Theme of the Week: Accept Your Fate
“Love the hand that fate deals you and play it as your own.”
- Marcus Aurelius
Brother,
Cancer has taught me that accepting reality for what it is can often be the only way to truly move forward.
When I returned home from playing soccer overseas, I was working with many different people to secure my next contract. After playing more than 30 games in the previous season, I couldn’t understand why nothing solid was coming through. Months passed without real opportunities, and I felt frustrated, upset, and uncertain about what to do next.
At the same time, a strong job opportunity came into my life back home in Toronto. I accepted it, even while struggling with the possibility that my soccer dream might be coming to an end. After completing my probation period, I officially became part of the union and gained access to employee benefits and extended health coverage.
About a month later, I was diagnosed with blood cancer.
Looking back now, I see things differently.
I couldn’t get a contract, which meant I stayed in Canada - a place with some of the best healthcare in the world. I was able to access that care immediately. I accepted a job that provided stability, income, and benefits. Shortly after passing probation, I had to rely heavily on that coverage throughout my cancer journey, including short-term and long-term disability support. I also had the security of knowing I had an accessible job to return to when I was ready.
I believe that I was not meant to leave Canada. That something larger was guiding me toward what I would truly need during one of the most difficult periods of my life.
Even after all of this, I still catch myself questioning things. Why is this happening? There are moments where I want to resist the situation I am in, hoping that somehow it will change. But I quickly try to snap out of this thinking, reminding myself that acceptance is the only way forward.
When I reflect on everything, I see that regardless of what fate throws your way, there is often purpose behind it. Sometimes we must trust that even the most painful moments are guiding us.
To me, loving the hand that fate deals you does not mean becoming passive or waiting for life to happen to you. It means trusting that whatever is happening is part of your path, and embracing it whole heartedly.
Stay strong, even when you are not. It’s okay, you are not alone.
With love always,
Michael Argyrides
