Struggle…a year later

It has been a year since my cancer surgery. The year has been both long and fast. I have struggled with my health, both mentally and physically and at the same time felt my health return to a much stronger place. Like all major life events we tend to stop on their anniversary and reflect back. I know what it feels like to struggle. Last year at this time after being sick for a year, then diagnosed with cancer, and with personal issues also looming, I went into surgery not knowing the outcome. Then it was a year of slowly struggling to get back my health. I can tell you that this struggle like any struggle takes patient, determination, and faith. But it also brings fear, depression, and at times feelings of hopelessness. In yoga this is known as the polarities or contradictions of being human. The quest is to find the middle way.

The middle way is a Buddhist term for not identifying with anything. It means we neither identify with pleasure or depression but simply keep coming back to the present moment putting aside our attachment to this or that position. Here we practice non-attachment.

Non-attachment simply means we don’t identify with our needs, feelings, likes and dislikes. We recognize our needs, yet we can tap into a larger awareness inside us that does not depend upon any absolute. Today we may feel fear but tomorrow we may feel joy. Everything passes and changes. Last year at this time I felt fear and now a year later I feel a sense of relief and joy. Last year at this exact time I was not sure if I would live or die. Today at this time I am not sure if I will live or die. The difference is that I am living in the moment aware that at any moment a struggle may arrive. The only way to get past the struggle is to become one with the moment, with the event, with the pose, with life, and let the power of the breath help you find balance.

It is not easy to accept our struggles. However time passes and what may seem overwhelming today may simply pass into oblivion and make way for inner strength and peace of mind.

Take a moment and sit quietly. Close your eyes and breathe deep. Just take a moment to experience the power of your breath. Be one with yourself in the moment. Notice how the struggle suddenly exists outside you. In the inner peace of your soul there are no struggles only happiness and joy.

Doctor Lynn
www.doctorlynn.com