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[mohomofo]

I've been reading BBC science journalist Ivan Noble's online postings about his battle with his malignant brain tumor for over a year. Each entry is brutally candid and painful to read at times. Yet I have continued reading them for over a year and a half now because I am drawn to him through his gritty bravery and strength that I don't have nor

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[frog_kisser]

Each time I see the site updated, he stops me in my tracks, and I gain some badly-needed perspective amidst my petty, pointless worries.

I have a question... Do you feel your worries are petty because they are nothing in relation the pain and sufferings that this man must be enduring? Or do you feel your worries are petty because you find something in this man that allows him to lead some extraordinary life amist all his troubles, yet he doesn't mull or elaborate on seemingly miniscule issues?

I'd like to think that just because I may not have a malignant brain tumor that any of my worries would be considered important, and not seen as worthless and petty. It's one thing to look to a man who's coping with such an ordeal and draw strenght from his bravery, and I think it's another to look at the most horrible instances in the world, compare your life to them, and then degrade all of your own experiences, because they "must not be worth anything, because look at what he's surviving! gee golly, I'm only in college! My life must be

[mohomofo]

No, I don't mean to say that my life is not worth as much as his because I'm not sick. I mean that when I'm here, complaining about how cold it is outside or how my computer needs repairing or how much homework I already have to do, I am being petty. Reading about what he has to deal with makes me look at the big picture and realize that I really don't have it that bad at all. I know that there are things in life that I have to grapple with that suck hardcore, just like everyone else. But what I get from this man every time he writes is gratitude for all the things I need to remember I have, as well as admiration in seeing a man hold himself together during a really scary time that I might have to endure myself (if I don't get hit by a train or die by some other instantaneous means). I never meant to portray my life as being worth less.

[frog_kisser]

ahh.. very cool. i love those moments of sheer appreciation, when something happens, and it just hits you like- woah... they/that/this is such a wonderful addition to my existance and i love it all that much more because of every place where it interacts with my life! and you just have to express that gratitude and appreciation.

[mohomofo]

Exactly :)

[mohomofo]

Hey Stephan!

Yeah, this guy was awesome. He died at the beginning of the month. He was a trooper, and I'm really glad he did what he did, so I felt the need to share. :)

I must say though, this journal's not going to be very interesting to look out for, as I've almost completely converted to a paper journal (those things are wicked addictive). But if something hilarious occurs to me (like the sight of my overenthusiastic cat running INTO the foodbowls) or something sobering that reminds me to breathe, you might see a post from time to time.

*friends you back* :)