Magic or The Power of Positive Thinking?

In today's New York Times there was an article "Do You Believe in Magic?" As many of my readers know, I believe that the universe provides us what we need. And, there are times where I have sought our energy healing to help me cope with this horrible disease. The article debates the reality of magic and the power of positive thinking which makes a person believe something can or will happen. And while I personally believe the article was unbalanced - there were no interviews with energy healers or others who partake in such activities - I kept thinking "does it really matter?"

Does it really matter if we think we are going to get better where it comes from? Many of us do partake in rituals everyday by putting on socks and then our pants because that is how we do things and it makes sense to us. But is it magical? And if one day we change our routine; will our life collapse because we broke the spell? I know many of us who are sick will try just about anything to get better. I have read and practiced many forms of so called magic - mediation, healing rituals, etc. and from those I have found strength and positive reinforcement that I will get better. Do I think it is positive thinking that provides me this sense of achieving health? Not really, since I just believe that it can't hurt and there are greater forces than I can even imagine out there trying to help me - and also hurt me. What I can tell you is that when I do not partake in my mediation or other energy rituals I feel crappy. Regardless, I still believe the universe gives me what I need to maintain a positive attitude even when times are tough and these "rituals" do not seem to be working. Where does it come from; I do not know. I do not have a religious faith so it is not a denial of this faith or a participation in it that makes me believe things will work out> I just know at this moment in time they are damn hard on every level - health, financially, and emotionally. So where does it come from?

Since I also try to employ the tactics of positive thinking and they often fail as well - do I blame my failure to have enough positive thoughts for my demise?

It is not easy to wake up everyday wondering if you will be healthy or sick or have a new tumor or any number of struggles a Cushing's patient faces. But I believe in the power of positive thinking and that the universe will help me as much as it thinks I need it. I come across others with my same thinking and practices - we all laugh and try to help each other along - I do believe they came to my life through the universe. And because they were brought to me I have a stronger belief in positive thinking. They help me and I help them with the "down days" and those where it is hard to pick myself up.

One recent friend in my life is Trisha, and she and I are a force to be reckoned with because we laugh at our disease and try to do our best to help others and stay positive. We also are trying to start a foundation which rewards like minded patients...it's just in the beginning but I believe the power of positive thinking in any form deserves reward - especially when it is in our condition or a form of severe hardship. I know one day we will receive that gift and some days I believe we already have - is it because we meditate or because we are positive spirits - I do not know and do not care! It's still a gift.

And then there are others who I know walk away and wish I was not this sick or could be the "old" Sweetfightgirl or the "old" Trisha. We both like ourselves now and why should we change. I do believe their negative thoughts toward us do us harm - maybe not harm itself but they do not help us heal. I hate to list the family and friends that fall in this area as it reminds me of all I have lost and I prefer to think of what I have ahead of me. Which is kind of hard when so many people say - oh my she was sick, can she do work again? Or never call and then still call me their friends and when I am fully better I know they will want something from them...hell, they already do. These are negative energies and I am trying to block them from me - through rituals and what some call magic and others still call positive thinking. Whatever category I know that my thinking and those who support me are the most important.

So do you believe in positive thinking, or magic, or rituals? And which will you use to help yourself? And even more, what will you use to help people in your life like me who are sick and need help...which will you employ? Will you say hello and send positive wishes my way or will you walk away or wish I would go away until things are the way they were? Which are you? What will you do if you don't know me and have someone in your life that is like me - will you turn your back or do the right thing and help with positive thinking, magic and rituals...or maybe it is all reliant on a smile not anything more but a simple smile and warm wishes...perhaps they have more healing power than one thinks.

And as far as the studies at Harvard and Yale, etc. - where are the people who are sick and what they believe gets them through? Do they think we should not be included because we are fighting and will hold on to anything - which would make us dreamers and positive thinkers and nothing else - right? Have they even considered the ramifications of those around us and the influence (negative or positive) they have on us feeling better one day versus another. Perhaps you should think about who you are and where your thinking lies...are you hurting yourself? Others? Or is your apathy not helping anyone?

I believe in magic, positive thinking and that if I put good out into the universe it will come back to me - and this is after almost three years of being seriously ill! Perhaps you should think about other people and yourself; about how your thoughts could effect whoever they run into as they travel throughout the universe.

I ask you one last time - is your magic, thinking, or ritual helping or hurting yourself or others? Maybe you should think about it...