I grew up in a generation where we hadn’t labeled types of adversity. Failure was something we’d have to work hard to avoid. Bullying wasn’t labeled and we would have to rise to the occasion and overcome it. There was disappointment because we didn’t place well at tournament, or another candidate was chosen for a job we wanted. Or we just accepted paying our dues and did what was necessary to protect ourselves and to get ahead. The reason we persisted was because when faced with each challenge, we had a choice, and we chose to persevere.
Sometimes, the choices we make are hard because the steps to overcome challenge are hard. Yet, we are lucky to have a choice at all. The most poignant example I can think of was when I was searching online about ways to best survive chemotherapy. I’m going to be completely honest: after my diagnosis, it wasn’t surgery that scared me, or radiation, it was chemotherapy. Don’t get me wrong, the entire thing was scary, and emotional, and stressful. Leading up to surgery I scoured the internet and found a few blogs from others in a similar situation to mine. They had tips and tricks for the best way to manage post-surgery. I figured the same would be available for ways to survive chemotherapy. It was beyond disheartening to find that there were no readily accessible survivor accounts of things that helped them through treatment.
I was just about to end my search, when I found an article from more than ten years ago. The tone of the article was dark and heavy, as the author recounted her harrowing experience. Yet, mid-way through her heartbreaking account of treatment, she said one thing that changed my view of the entire situation. The gist of what she said was this: as horrible as chemotherapy was, she felt more fortunate than those who do not get a choice to pursue treatment. Those faced with difficult treatment are given a chance to live. The choice may be hard, but they are lucky to have it at all.
The lesson in all of this is simple: there is power in choice. It is survival. It is freedom. It is ownership. And most of all, it is an opportunity for growth and betterment. So whatever challenges life brings, embrace choice – it is powerful and it is yours.
