New Book "SAY YES TO LIFE" Teaches Readers Importance of Gratitude, Reveals 7 Secrets to Prevailing Against Daunting Challenges
DALLAS, TEXAS (PRWEB) October 02, 2017 -- SAY YES TO "GRATITUDE"
We all face daunting challenges at some points in our lives. Whether the crisis involves health, career, relationships, the initial reaction is fear. How we react can impact the outcome.
The most interesting people have faced many difficulties. They have buffeted storms, but they hold steadfast and keep moving forward.
Actress Julia Louis Dreyfus recently delivered the news of her breast cancer diagnosis with grace and character. Others like Sheryl Sandberg, Angelina Jolie, Malala Yousafzai, Nelson Mandela, Stephen Hawking, Bill Gates, and those who are suffering from the devastation of Hurricane Maria, Hurricane Harvey, and the earthquakes in Mexico come to mind as well.
"Life is a journey and a precious gift," says Ilse Anderson, author of the new book "Say Yes to Life." "If we allow ourselves to live it fully, with all its joys and challenges, we embark on an adventure that will change us in countless ways as we evolve."
For Ilse Anderson, the challenge was facing the cancer monster. She was on the cusp of her new life, traveling the world, growing as an artist, and exploring new avenues of spirituality. She was soaring into a bright, cloudless future, and then, on May 22, 2015, her doctor informed her she had stage four oral cancer.
She had to dig deep to believe in herself and have the power to get her life back. She faced many challenges, but always found her way back. Yes, it was hard. Anything truly meaningful is hard.
Throughout her journey, Ilse discovered the 7 secrets to prevailing:
- First and foremost is having a positive attitude. It is a key component to overcoming adversity. Without it everything else you do is less effective.
- Believe wholeheartedly in yourself, and you can achieve your goals and dreams in any realm. Many people give up too soon. They lose hope. They fear change of failure. But our reaction to any challenge dictates the outcome. We are in charge and must let go of doubt and fear. We must assume responsibility for this gift of life and cherish it.
- Having a strong support team.
- Having faith and trust in the unknown.
- Patience.
- Meditation and spiritual seeking to enlighten and open ourselves to new possibilities, relinquish old patterns, renewal, and develop a deep intimacy with ourselves.
- Finally and most important "Gratitude"–– Gratitude forces you to find the positive in your present situation, whatever that may be. Gratitude for little things keeps us from succumbing to negativity as it invites miracles in our lives
With these powerful tools for survival in place, Ilse battled hopelessness and despair, transmuted the unbearable into the endurable, shed light into the darkest hour, rejected the temptation for resentments and regrets, and today, savors every step of her remarkable recovery.
"Say Yes to Life" is an "excellent testament to the capacity of the human spirit," says Dr. Eric S. Nadler, MD, Medical Oncologist. "Ilse Anderson confronted one of the most challenging medical ordeals a person can endure. Her strength, humor, graciousness, and spirit were inspiring to me and all who encountered her during and after her journey."
"Gratitude opened me to positive change," says Anderson. "As part of my recovery, I made "gratitude lists" every day. I shifted my focus away from what I did not have.
I couldn't travel the world as I always had, but I reveled in seeing the sunrise and sunset from my window. Things I used to take for granted took on the significance they deserved. My life became fuller, even at its lowest point."
Today, the cancer treatments have ended, but gratitude continues to propel me forward. I look back at my "gratitude lists" from two years ago and smile. Each statement of gratitude led me to today."
Many people give up too soon. They lose hope. They fear change of failure. But our reaction to any challenge dictates the outcome.
If you believe wholeheartedly in yourself, you can achieve your goals and dreams in any realm. We are in charge and must let go of doubt and fear. We must assume responsibility for this gift of life and cherish it.
"'Say Yes to Life' will inspire you to clutch life, and all that if offers for what it can teach us," says Kristin S. Kaufman, President, Alignment, Inc., and author of the "Is This Seat Taken?" book series.
When Ilse Anderson found herself facing the biggest challenge of her life, she refused to give up. She wrote "Say Yes to Life" to encourage readers to find that inner strength––no matter what challenges they face.
Her story is proof that having an optimist attitude can impact the outcome. Her M.O. is a positive attitude. Practice gratitude, hold your loved one close, banish negativity, and Say Yes to Life. Gratitude makes all the difference. Let's spread the love.
A percentage of book proceeds will be donated to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. To contribute, visit: http://www.stjude.org/DONATE
Books are available online and bookstores.
To learn more, visit: ilseanderson.com
About the Author
Ilse Anderson was born in Caracas, Venezuela to European parents. Her father's business required the family to travel extensively where she experienced a culturally enriching childhood. Without real roots, she found life challenging at times, but quickly became highly adaptable to change. This has served her well throughout life.
She is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania and holds a masters degree in Latin America Studies from Tulane University. She speaks four languages, loves to cook, paint, and travel. She loves champagne and intimate gatherings with family and friends. She is grateful for the love her dog Titan, a Bichon frise who was her constant companion for fourteen years, and passed away October, 2016, after pushing her through Cancer. Celebrations are always on her to-do list. She is the mother of three adult children: twin daughters and one son. She lives in Dallas, Texas.
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Cindy Birne, Cindy Birne Public Relations, +1 214-405-8047, [email protected]
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