A Note on Healing

I had a patient this week that is at the tail end of what has been a months long healing process. We reviewed his progress and I celebrated how far he has come. At the end of the session, he said, “I’m so tired of this. I just want it COMPLETELY gone.” And I relate fully to this statement, after being chronically sick for almost a decade in my own life. However, what I have learned, and what I shared with him, is that life will almost always invariably hand you something to deal with. Every once in a while, we get a true break from it all and we get to sail along. And those times are wonderful and we should relish every second. But what I have also learned is, you may finally get your idea of “perfect” health, but a challenge might come up at work. Or the person you are totally in love with doesn’t notice you. Our brains love to pick something “wrong” with our lives and obsess about it. However, it is especially important when on the healing path to celebrate every win along the way. And celebrate all the goodness that is in your life. Because when you are lost in the sea of illness, these points of celebration and gratitude are your anchor, keeping you steady.