ME/CFS Irony – Mind Over Matter 01/24/2012
 © 2012 TSM I did a lot of surfing and exploring of the definition of irony before I would even consider using the word. As many have experienced, there is a current culture of ‘looking down one’s nose’ at the ignorant use of the term irony - Alanis Morissette a prime example of being taken to task by many. I have decided that I’ll risk it. Please feel free to chide me if your take is different. Here’s my perspective. We live in a culture where people are recognized, honored and even championed when they ignore the physical signals of their bodies and push themselves to the brink of their capacity - to a breaking point in the pursuit of some objective. It’s lauded as the ultimate achievement of Mind Over Matter. We see this most dramatically in athletic competitions but it also has a formidable presence in the work place, at home and even in personal leisure pursuits. Ultimately, we are held up to the ‘You Can Do It All’ standard. And in a lot of situations, we manage to get away with it for a while. Then ME/CFS takes up residence. I don’t think that it’s a coincidence that many ME/CFS sufferers would label themselves as Type A personalities prior to ME/CFS. And so when we are challenged with something that threatens us to the core of our physical capacity, what’s the instinctual ‘go to’ solution? Yes – Push Through It. Mind Over Matter. And we are shaken when this not only doesn’t work but it makes ME/CFS worse. Not to mention the opinions expressed by others who observe and conclude that we’re soft, undisciplined, burnt out or just depressed. So here’s the Dramatic or Tragic Irony. The solution to personal challenges that has been engrained in us since childhood – Mind Over Matter – is the complete reverse of what is required to get control over ME/CFS and to ultimately recover. And it is delivered, wrapped in an ugly package of judgment that we’re weak and in some way inferior. Did I get it right? Please COMMENT or Send in your thoughts and I’ll post them. You can use the Contact Form or send an email to Martha at DefeatCFS dot net. Look for a weekly posting on Tuesdays. And consider being part of the conversation. Be Well Again, Martha CommentsTim B 01/24/2012 1:51pm
This reminds me of a time before my illness when I went to the YMCA regularly. After age 40, I tried to pace myself, especially since I found after doing some pull ups one day that I inadvertently strained a muscle, and read later that musculo skeletal injuries are more common after a certain age. So pacing myself even while swimming became more important. Martha 01/24/2012 1:54pm
OM, I like the image of our mind needing to get out of the way so the body makes the decisions. Kind of a cellular level revolution against the autocracy : ) Thanks Martha 01/24/2012 2:09pm
Tim, You have provided another image that I like. Tuning in and truly listening to what our bodies are saying to us. Similar to the 'active listening' that we try to practice in our relationships with others. We need to give the same concentration and priority to what our bodies are saying. Thanks Your comment will be posted after it is approved. Leave a Reply | 
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Martha Kilcoyne Welcome to our Community! After Struggling with CFS for four years I am fortunate now to be fully well and making choices about how I want to live my healthy life. One choice is to be an active part of the CFS community and to offer one voice from the fully recoverd to the dialogue. I'm glad you're here! For more about me, here's my Bio. ArchivesFebruary 2012 CategoriesAll 
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