Franklphile 12 March 2008

From the moment the latest issue of The Sun landed in my mailbox, I’ve been haunted by one line. There, at the back, stood this Sunbeam, “Live as if you were living a second time, and as though you had acted wrongly the first time.” Spoken by Viktor Frankl, Holocaust survivor, this sums up the story of my post-Cancer life.

What it means to me is this: For the second time in as many months, I sent an email that would have scared the shit out of the old Jennifer (if it’d occurred to her that telling her heart’s truth was even an option, that is). The only outcome that matters is having no regrets in retrospect. When I look back now, I know I did what I had to do (had I to do it over again).

I’m pretty sure my love ship’ll come sailing in soon. And until then, practice makes perfect sense to me!

Wakey Wakey 13 November 2007

A colleague’s life partner died suddenly of an aneurysm yesterday. As my friends closer to the situation deal with the devastating news, I feel compelled to do my Pixie part. So, here I am, reminding you that now may be the only moment you’ve got.

Any of us – young, old, healthy, sick, agile or clumsy – could suffer from equipment failure or go in some strange Six Feet Under situation. You just never know. But have no fear, my dears. Instead let’s pause for a pledge to get busy living!

I stumbled upon this quote recently in The Sun,

You know of the disease called “sleeping sickness.” There also exists a sleeping sickness of the soul. Its most dangerous aspect is that one is unaware of its coming. That is why you have to be careful. As soon as you notice the slightest sign of indifference, the moment you become aware of the loss of a certain seriousness, of longing, of enthusiasm and zest, take it as a warning. Your soul suffers from living superficially.”

Albert Schweitzer

Part of my personal post-Cancer process has included dealing with the pre-diagnosis “death” of my own enthusiasm for life. While I don’t blame the old me for living the only way she knew how, I’m sure sorry she had to learn the hard way to wake the heck up. The gratitude in my new attitude keeps the pep in my step pretty well. But today, more than usual, I’ll remember to smell the subway, send love to my peeps & dig deep into those dreams. I hope you will too.

Live large, my lovelies, & stay zestfully awake from sea to shining sea!

Be the Change 11 October 2007

In a time when a noose appears on Columbia’s campus, Columbinesque copy-cats creep up around our country and faith fades fast in lost leaders, I turn to wise words from another. Please take this one to heart and pass along the peace out there.

“The world is too dangerous for anything but truth and too small for anything but love.” – William Sloane Coffin

Once again, thanks for the Sunbeams, Sy & Co. My days are brighter with your light in my life.