Am I a tad behind on blog challenge posts? Absolutely. An entire month behind, in fact. It has been a hectic month, but it’s always a hectic month. Got my first and second lanreotide shots for the lung cancer issue, with mixed results. First month was impressive; second month was lackluster. But I know what it really boils down to is depression–we are coming up on it being 10 years since my brother was murdered, and that has me quite sad. I’ll probably address that in a 10 year check-in post in a couple weeks.

Anywho, back to the blog challenge. The next prompt is “Parenchymal opacity projects below the right hemidiaphragm

Wait, no, that’s not it–must have not hit CTRL-C.

“Pick a favorite quote and describe why” (that’s better).

I don’t know if I have a favorite quote, but I have had philosophies that have changed a bit over the years.

When I was younger, my motto in life was “live and let live”. Honestly, as long as someone’s actions or opinions weren’t directly impacting me, more power to ’em. People should be allowed to be themselves and do as they please. If it brings them pleasure, even if it’s not my jam, have at it. One of my children told me the current version of this is “don’t yuck someone’s yum”.

These days, I still feel that people should be allowed to do what makes them happy, but I do draw a little harder line if what makes them happy is causing other people trauma. I’m not a fan of people spewing hatred gleefully.

I soon learned there was one quote I needed to actively avoid–“it can’t get any worse”. I assure you, reader, it most certainly can and will get worse. Now I am older and understand the concept of manifestation and putting something out into the universe and getting it back threefold. Not a fan of that. 2 or 3 family members out of 6 get the stomach flu? Don’t say it unless you want everyone fighting the porcelain gods. Flat tire? Zip your lip unless you want the transmission to bite the dust. Just. Don’t. Do. It.

The phrase that traipses through my brain daily now? “There but for the grace of God go I”. It rattles my chains when I see someone scoffing at someone less fortunate than they, because I know how fast life can change. Bankruptcy or financial ruin takes only one huge medical issue with an astronomical hospital bill. Slip and fall and crack your head open, lose your job, can’t pay the mortgage–hello homelessness. Hidden genetics or a bad reaction to a medication that leads to mental illness so severe that you can’t carry on a conversation or interact with polite society and suddenly all of your friends and opportunities vanish. No one can control every single component of their lives so that nothing bad happens, because if the universe thinks you need to be taught a lesson, you will be taught that lesson. Tuck yourself away in a bubble so you can stay safe and sound, but is it paradise or a cage at that point?

So yeah–Let people live their lives but don’t be a hater. Think positively and help where you can, because tomorrow you might need a helping hand.