Have you been forgetting appointments lately, or unable to recall where your keys are, or why you went into another room, or what you were going ask someone? Are you worried you’re loosing your mind, or getting Alzheimer’s? If none of these things disturb you, then continue doing what you’ve always done. But if you are concerned, read on.Brain Power. I always took mine for granted until I lost it. Now I want it back, not partially, not halfway, but fully operational.
A mysterious bout of Acute Disseminated Encephalomyelitis, a rare flu for my age, caused me to lose consciousness and put me into a 15-day coma.
After seven months of rehabilitation, much of my memory and motor skills returned. My super goal was to be totally back to the way I used to be.
The one good memory that remained was my ability to read piano music; but my fingers kept playing the wrong notes. Frustrated I watched television most of the day searching for bits of information on how to improve my brain function.
A neurologist on TV advised: to improve your game of golf, bridge, or tennis or by doing something challenging either physically or mentally. Reading a fiction novel, doing crossword puzzles wasn’t enough, he said, to jump start brainpower.
A picture puzzle book that required me to gaze at two different pictures to see what is missing from one of the photos was challenging but boring. I needed motivation to keep my interest for longer bouts of time.
William Henry Day (from Headaches; their Nature, Causes, and Treatment, 1880) wrote: “The brain cannot stand like a monument, and maintain its integrity.”
Seven months passed before my friend Lynn told me about a six piano ensemble that was auditioning piano players.
This was the push I thought I needed, the challenge I was looking for. “Yes,” I said. No sooner had I signed up for the audition then my old thoughts of not being good enough surfaced.
Was I good enough to be selected to be a part of this group? I worried most about the three-hours-a-week commitment to practice with the other five pianists. At that time I could not play thirty minutes without getting pains in my fingers and hands, and massive depletion of energy.
The part of me that wanted to be chosen wouldn’t let me give up. After 7 days of practicing, my fingers were not stretching enough to reach the right notes. I wanted to give up, surrender my goal, and fell asleep before my bedtime.
At 2AM the following morning, I got a hunch to go back to basics by playing scales fifteen minutes a day, first one key at a time, then chords, and lastly let my fingers run back and forth on the eight notes of each scale. I hadn’t done that since I was a young teen. Not only would I play the scales, I would compose new music by remembering joyous moments. It didn’t matter what I played, only that I get pleasure from the sounds, the knowing no one could hear my mistakes because the music had just been produced.
Lastly as part of the audition requirements, I selected a beautiful, Victor Herbert’s romantic piece of piano music, Thine Alone, to demonstrate my keyboard abilities. For the first time in months I felt stronger, happier, and knew I’d be well by Christmas, three months ahead.
I practiced 25 minutes, three times a day, and my energy began to return. I wanted to be totally myself again and the piano playing was helping me achieve my healing goal.
I didn’t pass the audition but I learned a lot about myself…
Tips for Improving Your Brain Healing Power
• In every disease lies the opportunity to understand yourself better.
• Know that getting well is a full time commitment
• Stay focused on a goal while searching for ways to get healthier.
• Be aware of how your body responds to your ideas.
• Start a journal to record your ideas, goals, dreams, and health successes.
Listening, learning, and loving your body is the real cure.
• Trust yourself more.
The Medical Intuition Bill of Rights
You have the right to:
Be in perfect health
Pursue your health in any way you wish
Ask as many questions as you require to understand
Ask for a second opinion
Try alternative treatment
Dear Ruth,
During a phone reading, you encouraged me to try the TMJ/facial pain clinic my regular dentist had once recommended. You felt that there needed to be another way of looking at my teeth pain. You were right! The TMJ doctor determined that much of my pain was coming from tight muscles and upset nerves in my jaw and cheek muscles and being reflected through my teeth.
He sent me to a wonderful physical therapist, a woman with 25 years of experience helping people with jaw problems. After 14 sessions with her, I’m doing much better. This involves my doing 20+ massages and exercises daily plus applying hot packs. In addition, the TMJ doc has fitted me with a night guard and filed a crown down to greatly improve my bite. I'm now chewing equally on both sides of my mouth and eating regular food, except for hard things like nuts or tough meat or bagels.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart for all your magnificent, caring help.
Janis D.
www.ruthberger.com has been a practicing Medical Intuitive for over 40 years. She has taught throughout the United States, written five books, and is an acclaimed Psychic Medium.