Home / Arts and Entertainment / Van Der Beek: Finding Self-Love Through Illness
Van Der Beek: Finding Self-Love Through Illness
12 Feb
Summary
- Cancer revealed actor's core identity beyond roles.
- He learned he is worthy of love simply by existing.
- Van Der Beek shared this lesson in a birthday message.
Actor James Van Der Beek, who battled stage three colorectal cancer for several years, shared significant personal revelations on his birthday. He explained that his previous definitions of self, based on being an actor, husband, and father, were insufficient when confronted with his mortality.
Van Der Beek described how treatment required him to be away, impacting his roles as a husband and father, and how his physical weakness prevented him from fulfilling other capacities. This difficult period led him to profound self-reflection.
Through meditation, he arrived at the understanding that he was worthy of love simply by existing. He extended this realization to everyone, encouraging them to embrace their inherent worthiness, suggesting 'I am worthy of love' as a mantra, regardless of spiritual beliefs.
The actor passed away in 2025, nearly a year after sharing this heartfelt message. His journey highlighted the transformative power of facing adversity and finding self-acceptance at the deepest level.
