I Have Survived Cancer, And This Is How I Now Look At Life

We often crib about how our life isn’t going anywhere. But the good part is that at least it’s going somewhere. What if one fine day you get to know that your life is going to end very soon? Sounds scary, right? Scary it is, but then it also lets you see life from a whole new perspective. I survived cancer and here is how I see life now:

“If today were the last day of your life, would you want to do what you are about to do today?”

– Steve Jobs (died of pancreatic cancer)

Life is too short. Make the most of now.

Life is like a ticking time bomb. With each passing second, you are that much closer to the end. It’s futile to waste life on petty things. Don’t just think. Start acting now. Just follow your heart and do what you love.

Life doesn’t always give second chances. Make it count.

There are a lot of things you’ve always wanted to do in life, but never really got around to them due to the fear of failing. What’s the worst that could happen? You’d probably fail. But isn’t it better to fail than to not have tried at all? Go enrol for that photography course, propose to that girl you like or take that road trip to Leh. Do it now, because you never know what tomorrow holds.

Be grateful for what you have.

While it’s important to strive for something better, you should be grateful to the Almighty for blessing you with all that you have. Parents, siblings, friends, education, there are a lot of things we take for granted. Acknowledging these precious gems in our lives can infuse a tremendous amount of positivity.

Switch from ‘Why me?’ to ‘Try me’.

We can either sit back and sulk at life or face it head on. The choice is ours. And no matter how big our problems may seem, there’s always someone who has much bigger problems than us.

You are solely responsible for your life. Destiny is not.

We always blame destiny for all the wrong that happens to us. In fact, the power to make or break our lives lies solely with us. It’s important to take ownership for our own actions. We shouldn’t let anyone else take control of lives.

Forgive and forget.

Dwelling on the past makes life that more difficult than it already us. Sure, you may have been hurt by someone, but it’s only human to err. Forgiveness is something that only the brave can do. It can be hard to forgive, but once you do, there’s nothing like it.

Relationships are priceless.

Nothing can be as precious as the relationships that we share with our parents, siblings and friends. They stand by us during the most difficult times, expecting nothing in return and offering their unconditional love and support. Keep them close because they are the most prized possessions that we’ll ever have.

Money is important, but it’s not everything.

We all need money to lead a happy life, but in most cases, we end up missing the real joys by chasing money. What’s the point in slogging away in a job that you don’t like just to make money? Besides, what good is a fortune, if you can’t lead a healthy life?

Follow your passion.

All of us have a passion for something. But most of us have shied away from taking it up because it doesn’t fit into society’s idea of a job or because it pays peanuts. It’s high time you start living for yourself. It takes some courage to take take the road less travelled. But it’s definitely worth the effort.

Be selfless and don’t expect.

There’s nothing more comforting than seeing a loved one smile. Working selflessly to see that smile can be the best reward for a person. Love with all your soul, but never expect anything in return.

Spend some time with nature. Life is much more beautiful than you think it is.

The first monsoon showers, the morning dew, the whiff of the early morning fresh air. Spending time with nature can be invigorating.

Every problem has a solution.

We all know how to go about our problems, just that we don’t. Stop procrastinating and start acting now. If you are ever in doubt, just think of what goes through the mind of a cancer patient. He/she can just hope that the chemotherapies are working. I’m sure you can do much than just hoping for things to get better.

Health is paramount.

You could be really successful in life but if you’re not in the pink of health then nothing matters. You may be neglecting your health by putting in those extra hours at work, and with all the cigarettes and alcohol. Don’t. Nothing is worth doing if it’s at the cost of your health. Health is called wealth for a reason.