I have not availed myself of any of the support groups that are offered by the Swedish Cancer Institute so I don’t have any first hand knowledge of the emotions that others encounter when battling cancer. However, in talking with the oncology nurses and my doctor, depression, self pity and a general malaise are not uncommon. I only mention this because the nurses and my doctor seem to marvel at my positive attitude and happy outlook.
I feel that I have lived a very interesting life. I have had the privilege of walking on the mountains of success but I have also walked in the valleys of defeat and despair. One of my favorite quotes is credited to Theodore Roosevelt. He said, “The credit belongs to the person who is actually in the arena, who strives valiantly…who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, …and expends himself in a worthy cause, who at best knows the triumph of high achievement; and who, at the worst, if he fails…at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls…who know neither victory nor defeat.”
I can make no claim to greatness, but I believe that striving for things, competing, pursuing a purpose all contribute to a happy life. All of which goes along with my basic philosophy.
I have always felt that happiness is something that is generated internally. You can be happy or unhappy. It’s up to you and it has nothing to do with the external things that are going on around you. Along with that belief I have always felt that when things go bad you have a right to go into a deep blue funk, but that deep blue funk should last about two hours. During that time you can cry, feel sorry for yourself, grieve, whatever, but when the two hours is up get up off your duff and do something about it – that is if it is something you can control. If you have no control over the situation then quit worrying about it and get on with your life. Trust me, with cancer you have little control, all you can do is go with the flow and do what the doctors tell you.
However, I have learned that you can take control of your body as far as its physical strength is concerned and so now I am exercising regularly, lifting weights and walking as often as possible. BTW I have a couple of companion beliefs that go along with my philosophy of life. “never drink when you’re feeling sad”; “never drink to celebrate a major victory.” Bad things nearly always happen when you do either.
4 comments:
GO DADDY! GO DADDY! I'm dancing while I'm saying this too. You'll have to post a photo of your muscles for us to all admire. I'm really glad that you are feeling well enough to exercise and I'm proud of you. I know that exercise (while I haven't been intimately involved with it for very long in my life) has made a huge impact on my self image and my health. It is something that I now want to do and choose to do. I'm going to a yoga class tonight because I've never done it and I might as well try it. I'm searching for things to replace my bicycling for the winter. Maybe I'll find another form of exercise that lights me up and fills my soul too. I'll let you know. Love you, Mary
Hey Dad,
I am giving this post thing a try.
So this is a test.
Alicia
Well very cool. It worked! So, the main thing I kept thinking while reading your philosophy is: Huh, so that's were I got that!
I'm so glad you taught us to go for it even if we were afraid we might fail. You taught us true courage.
In my current job I am relying heavily on the philosophy that you infused your children with.
Thank you!
Number 4
Now that I know how to do this, I can respond to this message.
I too learned long ago that attitude is where happiness resides. From what you wrote, I know I learned much of that from you, but life has also taught that lesson. The way you are facing your journey through cancer, really does reitterate the truth. But it does more than that. It shows me that even in very hard times, the truth does not have to evaporate. I sometimes worry about that because people have always told me that I am idealistic, a cockeyed optomist, a Pollianna, obviously a young soul ... and that is why I carry joy with me. I've always thought I was very realistic and that joy is just simply possible in almost every situation. Of couse I also realize I have lived a blessed life so maybe it is possible because I have known such little hardship. But you are living hardship, and you still have the same attitude that allows you to experience life as a good thing. Sooooo..... you are living proof that your philosophy, and therefore mine, is sound. Yea! And thank you!
You used a quote to express where some of your philosophy comes from and I have a quote I try to live by too. It is attributed to Helen Keller.
"Join the great company of those who make the barren places of life fruitful. Carry of vision of heaven in your heart and let the world correspond to that vision."
I think I love the part about letting the world correspond to the vision the best. The word "letting" is very important. And also, the fact that Helen Keller could carry a vision in her heart inspires me.
Life is grand!
Love, Jeanine
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