Energy, Enthusiasm and Empathy

Recently I have received two worthwhile PowerPoint slide sets from friends John and Alison, and Pam and Allan, respectively.  Cactus_Blooms.pps is a series of photos of cactus flowers and it is amazing how many different and beautiful flowers there are.  Japanese_Azaleas.pps is a series of photos of a Japanese azalea park in full bloom.  Cactus Blooms has ‘Tips for a Better Life in 2011’ and Japanese Azaleas has ‘pearls of wisdom’ from Andy Rooney.  Both contain worthwhile and uplifting messages.

You can download Cactus Blooms at http://www.4shared.com/document/9OWQE0D_/Cactus_Blooms.html.  Click on the blue ‘download now’ button and then click the ‘download file now’ on the following screen (it takes 20 seconds to appear).  Then you can click on the PowerPoint slide show once it has downloaded.  (You probably need to have Microsoft PowerPoint to view it.)

You can download Japanese Azaleas at http://www.4shared.com/document/aqp-IzOw/Japanese_Azaleas.html and follow the same process as for the Cactus Blooms.

Cactus Blooms includes a slide with the message ‘Live with the 3 E’s: Energy, Enthusiasm and Empathy’.  As you know, I have led an energetic and enthusiastic life.  One of the discoveries on my present journey is a heightened sense of empathy.  I think most of us only tend to understand suffering and difficulties in life when we encounter them ourselves.  This has been true for me.

Having cancer, I have realised that I know a number of people that have struggled with health issues and other difficulties all their lives but I did not appreciate how successfully they have lived in trying circumstances.  One such person is a close relative and her husband.  I wrote to her and expressed my appreciation for their example of living positively in difficult circumstances.  They told you about their health issues in a matter of fact manner and then moved on in their conversation.  I received a wonderful letter in reply, and I quote:

‘Like most people I’ve had my moments over the years of thinking “why me” & the only answer to that question can be “why not”.  As we all know life never has been easy or fair for the majority of people.  What has been my saviour has been the love of family and friends & the blessings ..... have been our children & grand-children. They are the greatest gift of all & right now for you & Barbara, & over the years, your beautiful children are what makes everything so worthwhile, especially [in] the tough times.’

Our friend Leonie in a recent email, wrote that in looking at cancer that it ‘is a fight that noone really loses.  Everyone who takes part wins some sort of prize’.  One of my prizes is an increased awareness of those I know and love who have lived with difficulties for long periods during their lives.  Either talking with them or writing to them, I have learned of their depth of character and wisdom that I doubt I would have discovered without my current circumstance.