"The quickest way to change your attitude toward pain is to accept the fact that everything that happens to us has been designed for our spiritual growth."
American Author
1936 - 2005
I think that we can learn valuable lessons from everything that happens to us. I believe that one of the reasons we are on this earth is to learn and grow as human beings. Sometimes we do better than others. And sometimes we fail to learn our lessons again and again.
In 2006 I was diagnosed with prostate cancer and had robotic surgery. I believed then and still believe today that it was an experience that taught me several things — from humility to gratefulness.
And while this maybe difficult for some to accept, I think the rejection we experience as creative leaders is meant to teach us valuable lessons. So the next time you face some challenge in your life, ask yourself what lessons you can learn from this experience. What gift are you being given?
Here is a poem I wrote in response to my diagnosis of cancer and my surgery.
Surgery
playing with the squirrels
and rabbits. I am barbecuing
steaks for dinner and
the wife is preparing the salad.
Tomorrow I am having surgery
and God has come by to
wish me well. He says I
should not worry because
He will be there holding
my hand. I smile and
ask if He wants to take
my place on the operating
table. He ignores my
request and goes on
chatting about how much
better I will feel when
the cancer has been ripped
from my body. I flip
the steaks over one more time.
