"Because"

When I was undergoing treatment for breast cancer, Wendy brought me a framed poem written by Maryanne Radmacher. I've been reading it on my wall everyday to reaffirm my strength.

because...

because i call it
challenge
rather than crisis;

because i look at
hardship as
opportunity instead
of obstacle;

because at the end of a matter, i ask,
"what will i learn from this to
make me better?";

because i take a deep breath &
do the difficult thing first;

because my courage does not depend on
the weather, the economic forecast or
the winds of whim;

because i know the most significant
elements in my day are laughter,
learning and applying my finest
efforts to each endeavor;

because of these things
each morning is a pleasure
and every day
passed is a success