When the world is burning…
Things are heavy in our world right now.
It's easy for me to be distracted by the sea of pink that is Breast Cancer Awareness Month but I feel it's important to acknowledge that our daily lives are all impacted by more than just breast cancer.
As I often say, breast cancer is just one of many complex experiences we will live with and through in our lives.
It's a difficult time for so many.
There is much about this war that I don't understand.
But I don't need to understand its intricacies to recognize that people I know and love are being affected by the impacts near and far.
What I'm noticing the most is how many deeply layered scars have been torn open and turned into fresh wounds.
Years, decades, and centuries of persecution, trauma, and conflict pass down like inherited scars while new ones are continually created.
Scar tissue is meant to close our injuries; to seal the torn flesh and begin to repair the damage done.
Scars show what we have been through but more importantly the healing that has occurred, and hopefully, the lessons we've learned along the way.
Right now there is death and destruction that is not only spilling blood in real time but also tearing into generational scars that have been repeatedly ripped open only to try and heal again, and again, and again.
My generational scars and trauma are so different than what many others live with.
My body has a genetic hiccup that it can't control and that is my misfortune but not one I take personally.
It isn't about ME as a person or about my identity. It just is what it is.
For many their identity and the persecution of their people is the direct cause of their wounds and many, many scars.
I don't bear the scars of this war or those that have come before - those of the Jewish people, the Palestinian people, the residents of Israel, Gaza, and surrounding countries.
But what I can offer is that it is our innate nature to heal.
Our bodies inherently know what to do when wounds occur.
They know how to rally and send resources to our damaged parts, to slowly stitch us back together again, to try and make us whole.
It's not always so easy with our hearts and minds.
Fear, anger, and grief all linger and simmer, and understandably so.
I know that there are people near and far who will never be whole again because of what is occurring in the Middle East.
I know that when a scar is repeatedly torn open, each time it gets a little harder for the body to close that wound as cleanly or wholly.
The body's capacity to heal is ultimately finite - there is only so much that it can take.
My hope is that the heart doesn't share these limitations.
That love is a limitless resource and that no matter how many times it is challenged, through love, the soul can find the healing it needs and deserves.
All I can offer to any of you during this time is love.
To assure you that I stand against hate, discrimination, persecution, torture, rape, murder, and genocide, no matter who is the target.
That I will try to educate myself about people's feelings and perspectives so that I cannot only have compassion but empathy.
In the meantime…
If you are currently feeling the weight of what is happening in the world - directly or indirectly - here are a few things I will invite you to do take care of yourself during this time:
1. Honor your scars, new and old.
Your pain is real and, if it is a pain you have felt before or that is always there under the surface, the compounding effect adds to its strength.
It is important to acknowledge your feelings and give them space, even the ones that may not feel “good”.
Giving ALL of your feelings time and attention is how you move through them and lighten their load.
2. Take time to rest physically, mentally, and emotionally.
While your body may have a strong knowledge on how to heal it needs your help.
My guess is that no matter what you are FEELING lately you still need to function in day to day life.
To go to work, take care of your family, and take care of your self.
Your body needs rest.
Your heart needs rest.
Your mind needs rest.
Take breaks from the news, from the comments, from the external conflict.
It doesn't mean you don't care.
It means that you will be better equipped to think with your head AND your heart when you tune back in and no matter what you are facing.
3. Live your values.
Whether they are clearly defined or deeply instinctual, turning to your values during times of challenge can help you stay grounded.
When I'm feeling conflicted, indecisive, or just a little unsettled in a situation, I turn to the guiding principles that I live by: Love, Joy, Curiosity, Freedom, Sustainability.
To me love in all forms is the ultimate guiding value. It encompasses Kindness, Compassion, Empathy, Beauty, Honesty, Connection, Passion, Service, Inclusion, Anti-Racism and so much more.
When I lead with love I know that it is hard to go wrong.
One note: Your personal values are not an excuse or justification to discredit someone else's so barring extreme examples that may be harmful or dangerous to others (bigotry, hate, discrimination, absolutism, etc…) your values should help support being the best version of yourself even in a challenging world.
4. Ask for help when you need it.
It's ok to tell people what you need.
Their emotional support.
A distraction from current events.
Practical help with daily tasks to make your total load a little lighter.
Whether it's family, friends, co-workers, or even a clerk at a store, let people be there for you.
And of course always seek professional counseling if you simply need more.
Not all scars are easily mended but we keep trying.
While I may not have the answers to many of the larger problems in our world, I am very adept at helping you connect with and care for your body in relation to your breast cancer experience.
Whenever you're ready here are 4 ways I can help you:
“Breast Cancer’s Best Kept Secret: Your Complete Guide to Breast Cancer-Related Lymphedema Risk” E-Book: Everything you need to know about how your breast cancer diagnosis and treatments impact your lymphatic system and create a risk of developing a chronic secondary condition known as lymphedema and what to do to reduce that risk.
“Brush to Body: Dry Brushing for Breast Cancer" Workshop: A one hour, prerecorded workshop for you to learn about your lymphatic system and how to support it with this ancient take-anywhere self-care technique.
Virtual “Ask Amy” Expert Consultations: No matter where you live, we can share a 1:1 video call so you can share, ask, and get what you need NOW from from the intersection of personal and professional experience in breast cancer land.
Oncology Massage/Lymphatic Drainage Therapy: Specializing in scar tissue release, pain relief, and lymphatic support for those living with a breast cancer diagnosis or history. Buffalo, NY area only.
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