2% Chance Of Survival
“You cannot wait until life is not difficult anymore, before you decide to be happy.” — Nightbirde
One day, I was randomly watching videos on YouTube to pass the time and I came across one video that moved me and took me to places.
It was an audition video in a very popular international talent show. She was a beautiful young woman of 30 years with a voice of an angel. She was a singer who writes her own songs, and a good one. But, more than her beautiful singing voice and that original song which she sang that day is her story and unbelievable strength. Her story and what she said during her audition is something most of us needed to hear, especially in moments of doubt and sadness, and when we’re so consumed with anxieties and fear.
She looked like a normal happy young woman working on her dream of becoming a successful singer. But, she is not. She has multiple cancer. She has cancer in her lungs, spine and liver. Yes, that is right and she has been battling for life for years. Before auditioning for the talent show, her doctor said that she only has 2% chance of survival and that it was her last year of living. She told her story with a smile, as if it was just a casual story.
The judges did not know what to say. I would not know what to say or how to react if I was in their place. The judges went on to ask who she’s with that day and she said, she came all by herself. I just melted. She said that she wrote the song while going thru all the medical procedures and she called it “it’s Okay.”
She was all smiles and lively, you really couldn’t tell she has gone and is still going thru so much. When she finally sang, the whole stadium was silent. They all gave her a standing ovation and the judges were on their feet as well. She sang so beautifully, it was so authentic and so heartfelt not because of her story, but of her talent and gift.
The judges did not know how to react. You can tell that they were all trying to hold back tears. She was lively from start to end, she did not come in sobbing and just told her story with all smiles. The least thing she needed is pity or any sign of sadness for her. When the judges finished with all their praises at how amazed they were of her talent and strength she said, “you cannot wait until life is not hard anymore before you decide to be happy” and gave everyone a beautiful smile. I was like, wow! That really struck me thru the core. Like the judges, her words made me realize how little to nothing are my anxieties and complains of life are compared to hers. She went on to say that when the doctors said she has 2% chance of survival she said “well 2% is not 0% and I just want people to know how amazing life is.”
After she has left the show, the judges were still talking about it and one of the lady judges said, “makes you push all the right buttons.” I could not agree with her more on that.
She was so grateful for everything, regardless and lived her life fully one day at a time. She left the stadium arms wide open with a smile.
The judges gave her not only “YES” but a golden buzzer which means she can advance into the live shows. She may have not won the competition and she has passed away (may her soul rest in eternal peace) before she got to the finals, but she left a strong message and an indelible mark in the hearts of all those who have watched or will get to watch her audition video.
She made me think and reflect. No matter where we are in life, we all have our own battles and we all go thru challenges and difficulties. Happiness on the other hand is a choice. We can choose to wallow in self-pity or choose to pick ourselves up and make the most of what we have.
We also need to keep on reminding ourselves that this life is temporary, so are the good and bad days. We need to keep the faith and have a strong and firm belief that God will see us through hard times and that everything that happens, happens for a reason and it has its purpose.
So no matter what you are going thru right now, just hang in there!
I will be glad to hear your thoughts.
