Cancer – The Wisdom Disease

By dougnau on May 5, 2009 in Fear, Personal Growth, Spiritual Coaching

I recently heard a speaker call cancer ‘The Wisdom Disease’. While one’s gut reaction might be - ‘what does he know!’, after considering the comment for more than a moment, I looked to uncover the truths that may be underlying this statement. To my fascination, there were many to be found.

I can only speak from my personal experience and here are some conclusions I believe you’ll learn from. When diagnosed with cancer, an individual is immediately confronted with their own mortality. Whether the outlook is exceptional, or the prognosis is terminal, hearing the words ‘you have cancer’ tends to put life into perspective. And although I have not experienced these other conditions personally, I suspect this response is similar for those diagnosed with AIDS, for those who have suffered from a serious heart attack, or to those learning of any life threatening ailment. Cancer, however, has its own defining characteristics and associated fears. Perhaps it seems so daunting because for so many forms there is seemingly no causative effect, or perhaps because it can happen to anyone any time, or maybe it is because its wrath passes no judgment.

I’ve exhausted the thoughts of what I may have been able to do differently to have prevented my own diagnosis – and those have led to no clear answer. More challenging to understand are the stories of children dealing with or succumbing to their condition. Our close friends recently lost their 2 year old (the age of our daughter now), to a bout with intestinal cancer a few short years ago. The randomness and tragedy of such an occurrence forces one to confront the questions that we all too often ignore or put off until ‘later’.

What can I learn from those with Cancer? What is life all about?

Knowing the answer to the question above is the opportunity that comes with a cancer diagnosis. The message that rings out strong and loud is a profound recognition of what is truly important in life. While everyone’s answers will clearly vary, the diagnosis focuses attention on those few things. You’ll notice while you or a loved one battle the disease it becomes crystal clear what must and must not be done. Prioritization becomes natural. Moments are spent meaningfully.

While this perspective is one that everyone can understand intellectually, its not one which sinks in without experiencing it first hand. Whether or not a full recovery is accomplished, the person having heard the diagnosis ‘you have cancer’, will forever be changed. They will forever have in their memory a perspective that they can call upon to make ‘wise’ decisions from in the future.

The definition of wisdom is “having the power of discerning and judging properly as to what is true or right”. What perspective could be more powerful than that of knowing that you may not live another day, week, month, or year. How important does it become that the house isn’t clean, that your lover does not share all your opinions, or you missed your favorite television show. The gift of cancer, is a profound connection with who you are, what your personal strengths are, and what in this outside world strengthens you. It is the ability to discern and judge properly where to focus one’s attention and the clarity of mind to take appropriate action.

The Gift of Cancer

So often, for the reasons noted above, cancer survivors consider their diagnosis to have been a gift. Since no one can change the past, why not embrace this philosophy? It’s your prerogative to embrace a positive or negative perspective. No one is to argue the pain endured – physically, emotionally, and even financially, but consider the potential growth opportunities.

You’ve heard the old adages that ‘whatever doesn’t kill you will make you stronger’. Maybe it is really meant to say that ‘Whatever you experience makes you stronger, if you so choose’. Hearing the words ‘you have cancer’, is an experience unlikely to be forgotten.

For me, the gift of cancer was precisely what’s been written above. Practically speaking, it was a way out of my busy job. It was time off to re-evaluate what was really important in my life. It was the catalyst that led to a physically moving, to a refocusing on nutrition and exercise, to getting married, a career change, starting a business, purchasing a home, and having two beautiful children. I often ask where I’d be today without cancer – but don’t ponder that question too seriously.

Coaching wisdom?

Ask yourself how you could benefit from confronting your own mortality. Its not taboo, its a unarguable fact that we are all one day closer to death each day that we live. To the contrary, every day passed no matter what our age or physical condition is one more day of life! As a coach, to get to the core of what’s really important for a client, I’ll ask them what they’d be doing right now if they were to learn that they had 30 days to live. After a brief chuckle, most people become very serious. Its a sobering thought, usually when someone’s actions are not aligned with their current life situation. Ask yourself this question. Wisdom stems from a heartfelt response and peace results from the implementation of that wisdom via action.

Be Well