The Olympic Year
I absolutely love the Summer Olympics. It’s such a wonderful opportunity for people from all walks of life, ethnic backgrounds, and religious beliefs to come together for a few weeks every four years for vigorous competition. It’s great to watch on TV but even more exhilarating when you’re a spectator at the events. I had the honor of attending the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles and was living in Atlanta during the 1996 Olympics. This year, I’ve seen more sports on Olympic telecasts than I never knew existed, like a two-person flat canoe and trampoline competition. If I had only known as a kid that all those somersaults on the trampoline or on my bed could’ve led to my becoming an Olympian. I was clearly ahead of my time.
The Olympics are a wonderful example of what happens when we put aside our differences, albeit for a couple of short weeks, and see the common good in all humankind. It’s competition and camaraderie at its best. It matters not from where you come because the vision and goals are all the same.
“I use sports as a vehicle for learning: Just about everything you want to know is there.”
--Colleen Cannon (20th/21st Century American Triathlete)
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Friday, August 22, 2008
Thursday, August 14, 2008
The Homeless Woman
The Homeless Woman
As Ruth and I were having lunch with a friend at a table outside, a homeless woman approached us. She wasn’t looking for money but rather asked to use one of our cell phones. As we all know, pay phones are gradually disappearing from most public venues. She seemed to be a bit troubled so I asked for the name and number of the person she wanted to call. I dialed the number, and sure enough John answered the phone and agreed to speak with her. The lady sat nearby and had a conversation with John that lasted at least ten minutes. When she had finished, she returned my phone, thanked me, and vanished into the hubbub of the area.
I have thought about her often since that day. There were many lessons I came away with but none as great as realizing the value of a simple conversation with someone you know. I don’t know anything about this lady’s journey, but I do know I became a small part of it last Saturday by giving her ten minutes of cell phone time with a friendly voice. Ruth and I believe that there are no coincidences in life. We’ll likely never know the true impact of our modest effort to help, but there’s little doubt that this woman entered our lives for a few minutes, and we’re all better for it.
Click "Comments" below to share your thoughts or opinion.
As Ruth and I were having lunch with a friend at a table outside, a homeless woman approached us. She wasn’t looking for money but rather asked to use one of our cell phones. As we all know, pay phones are gradually disappearing from most public venues. She seemed to be a bit troubled so I asked for the name and number of the person she wanted to call. I dialed the number, and sure enough John answered the phone and agreed to speak with her. The lady sat nearby and had a conversation with John that lasted at least ten minutes. When she had finished, she returned my phone, thanked me, and vanished into the hubbub of the area.
I have thought about her often since that day. There were many lessons I came away with but none as great as realizing the value of a simple conversation with someone you know. I don’t know anything about this lady’s journey, but I do know I became a small part of it last Saturday by giving her ten minutes of cell phone time with a friendly voice. Ruth and I believe that there are no coincidences in life. We’ll likely never know the true impact of our modest effort to help, but there’s little doubt that this woman entered our lives for a few minutes, and we’re all better for it.
Click "Comments" below to share your thoughts or opinion.
Monday, August 11, 2008
Checkup
Checkup
I just got back from Atlanta after having my six month checkup for breast cancer. Needless to say, even when you’re healthy again there’s something very emotional about visiting your oncologist, the doctor who gives you your protocol of chemotherapy to keep you going. The waiting room is a very moving place because most of the 30+ seats are occupied by patients and caregivers. There’s a routine here that begins with checking in and then sitting in the waiting room until it’s your turn to have blood drawn. Then it’s back to the waiting room until your name is called for either treatment or a checkup visit like mine.
On this particular day, there are more people waiting for treatment than checkups. I feel the pain of many and always try to create a higher positive energy for those around me who are waiting their turn for treatment. It’s a difficult but much-needed practice in environments such as these to create healthier surroundings. It’s truly one of the key reasons why Ruth and I founded Trust Your Journey.
My checkup was great, and I’m healthier than ever. I did take away one sad bit of news from my checkup. My chemo buddy, Mrs. Perun, about whom I wrote in previous journal entries as well as in Breast Cancer Wellness magazine, passed away last month. I’ll miss her and will be forever grateful for all she did for me during my own chemo treatments.
“Many people will walk in and out of your life, but only true friends will leave footprints in your heart.”
--Eleanor Roosevelt (1884-1962)
Click "Comments" below to share your thoughts or opinion.
I just got back from Atlanta after having my six month checkup for breast cancer. Needless to say, even when you’re healthy again there’s something very emotional about visiting your oncologist, the doctor who gives you your protocol of chemotherapy to keep you going. The waiting room is a very moving place because most of the 30+ seats are occupied by patients and caregivers. There’s a routine here that begins with checking in and then sitting in the waiting room until it’s your turn to have blood drawn. Then it’s back to the waiting room until your name is called for either treatment or a checkup visit like mine.
On this particular day, there are more people waiting for treatment than checkups. I feel the pain of many and always try to create a higher positive energy for those around me who are waiting their turn for treatment. It’s a difficult but much-needed practice in environments such as these to create healthier surroundings. It’s truly one of the key reasons why Ruth and I founded Trust Your Journey.
My checkup was great, and I’m healthier than ever. I did take away one sad bit of news from my checkup. My chemo buddy, Mrs. Perun, about whom I wrote in previous journal entries as well as in Breast Cancer Wellness magazine, passed away last month. I’ll miss her and will be forever grateful for all she did for me during my own chemo treatments.
“Many people will walk in and out of your life, but only true friends will leave footprints in your heart.”
--Eleanor Roosevelt (1884-1962)
Click "Comments" below to share your thoughts or opinion.
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