the difficulties we have to face are only the difficulties of circumstances, and the opposition we have to encounter—the only opposition we have to encounter—is the opposition of events
~ Winston Churchill
Since restarting my daily posts four weeks ago after my first-ever hiatus (due to colon cancer surgery), in a number of posts I have shared parts of the journey when I have felt there are things I have learned that I wish to share, and I continue today as I continue to travel the chemotherapy part of the journey.
A few days ago, last Friday in fact, I wrote about attending a full day offsite for a charity. I felt good physically and mentally and really enjoyed the day, finding it energising and inspiring. The next day, Saturday, I had already planned to take as a quiet day at home (in case I was tired from the day before), though felt good, even writing several daily posts in one sitting for the coming days. Sunday morning I felt pretty good again, even heading out mid-morning for a few hours to seek out some vinyl and try out a new restaurant.
All good, but the impact of such strong medication on the body can be unpredictable. By early evening Sunday, I felt not so good at all, an upset stomach having me feel nauseous. That then continued overnight, so though I didn’t throw up, I could only sleep in fits and starts, the continued to feel similarly rough on Monday morning, though it settled enough that I could crash out for a nap on the sofa mid-morning.
This is my Tuesday morning post, but actually writing at 3 pm Monday. For the first time in about 24 hours, I’m feeling well enough to use my brain, hence sitting to write and share.
March 3rd was when I got my diagnosis, so from that point on any forward planning has been put on hold. As my chemo will continue through late October, my last 24 hours have acted as a reminder that this will continue, that planning anything significant will simply have to wait. This has been an exercise in patience, but also a reminder of gratitude, and today I reflect on two ways I am grateful.
- First, how I feel is, so far, manageable. I can cope with it physically and mentally. That is something to be grateful for.
- Second, this chemo is an insurance policy against any future recurrence. Though nothing in life is guaranteed, statistically I will be done with this colon cancer journey for good once I finish chemo in under five months. It is a finite journey, something that also makes it feel easier to manage this physically and mentally.
As you read this, a few thoughts come to mind to share with you and for you to consider, about events and about resilience:
- Be grateful if you are able to plan ahead, whether that is simply because you are healthy and not undergoing challenging treatment, or perhaps simply that you are not among the many, many people who struggle to make ends meet financially from day to day.
- Be aware that events may occur at any time that could immediately change or even halt any of your plans. Events happen, so one thought for today is for you to consider how resilient you are physically, mentally, and also yes, financially. What reserves do you have across all of those spectrums?
- The same thoughts apply to your business and your role as a leader. Read back the first two points through that lens.