My New Year's Resolution Is Simply To Live

With the new year inevitably comes New Year's resolutions. They can be big aspirations or small promises, but either way, New Years is a time of reflection and looking forward. Read how one cancer survivor views these resolutions and the "new normal" below.

As the New Year approaches, everyone is always asking, "what is your resolution?" Each year I ponder what that really means. Should I strive for more money, a better job? In the past, my answer has always been: "I want to travel more."

But this year, I sat quietly and meditated on what I wanted for the coming year. I realized that I couldn't find a specific answer, because I simply want to LIVE. Before cancer, this wouldn't "count" as a resolution, because as far as I could tell, I was living. But as a cancer survivor, I know now what it feels like to have to put my life on hold to deal with this terrible disease and am able to realize what "living" really means.

I know that my life has taken a turn since cancer but I have chosen to look at the bright side of things. I now have a new mission in life and that simply is to assist anyone in need dealing with disease. My resolution is not just for me; I just want to see others be the best that they can be and not let this diagnosis hinder them in any way. I want to live my life so that I can be an inspiration to others.

To my fellow survivors: we are like caterpillars, we have shed that old skin to gain wings and fly. There is no class you can take or book you can read to teach you how to fly, you just have to use your new experiences and soar to new heights. It's easy to forget what life was like prior to cancer, but we cannot forget who we once were even if we will never be that person again. Those old memories should be used to propel us forward so that we can transition into our "new normal". This is no easy task but is must be done because we still have very valid reasons to thrive.

It may take you some time to gain this positive perspective as I have but trust me, it will come. Trust the process, go with the flow and you will find that you will be rewarded with more than you can even imagine.

Moving forward, let's not make a new year's resolution, let's make life resolutions. Because surviving, and truly living, is important year-round, not just on January 1st.

Take care of you. Be well.
"You have to fight through some bad days to earn the best days of your life." - Author Unknown