The end of Blissful Unawareness

This is the life!

I stretch my whole body with delight.

I don’t have a care in the world because I deserve this.

I matter.

I am important.

I’ve suffered enough.

I put myself first.

I don’t care about politics.

I don’t know who shot whom on this day.

Is the earth burning or freezing?

I don’t want to think about that.

I just want to feel good.

Two more species have gone extinct today?

Don’t know.

Some idiot’s hand is caressing a nuclear weapon launch sequence button?

Makes no difference to me.

Not my problem.

A nice steward brings me lemonade.

Lunch is coming soon.

This is so enjoyable!

Frightened children are starving?

That’s nothing new.

Desperately ill people are homeless, you say.

Sleeping in their car, you say.

There’s nothing I can do about it.

I can’t help.

I do what is right for me.

If I don’t take care of myself, no one will.

Let’s just enjoy the day.

Forget about everything else.

I love this deck chair.

So cozy, so comfy.

Let others worry about the world.

The sun soothes my light-starved skin. Hungering for fresh air, I take in as much of it as my lungs will allow. Every time I exhale renews a sense of freedom within me. Eyes closed behind my sunglasses, I can see the shimmering waters play with the sun as they morph into a myriad of delightful colors and shapes. My brow is relaxed and the few drops of sweat my skin exudes are just enough to be refreshing.

Yes, this is the life.

No point in feeling sorry for anybody.

I deserve the best and I’ve got it right here on the TITANIC.

May compassion win out over selfishness and may Love heal our World in time.

Marianne

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How to Tame your Dragon/ Part 10 of 10: DEPENDENCE

In this series, I have addressed the most common challenges to our sense of well-being. I had in mind the notion that we have a say in how we manage our daily life in more ways than meet the eye. While many of us are faced with various degrees of health issues, we can still be empowered to look within for ways to stay peaceful and calm throughout a difficult journey. I’m the first to admit that this is not something instantly achieved; it takes practice and patience but it can be done.

I hope you experiment with all ten parts and learn what works best for you when the going gets tough.

How do you tame a Dragon?

One step at a time!

 

Real problem #10: Dependence

When the term dependence is used, we usually think of addiction. For example, one can be dependent on drugs to relieve chronic pain or anxiety but that does not necessarily make one an addict. It is when people become dependent on their job, their opinions or their lifestyle that they are thrown off-balance and distressed when these are disregarded or taken away.

Because of serious chronic illness we, sooner or later, are dependent on people for practical help; that’s a given. But when our relationships with friends and family are damaged because of an emotional dependence, when we need so badly that we forget to simply love people for who they are, unrealistic expectations arise and we often get hurt. The fact is that as much as we live in isolation and pain, even the people who love us have a life of their own and we are not always on their radar.

Dragon taming step #10: Take a Break

It is with good reason that our life is centered around illness (the Dragon) and all the symptoms that weigh so heavily on our body and our heart. We are not being selfish when we make our health a priority and we have no reason for feeling guilty when we ask for help; we’re doing the best we can with a tremendously challenging lifestyle that leaves little to no room for frivolity.

With that in mind, I submit to you that from time to time, it really would be beneficial to switch things around. How about – if only in your imagination – walking a mile in someone else’s shoes? Thinking about a loved one’s own struggles to make a good life for themselves allows us to take a vacation from our sorrows and fill our heart with understanding compassion. Are they going on a trip? Go with them in spirit and rejoice in their good fortune!

Another way to shake dependence is to change our habits or modify our daily schedule. I used to take a 10-minute walk with my dog after my afternoon nap. I realized it was becoming a chore, so I decided to take her out before napping although my energy level is lower. Turns out I feel more relaxed that way; I take deep breaths and enjoy being outdoors so that when I get to bed, I have a feeling of satisfaction.

Without noticing at first, habits can enslave us to the point of feeling depressed. Many of us already have a very limited view of the outside world and it is no surprise when cabin fever sets in. Our social interactions may be limited to social media – as wonderful as it is to have friends there – but we greatly benefit in so many ways from actual contacts with other humans. Instead of letting habits and traditions imprison us, why not use them to free ourselves ?

Each summer, a couple of old friends of mine drive a fair distance to meet up in a restaurant for breakfast. We usually met at 9:30 and had a good time. But this year, I just couldn’t do it. The idea of getting dressed early and sitting in a restaurant for an hour or so was too much for me. I recently decided to tell them that next time they’re up in my neck of the woods, they could simply call and drop by for a cup of Tea. If I’m lying down on the couch in my pajamas, who cares? I don’t have to be a “hostess”; they can even make their own cup of Tea! I get to see my friends and that’s what matters.

One step at a time, a little tweak here and there, and we can begin to let those little changes make life sweeter. Getting through the day is a struggle; we know better than anyone that we deserve to be gentle and kind to our self.

See you on the path of healing and beyond,

Marianne

I am the author of the self-help memoir:

Higher Maintenance, Managing the Dragon that is Chronic Illness – Transcending Limiting Beliefs – And Finding Happiness in the Moment

To read an excerpt and reviews, as well as order the book from your favorite vendors, please visit mariannegranger.com

For your convenience, my blogs are in audio on my website!

Thank you.

How to tame your Dragon Part 9 of 10/ STUBBORNNESS

These real “problems” (i.e. opportunities for growth) I’ve covered in this series, and the solutions I suggested are signposts for you to consider as you strive to enhance your unique abilities to lift your spirit and general wellness. This next one is probably the opposite of the last topic we covered.

 

Real problem #9: Stubbornness

Hmm. I think it’s fair to say that a great many of us experience a bout of this every now and then. It is a time when we dig our heels and refuse to even consider that a situation could actually be different than what we perceive it to be.

Stubbornness can be more consistent when one becomes incapable of re-evaluating a situation or a statement that we disagree with. In a case such as this, changing our mind is out of the question, and forget about admitting that we were wrong!

Dragon taming step #9: Wisdom and humility

The adage that the definition of insanity is to insist on taking the same road heading for the same disaster could probably be applied to a lifelong refusal to expand one’s perspective.

Here are a few ways to break free from stubbornness:

1. Developing a healthy curiosity
2. Searching for new information
3. Broadening our horizon every day
4. Staying alert and mindful to be flexible
5. Becoming more open to other points of view
6. Exploring our creativity

When presented with a different point of view or facing circumstances that are new and perhaps a bit uncomfortable, instead of resisting, we can make a minor adjustment and map out a trajectory that will bring us a feeling of peace and well being. If you deem some situation as unacceptable, then it is your right to speak your mind or take whatever action is appropriate for you. But once that’s done, you have a responsibility to yourself, to your health, and only you have the power to regain your sense of calm.

When all is said and done, it is better to admit that we were wrong than to live with the stress of trying to prove we are right. A little humble pie never hurt anyone!

 

See you on the path of healing and beyond,

Marianne

How to Tame your Dragon/Part 8 of 10, Self Doubt

I think it’s important to once again, make the distinction between life situations and real problems: We can’t avoid life situations; everyone’s got one after another all through life.

Most people believe that if only they would solve the problems in their life, all would be wonderful. For some it’s lack of money, lack of time or lack of communication in their relationships that stand in the way of their happiness. The list is long. For those of us living with chronic illness it’s likely that our issues are being unable to take part in a work we enjoy, a social life, a love life, engaging with our family or anyone for that matter. They could come from being in pain, bed-bound, housebound, or barely functioning in the outside world.

In the past few months, we’ve looked at some real problems that we can overcome because they are within. These real “problems” (i.e. opportunities for growth) and the solutions I suggest are ideas for you to consider as you strive to lift your spirit and general wellness.

 

Real problem #8: Self Doubt

When we doubt our self, we keep our true nature hidden for fear of being exposed as incompetent or worse, as a fraud. I’ve received a couple of unkind comments after publishing Higher Maintenance in 2016 and since beginning these self-help blogs. One person asked me how I could call myself a Life Coach. She wanted to know what right I have to tell her how to live her life since I had no idea what her life is. Although I explained that my (pre-illness) professional work never involved telling people how to live their life and even gave her my credentials, she was very critical of me. Although constructive criticism is always a good thing, one can sense when it’s just plain unkind.

This type of experience is often a trigger for our insecurities confirming that, in fact, we’re not that good at what we do or do not do. In those times, I find that I have difficulty affirming myself and can’t find the courage to take action or to go on with what I thought was right for me.

Have you noticed how adept we are at questioning our own abilities, our talents, our opinions or our behavior? That little voice asking: “Who do you think you are?” can be persistent and over time, we may perceive its rants as truth.

 

Dragon taming step #8: Take Action

What makes you special? Well, for one, thing, YOU are the #1 expert on your life. You call the shots.

When I start to doubt my self, I take some time to think clearly about what my talents and strengths are and I make a list. Am I perfect? Of course not. And I don’t need to be!

What are you good at? We will all make mistakes and what we choose to do may not be award worthy but if it brings us joy, peace or any sense of wellbeing, then it is nothing short of fabulous! There’s no reason for taking any comment personally, no need to judge our accomplishments. We will anyway…but that’s OK as long as we just take action, continue, keep going.

You can start small and as the famous phrase goes: Just Do It!

There will always be lessons to learn when we choose to take action. Our inner wisdom can guide us toward a life that reflects who we truly are and brings us a sense that we shine, even if it’s only in our little corner of the world.

 

See you on the path of healing and beyond,

Marianne

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

How to tame your Dragon Part 7 of 10 / RESENTMENT

I have adapted each step of this series to enhance our unique abilities to face the dragon and find insights to improve the quality of our life. Each new step takes us forward on the path of healing although it may not seem that way at first. By exploring these notions and questions, each of us can find our own answers. After all, when it comes to you, there is no one as brilliant, smart, astute, deserving or as good at knowing exactly what’s in your heart.

 

Real problem #7: Resentment

This is the essence of anger carried inside every cell of our body for a long time. It is a refusal to let go of anger because we feel justified in hanging on to the harm done to us, whether it be real or imagined. There are some who spend their entire life convinced that they are victims and their outrage is constantly triggered by the slightest wrong done to them. They subconsciously dwell in the terrible events of the past.

Resentment is a lethal poison that saps one’s life force. You’ve heard of the adage made popular by Carrie Fisher: “Resentment toward someone is like drinking poison and waiting for the other person to die.” As you read these words, you can see that resentment will hurt you more than you can imagine. It will rob you of your joy and, no doubt about it, your health! Can you afford it? I know I can’t.

Dragon taming step #7: Letting go

This expression may have become a cliché for many of us who have so much to deal with that we forget just how powerful and healing letting go of resentment really is. Life certainly does not always seem fair and people often behave badly, so, how are we expected to get free of toxic feelings when someone has hurt us deeply or betrayed us? It is not easy but it can be done!

Once you know that holding on to anger and feeding it for years is simply not working for you, you can change course and begin to focus on your well-being. Here are some ideas to consider. They may very well help you develop a new perspective that will set you free.

I will again bring up the notion of ego. What is the ego? There are many definitions in the realm of psychology but I prefer to keep it simple. We can all recognize our ego: It is the voice in our head that won’t shut up! It keeps us up at night and fills us with fear and worries. It sees problems to every solution. It feeds all of the pain we have ever experienced. What follows will challenge the ego.

• In the grand scheme of things, you and only you are responsible for ALL of the events in your life. This is likely to be the one notion that your ego will object to, violently! It will find a million ways to try to convince you that whatever pain you experienced, it was not your fault, but someone else’s. If, for example, someone is rude toward you as you remain calm and courteous, you certainly can’t be at fault. But if you look at the big picture, who knows? There’s no need to look for a guilty party, so feel free to drop judgment on yourself or anyone else.

Our responsibility lies in the belief that we are travelers in a vast universe beyond our comprehension and that the only person whose actions we are responsible for is our self. Every day, we can make choices that will either keep us prisoners or set us free of the past.

• Guilt and responsibility are two very different things. Letting go of resentment requires that we understand this distinction. Feeling guilty of having somehow manifested pain and sorrow in our life is totally useless. It keeps us chained to the demands of the ego that wants to feel superior and outraged by feeding sentiments of worthlessness. “I must be bad if this happened to me” or “I must be bad if I can’t let go” are two of the biggest lies we are told by the voice of our ego.

• The ego in itself is not bad, it just needs to follow and not lead…your heart shall lead you! Yes, that is where you feel pain and every other emotion but all emotions originate from the brain. And who resides there? Yes, our ego. It is up to us to decide and make our intention clear: “I choose to be at peace, so, I will not let you, dear ego, dictate what I should feel. I am not made of glass and will not shatter because I feel pain.”

It is in the light of intent that we are present to our self, that we take full responsibility for our emotions. It is in that knowledge that we can take a big breath and begin to open our heart in order to forgive and to release our self from the bonds of resentment. This we do for our self!

Forgiving is not forgetting nor does it mean that whatever harm was done to us is OK; it means that we are breaking the bond of pain that keeps us tethered to someone else and to the past. It is an act of LOVE. Pure and simple.

This process takes some time. Perhaps you can practice with smaller issues and strengthen your intention as you go. Getting through the day is a struggle; we know better than anyone that we deserve to be gentle and kind to our self.

See you on the path of healing and beyond,

Marianne

* Stock illustration: Shutterstock

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How to tame your Dragon – Part 6 of 10/LONELINESS

The Dragon is my chosen metaphor to represent the enormity of space that long-time illness occupies in one’s world. I’ve lived with a dragon since 2001. This uninvited beast is a composite of losses, sorrows, fears, aloneness, guilt, anger and all the physical exhaustion and pain that have triggered and fostered those emotions over the years. This series offers simple steps to deal with life issues as just that: life issues, and to address the emotions (the real problems) that sap our precious energy, preventing us from feeling peace and gratitude.

Let’s continue taking those small steps to empower ourselves. Please keep in mind that I too, am learning as we go along because each of us is unique and we all are works in progress.

I would like to begin with an important reminder: Fighting a dragon is an exercise in futility that will leave you completely deflated, so, it is not to be confused with taming one. This process does not require an arsenal. It requires focus on your commitment to tame your dragon the way a cat focuses on a mouse hole – he knows he will succeed and nothing will deter him; he is patient.

 

Real problem #6: Loneliness

This is probably the most painful of all emotions because we are social beings. Humans are meant to be part of a family unit, a tribe, a village or a group. This sense of belonging brings us a warm feeling that we are safe, that we matter. When their need to belong has not been satisfied in the family unit at a young age, kids will go to any lengths to belong to a group of peers, and that can sometimes lead them into harmful behaviors that will change the course of their life.

Loneliness can strip us of rational thinking when we actually believe that no one loves us and that nobody is there for us, or cares what happens to us. This belief often makes us cling to someone, anyone who shows the slightest interest in us or finds us attractive or acceptable in any way. This kind of relationship fosters dependence, not genuine intimacy.

Prolonged feelings of loneliness can give credence to the belief that we are not worthy of love, that we are defective, even repulsive.

 

Dragon taming step #6: Realistic self-appreciation

It is a fact of life that not everyone will like you. But just as true, many people will like you when they get to know you, work with you or enjoy activities in your company. For those of us who are housebound or bed-bound, opportunities for these interactions are limited if not altogether absent. Sometimes, it seems our only friends and family are on social media. That’s okay as long as we make an effort to take an honest look at our self. This will help keep feelings of loneliness at bay. Being alone does not have to mean being lonely. Ask your self these questions:

1.What are my three best qualities or talents?

Write out ALL of what makes you a wonderful, fascinating person and then choose the ones that best describe your character. For example: Am I open to others? Do I embrace different points of view? Am I genuinely interested in the life of others, in their stories? Could it be that I am open, accepting, a good listener? Go ahead, make that list!

2. Now, look at your three best qualities and read them out loud: (For example)

“I am a kind person!”  “I am a loyal person!”  “I am a courageous person!”

Repeat these declarations throughout the day and feel how energizing it is to cheer yourself on. And when you think about it, wouldn’t it be nice to do something to make a person with such precious qualities feel appreciated?

3. Make a list of all the things you enjoy and that are accessible to you. For example, listening to your favorite music, watching a movie you love, drinking a hot chocolate or enjoying an ice cream sundae, wrapping yourself in a soft blanket, cuddling your pet, chatting with a friend in person or on Facebook, taking a warm bath, sitting by the window, enjoying beautiful images on your wall. Make the longest list possible and commit to a deliberate decision to give yourself (maybe with a bit of help) a conscious gift of appreciation at least once a day.

In my book Higher Maintenance, I wrote this in a passage about loneliness: “ I worked hard to silence my ego so that I could just be. Only in the stillness of my mind, could I sometimes hear the voice of my heart that was telling me that I was “enough”, worthy and in the process of healing my life.”

Letting go of loneliness takes a little practice because it requires that we silence the lies from a bruised ego. Solitude can be a gift beyond measure as we learn to discover and celebrate who we really are.

See you on the path of healing and beyond,

Marianne

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

How to tame your Dragon Part 5 of 10/ Feeling SHAME

Most people believe that if only they would solve the problems in their life, all would be wonderful. For some it’s lack of money, lack of time or lack of communication in their relationships that stand in the way of their happiness. The list is long. For those of us living with chronic illness it’s likely that our issues are being unable to take part in a work we enjoy, a social life, a love life, engaging with our family or anyone for that matter. They could come from being bed-bound, housebound, or barely functioning in the outside world.

But those are life situations, not real problems. There is a difference in that we really can’t avoid life situations; everyone’s got one after another all through life.

We’ve previously looked at some real problems that we can overcome because they are within:  Tunnel vision, fear, confusion and guilt.

These real “problems” (i.e. opportunities for growth) and the solutions I suggested are signposts for you to consider as you strive to live with a more peaceful heart while you enhance your unique abilities to lift your spirit and general wellness. Now, let’s explore an energy-consuming problem that so many of us share and see what we can do to get free of it.

Real problem #5: Shame

This is the belief that we are worth less than others, that we have terrible and permanent flaws. Shame is different from guilt because even when we have done nothing wrong, we are convinced that we are fundamentally bad.

We’ve all experienced the feeling of shame in specific situations when we were not at our finest. Toxic shame, however, hides in our subconscious where it is nurtured by our own thoughts, such as: I don’t matter, I’m stupid, I’m ugly, I’m selfish, I’m a fraud, no wonder nobody loves me, I’m a failure, etc. These thoughts often have their roots in childhood. When our parents chastised us for our imperfections, they unknowingly sowed seeds of shame that can take a lifetime to overcome. Unless we heal toxic shame we can experience depression, low self-esteem and an inability to accept success and joy in the personal and professional aspects of our life. Shame is a serious detriment to our well-being.

Dragon taming step #5: A clear and rational perspective

Like all unhealthy thinking and behaviors, shame can be stopped in its tracks by awakening to the moment. Stopping long enough to ask our self: “Is what I am thinking true?” is a good place to start. It can bring us to the notion that, while everyone has done something bad or stupid during the course of his or her life, nobody was created bad.

You are flawed like the rest of us, and that’s okay; those flaws of yours can actually help you get stronger and become more compassionate toward others.

1. It is healthy to be vulnerable enough to own your flaws

2. Want to feel empowered? Take off that mask and risk showing the real you as you learn to embrace your self

3. Make it a priority to accept your limitations by recognizing and loving your capacities

4. Learn to change your inner dialogue. For example: “OK, I can be forgetful but I make sure to let the people I love know that they matter; I am considerate.” Or: “I may be a bit of a talker but sometimes that opens the door to a really important conversation. I talk a lot, that’s true, but I know when to listen.”

When we remember that there really are two sides to a coin, we can stop and realize that our flaws are just the flip side of our best qualities. When we stop shaming our self for our imperfections and focus on our strengths, we begin to see that flip side in others as well.

I believe that it is important to acknowledge the shame that we carry because it tends to weigh heavily on our heart. I’ve just touched the surface with these few signposts so that you can begin to embrace your imperfections as you learn to honor the person that you are.

See you on the path of healing and beyond,

Marianne

 

Image from the painting Solitary Confinement, by Donni Lockridge