Limbic System Retraining

So I've stumbled upon something that I think might be very beneficial in my recovery process. I'm no scientist, so I won't even begin to try to explain it in detail, but apparently it's like brain exercises to help heal and retrain the limbic system that has gone a little haywire in some chronic illness states. I think this is an issue for me, so I plan on adding this to my routine each day.

I'm pretty sure this isn't the whole picture (like nothing ever seems to be) but I'm hopeful that it will be a positive part of the healing puzzle fore me!

Wait for the Dawn

There are times when the experiences in chronic illness can be so dark and difficult that it seems nearly impossible to believe that the sun will actually shine again. During those times, I tend to pray more deeply and more sincerely for God to show his hand of mercy in my life. These are the rough days and it's not always lifted right away. Sometimes we must wait. Sometimes we must endure. Sometimes we must submit. But somehow, it seems that the sun does return. A portion of the pain is lifted. Hope is renewed. Direction is given. Understanding is gained. Love is offered. Peace is felt.

"Wait for the Dawn" is a song that I wrote during a time that I was waiting for the sun to shine again on my journey.

Wait for the Dawn

Darkness falls
I close my eyes
Take a breath
And try one more time
To find the hope that's real
To find relief I long to feel

As I wait for the dawn
Wait for the sun to shine on me
Wait for dawn
Wait for the light to bring me peace
As I wait for the dawn

All alone
I say a simple prayer
Hoping you are really always there
To send the hope that's real
To send relief I long to feel

As I wait for the dawn
Wait for the sun to shine on me
Wait for dawn
Wait for the light to bring me peace
As I wait for the dawn

I'll hope to hope
And I'll to move on
I'll hope to hope
As I wait for the dawn

The Healing Path

I believe that chronic illness offers us the quiet invitation to step onto a profound healing path for our lives. This healing path may include physical healing, but also includes emotional and spiritual healing as well. When faced with the challenges that illness brings, we are left to either descend into a dark abyss or to choose to see, to learn, to grow, and to heal our lives where needed. This is often easier said than done. Sometimes the pain, discomfort, and fear are just so great that it's almost unbearable. Sometimes I just have to take a rest, have a good cry and allow myself to feel the frustration, pain, discouragement and disappointment. But when I am willing and ready, the time comes for me to recognize and accept the "learning moments" that are softly waiting for me along the path.

 Naturally, we as humans do not like to feel uncomfortable. When we experience pain or hardship, we strive to do all that we can to simply get rid of the discomfort so that we can move on to all the wonderful plans we have for our lives. I don't think that's inherently bad. In fact I think it's good to work toward feeling better physically. But I also think it needs to be kept in balance. In order to find that balance, we need to stop expecting our healing path to be one that is short, simple, and effortless. We need to accept that sometimes this path takes us to places we would rather not go. Places such as, learning to let go of control, accepting our limitations at certain points along the journey, letting go of anger or fear, learning to simplify, or learning to tune out all the unnecessary voices and discern what is best for our lives personally. These are the hard lessons to learn, but the lessons that are often the most important along the way.

 So as we think of the word "healing", let us not automatically think of a body that is free of suffering and pain. Let us remember that the healing journey is much more than that. Let us remember that this path includes the healing of our hearts, our minds, our relationships, and our souls.