Dare to be Different

soccerfreaks
soccerfreaks Member Posts: 2,788 Member
edited March 2014 in Emotional Support #1
Tereb: I just wanted you to know that I have taken to your idea about daring to be "delightfully different". I am spreading it as fast as I can to everyone I know, because I think it applies not just to cancer survivors but to everyone who wants to lead a meaningful life.

I will admit that I have omitted the 'delightfully' part, as it seems unmanly (:))...but the point is still well-made and was at the time you wrote it.

We should all dare to be different, to live our lives as if we were living on borrowed time. Because all of us are, not to sound morbid, because the opposite is the intent.

It was Henry Miller, in my education, who first wrote about having to die before being able to live. Now I understand what that means, maybe better than him. But neither he nor I, I don't believe, could say it any better in so few words as you did with 'dare to be delightfully different'. Kudos, my friend. Keep the positive messages flowing. They matter.

Take care.

Comments

  • TereB
    TereB Member Posts: 286 Member
    #2
    Hi Soccerfreaks,
    I don't know what to say, your words are wonderful and are a great message to everybody, cancer survivor or not. The only problem I have, it is actually very embarrasing, is that I do not remember when I said "dare to be delightfully different" even though it sort of rings in my mind. It is possible I said it because that is exactly how I feel. My memory is not as good as it used to be, perhaps I have rad brain but I wouldn't want to take credit for words I'm not sure are mine.

    I've been marching to the beat of my own drummer for a long time and it has changed my life. If I had not listened to my own drummer and dared to be different I wouldn't be where I am now.

    Many times we do not realize how short life can be until something happens that makes us open our eyes. Enjoying life is a wonderful thing for everyone and many times we are so busy with work, the daily routine, etc. that we do not notice all the beautiful things that surround us and the many enjoyable things we can do that do not hurt others. And just as we enjoy the simple things we should also learn to not pay attention to the little things that bother us sometimes.

    Henry Miller's "...having to die before being able to live..." is so true and eye opening and I think I understand what he meant.

    I get the feeling you are actually enjoying your life and I am happy for you. Be different and march to the beat of your own drummer, my friend!

    All the best,
    TereB
  • terato
    terato Member Posts: 375
    #3
    Soccer,

    It is indeed ironic that we live in the richest nation on earth, yet we have become neurotics about the future. We preach to children about finding good careers so that they can begin worrying at 20 about how they will support themselves at 65. How sick is that? I went to college with a very bright hard-working pre-med who never did anything but study to receive a 4.0 GPA and get into medical school. He never partied or dated, just studied. He did get his wish and received his "M.D." **** laude. A little over two weeks after graduation, he was killed in a car accident.

    We are a society worshipping "Dollar, Almighty". Market capitalism has become our religion and our offices, malls, and factories are our places of worship. We work, produce, consume until we die.

    In 1995, I visited Auschwitz. On the gate over the entrance to the death-camp, was sign, "Arbeit macht frei" (work makes freedom). To look at today's society, one would wonder who really won that war.

    Following cancer, I preferred to work as a means of living, not the other way around. We are only here for such a short time, why not make the most of our allotted time? As long as I can pay my bills, I am more than satisfied. "Life is a banquet, yet most people are dying of malnutrition."

    It is not enough that "we" survive, we must learn to thrive.

    "Dare to be different", you're damn right!

    Rick
  • soccerfreaks
    soccerfreaks Member Posts: 2,788 Member
    #4
    TereB said:

    Hi Soccerfreaks,
    I don't know what to say, your words are wonderful and are a great message to everybody, cancer survivor or not. The only problem I have, it is actually very embarrasing, is that I do not remember when I said "dare to be delightfully different" even though it sort of rings in my mind. It is possible I said it because that is exactly how I feel. My memory is not as good as it used to be, perhaps I have rad brain but I wouldn't want to take credit for words I'm not sure are mine.

    I've been marching to the beat of my own drummer for a long time and it has changed my life. If I had not listened to my own drummer and dared to be different I wouldn't be where I am now.

    Many times we do not realize how short life can be until something happens that makes us open our eyes. Enjoying life is a wonderful thing for everyone and many times we are so busy with work, the daily routine, etc. that we do not notice all the beautiful things that surround us and the many enjoyable things we can do that do not hurt others. And just as we enjoy the simple things we should also learn to not pay attention to the little things that bother us sometimes.

    Henry Miller's "...having to die before being able to live..." is so true and eye opening and I think I understand what he meant.

    I get the feeling you are actually enjoying your life and I am happy for you. Be different and march to the beat of your own drummer, my friend!

    All the best,
    TereB

    You said it was a chiropractor friend of yours who made the suggestion, my friend. Stay strong, and keep on smiling.
  • soccerfreaks
    soccerfreaks Member Posts: 2,788 Member
    #5
    terato said:

    Soccer,

    It is indeed ironic that we live in the richest nation on earth, yet we have become neurotics about the future. We preach to children about finding good careers so that they can begin worrying at 20 about how they will support themselves at 65. How sick is that? I went to college with a very bright hard-working pre-med who never did anything but study to receive a 4.0 GPA and get into medical school. He never partied or dated, just studied. He did get his wish and received his "M.D." **** laude. A little over two weeks after graduation, he was killed in a car accident.

    We are a society worshipping "Dollar, Almighty". Market capitalism has become our religion and our offices, malls, and factories are our places of worship. We work, produce, consume until we die.

    In 1995, I visited Auschwitz. On the gate over the entrance to the death-camp, was sign, "Arbeit macht frei" (work makes freedom). To look at today's society, one would wonder who really won that war.

    Following cancer, I preferred to work as a means of living, not the other way around. We are only here for such a short time, why not make the most of our allotted time? As long as I can pay my bills, I am more than satisfied. "Life is a banquet, yet most people are dying of malnutrition."

    It is not enough that "we" survive, we must learn to thrive.

    "Dare to be different", you're damn right!

    Rick

    This, my friend: 'It is not enough that "we" survive, we must learn to thrive.' says it all.

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