"Elevate if you would, for that is our curse" In life, we often strive to elevate ourselves - to climb higher, to achieve more, to reach new heights of success. We are driven by ambition, by the desire to make a mark on the world and leave a lasting legacy. But in this relentless pursuit of elevation, we sometimes forget the toll it takes on us. The phrase "elevate if you would, for that is our curse" reminds us that our quest for greatness comes at a cost. The curse of elevation is that it brings with it a burden of responsibility, of high expectations, and relentless pressure. We may find ourselves caught in a cycle of constantly striving for more, never fully satisfied with what we have achieved.
Berean Standard Bible
May it be cursed by those who curse the day—those prepared to rouse Leviathan.
I am in awe how you and your sisters carried the torch for change while other shy away I m guilty I m so proud of you and my Sister your Mom and Grandma Madear would be too. I have the hereditary gene BRCA 1 and stage 3 ovarian cancer my passion now is to help women get ahead of cancer and in sharing our stories is so important.
We may find ourselves caught in a cycle of constantly striving for more, never fully satisfied with what we have achieved. At times, we might even sacrifice our own well-being, our relationships, and our happiness in pursuit of lofty goals. The curse of elevation is that it can take away the joy of the present moment, as we are always looking towards the next mountain to climb.
Reverse the Curse
I have long suspected that genetics were behind the half-dozen cancer-related deaths in my family. Nevertheless, I was shocked when my genetic test results revealed that I carry a wayward gene that puts me at high risk for ovarian cancer and elevated risk for breast cancer. My oldest sister Patricia had received the same results two months prior and immediately began prophylactic treatments. After the icicles of shock melted from my brain, I gathered the encouraging words I used to support my sister and anointed myself with them. I was glad to have my lifelong confidant traveling the journey with me, but the feeling of being “cursed” repeatedly crept into my consciousness. Especially when our middle sister Jacinta subsequently learned that she too carried the genetic mutation. We’ve weathered a lot of storms together, including caring for our mother, who chose hospice in her home during her short battle with liver cancer of “unknown origin.” To do nothing to protect ourselves from cancer was never an option.
I learned the term “Previvor” from the FORCE message boards. It gave me an instant sense of belonging as I wandered through the maze of available healthcare choices. The FORCE resources reminded me that I was not alone.
I created Reverse the Curse: A Coloring Book and Journal for Women Fighting Hereditary Cancer during the stressful month-long wait between receiving my test results and my appointments with doctors. Creating designs of beautiful and strong Previvors strengthened me. When I felt overwhelmed with seemingly endless options to consider, I soothed my mind by adding messages to the designs that encouraged me. I reminded myself that knowledge of my gene mutation is an incredible gift—one that my mother and other cancer-stricken relatives did not have. I am now only a third of the way through my prophylactic treatments. Reverse the Curse continues to help me process the bodily changes that have occurred and will occur over the next several months.
I self-published Reverse the Curse on Amazon as a surprise gift to my sisters. All three of us are at different points in our Previvor journeys. I sent the coloring book/journal to each of them, along with a pack of colored pencils. I wanted them to also feel uplifted whenever fear or doubt encroached on the peaceful spaces of their minds.
I am so grateful to my sister Patricia for bravely insisting on genetic testing for cancer. Her courage was the catalyst for reversing the curse for ourselves, our children, grandchildren and generations to come.
7 Comments
July 24, 2023
JoAnne Gutliph says:
Thanks for sharing. You and your sisters are all strong, beautiful women.Reply
August 1, 2023
Tanesha Willis says:
You have and always will be my SHERO! Forever educating, uplifting, and inspiring.Reply
September 6, 2023
Sylvia Johnson says:
Thank you for sharing!Reply
August 21, 2023
Caren Bush says:
Your family journey has been close to my heart. The loss of my Mom to ovarian cancer and your story helps me to see I must control my situation and not respond to it after it had happened. Thank you so much!Reply
September 6, 2023
Denice Welch says:
Im so proud of you and your sisters ❤️ thank you so much for sharing your story. I have the hereditary gene BRCA 1 and stage 3 ovarian cancer my passion now is to help women get ahead of cancer and in sharing our stories is so important!!Reply
August 23, 2023
Dinah Gail Gant says:
You all truly carry other amazing traits of your Mom - strength, grace, compassion, dignity, etc.Reply
July 19, 2023
Katherine Sartin says:
Wow little niece your courage and willingness to fight armed with knowledge and personal transparency is amazing. Keep up the good work. I am in awe how you and your sisters carried the torch for change while other shy away (I'm guilty) I'm so proud of you and my Sister your Mom and Grandma Madear would be too.Reply
Literal Standard Version
Let the cursers of day mark it, | Who are ready to wake up Leviathan.
However, it is essential to recognize that this curse is not an inherent flaw in our nature. It is a self-inflicted burden that we choose to bear. We have the power to redefine what elevation means to us and find a balance between ambition and contentment. True elevation lies not in external achievements but in the ability to elevate our minds, our spirits, and our souls. It is about finding fulfillment in the journey itself, rather than fixating solely on the destination. By focusing on personal growth, gratitude, and inner peace, we can rise above the curse of the constant quest for more. In conclusion, the phrase "elevate if you would, for that is our curse" serves as a reminder to be mindful of the cost of ambition and to seek a balance between personal growth and contentment. It urges us to redefine elevation and find fulfillment in the journey rather than solely fixating on external achievements. Ultimately, true elevation lies in the ability to rise above the burdens we place upon ourselves, finding joy, and peace in the present moment..
Reviews for "Elevating Your Emotional Intelligence: Strategies for Better Relationships"
- Jennifer - 2 stars - I really didn't enjoy "Elevate if you would for that is our curse". The storyline seemed confusing and disjointed, making it difficult to follow along. The characters were also flat and uninteresting, lacking depth and development. The writing style felt forced and overly flowery, making it hard to connect with the story. Overall, I found the book to be a disappointing read.
- Mark - 3 stars - "Elevate if you would for that is our curse" had an intriguing premise, but I felt like it didn't live up to its potential. The pacing was slow, and the plot seemed to drag on without much happening. The dialogue was often awkward and stilted, making it hard to believe in the interactions between the characters. While there were some interesting ideas explored, they were not fully fleshed out or explored in a satisfying way. Overall, I was left feeling underwhelmed by this book.
- Sarah - 2 stars - I found "Elevate if you would for that is our curse" to be a pretentious and convoluted mess. The narrative was overly complicated, making it difficult to understand what was actually happening. The constant use of obscure metaphors and flowery language felt forced and pretentious, adding nothing to the story but confusion. The characters were also unlikable and unrealistic, making it hard to care about their fates. Overall, I was disappointed in this book and would not recommend it.