Tag: Hope

Truly Living

Today’s a new day! Are you just merely existing in this journey called life?

As I look around me, I see so many people who are just walking through the motions of everyday life, but they are not truly living life. They are not embracing it. For whatever ever reason they have stopped living before their hearts stopped beating. 

As I have walked this crazy beautiful health journey for the past twenty-three years, I have learned that living a meaningful life has nothing to do with how much money you have in the bank or the materialistic things that you may possess. To truly live has nothing to do with your status in life.

To truly live life is to appreciate everything that you are. To live your life being aware of all your shortcomings but still loving yourself. To understand that those imperfections are part of who you are. To realize that you do not need to change anything about yourself to just impress others. Make changes because they make you a better person. To understand that you are far from perfect but you are unique. There is only one of you walking on this earth. To truly live is to be happy with the person that God uniquely created…You.

To truly live life means to take that trip now, instead of waiting for the right time. The right time is now. A lot can happen in life between now and the right time. Choose to embrace adventure now.

To truly live life means to be in the present, to live in the moment and not waste your time dwelling on the past, or what could have been. To let go of what has happened and focus on what you can do right now to live a better life. To be a better person.

To truly live means to appreciate everything around you. To take time to watch the sunrise or sunset, listen to the birds singing, sit by the ocean or call up some friends to get together to just celebrate living.

To truly live life is to be okay expressing your feelings. To accept that sometimes we need to laugh, cry or scream. To allow yourself to grieve and heal.

To truly live life is to appreciate each moment. To find awesomeness and wander in every day life. To make the choice to get up every day and try to make the best of every day because you don’t know if you’ll be here tomorrow. To try and learn something from each of your life experiences.

To truly live life is to spend time with friends and loved ones. To surround yourself with those that encourage, challenge and inspire you to live your best life.

To truly live life is to find your purpose and live it out. To chase after your hopes and dreams and then go out and accomplish them. To never give up!

To truly live life is to be kind and respectful to others. To buy breakfast for the person in line behind you. To reach out to family and friends to let them know how much they mean to you. To smile at a stranger. To take time to do one selfless act, big or small, on a regular basis. To truly live is to try to make a difference in your part of the world. 

To truly live life is to make the world a better place for the next generation. This one life is a beautiful gift. Embrace it! ~OC

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Taking Time to Pause

Today’s a new day! Is your life so busy at times that you miss out on time with God? I think that can happen at times, but we can never allow the busyness of life to continually keep us from missing out on those precious moments with God.

The Power of Pausing with God

God’s presence is powerful, especially in a busy life, and the benefits are immense.

When we intentionally slow down, we:

• Renew our strength – Not only do our bodies need rest, but so do our souls. Pausing in God’s presence restores our strength (Isaiah 40:31)

• Gain clarity and wisdom – Stepping away from the chaos allows us to hear God’s guidance (Psalm 46:10)

• Increases trust – Slowing down in life reminds us that God is in control, not us (Exodus 14:14).

• Deepens our connection –Pausing prepares our hearts to be vulnerable with God and usher in His presence. (James 4:8)

So today, take some time to pause, breathe and spend some time with God. ~OC

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A Beautiful Day

Today’s a new day! Can you imagine the day when we are held by the same loving hands that created us? The hands that formed us and redeemed us will welcome us into our eternal home. What a beautiful day that will be!

John 14:3:

“And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.”

Thank You, Jesus, for the hope of eternity with You. One day, all the pain, tears, sorrow and trials will fade away, and we’ll forever be with You.

Revelation 21:4:

“He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.””

So hold on, child of God—our forever HOME awaits! ~OC

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God Knows Our Future

Today’s a new day! We don’t know our future, but God does. He not only knows it, but God has carefully planned and designed it and has full control over it. From this point of view, our future, although different from what we may have imagined, it is in the most secure place: in God’s hands.

Whenever we feel scared and confused, we must remember that we know the One who knows our future and everything about us. God is the One who knows us on the most intimate level and knows our earthly life from our first breath to our very last one. ~OC

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Upcoming Interview

Here is some information about an upcoming interview. I pray you have a wonderful day.

What’s even better than a TED Talk? A Todd Talk!!* 🎉

Join authors—and long-term chronic illness warriors— Andrea Herzer (https://www.andreaherzer.com/) and Todd Shoemaker (https://www.theblessedovercomer.org/)for honest, hope-filled conversations about living with difficult diagnoses, discovering purpose in pain, and finding ministry amid your medical challenges. You’ll even receive tried-and-true tips for both caregivers and care-receivers.

In our three part series, you’ll find encouragement, companionship, and likely a few “Me too!” moments. As C.S. Lewis once said, “Friendship is born at that moment when one person says to another: ‘What! You too? I thought I was the only one.’”

✨ Our three-part series kicks off June 26 in Andrea’s private Facebook group, Embracing Abundant Life Together. (https://www.facebook.com/groups/lifeforillness)Join now so you don’t miss out on the fun and fellowship!

*Not affiliated with TED, but definitely Todd-approved.

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Simply Breathe

Today’s a new day! Once again, I am sharing a post that has taken me weeks to write. Maybe years if I am being truly honest. I hope it makes you think as you walk through this journey called life.

What if we truly lived like suffering and death wasn’t something to be feared? What if we could talk about suffering and dying as naturally as birth and living? What if there was a liberty in accepting the limitations of our human existence on this earth and freedom in embracing what it means to live and to die well?

These are the thoughts and ideas that I have been exploring since my crazy beautiful health journey started so many years ago. I have become fascinated with the language and narrative around a chronic or terminal diagnosis. The longer I travel this journey, the more I realize there is more to this race than simply surviving.

Sadly, there is a false narrative that suffering and death is somehow a sign of not having enough faith or somehow someone has failed in some way. This is simply not true. We seem to have lost the sense of the precious and fragile nature of life.

My own health journey has brought many hospital stays, major surgeries and years of treatments. But as time marches by, I am finding that I am less inclined to easily consent to the next treatment option that’s offered. Not because I don’t want to live, but because I want to weigh carefully the cost and the benefits. Living longer is not enough for me anymore. I strive to live well.

I have learned the hard way how long it can take to recover from a major surgery or treatment and how exhausting and stressful it can be for my family and friends. Also how long it is before I recover a sense of myself. A surgery or treatment that is nothing more than a bandaid is not a choice I want to put myself or my loved ones through anymore.

So, my goal is to continue grabbing on to hope, happiness and wellbeing, even as my body continues to decline. Doing everything I can to feel well, live life with purpose and continue to live life as myself and not some number on a medical chart. To take control of the decisions around my medical care, to equally weigh both the quality and quantity of life. To continue challenging the false beliefs around suffering and dying as I continue to run this beautiful race.

Some people reading this will say that I am being negative, but I have found complete liberty and joy in resisting the narratives on suffering. For too long our society has hidden away the realities of suffering and refused to discuss it. Our fragility and humanity seems to be denied as we continue to seek medically enabled immortality.  My heart breaks to see so many people spending their days chasing after miracle cures rather than enjoying the miracle of the life they still have.

I do not fear the end life, but I do fear losing my identity to the different health issues that are trying to control every aspect of my life. I will not give in or give up. I am choosing instead to laugh, read a good book, listen to some great music and make amazing memories with my loved ones. To simply breathe and embrace life.

I have found peace in this acceptance that allows me to have open and honest conversations about life and how that currently looks for me. I am grateful that as I live my best days in the best way possible, I am able to have real conversations about this journey I am traveling. Wherever this health journey leads me, will be an opportunity for me to share my faith, to laugh with loved ones and to hopefully encourage someone along the way. One thing this journey will not be about is failure or defeat. No, this journey will be filled with embracing life and everything that comes with it. A choice to live life with purpose and meaning. I pray you will join me on this adventure and strive to live the amazing life set before you. ~OC

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A Flicker

Today’s a new day! As this crazy beautiful health journey gets a little tougher each day, I want to take some time to share a few lessons I have learned along the way. The following has been written over a series of weeks and months. I hope it brings a time of reflection as you walk out your own journey.

  • Do not waste your time on things that you don’t enjoy. I have learned it’s hard to succeed in something that you don’t like. Patience, passion, and dedication come more easily when you love what you do.
  • Do not be concerned over other people’s opinions. Being caught up in others opinions can weaken and paralyze you. If you let it, it can grow worse and worse every day until there is nothing left of you, but a empty shell of yourself. Listen to God’s voice and go with it. Some people may call you crazy, but many may be encouraged by your choices.
  • Do not allow any person or situation to control your life. Take full responsibility for your actions. Limit bad habits and try to lead a healthier lifestyle. Find a hobby that makes you happy. Most of all, do not procrastinate. Make the most of each day. Let your life be shaped by the decisions you make not by the ones you didn’t.
  • Do not be so busy, that life slips past you. Appreciate the people around you. May your friends and family always be a source of strength and love. Never take them for granted.

It is difficult for me to fully express my feelings about the importance of these simple realizations, but I hope that you will listen to someone who has experienced how valuable time is.

I am not upset or scared about what lies ahead because this health journey has helped bring meaning and purpose to my life. Each day is a beautiful gift to be celebrated. So every day, I take some time to take it all in. Time is truly a beautiful gift.

As I continue to run this health journey, I have learned that everyone has potential. But potential means nothing without the courage to realize it. To believe that God has given each of us purpose in this life. To turn that purpose into amazing opportunities.

We can move through a life created by circumstances, missed moments and opportunities or we can strive for what we believe in and write the amazing story of our life. I hope you will make the right choice.

I pray you will leave a positive mark on this world. That your life will be filled with hope and meaning. Life is a beautiful playground, where dreams are possible. Yet, we are not here forever. Our life is a short spark in this beautiful world that flies by with incredible speed. So, live your life with meaning and passion. Embrace every moment. Make it spectacular. Make it count! ~OC

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Juneteenth

Today’s a new day! Today is also Juneteenth. I want to share a few thoughts about this day and its significance in American history.

My journey to remembering and celebrating Juneteenth occurred later in life due to a lack of knowledge, as I was educated at a time where most school systems did not adequately teach on African American history and culture. (That’s why we can never return to those days). I believe the history of African Americans and their contributions to American society have often been overlooked or marginalized in traditional education systems. Learning about Juneteenth and understanding its significance can be a powerful awakening to the complexities of American history and the ongoing struggle for racial equality.

‍As I have learned more about Juneteenth, it serves as a reminder of both the injustices of the past and the resilience and perseverance of African Americans in the face of adversity. Juneteenth is not just a celebration of freedom from slavery but also a call to action for social justice and equality for all people. By remembering and celebrating Juneteenth, people of all races can honor the struggles and achievements of African Americans and work together towards a more just society. The journey of learning and growth is valuable not only for personal understanding but also for fostering greater empathy and solidarity across all communities.

‍It is never too late to learn and embrace aspects of history that may have been previously overlooked or omitted. Today, my call to action for you, for me, for communities across America is to be open to truly learning our history. All of our history. This will hopefully allow us to contribute to the broader effort of recognizing and honoring the diverse experiences and contributions of all individuals and communities.

Happy Juneteenth! ~OC

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We Can Never Forget

Today’s a new day!

“Terrible things are happening outside. Poor helpless people are being dragged out of their homes. Families are torn apart. Men, women and children are separated. Children come home from school to find their parents have disappeared.” ~Diary of Ann Frank, January 13, 1943

It’s important to reflect on the words of Anne Frank from her diary in 1943 as we face the challenges of this world in 2025.

These words, though written during one of the darkest periods in human history, echo eerily in the stories we see and read about across the country in today’s current state. Stories of displacement, family separations, and the marginalization of the vulnerable persist, reminding us of the importance of empathy, advocacy, and action in the face of injustice.

The entries in Anne Frank’s diary serve as an enduring reminder of the consequences of indifference and the necessity of standing up for humanity. It calls on us to reflect on how we treat one another and to ensure that history does not repeat itself. It is our responsibility to build a society rooted in compassion, love, understanding, and unity. We can never forget. ~OC

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Choose Wisely

Today’s a new day! Will your next thought, word, social media post or action make someone’s day better or worse? Choose wisely. ~OC

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