Last night while looking up a resource for a friend who has
several people in his life facing a serious health crisis, I
came across this “Dr. Ben” letter I had written a few years ago
and realized it could still speak to those of you today who
are facing a serious crisis — either in yourself or a loved one —
and so I’m re-posting the letter here for you. May it bring
you peace.
****
Today I want to speak to those of you who may be facing a serious diagnosis — in yourself or a loved one. I went through this when my second daughter was born blind, and again when my mother faced cancer. Besides the emotions of fear, stress, and despair that can come up, I also know the anguish and exhaustion that come from trying to figure out the right thing to do. Consulting experts, reading, researching, praying, discussing — all seem to be part of the process many of us feel compelled to walk through. Yet even in the midst of this, it is possible to have an inner sense of peace, and that’s what I want to assist you with today.
In our culture, many of us have grown up focusing on “doing”, and especially in a crisis, I know my first tendency is to want to know what to do.
Well, in serious matters where there is not always an immediate or obvious solution, a “doer” can get so caught up in “research” and trying to make the right decisions — about treatment, care, travel, and so on — that the doer becomes totally cut off from their heart and their sense of being.
What I want to encourage you to “do” today, no matter how serious a situation you are facing, is to take a moment right now simply “being” — and affirm that “all is well.” Though the surface of your life may be being tossed about by storms, at a deeper level you can connect to a sense of being that exists beyond your crisis, and it is from this connection that you can find the peace to hear, see, and receive what really matters.
Yes, this is a spiritual matter — one of faith. Our beliefs and our spiritual energy are actually the most powerful in the universe in affecting our lives and our health, though many of us get consciously cut off from this awareness when we’re stressed wondering what to “do”.
Whatever crisis you’re facing on the surface of your life, let go of your fear and find that inner place of trust where “all is well.” From there you can re-enter your situation with a new perspective that will allow you to receive good even in the midst of hardship, as well as be a blessing to others.
Peace to you.
Dr. Ben
P.S. For further assistance with facing your fears in any health crisis, as well as practical steps to take, you can take a look at Your Journey to Wellness with Dr. Ben
On the way home from ICU tonight where I left my husband, immuno-suppressed for 3.5 years following his liver transplant (a living donation from our son) in a raging septicemic infection . . . I heard a song called “All is well.” u00a0The tune and lyrics calmed me. u00a0Then, I read this article in my email . . . u00a0probably this is NOT a coincidence, but an important message . . . Thanks for your wisdom . . .n
So glad this blessed you, Peggy – thank you for sharing.u00a0 Love and healing to you and your husband!
Thank you, Ben. I don’t have a serious health issue, nor do any of my loved ones. But I *have* been living in a fearful state, and as Peggy noted below, there are no coincidences. I came to your site because of the post about your new home, then this link called to me. A gem. No matter where I find myself now in the ups and downs of every day, the economy, the vicissitudes of life, I can step into that small quiet space within and repeat “All is well”… and recenter myself into gratitude of what I have, what I am and all that is yet to come.n
So glad this post “spoke” to you, Barbara, and so beautifully said — stepping into that “quiet space” and recentering with gratitude is a powerful practice we can continually grow into!
Beautifully expressed. Such a vital skill to find peace in the midst of crisis and so difficult to master. Thank you for your thoughts about finding peace and acceptance.
You’re welcome, Julia – glad this spoke to you, and thanks for your comment.
You’re welcome, Julia – thank you for stopping by and leaving your comments!