Lesson 2: “When in doubt, just take the next right step.” I love this one because it makes every task easier to complete. This lesson is my drug of choice to fight procrastination.
Lesson 45: “The best is yet to come.” Just when you’re ready to give up, hang in there. The best could be inches or hours or mere breaths away.
Lesson 43: “All that really matters in the end is that you loved.” This is the guiding compass point of every day.
Lesson 21: “Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don’t save anything for a special occasion. Today is special enough.” Cancer taught me that one in a way I’ll never forget.
Lesson 22: “Overprepare and go with the flow.” I use it every day. It works great at work, at home and family holidays. Lesson 28: “Forgive everyone everything.” This one sets you free for good.
Lesson 48: “If you don’t ask, you don’t get.” I haven’t perfected this yet, but I’m much better than I used to be.
Lesson 34: “God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn’t do.” This is my get out of jail free card. No more being stuck in the bondage of me. I don’t have to try to dazzle God by being perfect. I’m supposed to be my messy self. What a relief.
Lesson 37: “Your children get only one childhood. Make it memorable.” Consider this a permission slip to joy.
Lesson 50: “Life isn’t tied with a bow, but it’s still a gift.” A gift that keeps giving.
Lesson 17: “You can get through anything life hands you if you stay put in the day you are in and don’t jump ahead.” Cancer taught me to live only in the day I’m in. In the moment I’m in. Some moments, I simply ground myself by touching the desk, the table, the wall wherever I am and say, “You’re right here. Stay put in this moment.”
Lesson 27: “Always choose life.” Give yourself the best odds by doing all you need to do to stay alive. Going through chemo is like investing money in a
retirement account. You feel the hit right now, but later in life you get to reap the benefits – by still being alive.
Lesson 35: “Whatever doesn’t kill you really does make you stronger.” Ok, so with cancer, what makes you stronger often makes you weaker first, but if you hang in there, one day you’ll feel invincible.
Lesson 1: “Life isn’t fair, but it’s still good.” Life isn’t fair. People shouldn’t get cancer. Especially children. But even cancer can bring about gifts. Ask Lance Armstrong about that bike.
Lesson 16: “Life is too short for long pity parties. Get busy living, or get busy dying.” Even if you feel awful, switch couches and enjoy a different view from the window. Radiation treatments can sap your strength, but it can’t touch the power you have to change your thinking.
