When something enters your life that is so big and so non-negotiable as catastrophic illness, you either go in denial for a while or ultimately you accept it and you make space for it. And in making space for it, you illuminate a lot of things that you normally don't have room for you simply just look at the world differently.
Interpretation
The quote reflects on how experiencing a major life event, such as illness, can lead to profound personal acceptance and a new perspective on life.
Michael J. Fox's quote underscores the transformative impact of facing catastrophic illness. It presents the idea that such a significant challenge can either lead to denial or acceptance, and through acceptance, one may find clarity and insights into life that were previously obscured. This realization highlights a shift in perception, allowing for a broader understanding and appreciation of the world.
In practice
During a support group discussion about coping with illness.
I find as long as I acknowledge the truth of something, then that's it. I know what it is and then I can operate. But if I overestimate the downside of something or the challenge of something and I get too obsessed about the difficulty of it, then I don't leave enough room to be open to the upside, the possibility.
My whole life, meeting people is like a blind date, because I feel like they've already seen the video on me.
There are no moments you have frozen in amber. It's moving, it's changing, so appreciate what's good about right now and be ready for what's next.
There's always failure. And there's always disappointment. And there's always loss. But the secret is learning from the loss, and realizing that none of those holes are vacuums.
Certainly people have a lot tougher situations than I've had to deal with. But I will say we are all dying from the moment we are born. This is not just rehearsal.
I'm a dad, I'm a husband, I'm an activist, I'm a writer and I'm just a student of the world.
The goal is to balance a life that works with a life that counts.
The man who gets the most out of life is not the one who has lived it longest, but the one who has felt life most deeply.
Every person my size has a different life, a different history. Different ways of dealing with it. Just because I'm seemingly O.K. with it, I can't preach how to be O.K. with it. I don't think I still am O.K. with it. There's days when I'm not.
When you're eighteen your emotions are violent, but they're not durable.
Life is rather like a tin of sardines - we're all of us looking for the key.
Here's to five miserable months on the wagon and the irreparable harm that it's caused me.
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