Well-being

Every day, we have a choice, whether we want to greet the world with gratitude or greet it with resentment. It is entirely up to us. Remember, you are in control of your emotions. No one but you. So when you get tested by people, by life, by situations (as you inevitably will), ask yourself this one, fundamental question, which may just save you a lot of pain, turmoil, and misery – do I want to respond with grace or with spite? In essence, this is what it boils down to. Our equilibrium and overall sense of well-being depends largely on the temperament we adopt as we go about our day-to-day lives. You are the architect of your own happiness – don’t outsource this responsibility to anything or anyone outside your orbit. Above all, dance daily. It’s tremendous medicine and a perpetual source of spiritual replenishment.

Fundraising

“Yes, yes! We are the lucky ones.”
(Mary Oliver)

Never have these words struck a chord with greater force than in recent times.

In January of this year, I received the devastating news that my brother-in-law had been diagnosed with metastatic cancer. To say this was a shock would be an understatement. Here is someone who leads a healthy lifestyle – doesn’t smoke, drinks sparingly, eats a balanced diet. Essentially, all the things we do to keep ourselves afloat amidst the wreckage of daily existence. And yet this happens.

We never know what is around the corner, do we? Ash (my brother-in-law) is still around, still fighting after undergoing chemotherapy, which continues. He has a young family, three boys who adore him, and I know that this is what keeps him going, along with the love of his family and friends. In the end, love is all we have and love is all we can give.

As a way of doing something positive, in the face of a cruel disease, I and several others are talking part in a fundraising event in the summer, raising funds for Macmillan Cancer Support, a simply vital cause. If you feel like sponsoring me, then needless to say that would mean the world to all of us. You can do so here:

https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/reggae

Life is a beautiful thing, but perhaps its beauty is given even greater resonance and meaning when the hand of mortality makes its presence felt. Mary Oliver was right – we are all beings of incredible good fortune.

All we can do is: live, live, live.