I realize this message is a bit of a departure from my usual
monthly messages of creating joy and meaning in your life
and I also thought about not sharing this news with you.  But
as you know, I believe in being authentic and true to myself
which means that I need to be honest with my readers.  I
have shared other parts of my life journey with you and
decided that I would also share this part too.

At the end of March I found a lump in my breast.  After a
mammogram, ultra sound and biopsy, on April 29th the
surgeon confirmed that I had a cancerous lump in my
left breast.  

In the middle of May, I completed the 100 Day Challenge –
just in time to step into a completely new challenge (although
not one of my choosing).  What I also want to share with
you is that this challenge is teaching me and revealing to
me things about myself that are quite fascinating!  My
inner strength and faith continue to deepen everyday
and I am developing the courage to let go of even more
of what doesn’t serve me.  

I would be lying to you if I said that I have remained 100%
positive and upbeat through this stage – I haven’t.  There
have been times of deep sadness, fear and hopelessness.
Times of intense anger, confusion and resistance to the
truth.  But what has always been constant has been my
ability to come back to a place of connection, love and
even joy.   All the personal work I have done all these
years and the sharing of my joy message has given me
the reserves to embrace this health issue with love and
compassion.  I have said time and time again that we
cannot be joyful all the time and we cannot have a
perfectly positive and challenge free life – that wouldn’t
be balanced.  Instead the more that we can focus on joy,
create experiences of joy and allow joy into our lives, the
deeper and stronger our reserves will be.  It’s these
reserves that help us to meet our challenges with grace
and ease.  These reserves are the very things that help
us heal more quickly, regain our perspectives and stay
in the energy of hope and faith.  

As you read this note, I am healing from surgery.  I chose
to have the lump removed and I am now taking some time
to decide what I would like to bring into my life and work
now that I have cleared this space!  Over the summer months,
I will not be writing a newsletter and I will be less active on
social media.  This way, whatever needs to come through me
into the world will have some time and space to form properly
and joyfully!  Please check in with me on my Get It Dunn
Facebook page (www.facebook.com/getitdunnjoyfully) as that
is where I will most likely post updates and reminders to you
to continue living joyfully.  

I am doing really, really well.  I am peaceful, healing and fully
milking the opportunity to lounge in my beautiful back yard with
the deer!  So please remember…whenever you can and as often
as you can…choose joy, trust joy and be led by joy!  I’ll connect
with you again soon!

Love,