For those of us just coping with the daily challenges of chronic illness and disease, a key attitude that needs addressed in order to empower self healing is the issue of having a sick or patient identity. As I have pointed out in previous articles, your medical story can so easily become your personal identity — impacting your sense of self, self esteem, self confidence and ultimately, your ability and power to heal now.
This issue seems to particularly rear its head during those times we are increasingly challenged with symptom exacerbations (e.g., pain; fatigue; GI, cardiac, or respiratory distress) and/or a secondary illness such as flu, colds, infections.
It is during these low energy times that we may feel particularly vulnerable and yes, even sickly. During such times, we are likely to have more contact with medical personnel, further facilitating our sense of being in a one-down patient role. Moreover, this is also a time when friends and families tend to increase their inquiries into how you are feeling.
Especially during these more challenging times, I have learned to parry such questions by injecting a bit of levity; which also serves to break the focus on being sick; and once again reminds me and empowers me to remain firmly on the chosen path of self healing.
So, just how is it I respond?
Try this for yourself when someone makes that awkward inquiry to how you are feeling: You know, . . . I actually feel more like I do now than I ever did before!
Have fun growing well!
Malcolm
My business is to Coach You Well!
For Your Free :45 Consultation: http://CoachingSelfHealing.com/qualification
Follow me on Twitter: http://twitter.com/SelfHealinCoach
Follow me on Facebook: http://tinyurl.com/SelfHealing-OptPerformance
Tags: chronic, chronic illness, chronically ill, coaching, coping, empower, healing, healing journey, healing skills, illness, illness identity, medical story, patient identity, self healing, symptoms, thrive
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn