Better Communication With Your Body

It is not uncommon for people to approach me before a bodywork session and say, "This is my "bad" shoulder (or knee or arm)." In response, I usually lean over, stare at the body part and ask, "Really, what did it do wrong ?" This is my humorous way of drawing attention to the way that we describe ourselves while healing.

It is amazing how consistent we are at talking about our body in negative imagery. How we talk about ourselves is an important dynamic in our lives. The language we use reflects the way we think. The way we think is a vital part of the way we contribute to the creation we call reality. The way we think impacts the very structure of our belief systems, the options we envision and the behaviors we choose.

The following I believe make a difference:

Whether we refer to a injured area as damaged or healing. Whether we say someone suffers from multiple sclerosis or cancer or that they are challenged with a condition. Whether we speak of a person as crippled or differently able. Whether we blame a change in life on old age. Whether we suggest that a person is a victim of AIDS rather than challenged by a life threatening illness.

It is possible to be very conscious in your life of the way in which you use language to speak to yourself as well as to others. It helps to examine the way in which you have been taught by family and society to think and talk about illness and injury. By questioning common assumptions you can assess whether these beliefs serve you well.

It's like raising a child. You can choose to guide the child with fear,guilt and shame. Or you can provide the child with an enviroment of love, encouragement and grace. This is the choice. By shifting your thinking and speaking to reflect the strongest, positive healing imagery you strengthen your natural

healing abilities. By surrendering victim oriented, negative and self defeating language, you directly focus your energy clearly toward a path of wellness and balance. You also provide a role model for young and old alike.

I frequently misquote the theme to Boy's Town by saying, "There are no bad backs, just misunderstood backs."