The complexity of cancer with the uncertainty, the unknown, the roller coaster ride of emotions can be strenuous on any individual. A lot of the work I do with an individual is providing support in coping with the physical and emotional hurdles.
Skills with managing the emotional turmoil I have discussed with clients include:
• Taking each day at a time
• Remembering your routine
• Learning to not run from your “shadow”
• Facing the reality of our mortality
as human beings
• Noticing feelings of abandonment
and loneliness
• Acceptance with not knowing the future
• Doing one thing a day that gives you joy
With the uncertainty that COVID-19 has brought to the world, these themes of awareness are vital in our current climate with the emotional ups and downs and the lack of control that we are experiencing as a society, similar to individuals with cancer.
Make no mistake, this pandemic requires a lot of resilience and courage. Pursuing
growth amidst a
crisis is not an easy
feat. This comes from
a place of strength
that doesn’t develop
in a day; strength
grows steadily over
time.
It’s a muscle of
awareness that not
all of us have but
learn to exercise.
Being mentally present in a time of crisis goes against our adaptive behaviors as a society of do-more behaviors in order to cope. Social Distancing and self-isolation lately have appeared to be the antagonists of our busy-body routines.
The mountains ahead of us seem large and daunting. But I don’t think it’s the size of the mountain that we are questioning, but the grit, the tough, the fight inside of us that we hope is enough to make it to the summit. Not knowing what we can live through, physically, mentally and emotionally, fuels the majority of our worry with the virus.
People with cancer have flourished through living in the unknown for years. The present is what they thrive on. They are our leaders, our teachers and our guides. They are the leading light in the storm, the Masters of the unknown, people who know what it’s like to look life in the eyes and say, “Let’s do this”.
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