I sat, watching, as the robot before me, dissected. I couldn’t help but think that this physical transformation I was watching had greater meaning. That watching something discovered, analyzed and then cut away - to allow for a healthy fresh start or even just a healthy chance - was much like what my soul has been going through, as of late.
Most days when I walk into work, I can tell you how long the scheduled procedure will take. I say hello to the doctors, I review the cases, I set up for my day. I am witness to miracles, almost on the daily. At times, it becomes monotonous for me, as it is my job. But many days, like today, I am reminded how truly blessed I am to watch second chances and small miracles handed out by the talented men and women in the scrubs.
Today we were scheduled for a colectomy - which is a resection of the large bowel. For my medical geeks, I know you know the procedure. For those that wish to know what goes into this, check out YouTube. But make sure you haven’t just eaten, as it can be pretty graphic. Anyway! Normally I am not present for this type of procedure but due to protocol, here I was. I was documenting, catching up on the paperwork side of the procedure, when I looked up and immediately was drawn into the drama of the case.
There, on that inky projection, I watched the scope pass the fresh and healthy pink walls to reach an ominous conclusion. There was black every where there was supposed to be pink. A black hole of death, darkness and uncertainty spread before the surgical robot’s scope. A sample was taken, label “cancer cells” and sent to the lab. STAT.
However, unlike me, the surgeon and their robotic partner did not hesitate or stop to feel. Instead, they moved in tandem with almost a beautiful and artistic flair, cutting away the dead tissue and giving the live and pink portion a chance to not be touched by the darkness known as cancer. There was no time to delay; if modern medicine was to give a chance to the patient laying on the table, the physical emergency before us had to be dealt with.
Much like this surgery I have been identifying the dead and decaying portions of my soul, that have been touched due to life stress, tragedies and years and years of neglect. I have examined the pieces, discovered their history, their effects on me, their malignant purpose. And I have cut them away. Giving my soul the absolute best chance to thrive and come alive in my purpose. So many times, we move through life just surviving. Having no idea that the situations and circumstances, the pain and agony we have experienced along the way have caused a darkness in our souls, a decay that must be cut away so that we can once again thrive.
I say this to each of you today - take the time to search your soul. Look for the ugly parts, the parts we don’t talk about at cocktail parties or work lunchtimes. Examine those parts - really search out why and how they have effected you -and then THROW THEM AWAY. Don’t allow what people and situations have done to you in the past, to slowly kill your magic, your very being. Make way for fresh and healthy tissue, to let yourself not only live, but spiritually thrive.
Blessings
T. Williams
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