148th International Peace Meditation “The Empowered Patient”

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“The Empowered Patient”

April 5, 2009 — Life gives us opportunities to learn and to grow. Sometimes these lessons are fun and joyful. Often, the lessons are painful, disruptive, and energy draining. How can we reframe these painful experiences in a way that does not leave us bitter and angry? Perhaps one way is to see them as part of life’s lessons: a kind of curriculum of the soul.

We are spirit incarnated. In other words, we sometimes are able to see ourselves not as bodies with a spirit, but as spirits with a body. The spirit is infinite and eternal; the body is finite. What learns and evolves is what we call the spirit, or soul, or consciousness. In this context, as I prepare for the Institute to sponsor a booth at the Women’s Health Expo in Albany, NY, on May 12 at the Concourse under the Plaza, I am reflecting on my journey. Our booth will be on the topic of Fibromyalgia, and many will visit hoping for answers.

Fibromyalgia is a manageable pain syndrome with no known cause or cure. Treatments vary widely, with many only somewhat useful. The individual patient is left to seek, out of a variety of options, which ones bring some relief. It is a solitary journey, even with an estimated 10,000,000 Fibromyalgia patients in the United States alone. I am reflecting over beautiful Lake George, my home away from home, as I prepare for this booth and so many questions with so few answers, and seemingly even fewer physicians who know about it, or care. I can’t share answers; I can share reflections. I hope that they are meaningful to you on whatever journey you may be.

My reflections about being an Empowered Patient follow below. It is written here in the female version, but also can be applied to, and adapted for, males.

Blessings to you,
Sue Kidd Shipe, Ph.D.
Executive Director

The Empowered Patient

The Empowered Patient is one who

Knows her rights and responsibilities
Takes responsibility for her own life
Cares about herself and others
Will not be talked down to
Will ask questions
Will research the answers
Will review many sources
Will ask herself: Does that ring true?
The Empowered Patient is one who

Makes good decisions
Trusts her own judgment
Is not afraid to question
Is not afraid to challenge the status quo
Accepts ultimate responsibility for her decisions
Does not blame others
Researches options until she is satisfied
Bravely exercises her selected options.
The Empowered patient is one who

Goes forward trusting her judgment
Does not judge others for differing opinions
Chooses conventional and unconventional approaches
Is aware of her own needs
Seeks to help others with similar needs
Respects each patient’s life and health choices
Respects the diversity of approaches
Seeks what best meets her needs.
The Empowered Patient is one who

Accepts herself and others
Always strives for self-awareness
Shares her wisdom with others
Respects diversity of needs and solutions
Always makes the best of each situation
Respects her limitations and those of others
Focuses on what she can do
Forgives herself for what she is unable to do.
The Empowered Patients is one who

Is self-aware
Practices self-care
Listens to her inner knowing
Selects her activities judiciously
Seeks to learn and improve
Is willing to say “no”
Recognizes that she can best serve others–
When taking care of herself.
The Empowered Patient is one who

Seeks first to empower herself
Seeks always to learn and grow
Incorporates new ideas
Releases all that is no longer viable
Cares deeply about herself and others
Marches to her own drumbeat
Seeks to help others to feel empowered
Brings all of her resources to each situation
The Empowered Patient is one who

Has grown with each new challenge
Is thankful for her life lessons
Uses her journey to be grateful for her strengths
Watches others grow in her presence
Seeks to live all life fully
Forgives herself when she fails to
Knows that she is life-in-evolution
Respects each individual journey
The Empowered Patient is one who

Can look back on life experiences with gratitude
Can see the reason for each person in her life
Releases those who would harm her, with love
Wishes ill for no-one
Knows that life is a journey of the spirit
Knows that each event is the soul’s curriculum
Knows that each person brings a gift
Knows that some gifts are painful
The Empowered Patient is one who

Embraces her pain and its lessons
Knows that pain is part of the human experience
Lifts her pain up and asks for relief
Trusts that relief will come
Knows that life is never pain-free
Accepts and honors the pain
Gives thanks for the understanding gained
Walks alone, or with pain, in gratitude.
The Empowered Patient is one who

Knows
Cares
Learns
Grows
Heals
Shares
Explores
Loves
She is all she is meant to be.

copyright Sue Shipe 2009

Please join us in prayer/meditation during the 24 hours of Sunday, April 4, and again the first Sunday of every month. We are in our 13th year of continuous meditation. Forward our Meditation to all in your address book; make copies for your religious and spiritual brochures and bulletins.

Important Dates to Remember:

September 11, Annually     International Unity Day

Please join us in this essential annual commemoration. You can find out more by going to www.humanempowerment.org and selecting the globe.

The International Peace Meditation invites people of all faiths to participate. The International Institute For Human Empowerment, Inc., a 501C3 charity registered in New York State, is not a member of any religion in order that it may serve all.

You may contribute online via PayPal:

Or send your contributions to:
International Institute For Human Empowerment, Inc.
P.O. Box 3920
Albany, New York 12203 USA
Please make checks or money orders out to:
International Institute For Human Empowerment, Inc.

The International Institute For Human Empowerment, Inc. is a
501 ( C )( 3 ) tax-exempt organization recognized by the United States Government. Your contribution within the USA is tax-exempt.
Sue Kidd Shipe, Executive Director
International Institute For Human Empowerment, Inc.
P. O. Box 3920
Albany, New York  12203   USA
(518) 393-9491
sueshipe@www.humanempowerment.org
www.humanempowerment.org