Just Do It- Writing Tip

So I looked at my calendar today and saw that I needed to post a blog on writing. This blog is mostly to inform a couple groups of people about different types of non-profit organizations, people who need writing tips, and to update my personal friends and family on my health.

Today I was working on coming up with a writing tip. I had a few outlined that I wanted to cover but none of them were really holding my attention. So I decided to jump on my freelance website and apply for a few writing jobs only to discover that I have lost not one but four jobs that specialize in the field of sports writing and was replaced by males.

Not going to lie, first reaction was to put my head down on the table and knock it a couple times to make sure I saw that correctly. Next. Vent on Facebook. Ok, done. Then I decided to write a blog on it. If you are a person who advocates female rights, this blog isn't for you. If you are a male that advocates the equality/necessity for woman to be out of the work force, this blog is not for you. This blog is for people who have a really hard time pursuing work because "they probably won't get it" or "nothing will happen".

Freelance writing tends to be very different than "Creative Writing". You are generally hired by someone else for your skill of writing to come up with articles, edit books, and weigh in on projects. You as a writer adopt the voice of the company that hired you and complete the job to suite what they are thinking. There are very few sports writing jobs on freelance websites, but when they come up, I generally jump right on them. Yeah, I totally know that I most likely won't get them. But there is a part of me that really holds out that someone will give me the opportunity to prove myself.

So the tip: Just go for it. You are probably reading this and going "This is dumb. I know this." But trust me. I know when you actually get around to doing whatever you claim you are going to do, you freeze. You start to question your motives and abilities. It doesn't have to be just writing. It could be the mere fact that you were approached and asked to take your hobby and turn it into something to entertain. Or surviving your season in sports, and even school.

This is the first step in doing anything. You have to be more than willing. There are plenty of people in the world who are willing to do anything. It's when you actually try and do it, that is when a difference can be made.

So, sorry if you were looking for me to rag on the male population. Just ain't gonna happen. Just gonna keep trying.

Health Spotlight: Caught Inside

Hey Ya'll-

So I had a UCLA checkup on Monday and there is good news (which I shared on Facebook) and some interesting news. The good news is that the tumor is still shrinking, and who knows if it will stop shrinking! This is much to be praised, and Matt and I are elated for this good news. Now for the interesting news, and the reason for a whole blog update, rather than a simple status update on Facebook.

What: So the tumor has shrunk! Party hats are needed indeed! But there is a cyst that is attached to the tumor. This cyst is what is causing the hydrocephalus (AKA for my brain fluid to barely drain down my spine). It seems to appear to the Neuro-Oncologist that the cyst is growing. When I say growing, I mean very slowly. I have had this cyst for 3+ years and the doctor is just now detecting potential growth.

Why: We don't know. There is a lot of unknowns. I am a rare case. Making it difficult for doctors to figure out what exactly I have since it is right in the middle of my head. Why this particular piece of information is important: If the cyst is growing, I will start to demonstrate symptoms again, which will lead to surgery.

Next Step: This week, Matt, my friends, family and myself have been praying very purposefully. We have been praying for my desire- which is no surgery, and more importantly, for the cyst to disappear. There has been much focus on the tumor (AKA Moriarty), but there is a new villain in town (AKA the cyst which I have dubbed Irene Adler) that we can be praying over.

The doctors met last night and decided that the enlargement as of now is not significant (which I am thankful. So not ready for another brain surgery). Matt and I will continue going to UCLA once every four months monitoring the size of the cyst, and monitoring my symptoms.

"Caught Inside" is exactly how I feel right now. It is a surfing term that refers to when a surfer is paddling out and cannot get past the breaking surf to a safe part of the ocean. "This usually means the surfer will have to wait for a lull between the larger breaking waves for a chance to slip into clear water" (surfline.com). So, in non surf terms, this means Matt and I are in limbo. We are waiting between something that can potentially be dangerous, and something that can be clear. We are praying for the lull, and asking God to spare us. If we have to ride the wave, we will, and I guess we are preparing for the ride if we need to.

Limbo sucks. But there are lessons to be learned in waiting. I have tattooed on me "Jehovah Rapha" which means God is healer. I can only hope that I am a tool to show how He is healer.

So, join me in prayer? The storm may never come, the cyst may never shrink, and I may never need surgery, but at least we can lift these thoughts in prayer.  

Non-Profit Spotlight: The Young And Brave

I have decided to start blogging again, and this time it will not only focus on my health, but have a deeper and more helpful vision. My husband, Matt, and I have been married now for two years, and one of our greatest passions is finding foundations with a purpose. We love organizations like Sevenly that strive to give back to other non-profits that help different people around the world.

I believe that there is a desire and passion within all of us to help people, but a lot of us tend to be so overwhelmed by the needs of others. Where do I start? Who do I help? We tend to be bombarded with donating to this charity, or helping with these people, but have no idea why we should help or who to even help.

Once every four weeks Now Bid Me Run will feature a different organization. I will be hitting mine, my husbands, friends, and even your favorite non-profit organizations. I hope to help others gain passion for non-profits through issues that are important to them.

So, to kick us off I will be featuring the organization The Young and Brave.

Who: The Young and Brave

What: An organization that strives to help build a community of fellow young adult and small children cancer patients who can focus on fighting cancer while fundraising can take place to help raise money to pay for the treatments.

Why: This organization touched Matt, my brother Caleb, his girlfriend Ashley, and myself deeply. Having walked the path of having cancer with these three has been crazy insane, but we stumbled upon this organization and fell head over heels. We couldn't be more thrilled that something like this exists.

How You Can Help: There are two ways you can help if you have a soft spot for young cancer patients: 1. Donate to the foundation. They are solely non-profit, and do not take anything from patients who have done fundraising through them. There are expenses that come from running a foundation and they could use our support! 2. Support a Warrior (aka cancer fighters). These are the people who have cancer and are doing all they can to fight! Treatments cost money. A lot of money. Even with insurance, and it is crippling to have those bills come in while you are fighting.

Where:  http://www.theyoungandbrave.com/

Cancer breaks my heart. The disease is crippling and I thank God for keeping me close to Him during the last three years. My husband and I look forward to supporting this foundation for years to come and helping families beat cancer. This is the foundation that holds my heart. I hope it holds yours.