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For as long as I can remember, I have been fascinated by the weird and unexplained things people create with their bodies. The people that didn’t fit, the outliers.
When I was an athlete and wrestling, it was how some people were about to do these miraculous things with their bodies. You know Bruce Lee with super-fast reflexes or a ball player getting through a slipping line of defenders as if they weren’t there. Those kinds of things. Then as I got in Chiropractic and the healing arts, my attention turned more to how people got well when no one said they should. The miracles, spontaneous healing or remissions. I always found it interesting that so much attention is placed on the normal disease process and prognoses and the people who don’t fit into this model are discounted. But I wasn’t interested in more of the same or being normal. I desired a different reality, so if you too desire something beyond normal. Here is a quick different guide to healing. Whether that be physically, emotionally, or spiritually.
Let’s talk about well, being. Being the energy of you, whatever that may be or look like. What does that have to do with healing? Everything. When you aren’t at ease with yourself. What do you get? Dis-ease. And in the stories, I read about healing, I realized something. The people made who truly got well made a different choice and started being more of themselves. Whether it was becoming aware of burdens they were carrying and letting go of them. Or it was knowing what was true for them and not listening to anyone who told them what could or couldn’t be changed with their body. Somehow, they got the awareness of what was true for them and they weren’t going to take no for an answer or apologize for themselves any longer.
Acknowledge you are different – Maybe you are just climbing up the wrong tree
“Everyone is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid.” The quote has been attributed to Einstein, but there is some dispute over if he said it and for our purposes it really doesn’t matter. You get the point. You are a genius at being you. Hate to break it to you, but no one else can be it. However, if you are constantly comparing yourself and your body to others, are you, really being you? Are you choosing from a sense of knowing what works for you and your body? Or are you trying to swim up a tree? What can you do when you notice you are comparing yourself or body to others? Stop it. There is a hilarious sketch by Bob Newhart if you need further explanation. Just google Bob Newhart – stop it. And below are some more tools, if you just can’t stop it.
Finding out what works for you and your body
First please be kind to yourself. Judging yourself for not knowing in advance what works for you and your body is a recipe for disaster not healing. So, to figure out what works for you and give up trying to be like others to meet external expectations, you can start by asking questions and making different choices to develop an awareness of what is healing and nurturing for you and your body. When you ask questions, you can come out of your fixed point of view and start looking for other possibilities. Also, your body knows what it wants – your body has its own intelligence and by asking questions you can tap into it.
If I was truly being me, what would I choose here? When faced with any choice you ask this.
Is this actually going to work for me/my body? The latest fads in diet and exercise can be attractive but start looking at if it’s going to work for you. Everyone is different and what works for some doesn’t work for others. And if you get a yes, try it out. See how it is for you and your body.
Ask your body, what do want to do/wear/eat today? We would not wear the same clothes each day, but then why would we assume our bodies are enjoy eating the same food and doing the same activities each day. Also, you could ask What movement do you want today body? Instead of following a schedule – ‘Tuesday is arms day’ – I’ve found you get greater results from asking your body what it requires on any particular day.
We have fallen into the habit of deciding at a mental level what we or our body needs. We decide what it should look like and what it desires. But everything in nature changes. What if you and your body can change to? When water stagnates, it loses vitality. What if your life is the same way? Let everything change as it needs to – your diet, your exercise regime, your recreational activities – and allow yourself to do things just because they feel like fun. Remember you are already more of an expert on being you than anyone else is.
Dr. Andrew Gardella graduated from Case Western Reserve University Magna Cum Lade with degrees in Biology, Psychology, and Cognitive Science. He graduated from Palmer College of Chiropractic in Florida. Along with various chiropractic techniques, Dr. Andrew is a facilitator for a range of Access Consciousness special programs, including facilitating Being You. He is available for group sessions, bodywork sessions, and phone consultations. Follow on Twitter at @RightVoiceForU.