by Karen Zortman-Loos

Created on: December 23, 2008   Last Updated: January 24, 2009

I think that anytime something hits you like a ton of bricks, that is your second chance at life or perhaps we are given nine lives just like our favorite cat.

When my great nephew was diagnosed with cancer in his brain it was like the 9-11 affect in our family. Everyone stopped thinking about their problems, and began to focus their attentions to my great nephew. Asking my great niece in law and my nephew what can be done to help him. The key ingredients are love and prayers. I think troubled times do take drastic measures. We all need to work together, and realize how precious life really is. Seeing and hearing about a 3 year old with such a debilitating condition makes all our troubles look small.

Since that incident I have realized some things about myself and others around me. Make sure they know how much you love them. Take good care of yourself, think about others needs, don't take people for granted, and do something randomly nice for someone. It really brings things forward. Bringing good acts of kindness is mostly seen around Christmas and the holidays and then it goes away.

Having the spirit of Christmas also gives us a renewed feeling. Thinking about the birth of Christ is a great way to keep that into perspective as well. He did many, many acts of kindness. I know that I am sounding religious on this article but we do need to pick up the pace on being kind. Many holiday songs are: Good will towards man. What does that really mean? Does it mean keep the faith on the human race? I think in a modern way it does. Let there be peace on earth.....hmm and let it begin with me. Yes, Virginia it needs to begin with YOU! If you don't step up to the plate no one will.

You lost a job, spouse (divorce or death), friend, house, parent, or a child. These are all very awful things to happen in our lives. What do we do to give ourselves a second chance after such a paralyzing event? The ingredients are going to be different for everyone. Some will be able to handle each issue as they come. Some will not be able to handle it, and think that they can't handle it. Perhaps they have a lot of friends that can help them get out of the war zone they are in. Perhaps they will read books or write a very inspiring article or letter. Or maybe they will take this experience and grow from it. Yes, all of these things are very detrimental to our lives where we have many crosses to bear. But we do learn something from all of these many experiences.

We are given another chance to make ourselves stronger. We are human and we will continue to make mistakes and have bad come into our lives as well as good. Look at the good in people. Sometimes attitude is a very important ingredient for getting a second chance.

I look at the snow that comes down around me. It covers the land, and gives such newness. The crisp snow makes us remember the innocents of life, and much like that second chance we get a fresh start. So, when this happens learn from it. Go forward, and do something random. Do like the song that Barry Manilow sings says, "Ready to take a chance again....."

Are you ready to GIVE YOURSELF that second chance?

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