Hello everybody,
I just read a very nice piece by Steven Waldman about Peter Jennings on BeliefNet. It seems that ABC anchorman Peter Jennings, who passed away just a few days ago of lung cancer, was a champion for recognizing the value -- and the importance -- of spirituality and faith in our daily lives. You might want to take a look.
We don't have to be religious or pompous to be spiritual and find a source of faith for trying times, especially when faced with something like chronic lung disease. When I was interviewing people for my book, many of them -- most of them, in fact -- were eager to share how their faith had helped them. As my book was being edited and sent around for suggestions about how I could make it better and more effective, I did take some criticism about it being too "religious." But I stuck to what I had, because it was not what I had invented, but what I had been given. People longed to share their stories with people who needed help and inspiration.
Here are my thoughts on faith and spirituality and religion as they appear in the opening of Breathe Better.
"When living with a chronic disease and facing their own mortality, many people experience an increased sense of spirituality. This is not necessarily a matter of becoming “religious,” but by facing adversity people often learn to look at self, others, and the world in a fresh way and in a different light. Many times this involves discovering a new sense of thankfulness for each day and finding fulfillment in simple joys. The religious expressions found here vary and, in the true spirit of patients helping patients, are in the voice of the contributors. This book espouses no particular religious belief, but was written with respect for the personal spirituality of every human being and the infinite value of inner peace."
The article about Peter Jennings, along with the fact that he had a lung disease, prompted me to share these thoughts with you today. Thanks, everybody.
Please, do feel free to let us know what's on your mind.
Jane
0
Faith...
Started by Jane Martin, Aug 10 2005 10:11 AM
2 replies to this topic
#2 Guest_Wheezer_*
-
- Guests
Posted 10 August 2005 - 04:31 PM
Hi Jane. Recently....very recently.....I've come to the realization that God can use my life with the COPD. So, who am I to pout and whine about it? It's up to me. I can move over and let HIM control my life and use this to bring Him glory and pleasure by helping others or directing some fine dr to a cure for us all ~ WOO HOO to that!!!! .... or a myriad of things. So, I guess what I am saying is that I sit here today grateful for the opportunity to be an instrument. Now if I can learn to keep my own wants and desires out of it, well, that is a miracle, too. 
We all have different perceptions of God, I know. Guess I'm coming to mine rather late in life. Still, when I think of the day that I will come face to face with my Creator, I literally catch my breath thinking of what will it feel like, be like, to be surrounded by all that love and glory (here come those tears LOL). What is it going to feel like to look in the face of Jesus? As the song says, I can only imagine.
So, Thank You, God, for everything....just the way it is.
We all have different perceptions of God, I know. Guess I'm coming to mine rather late in life. Still, when I think of the day that I will come face to face with my Creator, I literally catch my breath thinking of what will it feel like, be like, to be surrounded by all that love and glory (here come those tears LOL). What is it going to feel like to look in the face of Jesus? As the song says, I can only imagine.
So, Thank You, God, for everything....just the way it is.
#3 Guest_Guest_*
-
- Guests
Posted 10 August 2005 - 10:50 PM
Yes, I feel the need to thank everyone, more often I tell the ones I love, I love you... I am thankful for everyday I wake up and see my child and feel his little arms around me, the puppy kisses, and my husband, family and friends. I have learned to relax and look around not to hurry, I am sharing myself more and volunteering. I take the time to point out to my child the smallest things in life. I have been given a second chance, and I let everyone know.
So yes thank god for all you do, for all of us, everyday. I personally say a prayer everyday, I see the sun and more =)
So bless us all
Melisa
So yes thank god for all you do, for all of us, everyday. I personally say a prayer everyday, I see the sun and more =)
So bless us all
Melisa
1 user(s) are reading this topic
0 members, 1 guests, 0 anonymous users
