On the First Day of 2007 . . .

Happy New Year to you all!

The start of the New Year always brings with it new goals, new hopes and an optimism that we won't make the same mistakes we made during the previous year. We have a fresh, clean slate on which to write wonderful new accomplishments and adventures. Most of us make lofty resolutions that we're going to lose weight, exercise more, stop smoking, work harder, or improve in some area of our lives. Unfortunately, we usually bite off more than we can chew and, by February, most of our good intentions have fallen by the wayside.

This is the perfect time to take a long hard look at our priorities and decide what is most important to us. Are we satisfied with the lives we've created? What kind of life do we really want? What kind of changes to we have to make to find greater satisfaction and fulfillment?

Do you think my priorities have changed since January 1, 2006? You bet they have! The challenges I faced a year ago are nothing compared to those I'm confronting now. Reading over the goals I set for myself last year at this time, I find them trivial, even shallow. I now see that most of them had nothing to do with making my life better or happier. Most of them were about increasing numbers . . . not about finding true satisfaction in the way I lived my life. The only exception to that was a self-improvement course I took and stuck with until I got sick.

The only numbers that are important to me today are the hours I spend with people I love, the quantity of laughter that fills my day, and my latest blood counts. Most of the things I considered to be important last year are totally insignificant today. At the top of my priority list this year are relationships . . . God, my family, my friends, my medical team. I no longer worry about how much I weigh or how many clients I have. Instead of pushing myself to meet a publication schedule, my frame of reference revolves around my next chemo treatment. Instead of putting in 16 hour days, I rest when my body tells me to ~ which can be quite often. ; )

And you want to know something amazing? I find myself much happier than I was a year ago. Yes, I'm battling a horrific disease and we don't know what the outcome of that will be. Sometimes I'm afraid. I have toxic chemicals running loose in my body that frequently cause pain and mental confusion. But, no life is without its potholes. The important thing is that I'm nestled in a cocoon of love and caring. That brings contentment and joy I can't even begin to express. My life is filled with much, much more peace than fear, a lot more sunshine than rain, and a serenity that is many times stronger than the occasional bout of anxiety.

Some of you comment that I'm very strong, but, I'm only as strong as my support group. I've been blessed with people who care about me and who cheer me on in fighting this disease. That's the greatest gift of all. The love and concern I receive every day is enough to humble even the most arrogant of people. My heart overflows with gratitude.

So, yes, I have cancer but . . . its given me the opportunity to slow down and really appreciate those who are in my life, bask in their love and find joy in every single day. Of course, I would have rather learned this lesson another way but, we have to play the hand we're dealt.

I want to thank all of you who make my days so special with your emails, cards, gifts, phone calls, comments in this blog and all the other 101 things you do to show you care. I couldn't fight this fight without you. I hope that each of you is given back even a fraction of the kindness you show to me ~ that alone would be enough to change your life.

In 2007, I hope you experience joy and satisfaction, good health and peace.

Until next time . . . Create the life you want.