It's a good life (good way to start your new year)

Nana2
Nana2 Member Posts: 255
edited March 2014 in Colorectal Cancer #1
I forgot again who originally shared this, but it's really worth re-posting. I keep listening to it and thought it would be a great and positive start to our new year. Go to---

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zARiyTFUovQ

The song is called It's a good life, by Ben Carroll. (don't you just love his heart!)
Thank you again to which ever one of you dear ones posted this awhile back. It cheers me every time I listen.

Also, I put the following simple quote with a picture of my daughter with her husband on note cards that were placed on all the plates at their wedding shower. They both had nearly lost their lives to drug addiction and are now married and have been clean and well and helping others for over six years now. The Doctors and counselors didn't give us very good statistics on her recovery or survival and she and her husband both beat the odds! They are really a couple of walking miracles much like so many of you. (there is a painting of my daughter Kelly on my website at aprilkruse.com)


When you arise in the morning
think of what a privilege it is to be alive
to breathe, to think, to enjoy
to love

Marcus Aurelius


Love and hugs and a prayer that we might all somehow "seize the day" today,
April

Comments

  • coolvdub
    coolvdub Member Posts: 408 Member
    #2
    April,
    Thanks for the
    April,

    Thanks for the reminder, I think we all need to be grateful for each new day we are given and do what we can to make the most of it.

    Don
  • chicoturner
    chicoturner Member Posts: 282
    #3
    April, thank you for the up
    April, thank you for the up lift! Sometimes we need a reminder!! Jean
  • plh4gail
    plh4gail Member Posts: 1,238 Member
    #4
    Loved the song, thank you
    Loved the song, thank you :)

    Gail
  • tootsie1
    tootsie1 Member Posts: 5,044 Member
    #5
    That was from me
    April,

    I was the one who shared that song, and I have to tell you that every day since I found it, I go to youtube and listen to it at least once. I also wrote to the young man, Ben Carroll, who wrote it and performs it. I received a lovely note (both via email) from him. I'm glad that it is special to you, as well.

    *hugs*
    Gail
  • Nana2
    Nana2 Member Posts: 255
    #6
    tootsie1 said:

    That was from me
    April,

    I was the one who shared that song, and I have to tell you that every day since I found it, I go to youtube and listen to it at least once. I also wrote to the young man, Ben Carroll, who wrote it and performs it. I received a lovely note (both via email) from him. I'm glad that it is special to you, as well.

    *hugs*
    Gail

    Well thank you again Gail
    Well thank you again Gail for discovering and sharing that little Jewel. I even posted it on my facebook page. It really lifted my spirts again today.
    *hugs to you too*
    April:)
  • KathiM
    KathiM Member Posts: 8,028 Member
    #7
    Thank you, April!
    I will listen!

    The other thing I try to remember is that each and every day, when we start, we have a choice. Either to have a good day or a bad day. Even if the day goes bad along the way, deciding at first to have a good day makes the hard stuff easier to take.

    Hugs, Kathi
  • dorookie
    dorookie Member Posts: 1,731 Member
    #8
    KathiM said:

    Thank you, April!
    I will listen!

    The other thing I try to remember is that each and every day, when we start, we have a choice. Either to have a good day or a bad day. Even if the day goes bad along the way, deciding at first to have a good day makes the hard stuff easier to take.

    Hugs, Kathi

    I keep Trying
    Sometimes that is easier said than done, but I keep trying that. I am thankful for each day. However, each day brings new worries, how does one keep from that. I keep telling myself this year is going to be better, but after saying that I still worry, I am still scared and I hate it.

    I dont mean to be down, its just reality hits you, and being able to move forward is hard sometimes. I guess I need to not dwell on what might be and try to live now.


    What are you doing up so early or late? Could you not sleep?

    Hugs
    Beth
  • Nana2
    Nana2 Member Posts: 255
    #9
    dorookie said:

    I keep Trying
    Sometimes that is easier said than done, but I keep trying that. I am thankful for each day. However, each day brings new worries, how does one keep from that. I keep telling myself this year is going to be better, but after saying that I still worry, I am still scared and I hate it.

    I dont mean to be down, its just reality hits you, and being able to move forward is hard sometimes. I guess I need to not dwell on what might be and try to live now.


    What are you doing up so early or late? Could you not sleep?

    Hugs
    Beth

    Hi Beth, I know it is hard
    Hi Beth, I know it is hard not to worry. I hate it too. Seems like we just keep getting bad news on top of bad news sometimes doesn't it? I worry and I get very scared for my husband. We just found out this week that his lesions are back and growing. But I figure, like Kathi says, each day when we start we have a choice. I have spent so many days worrying and laying in bed crying in the past and it occurred to me that those could have been days spent enjoying each other and I spent them doing something that wouldn't make any difference anyway. Sometimes we HAVE to let it out, like when the boiling teapot whistles....gotta let that steam out or you'll blow, I just try hard not to stay there too long. You don't sound down Beth, your just lettin' out some steam! I'll pray for you today.

    I was up late with this lousy cold last night. Now it's in my eyes too, so I was up boiling chamomile tea to put the cooled tea bags on my eyes. It really soothes.

    Hugs back atcha dear one,
    April
  • plh4gail
    plh4gail Member Posts: 1,238 Member
    #10
    dorookie said:

    I keep Trying
    Sometimes that is easier said than done, but I keep trying that. I am thankful for each day. However, each day brings new worries, how does one keep from that. I keep telling myself this year is going to be better, but after saying that I still worry, I am still scared and I hate it.

    I dont mean to be down, its just reality hits you, and being able to move forward is hard sometimes. I guess I need to not dwell on what might be and try to live now.


    What are you doing up so early or late? Could you not sleep?

    Hugs
    Beth

    You know what Beth? I feel
    You know what Beth? I feel the same as you. I get worried and scared. I used to be this person full of positive thoughts for myself and everyone else too. Always encouraging, with something good to say. I would read these inspirational, self help books thinking "wow that is such a good practice. I'm going to adopt that way of thinking". And they are good books with good intentions. But.....all that old me? Where did it go? I am not the same person. I just read my first book in like, 5 months and it was a fiction about an old man in a circus. lol.

    I just go day to day or moment to moment now, emotionally and physically. Not thinking too far ahead. I don't want to be the cheerleader for happiness any longer. Reality hit me too. Thankful, grateful, and forgiving. That's me and that's what fits in my life right now. The other stuff that creeps in and out, the worry, fear, guilt, etc...that all comes and goes so I know it's a temporary feeling. I hate to be a party crasher, but how can we worry we may die from cancer when we can just as easily die this day from a gazillion other things. OH SHOOT, LET ME KNOCK ON THE FLOOR :)

    Ok, I think I just councilored myself today. Word...councilored. I will text Webster's to click the add key.

    Stay stong and love your life, Gail
  • dorookie
    dorookie Member Posts: 1,731 Member
    #11
    plh4gail said:

    You know what Beth? I feel
    You know what Beth? I feel the same as you. I get worried and scared. I used to be this person full of positive thoughts for myself and everyone else too. Always encouraging, with something good to say. I would read these inspirational, self help books thinking "wow that is such a good practice. I'm going to adopt that way of thinking". And they are good books with good intentions. But.....all that old me? Where did it go? I am not the same person. I just read my first book in like, 5 months and it was a fiction about an old man in a circus. lol.

    I just go day to day or moment to moment now, emotionally and physically. Not thinking too far ahead. I don't want to be the cheerleader for happiness any longer. Reality hit me too. Thankful, grateful, and forgiving. That's me and that's what fits in my life right now. The other stuff that creeps in and out, the worry, fear, guilt, etc...that all comes and goes so I know it's a temporary feeling. I hate to be a party crasher, but how can we worry we may die from cancer when we can just as easily die this day from a gazillion other things. OH SHOOT, LET ME KNOCK ON THE FLOOR :)

    Ok, I think I just councilored myself today. Word...councilored. I will text Webster's to click the add key.

    Stay stong and love your life, Gail

    anyone got any answers
    I hear ya, does anyone have any answers as to how to deal with the worring, being scared all the time and then having to deal with life itself. Some days I am just going along thinking everything is fine and then it hits me I am stage 4, just wondering when this will kill me, and most people would say snap out of it, well hell wish I would have figured that out on my own. I once told a friend that I was unlucky and she said she thought I was the luckiest person she knew, since I had beat cancer twice. Funny how we look at things differently huh?

    I do take comfort in knowing I am not alone or going crazy, not that I would want anyone to feel the way I do.

    I guess taking on moment at a time is about all I can do, try to avoid the punches best I can and truck on....

    HUGS
    Beth
  • plh4gail
    plh4gail Member Posts: 1,238 Member
    #12
    dorookie said:

    anyone got any answers
    I hear ya, does anyone have any answers as to how to deal with the worring, being scared all the time and then having to deal with life itself. Some days I am just going along thinking everything is fine and then it hits me I am stage 4, just wondering when this will kill me, and most people would say snap out of it, well hell wish I would have figured that out on my own. I once told a friend that I was unlucky and she said she thought I was the luckiest person she knew, since I had beat cancer twice. Funny how we look at things differently huh?

    I do take comfort in knowing I am not alone or going crazy, not that I would want anyone to feel the way I do.

    I guess taking on moment at a time is about all I can do, try to avoid the punches best I can and truck on....

    HUGS
    Beth

    moments, punches, and truck on
    And hit the curve ball's out of the stadium sister :) !!

    smiling, Gail
  • Nana2
    Nana2 Member Posts: 255
    #13
    dorookie said:

    anyone got any answers
    I hear ya, does anyone have any answers as to how to deal with the worring, being scared all the time and then having to deal with life itself. Some days I am just going along thinking everything is fine and then it hits me I am stage 4, just wondering when this will kill me, and most people would say snap out of it, well hell wish I would have figured that out on my own. I once told a friend that I was unlucky and she said she thought I was the luckiest person she knew, since I had beat cancer twice. Funny how we look at things differently huh?

    I do take comfort in knowing I am not alone or going crazy, not that I would want anyone to feel the way I do.

    I guess taking on moment at a time is about all I can do, try to avoid the punches best I can and truck on....

    HUGS
    Beth

    A moment at a time is plenty
    A moment at a time is plenty Beth. Being scared and worried is normal and you are not alone. I sure hope my original post didn't come off sounding simplistic or trite. I was hoping it would bring some comfort. That being said, I'm not the one with cancer, I'm the wife of a someone with cancer, it's my husband... and talk about how people look at things differently, he says to me, "it is what it is" and shrugs his shoulders.

    When my daughter was on drugs and we couldn't find her for days, he could sleep at night...when we were taking care of my Mom with Alzheimers and had her living with us and doing some crazy things, he could sleep at night. I was always the one up pacing or staring out the window...talk about a worrier! I think I was born worrying. Over time I am still learning to turn over to God the things I can't fix. That's how I deal with it. Like the AA prayer my daughter and her husband say at meetings....Lord, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can and the wisdom to know the difference. For me, I know I can't possibly rely on myself to stay okay, I need help outside myself.

    Anyway, to you and Gail and anyone else, please forgive me if I sounded like I was telling people to cheer up or something, I really do know it's not that simple and I would feel awful if it sounded that way.

    Hey Gail....I think councilored is legit! :-)

    (((hugs)))
    April
  • plh4gail
    plh4gail Member Posts: 1,238 Member
    #14
    Nana2 said:

    A moment at a time is plenty
    A moment at a time is plenty Beth. Being scared and worried is normal and you are not alone. I sure hope my original post didn't come off sounding simplistic or trite. I was hoping it would bring some comfort. That being said, I'm not the one with cancer, I'm the wife of a someone with cancer, it's my husband... and talk about how people look at things differently, he says to me, "it is what it is" and shrugs his shoulders.

    When my daughter was on drugs and we couldn't find her for days, he could sleep at night...when we were taking care of my Mom with Alzheimers and had her living with us and doing some crazy things, he could sleep at night. I was always the one up pacing or staring out the window...talk about a worrier! I think I was born worrying. Over time I am still learning to turn over to God the things I can't fix. That's how I deal with it. Like the AA prayer my daughter and her husband say at meetings....Lord, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can and the wisdom to know the difference. For me, I know I can't possibly rely on myself to stay okay, I need help outside myself.

    Anyway, to you and Gail and anyone else, please forgive me if I sounded like I was telling people to cheer up or something, I really do know it's not that simple and I would feel awful if it sounded that way.

    Hey Gail....I think councilored is legit! :-)

    (((hugs)))
    April

    April :) no way Jose
    Naa, I sure didn't take it that way...I did love the song you posted about and even started a youtube account after I listened to it. Now I have a favorite list on there to listen to. I know how wonderful and loving you caregivers are. I just wanted to let Beth know I have my days too and some of my thoughts about how I try to cope. Sometimes it's just not going to work, and I cry and get it done and over with then go on. And your Hubby is right...it is what it is.

    smiles, Gail
  • dorookie
    dorookie Member Posts: 1,731 Member
    #15
    Nana2 said:

    A moment at a time is plenty
    A moment at a time is plenty Beth. Being scared and worried is normal and you are not alone. I sure hope my original post didn't come off sounding simplistic or trite. I was hoping it would bring some comfort. That being said, I'm not the one with cancer, I'm the wife of a someone with cancer, it's my husband... and talk about how people look at things differently, he says to me, "it is what it is" and shrugs his shoulders.

    When my daughter was on drugs and we couldn't find her for days, he could sleep at night...when we were taking care of my Mom with Alzheimers and had her living with us and doing some crazy things, he could sleep at night. I was always the one up pacing or staring out the window...talk about a worrier! I think I was born worrying. Over time I am still learning to turn over to God the things I can't fix. That's how I deal with it. Like the AA prayer my daughter and her husband say at meetings....Lord, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can and the wisdom to know the difference. For me, I know I can't possibly rely on myself to stay okay, I need help outside myself.

    Anyway, to you and Gail and anyone else, please forgive me if I sounded like I was telling people to cheer up or something, I really do know it's not that simple and I would feel awful if it sounded that way.

    Hey Gail....I think councilored is legit! :-)

    (((hugs)))
    April

    Not at all APril
    I didnt take it bad at all, I totally appreciate you and your posts, and I cant begin to say anything about what a caregiver goes through. Although with the death of our (Wendy's) son 4 months ago today, and seeing what she is going through I think I have some insight as to what a care giver goes through, its horrible, and I am thankful for all the caregivers!

    I think I was born worrying too, always have been, but trying really hard to stop, that and I dont like being angry either, which is something that I had to deal with when the cancer came back the second time, that is when all of this was real to me. But getting angry didnt help much, I am angry at Mikey for leaving us the way he did (suicide) and hurting his mother in the worst way possible, I am angry that I have or had cancer.... I Guess I am angry..so much for that...LOL

    HUGS
    Beth

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