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Have you ever had a friend or family member in your life who always knew just the right thing to say? During my time in “the pink bubble,” I always thought it would be great if my girlfriends could always be there for me – not just by a phone call, email or text message, but actually right there in the room with me – offering a caring hug when I was feeling horrible from my breast cancer treatment, or giving me a pat on the back when I did something well.

My friends were wonderful during my year in “Cancerville,” but I understood that they had their own families as well as other commitments to fulfill.  So, in an effort to seek confidence and cheer during my dismal cancer days, I decided to collect clever, caring, and inspirational insights from them in the form of “shimmering,” positive quotations. Not only did I collect quotes from my girlfriends, but I also collected quotes from men and women who have achieved success and fame all over the world.

I realized where, how, and when I found my inspiration was less important than truly finding it every day. Sure wearing my diamonds every day gave me inner strength, but I realized reading a quotation every day gave me a way to rise above life’s challenges and disappointments. My quotations, especially my diamond quotations, helped me find my own special place under the sun. Why be a “Diamond in the Rough” when I can be a Crown Jewel; right?

Here are my top three favorite diamond quotes! If you have diamond quotes, please send them my way.

“You are at the moment standing, right in the middle of your own acres of diamonds.” ~ Earl Nightingale, U.S. Motivational Writer and Author, 1912-1989

“Diamonds are a girl’s best friend.” ~ Leo Robin

 “True friends are like diamonds, precious and rare.” ~ Author Unknown

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Who is Andy Keller (a.k.a. The Bag Man or The Bag Monster)? Andy is a software salesman-turned activist who will do anything to rid the world of wasteful plastic bags. Even wear 500 of them.

Nine years ago, Andy Keller was an unfulfilled software salesman living in Chico, California.  After doing a little landscaping in his backyard, he visited his local landfill, where the thousands of plastic bags hanging off barbed wire and blowing across mounds of trash changed the course of his life. It truly hit him at his core.  That same day, he bought a sewing machine and made his first colorful, washable Chicobag, which folded into a convenient pocket-size pouch.  He began selling his more stylish versions-made from materials like recycled plastic-at farmers’ markets and eventually in stores across North America, and now ships via his Web site to more than 80 countries.

But Keller didn’t stop there.  Determined to halt plastic gluttony, which he says imperils about 267 marine species; he created an alter ego, “Bag Monster.”  Dressed in 500 flimsy single use plastic bags-the number the average American discards each year (he affixes them to a jumpsuit with Velcro)-Keller protests lax environmental policies at city halls, festivals, and political events.

On his Bag Monster blog, Keller tracks the passing of plastic bag bans in places like Portland, Oregon, and Marin County (“All Bag Monster wants to do is a few minutes’ work, then be free to float down streams into the ocean! He writes, in mock outrage).  Not everyone is amused:  Three plastic bag manufactures have sued him for “irreparable harm” to their business.

To Keller, it’s just one more sign that things are getting desperate out there for his nemeses.  “When you get sued for trying to make a difference in the world,” he says, “you must be doing something right.”

Source: Robbie Couch

Pop Star’s Second Battle With Breast Cancer Forces Her to Cancel World Tour

Internationally successful pop star Anastacia, who you may recall battled breast cancer back in 2003, delivered some heart-wrenching news to the world several weeks ago … She has been diagnosed with the disease for the second time, and as a result, she has had to cancel her European tour, which had been scheduled to kick off April 6 in London. So sad.

It’s clear she’s shaken up by the news — and also by the idea of having to bail on her fans. She released a statement noting, “I feel so awful to be letting down all my amazing fans who were looking forward to It’s A Man’s World Tour. It just breaks my heart to disappoint them.” Still, taking care of herself has to be her priority now. Especially because battling breast cancer must be even more trying the second time around.

As strong as she’s proven herself to be and as determined as she is to live by her motto “Don’t ever let cancer get the best of you,” this news had to have felt utterly devastating. After beating the disease the first time around, I’m sure she’s never fully escaped the thought of recurrence. It’s a fear that haunts all cancer survivors. But to now actually have to contend with it, as a reality, it’s got to be unbelievably hard.

Still, you’ve gotta admire just how positive and strong Anastacia sounds. Her statement went on to note that she’s “a born survivor” and her “one goal … is to make a full recovery with the support of her family, friends, and everyone around her.” I don’t doubt that is completely possible, and that she’ll be surrounded by loved ones cheering for her every step of the way. After all, if you’ve beat it once, you already know you have it in you to do it again.

How do you feel about this news?