Beautiful

The next addition to my cancer-killing soundtrack is a song that I've loved for a long time, but holds special significance now more than ever. I first came across Carole King's "Beautiful" when I was in college and my roomie for three years (and maid of honor at my wedding), Katie, introduced me to the world of Carole King. I thought all her music was great, but really gravitated toward this one in particular because of these lyrics, which are repeated throughout the song:

You've got to get up every morning

With a smile on your face

And show the world

All the love in your heart

Then people gonna treat you better

You're gonna find, yes you will

That you're beautiful as you feel

I thought that those lyrics were a perfect guide on how to start each day, and I promised myself that I would get up each morning with a big smile on my face despite how sleepy, stressed or tired I might have been. I listened to it all the time with Katie while we studied away at Duke, and biked to classes at Stanford Law School with it blasting on my iPod. I'd sing it in the shower as I got ready for a long but satisfying day at O'Melveny. I never wanted the challenge (or challenges) of the day to affect my attitude and enthusiasm for my life, which was -- clearly -- pretty sweet.

"Beautiful" still guides me, especially now, as I fight cancer and endure chemo with a huge smile on my face. I greet each day with a smile and the joy that fuels that smile not just because I'm feeling great and utterly confident in my ability to beat back cancer like a pesky mosquito, but because, as Carole King says, I've simply got to show the world all the love in my heart. And there's a ton of it.

Here's the song in its entirety for all you beautiful people.