Life is Sweet
Life is Sweet: the alternative practitioner's viewpoint by Beverley Hamilton
In the field of health care, new, powerful movements are taking place.
Latest scientific discoveries are proving that we are not passive in terms of creating health and wellbeing; we are active creators in the process. With this knowledge, taking responsibility for our health can reap great benefits.
There is a movement away from seeing good health as a lottery; with our lives pre-determined by the genes we inherit. I believe that this is a crucial development as we are being encouraged to look at creating health, rather than avoiding illness.
The mind-body link has been scientifically proven. When the neuroscientist, Dr Candace Pert, discovered the natural opiate endorphin sites in the brain, she proved that mind and body are inextricably linked in the creation of health and wellbeing. It is not she says, a question of mind over matter, but mind actually making matter.
To put it in simple terms: the quality of our thoughts and feelings have a direct impact on our body chemistry and ultimately our health. This change in our physiology can be readily observed when watching a thriller, e.g. you may feel your breathing change, and you may even go ‘white knuckled', gripped in the suspense of the moment!
So what can all this mean in terms of looking at obesity and diabetes?
On a holistic level, obesity can occur as a response to the need for protection ~ literally wrapping an extra layer around the body. It can also be linked with the bottling up of negative emotions, what an Osteopathic friend of mine calls ‘issues in the tissues'. Lack of self-esteem and security can also play a part.
The more useful response to these feelings can be to look at boundaries and the need to please others. Saying no, can mean saying yes to, and making time, for one's own needs and priorities. Seeing a qualified therapist can help to pinpoint and detoxify the emotions that are being contained.
On a holistic level, over time, obesity can lead to a propensity to develop diabetes. Feelings of what might have been, the need to control, unresolved feelings of deep sorrow can all add up to the crucial lack of sweetness in life that can also manifest itself in diabetes.
It is important to remember that any diagnosis is an indication of where we are at any point in time. Our bodies will give us messages when things are not harmonious in our lives, or when we are living with uncomfortable levels of stress. The good news is that when we ‘listen' to our bodies, we can make the changes that will reinstate health and wellbeing.
An important factor in taking responsibility and effecting change is choosing how we react to life situations. Power lies in recognising that we always have a choice in how we react and respond to given events. Reality is created around these events. Stress does not come from the events themselves, but from how we perceive them.
It may be that some emotional detoxing is needed:
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Looking at what is being held on to; negative thoughts can drain energy and sabotage quality of life.
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Looking at the way anger is managed or expressed
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Practising forgiveness of yourself and others Letting go of old hurts and disappointments
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Letting go of bitterness and embracing sweetness Looking at beliefs and identifying whether they based on love or fear, and if they are bringing joy into life.
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Avoiding buying into dramas
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Expecting good things ~ we tend to draw towards us what we focus on Creating positive stories around life events
Giving gratitude for all that is good in life, can shift the energy flowing through the body and will also have a direct effect on others. A teacher that I met recently revealed that she started the day by thinking of five good things on her way to school. Imagine the effect that had on the children she taught throughout the day!
Especially at times like this, there is a need to put that "feel good" factor back into life, e.g. my daughter's friends are doing just this, and getting together for pre Christmas festivities whilst watching ‘ It's a Wonderful Life ‘
Practising goal setting by resolving to take steps to reclaim health. These can be small steps, chunking away at the desired goal.
In terms of work/life balance, looking at any areas that need filling, in order to create more harmony. Mind tools have an excellent interactive wheel of life.www.mindtools.com
Positive energy flows from following your passion; it is your life force!
Dancing for example is a great holistic as well as aerobic exercise! It puts rhythm back in your life It helps to shift states It is great for mental dexterity, because you are literally thinking on your feet and exercising flexibility.
So follow your passion and keep the sweetness in your life flowing.
As Mark Twain says: Dance like nobody's watching; love like you've never been hurt. Sing like nobody's listening; live like it's heaven on earth."
Beverley Hamilton 6th December 2008 ©
About the Author Beverley Hamilton is a Reiki Practitioner and a member of the UK Reiki Federation. She also has a therapeutic background in Person Centred Counselling. She is a Licensed NLP Practitioner Co-founder of an NLP Practise Group in Tunbridge Wells. She specialises in working with clients to create optimum health and wellbeing. She has a practice at Ananda Clinic Tonbridge and Tunbridge Wells and will travel within a 30 mile radius of Tunbridge Wells. Appointments can be made for weekends and evenings. Telephone sessions are also available for clients living outside these areas.
