Finding Hope, Strength and Joy During Challenges in Life
by Theresa Swift
A friend of mine has had inordinate challenges these past couple of years. On top of the covid, economic, political unrest and anxiety that many people have experienced around the world, she has also had to be a caregiver for her husband while working full time. A couple of years ago she was diagnosed with cancer. She underwent surgery, then chemo, then radiation. After finally regaining her strength, more cancer was found a year later. She ended up doing chemo again. Still, she's one of the most joyful people I know!
I asked her if I could interview her about her hope, strength and joy. She graciously agreed.
How have you maintained your hope, strength and joy?
It's from knowing that I have family and friends to support me, and that God will guide me. We need to take each day and live each day to the fullest. Some days are more difficult than others, but knowing that I have support, gets me through it. My family brings me so much joy . . . like my grandkids. I get most of my joy from them! They're my angels.
You juggle many responsibilities. What tips would you give to others who are juggling a lot?
To take things one step at a time. If you look at the whole picture, it can be overwhelming. When you're able to take one thing at a time, and do your best at that one thing, then everything else seems to fall into place.
I'm one of these people that need to finish things to completion, but yet I know there are times that I need to multi-task. It's taking the priority in the moment and putting everything into that moment. Whatever I'm doing at the moment, that's the priority. It's also knowing that priorities can change at any minute, being open to knowing that, and being flexible rather than rigid.
Also, I try not to put so much pressure on myself. I'm aware when my anxiety or stress level starts going up, so at the moment I have to say to myself, "OK, step back and look. What's my priority? Is it focusing on me, my work, my family, or something else?" When I feel stressed, I know to step back and take a minute. Is vacuuming the priority or is it taking time for myself? Sometimes we need to relax our standards we place on ourselves.
What advice would you give to the newest generation, such as your grandkids?
Each of my grandchildren are so different and their life paths are so different. They range from 11-24 years old.
With one, it's saying, "Be true to you. Don't lose track of who you are as a person. Don't let situations or people define who you are."
With another it would be, "Just enjoy life. Enjoy these years. Enjoy your sports, friends, childhood . . . the special moments." You want to tell them to keep their innocence, yet experiences like accidents, death, becoming an adult and making adult decisions do come quickly.
I let them know, "The decisions you make don't have to be permanent. Just because you make a decision, doesn't mean you can't change your mind. You can re-assess and re-adjust. In life you're going to make choices, and that's what it's about. Some choices you'll think, "Wow, what a great choice!" and at other times it'll be, "What did I just do!?" It's OK to re-think your choices."
We let all of our grandkids know that we're here to support them, no matter what decisions they make. We want them to know that they can come home at any time and that they have family.
I think the most important thing is that they know that we are here for them, and we support and love every one of them . . . that we have their back and that they're loved.
Favorite quote?
Take life one day at a time. Enjoy life and live in the moment, because who knows what tomorrow will bring. Be thankful and blessed with the life you have. I count all my blessings every morning and every night.
The conversation with my friend brought a warm sense of closeness -- an important reminder to stay connected with others. It also highlighted many things that build our hope, strength and joy. To name a few: gratefulness, support for self and others, in the moment living, self-awareness, habits that de-stress, healthy inner dialogue, choice assessment, sense of belonging, and more! Which of these will you adopt?