Daily Prompt ~ The Present

“Yesterday is history. Tomorrow is a mystery.

Today is a gift. That’s why it is called the present.”

― Eleanor Roosevelt

P.S.  My apologies to Daily Prompt ~ I thought we could pick a ‘cliche’ like bird in the hand!  Whoops!

This is one of my all time favorite quotes and I am so happy that the  Daily Prompt  today allows me to share why Eleanor’s quote is so near and dear to me.  For those that don’t know, I am an 11 year breast cancer survivor and this was one of the many quotes which changed my life.  In fact, it changed me so profoundly that I made it my motto!

BC (Before cancer) I was a happily married mom of 2 boys ages 3 and 1 who was a full-time Spanish teacher who loved her life.  Blessed with my dream hubby, dream job and 2 healthy, happy sons, my life was great although my hubby was traveling a lot at the time so I was learning a lot about myself and how to juggle a full, fast-paced life!

No mistaking it ~ I was happy, but I was rushing through my life at breakneck speed.  It seemed that  I was constantly concentrating on teaching and my children and my husband and our family life and our house, our cat, our finances and such ~ all at the same time with the same intensity.  What I wasn’t concentrating on was myself.   I was taking “me time” which was falling asleep on the couch watching tv after I put the kids to bed when my husband wasn’t around, but I always keeping one ear and eye open for any stray noises in the night or a child’s sniffle.  You know what that’s like if you’re a parent.  It is the norm for so many people!

Then came the morning when I found the lump and after that, my life as I knew it changed in an instant although I didn’t realize it at the time.

The beauty in my present life is that when I write my blog and post on my FB page, I do it from a place of knowing and experience.  I’m not just some rah rah inspirational woman who hasn’t lived in the sad place of illness or been beaten down by 14 surgeries or lost her femininity for awhile along with her breasts, her hair and her sense of self.  I’ve known grief, depression, loss and sadness in my life.  I’ve experienced a multitude of unspeakable moments which have shaped me into the woman I am today.  And what I find so amazing is that if I had to endure the past journey that I have lived in order to be in this amazing place of now, today ~ then I feel that I am blessed with a PRESENT for which I am ever grateful!

Because I am still that gal who sees the glass as 1/2 full, frolics with her amazing children, holds hands with the same wonderful hubby, now enjoys napping with 2 cats and who has grown in so many ways and appreciates life every step of the way!  It’s your choice, it’s in your attitude, for it’s your life and you hold the key to your happiness!

Today is yours ~ you have a choice ~

Enjoy the Presents of Presence!

Shine On!

xo