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Then Versus Now

 Recently, I shared on Instagram two photos from roughly the same day but 4 years apart for the sole purpose of highlighting a key learning from my journey with breast cancer. 

Context

In both photos, I’m smiling and holding a dog. In contrast, one photo reveals fuzzy freshly growing hair on a bald head and the other has normal shoulder length hair. And while one may jump to the conclusion that the latter pictured self is a happier self, it’s not necessarily completely accurate. Don’t get me wrong, I am quite happy and eternally grateful to be mostly through that pointedly difficult season in life. But with further reflection, I can find things that would steal joy and keep me up at night in both examples. 

Learning

Circumstances are dynamic, rarely constant. That fact leaves me in far less control than I would prefer to admit. However, for the control freak in all of us, we do have a few things within our grasp: thought life and perspective. Choosing to have perspective and gratitude helped me navigate the pointedly difficult road of breast cancer treatment and it continues to be the biggest opportunity each day. It was not and is not easy, nor is it usually my first response to a situation or circumstance. But turning to perspective and gratitude consistently yields better results and brings me back to a state of calm. I usually prefer to have a panic attack, call the top 5 contacts pinned on phone, and swat frantically for the nearest easy button. But that’s just not how life works. 

Resources

“Perception-how a situation is perceived- has to do with what one decides the facts really are at a given moment. Perspective, on the other hand, has to do with what one decides the facts of that moment mean in terms of direction towards one’s ultimate desired destination.” The Little Things by Andy Andrews. 

“There are still days I need a hand-up from another journeyer. And there are still days I want to hide, since every season of life brings its set of threats, yet because of God’s mercy and grace, I press on.” You Are More Thank You Know: Face Your Fears, Grow Stronger by Patsy Clairmont.

“The Lord is the one who goes ahead of you; He will be with you. He will not fail you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.” Deuteronomy 31:8

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