In April of 2007, productivity stopped. I was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, the fourth leading cause of cancer death in the U.S with an average survival rate of 3-6 months after diagnosis. That was not the diagnosis the doctors or I expected. I also did not expect the recovery to be as challenging as it was or the adjustment to becoming an insulin dependent diabetic quite so challenging. I help people learn how to manage stress. I am a trainer/educator who professes the benefits of having a strong, positive, can-do attitude, faith, and that a good sense of humor and laughter are the supreme coping skills when life throws you a bunch of lemons.
I needed to watch comedies, tell funny stories, and focus on preparing for my training engagement in Las Vegas. After two chemo infusions and a major allergic reaction, I created a new definition for "gentle chemo" and told my oncologist "no more." With the aid of other treatment modalities, I went to Las Vegas. I instructed middle school health teachers how to teach health subjects using evidenced-based humor and improvisational exercises. They laughed and learned and then...
Productivity Stopped:
I was living at the bottom of Maslow's hierarchy of needs (biological and physiological needs). I was hospitalized; there were many complications and surgeries in the ensuing months. I was not about to let cancer take control of my life! Humor to the rescue! I distributed "The Joy of Living...The Journal that Inspires YOU to Live Life Laughing" (Trieber, 2007) to every nurse who took care of me. I walked the halls wearing "Minnie Mouse Ears," and my fellow patients' frowns turned into smiles (even staff moods changed as they laughed off stress).
Regrouped and Redefined My Mission:
In August I was beginning to climb up Maslow's ladder. I'd survived abdominal abscesses and
several surgeries. I was energized enough to think about how I was going to achieve my mission
to help people live life with joy and enthusiasm, be productive, and stop giving cancer more power than it deserves.
Along the way, I discovered how to Heal with wit and wisdom. My new focus became Healing with Wit and Wisdom. I learned the difference between healing and curing in a broad sense. I learned that I had to attend to my mind, body, and spirit in order to feel whole and harness positive energy. Positive energy increased when I learned how to center myself by concentrating on my breath and let outside thoughts float from one end of my brain and outside the other end. Eating more whole foods and minimizing refined sugar became the standard operating eating procedure.
I learned that thoughts matter and what we think colors our experiences. I learned to live in the present moment without judgment and respond with kindness to all situations. It was amazing how Less Stressed I felt and how productive I could be.
I am alive; my positive attitude is intact, I practice mindfulness mediation, and I am productive.
Open your heart, let go of your fears, accept your unique gifts, and love yourself. Adversity is a great teacher if we give ourselves permission to learn, grow, and accept what life gives us. Situations do not change, only our relationships with them.
What one lesson learned from this article can you use right away?"
"When will you take action on this lesson?"
And now I would like to invite you to subscribe to my free monthly Healing With Wit and Wisdom electronic newsletter by going directly to http://www.cancerrocks.com
From Roz Trieber - A certified health education specialist and cancer survivor who helps people heal with Wit and Wisdom. Roz works with organizations to reduce stress and increase productivity.
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