By Lois Hewitt

Ok it’s time to start thinking about the new year. Months ago, I looked up the symptoms I was having and WebMD said I had cancer. So I had a talk with God and suggested that if this was true, could I possibly just see one more Christmas. He gave me that and it looks like more.

After cancer and the hurricane, I do not really want to make assumptions or take anything for granted. But now I think I need to realistically look at the new year.

What will it look like? I honestly have no idea but then none of us really do. But I am going to make a few changes.

I want to eat better food, food that heals. We have made huge strides in that the last few years, but there is always room to improve. I believe my old eating habits helped to get me here, maybe my new ones can help me to heal.

Everything I have read says exercise is a must. I dislike exercising but it is time to drop the hatred and embrace it. Exercise is not only healthy for body but for soul too. I learned to love vegetables, I can learn to love exercise.

Sunlight. I used to call the sun the horrible orb (I borrowed it from a friend). I used to like living in a cave with no light shining in. Now I open the curtains and I spend time, especially in the morning, enjoying the light. What a huge difference it makes.

Stress. Is. The. Cause. Of. Many. Diseases. Stress causes inflammation in the body and inflammation causes illness. Today’s world is full of stress. I’ve lived in a self-induced pressure cooker most of my life, now that has to change. I’m looking for calm and peace.

Laughter. One of the best medicines ever created. Once you hear bad news, you think you will never laugh again. But it is necessary. A life without laughter is not much like living. I have just started to laugh again… And it feels great!

All these things are going to be my priorities in the new year as I try to regain my health as well as my happiness. Keeping up with friends and family is another wonderful way to be happy. Don’t isolate – this said by the worlds biggest introvert. Don’t isolate!

That’s a pretty good list of things to do. Some will be easy and some not so much. My hope is to keep my disease at bay maybe even decimate it completely. There is one more thing, actually the most important thing of all…

Holding onto Jesus with all my might. Praying for strength and praying for others because life is not just about me. Looking for His peace because mine is fleeting and temporary. Resting in His plan, knowing that it is good. Knowing that I cannot possibly see the entire picture, trusting in His perfect will.

The day I found out that WebMD was right, I spoke to Jesus and decided not to plead or bargain like I used to do. I decided to follow. He has seen me through so much, He has changed me so much.

I told Him this new journey was not going to be about me, but what He is going to do through me.

My original request to Him was just to see another Christmas but apparently He is not quite done with me. So now I try to live His best life and see what He wants me to do.

Writing is my therapy, so I hope to continue that. I know I am longwinded but my hope is that my journey helps someone else. I hope it can encourage just one person.

Here’s to a healthy and joyful new year!