Are you or a loved one a cancer survivor? If so, then you are getting ready to celebrate National Cancer Survivors Day, the worldwide Celebration of Life, held the first Sunday of June.
Many people have found that life after a cancer diagnosis can be meaningful and even more satisfying and enjoyable. Survivors often experience the crisis as a major turning point in life’s journey.
Research shows that survivors of serious illnesses usually demonstrate these 3 characteristics-
1. They have a sense of Purpose.
2. They are connected with People.
3. They feel that they have Power in their lives.
Do you have this “tripod of self-healing” supporting you right now?
Treatment schedules, side effects, financial issues, pain, and statistics can be very stressful and disorienting. Your hobbies probably are the last thing on your mind. Instead of reaching out you may feel like withdrawing from friends and loved ones, and that you are at the mercy of the medical profession and your prognosis.
Scan through your life history. What has energized you the most? Is there something you have always wanted to do? Maybe you have almost forgotten.
Cancer as a Turning Point, by Lawrence LeShan, PhD, tells the stories of many individuals that started living life in new rewarding ways and actually experienced greater freedom and awareness after a diagnosis of cancer. Not only is the book inspiring, but it offers a wealth of practical, easy to do tips to create a rich and meaningful life.
He and his patients explored these questions-“What are your special and unique ways of being, relating, creating that are your own and natural ways to live? What is your special music to beat out in life, your unique song to sing? What style of life would give you zest, enthusiasm, and involvement? What has blocked your perception and/or expression in the past?-with amazing results!
I am facilitating a new group at the Nourished Health Center on Thursday evenings, starting June 6, 6:30 pm, to create on-going supportive PEOPLE connections and to learn new tools for EMPOWERMENT. We will explore our lives to rediscover and rekindle PASSION and PURPOSE and find relief from the burnout from illness, stress and treatments. I hope you’ll join us!
Life with & beyond Cancer
–Cutting edge mind/body tools, resources and support
To register go to http://www.meetup.com/Technologies-of-the-Self/ or call or email Victoria at951-268-4280, [email protected], $5
If you won’t be able to join us, I highly recommend the following books-
Anatomy of an Illness: as Perceived by the Patient, by Norman Cousins
Anti-Cancer: a New Way of Life, David Servan-Schreiber, MD, PhD
Cancer as a Turning Point, by Lawrence LeShan, PhD
Guided Imagery for Self-Healing, Martin Rossman, MD
Individualized private sessions are also available in person or Skype.