Hi Sweet Friends!
If you didn’t catch my original short film and some of my soul food chats on Oprah’s Super Soul Sunday episode with Mark Nepo yesterday, here you go (and there’s more to come)!
It was super fun to film, and lucky me, I got to work with some of the same crew from my last episode. It’s really nice to get to know the folks who work so hard to bring us all meaningful content—and these artists often don’t get the credit they deserve. So, thanks guys, especially Heather!
My journey with Oprah
Nearly seven years ago, I had the honor of being a guest on the legendary Oprah Winfrey Show with the cherished Randy Pausch, author of The Last Lecture. What an amazing man—a true gift to this planet.
Folks have often asked me what it was like to meet Oprah. To be honest, it went so dang fast! Here’s what I remember: Oprah was truly, sincerely, authentically kind. We shot the shizzle during commercial breaks, she loved the essential oil blend I was wearing, she called me a “Crazy Sexy Teacher” and then she gave me a good ole hug. The sorta hug you get from someone who is a real pro at sharing their huge heart.
Then I ate Chinese food and went home. Yup, that’s about all I can recall.
Today what stands out most for me is how much I have changed and grown since then. I’ll be honest, sometimes it’s hard to look back on my early media interviews. Even though I thought I was at peace with going the distance with disease, I still really wanted to be cured. Time, struggles, triumphs, and experience have all given me some valuable soul perspective.
I want to hug that gal who many of you met on Oprah. She said all the right stuff, and I know she meant it, but after 10 years of living with a chronic disease, I can honestly say that the greatest journey was yet to come. The journey that has turned into the bedrock of my spiritual practice: unconditional acceptance.
What I’ve learned since sitting on Oprah’s couch
- Love what is (instead of what could be)
- Practice self-kindness and care, daily
- Embrace the uncertainty
- Live now
These practices have each made me a better/stronger person. But more than that, these practices have actually released me into the person I was meant to be—regular ole me. I bet you can relate, regardless of whether or not you have cancer.
Life is the best gig around.
Even the sucky days have something to offer us. It’s natural to sink into the mud of our mortal humanness from time to time, but think of it this way—all rich dirt creates new life. You just might not see it right away.
More Super Soul Sunday goodness
I hope you were inspired by this Super Soul Sunday episode and that you get a chance to see the entire show, because Mark Nepo is the true star (watch the full episode online here)! My mom gave me his book—The Book of Awakening—a while back and I keep it tethered to my side as I navigate the start of each day. Give it a spin if you haven’t already. Your soul will thank you. Plus, Mark’s new book, Seven Thousand Ways to Listen, was just chosen as Oprah’s Super Soulful Book of the Month for November. I scooped up a copy and can’t wait to dive in!
Finally, I want you to know that you have grown as much as I have. You’ve healed as much as I have.
You may not have national footage to look back on (lucky you!) but you’ve stretched, opened, deepened, stepped up. I know you have. If you don’t agree with me, hush for two seconds. You have. Keep up the good work.
Thanks for watching and thanks for letting me share my exciting health update! I’m grateful for this journey, no matter how big or small my tumors (beauty marks) get. Either way. It’s all good. 🙂
Now it’s your turn: What was your biggest Super Soul Sunday takeaway?
Peace & big joy,
I love this SO much.
I love this vid. It’s exactly what I needed to hear today.
While I don’t have cancer, I do have my own battles with chronic asthma among other things (eczema, food allergies, hypoglycemia and depression). For the past 5 years, I’ve been living with a goal to knock my asthma back into remission and in turn feeling like a complete failure every year that it hasn’t been knocked back.
Instead, starting today I’m going to thrive with asthma and just live in the moment for me. No more chasing the asthma remission dragon around. Just living. =)
Also, I love your quote “I don’t need to be healthy on paper, but I am well”.
Thanks a lot Kris. I really appreciate you and the work you do. <3
Hi Kris, just want to say you are truly inspirational.
Rav
I’m so sad. I got all cozy on the couch tonight to watch this and it is gone! So, I watched all the short clips and enjoyed every one of them. Please let us know if OWN airs this again or has it available on line. I would love to see the whole thing. Thanks for all you do Kris and for sharing your insights and wisdom with us.
Dawn xo
It is impressive what you’ve accomplished with your mind and the fellowship you created with some of the sharpest, brightest one could only hope to meet in a lifetime.
As I’ve seen in your video’s, your journey is inspirational. My best friend and wife who crossed over would wake up in the morning surprised to find she still had massive deviant cell overgrowth with associated pain. Not only did she speak to me from 480 miles away when she crossed over, she continues to bless me with her guidance as she did when we shared space in Indianapolis.
If I can assist you in completing your journey to physical wellness while living younger longer, it would be a great honor and a privilege in deed.
As Dr. Bill Andrews says, “When I or somebody else is healthy enough to run a seven minute mile when they’re 130 years old, that’s when I’m going to know that we’ve cured aging.” He ran the Ultimate Himalayan 138 mile Marathon in 51 consecutive hours at age 60. His wife, at 56, is the only American woman (of 6 in the world) to complete the distance in the required 60 consecutive hours.
Best All Round,
Jim Gilbert
515-480-2704
Thank you for sharing this clip (I don’t have cable!) and for helping me to be aware of how I have clung to your thought”…until they say I am perfectly healthy.” I have lived with the diagnosis of MS for 11 years now, and while I function very, very well, I have allowed the diagnosis and the annual MRI’s and tests to make me CRAZY, and yes, tired, and to live in a perpetual state of “The disease is stable but I’m not.”
I have been looking for it to go away completely (can totally relate) and to deny it’s presence for a decade of my life, rather than just being with it and in the moments of everyday. I hear people say that they are not their disease, but this has been hard for me to wrap my head around; it had become my identity until recently, and so I had morphed into this anxious and stressed person, who perpetuated more dis-ease in her life, including several big C scares. Until I found your website and others through your recommendations, I was very, very alone in my understanding of how to unzip the costume of my old sick self. My understanding and acceptance of this is only beginning (thanks to you!!), but it is a springboard for letting go of this pain-habit and just being with all that is good in my life.
Thank you for all your positive energy and for reaching out to folks the way you do!
Kris,
I was so moved by your short film. Your a wonderful teacher and I love you very much:)
Xo,
P
The acceptance. I know this to be true but need to be reminded constantly. A paralysis condition has left me with a bladder dysfunction and nerve pain and I have to use a catheter to empty my bladder which triggers the nerve pain. There is little logic in it – sometimes it works fine – sometimes it hurts so much I scream on the inside. Sometimes I feel ok afterwards and sometimes the pain stays on a high enough level to make me get chills all over my body and my sensitive bladder is irritated from the pain making me feel like I have to go again soon. It can make me so sad and frustrated and feel hindered and it is at these times the acceptance is so important. It keeps me from giving up the things I can control because there are some things that I can’t and helps me live my best life instead of just being upset and think it isn’t fair.
Watching you, seeing your life snippets on Soul Soup made it apparent to me why you are here; to give us your beautiful and eloquently presented life affirming lessons. Thank you. My journey started 15 years ago and I aspire to be as free and in the “now” as you. Namaste.
Thank you Kris, I’ve had a difficult day today and watching your sections on Super Soul Sunday really really helped me. I’m going to bed now, and I know that tomorow’s going to be a much nicer day.
Keep being here for us!
“I was giving up on feeling like ‘Until they say I’m perfectly healthy, I’m broken'”.
That is so huge, it brought tears to my eyes. And it might just be the key to my own healing process. Thank you so much for this Kris!
And also: yay for shrinking tumors!!
I just love you Kris!
Live now, that is the most difficult thing sometimes, because it seems us humans are very difficult beings to satisfy. We always want more, always want what we don’t have. I suppose this is good in certain directions – makes us work out, for example, or choose the food with care, but we do tend to exaggerate. Kudos to you for attaining this unconditional acceptance and living life exactly as it is!
Thankyou Kris! Beautiful film. I always remembered seeing you on your first Oprah appearance and being inspired to take on my own wellness of body and spirit. It is truly wonderful to hear your amazing wellness news! Thankyou again for your Inspiration to live life in the moment, with joy. As you say, we may not be 100% healthy on paper but we can be well, living (love this). I got that whatever may be happening around me ‘on paper’ I see I have the opportunity to live in the moment, really live. Thankyou. Love Lxxx
A flood of tears came over me when you said:
“Finally, I want you to know that you have grown as much as I have… you’ve stretched, opened, deepened, stepped up. I know you have. If you don’t agree with me, hush for two seconds. You have. Keep up the good work.”
I guess I needed to hear that today. Thanks, Kris. You are an inspiration. xx
Tears welled in my eyes while reading your blog. I am so proud of you Kris. I pray for healing, love and peace for all who challenge the up and downs in life.
Thank you Hannah!
Thanks for all the love everyone, it really matters to me. I adore & appreciate you all. xo kc
Hi Kris,
Thank you. I needed to hear this message today. I too have a chronic disease and have felt that exact feeling you described as being exhausted and broken open. I will never be 100% healthy on paper, but you have inspired me to be well for myself. Your message today has become my intention… to love myself, to accept myself where I am today and everyday, and to be well… for me.
I feel the love! Thank you –
Rory
what was the essential oil blend you were wearing?! xo 🙂
Oh girl, I just love how you speak LIFE! You are such an inspiration. My 7 year-old son is battling a serious disease using an intense (to put it mildly) nutritional therapy and he’s winning. Through his story, we have many reach out to us who are struggling with life threatening illnesses. Yesterday, we had the opportunity to meet with a stage four cancer friend. As I so often do, I shared your story and it was such an encouragement to him and gave him the motivation to move forward… and live. You rock girl! Thanks for all you do. So grateful… xo
Rock on Heather! Blessings to you and your family. xo kc
WOO HOO!
Congratulations on your amazing 10 year news angel. Moving up from C to B… Go Buddy go!
Mwah x
Kris, I loved watching your Soul Food moments on Oprah’s Super Soul Sunday. You are such a clear channel of wisdom and support for people, whether they have cancer or not.
(I would love to send you my book “Super Natural Home: Improve Your Health, Home and Planet…One Room at a Time,” endorsed by Deepak Chopra, but can’t get access to your mailing address!)
You were and are such an inspiration to me! I received your book seven years ago when I was diagnosed with breast cancer………..I am so grateful to be at this point in my journey – but your short film and the part where you talked about your fear of upcoming scans and appts and never being able to slay “that dragon” was so meaningful to me. As I get farther away from my diagnosis, I thought the follow ups would be easier, but sometimes I allow the fear and apprehension to overtake me…………..your thoughts on this, changed my heart and I “get it” and appreciate your method of dealing with this…………I have been following you and appreciate sharing the journey with you!!!
Oh my gosh, I was expecting to hear her tumors were the same size but not SMALLER!!! That is incredible, and brought tears to my eyes. Self love and acceptance is amazing. And I’m sure the crazy sexy diet didn’t hurt!
I love the video. I admire the attitude u have taken about life… How do u that.. I like to know how to start?
Congrats on your recent good news! When I was going through chemo I stumbled on your book in Barns and Nobles on a low day. It bolstered my spirit and I’ve followed you ever since. Keep inspiring others, you are truly making a difference!
HI Chris: Wow you said it, I have also been feeling like chasing perfect health is always driving me and I may never have perfect health! Yet, I make an effort each day. I just want to be crazy sexy!
Chow
Kris, you are such a ray of sunshine!!! I look forward to your weekly blogs…..so inspirational, every week I’m reminded of things that I know to be true and get so excited to implement them into my own life!!! I love you and am grateful for the lessons and the love you share. Thank you so much
Thank you Kris – Your words touch to the hearts of our souls. SSS was wonderful, just like you.
Thank you and God Bless!
Kris,
LOVE LOVE LOVE your short film and your heartfelt words! You are amazing! It is so gracious of you to share all your experiences with the world! I am so happy I found you all those years ago on that TLC documentary!! My love to you, Brian, Lola, and Buddy! Thank you for sharing the Oprah info on your blog since I don’t have cable.
Peace and veggies,
Your granola gal
Mary Jo
P.S. Went to the WFAS Thanksliving for the very first time last month, what a blast!
Hey Mary Jo! Great to hear from you! Love ya lady. x kc & the gang
You are amazing!!! I was just having surgery again and to my surprise, a newly found friend, saw you live and got me your book and personally autographed from you to me!!!! I can’t tell you how happy and excited I was. I’m enjoying reading it and feel so special.
Thank you xo xo co
Kris…would love to know what ‘essential oil’ you were wearing on your first visit with Oprah and did you wear the same this time?
Thanks,
Sandra
Thank you Kris. I have been following you since I was diagnosed with thyroid cancer in February this year, a month before my wedding. I was given the all clear a couple of weeks ago, as much of a shock as it was to be diagnosed, and I have been feeling a little lost since the initial euphoria faded. Watching your film reminded me of the simplicity of living life as it is, living life as myself for myself. Sometimes I feel like I should accomplish something to reflect what I’ve learnt from having cancer, I put pressure on myself to live in a state where I am always appreciating life, always grateful to be alive, and even though I know it’s not possible, I allow this to feed my story that my life is not enough, I am not enough. Your film spoke so beautifully of how we are all enough, when we live for ourselves, when we live life as it is. Thank you for your example, you are an inspiration to me. I hope our paths cross one day.
With love Rose
I love you! That’s all that needs to be said. You ARE the reason I’ve changed my eating habits, and you inspire me. Thank you!
Thank you Kris, I’ve been following you since practically the beginning and am so thankful for you and for the light and hope you have shined onto the world! Yes we have all grown and evolved and it feels soo DELICIOUS!! Thank you for everything and for being YOU!!
I may not be perfect, but I am well!
Wow, what profound words! Thank you for my gift today Kris! I will love myself today and feel grounded because of your words and loving thoughts. I am not my body, I am ME! Lotsa hugs and peace.
I LOVE YOU KRIS CARR!!!!! You are such an inspiration to all of us who have this ultimate terminal condition of life, whether diagnosed with something specific or not!!! And such a great reminder to find joy in every aspect of our journey!
My biggest take-away from the video was that after you decided not to define yourself by the state of your disease and freed yourself from focusing on being in remission, YOUR TUMORS SHRANK!!!!! It speaks to me of how powerful our focused minds are, and that it’s completely up to us where we choose to focus our minds!
Thank you!!!
xo Terri!
Super huge congratulations Kris: you truly are a Brilliant + Radiant Sexy Inspiration!
XO
Thank you, thank you for you and all that you bring to all of us. The show was beautifully done and inspiring, thought provoking and made me think and reflect. I am so happy when my mailbox has one of your emails in it as it allows me to gain so much knowledge from you. Thanks again.
Thank you for this today: love what is, not what you hope for. Exactly what I needed to hear today.
you’re pretty rad. <3
S
Thank you very much for sharing. It’s nice to be uplifting when there is so much depressing news and such in the wqrld. Thank you Kris.
Hi Kris!
Thank You for sharing your health update! Outstanding and no surprise. You embody “self care” in everything you do, we can all learn to take more time for ourselves.
I love what you said about fearlessness, such an over used slogan “be fearless!!”. Fear, like so many other emotions remind us that we are human. Instead of avoiding, it is more about what you will do with that fear once it hits. How will you use it to GROW?
Thank You for reminding us to expand and grow and Love!
Jenn xoxo
Kris this is beautiful. It’s amazing how we’re faced with such challenges, but if we’re open and willing, we can grow and flourish and walk our true paths. You have an amazing story and you’re such an inspiration to me. Thank you so much. I am choosing to live too, thank you for that perspective. xoxo
Inspiring! It really is amazing the power we gain when we realize we have the power to change our own perspectives and attitudes. Thanks for making this film.
Loved it. So inspiring. I love watching super soul each week. I have found that some shows resonate more with me than others and this was one of those shows. Mark nepo was incredible. Several of his statements really made you think about how you handle situations in life, both the good and bad and how the self is perceived through them. The shorts with kris were great. Wish we got a whole hour of kris too!
Thank you
Kris, I just loved watching you yesterday on Super Soul Sunday. It was my first time ever watching it and totally loved how I felt during the show and for the remainder of the day. As I raked leaves for a couple of hours I appreciated where I was at that moment and totally got into being with nature instead of just getting the job done. The show caused me to pause and reflect on where I have been and where I want to go but most importantly where I am now. And now is pretty amazing.
Thanks Kris for you amazing way with words and images that have helped me and so many others on our own wellness journey.
I Can Do It should really be I Am Doing It.
Hugs, Jo-Ann
Kris – thank you so much for your continued work in healing yourself as you help to heal so many others on the planet. I have lost many people I love to the wretched C disease and your fight of taking such supreme care of the body and mind is indeed the only true way to fight back. So often the cure is what ends up taking people down – just listening to only what the doctors say. I know in my mother’s case it cost her her life. She started fighting Ovarian Cancer and then died from Leukemia she contracted from the chemo. Her doctors said that if she wanted to get on a strong nutritional regime “that would be fine but not necessary”. Being old school she listened only to the doctors.
Loved your show yesterday and how beautifully it wrapped in with the Mark Nepo interview. Keep up your great work and again thank you. Also love your cookbook! Brilliant!
You’re awesome Kris Carr. 🙂 Thanks for being you and putting your heart and soul out there to positively impact others. I was smiling thinking about you up in that airplane surrounded by cottony clouds and blue skies… It’s sometimes easier to smile and ease up when we’re 30,000 feet up in the air. You realize that even when it may be cloudy and gray down where we dwell, the sun never stops shining and it’s our choice to remember that and see things from that perspective. Your weekly emails are like mini-flights for me — you take me up, up, up! THANK YOU! And all the best for a most wonderful experience in CA!!
I would love to watch the episode but I am from Germany and I don’t have access to American TV. Is there any chance I can see it online?
Vanessa, try using this link to access the show online. I hope it works for you.
Oops it would help if I gave you the link:
http://www.oprah.com/own-super-soul-sunday/What-Cancer-Taught-Poet-Mark-Nepo-Video
Thank you so much, Victoria 🙂
Kris,
Beautiful. I’m so moved by you and your ability to move past the fear and live. Thank you so much for sharing your journey.
I saw you speak last year at RHH-Live and you were so beautiful and inspiring to me. I started thinking of my life in a whole new way after hearing you speak.
Thank you for creating courage in the hearts of unicorns everywhere.
Your beautiful soul shined true on the show Sunday. You are such an inspiration to me to stay in the moment every. single. day.
Letting go was a take away..Ive heard it over and over. I use my visionboard/destinymap and send things in there way to the universe. The hardest thing for me is to truly detach and let go, but something clicked with me when Mark said i had to let everything go. And you Kris , live the now..I hear it and want to let go but yesterday my daughter came in my room and I thought today is the only day like this I will have with her. After the show I went to a friends house who needed someone to listen and I thought today I get to help. So right now in this moment I am enjoying the fact that I can respond to a blog, use my fingers to type , know I am warm when its 30 degrees outside, and I’m drinking my life giving green juice , today I am grateful in this moment
Beautiful. Exactly right. x
Sweet Sweet Kris!
Your words always seem to land like a trickling river that soothes the soul and quiets the rush of the hectic modern mind. So, I have been ignoring the pain in my breast and under my arm for three months now; finally I scheduled an appointment with my doctor for this Wednesday. I am anxious yet hopeful I can find out the whats so and move forward powerfully. I kept thinking the last two detoxes would just shift any negative stuff out of my body, yet, I have been feeling as though the biggest issue is shifting the negative out of my mind. Harsh and critical thinking without gentle kindness has my experience of life seem less desirable. Your clip here really had me stop to realize the actions can be powerful and definitely are, however, my mindset can play just as big of a role and focusing on more self love and care can make major impacts. Thank you for being you. You have inspired my health journey of creative vegan cooking this year and I feel so grateful for your kind and sweet spirit who surfs the waves of white with a calm that inspires others to dive in. I am diving in to rearrange my thoughts; plunge many — embrace new habits — collage vision boards and support the me of my inside inner heart, shine.
Kris, you are an amazing inspiration me.
Thank you for sharing who you are with the world!
Love to you!
Jivan
what a beautiful video. the golden ticket … I love that. you always speak in a way that reaches deep down to the core of my soul. thank you … you wonderful being of light and kindness.
You are truly an amazing person Kris. I met you a few years ago at the Omega conference in New York City. You brought me up on stage along with Nick Ortner because of my fear of cancer and not being able to lose weight because I continued to stuff my fear internally. With both your help and Nicks tapping technique and the use of my young living essential oils I have now lost 60 pounds and have learned to let go of fear And appreciate everything I have. Thank you so much for your words of inspiration thank you so much for how much you have helped so many people. Sending you continued peace love and healing always.
Jodie!!! That’s great news!!! I am so proud of you and can’t wait to tell Nick — who I am seeing later today!!! xoxoxoxo kc
Thank you for this Kris. I just wanted to highlight your impression of Oprah: “truly, sincerely, authentically kind.” To me — that’s it. That’s all we ever remember, take away, and cherish. All the glitter and stuff of life come and go like madness, but authenticity and kindness are what stay. Because that’s what we are and when we get in touch with that — Life mirrors ourselves back to ourselves beautifully.
♡Joy♡ @ kindnessville.com
Gorgeous video and gorgeous message! Fear of what might never happen holds back so many of us from enjoying the present and enjoying life. You are a brilliant example of someone who has faced down fear and put it in its place! And like you say life is a terminal illness, we’re all going to die, it’s the quality of our time on this planet that counts not the quantity. I’d love to have you.