Spirituality Is Many Things to Many People

RE
RE Member Posts: 4,591 Member
Spirituality can be many things, some may find it at a church or a synagogue while others may find it in the comfort of a mountain stream or the spray of the ocean. I find it in many of the places I just listed. When times are difficult or stressful I find great comfort and relief in the presence of nature and the meditation of prayer.

During all of my cancer battles my husband and I would often take a drive to the mountains for a bit of peace and quiet that can be found there. For both of us it was a way to recharge, to find the solace we were lacking. It just made the battle a bit more tolerable and often times reminded me why I was fighting so hard to live in the first place.

My Best to you all,

RE

Comments

  • shoppergal
    shoppergal Member Posts: 118
    Spirituality
    You are absolutely right, spirituality is many different things. Before I met my onc,when I heard her name, I knew everything would be ok. Her name Is Dr Ocean,and I found that perfect.I love the ocean and all I could think of when I heard her name,was laying on the beach with the warm sun beating down on me and listening to the calming waves. That gave me such a calming feeling. Whenever things get tough for me, I close my eyes and just picture the waves and the sound of the ocean along with the warm sun.That always lifts up my spirits and makes me feel better.
  • angelsbaby
    angelsbaby Member Posts: 1,165 Member

    Spirituality
    You are absolutely right, spirituality is many different things. Before I met my onc,when I heard her name, I knew everything would be ok. Her name Is Dr Ocean,and I found that perfect.I love the ocean and all I could think of when I heard her name,was laying on the beach with the warm sun beating down on me and listening to the calming waves. That gave me such a calming feeling. Whenever things get tough for me, I close my eyes and just picture the waves and the sound of the ocean along with the warm sun.That always lifts up my spirits and makes me feel better.

    spirituality
    Right on

    michelle
  • PhillieG
    PhillieG Member Posts: 4,866 Member

    Spirituality
    You are absolutely right, spirituality is many different things. Before I met my onc,when I heard her name, I knew everything would be ok. Her name Is Dr Ocean,and I found that perfect.I love the ocean and all I could think of when I heard her name,was laying on the beach with the warm sun beating down on me and listening to the calming waves. That gave me such a calming feeling. Whenever things get tough for me, I close my eyes and just picture the waves and the sound of the ocean along with the warm sun.That always lifts up my spirits and makes me feel better.

    Wait...
    You went to sea Dr Ocean? (pun intended and I hope received). I get my spirituality from nature. I love the outdoors and I love to kayak. I usually early morning due to not being able to take too much direct sun and it gets too hot sometimes in the summer too. I've gone out late at night too just to star gaze. Nature is just so beautiful and remarkable.

    I know what you mean about the sounds of the ocean too, we vacation at the NJ shore every summer. I love it!

    Re, what you said "Spirituality can be many things, some may find it at a church or a synagogue while others may find it in the comfort of a mountain stream or the spray of the ocean." it's so true. There are many paths to the same thing.

    Michelle, Right On back to you. I hope you are doing OK. Both ends of the battle are really rough.

    I wish others would stop by and post/share their thoughts here. I think this is being received by some as a get off the other board and only post here where I do not see it like that at all. But, we are all different just like everyone else.
    Peace to you all
    -phil
  • RE
    RE Member Posts: 4,591 Member

    Spirituality
    You are absolutely right, spirituality is many different things. Before I met my onc,when I heard her name, I knew everything would be ok. Her name Is Dr Ocean,and I found that perfect.I love the ocean and all I could think of when I heard her name,was laying on the beach with the warm sun beating down on me and listening to the calming waves. That gave me such a calming feeling. Whenever things get tough for me, I close my eyes and just picture the waves and the sound of the ocean along with the warm sun.That always lifts up my spirits and makes me feel better.

    :-)
    My doctor's wife has the same name as I do which is quite rare, our name is Rena. It was always quite comical when I was having chemo; it became so confusing they would call Rena and neither of us would answer because we both figured they wanted the other Rena. It put a light spin on getting chemo and we always ended up laughing over it.

    Hugs,

    RE
  • Marcia527
    Marcia527 Member Posts: 2,729
    I don't attend church but I
    I don't attend church but I am spiritual and I have had prayers answered.

    What got me through chemo was picturing the clear blue Texas skies. It was soothing.
  • hollyberry
    hollyberry Member Posts: 173
    Marcia527 said:

    I don't attend church but I
    I don't attend church but I am spiritual and I have had prayers answered.

    What got me through chemo was picturing the clear blue Texas skies. It was soothing.

    Feelin' Groovy
    It is so nice to see everyone sharing their spiritual journeys and experiences without being defensive. I already feel more peace in the universe!
    Have a great holiday weekend and enjoy those soothing rituals; it can only help to feel peace and tranquility at the center of your being.

    Peace,
    Hollyberry
  • slickwilly
    slickwilly Member Posts: 334 Member

    Feelin' Groovy
    It is so nice to see everyone sharing their spiritual journeys and experiences without being defensive. I already feel more peace in the universe!
    Have a great holiday weekend and enjoy those soothing rituals; it can only help to feel peace and tranquility at the center of your being.

    Peace,
    Hollyberry

    Good things
    Ya gotta love the woods and outdoors. A smile from a friend that totally changes your day. Many years ago my wife was a restaurant manager. There was a waitress named Anna that was quite young and full of life. A very crazy cheerleader that was always on the run. When I walked into my first chemo session, there was Anna running the unit. My first thought was that my life was about to end because this crazy person was in charge of things. I quickly learned that I had found a very caring person that would take care of all my needs during my 9 1/2 hour chemo sessions. She stayed hours beyond her shift on nights when I was the only patient left. She ran for warm blankets, juice and food and joked with me to break up the long hours. That very painful part of my life would of been so much worse without Anna helping me through it. Its funny how these little crutches seem to pop up and support us as we struggle through life. Call them miracles or whatever you want. But they have happened over and over in my life and I thank God for that. Have a great weekend everyone. Slickwilly
  • tonybear
    tonybear Member Posts: 90
    spirituality
    i have been raised in a mixture of native american culture, in a sort of straight line pastors home, ( yes i am a preachers kid ), by parents who encouraged indivduality and exploration in thinking. i have my spirit being that feels and senses things the natural man can't. yet at times in nature they can both find peace. i loved the times sitting on an isolated beach as well as hunting. not so much hunting for the food, but hunting for the solitude and peace. there is spiritual communion with my creator which is on a different level so to speak than the natural. before i left to fight the cancer thing i had a latino pastor pray for me. during my 2 month incarceration (lol) i needed that prayer for spiritual peace. during the treatment the body did it's thing and the mind was doing it's own strange thing. i found my peace at times by going out to the walking track and laying in the grass just looking at the sun and sky. my wife was afraid they'ld see me there and come running out thinking i'd passed out. i had to explain to her when i was laying there the hospital and all involved was far away. it was my spirit mans escape. i did go to church there sometimes, but i needed the escape for the mental more than the spiritual. evryone have a blessed day. tony
  • tonybear
    tonybear Member Posts: 90

    Good things
    Ya gotta love the woods and outdoors. A smile from a friend that totally changes your day. Many years ago my wife was a restaurant manager. There was a waitress named Anna that was quite young and full of life. A very crazy cheerleader that was always on the run. When I walked into my first chemo session, there was Anna running the unit. My first thought was that my life was about to end because this crazy person was in charge of things. I quickly learned that I had found a very caring person that would take care of all my needs during my 9 1/2 hour chemo sessions. She stayed hours beyond her shift on nights when I was the only patient left. She ran for warm blankets, juice and food and joked with me to break up the long hours. That very painful part of my life would of been so much worse without Anna helping me through it. Its funny how these little crutches seem to pop up and support us as we struggle through life. Call them miracles or whatever you want. But they have happened over and over in my life and I thank God for that. Have a great weekend everyone. Slickwilly

    slickwilly......those special crutch people
    there were 4 chaplins in the cancer treatment center i was at. 3 of the guys were fun and helpful and did great jobs. there was a female chaplin named lisa. she had this calming effect on me just by being near. she had a huge inpact on my time there. one of the waitresses in the cafeteria always had a hug for me and the wife and often gave my wife small gifts. two nurses who were there in the most painful experence of my life calmly talking me through it with compassion and tenderness. linda and jt are heros to me. there were so many others who knew the strentgh of a hug and touch to make the day go easier. when i would tell them how much they meant to me they were all humble and gracious. like true heros. have a great day slickwilly.
  • slickwilly
    slickwilly Member Posts: 334 Member
    tonybear said:

    spirituality
    i have been raised in a mixture of native american culture, in a sort of straight line pastors home, ( yes i am a preachers kid ), by parents who encouraged indivduality and exploration in thinking. i have my spirit being that feels and senses things the natural man can't. yet at times in nature they can both find peace. i loved the times sitting on an isolated beach as well as hunting. not so much hunting for the food, but hunting for the solitude and peace. there is spiritual communion with my creator which is on a different level so to speak than the natural. before i left to fight the cancer thing i had a latino pastor pray for me. during my 2 month incarceration (lol) i needed that prayer for spiritual peace. during the treatment the body did it's thing and the mind was doing it's own strange thing. i found my peace at times by going out to the walking track and laying in the grass just looking at the sun and sky. my wife was afraid they'ld see me there and come running out thinking i'd passed out. i had to explain to her when i was laying there the hospital and all involved was far away. it was my spirit mans escape. i did go to church there sometimes, but i needed the escape for the mental more than the spiritual. evryone have a blessed day. tony

    Spiritual peace
    It seems many of us have grown up in a mixture of different religions and cultures. My family is a mixture of First Congregational, Catholic and Dutch Reform. We come from the low lands in Scotland, Germany the Netherlands and Chippewa Indian tribe. We all seem to get along fine by respecting each other and I am quite thankful for the diverse family that I have. Its funny how a couple of very basic things in life seem to be the most calming. Fire and water. I am lucky enough to live by Lake Superior. When my three daughters were young we would pick up some hot chocolate and donuts and take a blanket to an isolated beach. We would watch the sun come up on a beach where the Iroquois and Chippewa indians once had a battle. Watching the sun come up to start a new day is awesome. And I can't think of anything more calming then sitting in front of a campfire. Something I did many times when I was dealing with cancer. I love putting on a backpack and hiking in the woods. I will start a fire using a flint as I like the challenge and have a cup of coffee. And I always spend time talking to God about all the friends and family I have lost. Its my time to remember and reflect and thank God for all he has given me. I had cancer and spend a lot of time in pain but I have been blessed by so many wonderful things in my life. Possessions and money are so far down the list of important things in my life that they would not make the first page. Bless you all and have a great weekend. Slickwilly
  • lindaprocopio
    lindaprocopio Member Posts: 1,980

    Spiritual peace
    It seems many of us have grown up in a mixture of different religions and cultures. My family is a mixture of First Congregational, Catholic and Dutch Reform. We come from the low lands in Scotland, Germany the Netherlands and Chippewa Indian tribe. We all seem to get along fine by respecting each other and I am quite thankful for the diverse family that I have. Its funny how a couple of very basic things in life seem to be the most calming. Fire and water. I am lucky enough to live by Lake Superior. When my three daughters were young we would pick up some hot chocolate and donuts and take a blanket to an isolated beach. We would watch the sun come up on a beach where the Iroquois and Chippewa indians once had a battle. Watching the sun come up to start a new day is awesome. And I can't think of anything more calming then sitting in front of a campfire. Something I did many times when I was dealing with cancer. I love putting on a backpack and hiking in the woods. I will start a fire using a flint as I like the challenge and have a cup of coffee. And I always spend time talking to God about all the friends and family I have lost. Its my time to remember and reflect and thank God for all he has given me. I had cancer and spend a lot of time in pain but I have been blessed by so many wonderful things in my life. Possessions and money are so far down the list of important things in my life that they would not make the first page. Bless you all and have a great weekend. Slickwilly

    I find great peace in my garden.
    In my garden I feel closest to God. I am an organic gardener, and feel that I am gardening as God himself does, feeding the soil with fallen leaves and the poop from my rabbit, encouraging the assistance of birds and skunks and beneficial insects to keep plant-destroying insects under control, gathering the seeds from my own plants for next year's crop, etc. Each season has its function in the garden. Here I walk through the rich scents of my thousands of flowers, picking raspberries and nibbling on snow peas as I study each plant to see if my intervention is needed, marvelling at how beautifully my perennials survived when I was weak from chemo and God was 'on his own' with my borders and beds. Then passing of each season somehow makes mortality more bearable, and the inevitability of life one day ending seems perfectly right in a garden that promises spring's renewal even after winter's death.

    How optimistic it is to plant a tree! And as I design a new garden bed and tuck in the tiny plants, I wonder if I will be here in 3 years to see the design 'grown in'? And I am at peace either way, for the garden will be here when I am gone. And the red maple tree I started from seed this summer will shade others, even if I am not here in 30 years to sit below it. And I'm happy about that.
  • kimby
    kimby Member Posts: 797

    I find great peace in my garden.
    In my garden I feel closest to God. I am an organic gardener, and feel that I am gardening as God himself does, feeding the soil with fallen leaves and the poop from my rabbit, encouraging the assistance of birds and skunks and beneficial insects to keep plant-destroying insects under control, gathering the seeds from my own plants for next year's crop, etc. Each season has its function in the garden. Here I walk through the rich scents of my thousands of flowers, picking raspberries and nibbling on snow peas as I study each plant to see if my intervention is needed, marvelling at how beautifully my perennials survived when I was weak from chemo and God was 'on his own' with my borders and beds. Then passing of each season somehow makes mortality more bearable, and the inevitability of life one day ending seems perfectly right in a garden that promises spring's renewal even after winter's death.

    How optimistic it is to plant a tree! And as I design a new garden bed and tuck in the tiny plants, I wonder if I will be here in 3 years to see the design 'grown in'? And I am at peace either way, for the garden will be here when I am gone. And the red maple tree I started from seed this summer will shade others, even if I am not here in 30 years to sit below it. And I'm happy about that.

    Linda
    Linda,

    I just think you can appreciate this, as I appreciate you and your outlook. In January my liver surgeon was talking 6 mos or so with my family. (I was still under anesthesia because he's afraid of me, but that is another story! LOL) I've recovered and the tumor he was so sure would kill me was taken care of by my radiation oncologist.

    So this spring as we planned the garden, I planted asparagus. In three years when we harvest, I'm having an asparagus party and inviting that surgeon. If (for whatever reason) I'm not here for the party, it will still happen. And, it will bring joy to my friends and family. Hope. Joy. Time.

    Kimby
  • lindaprocopio
    lindaprocopio Member Posts: 1,980
    I love asparagus! 3 years isn't that long; can I come??
    I love your asparagus story and can truly relate. One of my garden beds is a 'nursery bed' where I start rooted cuttings and biennials, things that are a year or more away from being large enough to add to a more permanent garden design elsewhere. I worry a little bit about each woody plant that I poke in here, hoping I'll be alive to move each of the baby trees and shrubs before they grow too big to be easily moved, knowing how horrible they'll look if allowed to grow in place. If I have a recurrance, the first thing I'll do after I stop crying is get out there and move or yank out everything that could be a problem. And yet just yesterday I transplanted a tiny baby holly that had self-seeded near my house's foundation, moving it into my 'nursery bed', thinking that in 3 or 4 years this would be a nice size to add as an under-story plant at the edge of my woods. That's the optimism of gardening:...that I'll be here in 4 years to move it into place, and be here in the years that follow to admire its evergreen beauty against the snow from my kitchen window. And even if I am not here, I can already picture it in my mind, and that's good, too.
  • donnare
    donnare Member Posts: 266
    So true
    Spirituality - many different things at different times too.

    I find God in nature, as well as church. I find God in art and music and all things beautiful. I find God in the generousity and kindness of others. And I felt God's presence when my newborn babies were placed in my arms and knew that I had just been part of a miracle!

    Cool thread!
    Wishing you peace in your hearts,
    Donna
  • Katheryn46
    Katheryn46 Member Posts: 1
    donnare said:

    So true
    Spirituality - many different things at different times too.

    I find God in nature, as well as church. I find God in art and music and all things beautiful. I find God in the generousity and kindness of others. And I felt God's presence when my newborn babies were placed in my arms and knew that I had just been part of a miracle!

    Cool thread!
    Wishing you peace in your hearts,
    Donna

    May God Bless you with health, peace,comfort and MIRACLES!
    I lost my Dad in 1994, Colon Cancer my Mom in 1997, Brain Cancer, and my sister,just less than 2 years older than me) from Esophogial Cancer at the age of 47, I was diagnosed with Metastic Breast Cancer at the age of 46 just 3 or 4 months after losing my sister March 23, 2006.
    I was the "Baby" of the family, then my Husband decided to sneak out of the house after tellig me he was going to the kitchen to get iced tea....after about 45 minutes, I went into the kitchen to see if he was okay,,and he was gone, taking the ONLY car we had. My youngest daughter called me the next day, asking me why I "Threw him out".
    She knew it was a lie but she had never see him act that way but she also didn't know about his passion for pornography,among other things. In the long run she talked me in to taking him back in, but with a few rules, like no porn, of any kind anytine, no more lies, no more stealing, I could go on and on but whats the point, he never kept his promises, this time was no different...
    He actually started telling the truth nasty hurtful things usually,, but my faith in God has grown SO MUCH and the stuff he doe's isnt near as bad or as frequent, I just had to get to a place in my life that I came to see that the issues that caused so mch pain were HIS issues, not mine and although it was an agonizing situation, God has brought me through SO MUCH and is ALWAYS there for me, he restored my confidence, given me a Sense of peace and has somewhat restored my marraige, and I am in remission(almost 2 years now. God
    Bless You Donnare, You as well as many others on ASC will be in my prayers, Love,Peace and healing to everyone. Sincerest Thanks for you time and your strength!
    Katheryn46
  • OCTOMAN
    OCTOMAN Member Posts: 21
    Spirituality
    I agree with you as a fellow cancer suffer.I seeks spirituallity where ever I can find it.It is the balm to suffering.To me it is what life is all about. Best wishes.
  • OCTOMAN
    OCTOMAN Member Posts: 21

    May God Bless you with health, peace,comfort and MIRACLES!
    I lost my Dad in 1994, Colon Cancer my Mom in 1997, Brain Cancer, and my sister,just less than 2 years older than me) from Esophogial Cancer at the age of 47, I was diagnosed with Metastic Breast Cancer at the age of 46 just 3 or 4 months after losing my sister March 23, 2006.
    I was the "Baby" of the family, then my Husband decided to sneak out of the house after tellig me he was going to the kitchen to get iced tea....after about 45 minutes, I went into the kitchen to see if he was okay,,and he was gone, taking the ONLY car we had. My youngest daughter called me the next day, asking me why I "Threw him out".
    She knew it was a lie but she had never see him act that way but she also didn't know about his passion for pornography,among other things. In the long run she talked me in to taking him back in, but with a few rules, like no porn, of any kind anytine, no more lies, no more stealing, I could go on and on but whats the point, he never kept his promises, this time was no different...
    He actually started telling the truth nasty hurtful things usually,, but my faith in God has grown SO MUCH and the stuff he doe's isnt near as bad or as frequent, I just had to get to a place in my life that I came to see that the issues that caused so mch pain were HIS issues, not mine and although it was an agonizing situation, God has brought me through SO MUCH and is ALWAYS there for me, he restored my confidence, given me a Sense of peace and has somewhat restored my marraige, and I am in remission(almost 2 years now. God
    Bless You Donnare, You as well as many others on ASC will be in my prayers, Love,Peace and healing to everyone. Sincerest Thanks for you time and your strength!
    Katheryn46

    Life and cancer
    Kathery 46 What a wonderful person you sound.I am not religious but I know the benifits a belief in God can bring.Richard Dawkins believes you can replace God with Charles Darwins theories,me thinks he is but a fool.Opposites attract ,your husband is following the Devil.You are safe in Gods keeping Some people are cursed others like you are blessed.Best wishes.octoman
  • PhillieG
    PhillieG Member Posts: 4,866 Member
    OCTOMAN said:

    Life and cancer
    Kathery 46 What a wonderful person you sound.I am not religious but I know the benifits a belief in God can bring.Richard Dawkins believes you can replace God with Charles Darwins theories,me thinks he is but a fool.Opposites attract ,your husband is following the Devil.You are safe in Gods keeping Some people are cursed others like you are blessed.Best wishes.octoman

    Richard Dawkins
    I'm not familiar with the man, I just looked him up and see he's not a God person.
    I don't know if you can watch the PBS Science show NOVA where you are but there is a program dealing with an interesting trial in the USA in Dover Pennsylvania. It puts Evolution and Intelligent Design on trial. It's basically about if ID should be taught in Science class. I found it interesting, some people may not.

    It can be viewed here.
    http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/programs/ht/wm/3416_01_220.html

    Kathery, I think some people just act a certain way that is not caused by God or the Devil, it's just how they were raised. One tend to repeat what they are taught and the examples that were set for them. It sounds like your family has gone through quite a lot of suffering. There is certainly nothing wrong in believing in miracles, unexplained good (and bad) things do happen.