This, my sweet readers, is my secret to healing. The above is a beautiful ring that I wear (designed by The Barber’s Daughter) and it reads “May You Have Sun On Your Face and Laughter In Your Soul”. Seems lately, I have been getting a flattering amount of emails and comments on my silly sense of humour and how the way I present information is inspiring to others. These always amaze me, for as far as I’m concerned, I am just at my computer, like you are at yours, writing what I know to be true. That above quote is how I have chosen to live my life, with a smile and a giggle.
If you have read my book, The Healthy Cookie: Unbaked, I am sure you can agree that for the most part, I managed to stay positive throughout the little sickness experience. I recently parted ways with the literary agent I was working with when her criticism of the manuscript was that it was too “Sunshine and Rainbows” and tossed a copy of Skinny Bitch my way as a reference for what she was after. As far as I know, the world has enough storm clouds and abuse in it.
My secret to healing was to simply believe there was no other option than to heal. I chose to ignore any facts or opinions that challenged my truth, trusted my intuition, and ignored the stressful thoughts being thrown at me. In my world, the thought that I could cure an ‘incurable’ disease and overcome years of health challenges were just as true, if not truer than the ‘fact’ that Crohn’s was incurable.
All too often we get caught up in our stories and those stories stick with us as our reality and we replay this ‘reality’ over and over again. I can tell you right now, that I have little patience for indulging these stories and dislike even more when other people tell me the sad stories of a third party (a la gossip). There is just no need, for the most part, to spread that kind of energy around.
This past weekend, I had the amazing opportunity to see Byron Katie work her magic live. The event was a great success and I feel honoured to have had any small part in getting the word out.
If you are familiar with Byron Katie, than you know about the process of inquiry that essentially gets us to question our stressful thoughts as being true or not. The magic of her work is that she brings people into the present reality and out of the stressful bubble most of us chill out in.
I was told I had ulcerative colitis and then I was told I had Crohn’s Disease. I was told it was incurable, that my chances of getting cancer were increased, that I would likely need surgery, should start taking meds straight away and that this was something I would have to deal with the rest of my life. As I sat there, taking in the bad news the doctors kept telling me, I knew that it simply wasn’t true for me. It wasn’t a ‘Why Me?” thing, it just wasn’t for me. Sure it might have been true for other people and it was also true that I had the symptoms of this disease, but in that moment, I was in the doctor’s office, communicating and smiling politely and felt, for the most part, fine. I didn’t believe what he was telling me to be true.
Without knowing about Byron Katie, the inquiry or any of that, I was asking whether what I was being told was true. I asked my doctor straight out, Do you know that I have this disease and that I will be sick my whole life? Do you know that acupuncture won’t work? Do you know that diet will have no effect? The doctor had no answers. For the previous three years I had been telling myself that I was sick, that there was something wrong and you know what happened? I got worse and worse. The moment this fear was validated, the moment I was told what I already knew I had, I no longer believed it. I was certain that this was not true at all and that all I had to do was want to be better with every inch of my being and that being healthy would be my truth.
No supplement, no restrictive diet, and no medication can work better than absolute resolve. With absolute resolve, all of those things work to their utmost capacity.
I never believed the story that I was sick. And even when all signs pointed in that direction, I never carried being sick as a burden, but as a challenge, an opportunity. I think we all have this opportunity with any great challenge whether it be health, financial or in a relationship. If we keep telling ourselves the story that we are sick, that we are broke or that we will never find love… guess what? The stories we tell ourselves are the foggy reality in which we live. Make up a new story, one that brings you up instead of puts you down. It works!
How about this poignant little work of art that is part the Post Secret project? What a great big fat question it is to ask why some people heal and why others don’t.
Why do some people never heal? Never get better? Likely because they don’t believe it is possible. Maybe they think it is too much work or that they get what they need from others by being sick, or maybe somewhere they are programmed to believe they deserve what they have. Whatever our reasons may be to carry the stressful thoughts we play on repeat, we are only cheating ourselves out of the healthiest and happiest life ever.
I told this to Ashley after she completed the weekend course and I will tell you all right now; when you can shimmy and shake the bad energy, the negativity and the stress off your shoulders you end up in a high vibe life where amazing things keep happening and, pardon the horrific cliche, but every dream you have ever had comes true. This, my fine feathered friends is why I present all this information to you with such humour, sincerity and passion. It is because right now, in this very moment, I am living the life of my dreams and I will remain in this dream land as long as I keep believing the truth I have come to know, that anything is possible.
And this is why I not only LOVED reading your book, but why I find you so inspiring as well. Your positivity keeps ME going in my own journey to healing from Crohn’s Disease.
Beautiful post. You always touch my heart and I feel such a strong force of power towards you. I am pretty sure it’s your upbeat positive energy and hilarious humor. I think about you and how you cured your crohn’s just about everyday.. it’s what keeps me going on my journey towards healing! Thank you, Meghan!
Absolutely! Meghan thank you for such a positive insightful post. I truly believe that what you focus on increases. I would love to see Byron Katie or even more Wayne Dyer – such uplifting empowering messengers as you are yourself!
I am currently trying to follow the principles in “A Complaint Free World” and notice I have not gone one day complaint/criticizing/gossip free…small steps of which awareness is part.
I work with someone who has a lot of health issues and seems to get more of them. They do talk about how ill they are all the time….so of course….I give them the message that they are a strong and resilient person and make it a point to not focus on their complaints.
Need to read your book!
MEGAN I LOVE YOU!!!!
Great post, as always. This is partly the message I loved in your book as well. I totally agree that our attitude and beliefs shape who we are and can affect the outcome of our illnesses (and I’m still working on that myself).
But I think it’s important not to interpret this to mean that people are responsible for being ill. If someone has cancer (particularly a child, but even an adult) and they don’t get better, there’s a tendency to interpret this to mean that they didn’t “believe” enough or weren’t positive enough, and then the sick person gets worse, feeling guilty because they can’t “make” themselves better. From the other perspective, there are also lots of crabby, negative people who do get better.
So while I certainly agree that our beliefs shape our health and well being, I prefer to perceive it the way Bernie Siegel (author of Love, Medicine and Miracles) does: that each of us participates in our healing, rather than being the sole cause of it.
You should check out the book Living Deliberately by Harry Palmer. It’s an in-depth study of the same concept you’re writing about here… about how our beliefs create our thoughts, and our thoughts create our experiences. Basically, our reality doesn’t create itself, nor do our actions create it. Nothing just “happens” to us without reason. Things happen as a result of our beliefs. On the same token, we can also discreate beliefs that are negative and, in turn, create a more positive reality for ourselves.
Seriously. Fascinating read. I think you would appreciate it.
I like your upbeat style!
I love the comment, “I chose to ignore any facts or opinions that challenged my truth.” I do that too and get a lot of flack for it sometimes. People say that I don’t know what I’m talking about or just sticking my head in the sand. But I know what works for me (most of the time) and am still learning. I do know that I don’t need someone else’s junk clouding up my head. I’ve got enough of my own to heal and release, and I don’t really have the time or energy to take theirs too.
Dear Megan,
a cup of tea and your blog every morning. I feel blessed. Thank you for being you. I am inspired.
I am so lucky to have such a positive presence in my life!! I knew when I first read your blog that your philosophy (to life and food and healing) was right up there with mine and it brings me such joy to read your posts each day. I love living this life that I have especially since I have beautiful people like you to share it with.
Amen Sister! Absolutely agree with you! Which is why I believe I will heal myself from my hypothyroidism and leaky gut (from gluten damage). It will take time, but I know it will happen. Another reason I can’t wait for your St. Lucia retreat in January
Thanks for your inspiration!!
Jennifer
Thanks for this, Meghan.
It’s funny, because I was just talking about this a couple of nights ago, after I had attended a workshop on Crohn’s and IBS at my school. I have my own digestive issues, so the lecture was pretty heavy for me. I came home feeling overwhelmed, but I also couldn’t help point out to myself that as much as my tummy stuff is awful and inconvenient and often gives me a lot of grief, I feel like it must still be serving me in some way (which was really hard to admit). I feel like until I am truly ready to let it go, I won’t completely start healing. Sometimes an illness becomes a crutch, and it’s hard to imagine walking without it.
Thanks again for this post…you’re a wonderful example (and role model for me) of someone who learned to walk.
Megan, if only we could put you in a bottle! Everyone needs your prescription. My mom has battled depression for over twenty years. I honestly don’t think that any pill will cure her. It has to come from within herself. It is a sensitive subject that I have to tip toe around. I know she could heal herself – it is convincing her of that truth though that is difficult.
thanks for sharing this. I love your style.
P.S. On the topic of making a conscious effort to stay away from negativity, check out happynews.com. It’s a website that sifts through and weeds out the depressing news, and only features stories that are happy, hopeful and enlightening.
Hi Meghan,
Totally off topic, but I just have to tell you because this beautiful thought-provoking post inspired me, but not in regards to illness or healing … but it gave me a good shake to think positive for heavens sake!
There is a hoop dancing class (think bigger, heavier, prettier version of a kid’s toy hoola hoop) that I’ve want to take for a long time. I’ve procrastinated though because the dance part scares me as I’m inhibited/shy dancing in front of others. But moving with a hoop is so joyful I keep coming back to the idea.
What am I doing? I’m telling myself I won’t be good at hoop dance without even trying! I’m going to sign up for the class now because “Of course I can do this”! It’s all in how I present it to myself. Wish you could take the class too … it would be right up your alley!
Thank you for a wonderful and honest post,
Jackie
I’m deeply touched by your post today. I feel, like so many of you readers do, that somehow you were thinking of me as you wrote it. I have my own little health issues going on–nothing tragic , but problematic all the same. Yesterday I was feeling quite beaten down and I completely indulged those feelings. But today I’m here reading you, it’s a gorgeous, sunshine-y day, and my tears are drying. Thank you for the reminder. Thank you for being a positive cheerleader. And thank you for not going the path of least-resistance and following the literary style mentioned–which left me feeling like my soul had been accosted upon closing the book.
With gratitude and rainbows and butterflies!
Jeana
Meghan, never let anyone tell you to do what someone else is doing. There are enough mean, nasty, ugly books, movies and music in the world. This sad world NEEDS more sunshine, laughter, rainbows and unicorns (especially unicorns!). So let your light shine. I so enjoy your writing.
wow Meghan. way to write a post that totally touches home for me. I have spent so much times talking about how I AM sooo SICK and just want to be better. Time to start living a new story. I love when you said “simply believe there (is) no other option than to heal.” I am need to commit to absolute resolve. You are such an amazing inspiration for me. I put a big sign in my room that says I am not sick. I have the ability to be healthy. I have been validating my sickness for so long. But I am the only thing that keeps me from getting better. Thank you for reminding me that diet isnt the only thing. I have to be a healthy person first.
hooray!
I love the dosage of joy, rainbows and sunshine and I’ll take a positive outlook and the attitude that “With absolute resolve, all of those things work to their utmost capacity” which is so true, and resonates with me.
I can’t tell you how much you rock Meg, because I always do, but your energy is fabulous
BEST. POST. YET!
Thank you for reminding me. Anything is possible, and everything is probable.
It is truly amazing to read something from someone who shares your views so passionately and who also has the same sense of humour as me. I strongly believe in positive thinking and think this is the only reason why I have come out on top of my own battles. Life isn’t always going to be rosy and perfect and we have to acknowledge that. It’s the way we deal with them that makes the difference.
My mum is the positive person I know and I have drawn so much strength seeing her live out her “glass-half-full” attitude, even on some of the most difficult days. I am always telling people to be more positive. My aunty has also taught me that the universe hears us so we need to be careful what we wish for or say. If you are constantly saying “I’m sick”, then the universe will hear that and continue making you sick, poor, single etc. If you say “I am happy, healthy and healed”, or “I am loved and have so much laughter in my life” than you will have those things. And don’t forget, if everyone in the world threw their problems into a pile, everyone would grab back their own pile back.
Things can always be worse, so focus on the good things in your life and even if you have no money, have an illness of some kind or are missing something from your life, enjoy it because you are alive. And the world is filled with sunshine, rainbows, laughter and unicorns. You just have to open your eyes and see it.
xx
Oops. Sorry for the long post! I got a bit carried away!!
I practice cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and basically help my patients to examine the connections between their thoughts, moods, behaviour and physical being. it is very in line with Katie’s Work so I am glad to have learned about her here. If anyone ever wants to learn more about CBT, Mind over Mood (by C. Padesky) is a great book. I got “sick” during grad school and a few years later started learning CBT. I learned “we are what we think”. Within a short time I was on my way to a naturopath, quit my corporate job and opened a private practice. I totally resonate with the idea we just decide we CAN get better. My life is a million times happier and healthier now that I call the shots and take responsibility…. not a dr or anyone else. Thanks for a great post Meghan!
Amen Sista Friend! Love is all around! Your post reminded me of the movie “Love Actually” and now I’m singing “I can feel it in my fingers, I feel it in my toes…” Haha (Have you see it?) Anyway, all I can say is that I agree 100% and that I’m so happy that you’re sharing the wonderful message that our thoughts create our reality. It’s SO TRUE!
Thank you!!! : )
Interesting distinction, Meghan, between “getting” sick and “being” sick. I agree that healing doesn’t necessarily equal curing, so I suppose ANYONE can be “healed,” right? (even someone who may ultimately succumb to the disease, such as cancer).
Gosh you express yourself so beautifully! thank you for sharing that Meghan! You are certainly a living example that all things are possible!
True true! And also important to note that ‘healing’ also doesn’t always mean the same as ‘curing’. One can definitely happen without the other. And I think we will have to agree to disagree on your point about “people are responsible for being ill”. Obviously people are not responsible in ALL cases, but I would have to say that in most we are. If we don’t take responsibility for our own health, whose responsibility is it? Doesn’t mean it is always our own fault for getting sick, but being sick is our responsibility.
weepy.
I will definitely look into it. I also discovered that our thoughts also tend to become our words…
My mom used to shake her head at me and say “What would I do if I had two of you”… and not in a good way
Gonna point her in the direction of your comment.
I would LOVE to take that class!!! Before you even suggested it I was going through my mental roladex to try and remember where you were from. I knew it wasn’t here. That sounds like it would be an amazing giggle. Going to see if anything like that is offered. I would sign up in a second!
I’m in Milwaukee, pretty far away, but not soooo far away that someday I just might take a mini-vacation and sign up for one of your cooking classes! Just typing that makes me smile.
This is who I’m taking my class from http://www.hoopvive.com. I don’t think you’ll have any trouble finding a hoop dance class in Toronto. A quick google search brought up this http://www.hooptoronto.com and others. Let me know if you go for it. Would love to hear of your experience! The hoops are so gorgeous and playful … like your bike!
Jackie
P.S. I just treated myself to a ReboundAir rebounder! OMG, how FUN and it’s proving to be an awesome workout!
I just checked! Sold out. I am all over this now. I wanna go get my hoop. I have the best readers ever.
Loved it. Thank you!