Northern Reflections on Health

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Freedom from chronic pain

January 28, 2017 By Wendy Margolese 6 Comments

freedom from addictionThe Hippocratic oath taken by doctors avows to ‘first do no harm’. And many of them go way beyond that – taking great lengths to pursue ways for their patients to experience better health. But Canadian doctors are in a quandary. Recently, opioid prescriptions for chronic pain have led to unintended consequences – a national epidemic due to the addictive nature of prescription painkillers.

Scientists have long struggled to make sense of the human tendency toward addiction with the latest research seeking a source in genetics. Throughout the course of human history, addiction – in any form – is a false attraction to something that clouds the moral bedrock underlying life.

Yet, since the early 20th century, a number of programs have developed around the idea of helping dependent individuals gain a greater sense of inner self-worth. These programs encourage their members to reshape their thinking in order to discover – or rediscover – that moral bedrock, i.e. their relationship to the Divine, God. And, these programs have shown some success in helping addicts turn the tide on their struggle.

Here’s the story of one individual who found a way to spiritually transform her thinking and be free of her addiction.

Migraines can be debilitating, and Marta tells of finding herself addicted to painkillers to find relief. She loathed herself for being helpless to end the addiction, but didn’t know how. Then she started to read a book titled Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures. As she read, the concepts in the book brought her a feeling of closeness to God. Marta felt her life transforming – regaining her self-esteem and inner dignity. She knew that through being governed by God, she could be free from her addiction; and that was the end of her migraines and any medication.Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures

The author of the book cited above, Mary Baker Eddy, was no stranger to chronic pain and suffering. A semi-invalid half her life, she tried many of the cures of her day – even the “Graham” system – a diet that left her in an even worse state. However, it was her inner spiritual journey that really answered her quest for better health.

The catalyst for this journey was a near-fatal fall from which she quickly recovered after pondering a biblical account of one of Jesus’ healings. This experience inspired her to study the Bible deeply for the next three years – the words and works of Jesus were her teachers. The more she understood God’s goodness and His love for her – His child – the better health she experienced.

Eddy shared what she understood about Christian healing with others, helping them to find health and wholeness. She considered the practice of healing central to today’s Christian ministry – not something miraculous from a time gone past. Her journey resulted in a worldwide healing movement and the establishment of the Christian Science church, a publishing company, as well as an international newspaper – the Christian Science Monitor.

“It is our ignorance of God, the divine Principle, which produces apparent discord, and the right understanding of Him restores harmony,” writes Eddy in her seminal work Science and Health (pg. 390). This non-medical, spiritual approach of prayer-based healing continues to this day as a theology that so deepens our understanding of God’s goodness, and ourselves as his “image” (Gen. 1:26) that health, including freedom from drug-induced addictions, is a natural outcome.

The truth of our heritage as God’s beloved creation enables us to claim freedom from anything that would try to hold us captive. Especially when solutions to the problem are not forthcoming! The promise Jesus gave us: “And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (NLT John 8:32), is ours to discover and experience as much today as it was in his time.

You can read this article in several Metroland Media outlets such as Niagara This Week.

 

A sound mind at any age

January 13, 2017 By Wendy Margolese 6 Comments

dementia reversed

As the Baby Boomers enter their twilight years, mental health care systems will come under scrutiny, since studies suggest a high percentage of this cohort may begin to experience dementia. Local news reports express concern over the inadequacy of mental health services to meet this growing need. The cost of elder care threatens government health care spending, not just here at home, but around the world.

Is it disheartening to feel part of a cohort that is statistically doomed to experience this health challenge? If our health and memory are dependent on bodily conditions, and drugs and surgery can’t offer hope, we may feel very lost indeed.

Yet, people are finding solutions. Continue Reading

Recapture the joy of the Season

December 17, 2016 By Wendy Margolese 4 Comments

recapture the joy of the SeasonHas the holiday hustle and bustle got you a little frazzled?

Many of us are impacted by extra demands on time, energy and finances. The stress of a busy holiday schedule ­ from shopping to seasonal festivities – can wear off the joy of the season even for a usually well-balanced person. At times it may not feel like ‘Christmas’, so much as ‘Stress­mas’!

So, how can we maintain – or recapture ­ the joy of this special season? After all, the idea was originally to celebrate the birth of Jesus and the view of our origin as God’s beloved child (Gen. 1:26,27) that his life represented. It wasn’t about checking things off the ‘to do’ list or finding the perfect gift.Continue Reading

Unlimited health benefits

December 11, 2016 By Wendy Margolese 2 Comments

unlimited health benefitsWorkplace wellness movements are gaining momentum. Employers are increasingly recognizing that mental health is an essential part of our overall well-being.

Recently, Starbucks Canada made what it sees as a smart business investment in their employees’ mental health. The coffee chain has significantly raised its employee benefit for mental health treatment to one of the largest allowances offered in the country.

Their reasoning behind this investment is grounded in the fact that Starbucks is staffed mainly by the millennial generation – coined as “Generation Stress” by research.

According to psychotherapist and author, Linda Esposito, with the age of around-the-clock access to news and social media, the mental health of millennials “is in a precarious state”. What is behind the high rates of depression and anxiety, she asks? The stress of academic overachieving, information overload and helicopter parenting are a few keys. Regardless of the reasons, Esposito focuses on building mental health strategies for the millennial for today and beyond.

It’s important to keep our thinking – and our options – open when it comes to choices for mental health care. The medical landscape is ever shifting. Many people sometimes find it difficult to decipher the changing signals and are looking for a more reliable game plan for their health.Continue Reading

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Wendy Margolese

Wendy_Margolese

I was born and raised in a small Northern Ontario mining town. You can never take the warmth of the North out of a girl’s heart. So, I would like to take this opportunity to share heartfelt thoughts with you about a topic important to each of us – our health and well-being. Visit my About page to learn more.

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