Most of us were not born with an autoimmune condition, it was something that developed over time as a result of our environment, genetic risk factors and illnesses or health events (although often unaware all of it would lead us here). In the pursuit of remission, we often chase the clinical or physical factors such as test results, diet, sleep, stress, exercise, supplements and toxins, and are unaware of or pay little attention to the metaphysical or energetic aspects of what contributes to autoimmunity. Or what allows us to believe in ourselves.
“As soon as you trust yourself you will know how to live” – Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe
So, let me ask you, do you…
Distrust your own judgement?
Confuse positive criticism with personal attack?
Feel there is little room for mistakes?
Have trouble speaking up for your needs and desires?
Suppress your sadness because showing your emotions is a sign of weakness?
These are all common metaphysical factors relating to autoimmunity according to author Evette Rose, author of Metaphysical Anatomy: Your Body is Talking, Are You Listening (Vol. 1).
I can relate to just about every single one of those questions, and working on believing in self has been and continues to be a big part of the work I do personally and with my clients.
You see, we were all born with the right to belong, to exist, to be separate and still belong, and to love and be loved. But somewhere along the way through life these birth rights may have become impaired due to circumstances outside of our control, how we perceived them and what meanings we made about the world, others and ourselves as a result.
Take children for example, especially ones under the age of 5 before all of belief systems are set, they are tireless and spontaneous. They eat when hungry, sleep when tired, fully express their feelings and never apologize for who they are. Animals, plants, birds and bees are the same.
So why are we humans so hard on ourselves and how does it impact our health?
Over time, life experiences leave their impressions causing us to doubt our worth, our belonging and who we are. The more we deny who we truly are, the more we suppress, the sicker we become over time.
As Kimberly Maroon discusses in the book of Angel Blessings:
“Chronic negative behaviors are reflected in the body as aches and pains, fatigue and minor illness. When you don’t notice, these signals then get stronger until there is a serious result. You can choose to do whatever it takes to be healed, or give up the body.”
You see, although things may appear as if they are out of your control, what we can control is how we choose to perceive them and how we choose to support our body by allowing yourself to BE YOU.
To accept who you are, all perfect and imperfect parts, because there is no one else in this world who can be you. You are unique and beautiful just as YOU.
Healing autoimmunity is just as much physical as it is mental, spiritual and metaphysical. As I like to say, “having your ideal health and weight means learning how to navigate life differently” and “healthy is a way of being not just doing.”
The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again expecting a different outcome. Therefore, if you want a different outcome you have to do things differently. And I’m not just talking about eating differently or taking different supplements.
You can’t out-diet, out-supplement, out-sleep or out-exercise negative behaviors or beliefs. Along with changing your diet, exercise or other healing therapies, you have to embrace healthy as a way of being.
Part of healing and being healthy is believing in YOU.
Believing you are…
Worth it
Enough
Perfect just the way you are
Smart
Intelligent
Beautiful
And all of the things
But you might be thinking, yeah easier said than done or I get that but how do I actually change my way of being to believing it? How do I “believe in you?”
Being able to believe in YOU doesn’t necessarily mean seeing a therapist, working with a coach or spiritual advisor, however those are all tools that may help you along the way.
Believing in YOU starts by being aware of the conversations that are going on in your head, or the ways you are minimizing yourself in life and then taking action to shift it.
Here are 4 simple actions to help you shift:
- For every negative thing said in your head, say 5 positive things about yourself
- Don’t apologize for your dietary needs, share them boldly (you just might inspire others)
- Do more things that bring you joy and less of what doesn’t
- Speak up for yourself as if you were speaking up for one of your autoimmune sisters in this community
To explore your behaviors and internal conversations even more, to find their roots and rewire them, start journaling them out with these prompts:
- Where have you been feeling stuck or in pain?
- What are you thinking, feeling and doing or not doing in this state?
- What might someone have to believe about themselves or the world in order to have this experience that you are having?
- What would you like to experience instead?
- What might you have to let go of that you value in order to experience what you want?
- What reasonable actions can you take to let go of that?
The more you practicing shifting the easier it will become. Your confidence will grow and you will create a new baseline to operate from.
As you do this work, remember to forgive yourself. Everyone is doing the best they can with what they know how to do, and every act is an act of love or cry for love. Forgiveness unlocks the door to compassion and unconditional love.
Be bold, believe in you, BE YOU.
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