This blog was originally published November 7th, 2016
Your beliefs and thoughts are wired into your biology. They become your cells, tissues, and organs. There’s no supplement, no diet, no medicine, and no exercise regimen that can compare with the power of your thoughts and beliefs. That’s the very first place you need to look when anything goes wrong with your body. ~ Christiane Northrup
When we change our thoughts, beliefs and behaviours, we change our outcome.
Last Monday, as I was about to toss the local paper in the recycling bin, an ad for an upcoming course caught my eye: “Living life to the full”. I wondered if the title had been truncated?
The subject captivated me. The course would start the very next day. The timing fit my schedule. The price was right, now half the original cost. And, it was walking distance from my home. I had no idea what to expect. But I registered on-line.
I do have a history of taking action based on information I come across in our local paper - The Oakville Beaver. In the past I have become very involved in community issues such as air quality, clean water, raising healthy teens. Oddly enough our street had not been getting door to door delivery for over a year. This became a time for learning and self-reflection for me. Perhaps divine intervention.
Tuesday morning I showed up for the first class and found myself surrounded by wonderful people who happen to struggle with depression. Seems to be a recurring theme in my life.
What I learned in that first class far exceeded all of my expectations. It was basically group thought and behavioural therapy. We learned how our thoughts and beliefs trigger words, feelings and actions that alter our health and well-being. The facilitator, while having empathy and compassion, used humour quite effectively in our ninety minute session.
In the exercises we were asked to do, it became perfectly clear that our thoughts and beliefs manifest our reality. For example if you believe that "nobody likes you", you feel bad. Feeling bad you act in such a way that repels kindness from others, or at least you are less likely to observe acts of kindness. You attract people who treat you poorly, because you feel unworthy of better. And, you interpret people’s actions as confirmation that you are not likeable, even if their behaviour has nothing to do with you. This becomes a vicious cycle. Over time your mental and physical health become impaired.
Between stimulus & response there is a space. In that space we have the power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and our freedom.
~ Viktor Frankl
Ever notice how when one bad thing happens, a series of unfortunate events seem to follow? An action triggers a reaction. A cause triggers an effect. Unless of course we pause, take a deep breath, and choose our response. In that space we may recognize that every challenge creates an opportunity to learn, grow and transform.
What a gift it was to come across that ad and find myself in a group setting where I can commune with others!
If so inclined consider this Canadian Mental Health Association course "Living life to the full".
Health starts in community.
I can hardly wait for the next class.
Comments