If you believe you are of body, mind and spirit, when informed of a serious illness you are summoned to examine the meaning of your life and brought face to face with death:

“So that’s the way my cookie crumbled…now what can I do with it?”

Ask yourself, “Has life been filled with dead ends and broken dreams? –With suffering and mental and spiritual anguish? With depression and meaninglessness?

“Or has life been a series of celebrations, and an opening up to others? —Of emotional well-being and life satisfaction?”

We all need to feel in control. It’s natural. And when facing death it’s normal to fear the unknown…to react defensively…to wish…and to deny.

It isn’t too late to heal your life and your mind (to transcend suffering), from deep inside, by opening up, by accepting (but not by giving up), by slowing down, by trusting, by centering, by hoping (having an inner peace or adversity transcended, but not a wishing) and by letting go.

While you still can, try focusing on what is most in need of attention…on that which you have been unwilling or unable to acknowledge.

Suffering is physical, psychological, and existential (creating our own value and meaning…making our own choices and therefore taking responsibility for the results and blaming no one but ourselves if the outcome isn’t what we desired)—we have to address them all.

What have you created…accomplished…believed in…loved…and left as your legacy?

When were you last well…in yourself?

Melanie Hack
Author of Who Killed My Sister, My friend
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