Sunday, January 27, 2008
mind-body connection
I had an unusual experience yesterday which I share, but first some background. I listen to the programs on public radio about the mind-body connection but really never connected to the idea. When I got sick I read Norman Cousins' books "Anatomy of an Illness' and "Head First" which dealt with his experiences as a patient and how the mind-body connection impacts a persons recovery and how attitude and frame of mind can influence the immune system and help patients overcome poor prognosis illnesses-particularly cancer. I believe his message and have made it a point to surround myself with positive people, humor, inspiring literature, good music and constantly remind myself how fortunate I am. In spite of this I have down days with fatigue, sleepiness, nausea, and discouragement. Yesterday was one of those days. I was running an errand and turned on the radio about 4pm and they announce that Obama was the projected winner in So. Carolina. Suddenly my symptoms disappeared and I felt ebullient. A man who has a message of hope resonated with me, and he had won a political skirmish, and I felt hopeful. The mind-body connection at work? I believed it before, now I know it! Eric
Thursday, January 10, 2008
Sharing
Sharing is a multidirectional journey. ONE famous teacher said that " it is by giving that you receive". As we unfold our story many of you have shared stories , jokes, essays, prayers, and sentiments which reflect the glory of humanities' thoughts, aspirations, arguments, and hopes over the ages flavored by the rainbow of our daily senses.
As you know we lost our pet laborador on Christmas Eve and Margie and I note daily how our walks down the lane to get the mail or the paper, winter-time yard duties, feeding and grooming schedule absent the dog have left a big absence in our family structure. We aren't anxious to replace her( couldn't possibly be done anyway) because of our other tenuous situations and the desire to travel while time permits.We received this short essay by Henry Beston from a sister traveler and dog lover. We share with you. Thanks Elise.
Animals
We need another and wiser and perhaps a more mystical concept of animals. Remote from universal nature, and living by complicated artifice, man in civilization surveys the creatures through the glass of his knowledge and sees thereby a feather magnified and the whole image
in distortion. We patronize animals for their incompleteness, for their tragic fated of having taken form so far below ourselves. And therein we err, and greatly err.
For the animal shall not be measured by man. In a world order and more complete that ours they move finished and complete, gifted with extensions of the senses we have lost or never attained, living by voices we shall never hear. They are not brethren, they are not underlings, they are other nations caught with ourselves in the net of life and time, fellow prisoners of the splendor and travail of the earth.
Worry looks about, sorrow looks back, faith looks up, and hope looks forward. We test each position and make a nest where we find comfort. I hop from nest to nest-but I think hope is warmest and provides greatest comfort.
Thanks to all for sharing. Eric
As you know we lost our pet laborador on Christmas Eve and Margie and I note daily how our walks down the lane to get the mail or the paper, winter-time yard duties, feeding and grooming schedule absent the dog have left a big absence in our family structure. We aren't anxious to replace her( couldn't possibly be done anyway) because of our other tenuous situations and the desire to travel while time permits.We received this short essay by Henry Beston from a sister traveler and dog lover. We share with you. Thanks Elise.
Animals
We need another and wiser and perhaps a more mystical concept of animals. Remote from universal nature, and living by complicated artifice, man in civilization surveys the creatures through the glass of his knowledge and sees thereby a feather magnified and the whole image
in distortion. We patronize animals for their incompleteness, for their tragic fated of having taken form so far below ourselves. And therein we err, and greatly err.
For the animal shall not be measured by man. In a world order and more complete that ours they move finished and complete, gifted with extensions of the senses we have lost or never attained, living by voices we shall never hear. They are not brethren, they are not underlings, they are other nations caught with ourselves in the net of life and time, fellow prisoners of the splendor and travail of the earth.
Worry looks about, sorrow looks back, faith looks up, and hope looks forward. We test each position and make a nest where we find comfort. I hop from nest to nest-but I think hope is warmest and provides greatest comfort.
Thanks to all for sharing. Eric
Saturday, January 5, 2008
Reprieve
Friday, I got the news the inmate on death row wants to hear, you got a reprieve. My doctor came in the room and told Margie and I that the brain scan looked great. Plus, I'm feeling better daily as the fatigue associated with the brain radiation and intense chemotherapy has begun to wear off. I still get chemotherapy five days out of 28 and this disagrees with me but is tolerable considering the alternatives. Now we wait another two months to see if the next brain scan remains static, and so on for the next couple of years.
Brain recovery requires intense rehabilitation, constant application, hardship, struggle against disappointment and failure, inclement weather, missed meals, and insensitive ribbing from so-called friends. In spite of this I soldier on and have challenged myself to force myself to fish at least three times weekly this coming year.
I find inspiration from many sources these days and have found the bible to provide solutions to many situations, but Sunday when I fell down in 38 degree water while fishing the bible didn't contain the proper language.
Thank all of you for your kindnesses, prayers, good wishes and support. You feed my soul. Eric
Brain recovery requires intense rehabilitation, constant application, hardship, struggle against disappointment and failure, inclement weather, missed meals, and insensitive ribbing from so-called friends. In spite of this I soldier on and have challenged myself to force myself to fish at least three times weekly this coming year.
I find inspiration from many sources these days and have found the bible to provide solutions to many situations, but Sunday when I fell down in 38 degree water while fishing the bible didn't contain the proper language.
Thank all of you for your kindnesses, prayers, good wishes and support. You feed my soul. Eric
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