The
Twelve Gifts for Healing
No matter who we are,
where we live, what we look like, the circumstances of our birth, or the situations we
face; each of us has gifts within us. Strength, beauty, courage, compassion, hope, joy,
talent, imagination, reverence, wisdom, love and faith are among them. They are not like
material presents we unwrap and hold in our hands. We can’t see these gifts with our
eyes. But they are real and powerful. When we open ourselves to them, they can enrich
every aspect of our lives. They can help us transform challenges into opportunities and
tragedies into triumphs. They can help us make a difference in the world. I had come to
believe this with all my heart. It is the essence of my first book,
The
Twelve Gifts of Birth.
My belief in
its message was so strong that it led me, with my husband, to self-publish the book, move
into a motor home and travel the country to read the short story in schools, shelters,
bookstores, churches, hospitals and prisons.
My
belief was reinforced every time I saw resonance in the eyes of those who heard it.
Then one day
in Alaska, at the last stop of our tour, I stroked my throat, touched a lump, and felt a
chill.
I was
diagnosed with two forms of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma,
one for which present-day medicine says there is no cure.
Although death was not imminent, it seemed
close.
For several days, I felt frozen with fear,
betrayed. I wondered if I would experience
peace and joy again.
The disease
led me to examine my life, my lifestyle, and my convictions.
Prior to
starting chemotherapy, my oncologist said, “This is a time to call upon strength. Do
what makes you strong.”
His words
caused me to consider what I had written in The Twelve Gifts of Birth.
About strength I had said, “May you remember to call upon it whenever you need
it.” I had offered that advice to others. Could I heed it now? Was strength fully available to me? Could I
summon it? How?
About
hope I had written, “Through each passage and season may you trust the goodness of
life.” Could I trust in the midst of
this crisis?
While
undergoing chemotherapy, I explored many complementary therapies. How might I help my body
return to wholeness? I prayed for guidance. This “healing place” story and the
twelve blessings in this book were among the answers I received.
“Use your gifts,” wisdom whispered,
“Especially love.” I understood
that, besides releasing cancer cells, I needed to heal on other levels. Using love, I needed to release hatred of the
aberrant cells. Using compassion, I needed to release regrets and resentments. Using hope,
I needed to release fear. I needed to
open my heart to all that I was experiencing.
Everyday,
the gift of imagination helped me visualize harmony being restored among the trillions of
cells in my body.
It was
not an easy time. I would not have consciously chosen cancer as a teacher, but I now
appreciate the valuable lessons it offered.
Cancer
led me to look deeper and to understand that our inherent gifts do indeed have healing
power. They can help us heal ourselves, one
another, and the world. Accessing them begins
with willingness. Gratitude increases their flow.
I hope
that this story and Mater’s blessings will encourage you to become more aware of your
gifts and to help others to see theirs. For are we not all on a healing journey?
