Karma is the principle of cause and effect - where intent and action of an individual influences the future of that individual. Dharma is the cosmic law of the Universe and also refers to our vocation or path of righteousness. Drama is what our ego mind loves to engage in... Turmoil, rumination, stories, anxiety. But all serve to give greater meaning to our lives, greater depth to our experience and greater knowledge of who we really are.
Last month I attended a Roxy fitness event in Biarritz in association with The Biarrose, a womens only race to raise money and awareness for breast cancer.
Whenever breast cancer is brought to my attention, I automatically think of my Canadian cousin, Amy Fox. A true beauty and a fighter, she lost her battle in 2013 aged just 36.
I had not spent a lot of time with her, but one summer growing up her presence is etched in my memories. I was 8 and she was 13. We shared a bunk bed and talked way into the night. She had a wicked sense of humour and a phobia of spiders. She was the first person to explain to me about sex. I thought she was the coolest kid I had ever met.
As I milled around waiting for the race to start, I considered how breast cancer could have taken so many women, including my beautiful cousin who was a Mother and a wife, a sister and a daughter.
"More than 50,000 women are diagnosed with breast cancer each year in the UK... it is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in women in the UK" Breast Cancer Now
I failed to come up with any answers, only more questions.
Aside from thoughts of Amy I started feeling conscious about having to wear a tiny sports bra. As a Roxy Fitness ambassador I was wearing the latest collection and you’d think as a Roxy Fitness Ambassador I would be proud to show off my tummy. But no, I’m actually quite shy and insecure about getting my tummy out in public and being photographed for international media.
I didn’t know Amy’s secret insecurities but I’m sure she had a lot more courage and audacity than me after years of chemo and dealing with a viscous disease. I wished she could have been there to run that 6K with me.
I didn’t want to focus on the negatives, the loss, the devastation… I needed to find a reason to be grateful for this opportunity to run with 1000s of other incredible women who had also lost friends and family members. And if it meant baring all of my belly, who cared!?
I completed the run, my first ever 6K and felt high. I understood the need to come together and do something positive for all that breast cancer has ruined - women, lives, livelihoods - it is the only way we will not be beaten. We will continue to bring about change, by coming together, supporting each other and building awareness.
The only puzzle I can piece together is that we are 100% responsible for loving ourselves 100% fully. Self love at whatever stage of life we are at, whether we are healing or in pain… is always required. Thanks to Amy I felt just a little bit more self love from that day and saw that when we come together, women are powerful, we have strength, courage, beauty and with impenetrable self love we can be 100% fearless.