There is a “CAN” in Cancer

 There is a “CAN” in Cancer

Did you notice? There is a very positive and a very powerful CAN fused inside the word ‘can’cer. Yuvaraj Singh is the most talked about sports icon as on date. This time not for the reason of the power of his bat but for the way he hurled the discomfort, of being diagnosed with cancer, outside the boundary. He has really proved it that one CAN win over the biggest hurdle in life, provided one has the will to look beyond. Yuvaraj Singh is not the only player who defeated cancer. Mathew Wade got hurt on the playground and was diagnosed with cancer at the age of 16. It was tough for him to believe that his injury was not the one which could be cured by way of medicines or at best an operation. He went through all kinds of possible treatments and it took him 2 years to float across the sea of sickness. At 19, Wade came back on field and started practicing cricket. Eventually he got into playing national level games. Today, after Adam Gilchrist and Brad Hydin, Mathew Wade is the most preferred choice as a wicket keeper in the Australian Cricket squad. Mathew Wade is now determined to represent the country in 2015 world cup. From cancer to international cricket has been possible for Wade only because of his strong willpower, unfathomable positive self belief and indefatigable self confidence.

Late Dr. Sharad Raghunath Ingle, when he was on the verge of retirement from his professional career as a Principle of a Government Science College, was diagnosed with lung cancer in its final stages. Within a week of being diagnosed with cancer, one lung had to be removed and he was immediately pushed into the laps of chemotherapists and radiologists. Two months ordeal dealing with the disease did not put him into any apparent dis-ease at all. Dr. Ingle rejoined his college for a few weeks before retirement and in his first address to students he narrated the benefits of being diagnosed with cancer! Yes you read it right : BENEFITS from Cancer. The list he presented could be a prescription only from a man with exceptionally positive outlook. A few items from the illustrative list are :

* Benefits from Indian Railways for Cancer patients, discounted tickets, free travel for attendants etc.
* Sympathies and empathies visit your house in truck loads; You rarely have to purchase fruits!
* You get priority when standing in long queues.
* Your long lost relatives pay you a visit and relations get rejuvenated.
* You get to know yourself better since you start communicating with yourself more.
* You finish doing things you always wanted to do in life but somehow either procrastinated or hesitated doing those.

Post retirement Dr. Ingle started counseling & care services for cancer patients and their relatives. A teacher in him was always keen to educate. He used to teach them how to not to address sufferings. Cancer is just another disease and like one treats a blood pressure or a sugar, similarly one is required to take care of his physique and manages heath. At the time when he was diagnosed with cancer, doctors were not sure if he might survive for a few days or weeks! Good news is Dr. Ingle enjoyed every moment of his life for the next five years!

Your attitude plays the biggest role in addressing your issues. I read a quotation on the front door of a physician which said, “I will be able to cure you only if you believe in me”. You need to imbibe an extremely positive self belief even in the most difficult situations. Unfortunately belief is lost when it is required the most. This is a vital charachter which should be taught to us in early childhood. As a child we get taught certain wrong lessons by parent’s, though unintentional but sometimes fetal. When a kid lands up in a difficult situation elders invariably rush to get her out into a safe zone. This sounds humanly desirable but at times children should also be allowed to take on difficulties on their own. Parent’s cannot be life time guardians and life will not be smooth always. Sometimes hurdles are just unavoidable. Say for example if you are on your way to work / school and you meet with an accident. This might be a completely unavoidable state of affair. If you are stuck into an unfair and most unlikely situation, the first thing you need to do is to accept the situation as it is. Crying over an unhappy and uncalled for situation has never helped anyone to transcend. Once the total acceptance sinks in, you are then better prepared to look for solutions. Accepting a tough situation should not be confused with surrendering to it. While surrender is the end of efforts, acceptance is a new beginning.

Yuvaraj Singh had the access to the best of the medical care but it would not have been possible for him to come back cured if he had zero stock of belief. On the backdrop of such hero’s and warriors who fight strongly and win over the most challenging ordeals in life I look at common man who gets into the garbage of depression just on the knock of minor ailments! People are as strong as they think they could be. Excessive emotional indulgence into an ailment makes one weak. The only alternate is to take on the disease logically and pursue with ambitions in life emotionally. Let the right brain not know what the left brain is dealing with. If you think you CAN, even a cancer will not stop you from getting your dreams fulfilled, the need is to believe that you CAN and hence You MUST!

LESSONS FOR EXCELLENCE :

•A disease should be looked at only as a roadblock, not the end to it.
•An unsurmountable courage is the first tool to deal with difficulties.
•Irrespective of constrains if you CAN think “I CAN”, you WILL.
•It pays to be an optimist, be so always.
•If it is to be it is up to me to do it!

Feedback : Ajit Varwandkar

Email : md@fsindia.in

 

FOR MORE INSPIRATION : PLEASE READ :

1. You can still win …. http://bit.ly/zTLuXB

2. It’s possible to get what you want� http://bit.ly/z3QmOF