Inspiration file: Positive thinking when faced with life crisis

I recently received a comment from a reader named Isobel, a 58-year-old Scottish woman, born in Edingburgh. Married to a German film critic, she lives in Germany and works as a freelance editor and author in the “English as a Foreign Language” section of the market.Her comment touched me, and inspired me, and I’d like to share it with all of you in hopes that it will inspire you as well:

I have just found your Zen Habits website and would like to tell you and the others that Motivation Hack #2 [make a big public commitment, and tell everyone you know about your goal] really struck a chord with me.

I am generally a very positive-thinking person. I’ve had a lot of ups and downs in my life but always came through in the end because I believed that that positive thinking would produce positive results - and it always has.

At the moment I’m facing my biggest challenge yet.

At the beginning of March I had to have a mastectomy -two very aggressive tumours and ten lymph nodes were removed. I’m now going through chemotherapy (with all kinds of nasty side-effects) and will have radiotherapy after the chemo is finished.

Right from day one of the diagnosis, I knew and believed that I would beat the cancer. I am being cared for by a great team of doctors and specialists here in Berlin, Germany and feel in safe hands. My husband is looking after me and helps so much.

To return to your Motivation #2 strategy, though - not long after the diagnosis I set up group emails for family, friends and coleagues. Everyone knows what is going on with me and they are all regularly updated on the treatment and on how I feel.

I get such a great response from all these people with cards and emails and phone calls. The positive feelings that come back certainly add to MY positive feelings. When I read your Motivation Hack #2 I thought: That’s my strategy - I’ve told all these people I’m going to beat my cancer, so I’d better just stick to that promise and do it, not just for me, but for all these people who are rooting for me.

To anyone alse out there who is facing a similar challenge, all I can say is - if you can, LET OTHER PEOPLE KNOW and ACCEPT THEIR HELP AND GOOD WISHES.
Thanks for reading this.

Best wishes to all
Isobel

—–

In an email to me, after I asked for her permission to reprint the comment, she added:

Being confronted with this extra special challenge in my life is allowing me time to have a good look at how my life will go on post-therapy and that is one of the reasons I was drawn to your fantastic website.

If you feel it will help other people, please feel free to post my comment on Zen Habits. I don’t feel that I’m particularly “incredible” - just lucky that I was born with a sunny and positive nature.

Isobel, my prayers are with you … and thank you for your inspiration! - Leo

Inspiration file: Positive thinking when faced with life crisis

At the moment I’m facing my biggest challenge yet.

To anyone alse out there who is facing a similar challenge, all I can say is - if you can, LET OTHER PEOPLE KNOW and ACCEPT THEIR HELP AND GOOD WISHES.
Thanks for reading this.

Best wishes to all
Isobel

—–

In an email to me, after I asked for her permission to reprint the comment, she added:

Isobel, my prayers are with you … and thank you for your inspiration! - Leo

Posted on 22 April 2007 in Happiness |
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Comments (11)

betsbillabong Says:

April 22nd, 2007, 19:28 pm

Best wishes to you, Isobel - you’re an inspiration, and a fighter. Your letter definitely puts our day-to-day problems in perspective. It sounds like you have a good community around you (including your doctors) to help you through this difficult time. I’m glad you’re able to stay positive and I am sure that it will help you to beat the cancer. Best wishes on your recovery.

Bruno Says:

April 22nd, 2007, 22:34 pm

Dear Isobel — from someone who had to follow closely both parents fight against cancer and beat it, I know the kind of courage that is required and you certainly have it. Do not hesitate - not even for a moment, even in hard times. KNOW that you’re going to be even better after this and that you have more support than you imagine. All the best.

Balfour Says:

April 23rd, 2007, 10:35 am

Isobel–Thank you so much for sharing your story with us, another public commitment. I am truly inspired by you and wish you everything wonderful.

Ross Says:

April 23rd, 2007, 19:14 pm

April Challenge Check In

For a couple of days (the weekend) I failed the challenge but I picked it up again yesterday, Monday, and am back on track with even more determination to create the new, positive habit.

Ross

Leo Says:

April 23rd, 2007, 19:30 pm

Great job, Ross! We all get sidetracked sometimes, so it’s great to hear that you didn’t let that discourage you. Keep up the good work!

Lesley Says:

April 24th, 2007, 16:01 pm

Isobel,
my thoughts and prayers are with you on this, your biggest challenge yet. I truly feel positive thinking and supportive family, friends, and others essential. Keep us all posted!

Isobel Says:

April 25th, 2007, 11:05 am

Hello everyone! Thank you all very much for your comments and good wishes. It took me a while to get back on my feet after my 2nd chemo (Friday, 20th April) because, even though the new medication against the nausea and headaches works really well, the chemotherapy mixture makes me very tired. I’m better today, though, and working on building up my daily routine of walking every morning before breakfast again. I managed a half hour walk yesterday and today I walked for 45 minutes!!! The air is lovely in the early morning and the spring-time trees are blossoming. Determined as ever to beat this thing and wishing anyone else in similarly difficult situation a lot of strength, courage and positive thinking! love, Isobel

Leo Says:

April 25th, 2007, 20:26 pm

Hi Isobel … you are truly amazing, and you continue to inspire me. Thank you for taking the time to comment and share your progress. I would love it if you continued to do so, because we are all praying for you. Your determination is awesome!

Girish Says:

April 26th, 2007, 7:16 am

Hi Isobel,
Your thoughts and actions are truly an inspiration to us all. Keep fighting. Our love and prayers are with you and I am sure you will overcome this challenge soon!

Isobel Says:

April 27th, 2007, 8:20 am

Dear Leo and friends

Thanks for your responses. I’ve said it before: I’m not amazing - just bloody determined that the cancer won’t beat me. This determination is probably something I’ve inherited from my dad, 93 years old and, despite age-related blindness, also very unwilling to give in. This is a charecteristic I hope I’ll never lose. :-)
As you can imagine, though, I’m spending quite a bit of time at the moment thinking about what I DO have to change in my life and lifestyle in the future. One thing that’s coming through is that it’s important to please myself first and not try to keep everybody else happy at my expense. I don’t mean that I’m going to turn into a selfish egocentric but I realise that I was often too ready to do what was expected (demanded / required) of me rather than say, Hey - that’s not what I want. Being forced to take “time out” from work is giving me the chance to sort things out.
Keep well! love Isobel

AgentSully Says:

June 9th, 2007, 22:57 pm

Isobel - I will add you to my list of people I pray for often. Sending you Big Strength and smiles! (laughter: the best medicine!) Best regards, Sully :-)