Pep Talk: "Do The Doug Thing"

The past few weeks, your knucklehead scribe has been focusing on the journey of a beloved buddy. His ongoing, and so far, productive battle against cancer. The father of six, powered by faith, his words, “Feeling like I’m riding a wave of prayer through this.”

First, thanks from Doug to everybody who liked the inspirational t-shirt idea and has donated either an XL shirt or money for purchase of one. You are lifting his spirits.

The point is a reminder of what you already know. Life throws curveballs, or challenges us to step from our comfort zone. It is that precise moment in time when we have a critical decision to make. It’s a choice entirely doable by each and everyone of us. Yep, regardless of the color of our skin, where we live or how much money we make, in the face of adversity, ultimately it comes down to our determination to learn from the experience or become a victim of its circumstance.

Whether the stellar family-life minister “wins” this bout with cancer is still in doubt. It’s game on. Whether any of us live to see tomorrow is also in doubt. What is obvious at this juncture, at least from seeing him weekly, is a man at peace and courageously fighting a relentless invader. It is inspiring to witness first-hand.

How to handle the relentless invader in our lives? In a two-month journey of walking neighborhoods and trying to get on the ballot for Colorado’s State House D6 race, I have met thousands of folks. I don’t know if it’s because of a God-given curious nature or what, but it’s been an absolute blast. To knock, or ring a bell, and be presented with a dose of humanity appearing? You just never know.

I learn of others battling illnesses, loneliness, relationship meltdowns, children in crisis and other “What the heck is going on around here?” situations. They are in the midst of their own “Courageously fighting a relentless invader.” Our spirit, our attitude, our abilities to somehow, some way, find positives in the cesspool of life’s transformative, painful, and uncertain moments is a character trait to emulate.

My mind wanders to a elderly woman who answered a RISE UP with Mark campaign canvassing knock sporting a fresh cast on her right hand. “Mark, I broke my wrist the other day,” stated the petit University of Colorado graduate. “It’s the hand I write with but, give me that pen, I’ll sign your petition left-handed.”

While not trying to compare recovery from a broken wrist to a cancer battle involving two months of daily radiation treatments, the common denominator is the attitude. Two people, different circumstances, but with a similar spirit that proclaims, “Nobody controls my attitude but me.”

Life messes with our physical, emotional, financial or spiritual well being. The story is our reaction to the relentless. This week, do the “Doug Thing.” We’ll be better for the effort and might inspire others to follow suit.