GROWING BEYOND ISOLATION

After being diagnosed with HIV we tend to isolate, feeling damaged and taking on the self-imposed role of a "leper". HIV/Aids has become the modern leprosy, because we who are infected have allowed ourselves to accept this unnecessary label. The shame of HIV drives us underground where we not only denigrate ourselves, but we lose the ability to truly serve ourselves or humanity because we are no longer fully present.

One of the greatest fears of those living with HIV is the possibility of being alone for the rest of existence. We incorrectly assume that nobody would want to come near us, let alone kiss us or engage in any significant physical intimacy. HIV imposes new responsibilities regarding protecting others from infection as well as protecting ourselves from dangerous re-infection. But HIV is not a call to celibacy or complete social withdrawal.

Before searching for any relationship, we need to first ensure that we have a healthy and dynamic relationship with ourselves. HIV/Aids is the disease of self-love! We most often contract the virus because of insufficient self-love. Once we have HIV, the fullness of our existence is determined by how we learn to love ourselves to promote the very best for ourselves. This might be by changing poor eating habits, drinking enough water, regular quality sleep, taking appropriate exercise and avoiding harmful stress.

Self-love is not about narcissism or selfishness, it is a basic respect for the gift of life and honouring this gift in the most profound way. Self-love is never rooted in ego, but always strives to be MORE. (Please visit: http://www.indigo-man.com. Click on Indigo-Links and then click on "MORE or LESS")

The initial shock of discovering an HIV infection drives us away from others. But we need to use this solitary time effectively, as it is a perfect opportunity to rebuild meaningful relationship with ourselves. Many of us never learn the art of being in relationship with ourselves, often condemning ourselves as failures, as being unattractive or otherwise unacceptable. We are all unique and therefore immensely special and deserving of love, especially from ourselves to begin with.

HIV and Aids taught me the essence of relationship to myself and this was borne in a period of intense personal isolation. Rejection begins with self-rejection and HIV takes us right into the vortex of potential self-rejection. As we grow in self-acceptance, despite HIV, so the world starts to open its loving arms to us.

We need to put HIV in context. If we have contracted HIV, it remains only a small part of who we are. By giving our personal power away to HIV, we energise it in a way that becomes self-defeating. If we respect the virus by doing what is required to live fully despite having been infected, we soon realise that life is so much more than just having HIV.

It all begins with us! To choose to be a victim of anything is extremely limiting and deprives us of considerable potential. HIV/Aids is merely a landmark, a call to significant change. Let that change begin by discovering who you really are, by showing yourself the love and respect you deserve and by always choosing to be MORE!