Reminders of What Really Matters

Sometimes something happens and it reminds us of what matters and what doesn’t. A dear friend of mine was supposed to have reconstructive surgery this week. She’s finished with chemo and radiation (for breast cancer) and this was the step that would bring her closer to feeling herself again. But...

But they found a spot on her lungs. It turns out that it’s probably just scarring from the radiation or an infection and not cancer returning but for a while there things looked very grim and scary.

It sucks to have been abused. It sucks to have to do the work of processing the experience so that we can move forward in our lives. But this week I find myself thinking not about how life screwed me but rather how lucky I am.

--I don’t have cancer.
--My friend is probably going to be okay.
--I did survive my childhood and I am creating the life I want to have and I can be happy.
--I’m able to see that the differences between me and someone who hasn’t gone through what I did are minor compared to all the ways we’re the same.
--The blessings in my life NOW far outweigh the problems and inherent in every problem or challenge is a chance to grow and perhaps even end up happier than if that problem or challenge had not occurred.

My friend is a thriver, too, having beaten both breast cancer and Hepatitis C. She lives life with laughter and determination even at the worst of times. She reminds me of what really matters.

May all those you care about be thrivers—including YOU. Sending blessings and safe and gentle (((((((hugs))))))),

April_optimist