I decided not to make resolutions this year. Instead, I chose one word that I wanted to represent 2015. Intentional. I desired to be more intentional with my time, my relationships, and my work. I didn’t want life to pass me by. I wanted to be present in everything I did and with everyone I was with. Yet somehow, I wasn’t as intentional as I intended to be. Sure, there were times when I was focused and diligent in certain areas of my life, but many things fell between the cracks. Decisions that were made and not made, relationships that were poured into and those that were put aside, and work that succeeded and some that failed, has taught me something. We must continually strive to be intentional. We must live a life that demands effort, otherwise our entire life will soon be witnessed through our rear view mirror.

My sole focus has been fighting cancer for many years. I have been diligent with appointments, medicines, and treatments. My intentions were always to beat this disease, and by the grace of God, my intentions were fulfilled. I’ve spent hours, days, weeks, months, and years in assiduous pursuit of my goal. I never let recurrences blur my finish line. I was persistent and determined. Fighting cancer requires devout commitment, after all. It demands every ounce of attention and every fiber of strength. I’ve been so committed to defeating this disease that the rest of my intentions got lost in the fog of cancer. Now I’ve succeeded (in Jesus name and with fingers crossed) and am ready to pursue other items as intentionally, but it’s not as easy as I assumed it would be.

It’s amazing how unprepared you can feel for life after cancer. You spend years trying to overcome your diagnosis, and most other goals lower on your priority list. But then… You’re cancer free… So, now what? You’ve attained your goal, and though it’s something you’ve passionately hoped and prayed for, once it’s gone, a void remains. Where all of your time and efforts were focused on cancer, there now sits an empty spot. What do I do on Mondays from 9am until 1pm? What do I do with this energy that has slowly returned? How do I plan my week now that appointments aren’t filling my calendar? I find myself stuck in the loss of a pursuit. I’ve lost what I’ve been so intentional about, and while I’ll never take for granted a fifth chance at living a long life, I’m sorting through what it should look like now.

I’ve heard that adjusting to life after cancer is similar to the adjustment that soldiers go through upon returning from war. And while I find the two vastly different, I can understand the analogy. I’m re-entering a world I’m not familiar with. Sadly, I’m often more comfortable in hospitals than I am at dinner parties. It’s an unsettling feeling. I’m beyond grateful that I’m on this side of the disease, but I often feel alone in my emotions and unsure of how to proceed with this new life. Now that cancer has passed, I’ve realized that I’ve gotten pretty good at being busy doing nothing. Now is the time to recommit to living intentionally. I’m relearning how to be busy doing something. I fought hard to survive, and now that I’m here, I dare not waste another moment.

It’s easy to become paralyzed in grief, fear, and uncertainty. But as the fog clears, I’m reminding myself that I beat cancer. I beat cancer. Not once, twice, or even three times. I beat a terminal disease four times. And I did it by being committed and intentional. Every day, I must wake up and say, “Stephanie, you did THAT. Now go do THIS!”

Cancer doesn’t have to be your interruption. It can be the loss of a loved one, a traumatic accident, a divorce, a miscarriage, or even bankruptcy. We all experience seasons that require devoted attention and commitment, and therefore we all find ourselves walking out of the fog with blurred vision. It’s time to re-harness our intent. You’ve come this far. Look at what you just walked through. Don’t let what’s ahead paralyze you. Let’s step forward with powerful intention and not let life pass us by.

Psalm 16:11 (MSG)

“Now you’ve got my feet on the life path, all radiant from the shining of your face. Ever since you took my hand, I’m on the right way.”