You Only Live Once
I’ve had the opportunity to take part in some amazing experiences while and after being diagnosed with multiple myeloma a decade plus ago.
When you realize that you do only live once
It’s only been a few years now that I’ve received the full meaning of the acronym YOLO, as I thought it was something totally different than what it really means.
YOLO- You Only Live Once. What a great example of what life becomes when told your engine may or may not run out sooner than expected. The sentiment of holding off today and what you can do tomorrow flows differently when the hourglass has a few cracks, and not fully knowing whether the sand will run out quicker than later in enjoying tomorrow.
Jumping out of a plane
So, the idea of using this time to fully take part in completing that heavy bucket list is a must. The term bucket list was also new to me until I saw my favorite movie “The Bucket List”, with Morgan Freeman and Jack Nicolson. Perhaps, I heard of these terms but did not fully understand them.
My favorite go-to statement “Life is short” holds the same gist. I recall loved ones who had grandeur wish lists and later hopes that never came to fruition for one reason or another, and then they died.
A simple act of “want” is not guaranteed, so taking that leap of faith today is a new way of approaching living in the moment. Now, jumping out of a plane has never been a need or desire for me, However doing other adventures outside of my comfort zone has most definitely run through my mind.
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The season of learning about what makes you tick and how strong you are really? If this conversation or thought isn’t with someone else, then let it at least sink in with a one-on-one dialogue with yourself.
We have gone through so much, let’s talk about it. The trials with medications and side effects are daunting. The emotional rollercoaster of finding out how much more can you endure is a lot!
When finding yourself at that teeter moment, what is the lesson to be learned at this moment? And why have you been the chosen one to experience it? Once you have let it all sink in and have that open conversation of reflection, then you can open the dialogue of how you want to move forward.
Do "you"
Many reflect on passing the storm of treatment and getting to remission as a rebirth and revival. Whether you get to that stage or not, what do want to do while you’re in the present? It’s when these life lessons present themselves that we take a hard look at what we want to do while having little reservations about doing so. What will it be?
Will it be:
- A new hairstyle or color?
- Traveling to places that may be different than lounging at a beach, such as visiting a temple in Thailand?
- Volunteering your time speaking with newly diagnosed cancer patients?
- Getting that unforsaken tattoo that you considered at the back of your mind?
What have you put off doing?
Time is fleeting and being too hard on yourself uses a lot of energy. Let’s take the time to YOLO with a smile and grace!
What is it you want to do, that you've been putting off doing?
The time to fight is now, with integrity, grace, hope, and a smile…. when you feel like it
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