Engaging Life Lessons

As the room filled up, and we were adding extra chairs to the side aisles, I ask, “Anyone from Louisiana?”  Several individuals raised their hands, and I talked about being raised in Baton Rouge by a very loving mother that lost her fight with cancer as I started college.  Those were good family years, but hard years.  After college I was an Airborne Ranger during Vietnam, and at that time thought my soldier journey would be the hardiest of my life.  I now realize our life journeys unfold in ways that prepare us for what is to come, when we slow it down enough to be open to life lessons.  Today walk slowly and absorb life’s energy and lessons.  

Walking: Paths to Health, Hope, and Joy

Today, I will facilitate a cancer survivor class called “Walking: A Path to Health, Hope, and Joy”.  Walking quiets the mind chatter that keeps us from experiencing the present in its fullness.  We are carried through life, not by our thoughts and emotions, but by the fusion of body-mind-spirit.  Walking better fuses our mind-body-spirit connections, and produces a synergy that is fulfilling and energizes our cellular pathways to health, hope, and joy.  As you walk today be aware of the cellular harmony created in each step, and the healing power of movement.  On my Christmas morning walk I received many gifts; one was the last Blue Plumbago flower of this season.  What gifts will you receive today as you walk?

Wholeness

Yolanda gave me one last hand squeeze, a reassurance that my cancer care team would be there with me over the next couple of weeks of more tests.  I headed for one of my most favorite places in Mays Clinic the chapel and its garden, and for me a place of peace and calm.  But as I walked by the Gift Shop, I was stopped by a message in their window, “Stop, Look, and Listen”.   As I stood by the window I was overwhelmed by tears, realizing that the message blocks in the window had brought me back to the present and wholeness.  When touched by wholeness, time stops and we are calmed, nourished, and renewed.  Stop, look, listen today for your wholeness. 

MRI Experience

In Baton Rouge in the 50’s, we had open sewer ditches in our front yards.  As a small boy, the sewer pipe passing under our driveway was just large enough for me to crawl through.  After one heavy rain, and a dare, I held my breath and went into the sewer pipe to be blown out the other end.  Yesterday, lying in an MRI tube with the whirling sound of energy all around me, I was back in the sewer pipe waiting to be blown out the other end.  I had a mild reaction to the contrast agent, but the instant I felt my body shift back in time, I felt a clam, for I already knew the ending.  Let life experiences strengthen you in 2015.

I'm So Grateful

Yesterday I walked for a few minutes with one of my early mentors at MD Anderson; he ask “How are you?” and I talked about my kids, grandkids, and Christmas at the lake house.  So he ask again, how are you, I stopped and realized how easy this question was to answer.  “I’m so grateful, I’m loved, we have a new puppy that keeps you smiling, and my job provides me the opportunity to have real impact.”  How are you, what words would describe your start to 2015?  I remember the first time I heard Karen Drucker sing I’m So Grateful, I remember the tears, joy, and feeling MaryBeth’s fingers wrapped tightly around mine. How are you?       

Karen Drucker sings I'm So Grateful

Listening and Grow More

It was bitter cold at the company formation and many were waiting for my first words as their new commander, but after roll call I dismissed them and then walked around that day talking to soldiers in their space listening to “their stories”.  As a hospice worker I understood that for most families, first days of care were not easy, you could feel the tension created by not wanting to give up the fight.  I learned it was best to give hugs when appropriate, warm cold hands and listen to their stories.  Maybe it’s where I am in my life journey, or the blessing I’ve received from just listening.  This year, I plan to listen more, and grow more through the stories I’m being told. 

Word Guides for 2015

Helen and Joe did veggie snacks at our lake house, and then we all headed for their ranch for bottle rockets and bean wraps.  I lay on my back near their fireplace surrounded by crystal bowls, and as Joe helped them sing their harmonic sounds raised three words to guide me in 2015.  Patience with myself and others, presence in the life moments I am given, and perseverance with my life and cancer journey.  I have been wearing a prayer bracelet for a few months to slow life down, but as the bowls sang I realized it would serve as a connection to my three word guides.  What words have you chosen to guide you during 2015?