HOPE, JOY and LOVE

As you can imagine (especially over the last 1 1/2 years while I have been fighting cancer), the thought of my mortality has crossed by mind a few times.  And each time I think about it (let's be honest we ALL think about it), I have come to the same conclusion.   And that conclusion is that we are all dying and really NONE of us have any idea when our last day will be.  And usually what I say to myself is "Self, how do you want to spend your life on Earth?" And my answer is always, "Filled with joy and loving those around me the best I can."   You see I understand three things.  

Number one, my battle with cancer is NOT a "death sentence".  I actually believe it is a new "lease on life" -  a reminder that as I live out the rest of my life, I want to do it the best I can, living each day "making the best" of what I've got.  And what I've got is an amazing husband, 2 wonderful daughters and many family and friends that care about us.  

The second thing that I understand is what good does it do to mope around "waiting to die".  In all reality whether you are 100% healthy or your body is failing you, None of us know when our last day will be. We can all live just a few more weeks or 20 + years.  We could actually all just be moping around right now waiting for "our day to come" or we can choose to leave a legacy of Joy, Hope and Love for those around us instead of "gloom and doom".  My inspiration to remember joy, hope and love are named EstherJOY and NaomiHOPE.   Interestingly enough I get to be reminded of JOY and HOPE throughout the day, every time I look at them or say their names.  I want them to understand that each day is a day to rejoice and that each day is a day to bless others, sometimes with physical things but even more importantly with our attitudes and humility.  And sometimes we simply bless each other with a hug.  Hope can be giving someone you see on the street $10 so they can get their next meal.  Joy can be smiling at a stranger so that they know that someone sees them and thinks they are wonderful.   Love can be giving a hug to someone who is having a rough day so they can be reminded of what love feels like.  HOPE.  JOY.  LOVE.  

The third thing that I know is that the Lord loves me.  He loves those that I love (each and every one of you) and He loves all the people I don't know too.  That Love is what reminds me that my life has purpose, my life has meaning and my life can change lives.   I want my life to change lives.   I want people to look at me and ask  "how do you do it? How do you stay so strong?"  So I can tell them that it is not "me" that makes me strong but the love that the Lord has for me that gives me strength.   It is also the love of family and friends that give me strength.   None of us can do life alone.   We were not created to live life alone.  We were created for relationships.  Look around you and count your blessings.   I am sure that there are many around you whether they come in the form of hope, joy or love.  They are there.  You are loved.