Every day, someone somewhere receives a diagnosis that will change his or her life forever—we just never think that someday, it could be someone we love. If someone you know has been diagnosed and is currently fighting, has lost a battle, or is a survivor, you will understand what I mean when I say that you never truly know what you have until you learn that it can all be taken away almost instantly.
A life-threatening diagnosis of any kind is a tough pill to swallow. Yesterday, everything was normal and there was nothing to be scared of. Today, you or your loved one is on the front line of the battlefield this illness has created. What can we learn from all of this?
Strength is found in the darkest of times.
"You never know how strong you are until being strong is the only choice you have." —Bob Marley
Upon first hearing the terrible news, you could never see yourself as the strong one. However, you immediately assume the worst and think that a positive mindset does not make a difference.
Sometimes the people we most want to break down in front of are the ones we have to be strongest for. A positive mindset during the most troublesome times is what will make the difference in a person’s outcome, according to research done by the Mayo Clinic on positive thinking in 2014.
People are not invincible.
Despite how selfless, funny or incredible someone is, people are not invincible. Although it’s sad to realize how much you truly love someone because they are sick, it is better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all. Whenever you think it could never happen to you, reassure yourself that anything is possible, so live life as though you or your loved one will die tomorrow.
Time isn’t endless.
It’s hard to accept, but nobody can live forever. Human beings are like clocks. The clock will start to slow down and eventually stop ticking. Life does not stop for anyone. It does not go on hold because something bad happened. It’s up to us to make the best of the time we have left by surrounding ourselves with people who love us most, who lift us higher and make us smile wider.
Things are replaceable. People are not.
We often forget that things are replaceable, but people are not. Repeatedly, we neglect to love people and love objects instead. The relationship you share with someone cannot be shared the same way with anybody else. We as humans are a compilation of all of the love given to and lessons shared with us from the time we are young until we can share these blessings with our own family and friends. Love is irreplaceable.
Appreciate the little things.
A life-threatening diagnosis, though it presents as a challenge, is a gift in ugly wrapping paper. Once you unwrap the ugliness of the outer exterior, you reach the inner beauty of the love that grows from within. One day, you’ll look back on that photo album, think about the laughs, the love, the embarrassing stories and the tough times and realize that all of those little moments are really the big ones.
