Showing Up Anyway: Finding Purpose on the Hard Days
- Cheri Smith
- Jan 13
- 2 min read
Battling cancer has been one of the hardest challenges of my life.
There were days when even the simplest tasks felt overwhelming - days when getting out of bed required more strength than I thought I had. Moments when I questioned how much more I could carry, and whether I had anything left to give.
Illness has a way of stripping life down to the essentials. It tests your patience, your body, your faith, and your sense of who you are when everything familiar suddenly feels fragile.
And yet, in the middle of all of it, purpose has a way of finding you.

The Moments That Pull Me Forward
Every handshake.
Every set of keys passed from one hand to another.
Every family stepping into a new chapter of their life.
Those moments are small on the surface - but they carry weight. They remind me that what I do matters. That being present, even when it’s hard, can still make a meaningful difference in someone else’s story.
On days when my strength feels limited, those moments become fuel.
Strength Isn’t Always Loud
Strength doesn’t always look like powering through without pause. Sometimes it looks like:
Showing up when you don’t feel your best
Choosing commitment over comfort
Continuing, even when progress feels slow
I’ve learned that resilience isn’t about never struggling - it’s about deciding that the struggle doesn’t get the final word.
Purpose Has a Way of Carrying You
There is something grounding about knowing why you keep going.
Helping people move forward in life - into homes, into stability, into new beginnings—has given me clarity when everything else felt uncertain. It’s reminded me that purpose doesn’t disappear during hardship. If anything, it becomes clearer.
Showing up isn’t always easy. But it’s what I was meant to do.
Moving Forward, One Step at a Time
Life will always throw unexpected challenges our way. Some are visible. Others are deeply personal. But purpose has a quiet strength - it steadies you, pushes you forward, and reminds you that tomorrow is still worth showing up for.
No matter what life brings, I’ll keep going.
Not because it’s easy - but because it matters.
Ready to take the next step? Call me at +1 480-298-5551 for a free consultation.
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