When I was lost in the desert of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome in the early ’90s, I developed this conviction that if I stayed where I was (living with my parents), I would never get well. I had to connect with people outside of my current world. There I could find answers to my problems. Eventually, I met a woman who took me to her shrink and I got on Nardil and left my sickbed and resumed a normal life.
I’m frustrated with many parts of my life right now but everything that bothers me can be solved with the right connections.
Last Rosh Hashanah at the Chai Center, I met a medical empath. For decades, I’ve wanted to meet a medical empath. So I did a trade with this particular empath, exchanging Alexander Technique lessons for her empathy. She in turn sent me to Dragon Herbs, which has been of great benefit to my sleep and energy levels.
What do I want now? I want a wife. I want a good job. From 1997-2007, I made my living from writing. I’d like to return to that kind of job or I would like to teach Alexander Technique full time. I’d love to host a radio or TV interview show. Interviewing people is what I do best. I’d like to write a column for someone. “10 Rude Questions From Luke Ford” was Cathy Seipp’s suggestion for the Los Angeles Times.
Every connection helps, even if it is only an acquaintance because that bloke can become a safe connection when I enter a room where I otherwise know no one.
A few weeks ago, I had a nasty stomach flu. This doctor I knew suggested charcoal tablets and I think they helped me. Another doctor friend got me a prescription so I could breathe through my nose more easily.
I remember when I was new to synagogue Ohev Shalom in Orlando in late 1993 and I met this guy and after a few minutes, he asked me, “What do you need right now? A car? A job? A doctor? What?”
I was overwhelmed. I asked him to give me time to think about it. Then a couple of days later, I came back to him and asked for a recommendation for a doctor who could help with my Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.
As the years have gone by and I’ve learned stuff, I’ve helped people with recommendations for doctors, apartments, jobs, herbs, low-cost therapy, acupuncture and the like. I set up two friends and they had this intense relationship and almost got married.
A happy life is a connected life. By contrast, a disconnected life always means misery.
