Has Cancer Been ALL Bad For You?
Comments
-
This comment has been removed by the ModeratorPhillieG said:That is True
They do believe in The Great Spirit. It is described much differently than what I've read about the Christian God. The early white settlers certainly did not see any similarity with their God and the Indian's Great Spirit. The idea of a unifying life force is an idea that makes sense to me. I believe there is a common life force in all of us. Maybe I find their way more appealing because it talks about being in harmony with nature more than he majority of religious texts I've seen.
One page I referenced said this:
"The Native American is a spiritual being with a deep rooted faith in a "higher power" who is the creator of all things. Called the Great Spirit, Grandfather, and tribal names such as Wakan Tanka by the Sioux, the Indian has always honored the ultimate power of their supreme being.
They believed in an order to things and taught their children from birth to follow the beliefs of their ancestors. When the white race overtook the land they also attempted to convert the Native Americans to their own religious views. This was met with great resistance from the People and they held tightly to their faith in the Great Spirit. Ceremonies were banned, religious artifacts were burned and the People were forbidden to worship in the ways of their ancestors but still they cried out to the only god they'd ever known.
I often wonder what will happen when we stand before our creator and discover that the "God" of the whites and "The Great Spirit" are one and the same. Who will explain what was done to His red children in His name?
From Wakan Tanka, The Great Spirit, there came a great unifying life force that flowed in and through all things---the flowers of the plains, blowing winds, rocks, trees, birds, animals---and was the same force that had been breathed into the first man. Thus all things were kindred, and were brought together by the same Great Mystery.
Kinship with all creatures of the earth, sky, and water was a real and active principle. In the animal and bird world there existed a brotherly feeling that kept the Lakota safe among them. And so close did some of the Lakotas come to their feathered and furred friends that in true brotherhood they spoke a common tongue."
There seems to be more respect for all life in the Native American way of thinking to me.0 -
Babsunknown said:This comment has been removed by the Moderator
If you are not familiar with Joseph Campbell, you might find him interesting. He did a series with Bill Moyers on PBS that is out on DVD and in paperback book called "The Power of Myth" that discusses many of the parallels between faiths. It's a good read IMO.
I've known for a long time that the Indians were not all peace loving people. I believe that it is human nature to kill needlessly and to want what is not theirs. That's just who we are. Maybe there is a parallel with most of the regular people who just believe in live and let live and the regular people of other races and cultures who feel the same way. It's the ones who get into power that mostly seem to want what others have. The idea of sharing only goes so far. Mankind has been doing this since day one. OK, maybe day two. Your fire goes out so you steal the next guys. It's so easy a cave man can do it!
That's a great undertaking you are doing with reading the bible. I have never read it all. I'm waiting for the 3D movie to come out
;-)
-phil0 -
I've known that all tribesunknown said:This comment has been removed by the Moderator
I've known that all tribes weren't peaceful. I have a book written by an ancestor who recorded an attack on our family (not famous, just wanted to record things before the person it happened to died). I've read other stories about a tribe that was feared by other tribes because they were cannibals.
What causes tribes to be so different? Is it the genes they inherit or was it learned?0 -
This comment has been removed by the ModeratorMarcia527 said:I've known that all tribes
I've known that all tribes weren't peaceful. I have a book written by an ancestor who recorded an attack on our family (not famous, just wanted to record things before the person it happened to died). I've read other stories about a tribe that was feared by other tribes because they were cannibals.
What causes tribes to be so different? Is it the genes they inherit or was it learned?0 -
Our book didn't have a nameunknown said:This comment has been removed by the Moderator
Our book didn't have a name as novels do. It is mostly who married who and if known what they died of and their children. In the beginning is a few stories of the family of interest. It takes that line back to where we came from in the 'old' country. I believe at the time of the attack they were living in Pennsylvania. It's been a long time since I've read it.
It is only one line of many that makes us who we are.0 -
This comment has been removed by the ModeratorMarcia527 said:Our book didn't have a name
Our book didn't have a name as novels do. It is mostly who married who and if known what they died of and their children. In the beginning is a few stories of the family of interest. It takes that line back to where we came from in the 'old' country. I believe at the time of the attack they were living in Pennsylvania. It's been a long time since I've read it.
It is only one line of many that makes us who we are.0 -
Very Much in Common thoughMarcia527 said:I've known that all tribes
I've known that all tribes weren't peaceful. I have a book written by an ancestor who recorded an attack on our family (not famous, just wanted to record things before the person it happened to died). I've read other stories about a tribe that was feared by other tribes because they were cannibals.
What causes tribes to be so different? Is it the genes they inherit or was it learned?
I suppose that the Indians were very different physically just as African/Americans are, Europeans are, Asians are and so on....
One thing that is common with EVERYONE is the desire to have what other people have. Also, I think there are differences with what one tribe believes and what another one believes so that causes friction. It's really the same with all peoples. There are conflicts that seem to arise either from a difference in beliefs or that one group has something that another group wants and they just use force to take it.
Things have not changed much over time have they...0 -
I found this joke onlinePhillieG said:Very Much in Common though
I suppose that the Indians were very different physically just as African/Americans are, Europeans are, Asians are and so on....
One thing that is common with EVERYONE is the desire to have what other people have. Also, I think there are differences with what one tribe believes and what another one believes so that causes friction. It's really the same with all peoples. There are conflicts that seem to arise either from a difference in beliefs or that one group has something that another group wants and they just use force to take it.
Things have not changed much over time have they...
I found this joke online and, hee hee, am sharing.
A vulture boards a plane, carrying two dead possums. The attendant looks at him and says, "I'm sorry, sir, only one carrion allowed per passenger."
I can't help myself!!!!0 -
Oh Brother!Marcia527 said:I found this joke online
I found this joke online and, hee hee, am sharing.
A vulture boards a plane, carrying two dead possums. The attendant looks at him and says, "I'm sorry, sir, only one carrion allowed per passenger."
I can't help myself!!!!
Corny but I liked it!0 -
Romans 8:28PhillieG said:Oh Brother!
Corny but I liked it!
I believe God can work through anything...good or bad....to bring about His purpose. Cancer has made me more humble, empathetic, compassionate. It stopped me in my tracks...my tracks of just going about my own life loving it and enjoying myself and never giving any thought to those around me that are in need. Sure I helped out people I ran into, but the empathy...of actually feeling their pain and living in their shoes was absent. God is working in us a greater purpose and end result...to get us to where He wants us to be and live out His purpose in our lives.
Lorrie0 -
Cancer Has Given Me Blessings and...
"new eyes". Was having cancer fun? NO! No one wants to hear those awful words "you have cancer" (especially at 35)! BUT...going through what I did, it gave me an entirely different perspective of things. I am so thankful for the small stuff in ways I never was before. I take time to "smell the roses" and don't sweat the small stuff anymore. I've learned that I am a much stronger person than I ever thought I was. And because of my cancer my faith in Christ has grown.
I've also met some incredible people along the way. Some that I would have never have met had the cancer journey not brought us together. I've also learned about love and loss on the deepest of levels. I wouldn't be were I am had I not had to endure the journey of cancer. It has taught me so much and for that I'm grateful:)
Sally0 -
I am by no means one ofsal314 said:Cancer Has Given Me Blessings and...
"new eyes". Was having cancer fun? NO! No one wants to hear those awful words "you have cancer" (especially at 35)! BUT...going through what I did, it gave me an entirely different perspective of things. I am so thankful for the small stuff in ways I never was before. I take time to "smell the roses" and don't sweat the small stuff anymore. I've learned that I am a much stronger person than I ever thought I was. And because of my cancer my faith in Christ has grown.
I've also met some incredible people along the way. Some that I would have never have met had the cancer journey not brought us together. I've also learned about love and loss on the deepest of levels. I wouldn't be were I am had I not had to endure the journey of cancer. It has taught me so much and for that I'm grateful:)
Sally
I am by no means one of those who thinks of cancer as a "gift"~ in no way! Were it a gift to me, I could re-gift it, or value it as a prized posession, or at least be thankful that someone thought of me when they gave it to me. None of the above is true!
I am also not bitter about the diagnosis. To what purpose? My mantra is "Be Stronger Than, Not Angry At", and that has stood me in good stead as I maneuver my way through this journey.
Of course I could wax poetic and say that if not for cancer, I wouldn't have met so many of the amazing Kindred Spirits here on CSN. And though that may indeed be true, I also think I would never have missed what/who I didn't know! I lived, loved, laughed, for YEARS never knowing anything about CSN, and trust me, I was fine! I already loved clouds, sunsets, a good political argument, books, fine wine, laughter, my family and friends! I didn't "need" cancer to make that clear to me!
I am married to a Tribal elder from one of the central coast California Native American tribes. We moved from the reservation while I was in treatment, and only live 1/8 of a mile from the reservation now. My husband is very active in the preserving of tradition, language and ways of worship of his people, and I have been included in many of the rituals. Tomorrow, for example, we are attending a Bear Ceremony~ an incredibly powerful healing ceremony which is only held once a year. Chosen spiritual men wear actual bear-skin, including the heads, and those in need of healing, be it physical or spititual, for the individual, for someone else, are invited to stand near or touch the "bears" as they
dance around a bonfire. It will no doubt be a powerful night, as I am now fighting a recurrance after an almost 8 year remission form BC. Still, being able to touch one of the Bears does not sound like a gift either, thankful as I am that I can!
I am not happy that I think more about my mortality, I am not happy when I get "the look" when asked how I am, I truly dispise the fear in the eyes of my family. I had no fences to mend... those who I love already knew I did, and so yes, I can think of no GOOD that having cancer has brought me. I guess that makes it BAD! :-)
Hugs,
Chen♥0 -
"Clay Pigeons"
Rationally speaking (I know, I know, in a board devoted to spirituality there is little room for rationality), cancer is neither good nor bad.
It is.
As ALL of the people who responded to this post have illustrated, how we deal with cancer determines cancer's impact on us, for better or for worse. Some of us let it have more than it is genetically designed to have: we let it ruin our lives, destroy our marriages, disrupt our engagement with life, negate our spirituality, our belief (if we had it coming in); or we face our recognition of mortality with a renewed, an invigorated, sense of self, sense of community, sense of commonality, sense of wonder.
It is.
Up to us.
Take care,
Joe0 -
Right Onsoccerfreaks said:"Clay Pigeons"
Rationally speaking (I know, I know, in a board devoted to spirituality there is little room for rationality), cancer is neither good nor bad.
It is.
As ALL of the people who responded to this post have illustrated, how we deal with cancer determines cancer's impact on us, for better or for worse. Some of us let it have more than it is genetically designed to have: we let it ruin our lives, destroy our marriages, disrupt our engagement with life, negate our spirituality, our belief (if we had it coming in); or we face our recognition of mortality with a renewed, an invigorated, sense of self, sense of community, sense of commonality, sense of wonder.
It is.
Up to us.
Take care,
Joe
Well put Joe. I think you summed it up perfectly.0 -
Ahhh Joe! I did agree up tosoccerfreaks said:"Clay Pigeons"
Rationally speaking (I know, I know, in a board devoted to spirituality there is little room for rationality), cancer is neither good nor bad.
It is.
As ALL of the people who responded to this post have illustrated, how we deal with cancer determines cancer's impact on us, for better or for worse. Some of us let it have more than it is genetically designed to have: we let it ruin our lives, destroy our marriages, disrupt our engagement with life, negate our spirituality, our belief (if we had it coming in); or we face our recognition of mortality with a renewed, an invigorated, sense of self, sense of community, sense of commonality, sense of wonder.
It is.
Up to us.
Take care,
Joe
Ahhh Joe! I did agree up to a point..except for the entire mortality part. Seriously! I have no sense of wonder about it, or even feel a commonality with the rest of mortal mankind in that regard. I truly couldn't relate to the last part of your sentence which started with the word OR. I do think, even if it simply is,(cancer that is) that for me, it was, and continues to be ALL bad. That badness doesn't consume me, as I previously wrote, it hasn't made me bitter. But it is what it is. BAD. I have tried to come up with what might be a positive in my life these past 8 years as far as having a disease is concerned . I still come up empty handed!
I also believe that because I try so damned hard to get rid of this beast, and celebrate all of our victories over it, be they large or small, that that too proves it is bad to have cancer, and good not to! But that's just me!
Hugs,
Chen♥0 -
This comment has been removed by the Moderatorchenheart said:Ahhh Joe! I did agree up to
Ahhh Joe! I did agree up to a point..except for the entire mortality part. Seriously! I have no sense of wonder about it, or even feel a commonality with the rest of mortal mankind in that regard. I truly couldn't relate to the last part of your sentence which started with the word OR. I do think, even if it simply is,(cancer that is) that for me, it was, and continues to be ALL bad. That badness doesn't consume me, as I previously wrote, it hasn't made me bitter. But it is what it is. BAD. I have tried to come up with what might be a positive in my life these past 8 years as far as having a disease is concerned . I still come up empty handed!
I also believe that because I try so damned hard to get rid of this beast, and celebrate all of our victories over it, be they large or small, that that too proves it is bad to have cancer, and good not to! But that's just me!
Hugs,
Chen♥0 -
it ischenheart said:Ahhh Joe! I did agree up to
Ahhh Joe! I did agree up to a point..except for the entire mortality part. Seriously! I have no sense of wonder about it, or even feel a commonality with the rest of mortal mankind in that regard. I truly couldn't relate to the last part of your sentence which started with the word OR. I do think, even if it simply is,(cancer that is) that for me, it was, and continues to be ALL bad. That badness doesn't consume me, as I previously wrote, it hasn't made me bitter. But it is what it is. BAD. I have tried to come up with what might be a positive in my life these past 8 years as far as having a disease is concerned . I still come up empty handed!
I also believe that because I try so damned hard to get rid of this beast, and celebrate all of our victories over it, be they large or small, that that too proves it is bad to have cancer, and good not to! But that's just me!
Hugs,
Chen♥
Perhaps rather than 'bad' I should have used the word 'evil', my sweet friend. There is no doubt that cancer sucks (bad) but I would argue that it is not evil (morally bad).
My point was that cancer is not evil but a neutral force in the greater scheme of things and that WE, some of us, make it worse than it has to be.
It is. Like the grass, like the trees, like the deer, like the air, like the sea, like the people: it is.
Take care, C,
Joe0 -
Well phooey then! If you aresoccerfreaks said:it is
Perhaps rather than 'bad' I should have used the word 'evil', my sweet friend. There is no doubt that cancer sucks (bad) but I would argue that it is not evil (morally bad).
My point was that cancer is not evil but a neutral force in the greater scheme of things and that WE, some of us, make it worse than it has to be.
It is. Like the grass, like the trees, like the deer, like the air, like the sea, like the people: it is.
Take care, C,
Joe
Well phooey then! If you are going to make perfect sense and give me nothing to take issue with, what's the point?! LOL LOL
I know! I know! May I exchange my cancer(or yours) for the grass??? Now we're talking!
Love ya, Joe!
Hugs,
Chen♥0 -
I guess I don't see cancersoccerfreaks said:it is
Perhaps rather than 'bad' I should have used the word 'evil', my sweet friend. There is no doubt that cancer sucks (bad) but I would argue that it is not evil (morally bad).
My point was that cancer is not evil but a neutral force in the greater scheme of things and that WE, some of us, make it worse than it has to be.
It is. Like the grass, like the trees, like the deer, like the air, like the sea, like the people: it is.
Take care, C,
Joe
I guess I don't see cancer as 'bad' or 'evil' but rather a natural part of life (probably what you call a neutral force Joe). It has been around for very long time and up until recently there hasn't been an effective way to deal with it. Hence my gratitude for being born today as opposed to hundred or more years ago. Death is also a natural part of life that people don't take on unless they have to.
I would never have willing signed up for cancer nor death nor some other things that happen in life but since it occurred I like to see the flowers springing up in spaces where the bombs are not falling. I dunno seeing a little more of the bigger picture, we can't have life without death. Call somethings good, somethings bad or whatever but as soon as we start labeling it, it affect our experience of it and as you said Joe, makes it worse than it has to be.
.0 -
Cancer was a wake up call for memariam_11_09 said:I guess I don't see cancer
I guess I don't see cancer as 'bad' or 'evil' but rather a natural part of life (probably what you call a neutral force Joe). It has been around for very long time and up until recently there hasn't been an effective way to deal with it. Hence my gratitude for being born today as opposed to hundred or more years ago. Death is also a natural part of life that people don't take on unless they have to.
I would never have willing signed up for cancer nor death nor some other things that happen in life but since it occurred I like to see the flowers springing up in spaces where the bombs are not falling. I dunno seeing a little more of the bigger picture, we can't have life without death. Call somethings good, somethings bad or whatever but as soon as we start labeling it, it affect our experience of it and as you said Joe, makes it worse than it has to be.
.
When I was diagnosed with ovarian cancer last year, it felt like a wake up call. My beloved partner had died on July 28, 2006, and I had never got over it. I realized in some ways that I was yearning to join him so badly that I had to make a choice about wanting to live or die. I chose life and had the surgery and chemo. And found that I could love again after three and half years of thinking that I'd be alone the rest of my life. It certainly wasn't an enjoyable lesson to learn, but I feel some good things did come out of it. One was seeing just how much support I had in my community, with folks coming over to clean my house, bring me food and just sit with me and make sure I was ok. I learned the humor of dealing with wigs (I opted for a variety, including a 30" dreadlock wig). And I went for the free stuff that could help, like the "Look Good Feel Better" program where I walked out with over $300 of free cosmetics.
Now, unfortunately the cancer has returned, though it's small and treatable. It's a little harder to figure out the lesson this time around, and I've found myself having a lot more issues with having the re-occurrence, especially since I was so healthy and happy after I finished chemo last year. But it is what it is. I can lay around all day feeling sorry for myself, or I can do my best to take my supplements, do all the alternative practices and treatments I can, while dealing with a monthly Doxil treatment. My spiritual teacher told me "whoever comes to your door, that is your teacher". This one's been a harder teacher to deal with, as I still don't know the outcome. My doctors are optomistic that we caught it so early, and that I have a lot of good years left (I just turned 55). So we will see. Each person has to handle the feelings about their cancer in their own way.
I wish peace, harmony and healing to all of you.
Blessings,
Anna Armaiti0
Discussion Boards
- All Discussion Boards
- 6 CSN Information
- 6 Welcome to CSN
- 121.8K Cancer specific
- 2.8K Anal Cancer
- 446 Bladder Cancer
- 309 Bone Cancers
- 1.6K Brain Cancer
- 28.5K Breast Cancer
- 397 Childhood Cancers
- 27.9K Colorectal Cancer
- 4.6K Esophageal Cancer
- 1.2K Gynecological Cancers (other than ovarian and uterine)
- 13K Head and Neck Cancer
- 6.4K Kidney Cancer
- 671 Leukemia
- 792 Liver Cancer
- 4.1K Lung Cancer
- 5.1K Lymphoma (Hodgkin and Non-Hodgkin)
- 237 Multiple Myeloma
- 7.1K Ovarian Cancer
- 61 Pancreatic Cancer
- 487 Peritoneal Cancer
- 5.5K Prostate Cancer
- 1.2K Rare and Other Cancers
- 539 Sarcoma
- 730 Skin Cancer
- 653 Stomach Cancer
- 191 Testicular Cancer
- 1.5K Thyroid Cancer
- 5.8K Uterine/Endometrial Cancer
- 6.3K Lifestyle Discussion Boards