Source: Cancer Resource Room
Caring
for the Mind with the Spirit
To help you get through difficult times
and times when things are not clear, draw
on whatever it is that gives you strength.
Being in touch with whatever most gives
you a sense of meaning, purpose, support
or strength is spirituality in its broadest
and best sense. Spirituality is the key
to overall well being. You may not be
able to see it or touch it, but you can
feel its nurturing power.
Finding Spirituality
Spirituality is often linked with religion.
However, you do not need to belong to
an organized religion to find your spirituality.
Those who do follow a religion with specific
beliefs and structures may find their
spirituality there. Others may find it
through their personal relationship with
God or some higher power. There may be
some who realize their spirituality by
considering these broad questions:
- What gives me purpose?
- Where do I find meaning?
- What gives me the strength to keep
going?
- Was there a moment in my life when
I felt peace, joy or contentment?
- Was there a moment in my life when
I felt a sense of something greater
than myself?
Everyone has an answer to one or more of
these questions. The answer will be different
for everyone. It may be your belief in
a higher power. It may be a loved one,
such as a spouse, partner or child. It
may be music or art. It may be an act,
such as looking at the night sky.
Regaining Lost Spirituality
Fear, anger, a sense of sadness, and many
other powerful emotions are common when
you have cancer. They are a human response
to a terrible time in your life. However,
these emotions tend to block your connection
to your spirituality. They can make you
lose hope and lose sight of the reasons
to keep going.
It is important to recognize and work through
the emotions you are feeling. There are
many people who will listen — family
members, doctors, nurses, chaplains, priests,
rabbis and social workers, to name a few.
When spirituality is lost, there is a feeling
of being disconnected with the things
that are important to you. When you reconnect
with your spirituality, you regain feelings
of hope, strength, purpose and well being.
What's New
To Search Pub Med, please see below.
Consumer
and selected health professional journals
Support
& Education Programs
We know that being diagnosed with cancer can be stressful for you and your
family. We offer a variety of cancer support services to help patients and
families gain the support and information they will need to meet the challenges
ahead.
To find the next support group on "Spiritual Well Being" along
with other programs, please go to this month's
offerings in the HOPES
calendar.
Services at Massachusetts General Hospital
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