Revelation of people whose cancer has learned to appreciate life
A Life / / December 19, 2019
Three people living with cancer, their experiences with Laura Vanderkam, The author of books on time management and productivity. Layfhaker publishes a translation of the article Laura.
"I quickly looking for some serious conversations"
Matt Hall learned that he had leukemia in 2006, when he was 32. Fortunately, its form cancer to treat. Taking medication, he could lead a relatively normal life, but this realization did not come immediately.
"I remember when we were driving home from a doctor - says Matt. - My wife was driving, and I looked out the window at the other cars and people. Life on the streets continued, and mine, seemed frozen in place. "
After a while he realized that he would have to live with a chronic illness, Matt decided that he needed a new outlook on life.
"Now I have become more determined and persistent, sometimes it even makes others feel uncomfortable. When I want to do something, I tend to do it - Matt divided. - And I quickly looking for some serious conversations with people. " Matt was able to establish a joint business (Hill Investment Group), as well as
I wrote a book.In such an intense rhythm of life has its drawbacks. "Sometimes it's very exhausting - recognized Matt. - Do not you give yourself time to just relax and slowly penetrate into something. Perhaps on that I still need to work. "
"I do not do self-flagellation"
Journalist Erin Sammet learned about his illness when she was 23, and lived with her for 15 years. Her relationship to time, too, has changed, but not so, as in Matt.
"Before, I always tried to squeeze everything possible out of every day, every hour, - says Erin. - All the time I was doing something, to achieve something and worried because of the future.
After I learned about my diagnosis, a lot has changed. I realized that all this does not matter. I can lead a relatively normal life, I feel good, and most importantly, so that you can relax.
I no longer wake up with the thought that today I have to conquer the world. Yes, I still have goalsBut I'm not going because of that crazy. If I just want to see the evening show, I'm doing and not doing in this self-flagellation. "
About his experience of living with cancer Erin I wrote a book.
"I gained a sense of peace"
Laila Banihashemi, neuroscientist, Senior Lecturer, University of Pittsburgh psychiatry, learned that she had cancer when she was 32, just a few months after the wedding. Over the next year she went through chemotherapy, surgery and radiation.
"Before my illness I have almost all my time devoted work - says Laila. - Of course, there were things I wanted to do, but there was always something more important, so I just set them aside for later. I always worry about the future and because of this, did not notice other opportunities.
After radiation therapy, I had symptoms of post-traumatic stress, and I began to look for different ways to restore the emotional and spiritual levels. I decided to attend an instructor yoga. I have long dreamed about it, but I never have enough time.
I worked on the weekends spent in the studio for about 10 hours. It helped me find a sense of peace. Now I'm a lot less worried for the future. I feel like I'm on the right track, that everything in life is as fated. "
Each brings its own lessons for themselves, but can be traced, and the general idea: living with cancer, people understand that there is no point in spending time and effort on something that does not seem important to us and does not cause joy. And do not be so worry about the future.