How often do you avoid doing something because you are worried about how it will make you feel? How much time do you spend worrying about tomorrow? What could happen? Instead of living life to the fullest?
As I read Sue Ingbretson’s article on Rehearing Positivity, and I couldn’t help but relate it to my life, and chronic illness. Sure, it’s important that we try to practice positivity. But, there’s more to it than that.
As I read this article I couldn’t help thinking about all the times we head into situations that we “just know are going to cause a flare” and we work them up in our minds to be so much more than they really are.
Early on in my illness I reached a point where I just stopped making plans because it felt like everything I did caused a flare, OR worse, I was in a flare before the planned event arrived and I couldn’t even go.
Because of that I began to feel that everything I did would cause a flare, and I’d focus on what might happen after the event (the flare) instead of enjoying the event or the people I was around. I was so focused on tomorrow that I created a negative today (and a negative tomorrow, too).
Did you know that the mind cannot differentiate between a real experience and one that is vividly imagined? That means, it doesn’t differentiate between a dress rehearsal and a live performance. Your body experiences, on a physical level, every thought that you have. So pay particular attention to the not-so-helpful ones. – Sue Ingbretson
[socialpug_tweet tweet=”The mind cannot differentiate between what is real and what is imagined. When we imagine a negative situation, the mind lives it as if it is real. ” display_tweet=”The mind cannot differentiate between what is real and what is imagined. When we imagine a negative situation, the mind lives it as if it is real. #enjoythemoment ” style=”2″]
This is a fact of science and Psychology. How often have we thought about having a specific conversation or writing an email to the point that we believe we’ve actually done it, only to find out later that no such email was sent or conversation had. We do this to our bodies, as well.
We imagine situations to be a certain way to the point that our body actually experiences that situation whether we follow through with the experience or not. We create our own reality, whether it’s real or not.
After a few years with Fibromyalgia, I finally had to let go. I had to stop worrying about tomorrow and start living today. I still don’t make plans too far in advance (at least if they require buying tickets).
BUT, I do make plans and I look forward to them in a positive way.
I don’t spend mental (or physical) energy worrying about how things might turn out negatively, because doing so creates negative energy now, while also depleting my physical energy both now and later.
Why suffer today over the possibility of what might happen tomorrow? Instead, enjoy today. Worry about tomorrow when it gets here.
[socialpug_tweet tweet=”Why suffer today over the possibility of what might happen tomorrow?” display_tweet=”Why suffer today over the possibility of what might happen tomorrow?” style=”2″]
Related Posts:
- Are these seven habits increasing your pain and fatigue?
- Is Your Stuff Making You Feel Worse?
- Learning to Trust Yourself in the Face of Chronic Illness
- Sometimes Rest Is The Answer
Sue says
Julie – what a great post with such important info! We can decide to feel sick just as much as we can decide to feel well. Thanks for your take on this powerful topic!
Julie says
Thank you Sue for hopping over and sharing your thoughts, and for always being such a wonderful inspiration.
Tracy Lee Karner says
Agreed! The placebo effect shows proves that if we anticipate pleasure or healing, we are likely to experience it. The norcebo effect proves the opposite.
It’s one thing to “know” this, but a very difficult bit of wisdom to put into practice. You’re a good role model. 🙂
Julie says
I’m still working on it constantly myself. I write these posts as a reminder to myself as well as to others.
Tracy Lee Karner says
That’s why I write, too–the biggest reason is as a reminder, and encouragement to myself.
Julie says
I’ve been thinking a lot lately about the saying that the best way to learn something is to have to teach it.