I was ill, pretty unwell, went to see my physician, describing the symptoms. He had the pills for me, as long as I take the pills, the symptoms were taken care of, however the source or reason for the unwellness was not dealt with, it was one of those ‘you have to live with it and take this pills for life’. Well, at this stage, I was just please to be relieved of my painful symptoms, this was until I collected the medication and read through the leaflet. I felt weak when I saw all the possible side effect, it was a long list, ranging from headache to more serious conditions affecting organs the heart, lungs etc. In panic, I went back to my physician to express my concerns and he allayed my fear, that should I experience any of those side effects, he would prescribe other drugs that can address the side effects and then I asked if this second ‘tier’ drugs were likely to have any side effects and he said ‘yes’ that most medications have possible side effects but not everyone will experience them and should I experience any, there are other drugs to take care of the side effects of the drug that is taking care of the side effects of the first ‘tier’ drugs. I sat in disbelief and I realised that this was a non ending loop, cascading down into overwhelming dependency if not well managed. I left, feeling there must be a better way. The prescription in this case was not the answer, yes there are some benefits, immediate relief, but the long- term side effects outweighs any immediate benefits. With this understanding I started to explore my options, to research my condition, to understand the root cause of my problem. I need to change my lifestyle, endure some discomfort and pain, change my diet, exercise more, reduce stress, commune with my maker, take supplements with no side effects and basically do those things that nourishes my spirit, soul and body, creating an atmosphere for natural healing to take place. With this knowledge I walked away from the drugs, it was hard to start with, the natural option I opted for was not a quick fix and I had to endure a lot of pain.
I relate the above to relationships and other things we do in life. Some people give us the immediate relief from our loneliness, sexual frustrations, emotional needs, physical help, social signalling etc but the side effect of having them in our lives outweigh the immediate benefits. The agitation in our soul after they’ve been, the confusion and disruption they bring. The impact on our self esteem, the lack of harmony, the troubling of the water. Yes, they give us the high, but is it worth the hangover the following day? Is there a better way? Are we better off developing some emotional resilience and patience, enduring and tolerating the loneliness, using the time constructively while we patiently wait for our very own tribe to arrive? Inpatience and inability to tolerate any form of inconvenience sometime is our undoing and we end up having alliance with the wrong people and swallowing those pills that create more problem than solve. We don’t have to do that, we can dig deep, find that inner resolve, in a more natural howbeit slower way, heal our self. This does not in any way negate or condemn the use of medicinal drugs but calling on us to exercise awareness, discretion, consciousness and restaint where possible. We must not always jump to the quick and easy solution that comes with a big price tag, with trouble. We must not jump into alliance with the sweet and charming narcissist that comes with more trouble than can be resolved in a life time. There is a place for ‘no thank you, I will endure for a bit more, I will go for the more wholesome and self nurturing option’. Or ‘I will wait for the right person’
We already know the deal, we things we do, the recreation activities that gives us the pleasure now, but more pain later, no one is saying don’t have a good time, don’t enjoy yourself or don’t have some pleasure, but weigh the good against the bad, weight the regret against the enjoyment and if negative surpasses positive then self love demands we pass. But atimes we are too pressured to think, and that is true, life happens and we make allowance for those occasions, but truthfully the more we incorporate these discipline the better equipped we are to face life when it happens.
Think of the side effects, live consciously, it is called repercussions!
Beautiful Ivory 