When an illness hits or a health complication looks like it may turn serious, its common to be overcome by one thought: I cant believe this is happening to me.

It may seem like a harmless sentiment, but at the heart of it lies a very dangerous assumption, according to medical intuitive and spiritual teacher Caroline Myss .

[Its] as if were exceptions to the rule, she says. Like, I do everything right, and something wrong is happening to me. What I have to say to you is, theres no such thing as an exception.

Telling yourself that you are an exception, Myss continues, isnt just inaccurate; its actually harmful .

One of the most painful things you can tell yourself is that you are the exception to a rule, she says. That you are the exception to what happens to all living creatures. That somehow or other, you are living outside the laws of life. That what breaks down everybody elses body cant touch yours. That somehow, other people will age, but not you.

The reality is that upsetting things like illnesses happen to everyone. As Myss points out, it has nothing to do with what you may or may not deserve.

[People think] that somehow, if youre a positive person, negative things shouldnt happen to you, she says. Now, you just stop that.

Besides, Myss adds, its impossible to know enough about your past, present and future to make sweeping statements about your ultimate positivity in the first place.

I want to put you in your bubble and say, Well, what positive things do you think are protecting you? Is it your psychic positive, your emotional? How about all your past lives? How about your future lives? she poses. You cant possibly know yourself that well.

The sooner you can come to terms with the fact that youre not the exception, the better prepared youll be to face whats ahead, Myss concludes.

Another thing Myss suggests you stop saying:

Remove I never meant to hurt you from your apologies (and say this instead)