Pearls

As each new year approaches I tend to find myself contemplating much about my life, its direction, and its meaning. Maybe you do, too. I mentioned in a previous blog that I started a "To Do" list in a book when I went away to university. I have recently pulled it off the book shelf and dusted it off. Time to resume my "to do" activities...that is one of my goals in the new year...to keep my "Journal of Life" with me and aim to complete as many of the "to do" things as I can in the coming year. When I was reading through it I also came across pages and pages of quotes. I had started writing quotes in the book over the years that I think hold some wisdom for me, too...quotes that can inspire me and remind me that life is more than where I am at the moment.

As we enter into the new year and new year's resolutions abound, I would like to leave four of my favourite quotes here for you as you contemplate all of the possibilities of 2008:


Ask yourself: "What have I missed out on simply because I was too afraid of what others would think?"


If you are never scared or embarrassed or hurt, it means you never take any chances.


Regret for the things we did can be tempered by time; it is regret for the things we did not do that is inconsolable.


We are here to add what we can to life, not to get what we can from it.


Hugs,
Liz

Merry Christmas!

Wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas!!!

Winter Is Here!

No denying that winter has arrived! We have a little tiny bit of snow...and it is COLD! I am not built for cold weather...but it makes for nice cozy evenings with friends by the fire! I have been really lucky to have some time off to visit with friends. My last visit with my gyn/onc, he told me to do the things that I enjoy and that bring me happiness...so blessed that I have the abilities to be able to do that! I have a GREAT number of friends and seeing them and catching up with them has been nothing short of wonderful and fulfilling for me! I really feel blessed. My friends have been an amazing part of my journey...I am amazed by their compassion, generosity, love, and kindness. I do not know where I would be today without them.

Since I have been doing some weekend getaways...I now find myself completely exhausted. I am laying low for awhile. I have to take some time to recharge my batteries (hard to get used to the new low energy level...because I am done treatment I think that I can go go go...but my body is like, "Liz, you gotta slow down."). I am fending off yet another cold...hoping to win this battle again...last time I had a cold/flu it took 7 weeks to get rid of! Yikes! Another reminding that my body is still in recovery mode.

Christmas is around the corner!! I have had my tree up for a month or so now...it is in my dining room window...so when you go by my home you can see the 7 strings of lights I put on it from 2 blocks away! LOL I love Christmas time. It is a time for new traditions and ways of doing things this year though. It saddens my heart to know Jason will not be at Christmas. Who am I supposed to complain about my parents with now? LOL

All in all I am moving forward and onward with my life. I am really happy. I was not sure how being alone would strike me again but I am doing amazingly well. I love my home and I am the happiest I have been in a long time. Honestly, this will sound corny, but I am so happy and feel so much love from my parents, Grandpa, and friends that I could burst at the seams. Sometimes I want to sing it from the mountains (like the cover of "The Sound of Music")! Living without Jason sucks, I can't lie, but he is always in my thoughts...and never far from my world.

Good ol' chemo brain is lifting somewhat...I am more alert and aware and can think more clearly. I still forget some things and lose my train of thought...I am just glad I can use the excuse, "It's chemo brain!" LOL

Happiness is something I have on my own...no one can give it to me nor buy it for me nor make me feel this way. Part of being happy is knowing that things will go wrong and things will go off track but it is OK...it is all a learning experience. From my last conference in Calgary a very wise and wonderful friend from BC termed it this way: "It's all Feedback...not Failure." So, when the storm hits...keep your humour, grab your life jacket, and hold on...be open to learning and changing...and know that there is an end...patience is bitter but its fruit is sweet.

Living in the moment and loving it,

Liz

ps - wishing all my readers an amazing Christmas...hope my words help or humour you!

Hugs