Very recently, a friend thought she was having a heart attack. Doctors found nothing wrong except (possibly) a virus that will heal on its own. She suffered great pain and fear, naturally.

What made me think is that this month is the 7th anniversary of her mother's death--her mother died after a long painful struggle with cardiomyopathy ('heart-muscle disease'--can be many things). My question: was my friend's "heart attack" her body's metaphor for reminding her to grieve? (She has trouble being open to herself emotionally).

Do our bodies interpret our lives in metaphors and symbols....the way our minds offer us dreams? If so...how can we use this in our journey toward healthier lives?