Tamoxifen. is. done! Two pills each day for 1,825 days. My 45th birthday marked the final/last/concluding day of treatment for breast cancer.
I march on in life without the "security" of an anti-breast cancer drug, but with the knowledge, the courage, the faith that ONLY comes through surviving cancer. Will it come back? Maybe. If so, I'll beat it then too.  In the meantime, there is life to live and there are loved ones who NEED the HOPE that cancer survivors offer. So here it is on a silver platter: HOPE

Think that spirituality is difficult and demanding? Think again.

Ever experienced an amazing piece of music, work of art, or book that literally touched your soul? Walked along a beautiful path through the woods, or along a beach, or watched a sunset and felt intensely connected to nature?  Ever prayed, meditated, or surrounded yourself with spiritual people who are so radiant, you feel as though your own spirit has awakened? If so, you have experienced first-hand an opening of the door to the deepest part of your being which is the direct path to spirit.

Spirituality (which may or may not be the same as religion for you) is about cultivating a connection, a oneness, to God, Universe, nature, humanity.  From this connection springs forth life’s deepest meaning, faith, acceptance and love. Many women have “moments” of spirituality, some are in touch with spirit wherever they go, a few live their lives in a constant state of oneness with spirit.

Spirituality eludes most of us who spend our days on auto-pilot, mindlessly attending to work, family, responsibility, and other aspects of health. The dilemma of our postmodern era of change is anxiety and stress, fragmentation, loneliness and isolation, depression and stress-related illness. Stephen Bodian tells us, “the primary reason we suffer, and the primary problem we need to resolve, is the experience of being a separate, isolated individual, cut off from God or source or our own essential nature.” Spiritual practices dissolve the separate self (ego, image, pride) and expand the vast self (higher self, energy, spirit).

In order for us to function fully, all aspects of ourselves must be balanced. Our mind, body and soul have to be in harmony with each other. We cannot focus on the material and neglect the spiritual. Feeling connected to a higher power enables people to access their inner power and the ability to cope with life’s challenges. Spirituality can give you a sense of clarity in your life and help you figure out your purpose – professionally and personally.

If you would like to cultivate spirituality, practice spiritual “moments” during the day. You may feel a powerful difference – surprisingly quickly. Paul Ekman, a psychologist from San Francisco who was new to all things spiritual was transformed after just a week with the Dalai Lama.

Where to start? Spiritual practices.

Expressing gratitude is a simple, yet clear, road to spirituality. When we express gratitude, we void negative feelings that disrupt the natural flow of our energy and we enhance the feeling of connection. There are so many things to be grateful for in life; take time to reflect on them and acknowledge how fortunate you are. Express gratitude for being! No matter what life has brought you – give thanks.

• As you’re drifting off to sleep, list 25 things that went right for you during the day – it’s easier than you think.
• Make a mental gratitude list and go over your list while meditating, gardening, or walking.
• Write a gratitude list and keep it with you.
• Place a gratitude trinket in your pocket and every time you touch it – go within.
• Start a gratitude journal. Think deeply about each area of your life and write (even if only for a few minutes each day) in detail the good things that come to your mind.

Meditation brings you out of your time-bound planning and thinking into the present moment where the spiritual dimension meets ordinary life. Meditation allows you to get in touch with God, Spirit, or just a peaceful place inside.

As you sit and coordinate your body, breath and mind through the practice of following your breath or reciting a mantra, you create an inner harmony or alignment that invites the influx of the timeless or eternal realm. And when you keep coming back to the present moment in your ordinary life between meditations, you’re more likely to see the spirit in every being and thing you encounter (Stephen Bodian).

• Dedicate a place and a time where/when you can practice meditation each day, even if only for five minutes.
• Locate meditation classes or centers in your community for guidance and instruction.

Other spiritual practices

• Prayer
• Selfless service
• Nature
• Time with spiritually-minded people
• Spiritual reading
• Yoga or Tai Chi or Qi Gong

What if? What if you could open your heart and find your soul? What if you could truly feel the oneness of us all? What if you could embrace the challenges (and challenging people) as opportunities to honor your highest good? What if spiritual practices offered advanced technology for your heart and mind?

Books

• Care of the soul:  A guide for cultivating depth and sacredness in everyday life (1992).   Thomas Moore.
• In search of yourself:  The beginning (1989). Janet Dian.
• Meditation for Dummies (2006). Stephen Bodian.
• Spiritual Literacy (1998). Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat.
• The enlightened heart (1993). Stephen Mitchell
• The power of now:  A guide to spiritual enlightenment (1999). Eckhart Tolle.
• Timeless visions, healing voices:  Conversations with men and women of the spirit (1991). Stephen Bodian.
• Waking up in time:  Finding inner peace in times of accelerating change (1998). Peter Russell.

“Spirituality is seeded, germinates, sprouts and blossoms in the mundane. It is to be found and nurtured in the smallest of daily activities. The spirituality that feeds the soul and ultimately heals our psychological wounds may be found in those sacred objects that dress themselves in the accoutrements of the ordinary.”  –Thomas Moore