Last week I got word that a fellow AML fighter (who had a stem cell transplant at HUP a few weeks before Glenn) has relapsed on her day 100. This news hit me really hard- and despite every effort to distance myself from the anger and sadness that I feel about this news- it has weighed on me heavily. One thing that helps me to focus on putting one foot in front of the other, and on realizing that our dreams are lived day to day- is reading from quotes that I collect for just this purpose.
This is an excerpt from the book Simple Abundance (my favorite daily spiritual book for the past 10 years ) on the topic of authentic success.
"Authentic success is having time enough to pursue personal pursuits that bring you pleasure, time enough to care for your home, tend to your garden, nurture your soul. Authentic success is never having to tell yourself "maybe next year." Authentic success is knowing that if today were your last day on earth, you could leave without regret. Authentic success is feeling focused and serene when you work, not fragmented. It's knowing that you've done the best that you possibly can, no matter what circumstances you faced; it's knowing in your soul that the best you can do is ALL you can do, and the best you can do is always enough.
Authentic success is accepting your limitations, making peace with your past, and reveling in your passions so that your future may unfold according to a Divine Plan. It's discovering and calling forth your gifts and offering them to the world to help heal its ravaged heart. It's making a difference in other lives and believing that if you can do that for just one person each day, through a smile, a shared laugh, a caress, a kind word, or a helping hand, you are blessed.
Authentic success is not about accumulating but letting go, because you already have all you need. Authentic success is feeling good about who you are, appreciating where you've been, celebrating your achievements, and honoring the distance you've already come. Authentic success is reaching the point where being is as important as doing. It's the steady pursuit of a dream. It's realizing that no matter how much time it takes for a dream to come true in the physical world, no day is ever wasted. " Sarah Ban Breathnach
Live each day with a heart overflowing--
Amy
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
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13 comments:
Amy
Thank you for sharing your insight. As my husband's caretaker through this very challenging journey, sometimes I need to be reminded of the simple things in life.
Like you, I have learned to live one moment at a time and find gratitude in eached blessed moment....
Still standing on faith...
Dayna Shearer
Wow...I love that! You have always been such an inspiration to me of what I strive to be, especially as a mother, but never more so than you have through this difficult journey. You continually remind me what's truly important. Thank you.
Hugs and kisses to all of the Gleasons.
Amy,
You are so inspiring. I really like the part about making a difference in another's person's life with a smile, a helping hand, or a kind word. We can all strive to do that.
You (and your family) are in my thoughts and prayers constantly.
Love,
Dawn
Amy...you and your whole family inspire so many. We are all so blessed to have you in our lives. You are so wonderful. I think about you and Glenn and the kids everyday and know that you all have touched so many people in ways you will never imagine.
We should have known you would be special from the day Kate fell off the slide, to your patience while watching all of us and traveling with us (that could not have been easy). You have taught me so much through your words and the way you live. I fell I am a better wife, friend and mother because of you! Thank you
Glenn you inspire all of us. Your strength is true and you heart is gold. Thank you for being you and choosing such a wonderful woman to love.
Love you all so much!
Eileen
I have no other words except "WOW"
Renee
Happy Thoughts! xoxo Kathleen
Glenn and Amy
I am sorry about your friend and hope the setback is temporary. As Glenn continues to focus and achieve authentic success, may each day bring deeper resolve to get past the 75th, 100th and 150th day. We are all praying for these goals which seem to be clearly within reach. Glenn's "warrior" status is amazing and deeply rooted within his strength, faith and belief. Amy and his family remain a bullwark within that support system so let's all keep marching together step by step and day by day.
Love and Peace surrounding you
bonnie
Gleason Family,
I have been following your blog for the past few months. Our nephew Jeff was diagnosed with AML in 2007 and is still in the heat of battle. Jamie's blog introduced me to you and your world.
Please know that your writings have touch my heart on so many different occasions. You have made me laugh and cry at the same time many, many times. Know that you have achieved "authentic success" over and over. Just in this passage alone "It's making a difference in other lives and believing that if you can do that for just one person each day, through a smile, a shared laugh, a caress, a kind word, or a helping hand, you are blessed." So many times, you have touched me, this person in Western Pennsylvania whom you have never met and may never meet. This horrific journey that you are on is one that is touching, teaching, inspiring and spiritually moving so many. Albeit not your intent nor the way you would choose to do so...it is happening none the less.
Please know you are in my prayers. I pray for Glenn's recovery that he may continue to bring his good to the world. I pray for you, Amy, that you may continue to be this obviously talented, forever grateful force of a woman that the world cries out for. I pray for your children that they gleen your strength, humor and courage.
Thank you for your words, your videos, your photos and especially for letting me peak into your world so that I may "live each day with a heart overflowing".
God Bless you,
Candy Eckert
Wow. Thank you very much Candy. I follow Jamie and Jeff's story, as well. We are all in this together. Thank you for taking the time to write all that out- I was running on empty this morning- and it helped.
(And thanks to all of you who comment- it means a lot to us when we see that sharing the good, the bad and the ultra ugly is making a difference- )
much love-
Amy
Amy
I wanted to let you know that I have shared your "Authentic Success" with my circle of support on my husband's blog http://chucksblog.wimmermachine.com/
I hope you don't mind. In reading through your blog entries over the past year, I found an odd comfort that someone else was living in my world this past year.
I am also blessed with wonderful and incredibly supportive family and friends. I know they would be inspired by the reading.
I can so relate in living in the dual reality; one where you live fever to fever, infection to infection and breath to breath; the other a place where life continues on as mail needs to sorted, bills nees to paid, laundry need to done.
I just wanted to Thank you for helping me to heal alittle bit. This journey has been incredibily challenging.
May God continue and bless you with Strength, Courage and Fortitude..
Dayna
You both are so amazing. How two people can both be so giving of themselves and to share that with all of us. I also love hearing about the Blue Sharks. Adam's soccer team is the Blue Barracuda's. He scored his first goal today! It is all those little things in life we need to soak up and enjoy. I look forward to when you are all able to travel together to eastern PA and watch some backyard soccer.
Much love,
Darlene
Oops, I mean western PA. Where's my brain? I must be longing for a trip to eastern side of the state.
Amy, I always look forward to reading your postings- not only to see how a fellow BMTer is doing, but for your unique and creative pieces. I pray that Glenn continues to improve, your family and you maintain thelove and energy you have--I know how much is needed on this journey.
Glenn, that last note of yours for Amy was very touching. She must be very special. Lord knows this is not something one can handle on their own. Our best wishes for the next half of the 100!
Sharon and Bob Alexander
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