Ten Great Talks for People who Have Lyme, That Have Nothing to do with Lyme

“It is a surprising and memorable, as well as valuable experience, to be lost in the woods any time. Often in a snow-storm, even by day, one will come out upon a well-known road and yet find it impossible to tell which way leads to the village. Though he knows that he has traveled it a thousand times, he cannot recognize a feature in it. In our most trivial walks, we are constantly, though unconsciously, steering like a pilot…and not till we are completely lost, or turned round…do we appreciate the vastness and strangeness of nature. Every man has to learn the points of compass again as often as he awakes, whether from sleep or any abstraction. Not till we are lost, in other words not till we have lost the world, do we begin to find ourselves, and realize where we are and the infinite extent of our relations.”
— Henry David Thoreau

Many with Lyme have had the literal experience of being lost on a familiar road. I know, it happened to me more than once (and usually on my drive to work). There are other “knowns” that also become unrecognizable when you find yourself in a difficult illness. These are often as varied as the individual. The beauty of healing is that it is an opportunity to disengage from auto pilot and, as Thoreau states, learn the points of compass again. It wasn’t until I followed my own journey did I realize that healing wasn’t only about my physical body. True healing asks for your whole self to show up. It asks you to recalibrate yourself emotionally, evaluate your belief systems, re-discover your truest self, and connect to something greater. These are all as important to healing as mitigating pathogens, supporting structural damages, and addressing foundational deficiencies. Sometimes, this deeper work is what is addressed first. Others address both this and the physical in conjunction with one another. Often, however, the physical requires the initial attention, in these cases be sure to make space for this deeper work that will assist you on your way to a more holistic healing.

These talks bring forth those seeds that I most often work to cultivate in my own clients. These aren’t all of the threads that help individuals through the wider healing path, but they are a starting point for those of you who might be looking for one.

1. A powerful story about the human potential for recovery. The message: you are not your body, and giving up old dreams can allow new ones to soar.

Cross-country skier Janine Shepherd hoped for an Olympic medal -- until she was hit by a truck during a training bike ride. She shares a powerful story about the human potential for recovery. Her message: you are not your body, and giving up old dreams can allow new ones to soar.

2. A compelling presentation on how nature incredibly provides healing for the earth and for its inhabitants. Be sure to check out Paul’s book Mycelium Running: How Mushrooms Can Help Save the World

Mycologist Paul Stamets lists 6 ways the mycelium fungus can help save the universe: cleaning polluted soil, making insecticides, treating smallpox and even flu viruses.

3. A poignant interpretation of empathy. Something to help others provide support for those that are experiencing their dark days. Another inspiring listen from Brené Brown:The Power of Vulnerability. “…Connection is why we are here. It’s what gives us purpose and meaning in our lives.” – Brené Brown

What is the best way to ease someone's pain and suffering? In this beautifully animated RSA Short, Dr Brené Brown reminds us that we can only create a genuin...

4. A glimpse, from a scientific perspective, of the innate intelligence that bacteria have developed over their millions of years on this planet. Be sure to look into these books Herbal Antibiotics and Plant Intelligence and the Imaginal Realm by Stephen Harrod Buhner for a fascintating and mind opening perspective on bacterial intelligence.

Bonnie Bassler discovered that bacteria "talk" to each other, using a chemical language that lets them coordinate defense and mount attacks. The find has stunning implications for medicine, industry -- and our understanding of ourselves.

5. Did you think you were human? Well, you may have heard, we have 10x more cells from microorganisms (bacteria, fungi…) on and in our body than human cells. This classic NPR is still a favorite of mine in all its simplicity and well animated goodness. My kids clamor for this video. Seriously.

The next time you look in a mirror, think about this: In many ways you're more microbe than human. There are 10 times more cells from microorganisms like bacteria and fungi in and on our bodies than there are human cells. But these tiny compatriots are invisible to the naked eye.

6. When we open into our brokenness, that is when we blossom. More inspiration in Elizabeth’s book: Broken Open: How Difficult Times Can Help Us Grow

Sometimes, difficult times can help you realize the true potential of your life. Watch as Omega Institute co|founder Elizabeth Lesser talks about the meaning of her book Broken Open, which shares how Elizabeth grew on her spiritual path. Plus, Elizabeth and Oprah discuss what spirituality means to them.

7. Human connection is essential to thriving.

8. Herbal medicine empowers individuals to reconnect with themselves and nature and their own innate ability to heal. Everything that has deeply touched me along my healing path regarding herbalism is eloquently and openly presented by Brittany in this compelling video.

9. “Can changing how you think about stress make you healthier? And here the science says yes. When you change your mind about stress, you can change your body’s response to stress.” – Kelly McGonigal

Stress. It makes your heart pound, your breathing quicken and your forehead sweat. But while stress has been made into a public health enemy, new research suggests that stress may only be bad for you if you believe that to be the case.

10. “I think the present moment is so underrated. It sounds so ordinary, and yet we spend so little time in the present moment that it’s anything but ordinary.” – Andy Puddicombe

When is the last time you did absolutely nothing for 10 whole minutes? Not texting, talking or even thinking? Mindfulness expert Andy Puddicombe describes the transformative power of doing just that: Refreshing your mind for 10 minutes a day, simply by being mindful and experiencing the present moment.