Audrey Flack once said, “Visualize what you want to do before you do it. Visualization is so powerful that when you know what you want, you will get it.” This quote embodies my outlook toward my personal experiences after being diagnosed with colon cancer at age 34. I knew in my heart that going through this journey would not be easy. Yet, I practiced techniques that assisted me in coping with this illness. Visualization was one of the key factors in achieving my personal goals. I took the determination to know what I truly desired and, in the end, achieved my outcome: being cancer-free and having great health.
Merriam-Webster describes visualization as the “formation of mental visual images.” In other words, it is when you have clear mental images of something in your mind. One of the ways that I utilized visualization for my recovery was by closing my eyes and imagining myself completing chemotherapy with success. I imagined my body strong and healthy, my hair not falling out and exercising to keep my body in shape. I did this technique as often as I could during the day continuously.
Visualization is a powerful tool to use because the brain does not know what is real and what is not. By focusing my mind on being cancer-free, I was able to create it in my life and therefore experience it. For this reason, visualizing myself as healthy was an excellent way to tell my body that I was perfectly fine. Until this day, this technique remains a part of my daily life.
Another way I practiced this skill was by creating a vision board. I remember sitting down in the living room and asking myself, “What are the short-term goals that I want to achieve with the sole purpose of overcoming this life-challenging event?” I recalled writing my goals down on the vision board, which consisted of gaining weight, exercising more frequently and incorporating more fruits and vegetables into my everyday diet. As a result, I purchased a vision board magazine that focused on health affirmations and images that consisted of healthy foods and exercise. Once I completed my vision board, I hung it on the wall of my bedroom in order to see it every day. It was a constant reminder that what I focused on was going to be part of my reality. Other ways I incorporated visualization into my daily routines were listening to guided visualization meditation and having a written vision statement.
Visualizing having perfect health was able to help transform my outlook toward my diagnosis of colon cancer. It motivated me to really focus on certain areas of my life. The more I practiced this technique, the more real it felt, which eventually turned into my reality. As always, I would like to end my blog by sharing this prayer with you:
Dear God,
Today, I ask that you give me the wisdom and serenity to face life’s obstacles. Help me see what my best path is and have a clear vision of where I need to go. I know that with your guidance and protection, I will be able to accomplish my sole purpose in this world. I ask that you show me the way, as I am lost without you. Thank You for Your devoted love to me. FOREVER BLESSED!!!
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
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