Life and Death

Two people I know have recently died from breast cancer. I didn't know either of these women very well, but I knew their faces, their voices, and their spirits. I didn't know they had cancer until they died. As I look at the program from the funeral of the one who most recently died, I ask myself, what would anyone write about my life? What am I doing? How am I affecting my community? My contributions to this world can not be seen easily. I haven't created any organizations; I'm not a member of any churches or any spiritual organization; I'm not even doing much in my neighborhood. Am I doing enough in this life to make a difference in other lives?

Another thing about the deaths of these two women is that they seemed very health conscious. Why are so many health conscious people dying? I wonder sometimes if it is over commitment. I am normally a healthy person, but as I am currently recovering from a cold, I realize how slow the healing process has been. I haven't been at home resting like a good girl. I was out doing laundry and buying groceries, and yesterday I went to dance class and washed my hair. Not only that, I had to deal with stress. This is how I got sick in the first place - not getting enough rest or taking care of myself. I know people with such big hearts. They give so much of themselves to others, but seldom have time to give energy to themselves. Sometimes I am one of those people, and I try not to make commitments unless I truly feel I can follow through.

I think people also harbor negative thoughts and emotions that become cancerous. Have you ever met someone that had emotions stuck in their body? It is difficult to describe, but I've seen it. Unresolved issues and unexpressed feelings have nowhere to go, so they build up inside of us and become poisons. If you are reading this and that sounds familiar, don't let this happen to you. Take stress seriously. Speak your truth. You are important.