65,000 Healing Affirmations For Someone At Their Lowest

By: Shrishaila, Diamond

Published On: April 28, 2022

One of the greatest moments of the Olympics is not Michael Phelps winning the eight medals in Beijing in 2008, it is not the USA gymnasts sweeping the medals for wins after wins in Tokyo 2020. One of the greatest acts of sportsman spirit, empathy and positive affirmation was when Great Britain’s Derek Redmond ran in the semi-finals of 400 metres race in the Barcelona 1992 Olympic Games. This old video is enough to make a grown person cry along with the 65,000 spectators who were present at the stadium.

In the previous edition of the 1988 Olympics game, the Briton had to leave the 400m injury even before the race began - all due to an unforeseen injury. With much to prove (most of it for himself), Redmond was keen and evidently well prepared to clinch a title at the following Barcelona Olympics.

Redmond had everything at stake during the semi-finals

As the story goes, his performance was top-notch in the heats, quarters and until the semi-finals. During the semi-finals, as the gun signalled the start, Redmond soared off the placement blocks, resulting in good speed and top position. It was right at this crucial moment that Redmond’s hamstring snapped and he had to limp to finish the rest of the race. He could be seen wailing in pain, partially cuffing his back thigh. His tears were evidence of his Olympic dream coming to a full stop. As reported by many popular publications of the time, Redmond’s dreams were shattered, and the promises he made to his parents and to himself could not be kept.

Source: Olympics.Com

But what followed was better than most wins. In the backdrop, a man in a white T-shirt and blue shorts could be seen steering past security and running towards Redmond. The man was none other than Redmond’s father, Jim, who later holds onto his son and helps him cross the finish line. Redmond’s fate could not have been just the injury but beyond that, as tears rolled down his eyes, Redmond’s undeniable victory as a sportsman was witnessed by approximately half a lakh people present, many of them in tears. They stood in unison and cheered for Redmond. Even the participating players applauded the father-son’s undeniable win. Redmond’s emotional moment overshadowed the United States Of America’s Steve Lewis’ win at the very event.

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Redmond was not only appreciated by his father but also by the spectators and the viewers around the world during a moment that would have otherwise been remembered as drastically different. A moment most athletes fear and dread, turned out to be one of the most memorable acts of sportsmanship in the Olympics history. Derek Redmund witnessed and experienced humanity and empathy at a time when he needed it the most.

Source: Olympics.Com

We all need a little bit of empathy!

When a person is at their lowest or struggling even, a few words of encouragement go a long way. It is all about the time and the moment we share with the person, one might never know what works! According to a study conducted by Y. Joel Young and colleagues at Indiana University Bloomington in the year 2019,

“A genuine nature of encouragement is a character strength that you benefit from just as much as those being encouraged. By encouraging, people will like you more and others will like themselves, and it circulates to create an environment that represents the good life.”

For instance, to be diagnosed with an illness is a nightmare, so much so that a person might feel isolated, anxious and even depressed. The pain from the ailment, medication side-effects and the weakness post it all adds to the mental stress that someone might be in. It is important to help someone see the good when they are suffering from illness anxiety. A few words of positive affirmations help the person hold onto their dwindling threads of hope.

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The power of healing affirmations

Oftentimes, getting diagnosed with a physical illness is exhausting for not just the patient but also their family. The family has to be prepared to care for the patient both physically and mentally. According to a research study, negative thoughts and cognitive dissonance are a follow-up of our inhibitions, a way we deal with emotions. In most cases, patients suffer from anxiety and hopelessness about the future. It is at this very point the next of kin or a peer person must know what to say and what to do.

Some ways you can reinforce positive affirmations are -

Tell them you are here for them

Many times, your people, especially someone suffering from an illness, just want to know that you are there for them. We understand that your words would not be the cure for the illness but it would reassure them and help them find the silver lining in difficult times. Our aforementioned story, where Redmond is held by his father, is just one example of your loved ones helping you find hope in desperate times.

Remind them that they are strong

Consistent reminder of their willingness to recover and defeat the illness will help them look on the brighter side of the disease or illness. Your sole responsibility is to help them believe in the positive outcome.

Ask them what is on their mind

Help them express their thoughts and feelings. The conversation can start with statements as simple as, “What wonderful weather, don’t you feel like eating something warm?” Slowly and steadily help them ease into a conversation.

Ask them how you can support them

Supporting someone in need with running errands, helping with household chores and simply listening to them will help them relax for precious moments.

Reiterate their importance in your life

The very reason why you are caring for them expresses that the other person is important to you. Now, express this to them. Make sure you lay emphasis on why you want them to recover well.

Following them are ways you can ease their everyday life-

Planning a trip with all safety

Fighting an illness is challenging on its own. However, small trips and outings or activities, in general, will help them look forward to something else. You can plan a getaway including all the people they love.

Helping them continue their hobbies

Another form of distraction is helping them explore and commit to their hobbies. Simple activities like drawing or painting can help them think about something else, and keep them engrossed and involved in their favourite pastimes like reading or writing.

Starting a fundraiser

When a person is diagnosed with an illness, it is the closest friends and peers who would want to be there for them both physically and financially. Often, taking off some amount of burden means a level of financial expenses. But if at all you are in a situation where financial freedom is still a distant dream, but you wish to help the friend, you can start a fundraiser for them. This fundraiser can help the patient in emergency room visits, long-term therapy care, and follow-up visitations to the doctor. With crowdfunding or starting a fundraiser on ImpactGuru, there is no payback involved. Thousands of donors who resonate with your cause might donate as well. These donations are a one time gift.

A fundraiser will help secure the financial security of a person in the long run. Medical crowdfunding, if done strategically, can help the person from possible bankruptcy and allow the person to recover and focus only on healing. Thousands of people have taken the fundraising course and covered doctor visitation charges, prescription money and even surgery costs.

People who suffer from an illness have the battle to overcome, the people who are the next-of-kin and their immediate caretakers, they are the weapons of this battle. They are empathic and drive the person to recovery.

As Judith Orloff once rightfully said,