Next we have Embracing Social Support. I put this one in my strong suit category. This blog is one aspect of this factor for instance. My basic stance was to report as much as possible about my journey with cancer because just maybe something is to be learned from the ordeal. Somehow learning seemed a better response to my challenge than battling.
The blog came out of conversations with some of my nurses back in early 2014 when it became apparent that I could possibly go to Spain to walk the Camino. They saw the posting of my whereabouts and impressions would be a good way to communication without having to answer individual emails. Made sense, right? But the deal was that I just kept on doing it after I got back and then for the last four years now.
And the whole world of being involved with the documentary Phil’s Camino has brought so many people into my world and me into theirs. So many know of my journey and struggles. Not only know of my story but many participate actively by commenting, emailing, texting and praying. I do know that there are hundreds of kind people that pray for my wellbeing. There may even be thousands by now for all I know.
This is all social support with capital S’s really. And it all started because I opened myself up in the beginning. This wasn’t my natural inclination but it was a result of the change in thinking that my cancer diagnosis brought.
I have heard of cancer patients trying to keep their disease a secret. This is the worst form of isolation that I can think of. Isolation is what one doesn’t want, it is the opposite of support. And even at the hospital all the privacy rules and regs serves to keep patients isolated from one another and leaves them to largely navigate alone.
Then my four hours of walking every week here at the ranch is an opportunity to connect with others. I never know who will show up and sometimes no one but great getting together does take place here in this venue. I learn a lot in the give and take of it all and so do others hopefully.
So, there are a lot of facets to this factor for me and you can see that it is very strong. It is one of my biggest assets. It is community as medicine as Erica De America would say.
OK, I think that you get the picture on that one. Next we will do Having Strong Reasons For Living. The best to you ever and always, love, Felipe.
My first thought is that when no one shows up, those are the days that we are all walking with you, Felipe! You just can’t see us, but on a quieter day, you may be able to feel us. This one is definitely a message of the film, just like the last one. It is all over the film, but is put into words so beautifully by Rebecca who urges people to “Connect!” This also is something that Dr. Arash talked about at the LA screening, how important connections are for all of our health. The community you have created with this blog is so amazing, so big, and so supportive. I am happy to be part of this community! Ultreya!
Annie ~ I will always remember early on “walking alone” on Phil’s Camino and putting in the logbook “alone”. Then on the next lap there was so much unusual noise all around me, especially the birds. I got done with that lap and I wrote in “not alone” which I still do now. It is impossible to be alone really. Felipe.x
Querido Felipe,
I am again catching up, I was in your country this week for a couple days of work and landed today in the Southern Territories of Caminoheads Neighborhood.
How beautiful to read this post…indeed it is very meaningful for me. Walking the Camino unlocked the shell I used to live in, and I discover a world I didn’t know it existed and paradoxically, “that one” is my world now. The people I met in the Camino and through the Camino and through the things that came afterwards to my life because I walked the Camino, are the “social support I embrace” now (and has been so since 2011).
And most of them are people who I don’t have the chance to meet for a coffee -if not virtually-, lots of them I have met only once or have not met at all (as Farmer John), yet they know me more than many of the people I share my life “face to face” daily.
So, when people think I am “alone” because I live alone, I travel alone, and I am usually doing things on my own, or even spend time at home alone; I don’t feel alone. I am a part of a large community of people around the globe, who know me quite well, better than many who are close, and that are my social support. That changed my life completely, and knowing that just moved me to such a healthy place for myself, but proudly, for the whole world too… I am just thinking now of John, the man from the Twinnings Tea company that was sitting next to me in the flight when I went to visit you… only because I am a part of this larger community, I feel every one is a fellow traveller, and all we have to do is to just say hello and engage into the conversation… and magic things happen (or maybe not magic, just “real loving life” happens!)
Worldwide Loves,
Cris
And worldwide loves to you Cris! Great great comment! These nine items are valuable to us and I am having fun with them. Stay tuned. Have to go, low battery. Felipe.x