We all have a story we tell ourselves when we get up in the morning. For some of us, it’s a story we’ve been spinning for decades. These stories can be motivating, and these stories can be paralyzing. No matter the plot or main characters in your story, it’s true that what we tell ourselves on a regular basis can shape the our lives and our future.
A homeopathy professor I had in medical school told us the story of two patients. Both seeing him for treatment of their Lupus. One patient made improvements over the weeks of treatment and the other was stagnant. By chance one day, my professor was in the parking lot when his non-improving patient was driving away. As her car left the parking lot, he happened to notice her license plate. In big bold letters it said: LUPUSME. This was her story. She was the Lupus and the Lupus was her. She identified with it to the point that she paid for a vanity plate, declaring to the world the permanence her chronic condition.
For myself, a story I’ve spun over the years involves the thought that I’m not enough. That I should and could be doing more. That I haven’t quite arrived where I should be by now. This thought process plagued me through high school, undergraduate school, throughout medical school, and it lingers still. Despite being happily married for 17 years with two beautiful children. Despite starting a medical practice from scratch with no outside funding or business loans. Despite growing this office, hiring staff, and continuing to grow and help more patients for almost four years now. That little voice still nags that it isn’t enough.
Every year, we promote Mental Health Awareness in the month of May. In celebration of this, I would like to pledge to be a little nicer to myself. To be a little more patient. I hope you’ll join me.
You’re enough. You’re amazing. You have talents and skills that nobody in this world has. Don’t be afraid to share those talents with the world.
Remember those “choose your own adventure” books? Maybe you don’t like how your story is turning out. You don’t have to make a license plate about it. Make a change and spin a different story.
If you want help changing the story of your physical or mental health, please reach out. We would be honored to help you on your adventure.