We Can Be Friends
Good days start with lyrics from the Beastie Boys,
“Check-ch-check-check-check-ch-check it out ,
What-wha-what-what-what’s it all about?
Work-wa-work-work-work-wa-work it out”
Work - it - out. I’m not a one size fits all, the grass is greener on the other side, and let’s only look at one option kind of person. I’m a, “ Let’s see how we can make this work kind of person.”
Meeting in the middle gives space to share what’s on your heart.
This is a big leap from who I was years ago. I used to thrive in extremes but I what I learned is a.) extremism is a result of a chaotic childhood b.) extremes seldom serve anyone. Only in rare cases are extremes beneficial. Example: fasting is good for you. Fasting all the time is not good for you. Sweet tea is good. Sweet tea as your only beverage is not good for you.
The same thing applies to how treat our bodies for ailments, disorders, and supporting wellness. It can be foolish to abandon one vs. the other for the sake of alliances. I am so thankful for holistic medicine, natural wellness, mindful eating, meditation, yoga, and scripture. I’m also thankful for mD’s who can treat me and my family while listening to my overall health concerns.
I’ve recently been diagnosed with Hypothyroidism and I’m RELIEVED. Y’all, I’ve felt bad since I was 16. Turns out - I’m not fat, lazy, and just hormonal, my thyroid doesn’t work the way it’s supposed to. This diagnosis is life changing.
Why? Because I can be made well. As I walk through treatment for this ailment I’m going to take both holistic approaches and Western medicine approaches. Now that I have an accurate diagnosis I know what to begin looking for to BE MADE WELL. I’m also going to take the two prescriptions prescribed to me.
The prescriptions I’ll take I’ll take for a year. Slowly, over time, I will adjust nutrition, supplements, and additional lifestyle changes so I don’t have to stay on prescriptions. In the mean time I need those prescription to help me think clearly. An accurate diagnosis means I can seek proper support for my body.
If I didn’t have this diagnosis I wouldn’t know how to accurately help my body heal. The purpose of medicine, whether holistic or Western, is to be healed.
I dislike the extremes of holistic practitioners who consistently disregard the progress of Western medicine. I dislike Western medicine practitioners who disregard the place of holistic wellness. There is room for BOTH of these disciplines. There is a way for these two things to operate in unison.
We were given a sound mind. Our minds are capable of making informed decisions to support our WELLNESS. Your definition of being well will look different from mine. Our bodies are bio-diverse and it’s SUPPOSED to look different. It is ok for you to take autonomy over your own health and decide you need treatment and help from both disciplines.
It IS not ok to disparage someone for their selection of health choices. You do not have to agree with another human being concerning the decisions they make for their own health. I have plenty of friends whose identity is wrapped up in being sick, consistently taking antibiotics, and mD visits.
Are they well? No, but that’s their choice.
Is there an alternative? Yes.
Likewise, ignoring the help and mD can provide is foolish. An mD can provide you with an accurate diagnosis so you can use your time resources wisely to treat your ailments.
You guys if you’re on the struggle but of trying to decide if a holistic approach is right for you or a Western approach for you I encourage you to reframe your train of thought. Ask yourself, “How can these work together in my life.”
Follow the words of the Bestie Boys, “work-wa-work-wa-work it out.”