Trust Light guest post

Samantha Harris wrote to us: 
 

Rejoicing Through Art: Finding Peace with a Terminal Illness

Although modern medicine has led to countless new treatments for terminal illnesses, our ability to independently heal ourselves through physical, mental and spiritual means is also accepted by practitioners of holistic medicine. Despite the divide between supporters of traditional medicine and those who purport the benefits of alternative therapies meant to rid the body of toxins, both schools of thought agree that the first step in healing grows from one’s internal state, which can benefit greatly from a wide variety of spiritual exercises. To varying degrees, all medical professionals recognize the value of a positive attitude and open mind in the face of a difficult diagnosis, which can bring friends and family closer, promote positive activities and remind one of everything around them that deserves their love.

A condition exemplifying the difficulties of many modern illnesses is mesothelioma, which is brought on by asbestos exposure. Unfortunately, mesothelioma symptoms often lie dormant for decades, finally appearing long after exposure, catching patients unaware. Because this condition is brought on by avoidable outside factors, individuals might become angry about their exposure, focusing their energies on placing blame instead of recognizing what they have left. However, through creating art, one can overcome these negative thoughts that poison, instead finding a healthy medium to express their pain and frustration.

Besides the actual creation of art to bring about a welcome sense of calm, patients who regularly search out the beauty in the world around them often find the inner peace needed to fight an illness. This practice of recognizing beauty helps patients put their suffering in perspective, realizing how much they have around them to be grateful for. In addition, patients who recognize the beauty and randomness of nature come to better understand the nature of their own illnesses, often helping them cope with difficult questions about their disease.

To counteract the destructive effects of disease, many have found the spiritual balance achieved by creating art helps them find the strength and stability needed to endure sickness. For example, mesothelioma symptoms often cause great painful as individuals feel their bodies succumbing to this illness that carries such a poor prognosis. However, celebrating the beauty of creation in the face of destruction can aid those looking for a way to exert physical control over their bodies and the world around them. Just as maple trees wait for the approaching darkness and cold of winter to give us their most brilliant display of color, so too must patients rejoice in their greatest time of suffering to remind themselves, and others, just how much beauty there is to celebrate in all that we do and see. 

Samantha Harris  author of the Guest post