In a book Dr. Dean Ornish calls a “very effective collection of mind-body techniques,” Rituals of Healing: Using Imagery for Health and Wellness, caution is given to reacting negatively to the naming of health problems. You may have even noticed how some people’s language was possessive of disease states, such as when someone would unthinkingly say such things as, “My cancer.” Rituals of Healing reminds us that perceptions vary from time to time and from country to country. “In France, for example, people with migraine headaches are likely to be diagnosed with a liver disorder, in the United States with a vascular disorder, and in England with a gastrointestinal problem.” It seems as though a key factor is to recognize that health and well-being are on a continuum, rather than having an on-and-off switch. We continue our look at The Genie in Your Genes: Epigenetic Medicine and the New Biology of Intention, by Dawson Church, Ph.D.
Principle Number 2: Healing is a Process, Not an Event
Modern medicine has tended to see illness as an event that begins with the onset of symptoms and ends with relief from them; however, just as being a parent does not begin with birth (anyone who has been pregnant can verify this as truth) and it does not end when the child moves out. Weight loss is not an event, like going on a diet, joining a fitness club, or even losing 10 or 20 pounds would be. You know the difference between an event and a process in these areas of your life, and your healing is also a process.
“A process is something we incorporate into our lifestyle, such as having a habit of going to the gym every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, and completing a set routine” (p. 325).
Church illustrates the difference between seeing things as a process or an event by mentioning what he refers to as an old Catholic joke: “A Catholic goes to church three times in his life, and two of those times he’s carried.” The three times are the sacraments of baptism, marriage, and the funeral. While that may be a bit of an exaggeration, for sure you are aware of folks who make a point to go to church at Christmas and Easter, rather than valuing “regular worship attendance” and developing a habit.
A number of years ago, I participated in a work-site lifestyle program called “Dump Your Plump.” Well, the wonderful thing about the program was that you learned how to make well-being a process.
- Drink plenty of water
- Eat plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables
- Exercise 30 minutes a day, six days a week
When I did this program, my weight came down to goal and has stayed there all these years. Why? Healing is a process … not an event! Of course, we now know to add relaxation response, too.
Many of you are involved in lifestyle improvement programs through your employer, so you can enjoy your ideal weight, become a former smoker, learn healthy ways to self-soothe, and develop ways of thinking and believing that promote your good health and sincere happiness.
This week notice the healthy choices you are making. Give yourself credit for all of those, big and small. Notice places where you can easily benefit from a lifestyle change, and easily gift yourself and your family with that. Enjoy a healing process of making good choices of body, mind, and spirit. (edited and reposted from 2010)
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Rev. Debra BashamVoice: (269) 921-2217
Email: debra@scs-matters.com https://scs-matters.com http://ImagineHealing.info http://SurgicalSupport.info Small Changes … Infinite Results™
“If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other.” ~Mother Teresa Tips from 5 April 2010 to 6 August 2012 are here: Archived Tips |