Jan
Good in the Strangest of Places
Next week, I have the honor of addressing a group of people at an M.S. event in New York City. As a speaker.
*gulp*
Why the gulp, you ask? Well, without realizing it, I suspect I went towards the field of writing because I’m rather shy by nature. I love learning about other people, but don’t like talking about myself unless I know someone really, really, really well. Yet, next week, I need to shed that instinct…or characteristic…or whatever you want to call it in favor of, well, talking about me.
And if I do it well enough, perhaps some of those fifty to sixty people will opt to donate even more to an organization that has helped me, as well as countless other individuals who have this disease.
Daunting prospect? Without a doubt.
A little exciting? Surprisingly, yeah. Because this is my chance to do something–to maybe make a difference. A real difference.
Which is why, over the past few days, I’ve been thinking of what I can say to impact the people in that room… To educate them. To foster understanding in their minds and hearts. To reach them in some lasting way.
Being diagnosed with something like multiple sclerosis is scary. There’s no two ways about that fact. But I’d be lying if I didn’t say some positive has come with the negative…
*I’ve learned who my friends are.
*I’ve learned just how strong my spirit is.
*I’ve been given a sort of platform (thanks to my writing) to possibly make a difference in the future.
*And I’ve met some amazing people I would never have met if it weren’t for this disease–people I’d have been cheated out of knowing otherwise.
Realizing these things has impacted the direction my talk will take, guiding me to focus on those moments in a person’s life that stand out. You know, the moments that change you as a person…
Because change isn’t always bad.
So how about you? Have you ever been faced with something that–at first glance–seemed awful, yet had a silver lining you may have missed otherwise?
~Elizabeth
January 20th, 2010 at 7:49 am
Have you ever been faced with something that–at first glance–seemed awful yet had a silver lining you may have missed otherwise?
LOL let me count the ways…the stillbirth of my second son, divorce, getting a job, losing a job, dealing with infidelity, and my newest – breast cancer.
I learned that no matter what the fear I can control something. With the cancer, it was getting through the day — the week — th chemo — the radiation — and now the what if phase…I have my yearly appointments next month. What if it comes back.. what if… but all I can focus on is the what I CAN control. I can go to my appointments. I can exercise and eat right… I can lose fifty pounds…okay maybe not… grin….
January 20th, 2010 at 9:31 am
“So how about you? Have you ever been faced with something that–at first glance–seemed awful yet had a silver lining you may have missed otherwise?”
Yeah. 2009. But, like you, I learned who my friends are. I lost my office lease at the worst possible time, but slid into a much better location when the newspaper I write columns for closed their local office and I was the first to find out about it. My agent dumped me, but I found a better one, thanks to some of the above-mentioned friends.
Now as for you…go out there and knock ‘em dead. I know you can do it, and so do you.
January 20th, 2010 at 10:52 am
Almost 5 years ago I found out unexpectedly that I was losing a job of 12 years, with a small business that had been a huge part of my life, along with close interaction with the owners family–I babysat his kids 2-3x/week. That same week my father fell and broke his femur, which led to him being in the hospital the better part of 6 months before he passed away…including times where my sister and I had to find a nursing home, make sure my mother didn’t lose the house, and watch the physical and mental decline in just awful ways.
Although this was no doubt the hardest time I have ever gone through, it pushed me to interview for the job I have now with a terrific business and a lot less drama–something I never would have done. I was ready to go down with the ship I had been on.
The other amazing thing is that 3 months prior to all of this, my nephew (and godson) was born. Since I was unemployed, I spent a lot of time with my mom, sister and the baby while helping with my dad. When you get to spend that much time with a little one you get a closeness that you would never have just visiting from time to time. Riley is almost 5, and the look I get when I walk through the door after not seeing him for 3 or 4 months is priceless.
And life does go on, though very different. It took a long time to adjust to so much change, and without a doubt some of it was not good…but many things were and led me down a road I would never have taken.
January 20th, 2010 at 2:57 pm
I often tell people that my cancer has been a gift–one I’d gladly re-wrap and give back.
But it has made me change priorities. I do a better job of not letting small things knock me off balance. Life and death, and the people you love, and who love you: Those things matter. Everything else I’d trade for groceries.
And Lynn, I still hear the voice that says “what if?” Some days it shouts, some days it whispers. It’s always there. But as time passes, I notice less shouting. Someday, God willing, we won’t hear it at all.
Laura, you’ll speak from your heart, and you’ll help people. They will love you.
January 21st, 2010 at 11:28 am
Wow. Thanks, for the comments, everyone. Perspective is so important, isn’t it?