The harmless lump that opened my eyes

Once I discovered a lump in my groin. I was very worried and
really believed it was cancer. When I talked to a nurse and
described the symptoms I calmed down. It turned out to be a
totally harmless lump, and it disappeared by itself within weeks,
but for a couple of intense days I could think of nothing else
but the lump and what it could mean to me. I depicted the most
horrible scenes: me sitting on the hospital bed vomiting after
the chemotherapy; my little son’s heartbroken face when saying
farewell at my death-bed; my family crying over my grave.

During this nightmare it seemed important to me to really think
about how I wanted my life to be. I started planning as if I had
only one year left to live. I decided to live a life with quality and
give priority to the things that were most important to me. I
made several decisions and when I realised that the threat
wasn’t so serious this time, I experienced a strong feeling of
reverence and gratitude for the life I had in my hands. During
the following years I tried to fulfil the plans I’d made during my
trials and fears. The harmless lump turned out to be a
turning-point in my life.

Maybe you have experienced something similar. Maybe for you
it was a real disease and not just a warning shot. If you’ve been
there you know that sooner or later there comes a time when
we realise that life gives no guarantees. All of our plans and
dreams can be demolished in a second. When we fully realise
that, it becomes more important than ever to cherish what we
have. It also becomes less important to quarrel and argue about
small details that don’t mean anything in the long run. Life is so
valuable, let’s not waste time on things that are meaningless.

We will all, most likely, face crises in life. Can one prepare for
them? I think that a person who hasn’t reflected on his/her life
could be up for a harder blow when the crisis comes, than a
person who has made such reflections. Of course it’s very
individual, but there’s definitely no harm in thinking about those
things before you find yourself in the midst of a crisis. Through
the crisis we will develop. But we can set the compass by
ourselves; we can choose development before the crisis absorbs
us. It then becomes a conscious process of change.

Self development as a result of conscious choices means that
you have the power to choose your way in life. You have the
power to change things, maybe just a small step at a time, but
still, there is a freedom in this thought. When we stop just
letting things happen to us, and grab the steering wheel, that’s
when we are happy. We can take control and plan for a better
future. Life will always surprise us and we will face problems
and crises, yes, but when the hard times come, we will be
stronger if we have made good choices.

Ingela Berger
Lifestyle Plans

About the Author

Ingela Berger started her own Internet business Lifestyle Plans in 2003 to inspire and encourage others to make reality of their dreams of a personal, healthy and fulfilling lifestyle. Ingela has studied theatre directing, history of art, and leadership psychology. After some years working with art exhibitions and the theatre she is now back at school to become a health and lifestyle consultant.

This page is made by A.Automator!... Click here to build Rich Content Pages in just 5 minutes!



Exit from The harmless lump that opened my eyes...Click here to go home..