Written by Anna Giannakouros – I’m 49 years old, a mother of three and have been living with a diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis (MS) for the past 16 years. The disease caused four lesions in my brain and numerous lesions throughout my cervical spine that have impacted my ability to walk without assistance. Six years ago, I began using a wheelchair due to the progression of the disease. Although none of my lesions are currently active my diagnosis has evolved to Secondary Progressive MS, a stage where many experience a steady decline in their physical functions. However, in recent years, my condition has remained stable, with no further deterioration of my brain or spine.
For a decade following my diagnosis, I was consumed by the effort to “beat” the disease. I made radical lifestyle changes, sought the best possible medical care and invested much of my energy into the battle against MS. Today, however, I’ve shifted my focus. While I still maintain a healthy lifestyle and adhere to my treatment plan, I no longer center my life around changing my diagnosis. Instead, I’ve found a deeper sense of peace and well-being by turning my attention away from the disease and simply focusing on the blessings in my life. This mental shift made all the difference in my emotional and physical health.
I realized that bigger than the damage to my body was the damage to my psyche. Years of conditioning and learning false lessons had taken its toll on me and I felt a great deal of fear, confusion, pain and sadness. I was suffering. As I began to heal my mental state, my overall well-being improved.
I’m truly doing well in all areas and feel at peace with my life.
Besides the autoimmune disease and the existing nerve damage that I have, I’m in very good health; I work out regularly, eat healthy, retain a healthy weight and muscle mass and excellent health figures in my blood work. Though chronic fatigue and pain were a huge factor in my life, they are not anymore. I’m active and enjoy a good quality of life and am relatively pain free.
I’m fulfilled in my family, leisure and social life and enjoy a life coaching and writing practice.
The best advice I have.
The best advice I’d give someone dealing with medical challenges would be to forget the name of the diagnosis.
This doesn’t mean ignoring your condition or neglecting your health. It means accepting where you are, following the necessary steps for managing your condition like, for example, taking your medication, seeing your doctor, staying informed, etc… but then, don’t spend every day in the mindset that you have to work on “fighting” this disease as a fulltime job or sitting in thoughts of perpetual fear or depression about it. Because this adds pressure to your mental health and life perception and what you are actually doing is manifesting more of that same situation in your life.
While mental health might not necessarily be the cause of physical ailments, it is certainly intertwined with how you experience them. Your mindset shapes your perception of life.
Your mental health is not caused by the circumstances of your life it is caused by the thinking in your mind.
Being ill or disabled or going though another challenging life situation does not cancel happiness; You can go through hardships but still have the ability to access peace and tranquility in your life. In fact, your mental health is the key to get over these challenges in your life; it’s not the other way around. When you connect with your inner health, your perception shifts and that is the foundation for healing and forward momentum in life. It begins from within.
The present moment and healing
So, for the remainder of this blog post, I invite you to set aside the past or any diagnoses you may have received or future worries associated to it. Let go of any grievances regarding yourself, your circumstances, or anyone else that may have upset you.
What is left is the present moment.
The present moment is a powerful space for healing, yet we often overlook it when we’re caught up in our thoughts. To be at peace can be as simple as enjoying a cup of tea and relishing in the comfort and taste of it. In that moment, your identity, your issues, and your situation can fade away as you just focus on the tea.
You can extend this practice to various aspects of your life. Embrace the feeling of presence – whether it’s, for example, enjoying a cup of tea, connecting with nature, spending time with a pet, engaging with someone else, exercising, working on a project, focusing on your career, etc… Instead of fixating on your problems, immerse yourself in the moment and allow yourself to be lost in it. Avoid dwelling on thoughts that bring negativity.
This may sound overly simple but it is very effective. The ego/psyche complicates things at times but the truth is simple and common sense. The more you anchor yourself in the present, the more you will experience healing, both mentally and physically. There is a greater force that helps carry your burdens that is beyond your psyche.
Do the inner work
Painful memories are like stories we’ve stored in our minds that no longer serve us. If you continually replay these narratives, they’ll continue to hurt you. When you feel triggered, recognize that this is an opportunity for healing. Your triggers may be blocking your freedom and observing them can help you move past them. Doing the inner work may feel uncomfortable but it’s the way to freedom.
As you cultivate awareness, you gain a new perspective. This awareness is your superpower, allowing you to step back and understand your experiences more deeply. You know that these past stories cause pain, and by observing yourself, you can feel the emotions tied to them. When you’re triggered, acknowledge it -feel it, and then let it go.
Reflect on any trauma you’ve encountered and understand that you can release it. Take a moment to consider the grievances you hold against individuals or situations. It’s time to forgive past relationships and release those old wounds. Let go of limiting beliefs and resentment, as they are toxic to your well-being. Allow negative feelings to surface and flow through you.
Return to the present moment. Healing occurs in the love of now, not in the illusions of the past. Holding onto those stories will only keep you trapped in pain; they contaminate your present. The present moment is your point of power, a gift that allows for healing. The more you practice being present, the more you heal and gain insight to make decisions that serve you. Before long, you may find that the past loses its grip on you.
Take Care of Your Body
Imagine you are on a spaceship exploring outer space. While you must maintain the equipment, remember that you are not the equipment. Just like any machine, your body will eventually fail as well. You are what is inside of the equipment.
Don’t confuse your soul with your body. Your body is temporary; it isn’t designed to last forever. Aging and physical decline are natural parts of life. As your body changes, it can be challenging for the ego to accept these transformations. Often, a crisis, such as a changing body, triggers a profound awakening and awareness of your own mortality. Embrace the journey.
We’re all heading toward the same destination so we might as well enjoy the ride! If you face physical limitations, don’t let them serve as excuses. Instead, they are reasons to love your body even more. Take care of your equipment and look into what resources are available to make your life easier and more enjoyable!
1. Workout with Love: Engage in physical activity because you love your body, not because you hate it. Adapt where you need to. Having challenges is not a reason to avoid activity; it’s a reason to engage more.
2. Daily Walks: Go for a walk every day and if you can’t walk, use a scooter or wheelchair. Spending time outdoors is important and healing. Just like flowers, we are a part of nature and we need sunlight, water and the other elements in order to thrive. We also need time in peace.
3.Keep It Simple: Caring for your body doesn’t have to be complicated or extreme. The ego often complicates matters, but nature thrives in simplicity. Eat well for your body type, stay hydrated, stay active.
4. Celebrate Small Achievements: I used to run ten miles; now, I walk with assistance and feel gratitude for the ability to stretch for just ten minutes. Don’t compare yourself to others or previous versions of yourself just accept yourself where you are now.
5. Live Fully Mind/Body/Soul: Get up! Go live your life in meaningful ways that resonate with you trying new things and breaking free from stagnant thought patterns. Take the trip you’ve always wanted to take. If mobility constraints exist, consider purchasing a wheelchair or scooter. If travel isn’t feasible, visit a park, café, library, or take a class. Let your wisdom and intuition guide you; they can lead you to new levels of living that you never imagined.
Choose Faith over Fear
There’s a beautiful quote by Michael Singer that goes:
“The truth is, everything will be okay as soon as you are okay with everything. And that’s the only time everything will be okay.”
You are not a victim of life, you are the gift of life. Make the decision to be okay no matter what happens. Be okay with not feeling okay sometimes knowing that you are always still ok even if you don’t feel it at times. Read that again!
We often, innocently, let fear dominate our thoughts, hesitant to embrace faith. Remember though, you can use that same energy to choose faith instead of fear and it feels a lot better. There’s incredible power in believing that everything will be okay.