The Rock Most Overlooked

May 21, 2009

Too many patients “fight” cancer these days. After my 9 years, and 5 occurrences of Lymphoma, I no longer believe that fighting is the right approach to this disease. At least not for me.

I believe that cancer, like any other disease or major life happening, is meant to be a life adventure. It’s meant to teach us profound, yet simple, anchors along our journeys of enlightenment. Like John Amatt, Mount Everest Expedition Leader & Author said, "Adventure isn't hanging on a rope off the side of a mountain. Adventure is an attitude that we must apply to the day to day obstacles of life - facing new challenges, seizing new opportunities, testing our resources against the unknown and in the process, discovering our own unique potential."

I believe that my life, cancer and all, is perfect…exactly as it is. My cancer adventures have eventually led me to happiness. Happiness begins when we stop trying to change the world and start appreciating life as the absolutely amazing thing that it is.

What cancer has taught me is that happiness is on the inside. I was like too many folks today, assuming it’s somewhere “out there.” It’s an amount of money in a bank account. It’s the size of your boat. It's the word "remission." It’s the people you hang out with. Or it’s a collection of “things.” To me, people have missed the basic definition of what “happiness” really is. I’m grateful I can see it now.

It seems that most people would be willing to walk to the ends of the Earth, or sacrifice almost anything, for true happiness. What’s astonishing to me is that if they’d only have searched inside of themselves before walking/sacrificing, they could have saved themselves a very arduous, and unfulfilling trip.

In order to begin searching for your happiness on the inside, start by developing an attitude of gratitude. Make a list of things that make you happy. The kind of happy that you knew when you were a kid.

As an example, I’ve shared a short list of the things that I find myself grateful for on a daily basis. I hope you can see the silly nature of this list. But I also hope you see the magnificent truth, that these are examples of my true happiness.

1) “New Bar of Soap Day”
I love when it’s time for a new bar. The fragrance and lather are at their highest.

2) The smell & look of fresh cut grass
I also like how the robins and other birds will hop around right behind the lawnmower, looking for an easy meal.

3) The burn of wasabi on fresh sushi

4) The feeling I get right after I’ve JUST missed a massive pothole

5) The feeling I get when I encounter courteous drivers that waive to me after I let them into traffic, or those that actually stop for me when I’m approaching a crosswalk

6) Boating with my friends on Lake St. Clair

7) Hotdogs…any brand, any location, any time

8) 12 Mild Wings at BW3’s with my good friend Joe B.

9) The taste of a perfectly made Arnold Palmer (70 % lemonade, 30% ice tea, lots of ice)

10) The taste of a perfectly made Budlight.

11) Going for a leisurely drive by myself, sunroof open, signing along with the latest country music

12) Receiving positive feedback from one of my readers, especially when they share some of their own experiences

13) Being ABLE to walk up the stairs to my chemo appointments
Some folks need the elevator.
Still others need wheelchairs.

14) How asparagus can make my pee smell funny, within like, 4 minutes of eating it

Happiness is deceptively simple. To unearth yours, try looking inside of yourself and making your own gratitude list. And read it often. Better yet, add to it often!