Migraines Are The Great Equalizers

Migraine headaches must be one of the great equalizers that tell you in no uncertain terms to stop what ever you are doing now!

Anyone who has suffered from this kind of headache will be able to relate to this article, it is something like childbirth; it's not something you can fully appreciate unless you have experienced it.

I must have been about eleven or twelve years old when I had my first one. I was at a bus stop in the middle of a snow blizzard waiting for the school bus to arrive when it first hit me. It was probably the glare off the snow that triggered it and it wasn't until years later that I could put a name to the experience. My headaches were classic and during these episodes there was only one thing that I really wanted more than life itself and that was to die.

I went through self analysis and even kept a log of the headaches for years and I could find no pattern, they just simply happened at any time and any place. Whatever triggered the migraines seemed to be inconsistent. Light and hunger was a couple of them but I am sure it was in combination with other things.

As I grew older they slowed down for awhile and at one point I never had one for almost a year and I thought I had it licked. Lately they are coming back with more frequency. I lead a fairly stress free life and meditate daily. The headaches happen during my waking hours and in my sleep and as with all physical ailments there is a root thought that supports it that I haven't found it.

I befriended the idea that maybe people who had migraines were special and that new awareness would come from the experience, I thought it may have been God's way of communicating and my brain was just being overloaded. I looked for patterns in the swirling lights that flooded my inner and outer vision. I sat quietly in the dark and waited for messages or meaning, nothing happened except for the nausea and pain.

Until a few years ago there was only one thing that was inevitable, I had to stop what ever I was doing and lay down for an hour in the dark. I considered myself one of the lucky ones that were not de-habilitated for days or had to go to the hospital for shots. I got angry, resentful and just plain pissed off when they happened; I tried to look for the silver lining and found none, so I gave into them when they happened.

A few years ago I changed my thoughts about how I would react to the headaches when they occurred. I decided that I would carry on with my life and ignore them as much as possible and in doing so I found some measure of success. It may well be because over fourty years have elapsed since my first one, the blurry lasts about half an hour, and I no longer get the nausea. My headaches are not as piercing, they still last for a day or so but are very mild and I seldom take any pain relievers for them.

I have changed my thoughts about the events when they happen and I try not to let it interfere too much with my routine. I have turned an undesirable event into something more positive. I used the headaches as a warning sign; an amber light that says slow down. This awareness is a major change from the red light that stopped everything a few years ago. The lethargy that follows for the next two days does not allow me to get back into full swing immediately and the shift into high gear is gradual. There is nothing that can not wait, I keep going even during the blurry period without medication, but I do it on my time and on my terms.

I have learned to give up on the idea that everything has to be done now.

I am generally in good health and seldom get sick and never get into serious accidents. The migraines are not something that I want to have consciously I am not the masochistical, but they have perhaps served me well in slowing me down and avoiding other more serious problems. I am highly motivated to be productive at all times and even at rest will read a book or do something fruitful.

I do not look forward to these headaches but I do not try to avoid them, and I use the opportunity to re-evaluate my circumstances at the time.

I had another migraine yesterday morning while I was looking forward to getting up early, and writing this article, albeit not about migraines. I had to get my web site ready to upload later in the evening; this routine takes me half a day to accomplish. The first symptoms were clearly in front of me as soon as the monitor on my computer had warmed up. I did not get this article finished until today and my site was not uploaded last night; it will be twenty four hours late. The day was spent wandering around doing very mundane things that was my usual routine on a Sunday.

I know that all things happen for a reason, I do not believe in coincidence or chance. I didn't have a topic when I woke up yesterday and this article needed to be printed. I believe that someone somewhere is receiving help from my experience. We are all connected and it was appropriate and timely for this headache, for my benefit and that of another.

Life always leaves signs for us as we walk our walk. Most of the time we do not see them or we ignore them and some of us have to be hit of the head pretty hard in order for the message to get through.

I am reminded that we are spiritual beings first and the body is just an extension of that mind. We are not victims of circumstance, we are creating them. Freud said that sometimes a cigar is just a cigar, but I know it's not in your mouth by accident. All things have purpose; it is how we experience these things in our own unique way that determines whether we consider them good or bad.

I have moved away from the "good thing" and "the bad thing" and have replaced them with "what works" and "what does not work" for me. Obviously the migraines are working for me even though I am not satisfied that this is all there is to it. I have chosen to use them to my advantage and see them as a sign to slow down.

Life has no purpose other than the purpose you give it. Signs may be just signs, but they have purpose. It is the individual that decides what that purpose is on a conscious level. Signs are physical manifestations of something that is going on inside; a thought process. For me the migraine experience has been a painful equalizer.

Roy E. Klienwachter is a resident of British Columbia, Canada. A student of NLP, ordained minister, New Age Light Worker and Teacher. Roy has written and published five books on New Age wisdom. Roy's books are thought provoking and designed to empower you to take responsibility for your life and what you create. His books and articles are written in the simplicity and eloquence of Zen wisdom.

You may not always agree with what he has to say. You will always come away with a new perspective and your thinking will never be the same.

Roy's style is honest and comes straight from the heart without all the metaphorical mumble jumble and BS.

Visit Roy at: http://www.klienwachter.com

Latest News


CNET News

Linksys offers full wireless alternative to Sonos
CNET News, CA - 3 hours ago
After hinting at a "digital stereo" product in The New York Times last week, Cisco unveiled the details of its Wireless Home Audio System today, ...

The Wand: Nyko announces a high-tech Wii remote alternative
CNET News, CA - 49 minutes ago
In an effort to trump the existing Nintendo Wii remote controller, Nyko is introducing what the company is calling the most advanced Wii remote yet. ...

Sunrise Solar tapped for alternative energy project in Brazil
Bizjournals.com, NC - 12 hours ago
The project is part of a multimillion-dollar alternative energy development initiative by Brazil which is making a big push to become energy self-sufficient ...
Solar project narrows gap on fuel costs San Jose Mercury News
Sunrise Solar to Provide Solar to Brazilian Hospitals istockAnalyst.com (press release)
all 27 news articles

Fuel Systems Solutions to Launch US Automotive Alternative Fuel ...
MSNBC - 7 hours ago
Since the 1960s, Fuel System Solutions' transportation subsidiary, BRC, based in Cherasco, Italy, has been a major provider of alternative fuel systems ...

Boston Globe

Airlines Search for Alternatives to Oil as Fuel
New York Times, United States - Jan 6, 2009
Pratt, which has tested alternate fuels in its engines, and others in the aviation industry assert that they will pursue alternatives even in a period of ...
Aviation industry strives to find alternative fuels SmartBrief
Air Algae: US Biofuel Flight Relies on Weeds and Pond Scum Scientific American
Algae-Powered Jet Proves Biofuel in Continental Test Bloomberg
Cincinnati.com - SYS-CON Media
all 224 news articles

The Market Oracle

Treasury Bond Alternative
Boston Globe, United States - 13 hours ago
"Where should I put my money right now? I don't feel comfortable investing in stocks, and I've heard that Treasury bonds are paying next to nothing. ...
Bonds may be a shield, but they're still risky Gail MarksJarvis Chicago Tribune
Get Out Now! Barron's
Corporate debt's allure Boston Globe
all 290 news articles

Alternative fitness routines for the new year
Newsday, NY - 19 hours ago
BY JOHN HANC | Special to Newsday What drives the fitness industry? "It's always about 'what's next?'" says Jill Oppenheimer of Hewlett, a former group ...

TopNews

Hybrids, alternative fuel cars showcased
Detroit Free Press, United States - 19 hours ago
The EcoXperience exhibit will feature about a dozen hybrid vehicles and other vehicles powered by alternative fuels. It will be supported by General Motors ...
Michigan Economic Development Corporation and North American ... PR Newswire (press release)
Try hybrid vehicles at auto show exhibit Detroit Free Press
all 73 news articles

S. Fla. Companies Look To Creative Layoff Alternatives
MSNBC - 11 hours ago
Though it may not sound so good at first, many say having a shorter work week or taking unpaid vacation is better than the alternative. ...

Quincy alternative school welcomes new face
ConnectTriStates.com powered by KHQA, IL - 2 hours ago
A liaison officer has been placed in the Quincy Alternative School. Officer Randy Wheeler will be a mainstay at the old Irving school building. ...
Quincy Public Schools says it has no tolerance for truancy ConnectTriStates.com powered by KHQA
all 2 news articles

Resources