From Beating the Odds…
I try to live by the 11 lessons every day, in every way, to fight this silent but persistent foe.
11 Lessons
The eleven lessons to overcome a health crisis that are found in this book are born out of the experiences I have had over the last 51 years as I have overcome the challenges with my health that I faced. At my darkest hour, I made it to the other side. This book tells the story. It includes anecdotes of the people I have met along the way and the impact they had on my life and my perspective.
Never underestimate the role those around you can and do play in your life. Both positive and, unfortunately negative. Be on guard against the negative influences and cherish and cultivate the one’s that motivate and inspire you.
I have applied these lessons not only to overcoming challenges with health but in every area of my life; Personal and professional.
These lessons are applicable not only to overcome a health challenge but are tools that you can use to overcome any adversity that you have in any area of your life.
Cultivating resiliency in your life. That is the singular aim I hope to impart. Tools, tactics, and lessons learned over a lifetime in the trenches.
Lesson 1: Attitude is Everything
“Each day is another chance and choice to impact one life…that is your own.”
Lesson 2: Be the C.E.O. of Your Own Health
“Lead, manage, motivate and advocate.”
Lesson 3: There is Power in Your Response
“Make your responses to whatever happens to you bold and daring. It will forever change your world.”
Lesson 4: Live in Day-tight Compartments
“The beauty and genius of life is that it begins anew every 24 hours”
Lesson 5: Dream Big and Write it Down
“The future is truly a blank slate…focus on dreaming.”
Lesson 6: Get-Up, Dress-Up, Show-Up
“The power of rising can never be overstated. It lets you take control of your day.”
Lesson 7: Power of Prayer
“Prayer is grounded in gratitude.”
Lesson 8: Power of Laughing and Smiling
“Let your smile change the world, but don’t let the world change your smile.” – Connor Franta
Lesson 9: Never Give Up!
“Let the clock count you out….not your will.”
Lesson 10: Never Better
“It’s a frame of mind, an approach to life”
Lesson 11: Choose to Live Your Life Always
“You must make a choice to take a chance, or your life will never change.” – Zig Ziglar
Stoicism
Stoicism originates in ancient Greek and Roman times. It’s a philosophical school of thought that focuses on eliminating negative emotions, leaning in on what you can control which is your response to your environment, not outside events. The eleven lessons are informed, in part, by the stoics and their philosophy of life.
“the impediment to action advances action. What stands in the way, becomes the way.”
— Marcus Aurelius 161 C.E.
“first say to yourself what you would be; and then do what you have to do.”
— Seneca 65 C.E.
“The World turns aside to let anyone pass who knows where they are going”
— Epictetus 135 C.E.
“Your mind will take the shape of what you frequently hold in thought, for the human spirit is coloured by such impressions”
— Marcus Aurelius 161 C.E.
“it is not because things are difficult that we do not dare, it is because we do not dare that things are difficult”
— Seneca 65 C.E.
“Beating the Odds
is a book that young and old alike should read.
It is encouraging and insightful, as well as a teaching tool for all those who happen to see life as ‘a glass half empty.’”
Mila Mulroney, Honorary Director of Cystic Fibrosis Canada