Harmony and Healing

Since running the Boston Marathon, I am going through another phase of my healing journey with post polio syndrome; I realize how important it is to live in harmony with myself. For the past 15 years, my cervical spine has been crying out for healing. I have been blessed to have trigger injections and physical therapy but the pain on the right side of my neck persisted until a few weeks ago….

My physical therapist at Newton Wellesley Hospital is another healing angel in my life. The rigorous rehab exercises, cervical traction at home and her manual manipulation of my cervical spine all help to bring about healing. One of the critical elements of healing is understanding how all the parts of my body need to work in harmony. My therapist teaches me about the interconnectedness of my body parts. This enhances my visualization for healing. In addition to the internal healing and harmony, I realized that I needed to make changes in relationships. While I said the words let go and let God, I was still shouldering the burdens of others.

I am overwhelmed with joy and gratitude that the pain in my neck is finally gone. I am so grateful for Western medicine, for my therapist’s love and skill and for the grace of God. I have a new routine every morning. I start with the stretching, flexibility and strengthening exercises prescribed by my therapist. I use the cervical traction machine along with a heating pad. I use the time in traction to visualize healing. I use ice and do isometric exercises to promote healing in my left shoulder. The pain in my left arm and shoulder began during marathon training last winter. I do not even look at the computer until I have done this routine and had my breakfast. I focus on creating harmony within. I give myself permission to not answer the phone and, in the words of Marci Shimoff, author of “Happy for No Reason” I remove the weeds from my garden. As I take care of my body temple and find harmony within, I free up creative energy.

I surround myself with loving, joyful, spirited and supportive relationships. As I do my cardiovascular training three times a week I find a balance between pushing myself to maintain fitness and honoring limits. I do strength training for my lower body and find that delicate balance between strengthening and honoring limitations. I communicate and live in harmony with my body. My heart sings with my new poetry project; creating poems for City Enlightenment, a new blog talk radio show. I am working on the January 10 WBZ Radio Jordan Rich Show, Polio:Forgotten But Not Gone to raise awareness of polio and post polio syndrome; we want to raise awareness and money for Rotary Club’s End Polio Now Campaign to help create a polio free world. Above all of the doing, the most important part of my healing journey is to discover how to live in harmony with myself – mind, body and spirit. As I find the happiness and peace within, magic and miracles are created in my new world.

Mary McManus, poet, post polio survivor and Boston Marathon finisher is the author of “New World Greetings:Inspirational Poetry and Musings for a New World.” Mary generously donates 20% of book proceeds to Spaulding Rehab’s International Rehab Center for Polio. You can contact Mary via her website at www.newworldgreetings.com