Why I Don’t Love Being Called a “Survivor”

Words matter.

In her book Switch on Your Brain, neuroscientist Dr. Caroline Leaf suggests that 75% to 98% of mental, physical, and behavioral illnesses come from a person’s thought life.

I don’t like the thought of being a “survivor.”

I know it’s popular.
But I still don’t like it.
It doesn’t describe me.

Words and labels are powerful.
They evoke emotion.
They can define you, both in your eyes and in the eyes of others.

To me, “survivor” is a negative word.

Here’s the proof. Check out these synonyms for “survivor.”

Leftovers.
Scraps.
Remnants.
Debris.

That means all of me didn’t come back from “surviving” breast cancer?

Only parts of me remain?

I guess I just need to accept the fact that I gave up some body parts, gained some scars, don’t look the same, don’t act the same?

Right?

NOPE.
I’m not havin’ it.
I OBJECT, your honor.

Are YOU?
Are you willing to just SETTLE?

I AM A THRIVER.

I don’t think about the parts I lost.
I focus on the parts I GAINED.

I don’t think about the scars.
I think about the VICTORIES.

I don’t look the same.
So what? Change is normal for EVERYONE.

I don’t act the same.
THANK GOODNESS!

The synonyms for “thrive” are INCREDIBLE! I want them ALL!

Bloom.
Blossom.
Boom.
Develop.
Flourish.
Grow.
Mushroom.
Prosper.
Shine.
Succeed.

Yes, I know that the women in the metastatic community call themselves "thrivers." Aren't they SMART? They've led the way in showing the rest of us that life is for LIVING! More and more women of ALL stages are now adopting the THRIVER mentality to make EVERY day count!

Do you want to be a “survivor” or a “THRIVER”?

I am DELIBERATELY working to make the rest of my life the best of my life.
I STRIVE TO THRIVE.

Written with love by Jan James, Hope After Breast Cancer

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