Hello,

I wanted to take a few minutes to share a very serious matter with you, because it can potentially save your life: The importance of getting a regular mammography. Don't think you are too old, if you have a history u can even start in ur 20's.  I'm NOT kidding. Yes as early as that, especially if u have a history.

Just two months ago, one of the persons I love most was diagnosed with breast cancer.  Luckily, it was not even stage 1, but a tiny carcinogenic lump.  It was removed quickly and safely and that was the end of that.

It happened and passed without me even knowing (I learned about it later, when it was over), nevertheless I was still quite upset, especially at the thought of what could have happened. The C word is SO scary. After allowing myself to mope around about it for a bit, it's very important for me to use my experience for some good by telling you (you may already know this) what saved the life of my loved one.

The reason this potentially disastrous situation was avoided...REGULAR MAMMOGRAPHY EXAMS. It was caught very small and very early without having spread to the tissue around it, and that was the reason it passed.  Let's take a moment to think about it: the difference between lots of suffering, pain and don't even want to think what else OR avoiding all this--going to the doctor for regular check ups.  In Canada (although u have to wait) we have free healthcare and we all have access to it, don't be stupid and not do it. 

Ask your doctor when to start, how often to go, and what to get done.

I know exactly why you won't do it: you are busy and already have too many things to do. It seems to me it's become very complicated to be healthy these days.  Everything is a carcinogen, there are a million things u need to do, a million medical checkups, million ways to 'eat healthy'....on top of it all, ur iPhone is ringing with a million notifications about ur overlapping meetings, the trainer waiting at the gym, attempts to have regular manicures, the poodle needs grooming, the accountant is confused as to why you spend so much money on fake hair and how this is a 'business expense'....AH!  I am probably the pioneer of this with my iPhone having at least 50 little red dot notifications at any time. So where to start, what to prioritize?

It's very simple. I once went to a fancy corporate training called "7 habits of highly effective people" by Franklin Covey.  Like in most long presentations my creative ADD took over and instead of listening I was completely distracted by the giant gold square ring the presenter was wearing. I'm not kidding it was GIANT. I spent a good part of the lecture creating and elaborating a story about how his cult controls him by beaming thoughts into that giant ring and how if I tackled him and removed the ring he would come back. However one thing did stick with me, and has really had a big impact on my life ever since. The principle is called "Do the big rocks FIRST".  I was able to find a video of it on Youtube, take 5 mins to watch it, it will have a big impact on ur life.  Also it will be a delicious retro dose, complete with the 80's power shoulder red suit. Notice how she paired it up with a plaid skirt. DE-LICIOUS 80's. I think I only paid attention to it due to my retro loving, but it actually turned out to be cool:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wu5Dn4uCau8

So, what you have to do is define what your big rocks are, and what's sand. If you want to read more, look up Franklin Covey. As a very spiritual person I normally find those things are for losers but his stuff is pretty cool.

Lots of people always ask me where I find the time to do everything that I do - prioritizing in this way has been a big part of it...but really it's my super supportive fiance that picks up all my crap haha ;).

My next checkup is already booked despite the milliion little red dots on each productivity app on my iPhone!  Please book yours too.  Be nice to yourself and loved ones and spread the awareness of the importance of regular breast exams. It can literally save ur life.

XOXO,
Dilara