simply jeanne B » blessings http://simplyjeanneb.com sharing ~ person to person ~ heart to heart Wed, 06 Apr 2011 20:02:27 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 en hourly 1 three little words http://simplyjeanneb.com/2009/05/02/three-little-words/ http://simplyjeanneb.com/2009/05/02/three-little-words/#comments Sat, 02 May 2009 16:07:36 +0000 Jeanne http://behressentials.wordpress.com/?p=238 “You have cancer”.

Few words will knock you on your ass faster than those.  Just 2 days after my 52nd birthday, I got this belated “present”.  I’d already had surgery to remove the right half of my thyroid and after 2 weeks of anxious waiting, I got the call.  Now, I would have the other half removed the next day and then radiation treatment.  Talk about scary.  It was time to start praying.

Well, thyroid cancer is one of the most treatable cancers out there.  But, word to the wise, please don’t ever tell someone with thyroid cancer that they’ve got the “easy cancer”.  Easy and cancer should never, ever be spoken in the same sentence.

bluewhite09

My kids - my 3 biggest blessings!

After the fear wore off, I thanked God for giving me this wake up call.  I had been wasting my life away – waiting for something good to happen, instead of making something happen or seeing the good that was already there.

I am now doing my best to live life to the fullest, to take care of this body that God gave me and to give thanks for all the beauty in my life.

My new 3 words – I am blessed. . .take it away, Martina! ♫

A few thyroid cancer resources:

Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Association

Light of Life Foundation

American Thyroid Association

]]> http://simplyjeanneb.com/2009/05/02/three-little-words/feed/ 17 brand new day http://simplyjeanneb.com/2009/03/30/brand-new-day/ http://simplyjeanneb.com/2009/03/30/brand-new-day/#comments Mon, 30 Mar 2009 13:47:49 +0000 Jeanne http://behressentials.wordpress.com/?p=70 Back in the ’70s (yes, I was alive then), I watched the made-for-TV movie Brian’s Song which told the story of two Chicago Bears’ football players, Gale Sayers and the late Brian Piccolo and was based upon  Sayers’ autobiography, I Am Third. I was so touched by the depiction of the friendship of these two men that I went on to read Sayers’ book.  As the title confirms, Sayers’ personal philosophy was to place God first in his life, others second and himself third. That was the first time I had heard that philosophy stated and it became indelibly imprinted on my heart. I knew that was what I wanted to strive for in my life.

The book also included a poem which I remember posting on my college bulletin board to remind me to make the most of each day.  I remember reading it aloud in an intro English course and knew the TA was going to give me crap for mentioning God.  I considered censoring that from my delivery, but decided against it.  I was right, the TA did not appreciate my comments, but it was a little victory for me holding fast to my beliefs. I love this poem, it has taken on new meaning in recent months (a subject for another post) and I hope it may hold some meaning for you.

This is a New Day

God has given me this day to do as I will.j01826761

I can waste it or use it for good.

What I do today is very important

Because I am trading a day in my life for it.

When tomorrow comes this day will be gone forever

Leaving behind something I’ve traded for it.

I want it to be gain, not loss . . .

Good, not evil . . .

Success, not failure . . .

In order that I should never forget

The price I paid for it.

Today’s Tip: Take a minute, a full 60 seconds, and sit quietly. Close your eyes and think about all you have to be thankful for. If you are totally honest, it will take you more than 60 seconds, but it will be time well spent. If you try this, I’d love to hear from you.

Listen: Brand New Day


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