#200 | Ellen Friedman: Dear Virus...

My mom is back! She was here to talk about 'grace and ease with pain and disease' in episode 126 and we take the conversation deeper in this episode as she shares her intimate experience with 'the virus.'

Upon emerging on the other side of her experience with the viral infection, Ellen wrote a letter to The Virus.

Dear Virus,

I was wondering if you were coming for a visit. Thanks for the advance warning. I'm appreciative of all the information I received of your upcoming arrival. I’m grateful for the wisdom that guided me during your visit. And, I’m more grateful for the mild symptoms and the gentle whispers for deeper self care. As my mentor, Dr. Bill Pettit says, I received your symptoms as love letters from my body.

I want people to know that your visit can be gentle. I want people to know that your visit can be temporary, just like everything else that passes through us. Just like all of our thoughts. Just like all of our experiences.

I was worried that if I told people that I was experiencing your variety of symptoms, that I could be adding more worry to the world. I've read and heard the fearful and worried responses of others sharing their journeys. I was resistant to the possibility of hearing worry from friends and family.

You were the catalyst for some meaningful insights. I realized that I was concerned about my own worried thoughts. Then, a beautiful glimmer of light came through the cracks of my thinking. I can have worried thoughts and not always have to have the worried feelings that typically accompany the thoughts. I became aware of the thoughts as separate from myself. Thoughts are there and I’m here. It is really possible to have worried thoughts and not have the experience of worry. How powerful!

Then, I had another insight. Who am I to think that I am responsible for the worry of others? The thinking, feeling and experience of others is not up to me. Every person has their own perspective of life from their own level of understanding.

True freedom.

With love and gratitude,

Ellen

PS - I knew that peace of mind was good for my immune system.

Some highlights include...

• The insights had from 2 weeks of symptoms
• How wisdom guides us through symptoms and feelings
• Some of the supportive strategies used to keep her immune system functioning
• How experience with an illness translates into the rest of life
• Tapping into peace and stillness during pain and chaos

Hope you enjoy! Please feel free to leave a comment, rating, or review on whatever platform you choose to tune in on!

You may also be interested in these episodes...

- Mental Health with Dr. Bill Pettit - https://www.alter.health/episode8

- Peace in Chaos with Dicken Bettinger - https://www.alter.health/episode60

- Relationships with Rohini Ross - https://www.alter.health/episode80

Links to learn more

- SHOW NOTES: https://www.alter.health/episode200