I am constantly enamored by the rituals of "beginnings and endings" celebrated in cultures around the world; Chinese New Year celebrations that send glowing lanterns upward, a multitude of kites flown skyward in India and the discovery of tiny charms tucked inside Mardi Gras cakes sugared violet, gold and green.

New yoga classes begin in march and I look forward to the possibility of offering breathwork/yoga to oncology patients this spring. Daffodils and downward dog pose? Sounds like a good way to harken springtime.

One of the patients who we have worked with shared with me her tools for staying positive and strong while on her cancer journey. She relaxes into a visual of herself canoeing on a pristine lake in northern NH. She controls the speed and direction of her canoe and moves forward gently, peacefully and with purpose as the calm fills her. Quiet stillness envelopes her and she can hear her own breath and heartbeat.

I will have the opportunity to conference with the Fox Chase Cancer Center's planning board next week in an effort to develop their Women's Cancer Center's Resource project as it relates to integrative and complementary therapies. Patients and their families there will be able to access many avenues of care to promote wellness and ease the cancer journey. Now that's a new beginning worth celebrating!! Someone lend me a kite.

sending peace.