By Susan Maki

After enduring ten months of cancer chemotherapy and radiation this year, I find my life has changed positively in unexpected ways. I understand now that treatment really does end but the impact of a major illness is a gift that keeps on giving. After the initial devastation from a cancer diagnosis it is critical to summon courage, strength and support and move through a timeline of treatment, change and adjustment to a “new life.”

Although cancer can be a very stressful experience, often survivors reflect on the battle-scarred journey and emerge as a stronger, thoughtful and wiser person. Some survivors find their priorities are rearranged as life is viewed from a fresh perspective. Honoring what is vital moves up to the top of the “to do” list and guides living to the fullest. Ideas, goals, activities and people that once floated randomly around with a thousand other thoughts in the “someday I will…” category, now take a clear lead. Setting priorities means deciding what is important to you.

In determining what is important in life we often come back to “simple pleasures,” basics such as creating, playing, growing, helping and relating to others. Somewhere along the journey of life we begin to realize the well-worn saying “it’s the little things that count” to provide a basic truth. The simple enjoyment of sitting quietly while enjoying a cup of tea and reading a book by a cozy fire, going for a walk on a great sunny day, sharing time with family and dear friends or watching children delight in pleasure during the holiday season all bring a sense of harmony and joy to our lives. Although finding tranquility is not complicated, our bustling lives often block the way to enjoying simple pleasures and living in the moment.

I came across a website a few days ago entitled The Celebration Coach. The service you buy is personal coaching in creating celebrations including holidays, seasonal celebrations and birthdays. The 7 Steps to Creating Celebration, Creating A Life package includes “setting priorities for celebration and life” and simply “creating celebrations”. Do we really need to be coached and pay for help in setting our own life priorities and learn how to slow down and celebrate life’s moments?  I don’t believe getting coached is necessary and neither is getting sick. This holiday season, we can all slow down and reflect on our priorities and find joy and peace in simple pleasures.

I thank Karen Kitchel and Cheerful Givers for giving me the opportunity in this long year to lend a helping hand in giving back (something I have added to my priorities list). I appreciate the Cheerful Givers mission and belief that this simple gesture of helping celebrate a child’s birthday is what brings joy to their lives and ours.

(photo by PappaJack)

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