I believe in being fully present. That means you should be with the person you’re with.

Do I wither up and disappear, or do I make the best of my time left?

We have a sense that we should be like the mythical cowboy... able to take on and conquer anything and live in the world without the need for other people.

Maybe death is the great equalizer, the one big thing that can finally make strangers shed a tear for one another

Well, the truth is, if you really listen to that bird on your shoulder, if you accept that you can die at any time–then you might not be as ambitious as you are.

What is it about silence that makes people uneasy?

Acceptance is not a talent you either have or don't have. It's a learned response. My meditation teacher made a great point about the difference between a reaction and a response: You may not have control over your initial reaction to something, but you can decide what your response will be. You don't have to be at the mercy of your emotions, and acceptance can be your first step toward empowerment . . . For me, acceptance has been the cornerstone to my having an emotionally healthy response to my illness.