• Cancer and the Consolation of Philosophy

  Placebo Effect: Change your Destiny by Changing your Thoughts

  Posted by Patrick on December 5, 2021 at 7:03 am

  “The world as we have created it is a process of our thinking. It cannot be changed without changing our thinking.” Albert Einstein

  In January 2021 I was given a stage 4 cancer diagnosis. One of my first reactions was to lookup the statistics to know what my odds are to beating the disease or prolonging my life. According to Cancer.org, I have a 5% five-year survival rate. What terrible news! I was given a death sentence before I had an opportunity to fight. How do I get to be in the 5%? I want to live another twenty to thirty years.

  The placebo effect is used in most scientific studies involving medicine. The research has shown that the placebo, something completely devoid of medicine, is nearly effective as the actual medication. Acupuncture is based upon the belief about energy points throughout the body. These energy points when blocked, cause health problems. A few years ago, I experienced a back injury and tried acupuncture for relief. It didn’t have much of an effect on me, but numerous studies reveal that it does bring relief to the many people who believe in this practice. Why do think people of faith experience miracles?

  Our thoughts lead to habits, to beliefs, to or destinies. They are life affirming or life destroying. Changing our thoughts is not a guarantee that we will not suffer, beat our cancer, or even die – that is a fantasy and not reality. By changing our thoughts, our perceptions change, and our attitudes or relationship to the world and our circumstances change.

  For nearly half of my life, I had erroneous thoughts about myself. I believed that I was unworthy and unlovable. I didn’t believe that I had anything of value to share with the world. As a result, I struggled with substance abuse and addictions, made poor life decisions, buried any dreams or aspirations, and attempted taking my life on many occasions. The introduction of spirituality and philosophy saved my life as it changed my thoughts, habits, and beliefs about myself and the world that I am a part of. The blessing of my cancer is that it continuously challenges my thinking about this thing called life. I have many more things to learn and opportunities to grow as a person.

  I could write on for what seems life forever on this subject, as my desire is to encourage anyone that has lost hope. I am going to end this post with some affirmations:

  Cancer is something that happened to you. It does not define you as a person. It is not the result of some open or hidden sin. You are not cursed. You are a wonderful human being. You are valuable. You have many gifts to share with the world. You are worthy of love and affection.

  Patrick replied 3 years, 6 months ago 1 Member · 0 Replies
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