"I allowed compassion for myself to creep in as I realized that my reluctance to do these things while I was sick hadn’t been a character flaw, but was tied to my disease"
Thanks for writing this, and for your vulnerability. I struggle so much with accepting my own limitations, many of which seem owing to dealing with OCD (which, to my mind, feels like a type of psychological autoimmune disease with an inner critic constantly attacking me) and LADA (Latent Autoimmune Diabetes Adult-Onset, which requires vigilance in checking blood sugar levels, counting carbohydrates and matching insulin with them).
I appreciate reading the things you research and write about. I'm aware of the modern biotechnologies that are not in line with a consistent life ethic, and they worry me. Also, much as I'd love to see a cure for Type 1 Diabetes (3 of our 8 children also have this insulin-dependent condition), for instance, I don't want it to be done at the cost of the lives of unborn babies and other innocents.
Thank you for your kind words and thoughtful comment!
The more I read and learn, the more I believe many of our modern ailment are linked to systemic inflammation caused by the ultra-processed food we eat and the way we live our modern lives, so disconnected from the way humans have lived for thousands of years. I would not be surprised at all if we eventually learn that OCD is, in fact, rooted in physical mechanisms of brain inflammation (for a crazy related real-life memoir, check out "Brain on Fire" by Susannah Cahalan, also a movie on Netflix I believe). Also have been meaning to read "Change Your Diet, Change Your Mind" which could have good insights into how the inputs we put into our complex systems give us unexpected results. Prayers for your continued self-acceptance and that our collective conscience as a society may be well-formed!
Yes, I read Susannah Cahalan’s memoir. What an awful ordeal that had to be for her! I agree that we are so far away from how we were perhaps intended to live/how others lived in the past. With my last 2 pregnancies, I had gestational diabetes (which may have actually been the beginning of my LADA), so I forced myself to limit carbohydrates and eat more whole foods, more vegetables, fruits, healthy protein sources and grains, etc. - as well as exercise more. I was able to manage my blood sugars with diet and exercise alone, and it helped me to incorporate more lasting changes. I also wonder how much of what they refer to as Adverse Childhood Experiences and the link to disease later in life is valid. It seems to make sense, with higher levels of cortisol from stress, etc. I seem to see some of this within my extended family, where there are incidences of addiction and other diseases. It all seems to work together, when we view ourselves holistically - spiritually, physically, psychologically/emotionally, socially - and trying to treat all those ‘parts’ of ourselves to help us function as best we can.
Absolutely! The human person is an integrated whole, so we can’t separate out the biological from the psychological and spiritual, etc. All spheres are interconnected and influencing one another.
Thanks for sharing, Samantha. Your vulnerability is refreshing. Your quest for wholeness is inspiring.
Thank you, Louise, for the kind words and taking the time to leave a comment!
"I allowed compassion for myself to creep in as I realized that my reluctance to do these things while I was sick hadn’t been a character flaw, but was tied to my disease"
Thanks for writing this, and for your vulnerability. I struggle so much with accepting my own limitations, many of which seem owing to dealing with OCD (which, to my mind, feels like a type of psychological autoimmune disease with an inner critic constantly attacking me) and LADA (Latent Autoimmune Diabetes Adult-Onset, which requires vigilance in checking blood sugar levels, counting carbohydrates and matching insulin with them).
I appreciate reading the things you research and write about. I'm aware of the modern biotechnologies that are not in line with a consistent life ethic, and they worry me. Also, much as I'd love to see a cure for Type 1 Diabetes (3 of our 8 children also have this insulin-dependent condition), for instance, I don't want it to be done at the cost of the lives of unborn babies and other innocents.
So glad to hear you have found healing.
A blessed Advent to you and yours!
Thank you for your kind words and thoughtful comment!
The more I read and learn, the more I believe many of our modern ailment are linked to systemic inflammation caused by the ultra-processed food we eat and the way we live our modern lives, so disconnected from the way humans have lived for thousands of years. I would not be surprised at all if we eventually learn that OCD is, in fact, rooted in physical mechanisms of brain inflammation (for a crazy related real-life memoir, check out "Brain on Fire" by Susannah Cahalan, also a movie on Netflix I believe). Also have been meaning to read "Change Your Diet, Change Your Mind" which could have good insights into how the inputs we put into our complex systems give us unexpected results. Prayers for your continued self-acceptance and that our collective conscience as a society may be well-formed!
Yes, I read Susannah Cahalan’s memoir. What an awful ordeal that had to be for her! I agree that we are so far away from how we were perhaps intended to live/how others lived in the past. With my last 2 pregnancies, I had gestational diabetes (which may have actually been the beginning of my LADA), so I forced myself to limit carbohydrates and eat more whole foods, more vegetables, fruits, healthy protein sources and grains, etc. - as well as exercise more. I was able to manage my blood sugars with diet and exercise alone, and it helped me to incorporate more lasting changes. I also wonder how much of what they refer to as Adverse Childhood Experiences and the link to disease later in life is valid. It seems to make sense, with higher levels of cortisol from stress, etc. I seem to see some of this within my extended family, where there are incidences of addiction and other diseases. It all seems to work together, when we view ourselves holistically - spiritually, physically, psychologically/emotionally, socially - and trying to treat all those ‘parts’ of ourselves to help us function as best we can.
Absolutely! The human person is an integrated whole, so we can’t separate out the biological from the psychological and spiritual, etc. All spheres are interconnected and influencing one another.