Most people don’t think about their health. At least not when they still have it. Those of us whose bodies and brains are functional, allowing us to eat, sleep, move around and do what we need to do, don’t pay much attention to the incredible machine they are driving.
It is helpful to remember just how amazing your brain, and the rest of you, actually is. Processing billions of bits of information, churning millions of chemical reactions, keeping thousands of different substances in balance, all without any help from you.
It is also important to keep in mind that your body needs maintenance and care, and so do your brain and your mind. Eating fresh, natural foods, being active, balancing your time and energy between work and rest, solitude and social time, and spending time in nature.
For most of us, who only have occasional or mild health symptoms, it is important to pay attention to these clues that are provided by your body. Devote more attention and effort to taking care of yourself, and talk to your doctor and other natural health providers. Consider making life changes, using drugs or remedies, or perhaps specific therapies to give your system a boost.
But if you are struggling with pain or your brain, your problem is likely the opposite. Your symptoms dominate your existence. They are all you think about, all you talk about. They define you as a person, making you feel sad, depressed, angry, worried or afraid. They make life harder, if not seemingly impossible.
No matter what your current problem is, negative thinking is not your choice. Your thoughts arise on their own. But it is important to keep in mind that these thoughts are not coming from the Real You. They are coming from Unhappy You. And not only can they make your symptoms worse, they almost always affect your mood, your day and eventually your entire life. Worse.
So don’t let your illness stop you from doing what you want. Terry Fox ran across Canada with one leg to show people that even if you have an illness, you can still have dreams. And living for our dreams is the purest source of energy and happiness there is.
If you don’t have any dreams right now, just focus on trying to help bring peace and happiness to the people you love and care about. Try to be a force for good in the world, and see how that makes you feel.
It won’t hurt you to try. I promise.