Staying happy during the toughest time of your life sounds impossible. Cancer never makes people happy!

When I had cancer I had a lot of conversation with myself. When I found out that I had cancer, I spent most of my time alone. But, spending time alone, it doesn’t mean I wanted to be stuck in this hopeless situation. I am a person that is hardwired to get out from any challenges and trouble and see results whether it comes from the rock bottom of my life or the vice versa.

Spending time alone, I’ve been asking myself often times that, “If I choose to be happy despite I was diagnosed with cancer, what should I lose or gain?” Obviously, there’s nothing to lose and everything to gain with positive thinking during my cancer healing journey.

When I chose happiness, it takes a lot of work within, but in the end, it is worth doing for me. As I chose happiness, it becomes my personal habit and it does help even after my life after cancer.

So, how did I actually do this? Here are the simple ways I personally did that it might work for some and it won’t work for others, but I will be happy to share how I choose happiness during the toughest time of my life:

1. I surround myself with positive people and energy.
   People who can bring positive energy to me during my cancer treatment and healing journey are the people I chose to be with. When there are times that I felt the weight of the world on my shoulders, they are the people who can bring the sunshine in the midst of my dark days with cancer. They’re there to cheer me up. They’re there to support me when I need it. And most especially, they’re there to make difficult decisions and choices less daunting.
2. I eliminate toxic people and relationships.
   Just like having a garden full of flowers blooming, you have to weed out all the unnecessary weeds that will most likely stop the other plants from growing healthily and beautifully. During the time I was fighting for my own life, I was able to learn to put myself first. It’s the only choice I have and it was the choice that formed me into what I am now. Not only that, I was able to learn how to put out negative people that have nothing to do but only give negative remarks that can sting my emotions especially. And also, learning to eliminate toxic people and relationships, I was able to learn how to say “no” easily without having a hard time to say that two-letter word.
3. I meditate.
   During my cancer journey, I was able to use the “mantra” from the book I read from my favorite author, Louise Hay, “You Can Heal Your Life“. Not only that, I was even more thankful for the people who are close to me that are faithfully praying for my complete healing, it really helped during my healing journey. All of this, to sum it up, prayers, positive affirmations, and meditation reprogram your subconscious mind to visualize a situation in a more positive light.
4. I put myself first.
   Since the time I found out that I had cancer, I played the “cancer card”. I never allow cancer will control my life. After I claim to myself, “Okay, I have cancer, so what?” If I day, that is maybe where my role in life will end. Claiming my cancer means, I lived my life. I write a journal, to start with. I follow my goals, both short-term and long-term ones. In the end, what did I lose? Nothing. What did I gain? Resilience, perseverance, quality friends and a new life after cancer.

I know it is too hard to stay positive during cancer. I was even struggling myself during that time. It’s also important to know that you don’t always have to be positive. There are times that you must also allow yourself to grieve and allow yourself time to vent your anger, frustration, and fears with a good friend are just as important as staying positive.

However, the biggest benefit of a good attitude is there is nothing to lose.

When it comes to cancer and the rest of your life, looking at it with a positive mindset won’t make the situation any worse. In fact, it makes life more enjoyable. Creating happiness is easy when you choose to look at the bright side, and there isn’t a downside to living a full and enjoyable life despite a negative health diagnosis.

Cancer is nothing anyone wants to deal with, but it’s not worth looking at in a negative light. You can’t change a diagnosis, but you can fight it with treatment and a good attitude. Let the power of positive thinking assist you in creating your own healthy lifestyle. Even if you’re not a positive person by nature, it’s easier than you think to change your outlook.

Cielo

Cielo Superticioso, is the author of The Cancer Voice Asia created last August 2017. Cielo focuses on the remarkable benefits of sharing her story and uses her own journey as a means to help you with yours.

http://thecancervoice.net

What do you want out of life despite you’re facing cancer at the moment?

This seems quite difficult to answer when you are facing cancer. You see, cancer suddenly turns you to be the most negative person and it is demoralizing your confidence and hope of living every day. But are you not supposed to live each day focusing on accomplishing specific goals that you are capable of doing only today?

Today I met a Vietnamese coach and shared her sentiments about the advocacy that I’ve been doing in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Coach Hồng Hạc shared this insightful words,  “Despite you being afraid of this disease, never stop from learning to understand and loving yourself first. Whatever cancer has brought you, take a lesson each day and know that you are still responsible for your own life“.

The bottom line is this.

We may use all our power to fight and defeat cancer, yet we forget that we need also to love and care for ourselves.

While at the moment you are experiencing pain, a constant weight loss, abandoned by a loved one, financial burden, and so on, these negative conditions; it will be unjust if you pay attention to these.

This is quite difficult, yes and you just wish to complain every minute and whine about the different kind of pain you feel because you think we deserve it!

Let’s take this for instance, right after my doctor had told me that I had cancer, I suddenly became depressed. In short, from that day, I was full of fears, anger, and uncertainties. But, I asked myself, “If I’m gonna die anytime soon, what are the things that I am capable of doing now that cancer could not do?”

It may be so hard to accept, but after being quiet for a few days until weeks, thought of lots of things, I had come to decide that I need to claim this. I had to claim that I have cancer, I will accept this, continue to live life and move on.

When I finally concluded to give all the negative conditions control over me, I suddenly realized that I still do have control over my thoughts, feelings, and actions. While I don’t have control over my final outcome, I decided to live like it was the last years of my life.

How did I do that?

I determine the thoughts that I think and the words that I speak.

I claimed my cancer. I accept the fact that I was sick therefore I must move on. Yet, I refuse to own this disease because this should not be living inside of me.

And three years now, even though my doctor said that it might come back after 4 years, I choose not to believe or even think of it.

What I am consistently claiming is, “my healing journey” and “my recovery”.

I create visions (short and long-term goals).

I never thought to become a blogger. My only goal is to live longer.

I communicate with gratitude.

It has been established that expressive and creative writing has therapeutic effects and writing your feelings gradually eases feelings of emotional trauma. Therefore, I mentally list or write down all the things and people for which I am grateful. This practice always leaves me feeling happier and in a good state of mind.

I choose my priorities.

After my surgery, I was so worried about the goals that I have been planning for a year. I have been working 6 days a week as a teacher with a minimum holiday so my dream is to visit my best friend in Hong Kong at the same time will celebrate my 30th birthday there.

That is my priority and I make sure that no matter how cancer took a lot of substance during my surgery and previous laboratories and doctor’s appointment, I must go.

So, think what is your priority that you must do now – and just do it!

I stay silent about my cancer.

Unlike today, I am very outspoken because this is now my new life after cancer. However, during the days I was facing cancer, I chose not to waste my time telling some people who gave me many questions just for the sake of asking questions!

Well, if they want an update, I shared it to my social media.

I choose my friends wisely.

This time, I had very few friends including my sister. It was either I chose not to talk to them and kept explaining what they cannot fathom or some just simply stop talking to me (giving the benefit of the doubt, maybe they just don’t know what to say).

I mostly spent my time alone apart from going to work. Before my surgical tumor removal, I was very sick and legs are so painful. After the surgery, I was still sick because I could not accept the final diagnosis.

It was hard to be upbeat and positive while thinking about death during those days. So, I chose to hang out to only less than five people or just to be alone.

I believe there is hope for a cure.

From the day I found out that I’ve got an incurable disease, I intentionally look for stories of people escaping the unexpected and unfamiliar, overcoming prognoses and doing the impossible. I am quite sure that these people overcame because they ALSO believed they could and not the contrast.

Cielo

Cielo Superticioso, is the author of The Cancer Voice Asia created last August 2017. Cielo focuses on the remarkable benefits of sharing her story and uses her own journey as a means to help you with yours.

http://thecancervoice.net