I know I've said this before, but it holds true no matter what life throws your way. There is a lesson in every single thing that we encounter. Both the good and the bad, but especially the bad.
Here is a list of life lessons I learned through the bad:
1. You are never too old, too young, too sick, too tired, too anything to learn something new.
2. Failure is a part of success. You can't have success unless you try, and if you try, you will fail. It's what we learn from the failure that makes us successful.
3. There is good in everything bad. Sometimes, you need a microscope to find it, but it is always there.
4. Most arguments can be solved if you just take a moment to view the issue from the other person's perspective.
5. Never be afraid to say you are sorry. Saving face is not as important as saving a relationship.
6. Try new things whenever you can. It doesn't mean you have to like everything you try, but honestly, how do you know what you like unless you give it a shot?
7. You are beautiful. You don't have to look like a model in a magazine, and you don't need someone else to tell you how amazing you are. You are beautiful! You just are. Own it.
8. You are worthy. Someone once asked me why I love my grandson. Is it because of all the great things he has done to help others? Is it because of his good looks (although he is exceedingly handsome)? Is it because of how much money he earns? Is it because of how clean he keeps his room? My answer was and still is, I love him because he is Kayden. If that little booger is worthy of being loved, what does that say about his grandma? Without me, he wouldn't even be here. I created the lineage that leads to him. You are worthy just because you are.
9. You are a human BEing. Not a human DOing. There's nothing like being laid up after treatments or surgeries to remind you that you can still be a valuable human being even though you aren't DOING anything. Not is it OK to just BE every once in awhile, it is necessary. How do you get to know you if you don't spend time with you?
10. This too shall pass. All of the pain, all of the doctor appointments, all of the fear . . . it passes. It really does. Someday, it will all seem like a distant memory, and you will say I HAD cancer. Do you forget? No! Never! Do you move on? Absolutely! And moving on is beautiful. You are stronger in every way, and you know that no matter comes your way, you can handle it.
Did I learn all of this in the two short years I battled cancer? Oh, hell no. Learning is life-long. I did, however, learn these things, because I was allowed to fight this fight.
Now, as I watch others battle this disease, I have perspective. What is life if not growing, becoming better, and learning new things? Now, go forth and learn some shit!