Part 2 - How Corona Virus is like a Worldwide Cancer Journey – The Pit Stage

In Part 1 of How Corona Virus is like a Worldwide Cancer Journey – The Initiation Stage, you may have recognized that you’re in the Initiation Stage of  the Cancer Journey Roadmap, whether you’re dealing with your cancer or the Corona Virus pandemic.  So, what happens after the Initiation Stage?

As far as the future is concerned, I can’t help but notice that The Cancer Journey Roadmap’s downward curve mirrors the upward curve of Corona Virus cases. Both curves represent a journey, and on both curves, we are headed for the place where it can’t get any worse.  We aren’t there yet, but we know it’s coming

The Cancer Journey Roadmap

The stage we are headed for on The Cancer Journey Roadmap is called The Pit.  And feels just how it sounds, cold and dark, even hopeless.  But it’s also the place on the journey when the dust settles.  The moving parts stop moving. All becomes quiet, and within the stillness you can surrender.  Although you may want to, there is nowhere to run.  You might as well be with what is. (See exercise below for The Pit.) 

Granted, none of us is chomping at the bit for this moment, but once it arrives, I can tell you from personal experience, it’s a relief.  The Pit is the turning point on The Cancer Journey Roadmap.  It’s where you face the fact that you can’t control the journey, the virus, or your emotions. The Pit is where you learn to accept and be with yourself.

While the future is unknown and unknowable, the stages on the Roadmap that come after the pit are Allies, Breakthrough and Transformation.  Knowing that, makes facing the future a lot less scary.

For the time being, we offer the following suggestion when you find yourself in The Pit.

If you recognize yourself in The Pit, try this:

·      Feel your emotions so you can take your power back.

1.     Suspend your thoughts (stories,) and judgments and just identify what you are feeling.  Are you feeling hopelessness?  Loneliness? Despair? Rage?  Don’t judge, just notice.

2.     Let yourself express this emotion.  Cry, rant, whatever and however this emotion wants to be expressed is fair game. We often have clients beat on pillows or their bed to get their rage, anger, frustration out.  Don’t knock it until you’ve tried it.  It’s quite cathartic.    

3.     Another option is to work with the exercise above and write or draw out whatever wants to be expressed about the emotion.  It can be words, sounds, pictures, squiggles, or even tearing up the page.  

The key is letting out the emotion so that it can flow through you and not get pushed down or stuck inside.  

Above all, be kind to yourself.  Be gentle with yourself.  You are not and never will be alone.  And let us know if you want someone to hold your hand through any of it.  We are here for you!  Contact us at [email protected]

With Love and Blessings,

Keri (and Shariann)