John Inzerillo, MD: On making time to "Celebrate Life" | Eastern North Carolina Now

   Publisher's note: We are most pleased, and quite humbled, to have the opportunity to bring to our readership the often reflective, and always knowledgeable words of Oncologist John Inzerillo, MD.

   This is the second part of a multi-part series, which began on June 2, 2012.

Make the Time

    There are so many things we all have to do on any given day that by day's end we feel spent with nothing left to enjoy for ourselves. If you notice this as a trend in your life it is time to make some time for yourself. At the end of the day look in retrospect at the flow of events of your day. Where in the course of the day could you have taken a moment or two to just dwell on thoughts that are pleasing to you? It may have been that if you cut your conversation short by two minutes you could have taken that time to center yourself by sitting quietly and following the in and out flow of your breath. Such an exercise will bring balance to the remainder of your day.

    Sometime today, while you are at home, take five minutes, lay face down on a carpeted floor or on your bed. Turn your head to one side and place your arms by your side with the palms facing up. Now watch the flow and rhythm of your breathing. As you breath in, feel any tightness, hardness, or tension in your lower back. Do not let the recognition of the tension frighten you. Just notice it. Now with the out breath allow that tightness to simply flow out of your body with a slow and even out breath. Repeat the process for about five minutes, slowly get up and enjoy the rest of your day.

    If you think you do not have the time to do this today, do yourself a favor and make the time.
Dr. John takes time to enjoy the moment - you should as well: Above.     photo by Stan Deatherage

Down time

    Even machines need a rest. In radiation oncology the linear accelerators that generate the radiation for treatment need a period of rest so that they can be maintained. Such is the case with our bodies and minds. After working hard all year, going to work, many days putting in more time than you wish you did, then coming home and taking care of home responsibilities, and maybe Church affairs, like choir and Bible study, it is good to come to the end of the day and allow yourself to wind down. If we look at this holiday season as a time for regeneration and relaxation we can take our minds off any of the family disputes that may have dampened relationships over the past twelve months. We can make ourselves unperturable by telling ourselves that we have the ability to stay within center and not add anything to comments we hear from others over the holiday.

    Many times it is the words we add to what we hear that cause us more bother than what was actually said. This holiday season make a commitment to settle down, relax, and to stay in the moment. Listen with open ears and a relaxed tongue so that you do not habitually add any negative self-talk to the spoken word. Stay focused on the positive and give others the benefit of the doubt by believing that their intentions are good even though their presentations might not be perfect.

    Relax and forgive. Look only for the good in yourself and others.

Celebrate Life

    Life is not designed to be easy. If there is any doubt, just look back at what your own birth and delivery were like. It is not the struggles that make or break us, but how we deal with and handle the challenges that we face daily.

    It is possible to be joyous even in the face of trouble. This takes faith in the goodness of life and belief in the process that will eventually lead us all back to God.

    Next time you find yourself wanting to complain about something that's bothering you, turn yourself around and be thankful to have the challenge that faces you. It is meant to make you remember who you are.