SHAZAM! THE FORMULA for Getting What You Really, Really, Really Want!

January 7th, 1990, will forever be one of the most important turning points in my life. It was a cold winter night in Oklahoma. We built a big fire in our fireplace and stretched out on the couch to enjoy some mindless television. You could have knocked me over with a feather when I reached to scratch under my right arm, and discovered a large “growth” the size of a golf ball. It must have come up suddenly and it didn’t hurt. This, I took as good news until I called my surgeon friend, who informed me that it was probably cancer. The fact that it didn’t’ hurt was not a good sign. This was a time of my life when I did not have medical insurance. The possibility of cancer was not good news. I decided to change my diet by adding lots of “orange and green” stuff, and I accepted a consulting job in Florida where I could focus on running and a healthier lifestyle. I have since come to believe that there are five things necessary for a happy, healthy life. We must hydrate (preferably with water), sweat, laugh, unite with others and poop daily. I’m not one to preach a particular diet or exercise as “the way, the truth and the light”. I just believe that by doing these five things, however we choose to do them, will give us a good shot at being happy and healthy. At first, these five things may seem overly simple. However, it takes depth and discipline to live a lifestyle that allows for each of these daily habits. My time in Florida proved beneficial. I stashed some extra money, lost some weight, and focused on my health. The “growth” seemed to shrink a little. Four months into my Florida work, I dreamed a powerful dream in which I walked into an office to be greeted by a red-headed doctor in a white lab coat. The next afternoon I was returning from our country-based training site when I caught a glimpse of a sign out of the corner of my eye. It read, “Family Surgery. Walk-ins Welcome”. I had passed the building before and thought it was a veterinary clinic. I turned around and parked. It was almost closing time. When I walked into the clinic I was met by a red-headed doctor in a white lab coat. Fifteen minutes later I was scheduled for “next day surgery” with the prognosis that I probably had cancer. I notified my family in Oklahoma. The following morning I awakened early to the sight of a fading sign from dream time. It read, “The angels walk with you”. Eight hours later I was sitting in my hospital room with three friends and my doctor. “Get your life in order! You have approximately two months to live”. At age 45 I received the “wake up call” of my life. What I chose to do next has made all the difference in the world. Everything that I had ever believed or taught was called into question. It was truly time to “put up or shut up”. I couldn’t help but weep for my possible loss and my family’s loss. My tears were short lived. News traveled fast and I began to receive all manner of cards, books, and recommended diets, all of which reinforced the possibility of “cancer”, “ Two months to live”. The gifts of my friends and family all spelled “Cancer” in big, bold letters. Gratefully, these gifts sent me into a day long, deep meditation and contemplation. I checked deep inside to find my own reality. I discovered two important things. First of all, I re-affirmed my deep and abiding relationship with that which I call God. I decided if God wanted me to come home, I was ready. Secondly, I decided to focus on my life over my death. The grass needed mowing, so I mowed. I had songs in me that had not been written and recorded, so I moved to Nashville and began recording my music. (I’ve since recorded four albums). While in Nashville, the grass needed mowing, so I mowed. I discovered a book in me that needed to be written, so I wrote. I continued to live.