Let me say right out of the gates, I apologize for the pink text.  I know it’s not easy to read.  I added it out of guilt.  Guilt for this post really not being about breast cancer awareness.  About it instead being a confession. 

You see, I really don’t like the color pink.  Like at all.  The only reasons I tolerate it are because it’s one of my best girlfriend’s favorite colors, it is the color of flowers, babies butts, and bunny rabbit’s noses.  And of course it is the color best representing breast cancer awareness.

Since we’re being honest, I am struggling with my 31 Days of Pink.  It sounded like a good idea at the time because I am passionate about the cause.   Being in everyone’s face every day about mammograms and self checks and cancer sounded like a good thing.  Reminding people to be proactive about their health and that breast cancer is a treatable cancer if caught early.  This all made sense.

And I do think it is a creative way to get people to pay attention to their health.  It’s just that this whole social media 31 Days of Pink isn’t that fun anymore.  It’s lonely.  I feel like I’m in this pink bubble all alone.  

Hello?  Hello?  Is anyone out there???

I also feel like it’s old news.  Stale.  Ho-Hum.  How many ways can I spin breast cancer awareness tips?  If I am tired of all things pink – then other people must be too.

This blog, One Salty Kiss,  is to be about exploring passions.  Following dreams. Finding simple ways to make the ordinary,  extraordinary.  Exciting stuff!!   But October has become not so exciting for me.  It would be really easy just to give up.  To quit.  Who would care really?

But then I think about the women (and men) battling breast cancer.  They don’ t have the option to just quit.  To say “Oh, I’m done with this.”  “This isn’t working for me anymore.”    

Then I feel stupid.  Their challenge is in a whole different galaxy from mine.  Mine is an inconvenience, their’s is a fight for life.  So how can I possibly quit?

I am going to stop being a whiney baby and continue with my 31 Days of Pink.  I am going to stop complaining and keep posting blush and bashful ( Steel Magnolias reference anyone?) not because I really want to but because I have to.  For the people who fight demons much greater than mine, I will keep talking about breast cancer.  For 15 more days and maybe even more.

So, for this 16th day of pink I am going to implore you to do your self checks.  Feel yourself up every month so if the day does come that you feel something unusual, you’ll know it.  Go see your doctor.  Don’t put off those annual appointments.  And if you’re over 40, get your mammograms.  Unless of course you have risk factors, then talk to your doctor and get them sooner!

I made a commitment.  Just as I committed to surf 52 Wednesdays, I have committed to 31 days of Pink.  So please be patient with me.  I need to see my goal through.

Thanks for listening and for forgiving me for being a whiner!

Salty Pink Kisses,

Karen