In 1999 I embarked on a journey to help those touched by cancer. I was angry as cancer had taken so many from me and then I found Relay For Life and I experienced what I will call my first recognizable spiritual awakening. I am sure I had other spiritual awakenings however the first one I can recall as I began to fundraise for The American Cancer Society Relay For Life. Relay was a new concept in the community where I was living at the time(Coral Springs, FL). It was a challenge to get people involved and I was a mighty team of one. I was guided by GOD to contact all the people I knew in the city and ask for their support so I did just that. I had excellent results and our first Relay For Life in Coral Springs raised over $40,000. As the years went on I would lose more people to cancer but instead of getting angry I used the losses as fuel to fund research, education, advocacy, and services and have been successful. On July 5, 2012 my faith was tested greatly as I held my mother’s hand as she took her final breath and was called home to GOD after suffering a massive heart attack while battling non-operable metastatic lung cancer. It was at this moment that I had another spiritual awakening as I went down stairs to make calls and catch my breath and try to understand that my mom was gone. It was about 90 degrees out and I was shivering like a leaf and when I reached it the trunk of my car what did I find, yes you guessed it one of my relay for life hoodies. I looked up to heaven and knew that my mom was already sending me signs and that I was to continue in my effort to create a world with less cancer and more birthdays. My experiences with Relay For Life have had there ups and there downs. People have told me why they don’t support The American Cancer Society and that is okay. In the past I tried to convince them why they needed to support my efforts to help The American Cancer Society however now I simply show gratitude to those supporting the efforts and to those who aren’t I simply accept that trying to change their mind is like wrestling a pig in the mud you are both going to get dirty but the pig enjoys it. I have come to understand that hope prevails when you stay focused, centered, and balanced on your calling.
Spiritual Awakening: Finding Hope!!!
After being in a dark place I sat in meditation and turned to my creativity as a writer and wrote this poem which helped me to come out of the darkness and into the light gaining an understanding that hope prevails.
Celebrate Life
By Jonathan Steven Lederman
We gather tonight United in this fight
People from all walks of life Overcoming hardships and strife
Walking for 6 hours
Showing the power Coming together
So that Cancer is beaten forever
May the lights shine bright
As you continue your fight
The survivors you inspire
With your courage and desire
Caregivers you motivate
With dedication and the hope you create
So gather everyone with your teammates
Say a prayer or two
For your loved ones, friends and you
Celebrate Life!!
It was when I began to tap into my inner divinity and allow myself to be guided by GOD that I was able to understand that hope prevails. As a result I have been able to find success with my activities with The American Cancer Society Relay For Life, overcome adversity in my life, and to continue on my path toward enlightenment. Many times I am asked what my secret is and my answer is that when things seem the darkest that is GOD making a way for you to shine your light. In embracing the idea that hope prevails I have come to learn that if GOD brought you to it GOD will bring you through it. I have also come to realize that my methodology may not resonate with everyone but those who are in need of receiving my message will and those will be the ones who help me to be of service and value to others. I have also come to understand that if you truly want hope to prevail you must become an action taker.
We all need to have hope if we are to attract peace, love, joy, and prosperity into our lives. In many cases you simply need to let go and let GOD. GOD will help you to shine your light bright thus enabling you illuminate the world. As long as there is a burning ember in your heart you can fan the flames and create a fire that will make you unstoppable thus showing you that hope prevails.
Now is the time for you to be brave and to embrace the fact that hope prevails. Now is your time to continue to on your path by stepping into your power and achieving your greatness so as to show the world that hope prevails. Namaste!!!
