On shooting a video and life’s little irritations

Don't let the little stuff get you down.

Yesterday was a great day. I spent it with some amazing people creating a video for Incredible to Incredible. The team at Life’s Eyes Media, Kristan and Joyce, took my rough idea and polished it into something that I think will inspire many people.

I was touched and honored that so many people drove the distance and took the time to participate. They included book survivors Cathy Wolfe and her son Johnathon (who drove over 2 hours from Indy), Buzz Sheffield, Steve Scott. Friends Cathy Lyons and Kelly Reichart also came to provide testimonials about the book. 

Several of them said they felt uncomfortable in front of the camera but they were doing it anyway because they believe in me and the book. I felt so lucky God brought these people into my life.

Then, there was the ride home. Traffic was terrible, and I worried how I would get home in time to make dinner and get my daughter to her first night of dance class. When I went to grab my purse, the strap broke. It was expensive and almost new. When I arrived at dance, there was no parking, confusion over how long the class was to last, and… well, you get the idea.  Suddenly my gratitude changed to a bad attitude.

Before my diagnosis of metastatic breast cancer, I had many days like this. I was working full-time and let everyday annoyances ruin my day. Luckily now I can more easily get back to center and realize how unimportant these little things are.

I can think how lucky I am that I am healthy enough to drive a car and that I have enough money to buy another purse if necessary. Or I can reflect on what a wonderful gift it is to have a daughter who loves to dance.

I think back to our recent trip to Utah. At the Denver airport, we stopped in a breakfast place. A man seated us as if we were royalty and seemed to absolutely love his job. We found out he was from Ethiopia and was so grateful to be in a country that isn’t besieged by poverty and infighting.

Mike and I have a little running joke when we complain about something like car trouble. We’ll say something like, “I bet that people in Ethiopa would really love to have a car that breaks down.” But it’s really not a joke. We are so fortunate in so many ways.