Say, Doc....

Dear Friend,

A certain guy, having just completed a meeting with his doctor in which they discussed his upcoming cancer treatments and the effect they would have on him (No, folks that know me, it's not that story), asked his doctor, "Will I be able to dance after this is all over?" She replied, "Of course you will." With relief he answered, "That's great, I've never been able to dance before!"

If I had a list of ten wishes (or so) of things that I wish I could do before I die, one of them would be to be able to dance like Danny Kaye in this video. I watched this movie the other night and remembered how this particular number blows me away every time I see it.

A common statement heard among those who have experienced major medical difficulties is that the experience does change your life. For some folks, it may be a complete 180 degree turn. For others, maybe just a couple degrees in direction. However, there is a change.

Once things get back to "normal," some of the old concerns, finances, career, retirement planning, spiritual health, etc. come back to take their "rightful" place in your life. There are those who have not been through your experience who may try to prioritize those items in your life. Don't let them. You can listen to the noise of "wise" counsel, or, alternatively, you can seek out wisdom. In the end it is you who will make the call of how to proceed.

A "gift" from your cancer experience is a more finely tuned sense of discernment. You've been in situations where you have seen great people doing great things. Whether they have been members of the medical profession or friends and family who have surrounded you, you have seen the best that people can be.

In addition, you are now challenged to continue to make it all about you; which turns into making it about others. You now know what true goodness really is. You've seen examples. You will become another member of the growing list of witnesses and deliverers of goodness to a world that hungers for that goodness.

Maybe, just maybe, you may even find yourself dancing.