The Big C and the Beautiful Gift of Life

Last night Melissa and I spent a wonderful evening with two of my favorite people. One is a close family member who was recently diagnosed with stage four cancer.

This is the fourth person I’ve been very close to who has been stricken with a fate that claims so many of our loved ones. Each lived a healthful lifestyle and made the most of the time they were blessed to be granted. Sometimes there’s just no predictable risk pattern, rhyme or reason.
It just is.

In my work, I’m often guiding folks who are struggling with how best to take care of themselves and live a high quality life filled with health, purpose, joy and balance. Sometimes the focus is more on making ends meet or just keeping a steady income to provide for our families.

But in then end, as I’ve learned in conversations with these wonderful people who have touched me so deeply and taught me so much, it’s simply about love.

When you love something or someone, you give it all you have. And you give yourself completely. You should love yourself, too. Because there’s no one you’ll ever spend more time with, no one who knows you better, no one in a better position to give you the life you deserve, however long that may last.

So if you look deeply in your heart and can honestly say you’ve
given yourself the same kind of passion, commitment and support you’ve extended to those people and endeavors that have meant the most to you, then you’re living a full life indeed.

I wish that for you.

I’d like to close with a profound and moving Facebook post I
saw this morning, quite by coincidence, from a high school friend who, like me, is a fitness professional. I’m sharing it now with you with her blessing:

“A friend of my daughter's passed away this evening from cancer. He was 31. It could be that I understand the finality of death with my dad dying at 32, mom at 37 and husband at 37, but for me it's the quality of life that I can live while I'm here. It's not about how skinny you can be, or how successful in a job you can be. It's about the memories and the legacy you pass on to those who are close to you. Nothing is permanent. Share love with those you love; don't overwork, over-exercise, under-eat; do what you love. There is no guarantee you'll be here tomorrow to try it all again. Peace XO” 

Dan is a nationally certified personal fitness trainer and former continuing education faculty member of the National Academy of Sports Medicine and the American Council on Exercise. He is the owner and head trainer at Tri Valley Trainer in Pleasanton, which provides personal training, small group fitness and nutrition guidance. He can be reached at Dan@TriValleyTrainer.com

About this column: Fitness trainer Dan Taylor explores the broad landscape of fitness, sensible eating and the many aspects of healthy living in the Tri-Valley community.