Practical Psychology is a weekly newspaper column I have been writing for over 20 years. It is designed to address psychological topics that are most useful to its readers. Please feel free to re-print any of them in any form you wish. I ask only that you give the information about how to subscribe and credit for authorship. Thanks.

OBSERVATIONS ON ILLNESS
By Lloyd J. Thomas, Ph.D.


For almost 25 years, I have worked daily with people who are ill. Physical, mental, emotional and social illnesses have been the focus of my professional life. During those years, I hope I have learned something about illness which might be useful to others as they struggle and cope with this very human condition. Here are some of my observations and impressions about illnesses and the people who experience them.

Illness is never caused by a single factor. Physical, mental, emotional and spiritual needs all converge and contribute to the emergence of clinical symptoms. Illness represents an imbalance of energy, the basic "building material" of all life, including us. Such imbalance may be caused by microbes, thoughts, traumas, attitudes and relationships.

Balanced energy creates wellness. Maximum health or wellness is not simply a state of being symptom-free or distress-free. Wellness is nothing less than joyful, even ecstatic harmony in all aspects of being alive.

Curing illness has as much to do with the person experiencing the disease and his or her ability to explore and choose wellness, as it does with the attack on the disease and removing the illness, both of which allow for healing to occur. Wellness is our natural state. Every cell in our bodies is programmed to survive, fully function, and be well.

Symptoms of distress and illness are a result of the body's attempt to bring balance and equilibrium back into being alive. Death is not an illness. Death is not the opposite of life. Death is the opposite of birth. Both birth and death are life experiences. So is pain. So is balance. So is joy and ecstasy.

We are always active participants in those experiences which result in illness. We are equally active in regaining our health and well-being. The nature of our participation depends on the choices we make. Choices are always made within the context of our current awareness. Without awareness, responsible choices are blocked.

Guilt and self-blame for not making correct choices, or not having enough awareness, are always damaging to healing and becoming well. Blame and recrimination are as great a danger to health as is inhaling bacteria or drinking contaminated water. Punishment, criticism, finding fault, regretting, and lamenting past events all divert energy from growing, self-awareness and getting on with enhancing the quality of life.

Feeling inadequate, hopeless and helpless also create havoc in our health. Self-punishment or discounting the value of who you are based upon memories of the past, is a colossal waste of energy. When we are ill, we need all the energy we have to explore the present and expand our awareness of our participation in the immediate experience and the healing (re-balancing) process. We need to learn from our experience.
As Dr. Richard Moss asks, "How is it we experience so much in life and learn so little?"

Denial of what we need or that we need anything is always stressful.
Taking responsibility for your health and illness does not mean refusing to seek or accept help. There are many expert "helpers" in the field of health. Part of being responsible is to seek out and make use of the ones most qualified and competent to help.

Becoming aware of impending death can greatly enhance the quality of our experience of life. Fully accepting our mortality and participating in all life experiences, including death, allows for the exploration of the choices we make, creating new possibilities for responding "wellfully" even to death.

Love of self and others (in that order of importance) is the most powerful healing force in existence. Becoming a loving human being lends meaning and purpose to your life. One of the most common "causes" of deep distress is feeling we have no impact on life. Becoming a lover empowers us and aligns our personal power with the most powerful force of the universe. That power has great impact on individual and collective lives by creating dynamic balance.

Finally, playfulness, effortlessness, fun, laughter, crying, and dancing are strong allies of healing. The capacity to play and enjoy effortless experience, to have fun with oneself and others, to soften emotional expression and to move freely and comfortably, all release the locks on our energy toward becoming more aware of life and how to use it's energy to develop wholeness and delight at being alive.

Lloyd J. Thomas, Ph.D. has 30+ years experience as a Life Coach and Licensed Psychologist. He is available for coaching in any area presented in "Practical Psychology." Initial coaching sessions are free. Contact him: (970) 568-0173 or E-mail: DrLloyd@CreatingLeaders.com or LJTDAT@aol.com.

Dr. Thomas also serves on the faculty of the Institute For Life Coach Training and the International University of Professional Studies. He recently co-authored (with Patrick Williams) the book: *Total Life Coaching: 50+ Life Lessons, Skills and Techniques for Enhancing Your Practice*and Your Life!* (W.W. Norton 2005) available at your local bookstore or on Amazon.com.

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