It is funny, when you have a terminal illness people feel
free to ask you questions they’d never ask anyone else. Recently a “Facebook
friend” (I really don’t know them closely) asked me about the crazy home
remodeling projects I’ve been doing. They couldn’t believe I was spending the “time
I had left” ripping up vinyl flooring and screening in my porch. It got me to
thinking about why I keep doing these kind of projects. Like most things there
are “reasons” for that I do them. I believe in being proactive, that is making
plans and setting goals, and not simply reactive, waiting for things to happen
to me. So, why do I keep doing stuff? I keep tackling these projects for a few
reasons, first it is a tangible accomplishment, additionally it gives me
something to focus on that is not cancer, and finally it brings me joy.
Tangible Results
A lot of
what I do as a coach, pastor, parent, leader, etc. doesn’t really produce
tangible results. I believe it is all very important work, yet at the end of the
day you have not really produced a product. When I tackle home projects, from
building cabinets to screening in the porch, at the end of the project it is
done. It is something I can point to, flaws and all, and see that not only is
it done, but it stays done. I love working with people, helping them discover
their calling, overcome life’s obstacles, and conquer a life transition.
People, however, are never “done.” There is always another challenge, that is
life. Sometimes you just like to look at something and say, “I did that!”
Focus
There are a lot of days when I
am sick and tired of being sick and tired! Cancer demands a lot of attention.
You have to be careful what you eat and when. You have to take your meds, get
shots, go to the doctor. I explain to folks that having a chronic and/or
terminal illness is like having another full time job. It also costs a lot of
money both financially and in time you have to take off from work. It is kind
of a bummer when you have to burn vacation days for doctor appointments or
medical leave. When I am ripping out counter tops and scraping the floor I can,
for a little while, focus on something that isn’t cancer. I can invest body and
mind in solving the problems that arise and figuring out the best way to take
on a task. It also allows me time, when doing mindless repetitive tasks that
are often part of these processes, to have pretty frank talks with God about
how much cancer sucks and trying to figure out what to do next.
Joy
Finally, I
enjoy the satisfaction of a job well done. Oh sure there is usually lots of room
for improvement. There are plenty of flaws in the cabinets I built or the
floors I have put down. Even with these humility spots I get a lot of joy from
knowing that I put my sweat (and sometimes blood and some not so nice words)
into the project. I also have anticipated joy. I anticipate all the meals I
will cook for friends in our new and improved kitchen. I anticipate the joy of
sitting on the back porch, mosquito free, and listening to the birds in the morning
while I eat breakfast.
These are
just a few of my reasons about why I keep taking on projects and “doing stuff.”
How about you? So what is that you do that produces a tangible result? What
part of your life allows you to take a break from your struggles and focus on
something else? What activities bring you both current and anticipated future
joy? Leave me a comment below and tell me your story! Don’t forget to:
Live Passionately!
Marty
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