I know Jon Bon Jovi, might not be considered the “thought leader” of the 21st century. However, I think he is on to something in this quote (if in fact, this is really his quote).

 

Do “miracles” really happen every day? I know people who believe they do.  Me?  I am a self-proclaimed “realist”.  Meaning, I often lean on the side of events that have been consistently repeated. On the other hand, I have also seen things that I might define as a “miracle”.  So, maybe that makes me a “moderate”? 🤔 Who knows. But once again, I digress….Back to the people who are die-hard “miracle believers”.  We will call them the “eternal optimists”. These people have often been criticized for “pie in the sky” thinking. But is that so bad? Is this an unjust criticism by the die-hard “realists”?

 

I guess it depends on the lens in which you view this word….miracle.

 

 

A “miracle” is a “supernatural event that seems inexplicable by natural or scientific law” (credit: wikipedia).  In other words, “miracles” are events that can not be explained by our current understanding of science.

 

 

If this definition holds true, logic would suggest that everything in the scientific world that can’t be explained is a “miracle”. Right? For example, in 2020 the scientific community discovered a vaccine that could (safely) show our immune system a virus. I know, it is like the “current event” that is never going to die. 🤷🏻‍♀️ Prior to the end of 2020, scientists did not have a vaccine that could defend our body against the novel virus COIVD 19. When this pandemic presented itself, scientists had to believe (in part) that there are things that existed outside of their current understanding of viruses, vaccines, mRNA..etc. And nothing to date, could validate that they would be able to accomplish this in under 12 months. Yet they did. So what motivated them to continue to persue this with such vigor? Could it be that they believed in the possibility of being able to develop this technology in the shortest amount of time in history? Maybe. It could also be that they were motivated to stop this virus from killing people at the rapid rate that it was in early 2020. In either case, they had to believe in part in the possibilities of potentially being a part of a historical scientific discovery.

 

 

On the other hand, let’s imagine our scientific community did not believe in “miracles”? Let me rephrase that.  Given the above definition of “miracle”, what if scientists believed that nothing existed beyond our current understanding?  Would they have pursued the development of this vaccine with the same level of energy?

In the book “You Are The Placebo” by Joe Despenza talks about why it might be possible that you have the potential to be your own placebo.  He cites many studies where large groups of people have benefitted from the placebo effect. In the studies he references, people had a positive response to a treatment they believed had a therapeutic benefit.  He also references several studies that prove a nocebo effect exists. A nocebo effect is a phenomenon whereby someone has a negative response to a treatment that they believe is harmful.

 

 

 

With these studies in mind, he goes on to explain why he believes humans CAN be their own placebo.  Dr. Despenza believes that our consciousness (in part) holds a key that may unlock our body’s own ability to heal.

 

When talking about this idea of consciousness, he mentions being “suggestable”.  In other words, an open-mindedness to the possibilities.  The possibility that you could live with fewer symptoms.  Less spasticity, less pain, less stiffness….etc.

 

For a moment, what if you believed that you had the tools to move better despite your diagnosis (insert stroke, MS, PD, ALS…etc)?.  Not that you deny you have this diagnosis, but that you believe you have it within you to have fewer symptoms as a result of this diagnosis?

 

 

The reality is “neuroscience” presents more questions than answers.  And with that said, miracles ARE happening every day.  I witness people do things every day that the scientific community can’t explain. For example, how does someone regain use of an arm when that entire side of the brain is “severely damaged”? Is it a miracle? It depends on “your perception of a miracle”. So, I guess here is my challenge to you die hard “realists”.  If you believe in placebos, outliers, and people who “defy the odds”, might you also believe in miracles?

 

 

We never find what we are NOT looking for.  With that said, I think Bon Jovi was on to something…….”miracles happen everyday. change your perception of what a miracle is and you will see them all around you.”

 

But I might want to change that, and dare I say, create a “Tara-ism” (hey, if Bon Jovi can….. 🙃)…..  humans overcome diseases and physical ailments every day. Change your perception of what  “a cure” looks like, and you will see the potential for your own physical recovery.