Learning from Cancer Patients

I follow the bloggings of Therese Borchard at Beyond Blue.. she writes there about her struggles with depression and often includes some very inspirational things. Here are her 6 Things Cancer Patients Have Taught Me accompanied by my thoughts..

1. One day at a time.
   The weight of tomorrow can sometimes be so heavy and hard to carry. I have learned, and am learning, Jesus' lesson of seeking God's kingdom today and not worrying about the future.
2. Feel the fear and do it anyway, as psychologist Susan Jeffers says.
   Therese quotes a doctor saying "Be self-led, not symptom-led." I have experienced debilitating fear in my life.. some of my experiences have been difficult to get past. Fear has never moved my life forward but only kept me stuck. Each time I have moved past fear and acted counter to it has been a great experience.
3. Build a strong network of support.
   Health professionals and friends have been an integral part of keeping my sanity. Hard to know what I would have done without them.
4. Do what you love.
   Therese says "When people have a mission--when they feel a part of some greater purpose--their recovery rates are better." I so resonate. Following my passion has sometimes been hard in difficult times but I find much life there.
5. Think positive.
   I have to admit that I am a very pragmatic person and can sometimes be a bit negative. Even so, I find that each day I awake to hope. I think that having hope will change you. It has taken my negativity and turned it into thankfulness. The bible says that "hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us." I have found that to be true.
6. Appreciation.
   Like hope, the giving of thanks will turn your life around. It will redirect your focus and cause you to see hardship in a very different light.

The holidays can sometimes be a very difficult time. Some churches hold services for people who have experienced loss during the year. I hope that Therese's thoughts help you if you are experiencing difficulty.