I’m reminded of an interview with a famous movie producer I saw many years ago. He was asked about the famous actors he had worked with and whether he could tell which actors would make it through the years of rejection.
His answer was interesting. He explained that he would watch actors struggle year after year, believing they were getting nowhere. However, he could spot the ones who would eventually succeed. The hardest part for him was watching an actor who was finally on the verge of success but couldn’t see it, and they gave up. It broke his heart because they were so talented, yet they quit just before they were about to make it.
How Does This Relate to Your Body?
While becoming an actor may be difficult, it’s not quite the same as working with your body. However, there is a parallel. In life, there are many instances where it feels like we’re getting nowhere. But all of that experience along the way is actually changing us. When we’re doing something new — like practicing the Method — it may feel like nothing is happening. It’s not always clear how our body is responding.
In new experiences, we want immediate results, not realizing that true progress often involves venturing into uncharted territory. No one tells us this when we start working with our body. We aren’t always aware that our nervous system is working behind the scenes, processing new information. Since it’s not a language we’re familiar with, it’s easy to become discouraged and quit.
I’ve seen people give up right after they’ve made significant strides in freeing themselves from the muscle tension that was preventing them from moving in a way that could relieve their pain. I’ve also seen beginners leave astonished after just one class, feeling much better physically and emotionally, but then fail to return. It’s hard to believe the quiet voice that provides feedback from an amazing part of ourselves that knows where healing lies. It’s a different path, a road less traveled.
The Quick Fix
We all know the expression “quick fix” — and of course, that’s what we want. I jokingly say all the time, if there were a pill that didn’t have side effects, I’d take it. I’m thankful for the medications that have worked for me, but when it comes to chronic pain, they didn’t provide the relief I was hoping for. Is there wisdom that comes with the struggle? Absolutely.
But in today’s world, where we can get things so quickly, the preference is often for a quick solution — a shot, surgery, or anything that can get us where we want to go faster. We get on a plane on the east coast and a few hours later, we’re on the west coast. Do we enjoy the journey? Could you imagine how much more awe the explorers felt as they traveled across the country by foot and finally saw the Pacific Ocean? Their experience was likely far more impactful.
We’re in such a hurry that we don’t always take time to appreciate the journey. The Miracle Ball Method gives the body time to process, offering a chance to experience real change. It’s much easier than traveling by foot across the country, but it’s still unfamiliar to many — especially in a world that is focused on quick fixes.
Too Fast to Feel It
The difficulty with treatments that work quickly is that the body doesn’t always adapt to the changes. This approach also contradicts how the body truly works. You might feel good for a while, but eventually, your body will return to its familiar state because it doesn’t know how it got there. Often, pain in one area is a result of how you use your whole body.
The body is not a machine. While we often think that if we just replace a part or fix an issue, we’ll be good to go, chronic pain can arise from many different factors. Experiencing your body as a whole and relearning how it naturally functions is incredibly exciting. But like the actor, it often takes time. Progress is being made, but the world tells us it’s not fast enough. Your body, however, understands that the slow pace is for lasting change, and it helps rebuild confidence in your ability to move again.
After surgery or other treatments, many people become like wounded warriors. They’ve dealt with the pain and the healing, but they’re scarred by the experience. They may not move the same way or have the confidence in their body that they deserve.
That disbelief often stems from a narrative that tells us our bodies are simply machines that can be fixed by replacing parts.
A Leap of Faith
But just like Tinker Bell in Peter Pan, if you believe, you can fly. It’s a childlike belief, but many of us need to have some faith in the possibilities — some that might feel magical. These possibilities aren’t always written in a perfect book, because each of us has our own unique story. That’s why we must incorporate our personal experiences into our approach to healing.
Trust the Process and Enjoy It
What it really takes is a bit of trust — just a little. That’s all your body wants. Once you begin to trust, your body will start to provide more and more feedback, helping you understand which direction to go. But no, it’s not a pill. It’s not an injection. It’s not surgery. You will take the journey, and along the way, you may see experience improvements in yourself and your body that you weren’t expecting. Your body knows this landscape.
Join me for the next FREE WEBINAR
This Saturday March 29th at 1:30 pm ET. Finding your Leg Join