How To Make Friends With
Cancer....
You make friends with cancer by heeding its
call to consciousness.
By letting it change your life.
You slow down.
You pay attention.
You stop doing things you don't really want or need
to do.
You prioritize.
You pace yourself.
You respect your body.
You spend time with those whose presence is healing.
You notice the small miracles that occur daily--
the chorus of bird songs in the morning air, the
intoxicating fragrance of one pink rose, the melody
of raindrops, the heart-melting sweetness of your
children's smiles,
the eternality of an ocean wave, the exquisite beauty
of a setting sun,
the presence of your beloved--which, before cancer,
you may have overlooked or been too "busy"
to enjoy or appreciate.
You let love in.
You open your heart.
You tell the truth.
You ask for help.
You accept the profound generosity of friends.
You let whatever you may have given return itself to
you.
You allow it to remind you of what is actually
important in life and what is less so,
by forging a relationship with it that fosters new
insight,
by seeing the uninvited guest as an opportunity for
learning and growth.
You accept the myriad gifts and joys that life
offers.
You don't waste time complaining about things you
cannot change or that you wish were different.
You dance when you can. You weep when you must.
You notice what you have instead of what you don't
have.
You practice thankfulness, and forgiveness.
You don't hide from it or hate it,
but acknowledge it,
accept what it has to teach you, and continue on your
Journey,
one step at a time.