REWRITE ILLNESS INTO YOUR PERSONAL TRIUMPH STORY: WITH ELIZABETH BENEDICT, NATIONAL BOOK AWARD FINALIST AND CANCER SURVIVOR

Love University with Dr. Alexander Avila

Do you or a loved one have a serious, life-threatening illness? Do you fear contracting a deadly disease in the future and having no hope for your recovery? If so, there is a way for you to rewrite your sickness story into one of triumph and peace. Our inspiring guest on Love University, Elizabeth Benedict, bestselling author and cancer survivor, shared her personal experience (Rewriting Illness) about illness (elizabethbenedict.com). On the show, she enlightened us about the realities of disease, love, and recovery. Here are some of the things we learned:

*Medical Professional’s emotional reactions can influence a patient’s mental and physical state. In psychology, mood contagion occurs when we pick up the moods of others—whether good or bad. A medical professional’s fears or negative emotions can influence the patient in a negative way. At the same time, positive emotions expressed by medical providers—compassion, optimism, and love—can also be healing forces to help the patient in their recovery.

*There may be a gendered response to illness. Men tend to be more stoic about illness and not as hyperfocused on their bodies as women often are (which explains why men may detect illness in later stages when it’s too late).

*Serious illness is an internal power struggle—choose your own way. Some people benefit by talking about their illness to loved ones—it helps them release their tension and fear. Others do better by not talking a lot about it and focusing on positive thoughts and activities. Each person has a different internal battle and needs to choose the mental approach that works best for them.

*Fear needs to be balanced. According to Elizabeth, patients need to strike the right balance between feeling too much fear about an illness and not having enough fear to protect themselves from danger. Although fear can be a practical and useful ally, too much fear can paralyze a person and take away their joy for living, which prevents them from maintaining the proper recovery mindset.

The truth is that a majority of us will get sick and die one day. Yet, we don’t know the time or the way. Those who trust in a Higher Nature (God, spirit, nature) understand that they will be called from their bodies at the appropriate time. In the meantime, our duty is to live with as much love, joy, and contribution as we possibly can while we’re here on earth. As long as you have your body, rejoice in it, love it, and be grateful for it.