James J. Hammond’s *Living Life in Fast Forward* reflects on how a rare, aggressive cancer reshaped his priorities, gratitude, and outlook. Drawing from his journey, he offers eight focused lessons on living intentionally—covering attitude, empathy, self-care, and appreciation—so others can gain perspective without facing the same trauma.

Chapter One – Fast Forward for Real

After a rare pediatric sarcoma diagnosis at 26, James J. Hammond fought through surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation—emerging cancer-free, only to face a devastating recurrence two years later.

With the disease now incurable, he confronts life in “fast forward,” balancing hope and acceptance while cherishing each moment.

His journey through treatment, setbacks, and clinical trials offers hard-earned lessons on resilience, gratitude, and living fully despite the clock running faster than expected.

Chapter Two – Resetting Your Priorities

Facing a terminal diagnosis sharpened James J. Hammond’s belief that life is too precious for anything that does not bring purpose or joy.

He urges readers to prioritize deeply—choosing people, goals, and activities that matter most, balancing short- and long-term aspirations, and investing fully in relationships.

By cutting out unproductive distractions and focusing on what truly enriches life, he shows how deliberate prioritization leads to deeper happiness and meaning.

Chapter Three – Appreciating Life
James J. Hammond highlights gratitude as a daily practice that grounds us, strengthens relationships, and shifts perspective—even in hardship.

He shares how expressing appreciation, embracing both joy and suffering, and rejecting complaint and self-pity can deepen our connection to life.

By focusing on what remains good and meaningful, he shows that gratitude can be a powerful tool for resilience and purpose.

Chapter Four – Choosing Your Attitude
James J. Hammond reflects on the one thing he could control through cancer: his mindset. By “winning one day at a time,” he shows how positivity, resilience, and confronting reality can shape outcomes, ease suffering, and inspire others.

He explores using attitude to face pain, avoid dwelling on uncertain futures, and build perseverance—reminding us that while we cannot choose our challenges, we can choose how we meet them.

Chapter Five – Developing Empathy
Through his cancer journey, James J. Hammond deepened his belief in empathy as one of life’s most powerful virtues—built on listening, compassion, and sharing in others’ experiences.

He explores how being present, forgiving, and resisting judgment can strengthen relationships, while recognizing the difference between unfairness and bad luck helps maintain resilience.

His message: empathy is not pity, but an active choice to understand, support, and celebrate others in both joy and suffering.

Chapter Six – Caring for Yourself
James J. Hammond emphasizes that caring for your mind and body is not selfish—it is essential to better support others. He shares lessons on breaking the “invincible” mindset, creating unbreakable personal rules, prioritizing exercise, nutrition, sleep, and meditation, and eliminating excuses. By building deliberate self-care habits, he shows how small, consistent actions create lasting improvements in resilience, clarity, and capacity to give.

Chapter Seven – Finding Your Purpose
James J. Hammond reflects on how chasing others’ dreams left him unfulfilled until cancer forced him to define his own.

He explores the difference between professional and personal purpose, the intersection of joy, excellence, and impact, and the need for trial, error, and honest introspection.

With clarity on what truly matters—like fatherhood, writing, and inspiring others—he shows how living with purpose transforms both work and life.