Do you really want to get better?

If you're reading this blog, I'm assuming the answer is yes.

But I'm not making a joke when I write this. Because there are people who have various types of illnesses or whatever, and -- deep down, they really don't want to get rid of whatever is -- we think -- bothering them.

I met a guy a while back who had what is usually thought of as a debilitating illness. He went to someone who could help him, he changed his diet, started exercising, and basically got rid of his symptoms.

Someone there at the clinic wanted him to join a support group. His response? "A support group? What am I supposed to do, sit around singing 'Kum Ba Yah'?"

Because he had a family, a wife, children, a business to run, and things he was interested in. And his only interest was in getting rid of his problem. When he was rid of it, he had no particular interest in talking about it, or feeling miserable.

Notice how some people describe their illnesses: "I'm a cancer survivor." Or: "I'm diabetic." Or I'm whatever.

I am. What they are saying is that this thing -- whatever it is -- defines them. Defines their life.

The first step to getting rid of a health challenge is to stop thinking of it as part of yourself. Define it as a problem that's external to yourself, one that you can get rid of.

Because you can get rid of it. At least 90% of your "illness" is mental. Change the mental, and change your life.

That's the approach I'm taking here.