I am a huge fan of TED talks and recently came across a really good one that I wanted to share. While it focuses on the role of positive psychology in helping people achieve more in education and business, I think its message is also very applicable to teens and young adults going through cancer treatment, or living life as survivors.
What stood out to me was the presenter's statement: "If you change your lens, you can change your happiness." Basically, by changing the way in which you see and perceive the things going on around you, you have the opportunity to be happier. I am a huge proponent of this perspective because I think it can be very useful for cancer patients. If you can focus on the things that are good - fun talks with nurses, ice cream in the middle of the night in the hospital, a record 12 hours of watching Friends on DVD, or the accomplishment of a simple art project at home - you may be able to protect yourself from the sadness, loneliness, pain, fear, etc. that are all daily emotions and experiences.
More importantly, if you can learn to go through cancer treatment with a positive outlook, you will know how to go through life afterward in the same way. As the video says, positive-thinkers tend to be more successful in education and business. So, try to use your cancer treatment as a positive-thinking training period, and help set yourself up for a successful life after treatment!
What stood out to me was the presenter's statement: "If you change your lens, you can change your happiness." Basically, by changing the way in which you see and perceive the things going on around you, you have the opportunity to be happier. I am a huge proponent of this perspective because I think it can be very useful for cancer patients. If you can focus on the things that are good - fun talks with nurses, ice cream in the middle of the night in the hospital, a record 12 hours of watching Friends on DVD, or the accomplishment of a simple art project at home - you may be able to protect yourself from the sadness, loneliness, pain, fear, etc. that are all daily emotions and experiences.
More importantly, if you can learn to go through cancer treatment with a positive outlook, you will know how to go through life afterward in the same way. As the video says, positive-thinkers tend to be more successful in education and business. So, try to use your cancer treatment as a positive-thinking training period, and help set yourself up for a successful life after treatment!
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