It is easy to write about the need for a positive mental attitude in coping with severe illness. It is easy to philosophize and to write abstract ideas about attitudes. The main point to consider, however, is: How do people act who do have a positive mental attitude in the face of a serious illness? What do they do? If we in the healing arts are to help people, then we must provide guidelines pertaining to mental attitude.
In my experience I have noticed certain characteristics or qualities in those people who in fact do have good mental attitudes. These characteristics are:
- Disciplined action. The ability to carry out a program of treatment which is both difficult and time consuming, over a long period of time.
- Ability to Be Involved and to take part in their own treatment. These people don’t just let other people do all the work. They are right in there doing whatever they are able to do to help themselves.
- The attitude of Healing Themselves. Not depending on ‘The Doctor’ to heal them, but realizing that they are the only ones who can heal themselves. They have the power within themselves to be healed. Their treatment program and attitude are geared toward calling forth this power, so that it can function in its healing capacity.
- Faith in God. Believing in God’s Will and His Power to heal His children. Allowing God’s Grace to come through and to dominate their lives. Holding onto this faith in the midst of the most excruciating pain and difficult times. Holding onto God as the only One who can provide the help which is needed. Having faith in God as the Ultimate Healer. (For agnostics who have cancer, the word God can be changed to Nature.)
- Recognizing the value of Good Nutrition and Removal of Toxins as a means of healing the body. There are many good foods in the world which may be used for our welfare. The person has to use these natural substances to fight off and eliminate the invading diseases.
- Belief in the Wisdom of the Body to correct itself if provided with the proper nutrients and mental attitudes. The person must allow this to function and to carry him through the illness back to good health.
- Family Emotional Support. Willingness to accept help from family members, and allowing them to be a part of the treatment process. Not being afraid to surrender their ego to others in the face of the need for help, or in letting their needs be known.
- Having a Perspective on Life. Seeing a reason and a purpose for everything, even a terrible illness. Understanding that what happens to them is most often beyond their immediate comprehension, but also that if they have faith and determination in their efforts to get well then these purposes will become much clearer.
- Determination to get well, and to serve mankind in a positive capacity. The desire to use this life in a manner that will be of benefit to other people who suffer from degenerative illness.
- Capacity for Love. An ability to be sensitive to the needs of others and to help others feel more comfortable in the presence of severe illness. The capacity to bring forth love from others by maintaining a trust in God and an attitude that all things work out for the best in the final reckoning.
- Trust in the Divine Laws of Nature. Trusting that the same laws which govern the universe are also operating within their bodies, and allowing this trust to guide their lives.
- Compassion for the whole human condition. A basic love for and a sense of unity with all mankind as brothers and sisters, and a realization of the difficulty of the human lot.
- A realization that negative thinking and emotions, such as despair, anger, and resentment, can only make the illness worse and serve to drive a wedge between themselves and the healing power within.
“Drainage is the term applied to the physiological processes by which all waste and toxic matters are eliminated from the cells and the tissues and, in turn, eliminated from the body. It is the means by which internal cleanliness is maintained. It is believed by the greatest authorities that defective drainage is responsible for almost every disease known to man, except the infectious diseases and accidents.” By William F. Haack
