Jill Rapley's Life Journal Notes » subconscious mind

Can Illness Actually Have Some Benefits?

Jill — Thu, 17 Jun 2010 04:50:10 +0000

What? Illness could actually have some benefits?

Remember that Jesus asked a paralyzed man an equally strange question.

He asked: Do you WANT to be well? (You can find this in the Gospel of John 5:6). Why would anyone not WANT to be well? I think you will find some clues in this article.

This week I am finishing reading the book “Getting Well Again”. While the emphasis of the book focuses on working with cancer patients, the principles that are discussed can apply to ANY illness as well as the prevention of sickness.

One of my goals in life is to walk in heath.
Prevention is always better than any cure.

Getting Well Again discusses the results of research made by many scientists and doctors who are fast coming to the conclusion that recovery from any illness (cancer included) has a LOT to do with the state of the patient’s mind.

Actually there are so many fascinating truths in this book, that I will probably be writing about more of them in future articles, but today I wanted to focus on:

The “Benefits” of Illness.

Notice the word “benefits” is inside of speech marks. This is because they are not really benefits as much as conveniences. Let’s look at three main ones:

1. You can receive more attention.

A person who feels that they are not receiving the attention they think they deserve or that they need is likely to create a subconscious plan that will capture people’s attention.

This plan may include getting sick. Of course no one (or at least no one in their right mind) will deliberately want to get sick just to get the attention of others. But the subconscious mind works in very subtle ways.

Prevention solution:
I am sure you are familiar with the law of sowing and reaping right?

Whatever you sow, you will reap (Galations 6:7). This law is rather obvious when you consider the garden. You sow carrot seeds and could never expect to see a harvest of corn right?

So how can this be applied to receiving the attention of people around you that you may desire or need?

Give and it shall be given to you. (Luke 6:38) Give to others what you need, and your needs also will be fulfilled.

2. Escape from stress and problems.

Stress is a part of everyday life. The effects of stress in your life actually depend on how you handle the situation that is stressful.

One of the very subtle ways a lot of people handle stress is to try and run away from it. This will cause an “escape mechanism” to be build in your subconscious mind. An illness can sometimes be a part of this mechanism.

A sickness may well give you temporary relief and refuge from the responsibilities that the stressful situation(s) carry. However this relief is only temporary because once you recover, the responsibilities have to be faced again. This is often why some people do not recover.

Prevention solution:

Face problems with a solution seeking mindset.
Set specific time aside for problem solving and do not allow yourself to think about them continually. For the remainder of the day, focus on goals, project planning and other positive areas of your life.
Make sure you have time out to relax on a regular basis.

3. Sickness may give you permission to face your emotional needs and seek to meet them.

In the busyness, demands and stress of modern life so often emotional needs are suppressed and even buried. However your mind has not buried them. It knows they are there, and that they are not met.

Eventually your subconscious mind will devise a plan order to face you with these needs. This plan could include illness.

Prevention solution:

Take time out on a regular basis (at least once a week) to listen to yourself.
Do something special that you enjoy and that is away from your regular routine. Try to make this a weekly event also.
Reread solution #1. Remember the law of sowing and reaping.

I am sure that you have some solutions and comments to share. I look forward to hearing from you in the comments below.

Resource: Getting Well Again – a Step-By-Step, Self-help Guide to Overcoming Cancer for Patients and Their Families. (Amazon Aff).

Mental Attitude Plus Action Builds Character

Jill — Thu, 29 Apr 2010 02:20:54 +0000

Character is the result of two things: mental attitude and the way we spend our time. Elbert Hubbard

This morning I was challenged afresh as I read this quote. How you and I spend our time is the action that proves our real mental attitude.

Yes, you can deceive yourself into believing you have a positive mindset, but your actions will reveal what is REALLY in your subconscious mind (where your mindset is built).

This could be summed up in one word – integrity.

Today I started to listen to a video where there was much confusion and rejection of the teachings that insist we need to create a positive mindset in order to achieve success and reach our dreams.

It was sad to hear this, but at the same time it is understandable. The problem one very necessary ingredient is all too often found missing, or perhaps overlooked.

This necessary ingredient is ACTION.

Spending your day thinking and speaking positive words will not bring success if these words are not accompanied by actions.

The main thought that challenged me today was integrity.

What is integrity?

What I think, what I say and what I do all agree!
They should all be synchronized.

When you say one thing (and even think it) and yet do not act on it, you confuse yourself, show weakness of character and put yourself on the losing track.

The complete equation is:
Think and speak your dream – plan your strategy and work your plan – every day!

How did you spend your time today? Did you move forward towards making your dreams happen and reaching your goals?

Remember – mental attitude (mindset) PLUS how you spend your time (action) build your character and lead you to success.

Who Am I Becoming?

Jill — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 01:45:44 +0000

The question to ask yourself isn’t:
“What am I getting?”, it’s: “Who am I becoming?”

Jim Rohn

Wow – this is a great question. Today when I read this quote from Jim Rohn, I started to ask myself several more questions.

So today’s notes are full of questions for you and me

…

Question 1: What am I listening to and reading?
Everything you and I listen to, whether it be audio or video goes into our minds to form a part of the structure of our lives. There is a Hebrew word “yetzer” found in the Old Testament of the Bible.

This word is often translated as “imaginations”. The fuller meaning of the word is framework and sometimes refers to mental framework (or imaginations).

So everything I listen to goes into my subconscious mind to form a part of this framework (also referred to as “prejudice”).

Everything I read goes into my mind and on into my subconscious mind.

Everything I watch also goes into my subconscious mind to form a part of this same framework.

This mental structure (or mindset) will determine who I become.

…

Question 2: Who am I associating with each day?
The people that you and I associate with, the conversations we hear and participate in all influence the framework of our lifes.

It is a widely known fact that you will become like the 5 people who are closest to you. Do you REALLY want to be like them? (Another words, do you have the right 5 people in your inner circle?)

The people that I associate with determine who I become.

…

Question 3: What am I allowing to influence me today?
These influences all become a part of the framework of my life which plays a huge role in who I am becoming.

Are you allowing the right things, people and voices to influence you?

This same influence is what you are passing on to others. There is no way that you and I can be one thing and teach (or try to teach) something else.

No matter what words we speak – others will learn more from us (be influenced) from who we are – not from what we say..

Are there some changes to be made in your sphere of influence today?

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