A client of mine was talking about affirmations and had learned that some indigenous cultures consider affirmations “word medicine”. Culturally “medicine” can refer to a much broader range of substances and practices than can be found in a commercial pharmacy. It got me thinking about what we use to keep us well and healthy and to heal.
If medicine is to help us feel better and to take away discomfort, then lots of things can be medicine. For me, swimming is medicine. When a family member was diagnosed with cancer, I swam and swam and swam. My tears fogged and puddled in the bottom of my goggles, but it made me feel better. This is medicine to me. Swimming is the most reliable pleasure for me. It keeps me well and happy and makes a good day better and makes a bad day good.
We all knew that that family member was truly healed when he started playing hockey again. For him, hockey is probably medicine. The ritual. The physicality, the camaraderie, the friendship. It is all part of what feeds him and makes him feel good, what heals him. So yes – it’s medicine.
If you hurt someone, taking responsibility and apologizing can be medicine for both of you. If you really reflect on why you did such a thing, it can make you want to do better, to be better. Having their hurt acknowledged with your apology can be a balm to help the other person recover.
So what is medicine? For you? Being in nature? Looking at open water? A hug, a cuddle? A long coffee chat with a friend? Making or listening to music? Maybe a dog bounding up to greet you as if you are the most important person in the world every day? One of my long term friends, referred to me recently as sister-friend, and it warmed my heart like an energizing tonic. Word medicine. Love medicine. Connection medicine.
So what’s your medicine? Look for it, think about it, honour it and appreciate it. It is more than what you can find on a shelf.