Hope on the Horizon
This article is for everyone who has ever been diagnosed with cancer and for those who
love them. It's a subject with great emotional weight. Some people can bear the weight, others find
themselves kneeling under its pressure. It is said that when we are on our knees, we
are in the perfect position to pray. It is also said that when we live in hard times, we know that the
teacher is in the room. We have to learn from everything that happens to us in life, so let's ask
ourselves the question, "What do we have to learn here?" When we hear that someone has been diagnosed with cancer,
the first thing we think of is the expiration date.
In reality, there is no difference between people because we all have an expiration date,
although until we receive an incurable diagnosis, we
feel immortal. We believe that death happens only to others.
We are nothing but borrowed stardust and we have to go Home. Let's learn to trust the
natural unfolding of things that happen to us because, before we were born, we made a contract in
which we chose the challenges that would help us in the evolution of the soul. Those who have chosen this
most of the time incurable disease are brave souls who knew that they would have the strength
to pass through the darkness, certain that beyond it the light awaits.
After winter there is always the promise of spring.
I could never accept the explanation "It's a punishment from God" because
God doesn't punish. He just loves. And how can we believe that a child just a few years old who
has cancer is punished? Although these are the most tragic cases, these souls choose to visit
Earth for a very short time, coming mostly for the lesson that their parents have
to learn. And, most of the time, the most important lessons we have to learn in
life are Love and Forgiveness.
Let us enter fearlessly into the midst of this trial, knowing that we are much stronger than our
circumstances. We are able to cope with any test of life. Think about how many
disappointments, failures, breakups, illnesses, betrayals, losses—all painful and seemingly unbearable
events—you've gone through over the years. And yet, you are here, reading my article. You have risen
above all trials because you are stronger than you thought.
In Buddhism there is the theory that suffering comes from the resistance we put up against reality. Emotional freedom
is gained by accepting what is not under our control. However, we still have faith
in doctors and in God. People with self-destructive thoughts who see themselves as
victims and who always ask "Why me?" have the hardest time getting through this physical
and emotional hurricane. They are conditioned by the circumstances in their lives.
Those who understand that hardships increase our emotional power and are here for our evolution are able to accept both the lesson and the suffering. Through our negative thoughts we are our own greatest enemies. Rumi writes:
"God said 'Love thy enemies' / And I began to love myself."
Our thoughts condition the state we have during the day. If we only
think about cancer, all our energy will go there and this will affect our physiology. It's just a thought
and thoughts can change. It's just a word and words can change. I propose to replace it
with something else, to see if it has the same effect! I am reminded of the famous "bazinga", used
with great comic effect by the eccentric Sheldon from my favorite sitcom, "The Big Bang
Theory". Every time he makes a joke, Sheldon says amused "Bazinga!",
"I fooled you!". "Bazinga" makes you want to give up artificial values (material things, false friendships,
useless conversations) and embrace more and more true values (love of others, desire
to help, meaningful relationships, gratitude, faith, hope, miracles). Even if life with
"bazinga" is shorter than we thought, it must be lived better than ever. Just as a
long marriage does not necessarily mean that it is also happy, so a long life does not necessarily mean
that it is also well lived. Those with "bazinga" have the immense privilege, more than others, to start their
day with the question: "How do I make today a wonderful day?" It's as if life
takes us an interview to which we have to give the most beautiful and truthful answers. Let's not forget
that each person is a precious gift for someone in their life, a gift that that someone will
lose at some point. Let's keep our spirits up, regardless of the circumstances, to encourage the loved ones around us as well.
Let's focus on healing, not disease. Let's do everything
we can to turn wounds into signs of beauty. Above all, let us not forget the touching words at the end of the poem "Footsteps in the Sand", disputed by several authors: "'Why did You leave me alone/ in the hardest moments of my life,/ in the days when I needed You the most ?' / And the Lord answered me: 'My dear, the days when you saw/ only a
single set of footprints in the sand/ are the days when I carried you...'"
Danuta Gherman, Toronto
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Danuta Gherman 3/24/2026 |
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Informatii Utile despre Canada si emigrare.