Plain Advice

A few weeks ago, I stumbled across a blog that I have been reading ever since. It is the online journal of a boy who was suffering from rhabdomyosarcoma, a rare form of childhood cancer. Miles Levin was 17 years old when he was diagnosed with the disease. After 18 months of aggressive treatment, Miles was declared cancer free. However, the cancer returned with a vengeance, and on August 19, 2007, Miles Levin died. He was almost 19 years old.

The story of Miles has caught the attention of many. CNN’s Anderson Cooper has spotlighted him, as well as numerous other widely read publications. Although his story has a tragic ending, his writings during his battle with cancer are poignant, honest and above all, inspirational.

After reading through a few of his journal entries a few nights ago, I turned to my normal evening task of writing an article for this site. I found myself in a strange situation. I could not write about anything. Nothing seemed worthy or important to address at that moment, after reading the writings of a young man, who had death on his doorstep.

My heart aches for his family, who fought long and hard, in every way they could, to combat the cancer that took Miles. I especially identify with his mother. I have not experienced her grief, but I do know the intense love of a mother for her child. The loss of one of my own children, I think, would be the most painful thing I could experience.

The reason I am writing about Miles Levin, however, is not to depress you. My purpose is to share with you a bit of the wisdom and “plain advice” of this young man.

• Miles compared his life to a golfer swinging aimlessly at a bucket of golf balls, until only a few remain. “Now with just a handful left,” he wrote, “each swing becomes more meaningful.”
• “…remember how much fortune is going unaccounted or unrealized in your life, and more importantly, that that which seems terrible at the time may reveal itself in hindsight to have been a blessing. I have had a chance to be inspirational. Its not something most teenagers can lay claim to. Not because they are incapable of inspirational feats, but simply because most young people do not come across an opportunity to really show what they’re made of to inspire and teach others. Getting this chance, and from what I’ve been told, succeeding, has been a true privilege and an honor.”
• “It takes the darkest bleakest of human tribulations to bring out the best in us. It is in the face of hopelessness more than any other time that we unite and rally around what is really important.”

This was a boy who was wiser than his years. My advice today is that you visit Miles Levin’s Carepage, where his writings remain. Browse through them. There will surely be something that will impact you, and inspire you to not just live, but live well. In the process, you will be honoring Miles and all those children who suffer from incurable childhood diseases.

Note: When you click on the Carepage Link above, click on “Visit a Carepage”. You will be directed to do a quick (free) registration on the site. After registering, type in “Levinstory” to bring up Mile’s page.

Share This

This entry was posted on Thursday, August 30th, 2007 at 11:35 pm and is filed under Personal Development, Miscellaneous. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.