When you have a bodily discomfort how do you talk to yourself about it?

Observe these commonly expressed sentiments:

1. That always acts up when it rains.

2. I am afraid I’ll throw my hip out. I’ve done that three times.

3. I have a bad right knee.

4. My back has not been right since that fall.

In these examples, the language focuses on what we do not want and the words make it sound like that injury lives in a steady state in time, as though that condition will inevitably continue and importantly, in a way I do not want.

In the year 2000 I was diagnosed with a condition called leaky gut syndrome. I followed the guidance of a holistic physician who recommended a regime of five different supplements at each meal and a specific food plan to heal many food sensitivities. In the process of getting assessed I was tested for food allergies and came out with a long list of foods to which I reacted.

I stayed on the plan about one year. During that period I could have said, “I don’t eat that I am allergic to it.” Doesn’t that sound like a condition I would always have when spoken like that? Instead I said, “When I was tested last August, I had a reaction to that food but now I am healing my gut and expect to be able to eat it before too long.”  Wonderfully, the results of the re-test showed that all but one of the long list of foods was ok again, ie. I was not “allergic”.

If we have something in our bodies we want to shift, let’s not talk about it like it will always be true! Instead, I recommend playing with expression that acknowledges the  power that we can access to promote our healing.

Here are my suggested ways to express the earlier complaints:

1. Sometimes I notice sensation in this area in weather conditions of high humidity. It is healing now so rain may not bother me anymore.

2. Right now I’m attending to my hip, and I feel how easily it moves. I move more easily now!

3. My right knee feels on the road to recovery. I feel improvements in subtle ways, I sense the healing process.

4. My back strengthens each day. I picture all my vertebrae of my spine lined up and feeling good.

Does this essay inspire some thinking for you? Do you have stories to tell me or questions? Love to hear from you at jpearl@streamofyes.com.  What you say matters to you, to me and to all of us!