A Healthy Way to be Sick; a Unique Opportunity

A person who deals with a physical condition that is beyond their control has is forced to an inner depth, which is uncommon in society. If all we do is try to fit into society, we ignore the unique opportunity our illness offers. Our illness forces us beyond the socially accepted depth and allows us an inner exploration most people ignore. Your health challenge is an opportunity to explore that depth.
Most people focus on their thinking mind and even if their intellect serves them, they too often ignore powerful inner resources that exist in the silence beyond their thoughts. Our doctor’s main responsibility is to give us the most effective scientific approach to deal with our illness and the patient’s main responsibility is to utilize inner resources in partnership with their doctors.
Of course, the inner resources of the doctor and the intellect of the patient are both important in that partnership, but the best partnership between doctor and patient brings the inner and outer resources together to harmoniously work together. The patient is responsible for inner resources and the doctor is responsible for outer resources.
My chronic illness forces my awareness to go beyond anxious thinking, because if all I did was to focus on my thoughts, they would depress me. As I strive for a quality life, my awareness goes beyond anxious thoughts into a silence where I find a healthy way to be sick and my efforts naturally help me deal with a terrible health challenge.
That silence is free from disturbing thoughts and fears, giving you a shelter where you are free from your illness and the struggle you are in. It is at that depth The Wisdom of your Body responds to your medication without the distractions from your thinking mind. Even when you are dealing with a chronic illness, like multiple sclerosis, there is an inner peace at that depth.
When we rely on The Wisdom of the Body, we learn to accept the beauty of life. Our illness or disability may limit us as we adapt to society, but that same situation has the power to force us into a wonderful self-acceptance and that is what I think is a healthy way to be sick. From that state of mind, you create an inner healing environment, where you become an active partner with your doctor.
Use your thinking mind to uplift your spirits and work with your doctor and medical team. Your thoughts were not created to depress you or limit you in any way. Thinking, like the clothes you wear can be put on or taken off. Dress up to meet the incredible challenge where you consciously participate in healing. Don't go shabby to an event that is so significant.
You are the only person responsible for using your inner resources and when you are in a health challenge, how you deal with them determines the quality of your life.
© 2012 Marc Lerner and Life Skills Institute