Living For A Cause That Matters...

Have you ever been inspired by someone you have never met? Have you just seen someone on TV or elsewhere, or heard their voice on the radio and have felt that that person is an ideal humanbeing that inspired your own life in a way that not even your loved-ones can? Well I have come across such a person in my life. I really don't know how to pay tribute to a remarkable humanbeing like him, cos I don't have enough words in my vocabulary to do him perfect justice. Words totally fail me as the person I'm about to talk about is a mountain of pure wisdom, humanity, class, compassion, dedication, devotion and charisma. He is none other than one of the best Cancer surgeons in Australia, Professor Chris O'Brien, who sadly passed on last week at the age of 57. I have always been in awe of him eversince the days I started watching The Royal Prince Alfred hospital's TV series, RPA. Doctor Chris O'Brien appeared on the show quite regularly for many years, and the way he talked to his patients, his expertise in the field, his tireless approach to head and neck Cancer reasearch, his brilliant reputation as a Cancer surgeon not only in Australia but also overseas and most of all his smiling face and undivided attention and care he gave to his patients are what most Aussies will never forget. The most amazing yet heartbreaking aspect about his life is that Dr.Chris O'Brien himself was diagnosed with brain cancer just 2yrs ago and was given only 6months to live. However, he didn't stop smiling. I remember how he came on 60mins (check that interview Never Say Die over here) in 2007 to speak openly about his illness, he didn't look like he lost his charm or wit. He was absolutely positive in every way and was thrilled to be alive (in his own words). This was a world-renowned brain cancer surgeon, who himself was diagnosed with the same type of Cancer and yet managed to work through the very short time on Earth he was given, to build a Lifehouse for future cancer research and patients. He never gave up on his dream til the last minute of his life...and his dream was to care for others. As a doctor, he not only excelled in his medical profession but also as a great humanbeing. He was an exceptionally remarkable humanbeing, a rare soul, that didn't think too much about himself but dedicated his time and energy on others, and for making the lives of others better. I believe he was an angel sent down to Earth for a short period, to make such an impact on others through his deeds and to inspire people like us to do good always, to help others and not to be selfish for this life somehow ends for all of us...it ended for doctor Chris O'Brien way before anyone had expected! If such a clever and great humanbeing faced both life and death in such a positive way, and managed to stare death in the face yet keep smiling, then I'm sure you and I can too. We can do almost anything, if we have the will. Don't let life's small worries rob you of your smiles.

Professor Chris O'Brien, someone I have never met but feels like I've known him all my life, taught me from his own life and death that the best qualities about a person don't reside in their profession or their assets or their health. They reside in their ATTITUDE. No matter what you face in life, I hope you don't lose your charm, your humor, your cool and your charisma. Cos people will always remember you for not how much you had, but for how much you gave back to life. Professor Chris O'Brien gave it all to others, with no expectations at all. And he never lost his humor in the face of adversity, cos he was smart enough to realise that some things in life are not within our control...so it's really no point brooding over it. He refused to bow down to his Cancer..instead he co-existed peacefully with it and actually triumphed his final battle with it by working for a great cause until his last breath. What really matters in life? Dr.O'Brien's life tells me that what really matters is doing your best, giving it your best shot and helping this world to be a better place, even if your life is not the best or is ending. Ourselves is not the most important thing in the world...helping those in need is a great sign of a well-lived life. He lived for a cause that really matters. Now that kind of attitude is very hard to find. I agree Dr.O'Brien, Never say die, for people may die but their deeds don't. Your good deeds will neither die nor be forgotten. He saved so many lives and continued saving them while he himself was dying. Long live the legacy of Dr.Chris O'Brien!

His death last week is a huge loss that is hard to express and I'm sure that anyone who knew him would know what I mean. Cos I really can't do enough justice to his legacy through this blog post. It's so unfair by him, but I hope that my readers here will realise what a special person he was and that this is not a post just to praise a good doctor but it is to give you a small glimpse of an amazing spirit that touched and inspired alot of people in many ways that I cannot express enough. He has been honored with a State funeral (tomorrow) and that is not something that happens quite often, and it just goes to show how much he has reached out to others in his short life. Dr.O'Brien we will miss you and your beautiful Attitude to life and others! Thank you for being an inspiration to so many people over the years! As always, we will remember your never-say-die SMILE. So long sir!

Current Music: Everybody Hurts by The Corrs