Convictions. I think that they are the most important thing we have. They are what keeps us moving, going, living, breathing, interacting, finding meaning, finding hope, believing on a day to day basis.

Yet as important as they are, we're often told to silence them. Distrust them. I was at a party last night and someone made a racial remark. I choose my moments; I don't care if they make me unpopular. And that moment was mine to choose. I made my displeasure at that known. And the worst thing that this person could throw back at me? That I was a liberal; well, with a few expletives in there it sounded harsh, but at the same time, it was a pathetic attempt to single me out and create a mob mentality around "get her, she's different." Am I? I don't think so. I don't need people to agree with me; but I ask them to respect my right to disagree with them. But, it occurred to me that this segmenting off of people is something that seems to follow us all our lives. The stakes are higher when we're older. But this constant need to brand people, to label them, seems to start in kindergarten and follow us straight through adulthood.

I'm distrustful of labels. Liberal is a label; and not something I would even call myself. Cancer survivor is a label; it seems to sound like I'm not living, but just outrunning cancer, hoping that I can survive it, as opposed to leave it behind. It implies something the minute you say it. But I have convictions. I believe in equality. I believe in affordable healthcare and social programs that might help end the cycle of poverty. I believe in education as an important investment. I believe in saving the environment. I believe in the freedom of choice--and not just choice in the politicized sense, but the power to choose in all aspects of your life. I believe that we are a far too litigious society. I believe that we no longer want to accept blame. I believe that everyone has the right to love. I believe in fiscal responsibility. I believe in giving back to society and knowing everyday how truly lucky I am and paying my wage back to the common good. I believe that having strong beliefs is the only reason I am here today. If I was apathetic, if I just went with the crowd, if I could not find strength to stand up to an idiot, how on earth was I to find strength to fight for my life? I find that everyday is an opportunity to be a better human being, and given the limited time that I may very well have, I'm not going to waste it. Some would say not to make waves, to let it go. And like I said, I choose my moments. Because if once again I feel my body slip away, I need to know that I always tried as hard as I could to be true to myself. Because we never know when the opportunities will just stop being there--and we're left with the legacy that those opportunities have created.