Over the past few weeks, I’ve had the privilege of hearing from others who have struggled with major illness. It’s like I’ve been admitted into a new club and part of the initiation is telling our stories to one another. As we talked of our unique ups and downs, fears and celebrations, one theme ran through every story:
Healing was our responsibility.
Each person values the caregivers in their lives. Doctors, nurses, technicians, family, and friends provide their own unique, specialized support. Yet, each person took command of his/her own health. “Healing is my job.”
The day before my first surgery, I wrote in my journal:
The doctors may remove the tumor and pump me with medications, but it is up to me to heal. My mind, my attitude, my body, my spirit – they are one, indistinguishable and inseparable. I must bring all of who I am to this moment, to this task. I must live into it, embrace it, be grateful for it, and relish an experience that few get to savor.
I never wanted to “fight” my cancer. It is part of me, and I don’t wish to fight myself. Instead, I choose to love myself – cancer and all. I choose to care for what is sick and nurture my overall health.
While I choose to love cancer back to health, others face their own illnesses and choose to fight. Either way works – po-TAY-to, po-TAH-to. No matter what our struggles, we need to be true to ourselves and walk our own path.
The goal is the same – to heal.
Quote
Healing takes courage, and we all have courage, even if we have to dig a little to find it. Tori Amos
Web
Here is a short post by Jack Kornfield on healing (read now).
Each person values the caregivers in their lives. Doctors, nurses, technicians, family, and friends provide their own unique, specialized support. Yet, each person took command of his/her own health. “Healing is my job.”
The day before my first surgery, I wrote in my journal:
The doctors may remove the tumor and pump me with medications, but it is up to me to heal. My mind, my attitude, my body, my spirit – they are one, indistinguishable and inseparable. I must bring all of who I am to this moment, to this task. I must live into it, embrace it, be grateful for it, and relish an experience that few get to savor.
I never wanted to “fight” my cancer. It is part of me, and I don’t wish to fight myself. Instead, I choose to love myself – cancer and all. I choose to care for what is sick and nurture my overall health.
While I choose to love cancer back to health, others face their own illnesses and choose to fight. Either way works – po-TAY-to, po-TAH-to. No matter what our struggles, we need to be true to ourselves and walk our own path.
The goal is the same – to heal.
Quote
Healing takes courage, and we all have courage, even if we have to dig a little to find it. Tori Amos
Web
Here is a short post by Jack Kornfield on healing (read now).
RSS Feed