We are all gathered for a midweek varsity hockey game. We are guests at a neighboring hockey rink. Tonight is the wrap up to a day long Cancer fundraising event at the arena. Before the puck is dropped a red carpet is rolled out and microphones turned on. The organizer gives a speech. Then he introduces the president of the Booster Club. She gives a speech.
It is not easy to hear all of the words in the arena, but I can make out some statistics that the Booster Club president is reading out to us. “The chances of men having prostate cancer is…., and colon cancer is ….. The chances of women having breast cancer is …. ” What is this, a self fulfilling prophesy?
As I am listening to the words my eyes are drawn up to the large banner that is situated directly opposite to me. The purple words “FIGHT CANCER” are blazing at me. Fight cancer, how interesting. What happens when we fight? We trigger lots of the ‘fight and flight’ chemicals in our body to prepare ourselves physically to meet the opposition. The release of these chemicals actually opposes healing, and the continued release of these chemicals actually prompt illness in the body.
What if the words read “UNDERSTAND CANCER”. Cancer does not happen overnight. It involves a combination of physical and mental/emotional factors. Cancer cells thrive in an acidic and bitter environment. A diet with less soda, burgers, white bread, and more vegetables, fruits, almonds and tofu, will reduce the acidity within our body. Thoughts that are uplifting, positive, generous and loving will reduce the residue of bitterness from the disappointments of life.
Let’s use the knowledge that we have to discourage the growth of these ‘radical’ cells in our body. Let’s get radical to living life with awareness. Let’s encourage the state of ease in the body and mind, and reduce the state of dis-ease.
An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
Fight Less, Understand More. Emblazen the words, with optimistic and uplifting orange letters, into our minds and our hearts. Then let’s start talking statistics.