Close Ad

Olivia Newton-John Talks Honestly About Breast Cancer, Blows Us Away with Her Positive Outlook
Olivia-Newton-John
Celebrities

Olivia Newton-John Talks Honestly About Breast Cancer, Blows Us Away with Her Positive Outlook

Olivia Newton-John has been famous for decades, known to many

for classic character Sandy in Grease, but for so much more, that she appears


to be someone in our own lives, and in our homes.

But her life hasn’t been all glamour and fame. And in her new

book, "Don't Stop Believin'," which is released next week, she shares

stories about her amazing life, but also her continuing battle with breast

cancer.

In promotion for the book, she recently was interviewed with the

Today Show’s Natalie Morales.

"You can be a victim, or you can be a winner and enjoy your life,” the activist and actress says of her choice to cover her battles in her book, including that her last cancer diagnosis, which many thought was her second, was actually her third.

"Because of the speculation," she explained in the

interview. "I just decided I wanted to go through it myself. I don't know,

it was just a decision that I'd keep it to myself that time."

And for good reason because when the diagnosis came out, the

rumors started.

"They were telling me I was dying, and I thought, 'Well, I don't feel like it. I feel pretty good!'" she said. "But, you know, rumors start and then it gets out of control."

So Newton-John released a video announcing (and borrowing from

Mark Twain): "Rumors of my death have been greatly exaggerated."

"I decided, no, I'm going to come out and talk about it

because I have many friends and family all around the world, and I can't call

everyone," she said of her public response. "So I needed to let them

know that I'm OK."

And despite having cancer, she says she’s doing great. Thriving,

even. "Winning over," she said.

"I think, you know, what you think creates your reality. So it's a

decision. You have to make that decision. You can be a victim, or you can be a

winner and enjoy your life."

She says it’s all about being positive and enjoying each day -- a message we can all learn from.

"We're all going to die," she noted. "I mean, that's probably the hardest thing to accept as a human being, that we know that. So I kind of consider I've had a gift of extra time. I've lost people younger than me, so I'm very grateful. I'm 70, and I've had the most amazing life."

That's why she greets each day with a sense of joy.

"I had extra time, so whatever that is, I'm grateful for

it," she said, adding, "I'll just enjoy every day — that's all you

can do."

Hot Stories

Why Jennifer Hudson Forgave Her Mother's Killer -- Life Stories By Goalcast

At the peak of her career, Jennifer Hudson faced a horrific family tragedy. Hudson's mother and brother were brutally attacked in their family home, and her seven-year-old nephew was kidnapped. What followed was a heart-wrenching manhunt to rescue her nephew and seek justice against the man who took her family. Hudson speaks from the heart in this video on what happened to her family and how she was able to move forward.

Celebrities
People smiling in unison united
Racism Quotes

Racism is considered the marginalization and/or oppression of people of color based on a socially constructed racial hierarchy that privileges another race. The term is applied in many areas of a society that perpetuates discrimination on the basis of race or strengthen racial inequalities in education, health care, income, and civil rights.

Ever since the 20th century, the concept of biological race is considered a cultural invention that has no scientific basis. The progress over the past half-century has been impressive, but the nation still has a long way to go to reach true racial equality.

Keep ReadingShow less
Everyday Heroes
hands are put together as part of community volunteer efforts
Photo by Hannah Busing on Unsplash

A community is so much more than people sharing a space. It's a living, breathing network of connections and shared experiences. While it's usually defined as “a group of people living in the same place or having a particular characteristic in common,” true community runs much deeper than that.

Diversity

Keep ReadingShow less
Quotes