Secrets to Success Are Free

Monona, Iowa's, Shear Images Salon owner, Denise Benda, originally from Waterloo, was diagnosed with Hodgkin Lymphoma on Sept. 1, 2006. By June 2007 she was cancer free - how did she do that?

An estimated 1,070 persons will die of Hodgkin lymphoma in 2007. The five-year survival rate for patients with Hodgkin lymphoma has increased dramatically from 40 percent in whites from 1960-1963 to more than 86 percent for all races in 1996-2003. But how do you ensure that you are among the percentage of survivors who kick the disease?

According to Benda, it takes the support of family and friends, but it specifically takes a positive attitude. Benda worked right through her disease, she never gave in to fear and doubt. She took only one week off for some procedures. "You've been a real trooper," Benda's doctor told her.

Having beat the deadly disease with her positive attitude Benda, who has been hairdressing for 28 years wanted to try doing nails but like most people she was plagued by self doubt, however, she didn't let that stop her.
Benda said that it was the new girl that started working in the salon, Emily Jones, of Monona, and a friend in Prairie du Chien, that spurred her on to go for it.

I had my nails done by Benda two weeks ago and they are still looking great. I was proud to be her first official customer for the phenomenally low rate of $21. It took a little longer than I had anticipated, but it was well worth it. "Practice makes perfect," Benda said.

Surviving cancer gave Denise the strength to overcome her fears, after all, she had beaten cancer, it puts things into perspective, and doing nails, while creative, is small fry by comparison.
"You don't want to mess up, you have to overcome your fears - you are always afraid of failure," Benda said.
Here is what the 'think positive' gurus say:
Jerry Lopper discusses the benefits on health of a positive attitude and Denise is a perfect example of his concept. She is someone who's health greatly benefited from her positive attitude.
Having a hopeful state of mind is to be optimistic and that means having a positive attitude. Recent psychology studies reveal that having a positive attitude early in life leads to a healthy state in later years.

A study of 99 Harvard graduates discovered that there was a strong correlation between a positive attitude and good health beyond age 40. The good news is that it is apparently never too late to change, even if you have been a pessimist, negative thinker for several years, changing to positive thinking can greatly benefit your health it just takes practice. If you have been getting up on the wrong side of the bed for years and snipping at everyone and the dog remember that 'practice makes perfect.'

Expert Lopper suggests that if you are thinking a negative thought about something or have a negative view of something just think of something else - replace the thought with something positive. He explains that pessimism is habitual and just like cigarette smoking, you can quit.

When you are being pessimistic about something, evaluate the facts and don't allow your fears to confuse the issue. Then imagine different explanations and possible outcomes. If you are like me when your car makes a noise you will automatically jump to the conclusion that it is going to hurt your pocket, but that may not be the case, Lopper explains.

Try to use this formula on a daily basis: Whenever I think negatively about something today - I will immediately look at the facts and consider a feasible positive alternative.

Behind all negativity lurks fear! There are four things you should do to overcome the fear that prevents you from reaching your hopes and dreams:

First, imagine yourself meeting your goals - why not - anything is possible - even cowboy actors can be presidents.

Second, tune out negative remarks by others, such as, you won't make any money, you are not tall enough, strong enough, smart enough, educated enough, attractive enough, savvy enough, disciplined enough, etc.

Third, avoid negative self talk, I'll never lose weight, and you will not, if you keep telling yourself that.

Fourth, surround yourself with positive people who have a similar goal. Seek them out online or at clubs and groups, etc.

Sources:
www.cancerhelp.org
www.suite101.com (Jerry Lopper ).
www.notalone.com (John Moore).