604 thoughts on “Osteoporosis – how could this happen to me?”

1. Francene, what I loved about your sharing is the love you had for your body, you took the responsibility to do something about it instead of expecting someone to fix you. Conditions, ailments or any thing that shows up in our body, doesn’t just happen over night, there is a lead up to it.

   Thank you for the inspiration, that everything is everything, and nothing happens for no reason, a beautiful confirmation that our bodies are always communicating to us.

2. I absolutely love going to the gym and exercising and have recently discovered the joy of walking on the treadmill. I take something that Serge Benhayon once said in a ‘walking therapies’ session into my walk, not just on the treadmill but everywhere I go and that is ‘let the energy lead you’. When I connect to this sentence I invariably connect with a sense of being lead and have found that it has a profound effect on the way that I walk and really makes me feel very purposeful and connected whilst I’m walking.

3. I find it incredible Francene just how blinding our pictures of ourselves and our health can be. I was absolutely convinced that my health was not only good but that it was great and that I was in amazing shape. I held onto this picture (or maybe it’s more accurate to say that this picture held onto me) until one day my supposed ‘great health’ crumbled over night and I was left in a body that felt completely depleted wondering what the hell had happened. It was then that many of my pictures about me and life started to come down and I am still continuing to take them down years later. I think that pictures about life should come with a health warning ‘warning, pictures about you and your life can seriously damage your health and your relationship with the truth’.

   1. Alexis I loved your comment, these pictures really ruin our lives and once I had an image of what my body should look like. And I worked hard at to keep that image going, often smashing my body along the way. It takes a stop moment and an offering to look inwards and review our lives with a fine tooth comb. It’s what we do with the findings is the question we need to ponder over; some awaken and some do not want the responsibility and hope that it will go away with pills and potions.

      I LOVED this statement, ‘warning: pictures about you and your life can seriously damage your health and your relationship with truth’.

4. When we look at a disease as something that only happens to a specific group of people, it’s really hard to relate to it happening to ourselves, but with an energetic understanding, it helps us to stop and review how we are living, and if needed, introduce change.

5. The marriage of conventional and esoteric medicine is entirely logical because it offers a whole-istic approach to our health and wellbeing. If we only look at conventional medicine then we abdicate responsibility for how our bodies came to need the support which in turn leaves a great pressure on the doctor or the medical profession to ‘fix’ it.

6. Definitely not an older person’s condition. I was diagnosed with Osteopenia (the pre-condition) when I was 27. This was a knock on affect from another condition that has now cleared but disregard for myself certainly played a part.

7. As we learn what it is to deeply love and care for ourselves, to feel more from our bodies, what was once unnoticeable, our accepted usual way of behaving, starts to stand out as feeling uncomfortable and often disregarding. In that, the choice to change this behaviour feels more obvious and apparent.

   1. Agreed. We have a choice about the level of awareness we have and as we deepen the relationship with our bodies, so too does it deepen the relationship with our awareness.

8. Esoteric Medicine has a wealth of wisdom regarding the specifics of how our choices impact the body, addressing those can lead to significant changes in our daily self care which can then support our body to heal.

9. There are so many ways in which we can disregard ourselves and I found that the more loving we are with ourselves the more things are revealed that are unloving.

10. We are so good at pretending that our lifestyle choices don’t impact our bodies. Of course they do and of course at some level in ourselves we know this, irrespective of how much we might try and deny it.

11. When we understand the underlying cause of any illness or disease we realise the truth that the way we have been choosing to live has an impact on our physical body.

12. Putting others above ourselves is something that is praised in our society and putting yourself first is still seen as selfish. People often have the feeling they don’t have the choice to do things differently and say no to something. One of the first things we should learn from our parents and in school is to always say no to things that are harming for your body and (how) to deeply take care of ourselves.

13. What I get from reading this blog today is that it is not about age when it comes to illness and disease. We can hold beliefs that certain illnesses and disease won’t affect us until a certain age but this is an expectation in society we/I have created. Illness and disease is caused from our movements that are not aligned and in sync with our body; it does not matter the age we are.

14. A beautiful appreciation of how we can help ourselves through exercise, diet and truly caring for ourselves, remembering too that we need to check in with ourselves on a regular basis as our diet and exercise needs constant refining.

15. It’s truly amazing to have the kind of support you had – both practical and energetic, it really does feel like all corners are being covered.

16. To walk the truth of our being is our responsibility here on earth, something I did not want to know for a long long time. Osteoporosis is the result of pushing, fitting in in what is seen as ‘normal’ a part of what we have created on this planet. When I play this game again I know how disregarding it is for my body and thus for the divine being inside me and as we are all connected this disregard is felt by all.

    1. We don’t consider ‘fitting in’ as something that could make us ill and yet I have seen many young people learn to fit in, hate it, and find coping mechanisms that are clearly indicated as a contributor to lifestyle illnesses. For me there is no doubt of the harm fitting in does.

17. It can be quite a shock to know that illness and disease are not just some random events that happen to us, but that it is the way we have been living and the choices we have been making over a period of time that is the root cause. But if we are able to allow ourselves to understand this we then have a starting point to begin to heal the condition by making different life choices.

18. It is amazing and deeply healing to be open to understanding the process of how we have ended up with a body that is reflecting illness or disease, as it allows us to the arrest, address and change the ill-momentum that we have allowed to move us. It is empowering to realise that we can make the necessary changes that will support us to return to a greater state of well-being and connection.

19. Thank you for sharing as we normally see getting a diagnosis such as you did as an unwelcome event but it is clear that you have used it, once the initial shock was past, to inspire yourself to examine where there had been disregard in your life and to work with your body to support it and move forward.

20. It is very beautiful and supportive when we embrace conventional medicine with an energetic point of view. We cannot afford to dismiss either because they both play a part in assisting our health and wellbeing.

21. This article is hitting a nerve for me tonight. Since my own experience of being diagnosed as heading towards osteoporosis, I have on a physical and practical level committed to a much more loving and regarding way of care for my body. But the nerve that it is triggering tonight is that I am now very aware that the regard that is now needing attention is for the absolute appreciation of the essence that lies deep within my body and through this appreciation in my way of living in regard of my essence has brought forward a deeper awareness of what it means to live in regard of oneself.

    1. That’s what I have felt too Leigh, I have been diagnosed with osteoporosis more then a year ago and at some point an esoteric practitioner asked me to look at my relationship with osteoporosis on a deeper level, the level of having not lived the divine being that I am, as the human body is our vehicle of expressing divinity. It is still something to go deeper with but it made me aware of the blessing this condition is, the opportunity it is offering to connect to the truth of who I am and to claim Me in every step I take.

    2. Yes Leigh, I understand. I have just been diagnosed with a thyroid condition. It came as a bit of a shock because I have been making changes regarding my expression especially during that past twelve months but these changes I have held back from choosing over many life times. I know I am to go deeper taking a greater level of self care and to not hold back in my livingness of what I know is true.

    3. I love the point you bring in, Leigh about the realization that we are all so much more than physical human beings. That actually our divine beingness and our multidimensionality is what comes first and the rest second and how we have to honor that in every aspect of our life, which also means we have to take super good care of our body.

    4. It’s the intersection of the body and the being, and how the relationship we have with our being impacts on our body.

22. Wearing hand and ankle weights while walking up and down stairs and around the house is such a simple way to bring weight bearing exercise into our lives. I can feel that by doing this for just a short time and possibly gradually building it up as it felt appropriate could be a good way to support us in preventing osteoporosis too.

23. I have Osteoporosis too and can feel how most of my life I have been in disregard of my body and not taken the deep care I now know I need to do to look after myself. Our bones are our foundations and to have Osteoporosis has shown me that I need to build a true and loving foundation and not over ride what I know is true for me, whether that means putting on a scarf when it is cold or just listening to my body and the loving messages it constantly sends me.

24. When you have the energetic understanding of the cause of any illness or disease you are met with the truth.

25. ‘How could this happen to me’ I have said this many times in the past with the various health issues I had but gaining the understanding that it was my choices that lead me to have them put the responsibility back to me, and I took it.. my health and life changed from then on resolving health problems and transforming my life.

26. Yes we can always receive any diagnosis in one of two ways, and the way that you have done it is a great choice.

27. Reading this really brought my awareness to the importance of our relationship with our body, it is an amazing reflection of our natural rhythm and as soon as we are out of step the body continues as best it can, until eventually we realise that we are literally wearing it out, and we have a responsibility to support it as best we can, meaning a change in the way we live and how we exercise.

28. Within us all beats the rhythm of life that we can either choose to move in accordance with or in discordance to. How long we spend moving either in tune or out of tune to this song will determine the level of health and vitality our bodies either sing to or cry out for.

29. I can relate to that feeling of shock when given the diagnosis but actually, I do know how I have been living, and how much I actually hold back and measure so not allow myself the fullness of what is available, and somehow I am keeping my fingers crossed to see if I can get away with it .

30. Every choice we make has an impact on our body and it is about the quality of the choice made that determines if we go with the natural flow of the energy the body is made of and that flows through us or go against it. We can do weight bearing exercises from a feeling that we have done it all wrong so now we need to make up for our disregard or from truly feeling we are worth the loving attention of the exercises and then it nourishes and heals the body/the bones.

31. Realising that that illness doesn’t just happen, that it is a result of our choices, is a great awareness to come to, and empowering to know that we can change our choices in any moment.

32. I would love to know how things are for you now. Have you been to get this checked since and seen a difference? What I found really interesting was this ‘My GP explained that bones could regenerate with weight bearing exercise and that vitamin and mineral supplements were also beneficial.’ The standard I have known since growing re bones it to have milk/dairy and calcium, not having diary in my diet for a long time (and feeling the benefits of this) I have recently found myself reflecting and asking am I getting all the nutrients I need particularly for bone health. What I love about what you have shared here is how the GP expressed to regenerate bone health all we need is the correct vitamins, minerals and weight bearing exercises. This is very cool. It has inspired me to look at this more especially having a consistency with exercise.

    1. Not too long ago I read that there is more calcium in a handful of sesame seeds than in a glass of dairy milk. The other thing with dairy is that it actually causes our blood to become slightly acidic, and our bodies then have to EXTRACT calcium from other tissue to re-balance the blood towards its more natural alkaline state. So this is actually doing the opposite thing than what we have been told about dairy, as well as the fact that all viruses, fungi, and bacteria thrive in an acidic blood environment, so the dairy actually allows these things to develop more in our body.

33. Thank you Francene, it’s wonderful that you had both medical support and the support of esoteric medicine from your Exercise Physiologist to address the underlying cause. Also noted that you were honest with yourself about the disregard, you remained open and willing to look at and heal this pattern, which is a wonderful foundation to approach health and wellbeing with.

34. This is such a lovely example of how life gives us supportive reflections (some of which we may not like) and that we can choose to react and get emotional about it, or we can choose as shared here to stay open to what is being shown and let it guide us to a deeper level of understanding, responsibility and relationship with life.

    1. Beautifully expressed Golnaz, we are given these supportive reflections all the time and it is our choice whether we pay attention and act on them or deal with the consequences of our disregard when it eventually leads to illness and disease.

35. Every choice we make has an impact on the body and that is something my body reminds me every time either with vitality and warmth or with a sore feeling and coldness. Since a few month I have my weights in the bathroom and I have build a loving rhythm in doing some light weight training and some stretches twice a day. I feel the benefit of this consistency in the strength I feel in my body and it supports my physical work as a nurse, I am less tired and much more content with my job and doing shiftwork.

    1. Thank you Annelies, it’s amazing how a small amount of time attending to our self care can positively impact our whole day.

36. Getting a diagnosis of something like osteoporosis can be a great wake up call for us to learn to truly self care.

    1. I agree Elizabeth, getting a diagnosis can be a shock at first but once we have embraced the diagnoses we open ourselves up to learn what the illness, disease or ailment is offering us. It can be a moment to deeply appreciate, a golden opportunity to heal, change and re-imprint our past movements.

37. I was drawn to this article again today and I realise that last year I had intended on doing more weight bearing exercises to help strengthen myself on many levels. Nearly a year later and I still have not started that. Thank you for this gentle reminder. I have over the last few weeks started a new exercise programme for myself so it will not be difficult to add some weights to the session. I know several people with osteoporosis and feel that there is much we can do to prevent this and weight bearing exercise is one such activity.

38. For a while now I have been feeling to do some more impact exercise, I walk every day but my body is feeling like something more strengthening, this blog has inspired me to get up and do just that.

39. Lovely to be able to share in your experience of bringing energetic integrity to exercise.

40. I was 51 when I had a diagnosis that shocked me to my bones. How could this have happened? Looking over my life and the part of my body that was affected I soon discovered that my behaviours, my choices, had allowed this condition to develop in my body. When I did this I had more understanding and compassion for myself and the initial reactions of disbelief, sadness and hopelessness, of frustration and anger, of failure and guilt and shame began to subside. I went to a healer in Brazil and although some symptoms disappeared the ill energy in my body was suppressed and not cleared. It was not till a few years later, when I came across Serge Benhayon that a true clearing took place. My lifestyle has been through several changes since then and now, having attended Universal Medicine presentations and Practitioners for several years I feel healthier, lighter and more vibrant than ever.

41. “The diagnosis of osteoporosis inspired me to have a more caring regard for myself and for my body, and also to appreciate how conventional medicine and an understanding that our bodies are energy can work together for the benefit of us all.” beautifully expressed Francene. The combination of both western medicine with the esoteric brings so many benefits. If we don’t deal with the root cause energetically it is no surprise that symptoms may return.

42. A great blog to bring our awareness to how our choices effect our health, and how when we go against our natural rhythm there has to be a correction.

43. It makes sense that if the body has a natural flow to its movements and through our choices we move in opposition to this, imposing an unnatural way upon it, that the impact of this disregard could result in a diagnosis that could leave us unsettled. It is beautiful however that at these times, there are those that can support us to recognize how we are the end result of our choices and empower and inspire us to correct them in line with what is true for our bodies.

44. There is so much to appreciate what our body lovingly shows us, Francene you embraced this and through your care for your self your body responded. Such wisdom does the body bring.

45. Getting the diagnose of osteoporosis was a shock for me too. This morning after a beautiful session with an esoteric practitioner who asked me about my relationship with osteoporosis I sat with myself and connected to my bones, I realised I never did this as it seemed impossible to connect at such a deep level in my body. It brought up the deep disregard of not living what I know is true, not bringing my all to the world. Osteoporosis offers me the chance to heal a deeply ingrained pattern and to surrender to the light of the universe which is in me as it is equal in all of us.

    1. Annelies what’s powerful here in your comment is that you felt the truth behind your disregard for yourself, and it came from your own body.

46. This article is a great example of what may be hidden or us not being aware of ills within the body, that have yet to come to the surface. After re-reading this article I can relate to putting others first and overriding my own feelings which I have discovered is an old pattern.

47. It is never too late to start taking care of ourselves in a deeper sense. In fact, self care is a neverending path in which we bring more awareness to our past and current choices. Only from that awareness we are able to change what is hurting us.

48. This is a classic example of how conventional Medicine and complementary Medicine can go hand in hand to reveal the truth of what is going on. It also shows that what ever disregard we have been in, has a way of catching up on us.

49. Whatever is revealed through the physical body is the blessing we receive that invites us to arrest the ill-energy that has been in control.

50. There are many aspects to our bodies that go beyond the physicality that we all know. And so, to truly heal the body we also must take into consideration the being and the other energetic aspects that are moving the body. You have highlighted just how valuable working in unison with conventional medicine and esoteric medicine is, to understand the energy behind our dis-ease, and be supported by a team of highly skilled practitioners when we undertake the corrections that are needed to bring true healing to the body.

51. Many of us will be in for some rude awakenings so to speak… Even if we have been ‘on the path’ for a long time… We all are the sum result of the consequences of all our choices… And this is also where Universal Medicine comes to the fore… in its ongoing support for all of us in whatever stage we are at.

52. The bones feel like the foundation or solid structure within the body and for them to be affected by deep disregard makes so much sense. I have allowed living in over-drive, with the intent on gaining recognition and praise, control my life to the degree that this foundation has also been robbed. The body is amazingly wise and the outcome of osteoporosis has also supported me to choose a very different living way.

53. When we recover from the initial shock we can work with the body and heal a pattern that has been there for a long time, life or lives long and then we can see it as a blessing and no longer as something that is done to us or we have to beat ourselves up for.

54. ‘The next morning I decided to exercise with ‘regard’ for myself and see what this felt like. I started by walking down stairs with intention and focusing on the soles of my feet. I felt an amazing surge of energy up my legs and spine.’ I am becoming more aware of just how much disregard I have treated myself with and it feels so confirming to approach exercise with ‘regard’ for myself. A deeper level of appreciation for my body and the enormous support it offers me.

55. It is awesome that you have chosen to be inspired by your osteoporosis diagnosis to take deeper care of yourself and your body. Thank you I can relate to having an image of myself as a ‘healthy’ person but am also aware of the level of disregard that I have allowed for many years so feeling to explore how I could support myself more with an exercise programme.

56. As much as conventional medicine supports the body a true healing cannot occur without addressing the energy that created the illness or disease in the first place. Taking responsibility and making changes to the way we are with ourselves in our daily living can make all the difference to our health and wellbeing.

57. “How could this happen to me”? This is the question we all ask ourselves after a diagnosis of an illness or disease that we were not expecting to hear we have! We are fortunate to have truly wonderful Practitioners who offer ongoing support to us if we are open to this. There is the need for us to give our all to looking after ourselves first and then others. This may at first seem selfish but I have learnt that this is not the case!

58. It’s true, we do get shocked when we discover we have a potentially intractable or hard-to-reverse condition. Probably because deep down, we’ve known all along where we are headed but with our spirits forefront we’ve cruised on the knowledge we are immortal and are coming back. But ah – what kind of body will we be coming back to? We don’t leave the imprints and impressions of our past lives behind and get a ‘clean slate’: when we return, they travel forward with us like the grooves in a vinyl record, ready to be replayed. Unless of course we get aware of the game being played and, in our current life accept and understand what our bodies are showing us and begin to arrest and address the momentums we are in – begin to cut ourselves a new record.

59. Thank you for your insight here. I am recovering from an illness and have not been able to exercise for a few weeks, I have noticed how my body has lost a bit of its vitality. I had started doing some connective tissue exercises but I can now see how important it is to get back to slowly building a new routine into my rhythm and my body. Thank you for the inspiration.

60. I hate that feeling when you know your choices have hurt your body, sometimes we need quite a good shake up to start making choices that really care for our body and everything it has to do for us.

61. ‘Also that osteoporosis didn’t just ‘happen to me’, that I had played a part in this with my choices. For example, putting others before myself, undervaluing myself, overriding my own instincts, ignoring when I was tired or even not dressing to be warm enough.’ I can relate to all your examples, and when I read this I question how hard can we be for ourselves and not listening to what our body is sharing with us. We need to thank the body for the stop it has to create in order for us to make different, more loving and caring choices from a deep knowing that we are innately love. Something for myself to truly tick in and not only ticking the boxes when it comes to care and nurture myself.

62. “The diagnosis of osteoporosis inspired me to have a more caring regard for myself and for my body.” Any form of illness, whether it be minor or severe, is a wake-up and as to the care and healing required.

63. We take our body for granted and don’t realise the harm it causes our body when we are living in disregard. What is disregard? people will say. What I have come to learn is that it as simple as washing hands in really hot or really cold water, not wearing gloves when washing the dishes. Working bare feet on hard surfaces. All these little things are considered as disregard.

64. The gift that can come through illness or being unwell is an opportunity to review the past and see how we have been living, and whether there is an opportunity for greater self-care.

65. Why is it we wait for a serious diagnosis, before we are willing to stop and admit that the way we are in life is not right? It’s like sitting an exam then hoping that the results get lost in the post – and meanwhile carrying on with old answers even though in our heart we know they are wrong. What is it about us, that doesn’t get that we don’t get away with anything at all? And why don’t we simply embrace learning, growing and being ourselves, magnificent in all? In holding back and letting things slide I can see Francene we are always guaranteed an unpleasant ‘surprise’, whilst ‘going for it’ in life, you never know what joy you might find.

66. Francene, your story goes to show that we can disregard our bodies in many different ways – this one was new to me. Looking after ourselves can come in many different ways, very cool for you to share how it is for you.

67. I understand the shock. I was 30 when I was diagnosed with Osteopenia, the precursor to Osteoporosis. Now, that seemed outrageous to me, and also confirmed that dairy prevented this disease of the bones was an absolute lie. My mother, who is French and grew up on dairy and who ate copious amounts of yogurt also has osteoporosis. More confirmation that there is more going on in our bodies that the food we ingest.

68. It is a shock to discover previously unforeseen health conditions, especially if there’s been a bit of a dream run on the health front. Their root cause/s however should not (if we’re honest with ourselves) be too surprising… and therefore we should not be, in truth, shocked at all.

69. Great blog Francene, taking responsibility for our choices and accepting how they affect our body, gives us an understanding that by changing the choices we make, we can change the extent that osteoporosis affects our body. Simply making loving choices is a great starting point.

70. The way we live, our choices all have a big impact on our health. To choose to be love in full and be loving in everything we do and are will support us and our health.

71. We can all learn from this, it is inspiring that after a diagnosis you decided to take your health into your own hands. I guess one better than this would be to take our health into our own hands just because we love and care for ourselves so deeply.

72. Being diagnosed with osteoporosis is indeed a huge wake up call Francene; a call to deepen the quality of care we have for ourselves, and thus for others. I am inspired by your commitment to caring for yourself with tenderness and reverence.

73. A great sharing in that any illness or dis-ease doesn’t just happen to us it is a build up of accumulated choices, un-dealt with emotions and disregard. Something for me to reflect on. Thank you.

    1. So true Vicky, illness or dis-ease just doesn’t just happen, it is a build up of accumulated choices where we have lived in disregard. Our body is so intelligent in how it works and how it notifies us of everything that does not feel true, it is us that ignores all the signs and continue to indulge.

74. When we ask the question ‘how can this have happened to me?’ we can choose how far to go with it. Do we look at it on a purely physical level or are we willing to go deeper as Francene has done and look at the energetic root cause to bring a true healing to ourselves?

75. How beautiful you are building a new foundation of love for your body and I can relate to feeling energised, more vital and steady when I have exercised with weights and all, my body is so grateful when it builds and feels its strength.It always confirms me in being the gorgeous woman I am

76. Arresting Osteoporosis for me is making a deeper level of commitment to myself. I can partake in the surface self care activities, however on a deeper level it is in truly committing to my relationship with myself and falling in love with the woman I am, caring for her with deep intimacy and reverence.

    1. That certainly does bring a whole new level to the focus we have when we do the exercise and any self-care activities. Thanks bernadetteglass.

77. “making choices that went against the natural and easy flow of the energy in my body could have an impact.”
    Reading this I had a moment where I was about to dismiss it as it seems impossible to actually live constantly. Then I stopped and accepted that that thought was a choice. Very revealing in how it seemed to make a living truth ‘too hard’. Or my choice can be to acknowledge, accept and surrender to the natural flow of my body.

78. This is a healing to read. To see how it is possible to be with these diseases and understand that there are many levels of healing that can be on offer. Loving our bodies is so important and it really does support us.

79. How refreshing it is to find medical support for your body that takes into account how you live in conjunction with the recovery and healing process.

80. ‘Why did this happen to me?” When we understand the cause and effect of the energy in the way we live it becomes very clear that we know the truth. Living in disregard to our being and the call of our body to take loving care of ourselves this will inevitably weaken the structure, our bones.

81. Osteoporosis is a very prevalent condition in the general population. One has to learn to maximize his quality of life by finding ways to live with this condition.

82. Yes Bryony, it is the absolute honesty that supports us to grow and sometimes it may be uncomfortable but I know that I have to face and accept truth if I want to evolve and be a greater light that is naturally within me to live.

83. I am finding it very supportive to be open to the way in which I exercise and not have a picture of what I should be doing. I used to exercise to lose weight and while I am aware of this thought which can enter occasionally I am learning to listen to what my body needs at that time that will support it eg. a swim, gentle stretches or maybe a brisk walk with the intention to honour and look after my body.

84. Thank you for sharing this, its great to understand the energetic side of osteoporosis and how it comes from disregard. We get so caught up in the physical side of why we might get the condition without understanding there is more. It’s great to have the understanding of both and be able to make choices to support the both. So in truth osteoporosis can come at any age if we live in disregard, something for all of us to work on.

85. I too was surprised with my diagnosis of osteoporosis having always lived a healthy lifestyle with lots of exercise, however I can relate to the fact that I have at the same time been disregarding of my body – ouch. Now, I am learning to be honouring, tender and nurturing with my body which brings a whole new way of being with myself.

86. “How could this happen to me?” is usually the first question that people ask themselves in a mixture of shock and disbelief when they discover they have an illness or condition, however, the penny seems to drop when they get over the initial shock and take a good, hard and very honest look at the choices they have been making and how they have been living.

87. Thank you for writing this as it makes perfect sense and has inspired me to get a check done for myself as I am 56 years old, and have always thought it was something you get in your 70’s. Makes you wonder how many women have it and never find out until they fall over.

88. I appreciate how the body is forever loving to us in asking us to live a deeper love for ourselves. Every message the body imparts is for us to change our movements to deepen self-love. Every choice of disregard is collapsing the foundation we build with ourselves, that, which is our relationship to ourselves.

89. I can understand the shock! I was diagnosed with osteoporosis’ precursor, osteopenia at the early age of 30!! How on earth was that possible? But possible it is, as is absolutely everything. We take our bodies for granted and forget that they require a quality of care of the highest degree. After living what I believed to be a pretty healthy life, I’m 35, and have a number of conditions that I never expected to have. This has been a wake up call to really look at just how much attention I place on myself and my body. It turns out, living to support others does not support you, but living to support you first naturally supports others. Just had it the wrong way round. Simple to flip and try again.

90. If we take note of any signs our body may give us – and take appropriate steps to truly heal – illness and disease can be used as an opportunity to deepen our connection with ourselves, after wondering ‘why me?’ – which may be our first reaction. We are more than just pure function.

91. Our bones are the foundation of our physical body. They are quite simply what hold us together. By living in such a way that we are in disregard to our physicality in that we allow our mind and emotions to drive us, we create a separation between body and mind that causes a wobble in the otherwise solid structure that is there to support us. By re-connecting to our body by way of simple exercises in which we are able to remain consciously present, we open up the communication channels once again so that the universal intelligence that flows through us can do so unencumbered.

    It does not take rocket science to heal the human body and the at times wayward being that runs it, it only takes one simple choice and then the consistent living of it. Our ability to live our love whole-heartedly is the greatest medicine there is, all other forms of medicine will simply support the body to come back into line while this love is being lived.

    1. “Our bones are the foundation of our physical body. They are quite simply what hold us together.” I love that Liane as I was not fully able to grasp from the blog how disregard would relate to osteoporosis but now I understand. When we move in disregard I noticed we keep many things unfinished for instance letting doors or drawers ‘close themselves’, not being present with what we do and moving without being present all contributes to our bones ‘falling apart’ too. It may sound a bit silly, but it really makes sense. Our body needs us to be present with it and that confirms its solidness.

92. ‘The diagnosis of osteoporosis inspired me to have a more caring regard for myself and for my body, and also to appreciate how conventional medicine and an understanding that our bodies are energy can work together for the benefit of us all.’ Our energetic make-up is undeniable and cannot be ignored in our health treatments.

93. A great lesson in diligence, and always checking our health.

94. I realise it’s time to be much more gentle with my body. This can be in my thoughts too. I give myself way too much of a hard time, and this hardness is physically displayed in my body and how I think about and treat myself. To note I too have had warning signs of osteoporosis – I could ignore it and say oh it’s something that’s just happened to me, or I could stop and take more deep loving care of myself and in particular my body.

95. “conventional medicine and an understanding that our bodies are energy can work together for the benefit of us all.” This is a ‘wholistic’ approach, in the true sense of the word.

96. Francene thank you for sharing your developing awareness and journey with Osteoporosis and bringing care, love and self regard into your life. Having the energetic understanding of the body and illness presented by Serge Benhayon is key to being able to work with your part in the healing process, this I too have found, enabling me to bring much change and turn around to my health problems.

97. Learning that osteoporosis is about disregard is an eye opener. One day the medical profession will want to know more about causation of diseases. The marriage of western medicine with Universal Medicine and Esoteric Healing brings profound results – not just the treating of symptoms.

98. it usually takes the shock of a diagnosis, the wake-up call that has actually been calling for many years…to heed the message that the body is offering – that there is a way to live that is in harmony with ourselves and with all, or there is a way to ‘live’, that might feed an illusion of harmony, but is deeply entrenching a false existence, one that is unsustainable and that must one day be corrected and brought back to the truth.

99. To come to the understanding “that osteoporosis didn’t just ‘happen to me’, that I had played a part in this with my choices” certainly shines a light on the fact that lifestyle choices are becoming the biggest cause of illness and disease in today’s society. If we were educated to understand the impact of our every choice on the quality of our body and our lives, we would all naturally know that any illness and disease just doesn’t happen to us, but simply because of the way we have chosen to live and the way we treat our body.

100. I find it fascinating that even though Francene Cartaar was taking sweet care of herself, with the gentle walking and stretching, her body still wanted more. I can relate to this feeling of wanting to be precious and going all the way to extremes with trying to honour it, when really, preciousness and fragility are actually very strong and can handle just about anything.

101. It is inspiring to hear people talk about illness and disease with this openness and responsibility. It gives us all the opportunity to look at where we are dismissing the signs and symptoms our bodies flag up and consider the trajectory of this if we ignore them long term. It is also super refreshing not to hear any blame or self berating, simply curiosity and a willingness to learn. Thank you.

102. I love the point about you having an exercise routine and realising that it needed to develop and change… this inspires me to consider where I am doing things out of habit rather than with an awareness of what my body needs now. An inspiration to freshen up and refine routines on an ongoing basis.

103. Thanks to the understanding that everything is energy first before it is physical, it makes perfect sense that these focused and gentle movements, executed with presence and attentiveness, are having an enormous effect on your well-being and vitality.

104. Illness and disease is more and more being connected to the way we live and the way we treat ourselves. This can even be do we judge or criticise ourselves, do we put others first etcetera or how much do we really love and accept ourselves?

105. I am so interested to keep reading in these blogs that the moment Serge explains what a particular underlying cause for an illness is brings no surprise to the person who receives the information. It is like the person totally understands and is almost relieved to be told.

106. Your approach to your diagnosis, to seek deeper and look back at your life thus far, and then to commit in full not only to the recommended lifestyle adjustments, but also the quality it is done in – not in fear and a need to get better but a care for yourself.

107. I look forward to the day where western medicine and esoteric medicine (which brings in the energetic awareness) are much more available to humanity. But the world would need to be ready to take more responsibility for itself and is it ready to do that?

108. There are so many positive steps we can take on being diagnosed with Osteoporosis and from my own experience I would say that the simple act of moving and bone loading with care for your body is such a positive first step to take. It is a little concerning to think of how many young children are not now getting enough bone strengthening moves into their bodies in their youth and the impact this may have on bone health as they get older, might we be looking at an epidemic of weak bones and osteoporosis at a much younger age in the not too distant future.

109. We are so used to the abuse of the body that we are lacking markers for self-love, let alone love. One of the great services of Serge Benhayon is to be an accessible reflection for love and to reawake our awareness for true love – who we are.

110. Thank you Francene, I always find it so very humbling and inspiring when I hear of how someone embraces an illness and disease, and changes it from something to dread to an opportunity to grow and evolve.

111. ‘How could this have happened to me?’ This is a common reaction when we get such news but if we look back over our life as you did Francene, we can see the trail of choices leading to where we are now and if we are prepared to take responsibility and change our ways we can often turn around an illness or condition or certainly reduce its affect. However, the main thing is not to aim for a cure but to use it as a marker of how we have lived and as a wake-up call for us to start afresh in a new way. Many people have said how their disease was a blessing in disguise as it put a stop to their old ways and brought back a quality of life that can be there even if we are dying.

112. When we work with the underlying cause of any illness, we offer our body a medicinal remedy that is healing, and not simply a solution or management of symptoms.

113. I am in my mid thirties and in good health. I have to be careful not to go into invincibility which can be so easy to do. I am in good health and I can ride on this. But that doesn’t give me the right to not care and continually deepen my care for my body. Your blog Francene is a great wake up call.

114. It is interesting to look why we hold ideas like “I held a perception that osteoporosis only occurred in ‘older’ women who did not look after themselves.” and consider ourselves separated from that.

115. The more you look after yourself, the less you are able to fool yourself. It’s a beautiful aspect of Esoteric Medicine that to have symptoms is not seen as a failure, but as a discarding of ill energy of the body.

116. With an understanding of the underlying energetic causes of Osteoporosis, we get not just a diagnosis but a direction towards greater awareness of our choices that has led to the condition – and with applying loving honesty we can start to see and feel the different choice that is there for us, and that can support our body to restore itself to wholeness once more. What you have shared shows the true healing that is on offer to us in everything.

117. Our body could be given a nickname: “the humble-maker”!

118. In my experience of the medical systems currently available in my country, treatments usually involve several techniques to stop symptoms, with rarely enough time or resources available to truly address the underlying causes of the ill conditions. Again, in my experience, this approach, although very well intended, can leave a patient feeling somewhat disempowered, and, as I have seen, sometimes this can also lead to a loss of trust in one’s own body.
     With energetic awareness however, supporting the person to heal at the root of the illness, while conventional medicine works on the physical symptoms, there can be whole unified approach that brings an end to that condition and allows that person, who ever they are, to begin again and have a life after disease that is flourishing and vital.

119. Yesterday I met another person who has been diagnosed with osteoporosis. It seems that many people I know in the over sixties age range have had this news. But just because we are in our sixties and over doesn’t mean we should accept osteoporosis as a given especially if it is related to how we care for ourselves. And it is never too late to change and put into place a more caring and healthily supportive life style for ourselves. Having read your article I was able to suggest some light weights for ankles and or wrists which was welcomed by this friend who, now that he has his vitamin D levels up and considered normal, has been dismissed by the doctor. I feel it would benefit him to read this article which is short and to the point and would be great to have in any doctor’s waiting room.

120. Thank you for sharing and it is inspiring to feel how you are appreciating what the diagnosis has shown you and are embracing taking deeper care of yourself and accessing all the support you need.

121. Our body reflects how we are with it. So simple, so straightforward and no mucking about. If we are hard, driven and override our bodies’ needs, it brings about wear and tear which produces a dis-ease in the body. I know this because I have lived it and it is one of the greatest gifts we can give ourselves is to be more in and with our bodies and listen to the incredible wisdom it shares with us.

122. As you say, Francene, disease and illness do not just come from nowhere. They are connected to the way that we live and how we treat ourselves. We might for example physically look after ourselves but if we constantly criticize ourselves, put ourselves down, put others before us etc then we are providing the fuel for illness and disease to develop.

     1. Elizabeth I completely agree, however I used to think i was just victim to whatever has made me sick, whereas today it’s clear that people don’t just get sick, we live in a way that contributes to our illness and disease. Not rocket science but something most of us avoid looking at at all costs.

123. Isn’t it incredible that illness and disease is actually an opportunity to take deeper care of our body.

     1. In the sense of periods stopping, osteoporosis, sprained ankles, for example are all stop moments being offered to us to stop living in momentum, rushing about, doing a millions things at once, putting other people first, for example where a mum will put her kids and husband before her own feelings and wellbeing – someone today described it as ‘burnt toast’ as in I’ll have the burnt toast – whilst everyone else eats the unburnt ones – and not taking deep care of ourselves.

124. Bringing an understanding, both medically and energetically, is so essential to healing when diagnosed with a disease such as Osteoporosis. Thank you Francene for supporting us to deepen our awareness and understanding of this.

125. If we listen to our bodies we will be told everything that we need to know. The question/choice then becomes what we do with those messages and whether we have the commitment and responsibility to follow through with the truth that our bodies have given us.

126. This blog makes it clear that there is so much more to health and well-being than diagnosis and drugs management, but rather the possibility of a deep respectful loving relationship with ourselves that can help to restore wholeness, and with that our quality of life and relationships with all others can transform.

127. It is fascinating how much our 1st response is often to look outside of ourselves with the ‘why me?’, rather than go, ‘Ok why me? How have I been living?’ Then when we do this we are given everything and can truly change the way we are living and see it as a blessing rather than a curse.

128. There is such a claiming I could feel in this blog, that you were not satisfied with just being a victim to what was occurring for you, but looking within, taking responsilbity for past choices and being ok with what was presenting for you.

129. It can be all too easy to say – why me? But as you shared, when we stop and consider the underlying movements that have lead us to the present moment often we can find that we can see where our way of living may have actually caused the ill.

130. Any diagnosis of illness or disease can be scary to receive – and with osteoporosis we often get left with a fear of broken bones and the consequences from this. However, once we have a greater understanding of the situation and how the body works, as well as the energetics behind it, then it can be a beautiful thing to work with, and if we take it on board, it can open up a whole new way of being and living, as you have so beautifully shared Francene.

131. A lack of commitment to life may not have much of an effect on the body over the course of a day or two. But if you add it up over months, years and decades clearly it does. Your post shows how important it is to take responsibility, to choose what is best and most loving for us. Thank you for this reminder.

132. I like what you share here Francene, I consider that with any illness or disease our role in it must not be underestimated. But also that this is a very positive thing, for it means that if we evaluate how we have been living we can address this and change what has not been supporting us. In doing this we may or may not be able to reverse the illness, but it does give us a great chance to improve our wellbeing and create more vital energised bodies.

133. Living in disregard is easy when we allow ourselves to be directed by our minds – we are affected by what other people say, especially if they are deemed to be ‘experts’, or we think we have to drive ourselves to work harder in order to be like our colleagues. But everyone is different, and driving our bodies beyond what they are naturally able to do is likely to lead to injury. Lifting heavy weights, for example, just because I can, doesn’t mean I should if it puts my back out, whereas a strong man can lift a heavy box as if it were a feather. I’m learning to work within my limits and ask for help.

134. I agree Francene the marriage of Western and Esoteric Medicine has been pivotal support for me understanding and living with osteoporosis. I had a wonderful appointment with a professor of Endocrinology the other day. My doctor suggested the referral based on new information available and how this professor’s approach could be very supportive. I was so pleasantly blown away by his approach and what was shared. Basically with the information he had at hand (further test will be done to confirm 100% there is nothing else to be revealed) he advised that for my age, and other basic physiological factors my bone density is where it should be to support me, if tests were run on a similar peer group I’d be ok. However the test are measured on everyone and we are not all genetically the same. What he did say is my bone density is perfect to carry me around, but if I was to do heavy lifting, jerky movements etc. that would be a different story. He was confirming that living in disregard for who I am innately could cause an issue. Honoring our innate qualities of who we are in our essence goes a long way to supporting our true health and vitality I’m discovering, thanks to the marriage of both these very fine and supporting Medicines we have available.

135. I love the fact that the body does not lie. We think we get away with things such as living a life of disregard but we don’t. The world would look quite different if we actually loved and cherished ourselves.

136. Why wait till we get a diagnosis ? There is so much we can do for ourselves in the way we go about our daily lives. Having adequate exercise is one such support we can easily say yes to, even if it means getting up a tad earlier, it has to be worth it. The way we walk sit and generally move our bodies can also come from a deeper place of care continually so. I am forever pulling myself up as I realise I have gone back into slouching or walking with my head as in letting thoughts be my focus and not my body. Weight bearing exercise and stretching are areas that are often overlooked as is cardio vascular fitness; all areas that can so easily be put to one side as we get into our sixties and are encouraged to slow down and take it easy.

137. A diagnosis of Osteoporosis can be scary because it indicates the risk of broken bones, and the fear of breaking a hip or worse, the spine, can be enough to bring us up short. But it is an invisible disease, hidden, we are not aware of it without a bone density scan and if we are not careful, can continue living that disregard until a break happens. It is so easy to live in a way that takes no notice of our body’s signals until we are brought to a complete stop. Taking steps to nurture and nourish ourselves and being more tender with our bodies will help and gentle weight-bearing exercises can support us further.

138. Like you Gill being diagnosed with Osteoporosis has allowed me to question how I really am with myself, and is asking me to look at the changes I can make to be more loving towards myself, in a way that really supports my body. Like you there is a history of osteoporosis in the family and I am willing to do what is necessary to halt the disregard I have had in being less than loving with myself.

139. Bringing gentle connected exercise into our life is truly supportive, how great that you chose to introduce exercise with regard for yourself Francene.

140. As I have always considered my body and what it has been telling me, I now appreciate how energy works and the role I play in everything I do. Years ago my body had to virtually yell at me before I would listen! Now I am much more aware thanks to the presentations by Serge Benhayon. So when I combine listening to my body with bringing in the energetic factor, along with a balanced eating and supplementation program and simple exercise, my body tells me how to be in many and varied situations.

141. Until I heard the presentations from Serge Benhayon, I had very little regard for my body, it was a functioning tool to allow me to do the things I wanted to do.Through these presentations I am learning to understand how much we abuse our bodies when we disregard them, and just how much we expect our bodies to toe the line and do as we ask without any real consideration for what we are demanding. Osteoporosis is the end result of this disregard and not something that just comes along as a consequence of old age.

142. How key this is Francene to bringing true healing to the body. Unless we become aware of irresponsibility in our choices and way of living we can only bring a temporary fix as a solution. By understanding that all ‘conditions and issues’ are energetic before manifesting in the physical, it is possible to address the energetic causes and bring deeper awareness and true nurturing to the body. ‘Miracles’ occur from restoring harmony to the body and thus the body can respond and reconfigure itself.
     “Also that osteoporosis didn’t just ‘happen to me’, that I had played a part in this with my choices. For example, putting others before myself, undervaluing myself, overriding my own instincts, ignoring when I was tired or even not dressing to be warm enough”.

143. “Also that osteoporosis didn’t just ‘happen to me’, that I had played a part in this with my choices.” – This surely is a great step in healing and an empowering one too, to acknowledge that we do impact our health with our choices.

144. Francene,
     What you share here is such valuable information, for osteoporosis is a world wide epidemic. I personally have begun to find it very interesting as to just how there needs to be a concerted choice to stay fully “in” my hips. Serge Benhayon has shared with us all that “our hips hold consciousness”. What I am beginning to discover is if I don’t choose what consciousness I have in my hips, they fill very quickly with a consciousness that thrives on disregard, doubt, put downs and the like. Very tenderly with the utmost love for my body, I can now choose to be fully in it and focus on being in my hips. This makes such a difference to my thoughts and to how I care for myself, it is much more difficult to disregard my body when I am fully present with it.

145. Reading your blog again Francene about weight bearing exercises has made me aware that this is something I should now consider. Up until about 6 or 8 months ago I was doing exercises with weights and I feel that it is time to start them again. I have been doing more stretches lately and while they keep me supple, I feel I may need more than this to support the osteoporosis I have in my spine and hip and a general thinning of the bones.

146. I love this “The diagnosis of osteoporosis inspired me to have a more caring regard for myself and for my body, and also to appreciate how conventional medicine and an understanding that our bodies are energy can work together for the benefit of us all.” This is exactly what is supportive and truly healing about bringing things together to work with truth.

147. It is amazing how much we can react to a diagnosis rather than stop and look at what it is telling us. After all nothing happens just because we were in the wrong place – everything happens for a reason and is ultimately happening for us to see what we need to see so we can return back to the love we are from. We are never punished – we only irresponsibly allow ourselves at times to think we are.

148. The reality of what was actually causing the osteoporosis is very interesting: “For example, putting others before myself, undervaluing myself, overriding my own instincts, ignoring when I was tired or even not dressing to be warm enough.” This is worlds away from what the accepted medical science tells us, yet it seems to be what caused the condition according to Francene and her energetic physiologist. This also helps me understand what is going on within chronic ‘irretrractable’ health conditions and why nothing shifts without the input and remedy of the energetic causes from how we have lived.
     Brilliant service Francene that you shared this with us all.

149. When I entered the world of energy or truth-fully gave attention to the truth of everything is because of energy, my relationship with how I interact with myself first and then others has changed dramatically. My oldest feelings about my / our interactions with others have always considered the effect my actions would have on another. By attending the presentations by Serge Benhayon who introduced me to the fact that if everything is energy as has been confirmed, that therefore ‘everything is because of energy,’ I now have a understanding of what and how energy affects me!

150. Great awareness from this blog, that if we are in disregard how we can affect our body. Bringing love, care and gentle exercise to build the body and support the body with awareness can support building a stronger and more vital body.

151. I can very much relate to this ‘overriding my own instincts, ‘ and attest to this fact that Osteoporosis energetically comes from living in disregard, I have lived this and had a warning of Osteoporosis – reading this blog is another wake up call. It’s incredibly supportive to understand the energetic root cause behind illness or disease and the fact we can work hand in hand, and one day naturally it will be, that we work with equally with our daily choices, how we live, responsibility and energy alongside the wisdom and the knowledge of a doctor, nurse, health care practitioner or with hospital staff to support us. Everyone will ask first what energy are you in / were you in ? It will be normal to go into a doctors and talk about energy.

152. When we understand a diagnoses from an energetic understanding it is very empowering and takes fear and the unknown away. Serge Benhayon is Awesome and rocks at being able to do this. It is something we can all do it is just a matter to what energy we are connected to in order to clearly read the truth of a diagnoses and why we have it. It would be lovely to get an update from you in how your exercises are going and your level of love for yourself deepening. For me I currently seem to fall down on the consistency with exercise I was consistent months ago and then when things changed in my life (holiday, moving, change of routine) this stopped, ultimately I guess it comes down to how much do I love myself to care and look after my body with what supports it …. always work in progress! 😆

153. Whenever we experience ill health it is always an opportunity to care more deeply for ourselves, I love that you went looking for a deeper connection to yourself through exercise and movement, the healing of this can surely not be underestimated but seems rarely mentioned in a medical context. It being not only the movement itself but the way we move that is of so much value to our wellbeing.

154. Francene, your blog is a good demonstration of how a medical condition can actually be a blessing to help us see the ill choices we made and we can then begin to establish a more loving way of living. Even if the condition does not change we will have changed the quality in which we live which will not just affect us but all others around us. The condition then serves as a reminder and if we do not fight it the symptoms do not affect us so much, especially if we are willing to accept it knowing the part we played in its creation.

155. ‘How could this have happened to me?’ Many of us ask this question when we are diagnosed with an illness or disease and yet somewhere inside we have known all along that something is not right but we have not been willing to look at it nor to take responsibility for the fact that we have caused it by the ill choices we made. Once we stop blaming we empower ourselves to open to healing.

156. I recently realised that I’ve been measuring my self worth mostly on my output, yet have been fooling myself with ‘being a good man’, yet as I wasn’t connected to my body – I’ve been fooling myself and the world with niceness, yet feeling empty and heady and with that quite heavy for a long time. And what I’m realising is that most people around me ‘play this game’. Now as I’m writing this, I’m laughing as to me this is ridiculous in the sense that we’re so busy acting being a good person, yet we’re missing the one thing we are actually desperately looking for: LOVE – the only true medicine and remedy to illness and disease as is so greatly illustrated in this blog. Disregard… Who would ever thought that our hurts and emotions are the cause of any illness or disease.

     1. Refreshing comment Floris, as I can relate to all you say and I am having a chuckle to myself as I write this. My feeling is I still have disregard to work on and also letting go of ‘being a good man’. I agree, bring on the ‘LOVE’ with deepening overtones from my soul.

157. It is very easy to live in disregard for our bodies because they can still function no matter how much we abuse them, but, as you have found, there is always a reckoning. It’s up to us to choose to take better care before it’s too late and also to consider what similar problems could manifest in our next life…

158. Our ill-ness and dis-ease is just that, our separation from our natural state of being, inviting us to discard what is truly not our natural way of being and come into harmony with the body and life.

159. Thanks Francene this is a great blog about taking responsibility for our healing. Conventional Medicine is great at helping us deal with the symptoms we are facing. Universal Medicine is brilliant at supporting us reconnect to our bodies, regain our trust in our inner awareness and deepen our understanding of the impact of our life choices. And nothing can beat us starting to live that deeper connection in our lives, greater level of personal care, honouring and working closely with the wisdom and intelligence offered through our body.

160. Thank you Francene for the loving reminder to stay absolutely connected when supporting my body with exercise (and every other moment). It’s easy to slip in to a function mode when ‘doing’ exercise. But it isn’t the time or the repetitions it’s the re-connecting to the movement and letting the muscles and bones feel they are equally as valuable and part of the whole of me, with deep regard to the best of my ability. Releasing old patterns and momentums of any disregard that may be held that actually I can feel use up the energy that is truly needed to support the strength of my bones and muscles. In other words I am claiming back what I already am with a loving re-connection.

161. What you share here Francine is how we deepen our learning so much from an illness. I can certainly relate to the heavy feeling of wanting to blame myself for this illness, but when we consider we are turning around a very long time of disregarding our bodies, we are now making the changes for the rest of our future by caring for ourselves more. I love simple gentle exercises working with the body to support it.

162. I really love what you have shared here Francene, I have been feeling slightly weak and not truly vital in my body of late. The fact that I have been doing little exercise other than gentle walks and my body has been sharing with me that this isn’t enough, that strength training is what is really required. So reading your blog has been very timely and very inspiring so thank you.

163. Universal Medicine provides a kind of wisdom that doesn’t enhance our mind, but truly supports our body. It’s from there that I have learned to access wisdom from the same source in my own life.

164. “The diagnosis of osteoporosis inspired me to have a more caring regard for myself and for my body, and also to appreciate how conventional medicine and an understanding that our bodies are energy can work together for the benefit of us all.” I have been diagnosed with osteoporosis in my spine, and I am learning how much stretching and exercising support this in keeping my body supple. If I have had a long day at work or been driving a lot I make sure I do exercises and stop and feel how my body is. I can feel when I have been in disregard of my body as my back collapses, and starts to ache. A combination of Esoteric Connective Tissue Therapy, exercises and stretches, support me in getting my body back into shape and release the pain from pushing my body too far.

165. It’s awesome to be inspired by your own illness Francene. So often the reaction to becoming ill in our societies is one of sadness or feeling that somehow it is unfair. Bringing a deeper and truthful understanding changes the perspective completely and we can appreciate and be inspired by the processes taking place in illness.

166. Beautiful Francene, exercising with regard for yourself is certainly healing. Thank you for sharing your experiences and your learnings; what you have shared has deepened my understanding of osteoporosis from both a physical and energetic perspective;
     “The diagnosis of osteoporosis inspired me to have a more caring regard for myself and for my body, and also to appreciate how conventional medicine and an understanding that our bodies are energy can work together for the benefit of us all”.

167. A diagnosis of osteoporosis can indeed by a great signal for us to take stock and look at the ways we are reckless and disregarding of our bodies, and the possibility of holding them a different way – starting with gentleness, delicateness, tenderness and true nurturing – something that may seem so alien to our current way of living, but if given a chance can reveal a depth and richness to life that may have been previously unimagined.

168. Years and years of living in a way that is disregarding may not show up immediately in the body, but eventually will present itself in one way and maybe more than one way… ‘ Also that osteoporosis didn’t just ‘happen to me’, that I had played a part in this with my choices. For example, putting others before myself, undervaluing myself, overriding my own instincts, ignoring when I was tired or even not dressing to be warm enough.’

169. There are so many layers of regard for oneself. As you describe Francene, we can make self-loving choices related to our lifestyle and eating and then there are more subtle choices where we overlook or disregard what we are feeling in our body that would be supportive.

170. I have noticed for a long time now how depleted women are and in particularly shows up once we hit a certain point in our lives, often around menopause. Many middle aged women look completely de-vitalised and worn out by life… no doubt because we are. And then we reach for the vitamin and mineral supplements to cure what ails us – calcium being a case in point when it comes to bone strengthening. That this strategy might be a solution to our ills is almost breath-taking in its lunacy: whilst a regime of carefully selected supplements can certainly support the body at the physical level, they won’t change the way we live. Only we can take individual responsibility for what truly ails us.

171. Brilliant Francene, exercising with regard and connection truly nurtures and holds the body in this powerful way.

172. Isn’t it interesting how “pushing ourselves” is seen as a good thing, that is we are willing to override a cold and “soldier on”, or keep going when we are exhausted, and yet when we look back it wasn’t ever a good thing, but a disregard to what the body was asking for. These repeated overrides can build to illness, and so another way is needed.

173. I don’t know the stats but the fact that osteoporosis receives a lot of attention in terms of public health warnings tells me there are a lot of women living in disregard and that this condition is but one expression of that particular fact. Ladies, we all need to take very seriously the impacts of the ways in which we are living for the consequences are very real. We all need to take responsibility for our burdening of an already over-burdened health system by continuing to ignore our own health and well-being!

174. I feel like I need to keep coming back to articles like this – and it is indeed a re-visit now – to keep reminding myself of the myriad ways I need to care for myself. Having said that, I have a sense if I was fully and lovingly connected to myself the self-care would be a very instinctual and natural part of my every day, no memory jogger required.

175. It is quite noticeable how easily we can just let our legs do the walking without actually being present with them and in them; is it then a wonder that the body starts to draw its own conclusions based on this absence and develops a medical condition?

176. It was an important step Francene to reach out for the right form of support for yourself from your Exercise Physiologist, and it’s a great reminder to me that for every situation we face support is available.

177. I have recently been diagnosed with osteoporosis after having been diagnosed with osteopenia three years previously, and like you Francene was partly surprised as my diet and lifestyle has always been healthy, but what I have done is disregard myself and my body big time. For instance, when I exercised it was always pushing myself to the limit and beyond, no regard for what I or my body was was truly feeling, no just being present and gentle with myself as I exercised.

178. It’s so irresponsible for us to think that we have nothing to do with what goes on in our bodies and the symptoms and conditions that it produces. And by the same token, enormously empowering when see the truth of it because what has appeared as a result of our own doing can now be healed by changing that which we do and the quality in which we do it.

179. The reflection our bodies offer daily are not to be disregarded and ignored, they are communicated so we have the opportunity to support our own wellbeing. Even the simplest thing like being thirsty are signals the body is already lacking fluid and needs hydrating which has ramifications for our blood flow. Taking responsibility with these messages is the first step to having a healthy, vital body that can support us in return.

180. This is not the first time I have read this blog and recognised that the exercises I do for myself are not weight bearing and that I would probably benefit from this. I am in my sixties now and take supplements to support the mineral and vitamin needs of my body and exercise regularly however there is no weight bearing in any of the exercises i am currently doing. I do carry heavy bags up and down stairs in my work but it feels now that a regular programme could be very helpful and also I could bring a deeper awareness to how I carry those bags and let that be a more conscious exercise programme in itself.

181. The simple approach as is presented in this blog typifies what Universal Medicine shares as a means of support for many illnesses

182. Looking after ourselves and our body does not only mean healthy food and exercise. There can be disregard in all of those things if not applied with love, care and tenderness.

183. This article makes me question where disregard may have become an accepted ‘norm’ in my life. It also brings awareness to the fact that if we are in disregard with ourselves in anyway it is inevitable that we will also be disregarding others.

184. It is to be truly appreciated that there are those who work to support to understand our bodies and their communication to realise what they are telling us before we further develop our own health conditions into more serious illnesses and diseases. All of which are equally to be appreciated for the healing they offer in clearing the energetic manifestation in our bodies from our own choices.

185. I love this…”to exercise with ‘regard’ for myself and see what this felt like. I started by walking down stairs with intention and focusing on the soles of my feet. I felt an amazing surge of energy up my legs and spine…” what beautiful feedback our body gives to us when we simply take regard and take notice of it! What a difference this simple awareness could potentially have on the national or global statistic of illness and disease.

186. The diagnosis of osteoporosis has been based by a small group of WHO scientists as more than 2.5 standard deviations of the mean of the women they tested. In other words, they defined the bottom 0.5% of women in terms of bone thickness as having osteoporosis and the bottom 20% (one standard deviation) as having osteopenia. The only problem is that they chose young women as the basis, not older women. (Abramson 2008, Overdosed America). I am not aware of a study that has ascertained what bone density is normal for normal weight women in their 50s as overweight women tend to have stronger bones due to the higher weight they carry.

187. Our physical body may not show the immediate impact of our choices but day by day they are adding up and all will eventually be revealed.

188. ” Osteoporosis didn’t just ‘happen to me’, that I had played a part in this with my choices.”- Great to take responsibility for your health condition and to get a deeper understanding of what patterns of behaviour is truly playing out, and therefore a more holistic approach of care can be taken, which is supportive for the body to heal.

189. Once we understand our own role in our illness and disease we are empowered to learn and become truly responsible for our own wellbeing.

190. I remember stopping and realizing the impact of 10 years of on and off smoking on my body, although it hasn’t manifested into anything physical I am a lot more respectful of my body these days, as I have asked a lot of it in the past. Every day I am finding opportunities to support my body more. From the obvious things like my food to the more subtle ones, like what I listen to and how I get in and out of my car. I am learning that it all adds up and my body is constantly working, and I need to support it.

191. It’s quite a shock to realise the stark difference between what is loving for the body versus what we think is ‘good’ for the body when we exercise – doing it hard is not the way.

192. I love how you approached your healing with a dedication to addressing the energy that this condition was about – disregard is huge in so many of our lives and it’s really important that it gets fully seen where it lurks in our lives, so that it can be addressed. If we take the necessary steps we can heal this.

193. Thank you Francine. Yes to have the energetic awareness with conventional medicine treatment brings about true healing. It allows the person to understand why and make changes so as to not continue living in a way that creates the illness, and then from an energetic level to the physical the body can heal.

194. The esoteric student body needs to be studied.. what is being shared on how to live with and how to heal disease and illness is unprecedented. So many lives have been turned round as a result with the trend being that we are getting healthier and more vital rather than society’s norm of getting sicker.

195. Osteoporosis can be very painful. So to really listen to the body is crucial as when we respect what our body needs, the body can recover from the impact we have put onto it. This is a great example how an illness can support us to be more aware what is truly happening.

196. Exactly Gill, that has been my experience, I now realise what I thought were really good different forms of exercise that I was doing, were all done in disregard to my body.

197. It often takes an illness or condition to make us stop and re-evalute our lives, ‘The diagnosis of osteoporosis inspired me to have a more caring regard for myself and for my body, and also to appreciate how conventional medicine and an understanding that our bodies are energy can work together for the benefit of us all.’

198. Exercising with absolute regard for ourselves as shared by Francene shows in a very constructive way that disregard can be a subtle disconnect from our bodies that can still seem by all appearances to be reasonably caring. Yet this can gradually build an ill condition because of not deeply honouring how sensitive and delicate we are. Part of that disregard can occur through held belief that life is about toughing it out, which has a flip side that sensitivity and delicateness means being weak or soft. This is not true. The type of exercise that honours the true regard we can have for ourselves can build amazing strength on many levels including the physical.

     1. Great point Simon, it’s amazing and I admit still stuns me to this day, how the more gentle and regarding we are, the more our body wants to respond to this. For years I pushed my body with hardness and a desire to achieve a ‘better’ body, but in fact all I needed was to love myself, and deeply connect in order to support my body. A huge lesson to learn, and one I am glad I did!

199. I love this Francene, how such a seemingly small change really impacts your body, ‘The next morning I decided to exercise with ‘regard’ for myself and see what this felt like. I started by walking down stairs with intention and focusing on the soles of my feet. I felt an amazing surge of energy up my legs and spine.’ Beautiful.

200. Disregard is a big part of many people’s lives, as you simply ‘putting others before myself, undervaluing myself, overriding my own instincts, ignoring when I was tired or even not dressing to be warm enough.’

201. Seeing any illness as an inconvenience the body has to suffer through only leads onto more illness and disease, whereas what you have described here Francene is the total opposite.

202. Disregard is something many of us do or have done in the past and I love the way you made a positive move to live with regard, feeling every step you make.

203. I am inspired by your open sharing here Francene to take deeper care with my own body, inclusive of the way that I exercise. Thank-you deeply.

204. We can take such a diagnosis from the role of being a seeming ‘victim’ to circumstances beyond our responsibility and control, or, actually do what you have so beautifully done Francene – go deeper. Deeper into the part we have played that this has come up for us to potentially heal and look at in our own lives.
     In a society that by and large disregards and harms the body so endemically – from the way we push ourselves, to what we consume and the state of our relationships and more – to take such responsibility is deeply inspiring. That such awesome support from the Exercise Physiologist was right there for you on your doorstep? An awesome confirmation I’d say, of your saying yes to deepening the love that you live.

205. A beautiful unfolding from a medical diagnosis and the energetic understanding of the cause from the way we we live our lives. What an amazing turnaround, honouring and awareness to your life that is very inspiring and brings a true loving way to both exercise our choices and our livingness.

206. For me bringing energetic awareness to exercise is like a magic pill that brings vitality!

207. How fantastic is it to combine the wisdom of Esoteric Healing with the support of a medical practitioner. The changes are immense, and as a patient we are empowered to look at how we have contributed to what we now work through.

208. I love the way how you respond to the needs of your body. In this case osteoporosis needs weight and in using this weight how lovely and supported you feel with it.

209. How amazing and refreshing, to be able to see that an illness such as this can bring about a true understanding and a true healing rather than seeing it as a burden or an affliction and just resigning yourself to your life being downhill from here on in. To be able to accept that we are responsible for why we have become ill because of our life choices, is revelatory, and we can actually make different choices to either slow down the progression of an illness, and or actually improve our symptoms so that they don’t have to be a burden but a huge learning and reawakening.

210. …” osteoporosis didn’t just ‘happen to me’, that I had played a part in this with my choices.”- Yes, I too felt a bit shocked when I was told I had osteopenia which is a milder form of the beginnings of bone degeneration. Energetically it is the same- disregard. For me it has been about pushing myself beyond what my body is telling me, putting others needs first and choosing chores to do before caring for myself first.
     I am now choosing to be more responsible and care for my body more- e.g.seeing a naturopath who treats holistically and taking supplements for my bone health.
     I also intend on getting some advice re weight bearing exercise.
     Thank you for your sharing- Great blog Francene.

211. It is clear that you do not see yourself Francene as the victim of a random illness, and that with understanding you now know how you arrived at this point and what you can now do to assist your health condition, instead of accepting the diagnoses and just taking medication and leaving it at that.

212. It’s a big call to own up to making ourselves ill, it’s a bitter pill to swallow and one that can feel a big leap for most, myself included. I always just write illness off as just a cold, very rarely do I really own the fact my body has to clear out ill momentum. We live this way at great expense to what could so easily be lived if we were just willing to own that we have got it so very wrong.

213. It is a hard pill to swallow, to realise that the way we have been living is what leads to an illness or disease, but once swallowed and accepted, it becomes much clearer and easier as to how we can make changes to support ourselves from that point on. Your experience is inspiring Francene, and is a great example that a diagnosis such as yours does not have to be the end of the road, which is how many would view it.

214. It’s a telling story for all of us Francene that our way of life, not just what we eat and whether we exercise, but how we are with ourselves, takes its toll on our body. You are wise indeed if you are willing to look at the contributing factors to your illness, and choose to now make different choices.

215. Illness often causes us to stop and consider how we got to this place of a serious diagnosis. Considering the body is made of energy then the quality of that energy is paramount and we can begin to be aware of how we use our body and what care we give to it. It is never too late to start that caring programme, as I too have discovered for myself.

216. When we start to connect more to our bodies and what we’re actually feeling, exercise starts to feel totally different as we move in a way that truly supports and nourishes our body. I spent years pushing myself through exercise (and everything else) then went completely the other way and gave everything up, falling into the lethargy of doing nothing. It feels lovely now to have found some kind of middle ground, where I now pay much more attention to how my body is feeling and what it actually needs – from exercise to food and sleep. As a result I feel more focused, more joyful and purposeful and far less exhausted from always pushing through as I used to.

217. Francine it’s great how you brought a whole new quality to the way that you exercise, so not just bringing in the activities that you know your body needs but also the quality or way of doing them that is needed too.

218. Thank you Francene for sharing this event in your life and how you used it as an opportunity to examine your life choices. Its very revealing isn’t it, when we consider all the ways we haven’t regarded ourselves or engaged with how we go about things more deeply. A diagnosis like this, of osteoporosis is simply a great blessing in what it reveals and how it can be used to discover and transform our choices in the future.

219. I love that last sentence – how a diagnosis has inspired you to live with more regard for yourself, more nurturing. Far from being a curse it sounds like it has led to true change.

220. Thanks Francene for sharing your story and how you have come to an understanding and therefore a healing from understanding your part in equation. This so helps in taking away the mystery or victim hood of disease or health issues when we misunderstand, blame or choose to not go deeper, it can become murky waters.
     Good on you for asking for help, guidance and healing on this matter.

221. It is wonderful how instead of continuing on the “why is this happening to me” and the resentment or helplessness that we can go into after that, you chose to become inspired to find out how to take greater care and responsibility – and sought support to gain a deeper understanding of the physical issues as well as for the energetic aspects. Very inspiring.

222. Thank you Francene for sharing this, nothing is ever random or coincidence and illness and disease are simply the bodies way of showing us that we have replaced the true way of living in and with it with a quality that is not true to the body and thus wares it down. Knowing this and knowing that we can address and support a different quality of how we are with our bodies is huge in rebuilding our relationship with life.

223. I am re-learning how to move with my rhythm and my breath leading the movements to re-connect to and claim how my body truly likes to move. When we learn something different, it feels quite strange initially because the body isn’t used to it, but because this is true claiming of the body, it can be felt very quickly how it loves and responds to this new normal.

224. I’ve often wondered what osteoporosis is all about and have been fearful of being a statistic of this disease, and now I understand why. My teenage years were full of disregard and many things came before me – like being cool, popular and fitting in. Since being a student of Universal Medicine the level of regard I have for myself is incomparable and very little comes before my own body and well-being.

225. The body is a very efficient and accurate record keeper of our choices and offers us frequent reports by way of aches, pains, tingling and other sensations, illnesses, injuries and diseases. But the body doesn’t stop there, it can also reflect our choices with vitality, lightness and flow through the body, by being able to feel and be sensitive to the world around us and the constant communication from within. The body is really a wonderful place!

226. Conditions like osteoporosis do not happen overnight, and they do not ‘just happen’ – so the wisdom of taking stock of our lives, of our choices and how we may have contributed to a diagnosis of Osteoporosis is clear – and it is truly self-empowering to understand how we have led our lives that led to the health condition thus allowing us to see and make different choices from here forward.

227. “The diagnosis of osteoporosis inspired me to have a more caring regard for myself and for my body, and also to appreciate how conventional medicine and an understanding that our bodies are energy can work together for the benefit of us all”.
     Beautifully expressed Francene; what a wonderful opportunity to develop a deeper understanding of our energetic and physical selves. Thank you for sharing your experiences, wisdom and knowledge.

228. To how much of life, do we turn a blind eye? To how much do we ignore? How big a part do we block out? And yet from what you share Francene, we are being told everything we need to know, we are being shown every answer we need, nothing that comes across our path in this life is by chance but carries a teaching for us to know. Surely it is time we began to open this mail from God and stopped moaning and complaining that we are ill or have had ‘bad luck’.

229. An Exercise Physiologist who understands the body well, and that movement is a critical ingredient of wellbeing is valuable beyond words, particularly when there is an illness to work with.

230. Osteoporosis is one of those things (like many other diseases) that we seem to accept as a normal part of getting older. I wrote a paper on ageing when I was nursing 20 years ago and was amazed then about how much we normalise the abnormal. Ill health and disease are not a natural part of growing old.

     This is a very empowering and insightful article that starts to redress the balance on our perceptions of growing old – responsibility, self care and a willingness to look beyond the perceptions of society are vital ingredients.

     1. that is so true, we have been normalising the abnormal for so long now, we expect old age to be full of ‘conditions’ and illnesses and aches and pains. this is not needed, we don’t have to accept this as inevitable.

231. Francene for me this following realization is confirming my own experience: “I could see how making choices that went against the natural and easy flow of the energy in my body could have an impact.” I have to admit that I too was living against the easy flow of energy in my body because I simply was not aware of it. It was a great gift for me to learn to reconnect to it as I can use it in all parts of my life now.

232. Osteoporosis is a very wide spread symptom so that the disregard we as women allow in our lives concerning our bodies, lifestyle and thoughts about ourselves is exposed. We just need to understand the link between the body and what it wants to show us in this moment. Then it gets simple and we can start to make different choices.

233. This is huge to realise: “Also that osteoporosis didn’t just ‘happen to me’, that I had played a part in this with my choices.” even though it is sometimes a lot to digest and accept we do play a part in the diseases that happen to us in the way we are living. As well that the way we are living then can be a part of our medicine.

     1. Yes, it would be quite amazing if women managed to naturally increase their bone density simply by making different choices.

234. How many of us could relate to that feeling that we know we have orchestrated ourselves into a health condition through our own choices – to be in disregard of ourselves, dismissing what our bodies are clearly signalling to us, ‘helping’ others at our own expense, or wanting to numb out from the misery of what we see and feel going on around us. No judgement here on ourselves, but taking responsibility and making the choice to look after ourselves on every level, can transform our lives and well-being… and in this we are able to truly support another.

235. I love the holistic approach to your health Francene such that, despite being shocked by the diagnosis, you took responsibility for your health and then took steps that felt supportive for you. It is so encouraging and empowering to see people truly care for themselves on every level.

236. ’… osteoporosis didn’t just ‘happen to me’, that I had played a part in this with my choices.’ – Well said Francene, true change can happen when we start to take responsibility for all our choices.

237. I love how you married conventional medicine with taking yourself and your health to a whole new level of responsibility by adding energetic awareness as well. The only way to true health is to know our own bodies.

238. Thank you Francene, for shedding a light on Osteoporosis, a disease that women in particular suffer from. It is great to hear how you became aware that truly caring for yourself on a deeper level and the importance of being honest in seeing what up until now had not been lived. It is very empowering to know that you have a choice.

239. So often we feel a victim of our illnesses, but this is a trap as our bodies can only respond to the way we treat them. What I love most about bringing western medicine and esoteric medicine together is that for me the union emphasised the delicacy of our physical bodies and exposed how much I over ride this delicacy every day. Bringing these approaches together has really supported me to change how I nurture and regard my body every day. Simple changes can make a massive difference to our health.

240. It’s very easy for anyone with any illness to cry “why did this happen to me?” It’s the cry of the victim who dismisses all responsibility for any part in what has developed. We always have a role to play in any illness or condition that appears. The resistance to acknowledging this lies in the unwillingness to change our way of life to one that is more loving for our bodies. If we choose to remain a victim then we don’t have to change.

241. Osteoporosis could be the end product of having doubts, feelings of unworthiness, checking out, bashing up oneself and as such holding back all the amazing love which resides deeply within us.

242. I pondered again on osteoporosis and when I would feel in my body that it is about bones are losing density it is a feeling like I would allow holes in my system where the wind can blow through. So for me from an energetic point it is crucial to heal those holes by being more and more loving with myself, understanding, accepting and allowing my love in full.

243. It makes total sense to me as the level of self love deepens to consistently look at my choices and refine them so that I am more loving with self. Interestingly I have been feeling recently to do some weight bearing exercises at my local gym. Reading this blog has been exactly what was needed to inspire me to go for it! Thank you Francene for sharing.

244. To want to understand as to why illness and disease occurs in the body in the first place is a great beginning for healing to take place, for in letting go of the choices that are not true to the body and re-imprinting new ones, great change and healing is possible.

245. I enjoyed and learned from the detail you offered Francene, of walking down stairs feeling how your feet landed and choosing this awareness, how your body answered with that feeling of vitality returning. Could it be this simple? We meet our bodies and they say, thanks very much, here is the natural reward for living with awareness, sensitivity and self love.

246. Osteoporosis is a condition that takes years to develop and doesn’t give any indication of its onset with any symptoms initially. Feeling into the deeper meaning of osteoporosis, it makes perfect sense how we can develop the condition by disregarding our bodies. It helps a great deal when we understand this to prevent further development of the condition in the future, avoiding pain and discomfort; because when we can nurture ourselves more, we know it will show a physical change. It would be a great research project to follow people who have the esoteric understanding as well as the medical diagnosis to see how their condition changes in comparison to the general population over a couple of decades. You are highlighting an important focus here Francene for us to understand how the body responds when we heal our ill choices.

247. Healing my ill choices is definitely a work in progress, with many issues coming up to be observed and not absorbed so I can dig deeply into my past choices and nominate them for not being me, so they can be released. Simple! Yes like all the esoteric work it is simple, but there is also a responsibility and dedication to build a rhythm that supports this type of healing.

248. Taking stock of our physical bodies is a great way to learn what’s needed next. For example, this morning in the very gentle movements I was practicing, I could feel that although the movement was tender and fairly smooth, there was a lack of strength to the arms. My feeling is that the hardness that’s being let go of from the fibres of the muscle are now revealing a more true sense of the strength in my arms. I know now therefore that I can build strength back with respect and honouring the connection to this tenderness that’s being revealed.

249. Diagnosis as an inspiration…”The diagnosis of osteoporosis inspired me to have a more caring regard for myself and for my body,” Isn’t it awesome that when our bodies get out of balance we have the information there to let us know what and how to heal. A great article concerning developing a relationship wth our bodies and healing.

250. To do anything with regard for myself has been deeply healing, this quote really came to my attention “The next morning I decided to exercise with ‘regard’ for myself…” I used to live with so much disregard, the way I moved my body and dumped it on the sofa for example, set in motion how my whole evening and so next morning would go. I did not consider treating m myself with care. I do now and it is deeply supportive. As I write this now, I am appreciating how much more regard I do live with. Appreciation and an absolute knowing of this care and connection is the next step for me to embrace.

251. This is a wonderful reminder of the level of disregard we have for ourselves when we choose to put others needs before taking loving care of ourself. As women we tend to put others needs before our own thinking we are being selfish to do so, when in fact there is a great difference between being selfish and being responsibly self-loving. That you Francene have not gone into victim mode but have seen this as an opportunity to go to a deeper level of regard by re-connecting and supporting yourself will be inspiring for other people to be aware that they too can choose to look at their lifestyle and what perhaps needs changing to support them.

252. Thank you for telling us about the energetic cause of osteoporosis, so interesting and helpfull

253. When we are overweight, we don’t need to exercise to strengthen our bones but for other reasons. When we are slim, we need to exercise to keep our bones strong. When we lose weight, we can sometimes forget this fact.

254. ‘I was offered an explanation that osteoporosis, on an energetic level, was related to disregard’ – this sentence could relate to so many women and it makes me wonder how many are walking around without knowing they have this condition and like you Francene, thought it was just something you get when you are old – I for one had no idea.

255. We can also ask the question ‘ How could this happen to me/’ in other situations unrelated to health. When we find ourselves struggling, repeating a pattern or not able to work effectively with others, despite our supposed best intentions. And in all these cases it is simply a matter of acknowledging where we are and not beating ourselves up about it. To receive difficult news or meet unexpected outcomes is often an opportunity to reflect on the why and take steps to re-commit to a new way of being and relationship with self.

256. Beginning to understand what disregard is allows a deeper connection with ourselves and through listening to our body and following through with what we feel/hear much healing can take place.

257. It stands to reason that the foundation of our body, our bone structure, begins to crumble when we don’t stand and hold ourselves in the strength and love that we are. If we do not lovingly support ourselves our body will let us know in the only way it can, lovingly, by not supporting us.

258. Even after having studied nursing I believed that osteoporosis was something you got as you got older, due to gradual wear and tear of the bones. I can see how this belief allows you to continue in disregard, without being aware of the real cause as you clearly exposed e.g. putting others before yourself, undervaluing yourself, overriding your own instincts, ignoring when you are tired. – I agree- no wonder the rates of osteoporosis are so high amongst women.

259. If we do not listen to our body, our body will have to call out loud, so we actually can’t ignore the call. But despite the calling out loud in the form of illness, disease and many pains, so many among us choose to ignore their own choices and the fact that they might (do!) have a role in the messages that our body communicates.

260. We are creating life as we know it with every in breath and every out breath, it’s just that we won’t admit that we know we’re doing it because that calls us into far too much accountability and so when we do get sick we have to continue with the story that we have collectively created and that is one that places us as the recipients rather than the instigators of life.

261. It will be a landmark day indeed when we have eradicated the question ‘how can this have happened to me?’ and replaced it with ‘this happened to me because………’

262. Thank you Francene for a great blog. Your story shows so much how life is actually our medicine.

263. I really appreciate you sharing this and how you found both the medical advice and the energetic understanding to be a beneficial and integral part of your healing.

264. The key here is = responsibility can bring healing to our bodies.

265. Energy affects us all, it is not something mysterious or far out, we can experience it simply for example when we walk into a room and there is someone very angry, and they not be showing it but we can feel it…when we come home we know if our partner is in a bad mood…these are very simple examples. So when we live in disregard, the energy of that would affect us. Serge Benhayon has a very practical approach and I have learnt to investigate and connect more deeply to my body to feel that energy is just as real as life in the body and the 2 work together.

266. The deeper healing for us is working with conventional medicine when needed, the body and the energetics of it. As it is all interconnected. If our body is affected by some form of illness and or disease, often if we feel and look at how we have been living we can sense that this affected us also. As Francene simply shared.

267. Thank you for sharing this Francene, it is also very timely on a personal level for me. As I can feel that my body needs deeper support in exercise and I have not fully listened to that, only to continue the way I have been for some time. It’s time to listen to the body, feeling what it needs and bringing regard back into the equation.

268. It is great to care for me and let my care expand, as everything in the Universe naturally expands. What I realized recently (and resonantly) is that true care for me arises from my assumption of the responsibility that I am here to serve humanity and every being. I can just care for others and truly serve when I do so for myself first – but if I stop here and do it just for myself – it is supporting a separating and this has consequences which are sooner or later being felt and becoming obvious.

269. Although we do not want to become ill in any way this should be appreciated when it happens as it is the help that we need to clear that which has been affecting us in our lives, through our choices, up to the moment in time. We are offered to possibility to learn and make new choices to be free from disease.

270. The question of ‘how could this happen to me’ is so significantly different than the one more frequently asked ‘why did this happen to me’. In the first we are empowered by the innate knowing that everything that happens in our body has an underlying cause, something we can explore and then work with and can take responsibility for, thus making life changes that will heal this underlying cause. In the second we feel a victim to circumstances and are often in despair, giving up or a drive to overcome this (unreasonable, undeserved) obstacle, leaving us without any healing or understanding whatsoever.

271. “How could this happen to me?” I find this such a common response to anything that goes wrong with our bodies. I have often found myself manically search the web for the ‘reasons’ cited for such a symptom such genetics, exposure to something, damage to something – and if one of those fit – relief something can be blamed and giving up also because something can be blamed. And if none of those fit – a huge outrage “ why me” and “this is not fair” followed by feeling helpless and giving up. I have found Western Medicine immensely helpful in being able to clearly point out what the issues are and offer support in managing and eradicating the uncomfortable symptoms. And I have found Esoteric Medicine an invaluable support in being able to relate personally to the issues facing me, in working out for myself my own part in the picture, in listening to what my body is actually pointing out to me and in being empowered to take a responsible and active part in my own healing.

272. How beautiful how you took the diagnosis to grow out of your old pattern and how you now take more responsibility for yourself.

273. What you’re sharing here Francene is a shining example of how we can lovingly take responsibility for what takes place and not just go into the ‘oh no, what’s happened’ etc. if we were taught from young that our body is the marker of all our choices, that it never lies about the quality of energy we are choosing at any given moment, we would be like a different species… A true species ☺️ Embracing illness and disease for what it’s actually sharing with us for true healing and not freaking out about it.

274. It’s so empowering to look at illness and how the body is communicating to us the way you have described Francene. Most of us tend to go into the ‘how could this happen to me?’ — which puts us in the victim seat. From there, our true healing is limited because we expect another to fix us and for us just to get on with our old merry ways.

275. Understanding what dis-regard is and what it feels like in your body is a journey of self discovery and of building a deep relationship with your body once again.

276. When we stop asking ourselves ‘why did this happen to me’ and take a stop moment and ask, so what choices have I been making and how have I been living, then we take true responsibility for the illness and diseases that take place in our life. For me nothing just happens to me, it happens because I have made the choice.

277. If we are all to be as honest as Francene has in this article, we would all find that we so often wait for wake-up calls… Or rude shocks, before we take stock and see that the way we have been living has really been affecting us… Imagine then, if our education was such that we understood these repercussions and consequences before they actually happened… If we really instilled in our children that everything is energy and everything is because of energy… Imagine growing up with this awareness.

278. ‘…how could this happen to me?’ clearly this question is one which we have been asking from a point of surprise and reaction to news we have received regarding our health rather than from a true intent of understanding what has happened to our wellbeing and why. We can be asking this in every moment as we go through our days, to understand the effects on our choices on us and on everyone else, and in turn if we make our future choices according we can directly affect the quality of life.

279. This highlights the importance of energy as well as the physical. For this allows us the full picture of what is going on for our bodies and how we can start to work with our bodies to heal. I love the idea of exercising this way too – with a knowing that exercise is a support and not a goal to be achieved.

280. “The diagnosis of osteoporosis inspired me to have a more caring regard for myself and for my body, and also to appreciate how conventional medicine and an understanding that our bodies are energy can work together for the benefit of us all.” Combining western medicine with universal medicine has hugely enhanced my own healing in the past few years – a match made in heaven.

281. This is a great example of how every choice that we make will be lived in and through the body. We can not escape this scientific fact, that down to the smallest detail that we live this so it is reflected back at us in communication with our body. How empowering is that because yes we may have made some big and many choices that were not in connection with our Soul and Love but we have every moment there forth that we can. Being honest and feeling where we are at is fundamental for a vital, harmonious and true life.

282. The question ” how could this happen to me” is very common. It is often asked when it seem to be too late, when the symptom, accident or a certain situation already has happened. Does this not reflect how we have numbed ourselves to not be aware of the many steps leading to the incident beforehand?

283. One of the strange things in life is that when you have a normal weight or are slim and healthy, you are much more likely to get osteoporosis as heavily overweight people ‘naturally’ strengthen their skeleton.

     EM for AM

284. I am surprised by the high statistics for osteoporosis and feel inspired to get the weights to add to my exercise regime. I have been saying it for a while now and still have not made it a priority. Reading your blog, Francene, reflects to me that this is disregard and not to just overlook what my body is telling me. I have always exercised a lot in my life and now love the way I exercise with a presence and a quality that is so very different from before. Also that it is about continually re-adjusting to what the body needs as we grow and change.

     1. ‘putting others before myself, undervaluing myself, overriding my own instincts, ignoring when I was tired.’ – no wonder the rates of osteoporosis are so high amongst women. The traits of women overriding what they are feeling, putting their needs secondary to others, often not nurturing and caring for self have a significant negative impact on the body.

        1. This sums me up Katie, it was the way to be in my younger days and considered selfish to put oneself first before others and as a Wife and Mother, husband and children came first, although I didn’t totally follow these ideals and beliefs, it was pretty ingrained. A couple of years ago I had a scan which showed osteopenia and osteoporosis, which came as a shock but now I understand about disregard, it makes sense of the diagnosis. Thank goodness I have the support of Universal Medicine practitioners and exercises to build up my body lovingly. An opportunity to be nurturing to me!

285. Statistically speaking for one in 3 women over the age of 50 to have osteoporosis is staggering. A deeper level of self care and nurturing supports a person, bones and all.

286. Bringing deep care and attention to our bodies in exercise is a whole new way of exercising. It is not only about what we do, but how we do it.

287. This shows how easy it is to have an image that we are doing ok compared to other people but underneath unbeknown to us something is brewing. Having regular checkups and initiating our own health checks is very important.

288. And yes I definitely agree, the combination of conventional medicine and the esoteric wisdom in application equals the sort of results we all actually hope for when we consult a professional about our health and wellbeing. It is the medicine of the future without question.

289. Thanks Francene, I loved your practical example at the end and have experienced the same sense of strength after exercising this way also. Aside from completely changing the focus for exercising, which is usually with a push or drive to achieve some personal goal, it is far more enjoyable and uplifting this way.

290. Seeing the detail in why this disease came about from a deeper level as you have done Francene is certainly a stop moment that I can see as being very necessary, I do not suffer with this and yet can relate to how you have been living which makes me feel how important your sharing really is, a learning for us all.

291. I do not know much about this disease but what I have seen is that it can affect peoples mobility so bringing this level of awareness to the surface is hugely important for those that are suffering with it.

292. Hi Francene, this is a great sharing and something that really stands out here is how inspiring it is for you to share this experience with us. It is amazing to feel your strength and integrity in this article.

293. Gentle movements are the key to so many things, they help to connect and since life is about connection moving gently is great medicine.

294. I’m realising that we’re to take genuine note and care of any physical pain, illness or disease. That this is in fact our body communicating to us. Like in my mind I’ve always known this to be True and of great importance, but in all honesty I have to admit that often enough I’ve not taken great note of my body’s messages.

295. “I decided to exercise with ‘regard’ for myself and see what this felt like… I had a renewed sense of vitality and strength that I later noticed lasted throughout the day, together with a feeling of steadiness within my body.” Your experience Francene illustrates how much our life can change when we have an intention of truly connecting with our bodies and honouring what they reveal, rather than just ticking the boxes in everything we do in life. It becomes about being with our body and working with it instead of the busyness of doing and overriding/ignoring all our body’s messages. Very inspiring to read, thank you.

296. This is a great example of “how conventional medicine and an understanding that our bodies are energy can work together for the benefit of us all.” This understanding is what is missing in western medicine – it supports everyone to take responsibility for their own health – something that is much needed within our current health system.

297. I have recently had a diagnosis that was a wake up call for me. In the past I would have just felt sorry for myself and looked to the doctor, the therapist or someone else to help me feel better, yet it is different this time. I am more aware that it is not just about ‘fixing’ my body, but to allow myself to feel everything that this situation I am finding myself in is offering for me to learn and what my body is teaching me. As a result I am finding loads of issues that I had thought were handled have been coming up for me to address and offering a deeper understanding about myself and my relationship with life. I can’t pretend I have not been resisting some of the steps, but even with that going on, the whole process is immensely empowering.

     1. That is a very inspiring comment Golnaz and this really high-lights how lovingly supporting ourselves when we are well and when we are not is so very important. Thank you for your sharing.

298. ‘This initially left me with a heavy sinking feeling, because in that instant I knew it was true – that I had pushed myself over many years.’
     I love to reread your sharing Francene. When I read it this time there came a picture to me concerning osteoporosis. As osteoporosis is about bone density I had the picture if we would be enough in our bodies, there would be a strong connection withnourselves which would not allow osteoporosis, but as we most of the time push ourselves through life, there cannot be a solid connection and as such our organs are missing out and cannot deliver the minerals needed to prevent osteopososis. And as you mention to exercise in asking the body to commit more to life, in strengthening the muscles.

299. Hi Francene

     I could feel the love, care and absolute regard in your new way of moving and exercising.

     With esoteric and conventional medicine supporting us all the way we no longer have to feel like we have no choice with our health and wellbeing ✨

300. This reminds me that our picture of what is healthy and well is often far from what is actually going on in our body. It also reminds me of the importance of regular testing, whether it be our blood / bones etc so that we get the real picture and can then begin to make the necessary changes in how we are living.

     1. Great point Vicky and knowing how our body is in all areas is a very necessary part of taking responsibility of ourselves.

301. This is inspiring Francene in the way you have combined all aspects of life to look at the physical and energetic causes for a condition and then take responsible steps to address this condition on all levels.

302. This is a key statement, that osteoporosis doesn’t just ‘happen’ to us – everything we suffer from isn’t ‘just old age’ or ‘genetics’ and when we say that we are absolving ourselves from all responsibility. In truth, everything that happens to us is as a result of choices that WE have made. Nothing just is. So, when we accept that we need to take full responsibility for every choice in every moment, then our healing can begin.

303. Exercise is so supportive for health, how and why we do it is essential to consider. I am still and will continue to refine and reflect on the exercise that I incorporate in to my day life. It supports connection with my inner heart and my body when I exercise this is deeply supportive for building a foundation from which to live. It is not about the results, it is about the undertaking of the movements, these support us and offer space to reconnect, confirm and celebrate how we feel in our bodies.

304. It may be considered challenging, but how awesome and inspiring to read of some one pondering what their diagnosis means for them and responding to it as something to learn. Instead of ‘why me?’ instead ask ‘why?’ Esoteric Medicine deeply complements conventional medicine. It is is the future of healthcare, to consider the energetic root of illness and disease.

305. Disregard for ourselves is something that many of us ignore, I know I did. I used to not keep myself warm, stay up late and be rough with the way I moved and used my body and this was just a small part of it. It is everywhere and many of us believe the stories that fly around that it is good, to push ourselves, be rough in sport, feel pain in exercise, be competitive and do it ‘tough’. As a society we actually propagate this behaviour. Being gentle, careful and sensitive are frowned upon, however they are just what is required to take true care of our bodies. We can still move freely, fully and deeply but being aware and using our body gently really supports our well-being in all areas. I know I have had a few moments when I have I stopped and reflected and really wondered why I would would treat my body in such a way, realising that I wasn’t prepared to love myself deeply altered my relationship with my body, I am willing now to offer myself Love as I would another. The changes toward deep regard for myself have been and continue to be deeply enriching.

306. “how could this happen to me?” – what a good question if asked in a full willingness to understand and find out what choices brought me this reflection of my body. A question that brings us forward and a healing if asked with the intent of taking responsibility.

307. Having the understanding of the root cause of our disease and illness is very empowering as it gives us the opportunity to make very clear and aware changes in our lives. IN this example the understating of disregard being the root cause allowed Francene to make more caring and loving choices for herself. This is the greatest medicine there is.

308. Francene, I love what you share here, ‘The next morning I decided to exercise with ‘regard’ for myself and see what this felt like. I started by walking down stairs with intention and focusing on the soles of my feet.’ I can feel how simple this choice is to be in disregard or regard, and that it can be very familiar to go into old patterns of how we walk and move and do things and how these old ways can be harmful for our body and that we can at any moment choose to change these ways and move in regard and what an amazing difference these changes have on our health – such as you walking feeling the soles of your feet – so simple and yet so powerful!

309. This blog is just showing us that if we have disregard in our lives, no matter what age we can bring on conditions, as its our bodies way of letting us know something needs to change. If we are more connected with our body, we know how to support it daily and live in away that builds the strength.

310. We have to ask what is going on with humanity, that so many of us choose to use and abuse our bodies. We have gone so far away from truth, we no longer have relationship with our bodies and mostly ignore it. The new medicine is the relationship we have with our bodies, the tender, loving care we give it, connecting and listening to its wisdom as a life-long commitment from childhood to old age.

311. How cool to be willing to explore ‘behind the scenes’ of a diagnosis. Thank you for your article, Francene, because your willingness to share this inspires me to look at the part I play in everything that unfolds in my day.

312. I love how you have embraced this diagnosis with dignity and grace Francene. You have taken responsibility with no judgement upon yourself and now fully supporting your body on a daily basis. You have inspired me further to look at areas in my own life where disregard can sneak its way in. Lovely article.

313. Healing is always as much about the practical, medical as it is about the energetic responsibility for our past and current choices. This is a great example of this.

314. Bringing understanding to the energetic cause of illness and disease is very powerful as it supports us to take responsibility for the choices that lead to the condition our body is in. Thank you for sharing Francene.

315. It may be too late at times to reverse the physical effects of illness and disease but it is never too late to come to terms with what got us there in the first place. The greatest impediment to our understanding of illness and disease is our preoccupation with sustaining life indefinitely, and the accepted status quo in western society that life ends upon death. I understand that the medical system cannot allow itself to be governed by something that cannot be proven, but it would make a huge philosophical difference to the way we treat illness and disease if we were open to reincarnation.

316. We are aware that when we drive our cars or any other equipment against the natural flow that they are designed things will break down, yet because our bodies give us the grace of the pull towards clearing and healing, and because medicine has made amazing advances we think we can get away with ignoring our body and the natural flow we are designed to live. But this is not sustainable and deep down we know it. Yet like a stubborn child we refuse to accept responsibility. This has certainly been my relationship with my health throughout most of my life.

317. Disregard. It is at the core of so many of our maladies. It is very easy sometimes to point the finger at ourself and say we should just take better care of ourselves, and that is correct, we should. But in general we have not created a way of being in life in which we care deeply for ourselves, so where would we have learned it? This does not mean that it is better to point that same finger at society, our parents or teachers, either. It is ultimately our own responsibility to make the changes in our life that brings the care and love we feel within us. To accept that we will not get it right all of the time, and love ourselves all the same.

318. Since reading your blog Francene, for the first time I’ve really looked in to my levels of disregard and on a physical level purchased bone supporting vitamins and started back at the gym. Your blog and bringing in the energetic meaning of osteoporosis really kick started what I had already been feeling for a very long time of how weak and unsupported my body felt.

319. Osteoporosis is such an overlooked health issue but when you bring in the energetic meaning of it – living in disregard – then it makes sense as to why it is so overlooked. Disregard happens in so many ways, from dismissing that feeling that said ‘don’t eat that’ or ‘I felt to wear that’ etc. Disregard depletes and fragments our foundation for our body… our bones… it makes so much sense.

     1. There is something really inspiring about linking our ailments and illnesses to our choices and patterns of behaviour. Firstly it takes away any victim mentality we have and then offers up the power of responsibility at our fingertips.

320. It’s inspiring Francene to read how you embraced the opportunity the diagnosis gave you to look at how you had been living and to make changes that were more loving and honouring of yourself.

321. It’s incredible that your diagnosis became such a blessing, and allowed you to understand where in your life there were pockets of disregard to change. It would transform the relationship we have with our health if these flag-ups were seen as opportunities to grow and learn rather than ‘curses’.

322. What exercise can actually support us with is massive. As you say once you have applied yourself in this you actually feel vitalised and it can last all day. Once you feel this within yourself and how beneficial it is, you start to make it a priority in your life and that you are actually worth looking after.

323. In women over 45 years of age, osteoporosis accounts for more days spent in hospital than many other diseases, including diabetes, myocardial infarction and breast cancer. When I read this statistic I was shocked, but why was I shocked because I have not informed my self enough about how osteoporosis is affecting humanity. I feel this is similar to a lot if us, we do not consider what is happening to women world wide unless we or some-one very close to us gets the diagnosis. This needs to change as our ignorance is silently supporting other women’s ignorance.

     1. I have felt this for myself too recently. Like the person that doesn’t speak up about the bullying they see elsewhere, this blinkeredness allows harm in the form of illness and disease to continue to play out.

324. I was diagnosed with osteopenia 5 years ago, at the time I had never even thought about the possibility of having any issues with my bones nor had given any attention to my bone health. It exposed my lack of responsibility in regards to this issue and my over all health and wellbeing. At the same time I got a whole range of blood tests done which exposed other health issues I had which lead me to get the support I needed to heal. I now have regular bone scans and blood tests and see both this as a necessary part of my health regime.

325. Worldwide, 1 in 3 women over age 50 will experience osteoporotic fractures, as will 1 in 5 men aged over 50. These figures are alarming. Not enough fore thought or education is put into preventing this from occurring. If we were to consider our life style choices way earlier in life may be we could halt the onset of osteoporosis.

     1. And that is despite the fact that being overweight or obese is good for osteoporosis as it, by force, strengthens the skeleton. If we were normal weights, the situation might be much worse.

326. Absolutely agree Rosie, a diagnosis is an opportunity to stop and reflect on how we have been living, the thoughts we have been entertaining and our attitude to life in general……all that we do and express comes back to us and can manifest in many ways, but it is always as an opportunity to grow and evolve if we choose to take responsibility.

327. As we become more connected and aware we shift in energy in our bodies and it is important to keep adjusting our way of living – including exercising – accordingly. It is easy to get stuck in a routine or a way of exercising that is working for us but I am learning that the key is to always keep feeling what is needed next.

328. The combination of knowing the physical workings of the body with understanding the energetic flow and science is absolutely crucial to our health and wellbeing. We cannot truly heal the body if we address only the physicality as the underlying cause needs to be taught in the energetic quality of our livingness and at the same time only addressing the energetic aspect is foolish as we need to support the physicality in what it is going through.

329. To introduce ankle and handweights inspires me to experiment and exercise with daily movements. But more is the absolute appreciation of my body in listening to this inner wisdom.

330. It can be empowering to get super honest about the choices we have made that have created certain conditions, when we are open to learning and taking responsibility for bringing a new level of love and care to the body. The awareness of the energetic cause is such a blessing and provides an opportunity for true healing.

331. Taking care of ourselves, from what we eat, what we think about ourselves and even wearing the correct clothing so that we keep warm is an essential self responsibility. I too have abused myself for years, never appreciating just how delicate and awesome my body is and how well I can feel when I take absolute care of myself. Meeting the Esoteric Healing modalities has been quite revolutionary, they have without doubt supported me to heal from the inside out and coupled with conventional medicine that deals with the ‘outside in’ is a very successful partnership.

332. Coming face to face with the truth can be hard but ultimately is very rewarding and gives us the opportunity to go so much deeper. I know it took me a bit to let go of the right and wrong of what was happening to me and to let that go to just focus on what was the most loving thing to do. Our illnesses can point us in the right direction if we let them and we have a renewed chance to nurture and love ourselves.

333. I too was recently given a medical diagnosis which I was shocked to hear, but then that’s exactly how it was designed to be because I had not heard or I had overridden the earlier hints dropped by my body.

334. I feel that any diagnosis is a blessing and a great moment to stop and look at how we are and how we have been living up until that point. Nothing just happens, everything is a consequence for the choices we have made.

335. Thanks for sharing Franscene, I also had a health shock or scare so to speak and ended up having both the support of conventional medicine, doctors, specialists etc and the support from Esoteric practitioners and it was so supportive. I recovered really well and fast and was able to deal with the whole thing really well even though at the time it was stressful. In my case, I had actually started exercising prior and just continued on as best as I could and it supported me with my recovery from nerve damage in my leg and got me back on my feet and walking in record time, but it was not so much about the exercise, but how I was moving and how I was with my body as I exercised. There is a big difference. Quality over quantity is the key.

336. Hello Francene and re reading your blog this morning I had a little laugh. Not at you but as you so honestly explain of your initial shock to the diagnoses you received but then later after you had settle the realisation, “This initially left me with a heavy sinking feeling, because in that instant I knew it was true – that I had pushed myself over many years.” In other words we can never truly be in shock, we can feel shocked as you were but then there is a realisation that we have chosen to blind ourselves and in fact knew what was happening all along. It’s great to see people uncover their blind spot as you have done here, thank you.

337. Thank you for this inspiration – At 45 I was diagnosed with osteopenia and was pretty shocked. I have taken measures since then to come to an understanding of my responsibility with the condition but you have inspired me to directly address this, especially on a physical level, with exercise.

338. Such an inspiring and great example of Western Medicine and Universal Medicine working together. The words “My GP explained that bones could regenerate with weight bearing exercise and that vitamin and mineral supplements were also beneficial. The diagnosis and explanation left me feeling unsettled and upset.” are showing a great awareness and (self)responsiblity. To me this is because Francene is showing us that she didn’t give her Power away, even though she felt unsettled and upset. Instead of giving up, blame herself, etc. she chose to ‘study’ herself with support of an Esoteric practitioner. How wonderful and how much she’s learnt from that is inspirational. She’s a living example of allowing ourselves to learn when we’re diagnosed with a serious disease. Thank you dearly Francene.

339. Brilliant. Understanding how our behaviours contribute to our illnesses has been life changing for me to. Only last week I shared with my GP how depression can often be a choice – she was in agreement and expressed how we can get caught in behaviours that we think are us – when in fact we have the power to change them. No judgement – just common sense and a whole level of responsibility and understanding what true medicine truly is.

340. What you say Francene about thinking that it is only older women who get osteoporosis or those who do not look after themselves, really goes to illustrate how these general stereotypes and perceptions keep us from feeling what is needed and taking action from this, rather than what’s imagined.

341. “I am truly grateful for being able to consult with an Exercise Physiologist who could offer all the knowledge from her formal training and experience, but equally important, combined this with training in energetic awareness.” Being supported by both feel so much more inclusive of all aspects of you Francene and makes caring for yourself and your body rich and wondrous and more purposeful.

342. It is amazing how we can push ourselves and be totally unaware of the harm that we are doing to our bodies. We let our bodies take the end of the queue when it comes to what we care about – we care about getting the job done, what other people think, planning ahead all the time and ignoring the wisdom that is there at our fingertips, within our fingertips and within every cell of our bodies, in every moment.

343. I agree, Jane and obesity is not the answer even though it is good at keeping osteoporosis away. The extra weight strengthens the skeleton.

344. This was a healing opportunity that you totally took up. By seeking the support with a practitioner that had expertise in this field but equally trained with Universal Medicine to feel and read the energetic root cause of why you had come to a place where your bone density was weak. Being empowered to see your choices and to then take the responsibility to make Loving choices that will support not only you but everyone around you. This is what we call true healing.

345. Thank you, you have clearly shown how vital having the energetic awareness from the studies of Universal Medicine coupled with the physiological knowledge and experience of your practitioner enabled you to bring a truly wholistic way of healing to your body and yourself. This offers you the way to a deeper level of care and regard for yourself. When we up the quality of regard we have for ourselves and continue to do so our bodies so appreciate this and we can’t help but feel more alive, more in tune and altogether more joyful.

346. When we are given or feel the energetic reason behind a disease or illness we just know it makes sense and it is just down to the way we have lived that got us there. I still do things that are disregarding even though I know the responsibility for my health is in no ones hands but my own but it’s great to have a practitioner at hand to point out the things I can’t see myself.

347. We are shown an art by Serge Benhayon. This art is not about becoming better. It’s the art of truly looking after ourselves and naturally – if applied truthfully – this includes everybody. It’s the science of non-individuality.

348. Thank you, you offer great insight about exercise, and maybe, we have been doing it in a way that may, look like we are ‘keeping fit’, and are therefore taking regard of ourselves and being healthy, but without making this connection to our body first, the true benefits and potential of exercise has not yet been discovered. Maybe exercising in connection is very much a bigger part of preventative health than we have realised.

349. The irony is that we think we can override and or ignore the signs our bodies show us over the years, and just push through, without wanting to be aware that our body feels the consequences of every choice we make and it will expose these consequences at some point in our lives – guaranteed. Therefore disease never just ‘happens’ to us – it is the build up of all our choices over lifetimes, and an opportunity to clear and to heal in whatever form that may take.

350. Being told we have an ailment, illness or disease can have quite an effect on us especially when we have a particular picture of ourselves and our health – such as believing we are ‘healthy’, pushing our bodies for recognition and striving to be perfect! These pictures all fall apart when we are faced with the truth and the reality of how we have actually been treating our bodies.

351. Beautiful sharing Francene… of how our choices over our lifetime have an impact on our bodies. Even if we override or ignore what our bodies are showing us at the time we will still feel the consequences of our choices at some point in our lives.

352. In the past I have been quite astounded when I have had an unexpected diagnosis as there is part of me that seeks perfection and finds it hard to accept that I am less than this. I can truly feel now that a medical ailment is a message from my body about how I am living or a clearing from how I have been living in the past and is there as a gift and not a judgment.

353. I am appreciating that there are different levels of care for the body which we can go to, to look after ourselves. I used to think I was self caring in the past, which now feels very uncaring behaviour as my depth of care for myself is deepening. I am becoming aware that there is no time off; everything that we do counts, and is either supporting ourselves or not. It feels no surprise to me now that I have this diagnosis to increase my awareness of this, so I can overcome my past disregard. The body is so clever.

354. It is indeed a shock when a diagnosis lands itself in one’s lap, especially if it is quite life changing in some way. A serious illness last year offered me one opportunity and that was to accept the difference that it brought into my life, embracing the change is paramount.

355. It makes such sense that the result of disregard is osteoporosis, for if we are always putting others first and depending on outside affirmation for who we are, then we are not inhabiting our bodies and have no connection with the ground, so the bones, our very basic skeletal structure become vacant too. Thank you for a very simple and clear blog; I was diagnosed with osteoporosis later in life than you Francene, but also had never imagined myself having it as I was a body work practitioner for much of my life. That shows me how important it is to look at the energetic factor first, we can do as much body work as we like but if we are not truly in connection with the energy we are choosing from which to move, then it can even be depleting.

356. What’s a loving choice? Being in regard of what supports myself and all equally.

357. I know for me it is so awesome to have some amazing practitioners who I can go to when something comes up for me. They support me to see the self-responsibility I have had in creating the situation I do not like in my life and to feel what I have been ignoring in terms of how I have been living that got me to that point.

358. How common is this story? That we get a shock or a surprise when we apparently suddenly become ill or our bodies break down in some way. But the truth is that any illness or disease is due to an accumulation of choices that we have made along the way in our life which the body is reflecting back to us and is actually clearing for us, so if we are completely honest it can never be shocking because we are aware of what we are choosing, perhaps we just choose to ignore or suppress this awareness?

359. As a Physiotherapist who has also learnt to expand my view from just working with the physical body and who now also works in this way I can say that it is a much more holistic way to view the human body considering both the physical factors and the energetic ones. My clients really feel the benefit of this approach.

360. Francene it is a real blessing to have the wisdom of the esoteric and energetic reason for your condition and combine this with western medicine. I was talking with member of the medical community yesterday and they shared different conditions that no matter how much medicine tried, they could not understand “why” they occurred. This made me really appreciate the importance and gift we have when we allow ourselves to look at the energetic reason behind a condition. It provides both understanding and a true empowerment about the situation.

361. We walk carelessly through life, able to ignore our body until it gives a clear enough sign for us to stop. The question then is whether we listen to what the true message is or not. This is a beautiful example of how it is never too late to listen and make different choices.

362. What came to me concerning the pushing, I did and still choose to do as I am so used to it, is that most people’s life is set up with this pushing energy and society is expecting it. Nobody would say it is a disregarding energy, however it is deeply disregarding our true essence, which is emanating stillness.

363. Understanding the energy behind any illness or disease and making it known so others may learn as well is such a great thing and one day we will all wake up to the fact that everything is because of energy and both the energetic and physical will be treated in equal measures.

364. Francene you have highlighted the balance between conventional Medicine and Esoteric Medicine both complement the other. Our bodies are asking to be understood not just diagnosed.

365. I was diagnosed with osteopenia at age 39. I also lived in total disregard of honouring myself and what I felt – rushing around non-stop even though I was exhausted, and living on caffeine and sugar to get me through. To truly heal we have to take responsibility for what got us to this point, and then choose a different way. I am so appreciative for the understanding of the energetic reasons behind illness and disease, as taught by Serge Benhayon and Universal Medicine.

366. We get a shock when we think we are going along and doing well, taking care in many ways, but the body presented another image and it’s confronting to have our body tell us how we are really doing. Really shows the difference of the mind image and the reality our body is presenting and the beauty is we are presented the opportunity to deepen the relationship and heal the results of our unaware behaviours.

367. It is good to do any kind of physical movements with focus – when I work in a cafe we have to put chairs up on tables at the end of the day – I am experimenting with where to hold the chairs, how to lift them, and how my body is aligned as I lift them. It is quite a repetitive task (50+ chairs) and if my mind wanders at all, I end up bruising myself because I’ve lifted them badly or accidentally knocking them so the pile of chairs falls off the table. I can also hurt my back because I am not feeling any mis-alignment.

368. Thank you Francene, I enjoyed reading your article again, as I too have been diagnosed with Osteoporosis in my body, showing how I have lived in so much disregard through out my life, pushing my self to the limits. We are truly blessed to have modern medicine combined with energetic awareness which gives us the whole picture, it was great to hear the effects of connecting with your body while doing the weights.

369. The moment our body threatens to fail in its function or we get a diagnosis that states an impaired body function, it is like a wake up call and can come like a shock. But even then often we do not listen or bother to look for the true cause and rather go for a quick fix or accept a life with impaired function, than really pay attention and care to what is truly needed. So thank you Francene for the beautiful example how it can be done and how true care can be taken no matter what the diagnosis.

370. “Osteoporosis didn’t just ‘happen to me’, I had played a part in this with my choices.” Thank you Francene. I know from experience that we often do not like this level of responsibility which the energetic understanding of the responses of our body calls for. However the beauty of this is, if we have played a part in the illness, we can also play a part in our healing. This responsibility is in fact immensely empowering.

371. Reading how you moved from initial shock about the diagnosis of osteoporosis to understanding how best to deeply caring for your body is truly inspiring.

372. When modern medicine and energetic awareness come together, what a beautiful relationship. Together they offer a completeness.

373. The shock you speak of when realising the disregard was true came as a shock to me also. The shock being that I take care of myself enough that I think I’m ok and will be ok. I take far better care of myself than I used to. However, I know there are areas where I need to go deeper with that care. I realised there is an arrogance in me that I can get away with it because I’m healthy. But I guess that’s what everyone thinks until they get a diagnosis.

     1. What is healthy anyway? We have all created an image of what we believe healthy to be which is based on a comparison with others who are very unwell i.e. we generally believe we are healthy if we can function through daily life and are not on any medications and perhaps not receiving any medical treatment for anything. But do we consider how exhausted or anxious we might be? Or what we are needing to do or eat to get through the day? Or the little symptoms that show themselves in the body but we just pass them off as an inevitable part of life? There is another whole level of health and wellbeing and vitality that we are yet to accept but is very natural and possible for us to live and it is important to develop true markers in our bodies as to what this actually feels like so that we can truly assess where we are at in terms of our health on a moment by moment basis.

374. It makes absolute sense to me that if we disregard our body that the effects of the disregard then has to come out somewhere in our physical body. Shouldn’t this be basic anatomy and physiology in school? Our body is a living organism, which is interactive with its environment.

375. This holistic way of treating illness and disease is the way forward. How marvellous to have the support for the physical body from our wonderful heath service as well as input about what’s happening on an energetic level. The whole being gets a healing this way, and our bodies are made of atoms and anything with a mass is energy as stated by Einstein in his famous equation E = mc2 so it makes perfect sense.

376. How awesome Francene to work with someone both conventionally trained and also with an understanding of the energetic cause of illness and disease and see how hand in hand they brought you from despair to embracing your condition.

377. It is so true Francene, that we can have preconceived pictures around who gets certain diseases and why. It seems that you have really considered very widely all the physical, physiological and energetic causes and influences allowing you to apply a whole range of treatments and true medicine.

378. Accepting what our bodies are communicating to us opens the door further, as if saying yes, for deeper communication from them.

379. That disregard hollows out our substance and let us more easily break makes a lot of sense to me.

380. “How could this happen to me” I wonder how many say this when they have a diagnosis? I know I used to say why have I got back pain and then try to compare myself to someone else who doesn’t and why they don’t have it, but this keeps me in victim mode without taking any responsibility for the part I played in getting back pain. We often see illness and disease as coming out of the blue yet the build up of neglect in our body has been going on for months or years before the illness exposes the way we have been living.

381. It is quite a shock when the effects of how we live finally catch up with us through the quality of our health. It is easy to go into victim mode and attempt to blame other factors in our lives. How amazing to be able to accept that your daily choices have stacked up in this way and that you can turn these choices around. Learning to put ourselves and our health first can bring miraculous results, even in conditions that are life threatening, there is so much we can do to support ourselves when given the correct education and encouragement.

382. The power of the diagnosis unfolds with the energetic awareness of my own choices that have led to the symptoms.

383. You don’t often hear people say that they were inspired by their diagnosis to have a greater level of care and regard for themselves and their body. Most will just want someone to fix it to carry on the same. I am sure your body is celebrating right now because you have listened.

384. ‘How could this have happened to me?’ This is an awesome question Francene, and I’ve found it a great one to ask whenever anything happens actually. It’s a real eye opener at any point – from the knocked elbow to the diagnosis of an illness or disease. It encourages me to be honest about what’s been going on, the patterns I’ve been living by, or simply the immediate choices I’ve been making. This question leads me to the truth of what’s behind it…and therefore to the point where I can make changes to the way I live.

385. Your sharing, Francene, touched my heart deeply. I know how it is to push oneself and this pattern is so ingrained and I know how it is to put everyone and everything in front of you. Your sharing brings me back immediately to a truth deep inside of me and the knowing to take care and nurture myself first.

386. How could this happen to me, is such a common question for us all when we are facing a diagnosis of some sort. Bringing in the energetic awareness, allows us to see the bigger picture and that we can make the necessary changes that our bodies are asking us to make….

387. Taking responsibility for your health must have been like a breath of fresh air for your GP and the exercise physiologist – hand in hand and with full cooperation from the patient there could be some amazing results ahead!

388. It feels really important for women to share with each other the importance of using light weights at least 3 x week. I have also tended to walk and do gentle connecting exercise but lately have been enjoying going to the gym. On the days when I go, I also feel vital and steady in my body for the rest of the day. So not only do you get to look after your bones, you also feel great too.

389. Having the qualifications and experience of an exercise physiologist can be very supportive. However the added energetic understanding of the root cause of disharmony/disease in the body is a powerful combination. You could have seen a practitioner who simply taught you how to use weights, but if the disregard had not been nominated, it is likely the exercise would have been done in that same energy of disregard (the no pain, no gain mentality that is common in exercise these days). It is this shift in the way you are with your body throughout the day, along with the exercises that will be of great benefit.

390. It is no wonder with disregard being the energetic cause of osteoporosis that women experience this condition more commonly than men. We do push ourselves to the detriment of our bodies. The list you so beautifully shared, “putting others before myself, undervaluing myself, overriding my own instincts, ignoring when I was tired or even not dressing to be warm enough” could have been something I and almost every woman I know could have written. It is wonderful that you have the opportunity presented by osteoporosis to turn this around.

391. It is a great question to ask ourselves, “How did this happen?” when we get an unexpected diagnosis. As I have found over many years now my body is always letting me know when something is not right and for me not to know, I have not wanted to know in some way. Having a perception that osteoporosis doesn’t happen to younger women is a great example of this. We can’t see the signs when we don’t ‘expect’ or want to see them.

392. I love the simplicity in the explanation of the diagnosis osteoporosis, removes many held myths surrounding the condition.

393. I find having an energetic understanding of an illness or disease really helps to reflect on the way we live and to consider the quality in the way we do things. From there we can be more open to making changes that truly support our health.

394. Amazing piece of sharing about the wholeness of osteoporosis not only from a medical point of view but equally an energetic part of view. And so we are a step closer to true health. And how incredible that a diagnosis has led to you to take better care of your body and release the disregard you had held for so long. That is really amazing change. A start of a new cycle.

395. Hello Francene and it’s a great way to deal with things, like you have. It’s not that you haven’t played victim but more you have simply stepped in to see what needs to change and how to support yourself long term. Too often we take a backseat in things like this and wonder why something circles back around again. It’s not about pushing through to make yourself better but simply seeing more what these things mean. Like you say, “The diagnosis of osteoporosis inspired me to have a more caring regard for myself and for my body” and then you consistently actioned that.

396. To be inspired by a diagnosis of disease in the body is such so unusual, however reading this and also many other blogs on this site, as well as my own experience in the years since I have been attending Universal Medicine presentations and courses, I can feel that this is absolutely the message the body is trying to get across when illness and disease is presented to us. Can you imagine how healthcare would change if this was usual, not unusual?

397. What a point of evolution. The diagnosis has clearly inspired a deeper connection with your body, an understanding of the energetic and the physical, not as a punishment but as a starting point to evolve yourself and as such a deepening with your rhythm has occurred.

398. Our bodies are amazing and so receptive to every choice we make! It’s amazing how simple excercises with commitment can begin to heal the body, and bring more energy and vitality!

399. It is true that pushing ourselves hard in our youth will result in problems in later life and we set up these problems for the body so that we can learn how not to behave. I did understand it for others, like ex rugby players I have seen be quite disabled in their later life, but had arrogantly refused to see my osteoporosis was a result of my own disregard in my body until very recent years. I dismissed it as hereditary factors, so avoiding my responsibility for how I lived. Nowadays, I am aware of this, and your examples of connection to the body and exercises sound perfect support Francene, thank you for your experiences.

400. It’s so interesting to hear your deeper evaluation of why you developed osteoporosis. Instead of just accepting the diagnosis and following the doctor’s suggestion of exercise and so forth, it’s amazing that you were open to looking at what truly caused the osteoporosis in terms of lifestyle, choices and how you had previously chosen to look after your body (this being disregarding). This kind of attitude towards illnesses or conditions such as osteoporosis means that we can really learn from what is being reflected to us through our body and make changes.

401. What a wonderful realisation to come to Francene, that “osteoporosis didn’t just ‘happen to me’, that I had played a part in this with my choices”, one that I can feel has offered you the opportunity to change the way you have been living. To know that we all have a part to play in everything that happens to us, from illness to injury, is a game, and life changer.

402. It is great to see Conventional Medicine and Esoteric Medicine working together, combined, they offer so much for our health.

403. When we combine the approach of western medicine and its immense know how with the energetic understanding of illness what can be achieved by both patient and practitioner is miraculous. These two approaches combined give us a truly holistic approach, whereby the patient can take charge of how they treat their bodies everyday and the medical practitioner can support their healing with all their skill and knowledge. When we simply use one or the other, we are really only addressing one part of the problem. We live in a physical body that is governed by energy. Uniting these two facts is the future of medicine.

404. Getting a diagnosis of an illness can make us feel like we have failed in some way, especially if we consider ourselves to have a healthy lifestyle, but there is always a deeper level to go to. Sometimes the diagnosis is a wake up call to take our self-care to another level. I am finding there is a lot more at play than what we eat, or how much we exercise. You have given some good examples Francene – ‘putting others before myself, undervaluing myself, overriding my own instincts, ignoring when I was tired or even not dressing to be warm enough.’

405. Picking up on the comment made by Floris, it made me ponder on how we get into habits and do the same thing day after day. This could be what we eat or how we exercise, however things are constantly changing and we have to be sensitive to what is needed and adapt.

406. Your blog has inspired me, too, Francene to consider other forms of exercise to strengthen my body. How amazing is it to have a practitioner that is qualified in both the orthodox treatments and the energetic, as taught by Universal Medicine? This is surely the best of both worlds when we can accept what is actually happening in our bodies and then understand how and why we made the choices that led to it.

407. It is eye opening to read that even at such a young age we can develop Osteoporosis and that there is this misconception that it is an old persons disease – which also makes me wonder how many people are actually walking around with this condition and have no idea.

408. It is possible that we have no true awareness of what self care means or the depth of tenderness that is possible in our bodies whilst remaining strong. It is only over the last twelve years, since meeting Serge Benhayon, that I have begun to understand just how disregarding I have been. I am still learning deeper and deeper levels of care, as I gradually expose the layers of protection I have used to avoid getting hurt, not realising how much I have physically hurt my body in the process. Opening up to vulnerability is a strength, not a weakness, because in doing so, we are opening up our awareness of what is truly going on, and physically taking care of our bodies is supporting us in that.

409. Francene its inspiring to read your relationship with exercise and how you’ve allowed this to deepen, its still one part of my life I avoid and a part I keep feeling the pull to do something about. Your blog shows me that everything is equally important and that starts with the quality in the way we are walking to the choice to exercise in a way that supports out body. It’s also great to see the willingness to look at the cause of the condition rather than jump to the quick fix.

410. Interesting how we never get away with anything! And your story reflects for me that we are never being judged by God and get forever given the next chance to unfold our truth.

411. The amount of people that are developing illnesses at earlier ages is using modern medicine to fix them so they can carry on. Without feeling the part, they have played on this issue. Without accepting our role, we are just numbing ourselves and moving forward but at what cost and quality of life we are living?

412. I know that feeling of being shocked by the diagnosis form our GP or any other medical practitioner Francine, but as you showed in your blog it is in fact empowering us to look at something we where not aware of and was disabling our bodies. To question ourselves what the deeper meaning of such a diagnosis is, gives us the power to understand what we, next to our medial practitioner, can contribute to our own healing. To me that is fun, it brings back joy in my life, as I have learned something new, that I am not only the contributor to my illnesses and diseases, but that I am also the healer.

413. I’ve taken my body for granted most my life… its never really broken down, regardless of what I’ve put it through so I’ve lived thinking it never will. I’ve been sick a lot over the years but nothing that has really taken me out for a long duration of time. Now that I’m older I am feeling the effects of running with this lack of appreciation for my body and how it carries me. I can feel a deterioration in my strength and bones, and since reading your blog have been inspired to listen and connect deeper with what my body needs.

414. That was a very interesting blog for me Francene as it was important to get the deeper insight from you where Osteoporosis has its energetic origin. It is very interesting that it is disregard as so many women get Osteoporosis when they are getting older – what does that really say about us – that most of us women lived a life in which the others are more important than themselves. So for me there is really time to change this and your awesome blog Francene is a wonderful inspiration to do so.

415. I remember returning to the gym after a long absence and also noticing its rejuvenating effects in my body. I was also careful not to exercise in the way I had in the past – for a result, a look, an image. Exercise is a form of love in action.

416. ‘I knew that …osteoporosis didn’t just ‘happen to me’, that I had played a part in this with my choices.’ I agree – there are consequences for our choices in life and if we avoid them this time, sure as eggs we’ll be feeling them the next. We are not only usually very slow on the uptake when it comes to learning from our mistakes, history reflects we are not much better at it at the group level too.

417. ‘I knew it was true – that I had pushed myself over many years.’ I knew it was true too when I was diagnosed with Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis: that it was the result of a lifetime of push and drive and an absence of true expression. The body always offer a correction to that which we live – or fail to.

     1. I so agree with you Victoria…..when I was told by a doctor, I had the back of a 7o year old woman and I was only in my early 4o’s, at the time. I eventually had to be honest with myself and take responsibility, for how I was living in my body, that lead up to this bad back. As you said, from then, I had an opportunity, to learn and change….. or to go into denial. I chose to learn and change and I am now in no pain.

418. It’s really interesting how an illness, condition or disease can provide us with the impetus to look more deeply into our self-care – I know similar to that which occurred for Francene occurred for me. We have in that ‘moment of truth’ an opportunity to learn and change – or to go into denial and a possible further or more rapid decline. Choices, again.

419. It’s a powerful combination – conventional medicine and esoteric understanding. We need both and without the understanding of the root cause of an ailment the symptoms may return in another form or at another time, until we have healed the underlying issue.

420. I agree Francene, and have found myself needing to do different exercise as I age and as my body changes, or recovers from any surgery for example. Having regard and love for our bodies does show, as does the opposite…and as your post shares often eventuates into forms of disease or illness later on, loving indicators towards a return of the body’s natural stasis of harmony.

421. ‘How could this have happened to me?’ This is a question we often ask when the doctor reveals the diagnosis.
     Yet at some level the body knows and it has been trying to tell us for a long time with symptoms here and there but we don’t tend to take much notice until we stop functioning and then we are forced to do something about it.

422. To me this blog is highlighting the fact that life is constantly changing and that we are to adjust our lives according to these changes. What is considered self-care today isn’t self-care in a few months. We’re constantly asked to be and bring more of who we are. And in responding to that call we’re to adjust our choices to live and be with our lives. It’s taking away any arrogance of being ‘better’ or ‘less’ than somebody else. As all of this is based on individual made choices now and up until now. It’s our own relationship with life and evolution. Which never should be compared, judged or criticised.

     1. Great point Floris. Life is forever changing, we are constantly evolving, and so too should our perspective be. Nothing is constant, it needs constant evaluating and to be living in the moment, for anything to be true.

423. A diagnosis of osteoporosis really does go to the bone, it is a very urgent wake-up call to look at the way we are living and where we are compromising our health and wellbeing.

424. No one is beyond the simple physical reality of their body. No ideals or beliefs nor ignorance or denial can change the facts presented by the body. In that sense, the body is a breaker of illusions and it would be wise to listen, discern the false illusionary beliefs and behaviours and choose honesty and loving care for one´s true well-being.

425. Obviously, there is a deeper level of anatomy and physiology that incorporates the energetic science in full respect of the physical medical understanding. In the case of Universal Medicine and Western medicine both together exceed the current capacity of healing as practiced by western medicine alone or most so-called alternative modalities. Do we need to wait for evidence-based studies or can we finally appreciate the simple and direct experience the patients will make by simply recognizing the benefits and positive changes as well as the observations made by the practitioners?

426. What a blessing to have an Exercise Physiologist who not just shows physical exercises that would be practised with the same disregard that let to the condition in the first place – that is quite a game changer: loving awareness and quality in movement.

427. Research is showing more and more that it is our lifestyle choices that have the biggest impact on us healthwise. It shows us we have a choice in every moment to halt or change certain of those choices, to no longer override what our bodies clearly show us, to change our thinking, our attitude to life and ourselves and our way of being. Here we are given the opportunity to take responsibility back for ourselves.

428. Learning how crucially important my body is to my overall relationship to myself has taken a while to drop! I am someone who has been very much in my head and although I wouldn’t have ever said I have been truly neglectful of my body there has been a much deeper level of connection, awareness and respect to work on. Learning to come out of my head and focus on my presence and connection to my body is very much a work in progress but when my head is with my body (and not off on its own party) then I feel much more still and steady. It is quite rare that I feel ill these days, but whenever I have gone off in my head a little incident will remind me, or the fact that i might discover I have gone a little racy or hard, or that my breathing has changed. Noticing these things really supports me to come back to the body.

429. Sickness is asking us to do something and that is to accept the difference that we feel when the sickness abates. We are never really the same once a sickness has occurred to us. The process can be difficult, painful or both and it can disrupt our life, even for just one day. The key is to feel what this is and accept the difference that is being offered.

430. There is much blame handed out to everyone and everything when sickness strikes, but virtually no responsibility is ever taken.

431. I’ve also experienced that addressing the root cause of a physical issue can have a profound impact, not only on the body, but in the entire way we feel about ourselves and our life as we know it.

432. I love that you wanted to address the whole package Francene – not just what your physical body was communicating to you, but your energetic body equally.
     It makes perfect sense that we regard our entire being – physical and energetic in treatment, as it is both of these that are involved in our every choice in life; and the quality of our wellness and vitality.

433. Francene, such a diagnosis can bring great healing if we can accept it and take responsibility for our choices. The fact that you could see that you had been in disregard is a great start and then putting into practice a supportive program will undo the disregard as you become more aware of your body. The body is very forgiving and it is amazing how quickly it bounces back once we make an effort to change our choices.

434. There are not many who would take the view you have Francene and see osteoporosis as a blessing for change. Most see it as a curse. I used to as well and why not, it certainly does stop or at least slow us down from doing the things we may have thought we enjoyed. Like you I too have made similar choices about the way I am living by embracing more love of my body and self. I can now see those things in’enjoyed’ were not always honouring in any way to my body and my being and perhaps this is what the illness is promting change with

435. ‘The diagnosis of osteoporosis inspired me to have a more caring regard for myself and for my body,’ – this is healing in action.

436. Despite the shock of the diagnosis, this is a great message to wake us up from our complacency of many years of disregard, so we can make some changes before this disease becomes painful and further developed in the body to cause physical symptoms, or more vulnerable to break the brittle bones. How clever is the body to give us the opportunity to learn from this and live from now on in a different way.

437. What I love about this story is how it reveals that we cannot escape the truth. When we live in a way that is harming the body then it has to catch up with us sooner or later. The body does not lie, it tells us over and over again how we are living and whether it is good for us or not. It is always trying to support us to make more loving choices.

438. Thank you, Francene. When we accept that things do not just randomly happen to us but are a direct result of our choices, we step into a different stage of life where everything we do has significance, not just for our bodies but for the world around us. This teaches us to be responsible for the energy we are choosing before we move – is it loving and in the flow of what we are a part of, or is it a contracted or lesser version based on reaction that goes against the flow?

439. Francene you mention how you had an image of how your body should be, and that something like this should not happen to you.How often do we get caught in this image of ourselves and then be totally shocked when this image crumbles before us? It makes me realise that every single choice we make has an impact, and if we only decide to live 10% of our days in appreciation and awareness of our bodies, then we can’t expect the other 90% to mean nothing or to not affect us. This sharing to me shows the importance of responsibility at every moment, and I very much appreciate this reminder that every choice counts.

440. It’s incredible that something as simple as walking down the stairs with purpose, while paying attention to how your feet felt could have such an uplifting effect on your body. Imagine if this same level of precision was applied to everything in life – how we walk, talk, move, write, sit, type etc., perhaps this would change the way so many of us in society choose to check out rather than be present in what we do, and thus increase the care taken by everyone of their bodies and responsibilities.

441. Francene, thank you for sharing. What is great is how we can take diagnoses and use them as a marker and reflection about the way we have been living, rather than trying to fight them and purely seek relief.

442. “The diagnosis of osteoporosis inspired me to have a more caring regard for myself and for my body, and also to appreciate how conventional medicine and an understanding that our bodies are energy can work together for the benefit of us all.” Maybe one day this is how medicine will be Francene. When we truly understand our illness and why we have it, it brings more awareness to our own part that we have played through the choices we have made.

443. Thank you for sharing your experience of Osteoporosis and the energetic understanding with regards to how you have lived – it makes sense that the disregard would show up eventually within the body as a health condition.

444. An increasing number of illnesses, previously associated with old age, are occurring earlier in life. For example there are more people in their forties and fifties are being diagnosed with dementia than ever before. The question to ask is ‘why?’. Until there is greater acceptance of the relationship between life-style choices and illness and disease, it will be difficult for many people to take responsibility for what has happened or be willing to make significant changes in the way they live their lives. We have a responsibility to continue to raise awareness whenever and wherever we can.

445. Francine, being diagnosed with osteoporosis age 54 is a young age. And yet without this diagnosis and thanks to allopathic medicine, you may not have been alerted to an imbalance in your body. Now you do and have taken responsibility for it, you are supporting your body and yourself in a more loving way. Sometimes, life’s gifts arrive packaged in strange disguises.

446. Francine thank you. I was in conversation with a friend last night about osteoporosis and the person emphasised the importance of taking calcium supplements. Your sharing confirms that supplements alone do not truly support the body. What does is a whole new relationship and depth of regard for ourselves, including choosing an exercise routine attuned to what the body needs at any particular time. You show that every life choice impacts on our body and either heals of harms.

447. Thank you, Francene, for a very real and practical account of the benefit we all have from the marriage of western and esoteric medicine. Not only are we provided with the physiological understanding of the body and its ailments and the physical support or treatment needed but also a personal relationship with and accountability for the causes of our state of being is established so that full responsibility can be taken and true healing conducted.

448. It never ceases to amaze me how much I take my body for granted. That it is truly there on tap for me 24/7. If I get ill, or paper cut myself, for example, I can feel completely at sea and suddenly appreciate the natural flow and vitality I had before. All these ailments are actually a blessing and an opportunity to explore what is being revealed to us, whilst also appreciating all that we already have.

449. I have also found that it is quite amazing when we connect with our body and feel our legs, hips and the soles of our feet when walking; we are after all energy before we are physical and it feels to me that in the union of the two true healing can be found.

450. It is never too late to learn how we can deeply care, look after, nurture and love ourselves on a energetic and physical level, because they go hand and hand as you say. To have the regard to exercise in a deeper connection with your body and seeking the help that will support this from an energetic approach as well is fantastic. Which as you experienced feeds yourself back and everyone else around you.

451. The amount of what used-to-be-normal illnesses that affected those over 60 are slowly increasing at a younger and alarming rate. The rising multi-symptomatic patient is also on the rise. All of these occurrences are shocking but taken as a normal cost of living in today’s world. Where is our self- responsibility in this mess? Our choices got us here, and they are also part of the solution as you have said Francene ‘to appreciate how conventional medicine and an understanding that our bodies are energy can work together for the benefit of us all.’

452. I’m glad I read this Francene… I’ve just embarked into my 50’s and because I consider myself reasonably healthy, have not considered that Osteoporosis might be something that I should be aware of. It really is a reminder that the relationship I have with my body is super important and that I have an opportunity to continue to develop this, including supporting it through gentle exercise.

453. Another superb blog that (along with https://medicineandsergebenhayon.com/2016/06/04/the-effects-of-holding-back-on-my-body/) shows us how every single choice and movement that we make can either have a positive or negative effect on our body. It is a precise science the forefront of which, Universal Medicine are truly at – showing us the way in truly understanding the root causes of illness and disease and also, most importantly, that it is our choices that govern the health of our bodies. My view of my body, of my health and of my self-care has changed so dramatically through what I have learnt at the presentations of Serge Benhayon.

454. I really love how you have approached this illness, you actually have been honest enough and willing enough to look at the cause behind the issue. It’s an inspiring approach and it really made me stop and consider how many places in my life I am disregarding.

455. Thanks Francene for sharing your personal story with the diagnosis of osteoporosis, and how you have dealt with it holistically, merging both conventional medicine and complementary medicine, to get a deeper understanding of the disease and experience true healing.

456. What a stop and take stock of your life moment for you Francene. The body is amazing in what it continually tries to show us. It certainly has your attention now and I love how you are working with it, supporting yourself and being supported with the combination of medical and energetic understanding.

457. Thank you Francene your story is a great reminder that our bodies and their needs are constantly changing and evolving. I had an Xray recently and was shocked to see a curve in my spine that I didn’t know was there. It was really confronting to what had been unfolding in my body, it definitely creates a moment to stop and ask some questions.

458. A longitudinal study in Australia found that people on average don’t change their behaviour when they are diagnosed with a chronic disease. For everyone who improves their behaviour, somebody else worsens their behaviour. It is inspirational that you are changing your behaviour.

459. Thank you for sharing your story. It really shows us how honest our body is, that we can think one thing, yet at some point, an ailment or illness may present that brings a huge awareness, honesty and realness to our lives. From this, is an opportunity to reestablish a deeper, more intimate self caring relationship with our body. What an all encompassing healing that is.

460. Thank you Francene for sharing the importance of caring for our body. It is always a shock to be diagnosed with an illness or disease. It is amazing that you are choosing to be inspired by your experience and in turn inspiring us too. Our body will always show us our choices and there is an opportunity for healing when we start to listen to its messages.

461. Hi Francene, it can be a shock to discover that the way we have been living has not been supporting us. I have lived a very physical life only to learn that this outdoor active life has not supported my body but caused illness. I realised that this activity has not been done in love and awareness and that I have not listened when my body has spoken to me. The beautiful thing about learning of this is the wisdom that is available if we pause and be still and all will be known. Our body is incredibly wise and that wisdom is on tap 24/7. Thanks for sharing.

462. It is deeply empowering to know that making choices that go against the natural flow of the body can have an impact on us and our health like this… for at any moment we can choose to align to the flow… and the wisdom and ultimate blue print for health the body shows us within it.

463. When we get a diagnosis like this, it is like a huge stop point – an opportunity to consider how we have been living and whether we are truly supporting our bodies to support us. Having had the same diagnosis, it was necessary to review the extreme recklessness with which I hammered this body throughout life. and what a gift. I am now learning that the benefits of true self-care and self-love go far beyond simply having an alive and vital body, but also have rediscovered an ever deepening connection and love that goes far beyond health and well-being, more to discovering the treasures of the Universe within.

464. I know from experience that it is bewildering to be diagnosed with something, especially when we imagine that it is something that only happens to ‘others’. Considering that our body is reflecting the energetic outplay of the choices we have been making may be hard to face initially when we would rather pin it on something else, like our genes, the environment or just bad luck. But this opportunity of deepening our understanding of the messages offered by our body and increasing our responsibility is actually an incredibly empowering gift.

     1. Absolutely Golnaz, awareness of the truth is self-empowering!

465. It is though our willingness to want to understand how and why we have come to a particular ill point in our lives that we come to the truth of how we are to move onward from this point, to bring vitality and harmony to the state of our well-being. Francene you are a shining example of how this is not only possible but how this is lived. Thank you.

466. Thank you Francene for sharing this because we so often think that illness and disease is something other people get and are prone to getting at particular ages. Seldom do we consider that the quality of our everyday choices are steadily creating a problem we will have to face in the prime years of our lives. Choosing to seek advice from the Exercise Physiologist with their perspective of both the physical and energetic issues at play certainly seems to have brought huge benefits very quickly. It is an approach that I too have benefitted from immensely. Becoming aware of how our disregard affects our health is a powerful motivator, seeing how we over ride our real needs for the sake of others can restore to us the power to care for ourselves first and foremost, so that at the end of the day, we have more vitality, care and love to take care of others. If we drain ourselves of energy, it makes sense that this is reflected in our bodies by our bones being drained of calcium. When we stoke ourselves with proper nourishment, rest, exercise and tender care, our bones will follow suit.

467. What a great approach to take to exercise – not just doing more or different exercises but also being aware of they way in which you were approaching them energetically. That really sounds like wholistic medicine to me, the marriage of conventional and esoteric understandings.

468. I love this marriage of western medicine and esoteric medicine – it completes the whole picture because it asks you to consider your part in the diagnosis.

469. Our body is our greatest treasure, our compass, our marker of truth and we hardly ever put it first and treasure it for the great wisdom it has. It is our gateway back to our soul and we often don’t realize how many things are harming our body. The first step is to create body awareness and there are many activities is this world that don’t support that. Like the extremely popular ‘mindfulness’ it brings and keeps you in your mind and not to your body.

470. I agree Francene that there is much for us all to benefit and learn from of how we can truly support ourselves to heal. With the wonderful insight and the detailed understanding that conventional medicine offers of how our bodies physically work combined with the energetic understanding of how our bodies are responding to how we choose to live, we then are empowered to take responsibility of the choices we make and as such for the state of our well-being.

471. Having the gift of both the energetic understanding for illness coupled with the medical brings a person the full picture with which to heal.

472. It’s so refreshing to read an article on osteoporosis that doesn’t immediately default to the standard chalk pellets, the hard core gym membership subscription and a suggestion to carry a 3kg weight around in your handbag. Instead, you first take both cause and treatment to a way deeper level of understanding that puts us totally responsible for the choices we made that got us here and for those we’ll take to support ourselves now we have the condition.

473. Self-regard is a phrase which is really quite powerful. To regard something or someone is to behold them. To hold someone in high regard is a way to say you honour them by beholding. So, to hold one’s self in high regard is to honourably behold yourself.

474. It is amazing how our body responds to gentle exercise, stretching, walking, swimming, light weights and Esoteric Connective Tissue Therapy all of which are self-nurturing for the body and help build muscle and bone mass. What is a simple rhythm has benefited my physical wellbeing, which is felt in the vitality that I take into my daily life!

475. Thank you Francene for sharing through your experience, the way our bodies are ceaselessly reflecting how we are choosing to live, in order to guide us to live in harmony with truth and love. Understanding the intelligence of our bodies and the wisdom that it holds is a science in itself, one that we all have the capacity to master, which begins whenever we choose to connect to our bodies and build a loving and honoring relationship with the Divine vessel that enhouses our Soul.

476. Francene, I love that you have taken this new diagnosis well and have then gone about doing all that you can to address the issue and take responsibility for your part in this condition rather than blame everything else around you. This is inspiring on many levels.

477. We are all so fortunate to have a deeper level of awareness and understanding of the body which has been inspired by Esoteric Medicine. This article very clearly shows how Esoteric Medicine and the Ancient Wisdom Teachings about energy, responsibility and the body support the modern medical system and together they work hand in hand to help treat, heal and evolve our bodies.

478. I can relate 100% Francene to the initial shock of being told I had osteoporosis. It is also true most of my life I had lived in disregard. The understanding of the energy behind osteoporosis, coupled with the willingness to care for myself in every way re-builds regard in my body. The support of practitioners both esoteric and medical is marvelous and over the past few years my bone density has increased. I am very appreciative and reminded so reading your blog that while having the initial results come back were a shock, it has turned out to be a loving reminder that how I live in everyday truly matters and that I’m responsible for the outcome.

479. Thankyou Francene, I have appreciated the simplicity of all you have shared as it’s helped your very powerful message to come through. Your diagnosis has led to a beautiful healing, you’ve been able to understand why osteoporosis has occurred and then take action to more deeply care for yourself. Thankyou also for the reminder your story has given me to have a bone scan.

480. Thank you Francene. To get a deeper understanding why we have a certain disease or why something happens to us is very helpful to accept our part in it and then make the changes that we know will support us.

481. This is very inspiring, Francene, as I have had osteoporotic and pre-osteoporotic changes in my wrists and hips as well. I recognise the disregard I have had in my life from doing things that I thought were part of being a wife and mother but which in fact have taken me further away from me. I feel it would be helpful for me to consult an exercise physiologist to deepen my awareness of how I move my body in exercise and in my daily living.

482. It is inspiring how you acted on the conventional medicine diagnosis by bringing a deeper understanding to yourself about what else was going in your daily life that had contributed to the condition. Taking responsibility and making different choices means the diagnosis becomes a blessing rather than accepting it ‘just happened’ and becoming a victim. Thank you Francene for an inspiring sharing.

483. Seeing osteoporosis as an inspiration to have more care and regard for yourself. Now this is what I call truly inspirational and taking responsibility.

484. It’s great to approach ill health from a point of view of, what can I do to improve my situation. Not what a doctor can do, or what drugs can do, though for sure they may help greatly, but what changes can I make that will improve my health and wellbeing. I believe the power of exercising daily and consistently without overstraining is one of the greatest things anyone can do for health as a preventative measure too. Lovely to read your sharing Francene.

485. To have an energetic understanding of what led to the physical symptoms means we are able to really address what’s gone awry at the root of it, and bring healing to the body.

486. Ah yes Francene, the great illusion that things only happen to us because of our age, rather than being aware of our lack of true self care and nurturing for ourselves throughout our life that sets up the illnesses later on in life!
     “I realised that I held a perception that osteoporosis only occurred in ‘older’ women who did not look after themselves”.

487. There is definitely something energetically behind every medical condition, as I am 38 years old, have eaten what I would say is a pretty balanced and healthy diet most of my adult life, I have been super fit and healthy in the sense of exercise and worked as a personal trainer and fitness instructor, so there was never a lack of weight bearing exercise, I love being in nature and walking outdoors too, but, through another medical condition have been told I have warning signs / close to the line of being diagnosed with osteoporosis.

     This has definitely not come from looking after my body on a temporal sense, e.g exercise, food, healthy diet etc. It most definitely has come from a lack of self love and a disregard for my body, myself, my feelings, my truth, tenderness and delicateness. A dismissing of my self and my body. And this hurts to feel how I have chosen to abuse myself. I have spent most of my life being super hard both physically and mentally, being very critical of myself, I would say with a drive. I would go through the motions but the true intent was not to deeply love and cherish myself. This I feel is behind the warning signs of Osteoporosis. Living in a way that is not truly gentle, loving, supportive , deeply caring and nurturing of myself and my body. Very cool we are given these opportunities and warning signs from out body so we can let go of everything that does not belong to our natural way of being.

488. Francene what you’ve described is like getting the entire or whole picture of your health, your choices and bringing your awareness and responsibility more graciously and tenderly to your life. This in itself is a win-win! Because you are then deepening your ability to be guided by your body and have your amazing body feel even more supported than before, something which can continue to refine and evolve as you do. A real body, learning like the student that you are, now that is beautiful.

489. It’s no coincidence that I read this today. Illness and disease is getting to the point (if it hasn’t already) that many ill conditions are affecting anyone at any age. We can’t hold onto the ‘live young and reckless’ image anymore. In saying that I have for a number of years now been aware of my spine and a grinding noise it makes when I move my back, do I wait till it gets worse or question what is being ground away at now? Thank You Francene.

490. If we are open, an illness always presents a healing to us, and presents something for us to look at and make our life more loving.

491. I had a similar shock too Fran with a diagnosis of osteopenia and the same energetic basis of disregard. My shock came from the fact that I have always been very active and done weight bearing exercise which we are lead to believe is the way to increase bone density. I’d also had a bone scan in my late 20s and I basically had a perfect score in the density of my bones with no sign of deterioration so when I went in to have my scan some 20 plus years later I went in full of confidence which was why I was so surprised to receive the result that I did. It’s been a great lesson in understanding that the way that we are with ourselves has a huge impact on our wellbeing and our body.

492. Your blog is a lovely testimonial of how conventional medicine and understanding that our bodies are energy can work together for the benefit of us all.

493. Beautiful and empowering realization: “osteoporosis didn’t just ‘happen to me’, that I had played a part in this with my choices.” We are no longer victims to the disease but can feel the love of our soul clearing what we did to our body.

494. Francene, I love what you present here, that your diagnosis did not come about overnight but developed over time, based on your choices and most of all I love that it brought you to a new level of appreciation of how to be with and support your body, truly inspiring. And no matter what is going on we can all do this, we do not have to give up when we find something about us or our bodies which we did not expect or does not fit into the image of how we feel it should be, we can as you did Francene look and consider how we can do deeper with this and find new ways to support.

495. What a beautiful story and it goes to show how we only need to take small gentle loving steps to literally turn our lives around. No need to jump head first into hard core exercise regimes for example, but step by step we can oh so lovingly reconnect to and revitalise our body.

496. I love how you describe how the new exercises did support you in your body and vitality throughout your day. We so often ‘think’ that to spend some time in the morning for us and our body – be it in the bathroom or by exercising or whatever is supporting us – needs some time we do not have. But in fact it gives us space throughout the day, because it supports us. Space we would otherwise would lose (or in fact: give up on) by becoming tired and exhausted and so start to cook and drink coffee, eat some sweets or whatever we use to bring us ‘on function’ again.

497. A diagnosis like this can often come as a shock, but it can give us a stop and time to pause and consider the choices we have made that have led to the diagnosis and where we are. This blog is a beautiful example of taking responsibility for our health and combining the physical and energetic understanding of health to re-imprint these choices and support our bodies in whatever they need to go through.

498. This is a gift from heaven! I too have my ‘exercise routine’ every morning and it is for great benefit for me! But this year I found that it is not longer correspondent to my body requiring – it was great for years and now…I need something else, or ‘more’ in a way. Your sharing Francene let me appreciate my awareness deeply, specially while I see where my body should have to go if I ignore my realization.

499. This must have been a real shock. But equally a fantastic opportunity to better understand the condition that had presented itself. Not only that but having that support on hand. Not everyone has this resource on hand. This is why it is important to have ourselves available to others as much as we can.

500. It was so funny while I was reading this blog I did become a ‘real’ feeling for your body Francene when you wrote about your new training and awareness and I felt my own body awareness rising. It is like your increasing awareness, care and attention to your body was offered to me energetically while reading about it. I was asked to deepen MY relationship with my body. Your rising responsibility did call mine, your realizations are offer to all to realize. – How beautifully designed is this world!

501. It always comes as a shock to us when we get a ‘stop’ of any kind in our lives but if we take a moment and be really honest with ourselves we can’t deny that, in fact, we had a feeling that we were ignoring something was not quite right all along.

502. What a beautiful example of the great benefit when Western and Universal Medicine work together! Among other qualities, one bringing the diagnosis of ‘the flesh’ and the other the diagnosis of the choices (energy). Together they are a strong team for supporting human beings in their development and healing.

503. Wow this hit home – I have had a similar diagnosis and reading of deep disregard which, like you, made absolute sense when I reflected on how I had been living up to that time. I have tried several weight bearing exercises, but what you have done sounds even more caring and gentle for the body, and inspired me to investigate further, especially as I have allowed that side of my self care routine to lapse.

504. How often I am asking myself do we ‘wait’ for a diagnosis to bring attention to our body and its present demands? Our bodies are so heavenly designed, they show us if we do not live aligned to our potential and way. And that’s wonderful, but I am wondering how much support could my body give me if it would not be so busy with reflecting me where I am not, where I do hold back my natural unfoldment.

505. Our bodies are amazing in that they are constantly communicating with us in this way to tell us what is needed and what is not – and when we do not hear them they talk a little louder until we do take notice and sometimes this is at the stage of illnesses such as this, which in truth are something to be appreciated, for they offer an opportunity to stop and to ask what has been happening to get to this point, what choices have I been making and more importantly why, and then make different choices to truly heal the situation.

506. It is beautiful that an illness has inspired you to take deeper care of yourself.

507. It feels like this diagnosis, although first upsetting, was actually a blessing for you. If I am unsure about anything to do with my health I will go to a doctor, but also go to a Universal Medicine practitioner as you did to get a deeper understanding about the energy behind the symptom or illness. This not only helps put my mind at ease, but gives me something that I can tangibly and knowingly do to support my body and health .. including reflecting on why I have this is the first place. It also made me see the thousands or millions of people that are diagnosed with a illness or dis-ease and are scared or upset but do not currently know about this other level of support. It is essential that we take responsibility for our health at all times (not just when we are ill) including looking at our daily choices of food, drink and way of being.

508. This is another great blog highlighting how powerfully healing it is when we combine conventional medicine with an energetic understanding of the body.

509. I also had the belief that Osteoporosis was a condition of the elderly but from what I have been reading of late it would seem that more and more younger women are being diagnosed, and it makes me wonder how many people are walking around undiagnosed.

510. This is incredible Francene, that the diagnosis of osteoporosis (although quite shocking at first) assisted you to look after your body on a deeper level and develop a strong relationship with exercise, which supported you not only with the bone condition but also in general everyday life. Amazing!

511. Connecting to our bodies when doing something apparently mundane such as walking down the stairs is quite a revelation. I love to ‘play’ with this as much as I remember to. Feeling my fingertips when I type or write is another, as is being aware of my hands on the steering wheel when I drive. There is a simple level of joy in the connection with out bodies and it is a great thing to explore.

512. I can relate to the initial shock and the immediate question ‘how could this happen to me?’ I am sure many of us can when we are hit with similar news. It is in this moment we have a choice – to see it as a random event and that is just our bad luck, or look deeper into the ‘why’ exploring the energetic cause of the condition.

513. This is fantastic support for many of us who have had a diagnosis of osteoporosis Francene. I love what you say about walking downstairs with intention and focusing on the soles of the feet. It brings an awareness to the body, as we descend, we are lowering ourselves slowly against gravity so it’s great resistance exercise. We have the opportunity to learn to look after the body in every day activities and strengthen the body again, thank you.

514. “My exercise routine in recent years had been caring – gentle walks, stretching and relaxation. These provided great benefits to my body, but during my appointment I realised that my body was now requiring a different type of exercise.” Many of us (myself included) can get comfortable with our rhythms and routines and do not realise that we need to keep evolving with them as our bodies will always be asking us to go deeper, make changes etc., in order for us to deepen our awareness. Clocking what serves us and what is no longer needed is super important. Thank you for this reminder!

515. It is so important that we understand how self disregard such as “putting others before myself, undervaluing myself, overriding my own instincts, ignoring when I was tired or even not dressing to be warm enough.” is so harmful to our vitality and overall health and that we cannot escape the consequences of this on the body no matter how much we may be in denial about it! Blogs like these are so important to share this wisdom. Thank you Francene for sharing this and also sharing how connecting to your body has supported you to feel more energised and vital.

516. Thank you, Francene. It is such a blessing to have the awareness of what is creating disharmony in our bodies, rather than seeing illness and disease as a random occurrence. When we truly connect to the body and listen to what it has to say, we can learn a lot about the impact of our choices, and this can be very liberating.

517. How great that your doctor saw the benefit of weight bearing exercise and supplementation and then that you looked into the underlying reason for your diagnosis and that you have been inspired through your diagnosis to deepen your self-care.

518. “The diagnosis of osteoporosis inspired me to have a more caring regard for myself and for my body, and also to appreciate how conventional medicine and an understanding that our bodies are energy can work together for the benefit of us all.” To have more care for ourselves is so important. Then we can care for others more deeply also. As women we often put others before ourselves- so osteopaenia and osteoporosis give us a sign that we can care more deeply – and along with weight bearing exercise – can reverse this.

519. Thank you Francene. I like your approach to your diagnosis. It seems you have taken it seriously but not panicked, become overwhelmed or tried to fix it. You have gained an understanding of how this has happened and have put in place ways to support your body to heal as much as it can. In my understanding disregard is the root of many illnesses, if not all, and your blog has inspired me to look at this more in my own life and possibly to include more weight bearing exercises in my daily round.

520. Thank you for sharing Francene your blog takes us to a deeper level of awareness of why we get Osteoporosis, by understanding it on an energetic level. Knowing that it is an accumulation of making choices in disregard of our body makes sense and with this awareness we can learn to make different choice to not only manage but work towards healing the disease. I feel your blog will be a support to many people that have accepted osteoporosis as being one of those things you get diagnosed with and can do nothing about as they move into their elderly years..

521. Francene I also loved your description of exercising with ‘regard’, it felt like your description was talking directly to my body.

522. Francene your article has such a wonderfully clean feeling to it. You have described the energetic cause of osteoporosis in such a very matter of fact way that it leaves the reader with no doubt that we are all, indeed responsible for our health.

523. The combination of “conventional medicine and an understanding that our bodies are energy” is true medicine. The combination of the two brings a full understanding of what, why and how to address whatever is occurring in one’s body in a way that neither can do individually.

524. Francene, osteoporosis is considered normal nowadays which is not and it is ‘funny’ how you thought of it as a condition in older women that don’t look after themselves. Having read your blog I realise I did too and I feel how there is an arrogance and a disregard towards my own body when I hold on onto this belief. You inspire me to start anew with weight exercising as I can feel how this will support my body, as I know it makes me more vital and feeling alive throughout my days.

525. Such a simple change, but it’s clear you are not a victim to your diagnosis, but rather using it as an opportunity to learn and change the way you choose to live.

526. “Also that osteoporosis didn’t just ‘happen to me’, that I had played a part in this with my choices.” – it is this level of responsibility that contributes to the healing process, and without it, we are stuck in a place that says ‘why me?’.

527. The combination of addressing the energetic root cause of an illness along with exercise, Western medicine and awareness is a powerful combination for true healing.

528. Inspiring to read how you are prepared to take responsibility for your previous disregard and change your exercise programme in light of your diagnosis. So many give up when they hear news like this so it would be awesome to share updates about your ongoing experience to show others that there is a different way to be and live positively despite this. With the understanding of Western Medicine and energetic awareness you can examine past choices and now choose to treat yourself more lovingly and re-imprint how you take care of yourself. It’s great that you were able to feel the benefit so immediately and the steadiness you became aware of will support you in your journey.

529. What an amazing example of the marriage of modern medicine and esoteric energetic awareness that together show us our part in illnesses and what can be achieved when the two are combined.

530. A few years ago I also was brought to a stop with a diagnosis of borderline osteoporosis and the realisation that disregard for my body was unquestionably a contributory factor. As I do not have dairy in my diet it was a challenge for the GP and pharmacist to find any medication that did not contain some form of lactose. I also take mineral and vitamin supplements and have added light weights to my exercise together with more awareness and regard for how I treat myself. After two years a follow up bone density check showed that I am now borderline osteopenia. I no longer take any medication but continue with mineral and vitamin supplements. I am inspired by this blog to consult with the Exercise Physiologist for a supportive exercise and light weights regime to support me in being more consistent with taking responsibility for my own physical body.

531. it is so empowering when we consider our own way of living as being the cause of the illness or disease we experience, Francene. As that provides us with the means of changing our style of life, although not always easy, but at least we are in the power of our own life and what we make of it, compared to giving our power away to the medical system and what our GP tells us to do. Living with this level of responsibility is respectful to the beautiful and goddess beings we are, as we are from God and are not our illness or disease as being the result of us not living to that truth of life.

532. We so often do that…”how could this happen to me?” a lot of the world likes to blame things and be a victim. Yet, realising how our choices lead to things, you can change it! All it takes is willingness and responsibility. Better then living in the dark about it. Thanks for sharing it Francene.

533. Having the energetic meaning behind things helps to bring about lasting change, and changes the perspective on everything. It makes sense, and allows you to see where your downfall is and learn from it. How awesome that we have the support available when we need it.

534. I know that feeling of why didn’t I look after myself sooner or how can that happen to me, when receiving a medical diagnosis. Finally the body screams stop, I can’t keep going on like this, you’ve worn me down and this is how you’ve done it. It is an incredible support to know and understand the ‘how’ and ‘why’ on an energetic level. This combined with medical treatment offers the body a true foundation to heal from.

535. Thank you Francene for your sharing. I too have Osteoporosis that was diagnosed a few years ago, and your sharing is a great reminder to me to not get too lax on the weight bearing exercises and to focus a little more on these. I have found the gentle exercises given to me by Kate Greenaway have helped my body to gain more flexibility and strength. The fact that I too have been responsible for the Osteoporosis is a hard but necessary admission to make, and the need to be even more self loving is so important as is putting myself first, which is still something I have struggled with.

536. Considering the energetic aspect of any illness and disease gives us access to further ways we can support our overall health. I have known those who have been very physically active and doing weight-bearing exercise for much of their life that have also been diagnosed with osteoporosis, so it makes sense to be open to addressing more than just the physicality.

537. I too received a diagnosis of Osteoporosis some time ago and was surprised. I had an energetic reading done and it was certainly related to my past unloving ways, but not related to how I am currently living – that felt very true to me. Whilst every condition of our body reflects our choices, it is also very helpful to be aware if they are current or past choices so as to not create or re-create some issue that we might no longer have.

     1. As you say Francene, with every diagnosis it supports to always look at the energetic aspect and deal with it physically and medically too. I get great support from my Doctor, Naturopath and Exercise Specialists to ensure I am doing everything I can to support my body. Whilst the scan shows Osteoporosis, I must say I have never felt fitter or stronger in my life so I do not actually feel any effects, but I have connected more deeply to my body and now take lots of supplements and am more aware. I will have my 2 years scan shortly and will be interested to see if I have improved the bone density.

     2. One more point. When I received my reading someone told me I was X (very big number) percent more likely to break my bones than an average member of the public of my age. When I heard that it felt like a curse and for a moment I thought I would break. Then I realised that I am actually less likely to break my bones because I am very aware of how I move, very honouring of my body and myself, have an excellent diet, exercise and don’t do any foolish or dangerous things.

538. Bringing greater presence care and intention to how we are with our bodies, really makes a world of difference. I agree Francene, it supports a steadiness in life when we remain connected to our bodies.

539. What a great support you have had from your exercise physiologist, Francene. How empowering it is to have an insight so that we can look at the way we have been as a whole person, and make different choices with awareness for the way forward.

540. Francene,
     I had a similar experience last year, where bone loss was detected in my hips. Since this time I have made many changes in my diet, supplement support, exercise routine and how I live in my body.
     What has been very profound has been and continues to be connecting with the depth of love that is inside of me. The level of tenderness and delicateness that I hold is revealing more of its truth every day.

541. What an awesome opportunity Francene to feel and know that our every choice has an impact and when we stop and listen to the messages of our body we can support ourselves to come back to a balanced way of living. I feel you’ve have also brought up an important point here too, that conventional and esoteric medicine can and do work beautifully together to support true healing, but that it must begin with us taking true responsibility for the choices we make.

542. I recall having a similar reaction when having my first baby. I was very fit and healthy and had a very positive attitude all through my pregnancy so I held a picture of a ‘dream’ birth – totally natural – easy peasy and I definitely was not having an episiotomy. The reality came as a shock – it was nothing like my picture – I pretty well had the works – a long and painful labour, gas for pain relief, stirrups, forceps delivery and an episiotomy. I was physically and emotionally battered and bruised with no real understanding of how and why this could possibly have happened.

543. It’s very interesting how difficult I can find it to be present when I am doing exercise. I find I want to get lost in it, check out while I’m doing it. I often notice this is because I want to avoid acknowledging that I really am worth the effort, instead telling myself that if I don’t do it, I’ll suffer later and hence it becomes a ‘have to’ instead of a ‘want to’.

544. I understand your shock Francene. I was diagnosed with osteopenia, the precursor to osteoporosis a few years ago when I was 32!!! It’s quite amazing really, given that I grew up with the belief system that dairy helped strengthen your bones. I ate dairy my whole life until I was 29, so I know that didn’t work keep this disease of the bones at bay.

545. This is an awesome blog and shows there are things we can do to influence our health, that there does not have to be a great mystery behind our health or lack of health and vitality. Its empowering for the person who lives in that body 24/7. It also shows how our perceptions can get in the way of looking after ourselves, that instead we can support ourselves with a deeper connection to what’s needed on a very practical common-sensical level.. in this case was provided by Francene’s GP and an energetically aware exercise physiologist. Thank you Francene, you are a beautiful inspiration of how we can make the choice to come back from initial reaction (which many people have) to an ill or disharmony in the body, shifting to see what purpose that serves and move forward with supporting our health in a very practical, self-caring and/or self-loving way. It makes complete sense that energy and medicine work together, it covers every angle and is as medicine used to be.

546. I too was shocked when I first was diagnosed with osteoporosis when in my fifties. It was a sinking feeling of fragile old age and at the time I thought it was genetics. I learned about the energetic cause being disregard from a presentation by Serge Benhayon and it took a while to realise the full meaning of that term in regards to my life, and to fully address it. I have found fantastic support from a naturopath and an exercise physiologist to help with the physical aspects of rebuilding and maintaining bone strength.

547. Also related to osteoporosis is the fact of acidosis where our body and blood in particular is too acid (from food, stress, emotions and too much strenuous exercise) that strips calcium from the bones and stomach areas in particular.

548. Francene this is so inspiring to read. I love the deeper level of care you are bringing to your exercise routine. The practical tips with weights on your ankles (something I have never considered) and hands and walking up and down the stairs with awareness is supportive to know about.

549. To feel that an illness just ‘happens to us’ is completely disempowering and as I feel it now, almost creates a fear in my body of whether ‘I will be next’. This is simply not true at all, as we are the creators of our ill conditions in the first place.

550. Hi Francene – Join the club – so many older women find this situation is upon them – I also feel it is testimony to a life spent ‘pushing and doing’ instead of ‘being’ first and foremost – sadly so many young women don’t get the warning of what is to come with a lifetime spent being ‘energetically’ out of the flow of our natural rhythms – but the lesson arrives after menopause. It would be awesome if we could get the message to them sooner.

     1. I’m realising more and more that it’s simply how we live that can help to spread that message – in Francene’s case she is a living example of how she chose to support herself on a deeper level. People will see or feel that change.

551. Francene this is so important to discuss, that because we do exercise and consider ourselves healthy we might overlook other vital factors to our wellbeing – that eventually show up as physical symptoms in the body. I find the energetic understanding to be the best preventative medicine going.

552. When it comes to receiving a diagnosis of any health condition, it often comes as a shock even though it may not come as a surprise. This may seem contradictory to say, but I find there is much truth to it. It is often not a surprise as when we reflect back it makes sense, we often actually have gotten messages from the body about this condition developing, and on some level we know exactly what is going on. However, so often we turn a blind eye to the little warnings from the body, or we soldier on thinking it’s ok to deal with it later. And then comes the diagnosis and the shock – the shock of realising how something has escalated whilst we have ignored it. The shock of realising that we are being asked to be accountable. This is a difficult time for anyone to have to sit with, be it a diagnosis of osteoporosis, cancer or diabetes etc. Thank you for sharing your experience Francene.

553. What an inspiring sharing and story about the union between western (physical) medicine and the Wisdom of the energetic root cause. The long term effect of disregard is alarming, yet not something to blame, but rather a call to seek support and start caring and loving ourselves on a deeper level. Wow. Thank you Francene. That your sharing may inspire lots of people! Both people suffering from osteoporosis as well as people treating osteoporosis.

554. What I love and appreciate about the body is that it is universal – it belongs to the universe and needs to be treated like the important part of the whole treasure that we belong to.

555. It feels from reading your blog that when we simplify life and bring it back to connecting to ourselves and our bodies the results can be profound. There is such a huge difference to doing weight exercises and doing them with an energetic awareness. I would love to know who the practitioner was that supported you.

556. Not regarding ourselves could even be classed as an illness. We can so easily get into a pattern of not being present, which starts the process of the body compensating for this lack of presence.

557. Another example of how our body reflects our awareness of and honouring of its wisdom – or not! Thank you Francene for sharing. This a great support to all who read it.

558. Last year I started to do weight bearing exercises and I was totally astonished about the core strength I developed through them. I experienced a new level of fitness, not seen from the outside, but a core strength through which I have more consistency and vitality during my day. Quite amazing and I very much recommend it.

559. “I am truly grateful for being able to consult with an Exercise Physiologist who could offer all the knowledge from her formal training and experience, but equally important, combined this with training in energetic awareness.”

     When we combine the temporal knowledge with energetic awareness we arrive at a Whole that is truly universal. This is true wisdom and it is the way forth for medicine.

560. I had a similar response Francene when diagnosed with Osteoporisis at age 46…I was too young for this condition, surely?! It was a massive wake up call in how I was with myself, and somewhat of a blessing really to stop me in my tracks to look at this.

     1. It’s awesome that you see it this way, Sandra. No doubt you have listened to that wake up call and changed the way you choose to live. These events may seem devastating at the time, but the changes we make (if we make them) inspire all of those around us.

561. This blog has shown me how strength and gentle care can be together, that we do not need to compromise one for the other.

562. Great sharing Francine, thankyou. This seems to be a trajectory many of us follow: we drive the body forth in pure disregard and when the effects of this catch up with us we literally stop in our tracks and gasp ‘how could this happen to me?’ Many at this point would simply reach for the treatment to alleviate the symptoms and ‘take away’ the problem as well as the discomfort arising when faced with the reality of our past choices. But there can be no true cure if at first we have not healed what is causing the dis-ease in the body in the first place.

     By beginning to understand that we have moved in a way that has created disharmony to an otherwise harmonious vehicle (our body), we are better able to arrest the ill momentum stemming from initial discord that led to the ensuing illness. That is to say that if we move in a way counter to the love that we are, we will invite into the body a whole manner of illness and disease that serves as a marker for this ill choice. True healing begins the moment we are able to take responsibility for our previous ill choices and without falling into the trap of guilt and remorse, simply make more loving choices for our every step forth from this awakening moment. Our illnesses are a gift – a moment of grace for us to pause and reconsider the quality with which we move through life.

563. Often we go through life doing many things that we think are supportive to us, but we have left out the most important element—ourselves! Life when done in connection and presence is a deep love we give back to ourselves. When we move through life in such a way, an intimacy is felt rather than a disconnection.

     1. Totally agree, Adele. And when we are connected to ourselves we often learn new things about old patterns. On the topic of lifting weights and exercise, I recently felt/realised that the way I’ve exercised for the last 20 years was to strain in every way. That awareness allowed me an opportunity to make a choice to change.

564. We can live life like it’s a lengthy government form we need to fill out, with multiple check boxes. When it’s sent back to us marked ‘incomplete’ there can be a sense of outrage and injustice. ‘What?! but I am a good citizen!’ But the truth is what we think is ‘enough’, what we settle for as ‘getting by’ is nothing compared to the depth that is on offer to us all. The boney issue and sorest point is we actually do know that there is an amazing level and quality to life that is possible. So wow, how cool to return to cherishing the everyday quality we can live with Love.

565. Reblogged this on maggiemoonlight and commented:
     Osteoporosis: something that could ‘happen’ to any one of us! This is a lovely little article that is expressed from profound experience and energetic awareness…

     “…My exercise routine in recent years had been caring – gentle walks, stretching and relaxation. These provided great benefits to my body, but during my appointment I realised that my body was now requiring a different type of exercise…”

566. This is great, showing to all that the way we live has an enormous impact on our body. And that when we truly look at what is going on we get to see the true cause and can work on this, this is true healing.

567. Hello Francene and great to read your blog, thank you. The responsibility you showed at the point of diagnosis obviously was a step in the right direction and as you say now, “The diagnosis of osteoporosis inspired me to have a more caring regard for myself and for my body, and also to appreciate how conventional medicine and an understanding that our bodies are energy can work together for the benefit of us all.” Could that be the long term answer to what is becoming another ‘plague’ like illness, Osteoporosis = more regard for yourself, sounds simple really and makes sense.

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