Measuring our lives
I can't let this week go by without talking about two wonderful and inspiring people who sadly lost their battles to cancer. Steven Sutton, who peacefully died yesterday and Hannah Foxley who passed away on May 6th. These awesome heroes of cancer left wonderful legacies, using their own diagnosis to talk openly about the effects of cancer, raise awareness and fundraise for cancer charities.
Since her initial diagnosis, Hannah quit her secure financial planning job and set up her own business of helping divorced women with their financial planning. She also became an ambassador for Breakthrough Cancer and began fundraising for it and other cancer charities to raise their profile and money. Many people learned who she was after she had posed nude in photographs which visually showed her battle scars. For many, it was a shock, but her aim was to raise awareness and to remind women to be confident in their body image, regardless of how it looks. I for one respected her courage, strength and conviction.
Steven Sutton became a household name. I don't know anyone who hasn't heard about "Steve's Story." He has raised over an amazing three and a half million pounds! He showed the world that you can do amazing things even when diagnosed with terminal cancer. I loved to read his quote that "life isn't measured by the length of time you are here, it's measured by your achievements". I don't think anyone can argue that he achieved greatness in his all too short 19 years.
For many people that are told they have cancer, it is quite natural to do a life review so far. I for one know that how easy it is to start regretting wasted time, time not spent recognising how precious time is. But as Eckhart Tolle advocates in "The Power of Now" we can stop this destructive way of thinking about our past or future by living in the present moment. It's really hard to keep on top of our niggling minds but I'm going to take a leaf out of Steven and Hannah's book...
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