Martial Arts vs Cancer

Martial arts teach that conflict is best avoided; if it cannot be avoided, then it must be reduced to the shortest possible time, to avoid draining the energy of the participants. Cancer and life-threatening diseases are like combats, and the martial arts philosophy helped me through “the second most invasive surgery” to remove Stage 4 pancreatic cancer, which had metastasized to the liver. I have broken this down into five steps:

1. ACCEPT the disease rather than deny it, or waste energy fighting it;

2. PREPARE for treatment by building up your resources, physical and mental, and rest a lot;

3. RECKON DEATH as a possibility and a Liberator; all Life dies and we do not choose when;

4. COMMIT to your treatment and do not look back; you gave it your best shot;

5. LIVE FULLY embracing every new breath that you have been granted.