ARE YOU LISTENING?

Many years ago in my 20's, I was forming my own life separate from my family of origin, and I was asking a lot of "why" questions.

• Why did I feel so much anxiety?
  • Even though I was prescribed xanax/valium all day long at increasing doses, I was mentally terrified to leave the house.
  • I wasn't hyperventilating, so the symptom was "cured", but I was terrified inside.
• Why did I get daily mild headaches?
• Why did I sleep poorly?

I felt like I had good habits, but my body was not feeling well.

In my search, I stumbled on a book by Louise L. Hay, Heal Your Body. Being the skeptic that I am, I flipped through the book; I didn't totally believe the words. Yet being a person open to change ...

In the "Problem" column, I found "HEADACHES." It suggested the "Probable Cause" - "INVALIDATING THE SELF. SELF-CRITICISM. FEAR." I could see how I criticized myself, and I obviously had fear. I wasn't so sure about the Invalidating the Self part. So I bought the book and I thought I'd say the "New Thought Pattern" daily to see what happened. It said "I LOVE AND APPROVE OF MYSELF. I SEE MYSELF AND WHAT I DO WITH EYES OF LOVE. I AM SAFE."

Wow, did those words hit me negatively. I LOVE AND APPROVE OF MYSELF. Ha! Are you kidding me - love myself? I actually hated myself, my sensitivity, and wished I was a different person. Despite the judgements I felt when I repeated the New Thought Pattern, I kept saying the words methodically (I was raised a good, disciplined Catholic!). I saw my life begin to shift in ways I could've never expected. I added some more Problems to my list (I can't do just ONE), noted the Probable Causes, and recited the New Thought Patterns. My life shifted in ways that amazed me.

Through this work, I eliminated the xanax for my anxiety. I practiced relaxation with a biofeedback practitioner; I cured my daily headaches. My terror went away with the help of counselors and friends. I began to sleep more soundly. I started to put myself first and listen to my thoughts and feelings. And I became a believer of this work.

Today I am a certified Heal Your Life Coach helping others to identify their Problems, Discover the Probable Causes, and develop New Thought and Primal Lifestyle patterns.

It's so important when something comes up in our lives - a headache, backache, indigestion, low energy, poor sleep, the flu, anxiety, depression, high blood pressure, tough relationships - whatever the Problem is, that we ask why. What is the Probable Cause of this dis-ease.

And I don't mean just a pat answer like "I'm getting old," or "My neighbor had the flu," or "It's my co-worker." There is no self-power in those statements; they blame others for your experience. Instead, it's time to develop New Thought Patterns that empower you. "How can I support myself better in aging? How can I strengthen my immune system so I'm resilient and won't catch the flu? How can I deal with the stress I'm feeling from working with this person?"

If you're thinking "I have a headache and I'm going to take a pill," you are limiting your experience and growth. Our bodies communicate to us through feelings. Are you listening, or are you ignoring the information? If that headache happened because of a food you ate, and you don't explore that, you'll keep eating that thing, and your headaches will stay. Taking the pill may numb the symptom, yet what other problems is that food giving you that you don't know about yet?

What is your body saying to you? Your precious body? It is working day in and day out to keep you in balance. You need to work with it. Listen to it. Try new things if what you're doing isn't healing the Probable Cause.

I'm not saying never take a pill. Perhaps you're down for the count this time, so you need a pill to make it through. Continue to wonder about what's causing the headaches.

Is the headache from something I ate? From a combination of things I ate in the last few days that's overloaded my system? Is the headache mine - especially for energetically sensitive people that can feel the energy of those around them. Am I tired? Is it a muscular headache - do I need to stretch? Do I need to take a walk to get some fresh air? Am I overstimulated? Do I need to do a few sprints to blow off some physical stress that's built up in my system? What am I saying to myself? Do I need to spend time saying comforting things to myself? Do I need to go out and be with friends?

The bottom line is, are you willing to hold your own hand and support yourself no matter what it takes? Are you really listening? What do you really need? Maybe it's time to find out.

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