Jenna Morasca

The 'Survivor' community is very tight. I mean very tight.

You forge different bonds with friends than with family, tell different secrets.

I realize more and more I miss my 'Survivor' friends when I'm not around them.

I spent 39 days in the Amazon, and I could not even find a fish to catch.

Hey, if something is making you feel good, and it's not hurting anyone else, does it really matter if others believe?

I come from a family of Catholic Italians, and that will always be in my blood.

For those few of you who never heard of 'The Secret,' it's a worldwide best selling book touting the benefits of positive and affirmative thinking, and sending good energy out into the world.

There are so many secrets in our world.

I'm not playing 'Survivor' when someone I love has cancer.

When my mother was diagnosed with cancer, my middle school friends and myself really had no idea the impact of that diagnosis, but my family did.

It is very easy to forget how much of a pain training is when you have a dog for so long, but trust me, it's not as easy and quick as we all hope.

I can't say I'm not guilty of age discrimination when it comes to animals. Like most people I've walked into a shelter more than a few times and a magnetic force has pulled me toward those fluffy little puppies in the corner cage.

When animals age, some humans see them as less valuable, less important and less entertaining.

As human beings we value the experience that comes with age. We are reminded over and over again with statements like 'older and wiser' and 'respect your elders,' promoting age as something to be cherished and respected.

These days, we have a million things to do and usually one day to do them in.

It is rewarding beyond words to rescue a dog from the shelter and have that dog become part of your family.

I will always have dogs in my life, and I absolutely can't be with someone who will challenge that or disagree with that stance - I will not budge on this, ever.

Sometimes, people will just never love dogs.

Aleta St. James is an internationally renowned energy healer, life coach, best selling author, and more. Aleta does private sessions to release old resistance and shift out of anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, trauma, addictions, infertility, and insecurity at a cellular level.

I have never been one to run when tragedy strikes.

The truth is many people see a marriage vow as the only way people are going to stay with someone who is sick.

My mother did not want cancer to interfere with my life, as she knew it would eventually end hers.

I got a lot of criticism for going back on 'Survivor' to play 'Survivor: All Stars.'

My mother battled cancer for 12 years before losing her fight.

I realized not long ago that by the time I leave this Earth, no matter when it is I will have officially only spent approximately 14 years of my life where I did not have to deal with cancer.

As caretakers, we feel drained when caring for another, and in order to take care of someone else, we need to take care of ourselves at the same time.

I am always floating around trying to tend to everyone and be free while at the same time enjoying some space.

One year, my good deed started with deciding to give all my friends makeup from a cruelty-free cosmetics line that I love. I did this with the hope that they would love it as much as I do and end up switching their makeup over to that cruelty-free line forever.

My advice: Take a second out of the day today and be thankful for your family.

My family and high school friends were the only people who were with me every step of the way through my mothers' illness. They sat by my side year after year and consoled me. If they ever sent me a bill, I would be paying them off for the rest of my life.

My family always makes a huge deal out of Christmas.

Cancer doesn't care if you have suffered before.

Every time I am stuck in traffic, stub my toe, get a middle seat on the flight, I just remember how all of this is just a blip in the radar of my life.

Why are cancer patients so hard to buy for? This question always puzzles me. When people are healthy, things are so simple, including gift buying. A jaunt to the local mall or a day in front of the TV watching QVC can be just enough for all the loved ones on your list.

Sand is one of the best exfoliates out there! Take a handful of sand and rub it on your skin in small circles. When you're done, wash it off and presto... you get spa like skin, without the price tag.

My father is undoubtedly one of the nicest, kindest, smartest, and warm-hearted people I know. He is truly a light that shines on this earth, and to know him is to love him. He is also the eternal optimist.

I so love the bad-boy look.

When I played 'Survivor', I sat back many times and marveled that no one had gotten into a real physical altercation. With all the backbiting, lies, and lack of food, a fight didn't sound far off base, considering the strained and fragile emotions.

Let's be honest: we all watch the show at home and play 'armchair' 'Survivor,' inserting our opinions, comments and yelling at the TV screen.

Twine from trees and plants can make good floss!

On my season of 'Survivor,' the tribes were split: a tribe of men versus a tribe of women. Even though the women kicked the men's butts at the first two challenges, we were a hot mess at camp.

When you are playing 'Survivor', getting a shelter up immediately is the most important thing.

If people are offering help, it's because they want to and you have to let them do it. It just makes life so much easier. You just have to put your pride aside.

For some reason for me, and a lot of people, it's so hard to accept help even when it's from your closest friends.

You always get apprehensive before you do shoots.

Sometimes it feels so good just to be bad!

Family is a unique gift that needs to be appreciated and treasured, even when they're driving you crazy. As much as they make you mad, interrupt you, annoy you, curse at you, try to control you, these are the people who know you the best and who love you.

A good way to take a baby step into the world of animal rights is to make a list of small things you can do to help your issue and work your way up to the big things. Make a promise to do one thing on your list each month.

It wasn't the first reality show, but 'Survivor' was the first big network hit, and I'm proud to have played a part in that history as the winner of season six, 'Survivor: Amazon.'

When you check out at PetSmart, the cashier usually asks you if you want to donate money to PetSmart charities to help save the animals. Usually, we're so busy we don't even pay attention.