Notes From A Good Life

Monday, July 13, 2020

It was a perfect day in Tampa! As I walked to get lunch, I was overwhelmed with appreciation for the blue sky, the white, puffy clouds, the heat from the sun, and the caressing sea breeze. I smelled the freshly cut grass, vibrant green, and admired the perfection of the palm trees posed against the flawless sky. I felt immense gratitude. I felt good. I was completely present in the moment.
A thought entered my awareness: "You shouldn’t feel this good! You are at Moffitt Cancer Center preparing for a stem cell transplant. People are concerned for you. They are saddened by your situation. Are you in denial?"
I playfully answered my own thoughts, suggesting that the mental health evaluation scheduled that afternoon would surely clarify things. Then, I calmly dismissed those doubts. I wasn’t going to let that internal dialogue distract me from experiencing the present moment. I went to lunch blissfully content, savoring the postcard-perfect day.

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Thursday, January 9, 2025

I reflect on that day often. I can still immerse myself in the memory
and feel the same overwhelming sense of well-being. This memory serves as more than a reminder of how good life can be; it demonstrates the profound transformation that focusing on gratitude in the present mo
ment can create. Like many truths in life, the concept is simple but can be incredibly challenging to achieve.
At the time, my circumstances made it easy to be present. I wasn’t thinking about my past, and my future was, to say the least, uncertain. The only thing I was sure about was the present moment. And I immersed myself in it like I had never been able to do before.
My journey has taught me the power of mindfulness and gratitude. As I continue to reflect on these experiences, I feel compelled to share my story and what I have come to know with others. Through this blog, I hope to offer stories that uplift, encourage, and motivate. If my journey resonates with you, I invite you to join me!

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Join me on this journey.

If you find inspiration in my story or feel that your own journey resonates with the themes of gratitude, presence, and being awake, I would love for you to be a part of this community. Please feel free to share your thoughts in the comments below, and don’t forget to subscribe to stay updated on new posts. Together, we can continue to embrace the present moment and learn from the wisdom that life offers.