Practical advice, laced with spiritual overtones, grace this eminently helpful oversized book for readers coping with cancer. The author presents, using the alphabet, 26 relatively simple ways to ease and overcome cancer-related difficulties.
These suggestions, which can helpful to people with other dreadful diseases as well, include the use of self-expression and creativity with making collages and just writing down your thoughts and personal story two examples; the power of brighter thoughts; letting go and allowing a free flow of feelings with an open heart; showing gratitude for what you are and have; seeking and enjoying humor available in many cultural forms; learning more about your body and its resources; reaching out to others; meditation and praying; and self-pampering. Judge's Commentary, Writer's Digest Self-Publishing Awards
Sunflower Spirit Workbook gives anyone diagnosed with cancer a handbook overflowing with creative, simple ways to stay mindful and self-connected during what is usually a stressful, chaotic journey. Each idea begins with a different letter of the alphabet and consists of a one-two page essay on the topic as well as an easy-to-follow activity for you to try at home.
The author shares the stories of her own two cancer journeys throughout the book.
This wisdom from her personal experience offers the reader a calm feeling of knowing that she is not alone on her own journey with cancer.
Starting with "A is for Anchors,"the author tells the story of her second cancer diagnosis and how she decided to choose four Anchor Words that brought her peace of mind during many invasive tests as well as the subsequent surgeries and chemo treatments.
Other chapters include: creative expression, journaling, community connections, loving-kindness meditation, Metta, prayer, expressing emotions, quiet rest, physical needs and more.
Sunflower Spirit contains lots of space for your own notes and ideas, as well as links to three audio recordings of the author's own guided imagery meditations which hit just the right chord for anyone on a cancer journey. You can listen to these audios online, or download them as MP3 files.
The book is very easy to use. You can just pick it up and read a few pages and you'll have somewhere to begin! Cancer patients love it because it doesn't take a lot of energy to dive into. We all know how surgery and treatments can sap our energy. Well, the beauty of this book is in its simplicity. It challenges the reader but it makes the challenge easy at the same time.
Sunflower Spirit also resonates with those who have finished their cancer surgeries and treatments. Life doesn't always go back to "normal" for a cancer survivor, and the ideas in this book are just as applicable for someone past treatment who still needs to process what happened to them.
About the Author: Anne Marie Bennett is a writer, self-taught artist, two-time cancer survivor, and SoulCollage(R) Facilitator/Trainer. To celebrate these passions, she created KaleidoSoul.com which now embraces a worldwide community of thousands of people who are passionate about gentle creativity and the art of authentic living through the process of SoulCollage(R). In 2001 Anne Marie was diagnosed with breast cancer and underwent two lumpectomies, node dissection, chemotherapy and radiation. In 2011 she was diagnosed with secondary angiosarcoma in the same breast. At that time she had a mastectomy, chemotherapy, and reduction surgery on her remaining breast. She is now working with a Naturopath and is in good health, following her passions and living her life to the fullest. Anne Marie has been leading creative personal growth workshops and retreats for women (online and in person) since 1985. She is the author of "Bright Side of the Road: A Spiritual Journey Through Breast Cancer." She has also written and recorded several "Magical Inner Journeys" CD's of her guided meditations for creative inner discoveries. Anne Marie lives, laughs, loves, writes and creates in eastern Massachusetts. She is reaching out to women with ALL kinds of cancer at SOS-Cancer-Journeys.com. There you will find an online community, resources, spiritual encouragement and emotional support that is crucial for getting through any cancer diagnosis with mindfulness, spirit and good emotional health.
