This is NOT the Life I Ordered...

It was an impulse buy.  I read the title and just up and bought the book.

 

And it turns out the book is every bit as good as the title.

 

This is NOT the Life I Ordered...

50 Ways to keep your head above water

when life keeps dragging you down.

 

This book was written by 4 amazing woman who really know about Living the Life NOT Ordered.

 

I read it during our week at the Lake...because really, fishing and me...well, let's not go there.  Reading was, oh, so much more relaxing.  Just me, a book and the lounge chair by the pool.  And such a good book.  It had me from the opening page.

 

Because I'm thinking that all of us, at one time or another could say, "Hey, wait a minute... this is not the way I thought things would turn out."  As a matter of fact, my mom said almost the exact same thing just days after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.

 

Reeling from the diagnosis, she was the first to accept that the disease was terminal.  In essence she had just been handed the last chapter of her life.  And it wasn't ending the way she had expected.  Practical as ever, she took a deep breath and just said, "Well, this isn't the way I planned to spend my retirement."  And she laughed and then proceeded to play the hand she was dealt.  Hills and Valleys, Sorrows and Joys.

 

And I am still amazed at her courage and her strength to face such a terrifying diagnosis.  Pancreatic Cancer was definitely not the Life she had Ordered.

 

So what do you do?

 

How do you face the Life Challenge?

 

Can you really keep your head above water when life is intent on dragging you down?

 

The authors of this book are a testament to Lives Lived Well.  They are resilient and loving and funny and wise and they have all faced the worst that life has to offer.  And come out the other side with Hope and Purpose.  Choosing to not only survive, but to thrive.

 

Their stories and bits of wisdom have stayed with me.  It is inspiring to read of their courage in the face of death, infidelity, cancer, miscarriage and a million other catastrophic Life Challenges.  They truly know that of which they speak.

 

There is no magic formula... but their practical advice is a lifeline of encouragement for anyone facing Life's Obstacles and Tragic HeartAches.

 

I finished the book all too soon...and found myself adding to their list. There are so many ways to Live Life Well.  Our journey with pancreatic cancer and its aftermath has been the most debilitating Life Challenge our family has ever faced.  And the road with cancer has taught us so many things...

 

Would you join me in the coming days as we add to the list? 

 

Sharing.  Encouraging.  Inspiring. Each. Other.

 

I will start tomorrow with #51...

 

Keeping Our Heads Up As the Waves Threaten to Swamp,

 

In Grace Always,

                         Jane