Dear Friend,
I woke up this morning reflecting and thinking of all of you – your different challenges – and what came to mind were memories of all the people who had similar experiences and have now healed. Most were close to despair and thought they would never get better, but they did. Today, I want to encourage you to not give up on your healing.
Please don’t lose heart
If you are struggling with an intense experience, please don’t lose heart. It can feel overwhelming, and the weight of it may seem unbearable at times but remember: this darkness won’t last forever. Healing is often a journey through uncertainty and discomfort, but with every passing day, you are moving closer to the other side. The very symptoms that challenge you are signs that your body and mind are working to restore balance and health.
Consider every symptom not as a hindrance to healing or setback, but as a reminder that healing is taking place. All pain, sensations, discomfort, are noted by your remarkable, self-healing body and are being worked on. Your body is repairing the injury, recalibrating, restoring balance, renewing itself. You are like the caterpillar that feels trapped in its cocoon – it might feel like you are restricted, and everything is falling apart, but in reality you are on your way to being vibrant, healthy, whole, and complete and you will emerge from that cocoon filled with relief, self-belief, gratitude, and elation… flying free and trusting in your strength and resilience… feeling near-invincible.
Prioritize your well-being
Continue to be patient and accepting. This is key. As you know, this healing process is not linear, and it doesn’t adhere to a specific timeline. It seems to be random, logic-defying, and at times, bizarre and unbelievable, but in reality things are as they need to be. In this sense this is perfection because whatever is taking place is homeostasis in action. It all leads to restoration of your health and your saying goodbye to the symptoms. So, for now, all you need to do is continue to patiently wait for the process to complete.
While you wait, prioritize your well-being, To do this be mindful of what you eat and your daily habits, be proactive but pace yourself and listen to your body, engage in activities that nourish your mind, body, and spirit, and do more of what is nurturing and comforting. Spend more time in spaces that give you hope and savour what brings you peace. Be discerning about what you accept as your truth and surround yourself with people who expect a good outcome, who take note of even the tiniest signs of progress, and who encourage you to persevere. More than anything, be gentle and be kind to yourself.
Moment by moment, breath by breath
It is normal to have feelings of anxiety, fear, and doubt regarding your healing. These emotions are part of the healing process. So, don’t beat yourself up if you find yourself grappling with the dreaded “What if?” thoughts. Remember, these are just thoughts—they do not define your reality. You don’t have to believe them or let them influence your choices and dictate your journey.
Instead, as much as you can, ground yourself in the present moment. I know I always stress the importance of a mindfulness approach but accepting and allowing what takes place, moment by moment, breath by breath, hour by hour, day by day… one day at a time, is the best thing you can do as you hold on and face your daily challenges.
The future, with all its unknowns, can be daunting, but it’s important to focus on the here and now. Projecting too far ahead may only fuel your worries about things that may never come to pass. I know that for some of you, the ruminating and obsessing are symptoms that you seem to have no control over and if this is the case, don’t fight those thoughts. Allow them to come and go and allow any emotions that accompany them, but please don’t accept the catastrophes that your mind conjures up as anything other than thoughts. They are not your reality. Again, you don’t have to believe them or make them your truth.
If you are breathing, you are healing. Your body will not stop working and doing everything that is needed to restore homeostatic equilibrium. This is why for more than sixty years people healed.
Your body’s knows
If anyone tells you that you won’t heal unless you do what they suggest, remind yourself that long before the internet and social media, people healed. It is natural that as one feels better, neuroplasticity-promoting exercises appeal and are done naturally. People will start going for walks and exercise and move around more. They will learn to play an instrument, do quizzes and word games, learn a new language, do a course in preparation for returning to work, etc. This is how the innate intelligence of the body works. So don’t freak out if you are told to do a specific activity and you tried it and had an adverse reaction. Many of you are contacting me about this, hence my mentioning it here. Remember, your body will never stop healing so yes, be proactive but also trust that it knows exactly what it is doing, even when it feels like progress is slow.
You will make it
Keep going, even on the days when it feels impossible. Don’t lose heart and continue to keep hope as your closest and constant companion. The outcome of this journey will be your renewed health – completion of a complex but profoundly healing journey… and a deep understanding of your own capacity to heal. You are stronger than you realize, and you are not alone. Dear Friend, stay hopeful, stay patient, and most importantly, stay kind to yourself. You will make it to the other side.
Sending you all my compassion,
