The power of choice

This trip has been an absolute blast so far.  I've seen old friends, made new ones, swam in the Pacific and high alpine lakes beneath huge volcanic peaks, climbed at Smith Rocks and now I'm enjoying a refreshing iced coffee before heading up to Devil's Lake for an afternoon swim with my sights on climbing South Sister tomorrow.  The weather here in Bend is hot, but the river that runs through town has provided ample opportunities to cool off.

I headed into the Mt Jefferson Wilderness this past weekend and got into thinking about why I'm blogging. These days it seems like everyone has a blog. Without much scientific research (read: none at all) I can find a blog for anything, from how to make interesting things out of old shoe strings to stories of people's opinions on local politics, and building aluminum can sculptures to sharing the day to day experiences of life...

I'm starting to think that this blog is going to have something for everyone, beautiful photos (hopefully), travelogues and most importantly, thoughts on living deliberately. As a young(ish) cancer survivor, I also hope to provide hope to those who need it.  After my diagnosis and my amazing opportunity to be a part of the Colon Club's Colondar, I've received emails and Facebook messages from people around the country who have been affected by cancer or have loved ones that have been affected.  They've been gracious enough to share their stories with me and thankful to see positive outcomes from what is absolutely a 100% life changer. 

Everyday, I'm grateful and feel sooooo lucky. My cancer was stage one, it didn't metastasize anywhere and I didn't have to endure chemo or radiation.  Many others aren't so lucky. I've lost friends and loved ones to cancer. It sucks. However, everyday we wake up and have a choice.  Not everyone is going to like hearing this, but we can choose happiness, sadness, eagerness, anxiousness, fear, love, hopelessness or optimism.  I'm currently reading Eckhart Tolle's "The Power of Now," and it's powerful. EVERYONE should read it. Ultimately there is nothing but the now.  We have to make sure we're making the most of it because it's all we have and who knows for how long we'll have it...

So here's my insight for today: whatever makes you happy, do it. If its flying a kite, or knitting a sweater or going for a run, or playing with your kids, just do it.  You'll be happy.  And when you're happy it will make others happy.  No one I know encounters angry people and afterward says, "Wow! That was awesome! I wish I could deal with angry people everyday!" Angry people use their anger to mask their pain.  I believe happiness is a great natural remedy for a lot of pain in the world, so choose happiness, be nice, and don't mess with the people who serve your food :-)

I'm off to do what makes me happy--heading into the mountains!