Do you have problems? Would you like to know how to make all of your current problems disappear? Go out and get some bigger problems. If life hasn't handed you something like a bone marrow transplant, go out and take something on - raise a $1M for cancer research, reform the criminal justice system or find ways to help the homeless off the streets. If you can afford it, go to Africa and volunteer at an orphanage - if you live in Denver, I'll set up lunch with my client that has been to Africa and her stories will melt your heart. When you take on something really big, the small stuff disappears.
The most enjoyable part of our experience so far has been meeting our new friends out in the patient lounge. First there's Gerry from El Paso. Even behind a mask this guy has a smile that just lights me up! He is only on Day 5 and I can't even tell he's sick. I met his son today who is in medical school two blocks from here at Baylor School of Medicine.
Earlier today I met Temple, who Jo met in exercise class last week. Temple's mom gets her hair cut in Lufkin, TX by the same woman that cuts Jo's mom's hair. Temple's sister works with the mom of Jo's best friend in Lufkin.
Last night, one of the patients was walking exercise laps with her friend and they had their ipods cranking. They weren't really walking. They were dancing down the hallway and they didn't care one bit what anybody thought. On my way out of the building a couple of guys were watching television in the lounge and I commented on how good they looked. Their eyes opened wide and one guy said, "I've been here about 30 days and I'm getting out soon."
There have been plenty of others and one thing is common among them all. Every one of them has a positive attitude. They all have some pretty big challenges in front of them and it would appear as if none of them have any of the small problems that most of us struggle with daily.
So if it feels like you're walking uphill both ways to work every day, go out and find a mountain to climb. I'll bet your daily commute will start to feel like a walk in the park.
3 comments:
Oh my goodness....only you two could make such a positive twist to the story. Thank you so much for updating us all....we think about you almost every second....sending positive love and energy in all directions!! Love you both. Hang in there.....
I'm continuing my prayers & with all that my husband & myself have been through the last 3 years, I'm still learning the wonders of the human body...& what can & does go wrong. My husband's support group for Scleroderma met last Monday & many of the patients have received chemo for different things related to scleroderma. Continuing to learn stuff. Thanks Tim for the positive updates. We are all reading & care about you all! Angie
Tim,
I just met Jo in Chicago this year, but I have been doing her dances and reading about her bio over the last several years.
You are an amazing family! (that's putting it mildly)
Tim, thank you for your inspiration and your reminder about how good we have it.
Good luck to all of you.
Suzanne (Houston, TX)
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