10 Lessons Chronic Illness Taught Me: Part 1
DimensionL Wellbeing provides the philosophy, methodology and container to enable a person to experience what it truly means to feel and stay well: we call it a return to Wholeness. Our approach keeps LOVE in the center. We are here to guide our clients to the highest expression of themselves. The result being greater well-being for the individual and therefore greater well-being for society. Our way provides the opportunity to function in your fullness with more consistency.
At DimensionL Wellbeing we recognize and honor that multidimensional beings must be met with a potential focused, sustainable, multifaceted approach to Vital Wellbeing. We define Wholeness through the lens of 8 dimensions and when applied with LOVE creates a Vibrant Lifestyle.
Through our offerings and care, we help our clients navigate these issues to support them in becoming their own health advocate and turning on their Inner Light. When these dimensions are in resonance, the more LIGHT a person will exude. This is not a quick fix or another marker of achievement, rather it is a way of living and thriving through connection, education and exploration. True health is found in personal coherence - this is when what one says, believes, feels and acts upon are in alignment.
Our mission is to provide impactful and empowering care which awakens people to their divine design and entanglement to the universe; supporting the activation of their full potential. That is why we created the 8 Dimensions of Wellbeing, which transforms lives and reduces or eliminates suffering.
This blog explores primarily the Physical Dimension and is a very personal account of my experience of a major health imbalance and my road to recovery. I truly believe no pain is in vain and it is such a blessing to have learned what I have and to now share it with all of you. Thank you for being here. We are in this together.
Before diving into what I have learned. I want to share a bit of a disclaimer.
It is my personal belief that almost anything under the sun has a cure. I believe in a benevolent world and that our suffering and pain can also be a salve. So while I was diagnosed with an auto-immune disorder, I do not claim it. I do believe my body can and will be restored. I understand what it is like to have lived with that label and that is what I am sharing with you today….lessons that came from this experience. I am so grateful to find the silver lining, it has literally been life-saving.
What do you consider your cross to bear? After reading this blog, might you consider looking for the silver lining in your life? I would love to hear about your discoveries.
To live a life fully is to be really brave and yet not take everything so seriously. I hope you enjoy reading more about what I have learned through my trial.
1. Never judge a book by its cover.
This sounds obvious and trivial, right? I will admit that I have committed the crime of making snap judgments. I like to tell myself that I made them intuitively, but I know there have been times where there was no validity for my judgments other than being fearful and in my ego. Living with a chronic illness has really put this into perspective for me. On one hand, I need to be grateful that those around me value my strength. I am seen as someone who gets stuff done! The downside of this is that even though these people may have known about my health challenges, few of them really get what that has meant for my life.
Because, for the most part, there are not many visible signs, people don’t understand how I struggled, especially since it was not often visible. I would have crippling fatigue and pain to where my skin even hurt. I use to feel frustrated at the lack of impact my communication had on those around me. Those closest to me rarely asked how I was feeling or if I needed anything, because I was seen as superwoman. I have learned to take this as a lesson of growth for myself. A deep understanding of what it means to judge a book by its cover. We do not know what others are going through, but trust we all have our own hardships. The best thing we can do is have a deep desire for compassion. Compassion towards others and of course ourselves. And communication. Say all you want to say, do not hold back. This supports others in expressing their truth too. Ask for help. Ask others if they need help. And on the other hand, learn how to be a good listener, truly tuning into what the other is saying not simply waiting to respond. We are in this together.
2. The body’s desire for balance and healing.
A lot of emotion predicates and accompanies health problems and diagnosis. In fact, it is an ancient belief that the only cause of dis-ease is an imbalance at the energetic level, caused by unresolved emotions and traumatic experience. At first, I was so overwhelmed by heavy emotion that I did not realize my body’s deep desire to be whole and healed.
As I started my research and implementing changes in my life, I began to hear more clearly the message of my heart and was more attuned to the physical needs of my body.
Did you know one deficiency in an essential vitamin (or mineral) can cause a chain reaction in a variety of body parts and systems?
For example, a deficiency in zinc can lead to a compromised immune system, hair loss, impaired cognition, rashes and the list goes on. To me, this illustrates the grave importance of balance and how everything is intrinsically connected. This also illuminates the fact that in many ways, we may be dealing with disease from not enough (or the right) angles. With statistics rising of autoimmunity, are we really getting better at diagnosing or is it possible we are simply becoming more deficient, traumatized and toxic? Food for thought.
Exploring healing from a variety of vantage points supported the creation of DLW. Returning to wholeness does not happen through one avenue, there are many dimensions to explore.
3. Our illusion of freedom.
To elaborate on my last point, are we really getting better at diagnosing all of these chronic illnesses or are variables present that have led to an increase in these illnesses?
I’d like to point out another grand lesson my ‘dis-ease’ has taught me. The glass ceiling in which we live. America is known as ‘the land of the free and the home of the brave’. I think that motto has been replaced with ‘the land of the sick and the home of the media-driven masses’.
On a daily basis, how many advertisements do you think you are bombarded with? Have you ever thought of the effects these bombardments may have in influencing your choices? Interrupting your cognition?
Let’s talk food for a minute, shall we? It is my opinion that if a food needs a commercial and only appeals to an emotional state of being as a selling point, then WATCH OUT. For example, Coke promises a more invigorating life with the purchase of their products. Let’s take it step further. WHY are the very companies, whose products actually increase your chances of cancer and other illnesses, raising and donating money to cancer research? Do we not see the conflict of interest here?
Let’s remember, an outcome of a study can be controlled by influencing the variables included in the equation or experiment. So, lets make a connection. Company A chocks their products full of ‘cancer causing agents’ and 'learning disorder promoting chemicals’, and then fund research for these diseases. The outcome my friends, will always be in their favor.
Genetic predisposition has led us to believe that we are doomed to hereditary diseases. However we know now that 40-60% of our genes are influenced by outside influences (epigenetics). Which means, there is potential to break the cycle of inherited disease. This also illustrates how important self responsibility is when it comes to wellbeing. We have a responsibility to be mindful of all of the chemicals we’re putting on, around and in our bodies. This allows us to see through false advertising and base our decisions on facts and label reading. (make sure you know what you are looking for!)
4. Living in the presence of now.
I have fought really hard to overcome illness and be as healthy as I am. Then I came to a massive realization…why am I fighting what is? You see, although I have made leaps and bounds in my healing, I still experience extreme exhaustion, pain and infection if I do not stay on top of my wellness routines. I get so frustrated during these times because if you know me personally, I put the buzz in busy bee.
With my new realization of surrendering to the reality of the situation, I have come to have deep compassion for myself and my body. It has also allowed me to truly understand the gift of the present moment. I must always check in with my body and listen to her messages and needs. If I don’t listen and continue to fight and push, I wind up sick in bed.
Listening with compassion and presence has allowed me to become a great friend to all parts of my being.
5. Yoga is more than bendy moves.
My first experience with yoga took place when I was a freshman in high school. My stepmom had DVD’s I practiced with. At first my practice was met with great frustration. I soon realized there must be a mental aspect to yoga that I was missing. One that was more about willing your body into the poses, rather than forcing contortion.
I practiced yoga on and off, and when I was at my physical worst, I decided to give it a try again. At first, I started by just breathing air into the parts of my body that I could not feel, or that were extremely tight. I began to envision movement and relaxation of my rigid muscles. I would then incorporate stretching if it felt right that day. I very quickly fell in love with the practice. Finally, 5 years after originally practicing yoga, I decided to take my first class in a studio. I researched some studios in the town I was living in and was immediately drawn to one studio. The second I walked into that yoga space, I felt hOMe. I knew I was where I was suppose to be and I had a very blessed experience with this studio. I learned and felt the deep resonance yoga created space for within my body, mind and spirit. I learned many ways to integrate (or yolk - the meaning of the word yoga) all parts of my being; breath work, meditation, asana and more.
I practice yoga ways off of the mat too, because as I said, yoga is much more than bendy poses. It is a mind, body and soul experience that has the ability to support your personal evolution and integration. I eat in a more yogic way, I speak in a more yogic way, and I practice being more connected in a yogic way…. taking my practice off of the mat and into the real world.
