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Did you happen to see the Super Bowl? The Super Bowl this year
was the
one of the best in years. Why am I talking football? The one announcer said
that Dick Vermeill, the winning coach, has a wonderful philosophy of life.
Everyday he collects "New Professors!" I love this. So many times
we go
through the days on "automatic pilot." It's as if we operate
by "rote."
At the end of each day , I now think back, "Who
was my professor today?
Who taught me? What did I learn? Sometimes it's a sky cap I met at the
airport, a taxi driver, someone attending one of my sessions, a clerk at the
store, or the author of the latest book I'm reading. Sometimes it's me! I'm
never saying or doing that EVER again.
Then it REALLY hit me! Ever since
I was told "the news," that MS had
had become a part of my body and my life, I HAVE been collecting professors.
My life has expanded to so many new horizons that I never knew existed,
BEFORE, or would have ever explored, BEFORE. Entire new worlds have
made
themselves known, so that I can learn. It's taken me off in directions that I
never would have charted on my own. Everyday is a lesson, a growing
experience.
We humans are a wonderful "species." We have the
power of choice. We can
choose. I am not dying with a chronic illness. I am LIVING with a chronic
illness. I choose to live. THAT'S what I'm going to do. But, I needed some
help. Alot of help.
Being diagnosed has given the term "self
reflection" a whole new meaning.
In fact, that term was not even part of my vocabulary! Who had the time to
"self-refect?" Plus, what exactly did that mean? Well, now I know.
Upon first
inspection,
the findings were not positive. I definitely had alot of work to do. I
had
to become better person. I had to make a "difference." I wanted to
reach out
to anyone having to face the challenges that life offers. THAT'S why it's
called "life," & for some reason it keeps throwing pop quizzes!
There are no
instructions & no guarantees. I knew the "guarantee" part. Like
everyone I
lived in the "ups" and dealt with the "downs." It was the
"instruction" area
where I needed an "instant crash course." How was I going to make
my MS
positive and productive. I got this. NOW I had to make it work.
I read everything I could get my hands on, consumed audio
tapes, & signed
up for seminars. My journey was just beginning. My professors were waiting,
&
I was ready.
At different conferences I have met:
Dr. Herbert Benson ~ He taught me about the
mind>body>heal connection.
There is no cure, YET, for MS. But I CAN help my body HEAL. He is great. He
started working on the "mind~body" relationship in the 70's and has
students
and doctors at Harvard medical school meditating!
Dr. Bernie Siegel ~ I love this man. He calls me
"little one," and we
communicate on a regular basis. He is a cancer surgeon from Yale who shaved
his head so his patients would feel more comfortable. Think "Patch
Adams" and
you've got Bernie Siegel. In his books, or on his tapes he is right there
with you, holding your hand, & helping you. He takes no prisoners. His
energy, his smile, and his love fill a room, or a book the instant he
"appears." I swear the man "glows!" The best present you
can give to you is
the "gift of Bernie" at your local bookstore or library. Check him
out!
Dr. Wayne Dyer ~ He taught me that I can do or be
anything. Once I
decide, make that comittment, and "plug in" my passion, I'm there!
He and
Bernie are my "nudges," they keep me pointed in the right direction
~ UP!
In "Manifest Your Destiny" he gives you the nine
principles to reach your
goals and fulfill your life's potential. It's ALL up to you! He is a master
communicator. His stories are wise, witty, and you don't forget. All of his
books, audio tapes are inspirational and packed with words of wisdom. His
latest book, "Wisdom of the Ages," profiles philosophers, poets,
& authors
who have all made a great contribution and a huge difference! From Whitman,
to Wadsworth to e. e. cummings they are all here. What a treasure chest of
knowledge.
Dr. Andrew Weil ~ He made us all aware of the term,
"alternative
medicine," and the importance of diet. His "no-nonsense,"
direct approach to
eating properly made me change my eating habits, but at the same time to not
obsess over that 4-letter word ~ food. (I work on not "over
obsessing" on
that everyday). I want to eat healthy, but not make counting fat grams a
fulltime occupation! His book, "Spontaneous Healing," helped
me put what I
have control over in perspective. His lessons helped me deal emotionally
&
physically.
I'm reading authors whose words have made the difference
between coping
and conquering:
Zoe Koplowitz, "The Winning Spirit" ~
Zoe was diagnosed with MS 25 years
ageo.This is the "super woman" who
runs the NY Marathon on crutches. It takes her approximately 37 hours!. She
trains every year, she runs every year, she "finishes" every year!
I met her
when she was here in Pa. She is as cool as she is courageous! SHE keeps me
going!
Norman Cousins, "Anatomy of an Illness" ~
He believed in the healing power
of laughter. When he was told he
didn't have long to live by all the "experts," he studied his
illness, did
alot of research & watched Marx Brother movies for hours. He
"cured" his
condition, and came roaring back, laughing all the way. He helped everyone
around him learn that one of our basic senses, if we're smart, is our sense
of humor. Think about it. You have to really work at being "down."
Why would
you want to work that hard. I don't "do down." "Up" is
more fun, more
productive and I look better. So do you. You light up when you smile. Go on
paste one on your face right now. Come on. See! Feel better? Works
everytime! He was right. Laughter really is the best medicine! BESIDES
~
When you're happy and smiling it drives everyone else nuts!
Mitch Albon, "Tuesdays With Morrie" ~
Everyone should experience the
"wisdom of Morrie." He teaches you
what's REALLY important in life. Caring, giving back, your relationships,
letting those you care about know. Don't wait. Share, care, give, love. The
lessons of Morrie are many & will never be forgotten. This wonderful man
lived and died with dignity, and wisdom. I thank Mitch Albon for sharing
Morrie & his lessons with all of us.
Jean-Dominique Bauby, "The Diving Bell & the
Butterfly"
This wonderful man taught me the meaning of courage, hope,
and
perservering against all odds. He suffered a severe stroke in 1995 that left
him living in "locked-in syndrome." His entire body was paralyzed.
All he was
capable of doing was blinking his left eye. The doctors and nurses taught him
an abbreviated alphabet so that he could communicate with them. Not only did
he "talk" to the hospital staff this way, he touched everyone in
the blink of
an eye. 200,000 blinks to be exact. He dictated his memoir, his tale, letter
by letter. Those 200,000 blinks gave birth to "Bell & the
Butterfly." He
died two months after the book was published in France. His words of
inspiration, his courageous battle, and his joy of experiencing, really
experiencing, all that life has to offer will never be forgotten. Thanks to
these beautiful words, your heart, and your soul will be changed
forever.
Sara Ban Breathnach taught me in her book, "Simple
Abundance," that the
simple pleasures are the most precious. She started me on my journey of
"self-reflection." One of her quotes that I have posted.
"Regret
is the only wound
from which the soul never recovers ~
Live!
Don't die with the music
still inside you!"
I've discovered the beautiful poetry of Rumi. He was born
in 1207, and
considered to be one of the world's greatest spiritual poets.
"Observe the wonders
as they
occur around you.
Don't
claim them.
Feel the artistry moving through,
and be silent."
In my "self-reflecting,"
I have learned that I "have to slow down to
show up!" Thich Nhat Hanh is teaching me "mindfulness." He is
a Zen Master
who has taught at Columbia University, & the Sorbonne.
"When we enter the present
moment deeply,
our regrets and sorrows disappear
and we discover
life
with all its wonders."
Because of this gentleman, I have started meditating. I
didn't even think
I could sit still for five minutes, let alone meditate!
Bernie Siegel has a tape available, "Meditations to
Enhance the Immune
System." When I feel particularly stressed, it slows me down. It calms
me
down. I breathe! Just hearing Bernie's voice, I feel better.
Oriah Mountain Dreamer, "The Invitation" ~
Taught me the meaning of strength. The courage to face how
strong I AM.
The knowledge to realize how strong I CAN become.
"The strength to do what
needs to be done finds us.
When we think we have nothing more
to draw upon, that something else
can enter. In this place, there is no more trying. There is only being and
doing . . . When we get up anyway and do what needs to be done we shine!.
When I see this in another I am filled with an infinte tenderness for our
fraility and our strength."
"The Invitation" is a declaration of intent,
a map into the longing of the soul,
the desire to live passionately,
face-to-face with ourselves
and skin to skin
with the world around us."
Another one of my teachers is Victor Frankl. In his book,
"Man's Search
for Meaning," he taught us all about the power of the mind. He was in a
POW
camp and survived for many years because he would not surrender the power
of
his mind. He cites example after example of how when his friends gave up,
THEY became the keepers of their fate. He taught me that ~
You can give "out."
You can give "in."
But, you never give "up."
A friend, who also taught me a great deal, gave me another
book by Victor
Frankl, "The Doctor and the Soul."
"Man can only answer to life
by answering for his life."
One of my newest "sages," who I have just
discovered, puts it all in
perspective. To quote Catherine Cardinal from, "The Ten Commandments of
Self
Esteem" ~
"Thou
Shall Not Consort With People
Who Make Thee Feel Bad About
Thyself"
"Thou
Hast Permission
At All Times To Say NO,
To
Change Thy Mind,
And To express Thy True
Feelings"
"Thou Shalt Sing Thine Own
Praises
All The
Days Of Thy Life!"
Couldn't have said it better myself!
This is just a sampling of my new collection of
professors.
Now it's your turn ~
Who will be your new professor today?
What lessons will they teach you?
What will you learn?
How will you grow?
Cathy Finney
Soar303@aol.com
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