At the beginning of 1996, Lance Armstrong was the number one ranked cyclist in the world. And by early October, Lance had been diagnosed with testicular cancer, which had spread to his lungs and brain. He was given a less than fifty percent chance of survival. With the help of specialists and chemotherapy, he fought the illness and won. Lance then went on to win seven Tour de France titles.
Despite the pain and suffering, Lance Armstrong considers cancer to be the best thing that ever happened to him. In his book, It’s Not About the Bike, he said, “I don’t know why I got the illness, but it did wonders for me, and I wouldn’t want to walk away from it. Why would I want to change, even for a day, the most important and shaping event in my life.”
I would certainly consider cancer to be the most inconvenient thing that could ever happen to me. But by Welcoming Inconvenience, Lance says, “When I was sick, I saw more beauty and triumph and truth in a single day than I ever did in a bike race.” If you cannot change what happens, then for your happiness, you must change your mindset.
The knowledge that life’s events can be blessings in disguise can help us weather the toughest storms.
“An inconvenience is only an adventure wrongly considered.”
-- G.K. Chesterton
2 comments:
The book by Lance Armstrong, "It’s Not About the Bike" is definitely a highly recommended for reading ...
Lance Armstrong - a true champion & fighter!
Check the Lance Armstrong Foundation and his Livestrong wristband.
What a great example to everyone!
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