Thoughts on 3 stories

This posting is dedicated to three people and one Hospice Team. The Hospice Team is the hard working people of Seasons Hospice, who bring compassion to the world every day.

I have the honor and joy of reading through all the Team emails, and every day there are stories of overcoming hardships - and as we seek to give compassion to others, sometimes, we cannot go on without being restored by God - i think - everyone who works in Hospice knows that. Reiki refers to the energy we receive as the Universal Life Force, but for me, i just think of it as a gift from God.

The first web site is that of Lance Armstrong.
http://www.livestrong.org/site/c.khLXK1PxHmF/b.2661055/k.E8CE/Manifesto.htm

Lance after 3 1/2 years out of competitive cycling, returned to the Tour de France and finished 3rd, competing against the best cyclists in the world. His example in the years Tour de France was a journey of courage - but for those who do not know, on October 2, 1996, Lance was diagnosed with Testicular Cancer and liver and brain metastases, and his chances of survival were considered small. Lance dedicated his ride in this years Tour to his Foundation, "Livestrong" - and for those not aware of Lance's story in his battle against Cancer, or his battle to help others, this link is to his Foundation's Manifesto. Lance also has Hospice links on his site, as, not all battles against cancer are as successful as his own.

The second web site is that of Nick Vujicic
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H8ZuKF3dxCY
This unbelievable web site which affirms "I Love Life" was sent to me by a cousin, and i simply found the story of courage hard to believe. It is an inspiring message.

The third web site is that of Randy Pausch who died July 25, 2008
http://download.srv.cs.cmu.edu/~pausch/
Randy was the teacher who recorded "Yhe Last Lecture," and there is a link to that lecture on this web site.

I do not think it is accurate to say that Lance "lost" the Tour de France, or that Randy "lost" his battle to Cancer. Or that Nick Lost" his struggle to sit up.

Each of these struggles are stories of human victory, and they are examples to us all. Thankful to God, connected to each other, we have the opportunity to allow kindness to pass through us.

The truth is that, in Hospice, we see stories of suffering like Lance's and Randy's and Nick's every day. The challenge is to "Love Life," "Livestrong," and help each other.

To those who share the journey of bringing compassion into the world, i give thanks. My admiration to those who help light the way for us all.