Radical responsibility and an ‘executive order’ for life with lupus
Our challenge is to assume radical responsibility for our health and daily lives
January 2025 was a month of civics lessons for anyone watching the news. We heard the term “executive order” more times than many of us care to count. While Americans are experiencing a crash course in U.S. government, that political term “executive order” can help pose an important question to those of us living with systemic lupus erythematosus and other rare, chronic conditions.
According to the American Bar Association, an executive order is a “signed, written, and published directive from the President of the United States that manages the operations of the federal government.” Simply put, executive orders are instructions from the president that direct executive branch agencies and staff to take or discontinue specific actions. By using them, the president takes radical responsibility for the outcome.
Mindfulness meditation teacher Fleet Maull, PhD, says radical responsibility is the belief that you are 100% responsible for your life and the outcomes you experience. With radical responsibility, you accept accountability for how you choose to react to different circumstances, taking control of your thoughts, actions, and reactions, then redirecting your energy to solution-based action.
In the book “Radical Responsibility: How to Move Beyond Blame, Fearlessly Live Your Highest Purpose, and Become an Unstoppable Force for Good,” Maull teaches us how to use radical responsibility to “access the full power of our authentic selves” and shift our lives.
Radical responsibility is a mindset and a conviction that we, the hosts of aggressive diseases, must maintain daily as we navigate our jobs, schools, and other commitments.
The question is what executive order will you create as president of your own body (i.e., your own Department of Health)? The challenge is to assume radical responsibility and enforce the order.
Perhaps the following executive order might help.
Executive Order on Systemic Lupus Erythematosus for Optimal Function of My Immune System
As a declaration by the individual over their own body, the following is mandated daily:
- Immune system health: I affirm that my immune system must function optimally. It must temper its hyperprotective and overreactive response to fighting infections, and it must cease any and all attacks on my body. It must reclaim and restore my overall health.
- Self-care and maintenance: I commit to practices that support immune health, including:
—Healthy nutrition
—Regular physical activity
—Sufficient rest and stress management
—Following holistic, functional, naturopathic, and medical advice
—Practicing gratitude and mindfulness
—Joining a community and enjoying remarkable friends - Medical support: I will research and request medical interventions, treatments, therapies, or clinical trials to maintain or improve immune function, including care for any vitamin or nutritional deficiencies.
- Emergency action: In the case of a flare or health crisis, I will take every necessary step to restore immune function through medicinal and homeopathic means, hospitalization, and lifestyle adjustments without fear of isolation.
- Responsibility and celebration: By declaring this, I take full, radical responsibility for maintaining and nurturing my immune system, in alignment with best health practices and medical guidance, honoring my spiritual and loving relationships, and with kindness and gentleness to my self. As this daily order is fulfilled, I will celebrate how I’ve made it great.
I, (insert name), hereby affirm and declare my commitment to the principles of this executive order regarding systemic lupus erythematosus and the optimal functioning of my immune system. I agree to follow the health practices outlined above and take responsibility for the well-being of my body.
Signed:
(Insert name), President of this Body
Effective today.
Note: Lupus News Today is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of Lupus News Today or its parent company, Bionews, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to lupus.
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