up. It’s embedded below.

Near the end I also took the opportunity of sharing a sneak peek at an upcoming blood-themed giveaway in September in honor of Blood Awareness Month and Leukemia & Lymphoma Awareness Month. (Which are in the picture at the start of this post.)

Of course it’s not all super serious and morose. This is me we’re talking about, after all.

Not that most people know me, but watch one video. You’ll get it. Humor is important to me. Even for serious topics like cancer, I can find the funny.

I hope you’ll enjoy seeing a more personal side. You know how to let me know. Likes, comments and shares on either this post or the videos does the trick.

Thanks so much for your time and support, whether this is your first time meeting me or you’ve been with me for a while now.

Here’s to us getting even better acquainted!