RENEWING OUR INNER SELVES

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RE
RE Member Posts: 4,591 Member
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
This is a blog I posted on the Expression's Gallery, I decided to post it here as well and ask where or what some of you do to renew your inner selves.

Today I was sitting with my husband enjoying one of the National Parks series on PBS (we had recorded it previously.) I love this series by the way as it is our desire to visit as many of them as is humanly possible once My Guy retires. Needless to say I was enjoying myself immensely when a woman on the show mentioned how many of us have a National Park that is near and dear to us, one that holds family memories, one that we visit and revisit. I thought yes ours is Yosemite since I am in California. We have taken our children there many times to camp and for day visits. We have gone in the winter, spring, summer and fall. My husband’s side of the family even rented a Cabin there for a reunion and to celebrate in-laws 50th anniversary as we converged from 3 different states to be together in a place of beauty. I camped with my parents there and my dad camped with his parents there. Each time I have had cancer I have gone to Yosemite for day trips to renew my inner self, my soul. We have hiked up to several waterfalls and visited Half Dome in the night hours to enjoy the stars with an astrology group and to greet the sunrise; it is a place of great beauty and strength.

This woman then went on to say she has spoken with many people who have retreated to National Parks in times of distress and illness for the comfort and fulfillment one experiences while there. She spoke of how she visited a National park with her family and brother in his last months of life as he was battling cancer. In an instant I was tearing up, I could not stop the emotions that even in happy moments seems to be just hiding under the brim of my soul. If you know me you know I am a pretty happy gal with a strong faith, but even so this sneaks up on me in moments I least expect it. I could relate to what she was saying, as mentioned above each time I have had to fight cancer I have gone to Yosemite. I have also hit the road and gone to Yellowstone, The Everglades, Mount Rushmore, Pointe Reyes, Muir Woods, and the Mojave. I have gone to these Parks both while in treatment and just afterwards. I go for the peace and tranquility they provide me, being there aides in my healing it renews my soul in a spiritual way no other place can. I suppose we all have places like this, they do not have to be National parks they just have to be places that calm our inner self and help us to heal.

♥ RE ♥
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  • natly15
    natly15 Member Posts: 1,941
    #2
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    Beautiful Blog
    The beach, the ocean breeze, and the sun are most calming to me. If I cant be there physically, I do a visualization which is absolutely a healing balm. A walk listening to nature, looking at the trees and flowers, quiet time reading positive, encouraging, and spiritual things are soul lifting. Prayer and reading the bible are also great tools for me, and of course looking at videous and photos of Charlie and Brooke always lift my spirits and reenergize me.
  • CypressCynthia
    CypressCynthia Member Posts: 4,014 Member
    #3
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    I think my first word must have been "outside". I believe I heal, recharge in nature too. Hubbie and I are going canoeing with an Audubon group this Sunday in the Manchac Swamp. Of course, afterwards, we are stopping at the legendary Middendorf's seafood restaurant for fried fish (not so healthy I know). We have been to Glacier and the Going to the Sun road is just breathtaking. Also been to Yellowstone and Olympic as well as smaller parks. Would love to get to Yosemite. Nearly every year, we visit the Selway-Bitterroot wilderness area in Idaho. I have done a lot of soul searching and praying on top of Coolwater Mountain. To be above the timber line, watching eagles and mountain bluebirds, knee deep in bear grass, huckleberries and indian paint brush--that is as close to peace as I can ever get! It removes my soul from cancer and allows it to fly free for a time.
  • elizarose
    elizarose Member Posts: 124
    #4
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    CypressCynthia said:

    I think my first word must have been "outside". I believe I heal, recharge in nature too. Hubbie and I are going canoeing with an Audubon group this Sunday in the Manchac Swamp. Of course, afterwards, we are stopping at the legendary Middendorf's seafood restaurant for fried fish (not so healthy I know). We have been to Glacier and the Going to the Sun road is just breathtaking. Also been to Yellowstone and Olympic as well as smaller parks. Would love to get to Yosemite. Nearly every year, we visit the Selway-Bitterroot wilderness area in Idaho. I have done a lot of soul searching and praying on top of Coolwater Mountain. To be above the timber line, watching eagles and mountain bluebirds, knee deep in bear grass, huckleberries and indian paint brush--that is as close to peace as I can ever get! It removes my soul from cancer and allows it to fly free for a time.

    Since my diagnosis I haven't
    Since my diagnosis I haven't had the money to even make a day trip anywhere, but there are a couple things that always renew my spirit.
    One thing is church and more specifically, worshiping God in song! I always feel as though I could fly...And then, my grandchildren. It's impossible to be with them and not laugh and smile :-)
  • MyTurnNow
    MyTurnNow Member Posts: 2,686 Member
    #5
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    Re, how beautifully said!! For me, the ocean is my tranquility. I am fortunate to live just a half-block away and can stroll down as needed. It, too, has such a calming effect. Just being outside in the breeze, salt air and endless water can calm and clear the mind like nothing else, at least for me! Thanks for such a beautiful blog.
  • always
    always Member Posts: 256
    #6
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    MyTurnNow said:

    Re, how beautifully said!! For me, the ocean is my tranquility. I am fortunate to live just a half-block away and can stroll down as needed. It, too, has such a calming effect. Just being outside in the breeze, salt air and endless water can calm and clear the mind like nothing else, at least for me! Thanks for such a beautiful blog.

    Stuck Indoors
    Its cold now, and I have not been out much. Just work, dr back and forth. I leaved in Colorado for years so the mountains are a memory away. But like Elizarose I can't wait for Sunday...music music music. I have cds from my church worship musics and they lift me and hold me up. Praise and Thankfullness. If I hang on to that my spirit soars and the bad falls away.

    Becky
  • Jeanne D
    Jeanne D Member Posts: 1,867
    #7
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    always said:

    Stuck Indoors
    Its cold now, and I have not been out much. Just work, dr back and forth. I leaved in Colorado for years so the mountains are a memory away. But like Elizarose I can't wait for Sunday...music music music. I have cds from my church worship musics and they lift me and hold me up. Praise and Thankfullness. If I hang on to that my spirit soars and the bad falls away.

    Becky

    Sweet RE ♥
    ♥
    ♥
    Thank you for your beautiful words. They hit so very close to home. I have had bc twice now, and, the war to fight it is tough and long, but, I still keep battling and winning in the end. I am facing a new scare now with these cysts, and, praying that they will be benign, so that I won't have to fight the beast a 3rd time. My husband and I always go to our "little park" that people seem to have forgotten about in the country to not only enjoy the beauty of all of its nature, but, to join hands and pray to God that he helps us once again. Remember the pic on my Expressions Page of the tree I am leaning against? You asked where that was and I told you it was this special "little park" that people didn't seem to go to anymore, but, that we loved. I think we all have "that place", it just varies, but, has the same effect and outcome on each and everyone of us battling bc. It renews our soul and lifts our spirits once again. Thanks again RE!

    Love, Jeanne ♥
  • DebbyM
    DebbyM Member Posts: 3,289 Member
    #8
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    elizarose said:

    Since my diagnosis I haven't
    Since my diagnosis I haven't had the money to even make a day trip anywhere, but there are a couple things that always renew my spirit.
    One thing is church and more specifically, worshiping God in song! I always feel as though I could fly...And then, my grandchildren. It's impossible to be with them and not laugh and smile :-)

    Just being outside can help
    Just being outside can help me. I can look at the sky and feel the cool breeze on my face and just enjoy the tranquility of life in general.

    Debby
  • Marcia527
    Marcia527 Member Posts: 2,729
    #9
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    I feel I can renew my soul
    I feel I can renew my soul in a spiritual way best outdoors. Where there is grass and trees or nature, not in the city. I love the state parks but just going into the backyard will do. Especially mornings when the sun is just coming up. It's a special time.
  • fauxma
    fauxma Member Posts: 3,577 Member
    #10
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    Marcia527 said:

    I feel I can renew my soul
    I feel I can renew my soul in a spiritual way best outdoors. Where there is grass and trees or nature, not in the city. I love the state parks but just going into the backyard will do. Especially mornings when the sun is just coming up. It's a special time.

    There is definitely
    There is definitely something about the majesty of the outdoors that helps renew us. It could be the grandeur, the beauty, the peace and for some it is a visual of their god. I love Yosemite. We go there several times a year. One year, we went at Thanksgiving. Even the valley was covered in snow. It was quiet, peaceful and beautiful. The following spring we returned. Because there had been such a heavy snowfall that year, the river was raging, the falls were the best they were supposed to be in years. Bridal View was literally wetting down every car in the parking lot with its spray. And Yosemite Falls was unbelievable. It was also later that year that the slide closed one of the main roads in. We have never seen the river like it was that day. You could see where it had cut deeply into the banks on either side. It was so high that areas of the meadow were still flooded. We stayed at the Yosemite Lodge in a room that overlooked the river and it was spectacular. Such power. I love all the seasons there, but I think that my favorite was that quiet winter. I felt such peace and it was so enchanting. And then there was the time that we were walking the ramps in the meadow and had just reached the river and a coyote came out of the brush, practically bumped into my hubby, stopped and stared at us and walked on down the ramp. No fear, no threat, just the three of us enjoying the day. Thank you Re for renewing these happy memories for me. You are the best.
    Stef
  • fauxma
    fauxma Member Posts: 3,577 Member
    #11
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    Jeanne D said:

    Sweet RE ♥
    ♥
    ♥
    Thank you for your beautiful words. They hit so very close to home. I have had bc twice now, and, the war to fight it is tough and long, but, I still keep battling and winning in the end. I am facing a new scare now with these cysts, and, praying that they will be benign, so that I won't have to fight the beast a 3rd time. My husband and I always go to our "little park" that people seem to have forgotten about in the country to not only enjoy the beauty of all of its nature, but, to join hands and pray to God that he helps us once again. Remember the pic on my Expressions Page of the tree I am leaning against? You asked where that was and I told you it was this special "little park" that people didn't seem to go to anymore, but, that we loved. I think we all have "that place", it just varies, but, has the same effect and outcome on each and everyone of us battling bc. It renews our soul and lifts our spirits once again. Thanks again RE!

    Love, Jeanne ♥

    Jeanne,
    You have a leaning
    Jeanne,
    You have a leaning tree. How wonderful. I used to read the weekly comic For Better Or Worse and she had a leaning tree. And to have a park that in essence is almost exclusively yours, like your own little secret piece of nature is rather special. Maybe with all this upcoming stuff you need to visit your park and tree and lean a little while. Give over your fears and cares to God. Or maybe you have been. I hope so. I think that it would be good for your heart to share your burden and lift your spirits. If you can't go physcially, then send your burdens to your tree.
    Stef
  • RE
    RE Member Posts: 4,591 Member
    #12
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    natly15 said:

    Beautiful Blog
    The beach, the ocean breeze, and the sun are most calming to me. If I cant be there physically, I do a visualization which is absolutely a healing balm. A walk listening to nature, looking at the trees and flowers, quiet time reading positive, encouraging, and spiritual things are soul lifting. Prayer and reading the bible are also great tools for me, and of course looking at videous and photos of Charlie and Brooke always lift my spirits and reenergize me.

    AWWW THE OCEAN
    We too love the ocean, my dad was a Navy seal so he took us there a lot. There is a town called Halfmoon Bay that we love to go to and ride our bikes along the ocean cliffs. It is so nice, we can sit up there and watch the whales as they migrate, dolphins as the splash and play and of course the pelicans as they nose dive into the ocean.
  • RE
    RE Member Posts: 4,591 Member
    #13
    Options
    natly15 said:

    Beautiful Blog
    The beach, the ocean breeze, and the sun are most calming to me. If I cant be there physically, I do a visualization which is absolutely a healing balm. A walk listening to nature, looking at the trees and flowers, quiet time reading positive, encouraging, and spiritual things are soul lifting. Prayer and reading the bible are also great tools for me, and of course looking at videous and photos of Charlie and Brooke always lift my spirits and reenergize me.

    AWWW THE OCEAN
    We too love the ocean, my dad was a Navy seal so he took us there a lot. There is a town called Halfmoon Bay that we love to go to and ride our bikes along the ocean cliffs. It is so nice, we can sit up there and watch the whales as they migrate, dolphins as the splash and play and of course the pelicans as they nose dive into the ocean.
  • RE
    RE Member Posts: 4,591 Member
    #14
    Options
    CypressCynthia said:

    I think my first word must have been "outside". I believe I heal, recharge in nature too. Hubbie and I are going canoeing with an Audubon group this Sunday in the Manchac Swamp. Of course, afterwards, we are stopping at the legendary Middendorf's seafood restaurant for fried fish (not so healthy I know). We have been to Glacier and the Going to the Sun road is just breathtaking. Also been to Yellowstone and Olympic as well as smaller parks. Would love to get to Yosemite. Nearly every year, we visit the Selway-Bitterroot wilderness area in Idaho. I have done a lot of soul searching and praying on top of Coolwater Mountain. To be above the timber line, watching eagles and mountain bluebirds, knee deep in bear grass, huckleberries and indian paint brush--that is as close to peace as I can ever get! It removes my soul from cancer and allows it to fly free for a time.

    :-)
    Cynthia you phrased it well when you said "It removes my soul from cancer and allows it to fly free for a time." that is what it feels like moments of fresh freedom.

    By the way we too are planning on going to the Going to the Sun road, it look awesome and we can hardly wait!

    Hugs,

    RE
  • RE
    RE Member Posts: 4,591 Member
    #15
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    MyTurnNow said:

    Re, how beautifully said!! For me, the ocean is my tranquility. I am fortunate to live just a half-block away and can stroll down as needed. It, too, has such a calming effect. Just being outside in the breeze, salt air and endless water can calm and clear the mind like nothing else, at least for me! Thanks for such a beautiful blog.

    Palm tree
    Your photo gave you away :-D! We lived in Hawaii when I was a child and My Guy and I return whenever possible. Actually after my mastectomy he took me to Kauai for a week of peace and quiet. I agree the ocean most certainly has a calming effect.

    Hugs,

    RE
  • RE
    RE Member Posts: 4,591 Member
    #16
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    elizarose said:

    Since my diagnosis I haven't
    Since my diagnosis I haven't had the money to even make a day trip anywhere, but there are a couple things that always renew my spirit.
    One thing is church and more specifically, worshiping God in song! I always feel as though I could fly...And then, my grandchildren. It's impossible to be with them and not laugh and smile :-)

    ELIZAROSE
    I love to sing hymns when no one is around :-) it does make me feel closer to the Lord. I agree grand kids are a great spirit lifter, I certainly enjoy mine!
  • RE
    RE Member Posts: 4,591 Member
    #17
    Options
    always said:

    Stuck Indoors
    Its cold now, and I have not been out much. Just work, dr back and forth. I leaved in Colorado for years so the mountains are a memory away. But like Elizarose I can't wait for Sunday...music music music. I have cds from my church worship musics and they lift me and hold me up. Praise and Thankfullness. If I hang on to that my spirit soars and the bad falls away.

    Becky

    BECKY
    Several years ago my husband bought me an Ipod and I have a ton of country hymns and traditional hymn on it as well as other music. I often hook it up to the stereo and listen and sing along with the hymns, it does wonders for my soul. I also used the ipod or walkman depending on which cancer battle it was during all my chemo sessions. I would put the earplugs in and go off to sleep during the infusion.

    Thanks for sharing,

    RE
  • fauxma
    fauxma Member Posts: 3,577 Member
    #18
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    You inspired me and I posted
    You inspired me and I posted some Yosemite pictures and some other pictures on my expression page. I didn't know that they also show up on the general expressions page. I kind of hogged it up but I didn't know that all of them went there as well. But they are nice pictures of Yosemite, my family etc. Next time I will only do one or two pictures at a time.
    Stef
  • RE
    RE Member Posts: 4,591 Member
    #19
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    fauxma said:

    You inspired me and I posted
    You inspired me and I posted some Yosemite pictures and some other pictures on my expression page. I didn't know that they also show up on the general expressions page. I kind of hogged it up but I didn't know that all of them went there as well. But they are nice pictures of Yosemite, my family etc. Next time I will only do one or two pictures at a time.
    Stef

    WONDERFUL TO SEE!!
    Stef you didn't hog it all up, you posted some wonderful photos that I am quite sure will inspire many. Thank you for sharing, Yosemite is truly majestic any time of the year!

    Love,

    RE
  • RE
    RE Member Posts: 4,591 Member
    #20
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    Jeanne D said:

    Sweet RE ♥
    ♥
    ♥
    Thank you for your beautiful words. They hit so very close to home. I have had bc twice now, and, the war to fight it is tough and long, but, I still keep battling and winning in the end. I am facing a new scare now with these cysts, and, praying that they will be benign, so that I won't have to fight the beast a 3rd time. My husband and I always go to our "little park" that people seem to have forgotten about in the country to not only enjoy the beauty of all of its nature, but, to join hands and pray to God that he helps us once again. Remember the pic on my Expressions Page of the tree I am leaning against? You asked where that was and I told you it was this special "little park" that people didn't seem to go to anymore, but, that we loved. I think we all have "that place", it just varies, but, has the same effect and outcome on each and everyone of us battling bc. It renews our soul and lifts our spirits once again. Thanks again RE!

    Love, Jeanne ♥

    I remember!
    Jeanne I remember the tree and your mention of that lovely park, I am glad you have that special place to go. I wanted to tell you that you continue to be in my prayers, you're gonna get through this gal and will be dancing with NED! Love ya!!

    RE
  • cindycflynn
    cindycflynn Member Posts: 1,132 Member
    #21
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    fauxma said:

    You inspired me and I posted
    You inspired me and I posted some Yosemite pictures and some other pictures on my expression page. I didn't know that they also show up on the general expressions page. I kind of hogged it up but I didn't know that all of them went there as well. But they are nice pictures of Yosemite, my family etc. Next time I will only do one or two pictures at a time.
    Stef

    Stef
    Your photos are beautiful - thanks for sharing!

    It's been a while since I've been to Yosemite, but looking at the photos brings me at least some of that peace that I feel when I'm in majestic places like that.

    Even though it's just starting to feel like fall here, I already can't wait until the summer so I can plan my next camping trip!

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