Find Something Other Than Your Work ... It'll Save You When Life Gets Real!

If someone who knew me had to answer the question, "What's JT's thing?" they would say...

He loves the Cubs!
He likes to work out!
He enjoys going on mission trips and helping others!

Between my second and third bouts with cancer, I traveled to Haiti with A Door to Hope - A Missions organization that partners with Haitians to accomplish the outcome of sustainability.

Since my cancer diagnosis took me OUT of the workforce in January 2017, I've begun to spend a lot of time speaking with and counseling individuals who are dealing with life's tragedies. Cancer, divorce, autism, infidelity, job loss ... I've learned that everyone's tragedy is paramount in their life; you can't measure one's tragedy against another's; and that, unfortunately, we'll all experience a personal tragedy at some point in life, which may take us from the mountain top into the valley.

While in Haiti, I met Jimmy who I refer to as The Mayor of Haiti! Jimmy broadcasts live each day from his house; I co-hosted with him for an hour or so on Haitian Radio.

I've also learned that individuals who have something outside their work life on which to focus their efforts seem to navigate life's tragedies a little easier.

While in Haiti, we spent several days in the Mountains, meeting and loving on the Haitian children and spending time with families on their terms ... meeting them where they live.

Recently, I was speaking with a cancer patient; this individual was just diagnosed, hadn't started treatment, and based on what I've experienced, as well as the individuals I've counseled with, has a pretty easy road ahead of him with treatment and overall diagnosis as it wasn't terminal.

I quickly learned this individual had given up before treatment had even begun. I had to have an honest and difficult conversation with him that only someone like me, who has lived through cancer hell, is allowed to have. During this conversation, I learned that all this man had in his life was his job; he referenced his career over and over and over.

I spent the day with this family. We washed clothes and dishes by hand and communicated and laughed together through an interpreter. This baby was left to this family after her 16-year-old mother had passed because medical care wasn't available to her.

Find something now -- other than your work!

The business we're all in can entice us to focus 100% on what we do. It's exciting, at times can be glamorous, and at the end of the day ... we aren't digging ditches!

When you have something other than your work and you hit a rough patch in your personal life or you topple from the mountain top to the valley, the plunge won't seem as deep, as you'll have seen others who have it a little more difficult than you.

When I hit a rough patch in my day due to my cancer diagnosis or receive news from my doctor that isn't great, I think of this Lil' One and what she'll face because she was born in a country that isn't as privileged as ours - it shifts my focus away from me!

Here's a few links to some organizations that could use you ... right now!

• A Door to Hope
• Autism Speaks
• Big Brothers Big Sisters of America
• National Foster Parent Association
  

Reach out with comments, ideas, or your stories and photos to John Thomas:
Cell: (585) 469-0738 || JT@AllAccess.com
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