I reread an essay earlier this week by Regina Brett, a journalist with the Cleveland Plain Dealer who wrote a column that her editor didn't like and almost didn't run, but ended up circulating the world many times over and eventually turned into a book. She wrote a column about life lesson's, with the perspective that came after she successfully fought breast cancer.
A close friend was diagnosed with breast cancer this week, and as I was processing the news, needed a reminder that life is good even if it isn't fair sometimes.
As sometimes life is also sharply ironic, this morning I was talking with someone about a mutual person we know who isn't very happy. Now, on the outside, if this person isn't happy, I'm not sure who is as he's someone who seems to 'have it all', the American dream turbo charged. As we talked I couldn't help but think a bit angrily What else does he want? What would do it? He's not going to be dealing with breast cancer. Though of course it's not more houses, more trips, more success, I think the trick has to do with quality of heart.
Oprah Winfrey (do all roads lead to Oprah...?) once said that the single most important thing that changed her life was gratitude. Perhaps it's the appreciation of the present moment that creates the shift, that focuses us on what we have, and not thinking about the past and the future, which come to us with no guarantees.
My friend's heart has always been in the right place so while she's going to be facing some health challenges, she has the right spirit and strength, and I know she deeply believes that life is good. She'll be okay. It's the other guy who I feel sorry for....
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