By Evan Burton

Let’s face it. There are some things in life that we just cannot change. However, it is not what we are dealt, but how we deal with it that determines our outcome. It is through this perspective that we have the ability to manifest greatness in every outlet of our lives and generate the desired perfection of which we crave.

The first step to manifestation is through the belief in the possibility of obtaining the desired outcome. In its most basic form, this idea is made evident through the fact that we would never take action to achieve a particular endeavor if we didn’t first think that it was possible to have success in doing so. We would give up or not even put forth effort in belief that it would be wasted time and energy. Lance Armstrong would have never won the Tour De France if he didn’t first believe that he could do so!

This idea is further expressed through the scientifically proven and biologically significant ways that our bodies react to the thoughts put forth by our minds. It is often observed that people with the most positive and carefree outlooks are blessed with low rates of disease while those who live high stress lives and are regularly depressed experience higher rates of disease and a loss in the function of their immune systems. Our thoughts then become self fulfilling prophecies that are perpetually manifesting that in which they hold a strong belief.

A Common Theme in Cystic Fibrosis Patients

Since me and my brother have started www.livingindubiously.com, we have had the opportunity to come into contact with so many amazing people and have heard so many inspiring stories that have further strengthened our beliefs in what we do and what we stand for. One of the most common stories that we have heard again and again is the story of somebody who either had a “mild” case of Cystic Fibrosis through childhood, or was not diagnosed until later in their life, and then had a rapid deterioration of health. They always explain this as directly accompanied with an increased anxiety about their condition and a general negativity spawned by the scare tactics put forth by doctors in order to convince patients to do their medications more regularly. The most compelling of these stories go on to tell of the rapid regeneration of lung function and overall increase in health after these people decided to stop obsessing over their condition and went back to the positive outlook that they had before.

The reason these stories do not surprise me is because I have also been a perfect example of one of these people, having had the exact same experience in my life. Up until I was about 18 years old, I didn’t ever really think about my disease. I lived life like a normal person and rarely did my medication. I drank a lot of alcohol, smoked, and didn’t exercise regularly.

The interesting thing was that my health was completely fine until I started to become more aware of my disease and obsessed over trying to find a cure. Even though I had stopped smoking and drinking and began eating healthy and exercising, my health began to deteriorate. I was obsessed with eating the right foods and taking the right supplements and it was always on my mind. I was constantly searching and reading and thinking about my disease, all the while completely oblivious to the harmful effects of my negative thoughts. In the next 4 years I was put into the hospital about 5 times for serious lung infections and left the whole ordeal with an FEV1 of 22%.

It was after my last hospitalization when I decided to stop obsessing over my health and start living my life again. Although I still stayed clear of smoking and alcohol and continued to do my medications, I started to not care about my disease and accepted it for what it was. As long as I wasn’t obsessed with changing it and fighting against it, it wasn’t on my mind. This lead to a way better quality of life for me, and my health rebounded. My FEV1 went from 22% to 55% and is still climbing.

What do the Scientists and Doctors Say?

Although this idea may seem flimsy and unsupported by science, this is not the case. According to a recent paper in the ‘Medical Journal of Australia’, they have found depression and loneliness to be just as significant risk factors for coronary artery disease as high blood pressure, cholesterol and smoking. Also, an earlier Harvard study of 1,300 older men showed pessimists to be twice as likely to develop heart disease as optimists. One must then assume that negative emotions can have some sort of impact on the progression of a disease, such as Cystic Fibrosis.

Recent breakthrough research in the field of exercise has also proven the power that the mind has to transform the body. This study has proven that the act of imagining and believing that you have performed an exercise is as nearly affective in weight loss and muscle gain as doing the exercise itself! In this study three groups of people were studied. The first group did absolutely nothing and had no strength gains. The second group performed specific exercises 3 times a week and experienced a 28% increase in strength. The third group listened to audio tapes that helped them imagine themselves performing the same exercises as the second group and experienced a 24% increase in strength.

Another significant Harvard study in February 2007 further proved the power of our beliefs to change our bodies. In this study they convinced housekeeping staff from a hotel that the amount of work they did in a day was more than enough to keep them physically fit. The maids continued their jobs as normal with no changes to their schedule. The results after a month were some major weight loss, lowered blood pressure, waist-hip ration, body fat percentage and BMI. Another group of maids were not told anything and experienced no changes in their bodies. This is undeniable proof that our physical condition is largely influenced by the thoughts that we think.

Using this Power for Yourself

So how can we take this amazing tool and put it into use in our own lives? Do we drop all of our meds and start drinking copious amounts of booze and smoking cigarettes while “thinking happy thoughts”? I think common sense would tell anybody that this is a bad idea.

The real lesson to be learned here is the power of positive thoughts and how all of our views and beliefs become self fulfilling prophecies in our lives. If we have a firm belief in the fact that our disease progresses as we get older, then that will become the case. If we have a firm belief that our disease is nothing more than a reminder for us to stay on track in life, and that we can overcome it, then our bodies will follow. If you believe that you can increase your health beyond what you ever thought was possible, then you have just made that a possibility in your life. Without the belief, there cannot be the result.

I do my medication every day, exercise religiously, eat a ton, and continue to believe that my body is getting stronger at every moment. Whether it’s the physical things that I do or my belief in the fact that they work that keep me healthy, the world may never know. All I know is that without the right outlook and the correct state of mind, all the medicine, exercise, and supplements in the world will not save you.

Something to Chew On…..

True warriors use their unbending will and intention to craft their own reality to their liking while never giving thought to the reality of others who may wish to bring you down. You should be able to close your eyes and see yourself at the finish line, having accomplished everything you strive for. Whether you like it or not, your beliefs are constantly affecting your life. All it takes is a conscious effort to make your self fulfilling prophecy one worth being fulfilled.