The Trouble With "Should"
The word "should" needs to be taken out of our vocabulary. If we use the word "should" when referring to something we are going to do, it implies we don't want to do it, but are doing it because we feel others expect it of us. If we can't replace "should" with "need to," "have to," or "want to," then it's not something which is necessary or welcomed in our life, but being done to please or appease someone else. I would suggest we not do it. There are many things in life for which we don't have a choice, so when we do have a choice, it's really important we do those things which fill our hearts and make us happy. When we spend time in moments that give us joy, our bodies physically feel that joy and react to it by feeling the relaxation that it brings, which in turn makes the space for healing in our body.
Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Month
March is Multiple Sclerosis Awareness month and I'd like to share with you a brief recap of my life with MS and my way out of it. About 20 years ago I became very sick and was then diagnosed with MS. I didn't know what MS was, but I was very, very sick and I was certain it wasn't good. After the diagnosis, the cycle of emotions was quite a rollercoaster ride. It began with tremendous Fear-I was terrified of what my future held. From there I transitioned to an indescribable Sadness-I deeply mourned the loss of my health. From the depths of that rose, an incredible Anger-I became very angry because I had three children to raise who needed a mother and I was in no shape to be the mother they needed. I realized that anger was only hurting me more and it was then that it was transformed into Determination-I decided I was going to try everything I could to find a way to get better. From that moment on I started moving forward without wanting to look back. When I felt my legs getting heavy, I went to the gym, physically trying to walk away from my disease. To regain my balance I began practicing yoga and rerouting my brain around the lesions I was told I had. In trying to bring balance to my mind I started practicing meditation. I needed to be able to slow down all the negative thoughts filling my head. To help inflammation in my body and brain, I was tested for allergies and began eating in a different way to stop the autoimmune responses in my body. I incorporated mind-body techniques into my way of living. In short, I completely changed my life. I had been pushing my body so hard and my mind was so involved in this pushing that I was finally forced to stop. Being an overachiever had not been very good for my health. Fast forward 20 years. I am grateful to say that I am very healthy. I can say that all these changes, along with some others, made it possible for me to not only go back to having a normal, healthy life but to thrive. It's my purpose in life to help you thrive too. If you have just been diagnosed with MS, know that there is hope and much you can do to help yourself. Take the medicine, but also make a shift in your life toward love and compassion for yourself. Make the shift to living fully. I have written "Transcending MS" to help you do just that. I invite you to visit my website transcendingms.com and see a little of what I'm talking about. Feel free to e-mail me if you have any questions. Above all, don't think there is no hope. I am living proof there is.
Weekly Mantra
After being diagnosed and digesting fully my situation, I embarked on getting well. I repeatedly told myself that this was only a bump in the road; that my body was strong and healthy. And that I was in balance. I didn't say it as a future occurrence but as my reality. My thought was that if I said this to myself enough and behaved as if I had a healthy, strong, balanced body the body would listen. "I could do this." There was no other way. My body did listen. My mind believed it. They worked together. I believe with all my heart that the beginning of healing came in the belief I was healthy. Not in some distant future, but then, in those moments I was living.
Find Your Magic
What we need and what we want is separate. If we take care of what we need-physically, mentally, and emotionally, what we want will fall into place. When I make the space and take the time to listen to "me" in my silence in the mornings, I become aware of what it is I need for that day. When you have given yourself the space to meet your needs, you start feeling a sense of abundance. You may begin to feel a healthier state of being. The more health you feel in you, the more at ease you may start feeling because you're aware of the abundance of your health, and it becomes your reality. In this way, you create your own reality. If you become aware of what's best for you, you become the vehicle that radiates life and health-mental, physical, and emotional health. In the same way, you're radiating it, that is what comes back to you. We attract what we are.
