When you've battled cancer at the age of 20, there are many things that become abundantly apparent that may have once been a “future you” realization. When faced with a life threatening disease, you have no choice but to cut out all the unnecessary fat in your life and focus on what really matters.
1. If you say you're going to show up, show up.
There is nothing worse than the feeling of someone not taking the time to see you when they said they would. When all you have to look forward to are the small events and they get canceled for a shitty reason, it only diminishes what little faith you have left in humanity. So if you made a commitment, be there. Don’t back out last minute. Make sure you can get there.
2. When you’re there, be present.
Assuming you’re not an asshole and chose to actually show up when you said you would, don’t be on your phone the whole time. Be there with that person, make them feel you're worth their time, and make sure they are equally worth yours.
3. Staring is super rude.
When you’re a 5-foot-9 woman with a bald head, it becomes nearly impossible not to get the obvious glance your way. Let me tell you: it gets REALLY old REALLY fast. People deserve the right to privacy and respect, so do your part. Don’t stare. Ever. Because you are not the first person to notice that one person who is a little different, and you surely won’t be last. The least you can do is be considerate.
4. A positive attitude is actually the key to life.
We have ALL heard this mantra at some point or another. This is an extremely difficult attitude to have, let alone maintain, but it is crucial to be happy. In a time when everything was so negative and dark, the only way to come out smiling was to focus on the one thing that brought a smile to you each day. Forgetting to laugh is like forgetting to brush your teeth before bed — kind of gross and no way to live.
5. Strength is not defined by how often or little you cry.
This is a lesson I think most people tend to forget. Crying and being strong just don’t correlate, or at least in my eyes, they shouldn’t. Everyone handles things differently and having a good cry can make you stronger because you know that now you can face it with a proper emotional stand instead of in constant fear of a breakdown. So let yourself cry when you’re upset, when you're happy, whenever you need.
