Just when I thought I had gone through all the lessons that could be learned, and shared because of my experiences with cancer and my ‘Journey to Wholeness’....I have, and am experiencing one more learning curve.....there seems to be so many!
Now that I am beginning to feel better, and thinking that I am ready to go on with my life, I am realizing, even more, that the life I had before cancer is not the life I can go back to, I am now searching for my ‘new normal’. EXPANDING While going through the unknown of cancer, the pain and fatigue, I chose to use the opportunity to expand myself spiritually. My desire being that I wanted my experience to become more than concern for my life, the pain, and the fatigue. I wanted to remember my experience with no regrets, no burdens of being a victim, and no ongoing feelings of ‘why me’. I wanted to know in my heart that I had learned and had become someone new....someone stronger....someone who knew the Lord on a more personal level. Today, as I sat thinking, I remembered a simple analogy about a rubber band that my husband shared with me a while ago. As you know, rubber bands are a common office object or tool that takes up space in your desk drawer. They are basically useless, unless they are needed to be stretched or extended beyond their normal size or state to hold something together. Whether large or small, a rubber band can only be stretched for so long.....then it needs to go back to it’s original position. We’ve all noticed that when it if freed to go back to it’s original state, it is not the same as it was before it became extended....because, once stretched, it can never go back to what it was before. I feel I have been stretched. We may not be aware of it, but at some point in our lives, we all experience a Hero’s Journey. A journey where we are required to stretch, grow, and experience new things...even very hard things. THE WARRIOR WITHIN When the time is right, we are called upon to go on an adventure or challenge where we become a warrior; someone that is required to defend or fight for that which is desired or prized. It could start out as a physical battle but it quickly becomes an inner battle with our self. The battle teases back and forth for a while then becomes more intense as we put all our efforts into the fight, even to death if necessary, for we are fighting for a life we are choosing or the prize we most desire in the end. Finally, after many intimidating experiences and a schooling in more effective ways to defeat the threat, we become the Victor and the Villain goes off into the night until the next opportunity to confront your desires anew. Because of the arduous battle and the difficult things learned and experienced, the warrior returns home... CHANGED! Bringing home the prize that was fought so valiantly for....inner-peace, happiness, and fulfillment. Upon returning home, the now Victor, finds that everything is different, it seems that he is coming home to a different world. We set out seeking something desirable, something we have wanted for a long time, but the funny thing is.....is that we aren’t ready for what comes next. A DIFFERENT YOU In this life, every ‘next level’ of your life will demand a different you. Adjustments need to be made to fit this new way of life, a new purpose and mission will need to be embraced. I hadn’t realized that I was choosing a ‘next level’ when I chose to handle my Cancer challenges with a more spiritual, positive outlook. Unknowingly, we are always one decision from a totally different life. With one decision, I moved away from my regular duties in real life, to go on a Hero’s Journey. I knew the process of the journey, but didn’t actually realize what was happening until I tried to come back to the life I knew before. Every time something changes in life, we panic. We feel like we are loosing grasp on everything we have worked so hard for. Fear and concern make it hard to feel the Spirit guiding our steps and we begin to doubt our faith. DON’T PANIC, THERE’S NO NEED TO FEAR The day after I was told that I had cancer I was feeling overwhelmed and scared. I opened my phone and this message was on the screen. “Don’t panic. I’m with you. There’s no need to fear I’ll give you strength. I’ll help you. I, your God, have a firm grip on you and I am not letting go.” (Isaiah 41:10,13) Imagine the overwhelming comfort that this message brought me at the precise moment I needed to hear God’s loving and caring words as well as feel His comforting strength. I appreciate that He is still here guiding me and helping me to find my way as I embrace life.....my new life! Just know that God is calling you, equipping you and preparing you, according to his purpose. We all know that all things work together for good to them that love God and are open to all that He has in store for them. Now, CHANGED and a little apprehensive but excited about what my new life might require of me, I take a deep breath and look out into the unknown, the wilderness of life, and seek to embrace my new path. And suddenly you just know...It’s time to start something new and trust the magic of beginnings. ~ Mester Eckhart ARTWORK: Titled: DECISIONS Life is always difficult, but decisions and change need to happen for us to move forward and to become what we have been sent here to become. We are always one decision away from a totally different life....embrace it and know that God is in charge. He has a plan and He will direct us all along the way.
3 Comments
Wana Lu. burr
8/31/2018 06:55:25 pm
Jeannie, I just cry as I read your beautiful word. You ARE such a real warrior. I love so much how you write and I pray that your new life will be something extraordinary for you. You deserve the best. God bless you. Love Wana Lu.
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Melinda Torgersen
8/31/2018 07:11:59 pm
I love you.....and I admire and thrill at your spirit of strength and faith! You are a warrior....please know you are in my heart and prayers!!!
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Micala Jensen
8/31/2018 09:25:32 pm
You are amazing sweet Jeannie! Thank you for sharing your journey! Life might be different now than before this journey but you are an even stronger warrior now. President Nielsen said we must all be warriors on both sides of the veil! I’m grateful for your inspiring example!
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October 2018
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