I give my patients a life sentence, “you are a beautiful, whole, and complete human being." This may come after the death sentence they received from another doc, “you are deficit, disordered, diseased.”

    Surprisingly, death sentences are still handed out by medical professionals. Drug companies are the only ones who may benefit.

   When I see children (or adults) who have been diagnosed with ADHD, I reframe the condition as brain diversity rather than brain disorder. The truth is that the human brain is beautifully diverse in neurological brilliance which bestows us with our native gifts.

     The US military recognized that post-traumatic stress is not a disorder, and dropped the ‘D’ in the former diagnosis of ‘PTSD.’  What everyone needs to know is that the vast and innate intelligence of their body seeks homeostasis and strives to heal, including from trauma. We can assist the body in doing that.

    Caroline Myss points out that words either empower or disempower us in our health and healing. If the words that we use to diagnose a condition are essentially harmful in nature, then we, as a medical profession, are breaking the first cardinal rule of  “first, do no harm.” 

    What would happen if the words that we use in both diagnosis and treatment were essentially healing in nature?

    The language we use speaks to the connection between mind, body and soul. What a patient’s mind hears from a doctor is relayed to their body with chemical signaling. So if the doctor’s message is, “you will be well,” the patient’s mind immediately begins to drive the body process towards wellness.

    A life sentence is life affirming. Affirming in the belief of you and your inherent ability to heal. Affirming in unshakable trust and knowing that joy, happiness, health, love and peace belong to you. It is possible to grab the reins of this wild steed called life, steer her in the direction of your choosing, and enjoy the ride. 

    A life sentence reads that it is possible for you to know and to unquestionably love each and every part of yourself. It inspires you to continually link the little you with the big You, your soul with the world soul, your spirit with the Great Spirit, and in so doing be nourished and fed all the goodness, wonder, grace, mercy, joy, hope, inspiration, creativity, wisdom, and awe of this majestic, mysterious, magical Universe.