It's easy to lose sight of the good things in your life when you feel threatened by illness. The uncertainty and fear can steel your ability to see the parts of your life that are truly blessed, wonderful, and in order. Facing a serious illness can feel a lot like the car wreck on the side of the road you just can't take your eyes off. There you stand frozen, stunned, and mesmerized with fear biting at your hopeful anticipation for everyone to make it out alive.
Expand Your Focus
Shock
It's natural to experience a sense of unrelenting fear with your illness. Yet it's important to remember that you must move yourself beyond it. Easing stress and fear is one of the most powerful ways you can support your health and well being. In order to do that you'll need to broaden your focus to include all the support systems and favorable circumstances that are working in your life. You'll need to become more aware of the powerful resources and support already in place for you and consciously create more of what you need to dissolve your fears.
Acknowledge The Ways Your Body Supports You
Even though you may be experiencing physical symptoms from your illness, remember to acknowledge the parts of your body that are free from symptoms and even free from illness. Bring your attention and appreciation to all the systems and functions of the body that are performing well and contributing to your health and quality of life. Acknowledge all the things your body is supporting you in doing, being, and having.
Sometimes it can be helpful to create an ongoing list of all the ways your body supports you and all the things your body does help you to be, do and have. These are the things that you might take for granted. Yet if you were without them, you would likely be unhappy about it.
When your focus remains anchored in the ways your illness is negatively affecting your life than fear can run wild and your illness can take over your life. It can become bigger than you are if you continue to give it power in this way. It can steel your sense of self and become your new identity. So remember how important it is to steer your awareness towards the things that continue to remind you that you are not your illness.
My Invitation To You
Create a list of all the things your body is supporting you in doing, being, and having.
Can you still have coffee?
Can you still have a good night's sleep?
Can you still be funny?
Can you still be a musician?
Can you still do the gardening that you love?
Can you still chew your food or bend over to tie your shoes?
Acknowledge your body for all the magnificent ways it serves you. This can be a powerful exercise in redirecting your awareness, soothing your fears, and creating a sense of calm and appreciation within you.
Fear and Illness - How to Move Beyond the Fear and Shock of Your Illness Shock
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