What did you do with your day? I survived

(Written by Sr. writer Jill Mckellan, www.Lazarex.com)

Clinical trials for the treatment of cancer help give people the inspiration of just one more day to embrace their lives and love their families.  People who have fourth stage cancer realize that each and every day becomes a gift.  It’s a gift despite the sickness and weariness that they may be experiencing.  They are still experiencing and alive.  That means they have the ability to inspire and help others.

Over the years there have been some amazing statements made by those with cancer that show just how the right mindset can help tackle the potential deadly obstacles of cancer.   People may end up falling to the disease, but their unwavering spirits will continue to live on.  Just think of the incredible impact we could all have on this world and doing good in it if we all lived like each day we were given was a real gift – something to be cherished!

“Difficulties are meant to rouse, not discourage.
 The human spirit is to grow strong by conflict.”
William Channing, Theologian

People who have adversity from cancer often are the ones that are keeping their families united.  They find courage and strength through their experience and sprout into the most incredible beacon of hope that most of us have ever seen.  We can all learn from that, can’t we?

“Sometimes your only available transportation is a leap of faith.”
Margaret Shepherd

Cancer takes everybody involved in a wild ride.  It is having faith that everything will be okay and you’ll be protected that makes all the difference.  Approaching every day with the right attitude will help you make sure your life is an incredible journey.

Bill Hemmer:  “You said cancer changes your life, and often times for the better.”
Joel Siegel:  “Yes…Gilda Radner…said this in her book.  What cancer does is it forces you to focus, to prioritize, and you learn what’s important.  I mean, I don’t sweat the small stuff.  I used to get angry at cab drivers.  It’s not worth it…and when somebody says you have cancer, you realize it’s all small stuff.  And what Gilda said is, ‘If it weren’t for the downside, everyone would want to have it. But there is a downside.’ “

Not only could Gilda Radner make us laugh with her amazing humor; she also possessed the gift to make us see our lives more clearly.  There are good things that can happen to everybody, if we let them, through the bad things that come our way.  It’s your perspective and appreciation of the things you can control that are amazing.  You can control how you feel and spread the message.

“When the Japanese mend broken objects, they aggrandize the damage by filling the cracks with gold.  They believe that when something’s suffered damage and has a history it becomes more beautiful.”
Barbara Bloom

So many cancer survivors and fighters wear their battle wounds on the outside – clear for all of us to see.  Yet, it is what’s on the inside - their fight and faith - that really shine through.  That’s where we find the value in people who understand what it is like to win the biggest battle they’ve ever had – the battle for peace within them.

“One must not forget that recovery is brought about not by the physician, but by the sick man himself.  He heals himself, by his own power, exactly as he walks by means of his own power, or eats, or thinks, breathes or sleeps.”
Georg Groddeck, The Book of the It, 1923

Cancer can never take away anybody’s power to control their thoughts, feelings, and emotions.  Our outlook on ourselves is what it takes to make every day be one that is lived with courage, dignity, and passion.  There are incredible stories that are shared all the time on how people used positive thinking and faith to win the battle with cancer or other adversities.  That is truly incredible and within every person’s grasp.

No matter what is present in your life – cancer or adversity – you can start to manage what is happening by using the right mindset to keep yourself going.  Every day counts when it may be your last.  People with cancer, especially ones who go into clinical trials, are fighting for their survival, their families and every person in the future that may discover they have cancer.  Bravery, courage, and kindness like that don’t come our way every day.  So, if only for a day, think about what it would be like if you treated it like the amazing gift it is.