Judge Not

Photo courtesy of Marion Doss

It’s the title of an early Bob Marley tune. This simple two-word rule might be all you need in your battle with stress. You are battling stress, aren’t you? Not just for diabetes of course. Stress kills. If not directly, it’s indicted for multiple chronic inflammatory diseases. Stress is trickier than any other component of healing. You can’t eliminate it by conscious choice. Understanding it intellectually doesn’t really help. You can’t will yourself to chill. And the real kicker is that even if you don’t feel stressed, your body can still be suffering damage from it.

Libraries full of books, medical professional buildings full of psychologists, ashrams full of gurus,  and a multi-billion dollar pharmaceutical industry all provide answers to the stress problem. I would charitably assume that every one of these must’ve actually provided a solution for somebody at some time. But I know for a fact that any sustainable solution involves some proactive work by the stressee. And among all the exercises, meditation practices, and the rest, the most powerful tip is probably the simple mandate to quit being judgmental.

I was sorry, in a way, when it became apparent how critical this is. I’ve always been quite good at judging others. It was a skill to be proud of, maybe even one of those self-defining pillars. But no more - at least not the proud or defining part. It’ll probably take years, if ever, before I can say I never slip. Still, 90% less judgmental has huge payoffs. It’s cut the angry, sad, pained, vindictive, and all such ugly moments that arise from it. Those moments are prime stress drivers.

I’m saying you can’t directly will a reduction in stress; but, you can consciously begin to limit your judgmental tendencies. A little less fist pounding when cut off in traffic will, in itself, be well received by your head and gut. If, simultaneously, you begin treating your body with some respect in terms of what you put in it, you can spark a beneficial feedback loop. Because a less stressed body is “calmer” at a cellular or gut level and less likely to suggest fist pounding.




___
Refusing The Needle: A Diabetic’s Natural Journey To Kick-Ass Health by Russell Stamets
ebook available for all devices at https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/145608
and for kindle at http://www.amazon.com/dp/B007P6L5C4
tags: type 1, type 2, autoimmune, diabetes, lada, natural, alternative, diet, supplements, acupuncture, meditation, lifestyle