Sink or Soar?

Many people imagine themselves in a better light. You know you have! I mean, why wouldn’t you? You sat through classes daydreaming about success, or finding love, or traveling the world. Maybe you were famous, rich, and the biggest contender in your desired field. Maybe you were this amazing doctor, or scientist, that cracked a new discovery that will change the world as we know it. There is absolutely nothing wrong with imagining the future, and placing yourself in the winner’s circle. Those moments start as the basis for determining what dreams we chase. But what happens when those dreams get hit by an iceberg, and sink like the Titanic. Do you metaphorically float for you life, and try to salvage what you can? Or do you allow yourself to sink?

I attended a Breast Cancer Appreciation Brunch, put on my Sister’s Network in Detroit, Michigan. In that room sat breast cancer survivors, those currently battling, and those standing in for loved ones they lost. Among them were friends, family, and supporters. With breast cancer being a disease integrated in my own family, and the event around the corner from my home, it seemed like an amazing opportunity to take advantage of. The brunch was full of information and testimonies. You could see the proud faces of survivors, showing their battle scars. You could see the determination of the ones still fighting on. Yet, what struck me was the brokenness stuck in the eyes of the people who lost someone. They kept the expression off their faces, but their eyes showed it all.

During some of the testimonies, I felt the vibe in the room was full of support and sympathy. It was a constant switch from ease to unease, like someone turning on and off the heat in the room. During one testimony, a woman was diagnosed with breast cancer before Thanksgiving, and her husband left her before Christmas. Another testimony, the doctors told her she had a bad case of gas, and she found out she had stage three pancreatic cancer. Testimony after testimony, the room felt sad, and then an immediate surge of determination and strength would break through. These stories hurt, but it also empowered some to continue the fight, and fight for those who can’t fight themselves. I imagined the room as though it was enlisting members to join the army. The road some were going down was going to be hard work, but through perseverance and determining faith alone, winning the war was the ultimate reward. Your battle scars would become beautiful, to etch how hard you fought.

What happens when those dreams get halted? When those dreams are ripped away. What do you do? Do you sink? Do you allow the bump to make you fall apart? Honestly, some do. They get so crushed by the change in direction that they allow themselves to sink into nothingness. I’ve experience myself do that when times get hard. But I’ve adjusting my thinking to fight, instead of flight. I’ve personally witnessed the people at this event seep determination from their pores. People who knew they had a slim chance, but still pressed forward, and still try to help others, even if they’re battling the same disease. People with hearts so heavy in pain, but still participate in everything. People who think beyond just their own struggles. So, I ask again, what happens when those dreams are hit by an iceberg and sink like Titanic? Do you sink as well, or do you soar?