Thursday 26 April 2012

Thankful Thursday



For Jaz who is an inspiration, thank you.
 
Jaz, your post Dear Tumour was one of the bravest, most positive things I can imagine.
 
 When I was given similar news years ago I, too, decided that being positive was the only answer.  I trust that when I am long gone having died in ripe old age (I love cheese comparisons) you will look back at this time and remember that
 
 You can if you think you can
 
If you think you are beaten, you are,
If you think you dare not, you don't.
If you like to win, but you think you can't,
It is almost certain you won't.

If you think you'll lose, you're lost,
For out in the world we find,
Success begins with a fellow's will.
It's all in the state of mind.

If you think you are outclassed, you are,
You've got to think high to rise,
You've got to be sure of yourself before
You can ever win a prize.

Life's battles don't always go
To the stronger or faster man.
But soon or late the man who wins,
Is the man who thinks he can.

~ C. W. Longenecker ~


11 comments:

  1. Hello Graham:
    Truly an inspiration. We too have battled with leukaemia over the past two years and it is the attitude such as Jaz has which makes all of the difference. A very positive, brave woman.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm very sorry to hear that you have had that battle. I have little doubt realising the positive attitude I have seen so far in your blogs that you will succeed in your battle.

      Delete
  2. Hardly in the above big league, but I fear I may be developing this: http://www.eatonhand.com/hw/hw009.htm
    I haven't been to the Doc yet. Even such a little thing like this is challenging to my positivity. Thank you for this Geeb.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I think you are underselling yourself Katherine. I'm sure that you'll deal with it positively. I'm sure too that you'll make an appointment with the Doc very soon so that you can either set your mind at rest or work towards treatment.

      Delete
  3. Nobody knows how they'll really deal with things until they have to. We can imagine so many times what we'd do, how we react, where we'd go and what we would say, but in reality, it often turns out to become quite a different scenario.
    So far, all my own cases of cancer suspicion were false alarms (thankfully!), but my husband's very sudden death 2 1/2 years ago certainly came close to having to deal with something like that. And then, you just go on. At least I did, and am glad I had all the support of friends and family that made it easier for me to keep going. I am, it seems, rather pragmatic in most things and think, what's the point in falling into a big black hole? It won't make things better, only worse, and therefore, I never went there.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You certainly seem to be one of the most pragmatic of people, Meike. There is no point in wallowing in self pity but sometimes it can be hard to be so logical. I've been fortunate always to have been very positive but that hasn't occasionally stopped some unhappiness from taking over. I suffered from medical post-operative depression (but not lack of a positive outlook) briefly after a serious operation at 16 so understand it but have been fortunate never to have had it since.

      Delete
    2. My pragmatism is often taken for cold-bloodedness (I think I once sent you the link to my blog post about that), and maybe it is; I don't know. I just know that it is part of my character. Of course, I am not immune to bouts of sadness, and still get a good round of crying in every now and then, when I think of Steve and what was and what could be if he was still around.

      Delete
  4. Thanks for sharing this GB. It is difficult to play the glad game sometimes and at such times quotes/ poems are very inspirational.

    ReplyDelete
  5. What a lovely thing to find on your blog GB. Thank you.
    I REALLY appreciate your ongoing support.

    I can say with hand on heart. There has been many hours of yelling, crying and cursing from myself, but I actually think doing this actually allows space in your head to just BE and find the strength to be positive. Grief certainly has its place, but positivity wins on the day!!!

    I love that poem. I may just print it out

    Thank you
    Jaz x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. To use a current advertising cliché, Jaz, you will always have my (and many other people's) support because you're worth it.

      Delete