Pilgrim Pathway

I love when people start rattling off oxymorons.  It gives me a chuckle to hear things like jumbo shrimp, only choice, and working holiday.  Then it comes to times when we’re given news of a health challenge and the world as we know it changes.  Some describe the events from the moment of a diagnosis as a perfect storm.  Others describe it as utter chaos.

My question today is how do we structure chaos?  I know what you’re thinking; it’s like taming cats.  I created a quilt piece a few years ago with this concept in mind and when I finished, I wasn’t any clear on what structured chaos meant than when I started.

As the years have passed and I’ve gained more insight into my natural tendencies, I’ve reconsidered this question.  Illness by nature is chaotic.  It’s all consuming.  It creates a whirlwind of emotion impacting our decision-making process.  It’s why so many of us succumb to medical providers running the show.

Years ago, I worked for an organization called The Wellness Community.  They have since become the Cancer Support Community.  One of the tenets of their program is providing community members (those diagnosed with cancer and their loved ones) some degree of control.  This is one way to structure chaos.

Another thing I’ve found about chaos is it tries to limit our options.  We are drawn to a quick answer because we’re looking for relief.  The problem is often we don’t know what we want relief from.  

I recently completed the training as an end-of-life doula.  The practices before someone becomes gravely ill surround order and “knowing.”  When we participate, have someone reflect to us our thoughts and feelings (a therapist, end-of-life doula, spiritual companion) we slow things down enough to prioritize things in a way where the chaos takes on form.  This gives us the opportunity to feel empowered and diminishes our fear.

How do you plan on structuring the chaos in your life?

For art and prompts about the human condition, follow me on Instagram/Threads: @drfiber

For commentary on the art, go to www.manofthecloth.wordpress.com