Giving 100%

When I got my cancer diagnosis a little over two months ago, I was bound and determined to live each day to the fullest. I had a positive mindset and was certain that I was going to use this new life circumstance to help me really embrace life and make every moment count. But after several hospital stays, two separate blood infections (also life-threatening), 6 weeks of at-home IV antibiotics, and then my first round of chemo, I found that life was getting the best of me. Through all of that, I seemed to hold on to a good mindset and perspective.... for the most part. But when I lost my taste buds, this cancer diagnosis started to get the best of me. I started to get caught up in how I felt, how uninspired I was about eating, looking at the negative things instead of keeping my perspective of really living. I didn't even realize it, but it was starting to steal some life, energy, and joy from me. Fortunately, my life coach gave me a "candy-ass" speech like Herb Brooks from the movie "Miracle." Boy, did it get me going! (More to come this week in Episode 6 about the coaching session that helped turn me around!)

That speech changed my perspective and I ended up having an incredible time at the Fourth of July event I attended. Rather than just being a passive participant, I decided to bring my "A" game and was the disc jockey for the event. I left it all on the court.

I played music from every genre and every decade. I played my piano. I announced the corn hole tournament and I didn't let the lack of taste buds slow me down! Most of all, I lived and enjoyed the day! Rather than just being another picnic that soon fades away as a memory, I created a day that I will remember. I needed that push from my coach - it was a game-changer for me!

None of us really knows how much time we have. It’s important to live every day to the fullest! I think sometimes the routine of life can quench that and we begin to just fall into a mode of doing things. There is a different way to think about life. We don’t contemplate the past and have regrets. We always look forward to what’s ahead and live in the moment!

I think the quote from the movie Secretariat is a good one to follow:

“This isn’t about going back, it’s about life being ahead of you and you run at it! Because you never know how far you can go unless you run.” ~Penny Chenery (Secretariat)