A couple of weeks ago, Colin of meandray.com mentioned the quote (above) of a young woman called Jane Marczewski in a comment. I remembered that quote and immediately checked YouTube. 30-year-old Jane participated in the show America Got Talent. She had already beat cancer twice. But shortly before she got on stage, she was told that they found cancer in her liver, her lungs, and her spine. She had a two percent chance of surviving. She said: “I have a 2% chance of survival, but two percent is not 0%. 2% is something. And I wish people knew how amazing it is.” And she smiled all over her face. She also said that it is important to her that everyone knows that she is so much more than the bad things that happen to her. Although she had that diagnosis, she appeared so full of life and joy and was literally glowing. You will see it in the video I shared at the end of this post. Sadly, she passed away only a few months later.
Her energy of life was outstanding and incomparable to me compared to anyone who is “healthy”, except one of my former schoolmates and friend, who died from cancer too, one day after his 51st birthday. He was always full of life and active, a good person, supportive, humorous, and always the buddy for whom we knew him since schooldays. He beat cancer too before successfully. But a couple of years later, it came back even more aggressive than before. At the funeral, his sister quoted him: “I have never felt so alive since I have cancer.”
Colin and I talked a bit about how the view on life changes when you see a possible end nearing – even when you feel clearly that the point of no return got crossed. These are my thoughts:
Whatever appears to be important loses meaning instantly. You see the value of life, the value of love, the value of yourself within this life. You are much easier to forgive because resentments are of no use. You recognize that the smell of a meadow after rain, the first ray of sun in the morning, the song of a bird, or the wind on your face is what makes you feel alive. You see the people around you and those close to you with different eyes. You automatically focus on their love and overlook their quirks. Because that is what makes life worth living – the love that makes everything brighter. All that draws you closer to the being in you, the core of who you are, the power that makes you think, talk, walk, LIVE!
Still, even if we are the most positive and genuinely faithful,
some things may not turn out as we wished for.
But the difference is that we made the time that we spent a good time.
What do you think? Why are those closer to death teaching us positivity and zest for life by authentically radiating it from head to toe?
In Love and Light
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This post certainly makes you think, Erika. I also believe that people who live positively get more out of life than those who live negatively. None of us have time to waste while we live, but negativity is a silent way of losing bits of life you’ll never get back.
Thanks for the inspiration and positivity this post shines out, even though it’s about death as well.
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Yes, that’s the paradox that death is the reason for so much light and insight about life.
That’s so right, and as Buddha said: “Whether you spend your life laughing or crying, the time span is the same.”
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Decide now. This is so true.
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Exactly, Gary! It is of no use to keep yourself from happiness. In the end, it is a decision!
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That touch gives us a very powerful understanding that we are constantly ‘sweating the small stuff’, and don’t get me wrong, they teach us too. But in that instant you understand that the path has been shortened, all you want to do is live…so we do, in every way possible. And to do that a ‘let go’ is required, to see that when life is going to be shortened we can either worry over the floor being dirty, an email not answered, a bill not paid…or we can see that we are now beyond all that, seeing through a totally new lens and truly appreciate that there is so much still here that has purpose, joy, and all of them is built on a love, a connection, even a total giving of what we want to share from somewhere very deep inside us. To sing, to connect, to share from somewhere so beautifully profound. Even with something as simple as a hug.
A very beautiful post Erika, that touch, honesty, and an understanding of the love that built it. Thank you ❤️🙏
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A journey like that could not be more personal. It is the ultimate lesson and only if we follow, we will receive the insight we need – regardless of the end result. Many cannot understand that and think it is unfair. But, as Jane said, it is ok! Because it is this personal journey that leads to personal growth. We may not know why we have to learn this or that way but we can be assured that it is ok!
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Amen 😀❤️🙏🎄🎅
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What a great role model Mrs. Marczewski is. Let’s see the positive things in life. Best wishes, Michael
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Exactly! Let’s not spend too much time with things that don’t matter and miss those that do!
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Knowing that death is imminent can either leave you in resignation and sadness or give you an even deeper appreciation for the gift of life. If you choose the latter, you see everything and everyone in a different way and let go of any resentments or indifferences you may have had. It is almost like life becomes new again.
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Yes, indeed, it can cause the biggest fear, sadness or resignation, or the awareness of what it really means to live and what life is about. That can go as far as it even brings healing because the complete focus is on life without any distraction. I think so too, that the perspective on life changes dramatically!
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Even when we lose loved ones, our perspective shifts somewhat. For some it could be for a moment or it can be life changing.
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That’s right, The wish to be with them makes us look closer… or further away. Which direction is part of our journey.
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Thanks for sharing this amazing song . Anita
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My pleasure, Anita. I am glad, it spoke to you, dear!
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What a lovely post, Erika. It certainly puts things in perspective. I don’t know if you find more joy in living the closer you get to death, but I do know the ones who choose to joy are an inspiration!
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I don’t know whether it is more joy but for sure it is more awareness of what matters and of what life is about. Less worries about things that don’t count and more focus on what matters. And I agree, like Jane, those who choose to joy are a lantern what living means!
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I have read/listened to a lot of Leo Buscaglia, and the following has always stuck in my mind:
Click to access If%20I%20had%20my%20life%20to%20live%20over%20again%20with%20picture.pdf
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This sounds like a life understood completely in hindsight. But even though he would do many things differently or more extensively, he understood. Not everyone does it in that depth. Life needs to be lived.
Thank you again. Colin, for mentioning Jane lately, and reminding me to give energy to what we want and what life is worth living.
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This is one of my all-time favorite quotes! I had it as the header on my FB page for the longest time!!! ❤
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It is so very deep and so so true! The best-phrased advice for life in general and THE way to live life at its best 💖
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I love this thinking 😁
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It is one of the deepest statements I have ever heard and every time I watch this video it touches me to my core 💖
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