Dame Deborah James shared the 40 lessons she learned since being diagnosed with cancer

TO mark her 40th birthday last October, Dame Deborah shared the 40 lessons she had learned since being diagnosed with cancer.

In her honour, we urge you all to follow her advice and be a bit more Deborah…

1

1. Life will not go to plan.
2. Make plans, but don’t be scared to rip them up and start again.
3. You can face things you never thought you could.
4. Disney movies will always make you cry.
5. Your body can produce the most ridiculous amount of poo!
6. Sometimes it’s OK if all you want to do is cry.
7. Your body is robust and can tolerate more than you think at times.
8. But your body is fragile, look after it.
9. Be your own cheerleader, back yourself.
10. Sometimes a girl just needs her mum, even at 40.
11. If you don’t laugh sometimes, you will cry.
12. Sleep is good.
13. Growing older is a privilege.
14. Life can be tough and isn’t always fair.
15. It’s OK to be scared.
16. It’s OK to enjoy a slower pace of life and not want to be grinding in a nightclub until the wee hours.
17. Dancing fills me with joy.
18. Friends come and go, the best stay for the long ride.
19. I like myself.
20. Sometimes I really annoy myself.
21. I love my kids so much it hurts at times.
22. Sometimes I just want peace and quiet and to be left alone.
23. I can be really grumpy when I don’t have food.
24. I really like cocktails but I can’t deal with a hangover.
25. Sometimes I feel like I’m winging it in life — because I am.
26. I still feel like my 16-year-old self inside.
27. I’m really rubbish at lying.
28. Time is very short.
29. Heartbreak happens, we don’t all live in a Disney movie.
30. I believe in miracles.
31. Hope is the most important thing to have in life.
32. Getting up and getting dressed is sometimes the only thing you can achieve in a day - and that is awesome.
33. Celebrate everything.
34. Don’t hold grudges, life is too short.
35. Know your body, don’t ignore those niggling symptoms.
36. Ask for help. We can’t be heroes everyday!
37. Be kind to others.
38. Love hard.
39. Take risks in life.
40. Just say yes — what’s the worst that can happen?

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