Welcome to New Focus Daily (NFD)! I usually start each month’s editor’s letter talking about what’s coming up in this month’s magazine. This time, it’s worth reflecting back first. I have never been one to look back – much – and have always subscribed to the “look forward to what’s ahead and keep on movin’,” but sometimes in certain circumstances reflection is good. Especially if there is something significant on which to reflect. I don’t think I can move forward talking about September and what’s yet to come without saying a few words about the month we just left behind.
So, what exactly am I reflecting on? August had some pretty significant events, two of which impacted millions in the United States. And both were rare and very incredible acts of nature – one in a good sense, the other not at all. Both are things for which we have no control. But that happen. And that demonstrate hope.
We all know about Hurricane Harvey that hit earlier this week. Some of you may have read the NFD article from founder Karen Shayne that described loss, fear, great challenge, but also grace, resiliency, love, support, brotherhood – and hope. Even with all of the negatives that Harvey brought – and is still bringing and will be bringing for quite some time – there is hope. Hope came and will continue to come in the form of people donating their time to help rescue and provide support to those in need. Hope came and will continue to come in the form of monetary donations needed for those who left homes with nothing but their families and the clothes on their backs. Hope came and will continue to come from people driving from all parts of the country to rescue animals and give them temporary foster homes. Hope came and will continue to come in the form of prayers positive thoughts, and healing words for all impacted. Throughout all of that ‘bad’ hope showed up.
So what was the second significant event? The 2017 solar eclipse that took place on August 21st. A once in a lifetime event for most of us. The same Mother Nature that brought us Harvey, brought us the solar eclipse visible in several states throughout the country. While there probably were some “bad” aspects to this incredible act of Mother Nature (Nashville traffic was crazy, hotels sold out, and probably some grumpy people that didn’t get their NASA-approved solar eclipse glasses – probably happened in other key viewing areas as well), it was a pretty “good” kind of incredible act. And again reminded me of HOPE. Just viewing the eclipse was an incredible experience that I got to share with my family. I was reminded that while there may be periods of time in our lives that are dark – both figuratively and literally – there is hope that sun will again shine in our lives– figuratively and literally. Two totally different events, both acts of nature, and in very different ways demonstrated hope. HOPE – that intangible that we all need more of in our lives – is alive and well. Regardless of what life throws our way. NFD strives not only to educate and empower with the articles we choose to publish, but to give HOPE. We promise to always show up with a dose of hope as part of what we offer our readers.
I’ve used all of my space reflecting on the past and two significant events that impacted millions of us last month. I needed to reflect on that before thinking about September. I know many friends of Women Survivors Alliance and New Focus Daily are still suffering and in distress from Harvey either directly or indirectly through family, friends, colleagues, or others we know in the areas hit. That is going to go on for a while. But we’ve got each other’s backs. And will continue to have each other’s backs. The outpouring of support and love has been incredible and that will continue. And while those efforts continue – and please stay tuned as we will continue to monitor ways that people can specifically support efforts for those impacted by Harvey – we at NFD will continue to bring hope, inspiration and yes, some education thrown in, to our readers. September will include some great features including our “regulars” including Chef Mary with another “surprise” recipe for the month, Miss Jessica who is now FIFTEEN after just celebrating a birthday, Linda Ragsdale who I like to call “Ms. Happy,” and a SURPRISE love story from one of our cancer survivors who I really got to know at this year’s SURVIVORville. September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month as well as National Yoga Month which means we will be hearing from Amy Green, and we will have plenty of other articles that educate, empower, and inspire – and give hope.
Let’s keep hope alive and well during September. So many will need it.
Be educated, empowered, INSPIRED, stay SURVIVOR strong – AND have hope,
#NewFocusDaily #WSAstrong #Survivorstrong #My2ndAct #SurvivorCollection #NewFocusNetwork
Cindy Chafin, M.Ed., MCHES serves as project director for the Women Survivors Alliance and New Focus Daily magazine. Cindy is masters-level certified in health education by the National Commission on Health Education Credentialing and was part of the first cohort to receive master's level designation. She has been a public health professional for many years after receiving her degree in health promotion and education from Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee.
Cindy has been involved in multiple cancer activities and projects since 2000, including serving as the state coalition coordinator for Tennessee for 13 years, and currently is involved with several cancer organizations. She has served since October 2015 as interim director for the Center for Health and Human Services at Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, located just outside of Nashville, where she has been a project director of multiple grants since 2002. She has been touched by cancer personally after seeing both family and friends alike suffer from the disease.
Cindy offers her consulting services and volunteer hours under the umbrella of Community Health Collaboratives, LLC which she founded in 2002 for organizations such as the Women Survivors Alliance and other non-profit and charity organizations. She is pleased to partner with NOU and WSA.
Cindy has been involved in multiple cancer activities and projects since 2000, including serving as the state coalition coordinator for Tennessee for 13 years, and currently is involved with several cancer organizations. She has served since October 2015 as interim director for the Center for Health and Human Services at Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, located just outside of Nashville, where she has been a project director of multiple grants since 2002. She has been touched by cancer personally after seeing both family and friends alike suffer from the disease.
Cindy offers her consulting services and volunteer hours under the umbrella of Community Health Collaboratives, LLC which she founded in 2002 for organizations such as the Women Survivors Alliance and other non-profit and charity organizations. She is pleased to partner with NOU and WSA.
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