The opening and closing ceremonies are devoted to the humor needed to overcome obstacles - and too many people see life after ostomy surgery as an obstacle. After an ostomy, body waste is eliminated into a pouch attached to the body, the pouch being emptied several times a day in some cases. Most people with ostomies have suffered from Crohn's disease, colitis, or bladder problems. A large percentage have been treated for various cancers, ailments which could be perceived as tragedies. Fenwick has faced tragedy. The Regina resident was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1990 and underwent two operations and months of chemotherapy. For a long time, she admits, she was physically exhausted and had suffered total mental and spiritual depletion. But she realized life, though difficult, wouldn't defeat her. She knew a healthy sense of humour would bring her back to the life she knew.
Today, she speaks worldwide about celebrating life through humour. On this day, she convinces every one of us that we can laugh at ourselves, laugh with others, do the work we love and thank those who are part of our lives. "Humour is every where", she says. "Look for it. Create it. Spread it around. Set a goal to laugh at least 100 times a day. Laughter helps us transcend crisis and create opportunities." Yes, says Fenwick, there will be tragedies to deal with. But often a brief laugh at a memory can help the healing process. Fenwick also taught us the importance of the word WOW. "Say WOW", She says, when you se a sunrise, when you stand in front of a mirror and look at yourself, when your spouse or child does something that requires a word of praise. Expressing joy for another person is sharing of yourself, can turn your day, and that of someone else, around," she adds.
Fenwick suggests conference delegates have so much to be thankful for because we are all here today, alive, contributing to society and each other. "Start a thanksgiving journal. Write in it each day the things that you're thankful for," she says.
A friend e-mailed me the following WOW story. You may have seen it on the 'Net', but it's worth sharing with you, and I forwarded to my new upbeat friend Fenwick, too.
A group of students was asked to list what they considered today's Seven Wonders of the World. The following received the most votes:
The Great Pyramids; The Taj Mahal; The Grand Canyon; The Panama Canal: The Empire State Building; St. Peter's Basilica; China's Great Wall.
One quiet student hadn't turned in her paper. The teacher asked if she was having trouble with her list. The girl replied, "A little, I can't make up my mind because there are so many." The teacher said, "Tell us what you have. Maybe we can help." The girl hesitated, then read, "I think the Seven Wonders of the World are:
To See; To Hear; To Touch; To Taste; To Feel; To Laugh; and To Love."
The Room Was Quiet. The things we overlook as simple and ordinary and take for granted are truly wondrous! Her list is a reminder that the most precious things in life cannot be built by hand or bought by man.
