Surround yourself with Happiness or what makes you smile. This has been my mantra for the last 6 years. Along with Breathe, pray about everything, you’re an overcomer, remember to smile, Give Thanks, and Family is important.
Okay, let me back up. My name is Danie Weaver. I am an introvert, I am a huge Disney Nerd, I watch movies, I read Comic books and my favorite superhero is Rogue from the x-men. I am happily married and a child of Christ who believes in the greatest commandment is love.
But the one thing I rarely tell people is that I’m a cancer survivor.
I’m a cancer survivor.
In 2011, a week before my first wedding anniversary, I was diagnosed with stage 2 Hodgkin’s Lymphoma in my media-stinun. What came next were lots of procedures, CT scans, blood tests, and chemo. 6 months of Chemo. And 1 month of radiation. But I survived and today I’m Cancer free. June 25 was the day I finished all my treatments, so I have been cancer free for 6 years. Somedays it feels like just yesterday and other it feels like a memory that is not mine.
Life begins again, and you pick up the pieces of your life and put it back into the puzzle. People move on, friendships end, new ones begin, same struggles happen, and new struggles arise. However, now everything has a filter and barometer. One phrase I’ve used repeatedly in my walk is “This struggle is hard right now Lord” Then God reminds me “Is this as bad as Chemo?”
And nothing is ever as bad as chemo.
Recently I have struggled with my décor in our apartment feeling like it’s a mix and match of a nerd, Jman and I and Christian. But it is everything that makes me happy or makes me smile when I look at it. And Jman sees the beauty in something because it makes me happy, so he is okay with it.
I know this seems like a simple revelation, but it has been groundbreaking in the way that I view the world. If you are struggling with something and having a hard time finding beauty through the storm. Start with something that makes you smile. It could be something as small as the precious gift that a friend has given you or something you purchased for yourself. Start with that.
Another thing I’ve learned through this journey is to keep my eyes focused on God. There are times when the storm is so dense and so loud that you cannot hear God’s voice. In those times when God seems far away, Christian music has been a mainstay. Reading my bible every morning. Positive movies such as Disney movies or Hallmark movies. But also, being willing to open the door and let people in. When I surround myself with things that make me happy my journey is less dark and the bright spots shine as bright as stars.
Philippians 3:14
I press on toward the goal to win the prize which God has called me heavenward for Jesus Christ.
TTFN and may God bless you and keep you.
Danie with an E reflections 