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HEALING STRATEGIES – HEALTH - SOMETHING TO BE GRATEFUL FOR

By
Real Estate Agent


A number of years ago, a search for healing strategies would have been the furthest thing from my mind.  I was very fit, rarely became ill, and could leap 7 steps easily in a single bound. My life was busy, raising very active kids, while managing a real estate career.

In the early 1990s, my health began to spiral downward, with Chronic Fatigue, and Fibromyalgia being the most devastating to cope with.  It wasn't only physically difficult - my ill health had devastating financial consequences as well.

The crucial moment, when ill health, finances, and a poor quality of life, all met together, and created a perfect storm, came in April of 1997.  It was then, I made a conscious decision, I knew, would require a very real plan, and some hard work to achieve.  But, knowing that I had made the decision, also gave me some form of minute energy to work with.

I began to create ideas on how to revitalize my once thriving career.  I had difficult days with pain in the early months, but managed to work my way through it.  And interestingly, the movement provided by the work environment, miraculously worked better than being in bed.

The next step I embarked upon, was to try to restore some health.  I did this by dramatically changing my diet - making conscious decisions about food, which would benefit me, rather than further deplete me.  Immediately leaving my refrigerator - was soda pop.  I purchased a juicer instead.

I am blessed with a really superb Farmer's Market that congregates each Saturday Morning in the parking lot of a local shopping center.  I buy nearly all of my fresh vegetables, fruits, breads, eggs, cheese, and olive oil, from the market. 

It would be a number of months longer, before I began to pursue a meaningful exercise program.   In those early days, I was feeling accomplishment by just making it to work each day.   

What I have learned from my journey back to wellness is that it is a process.  It is best to not dwell on the goal, but to embrace the journey.  There can be so much learning and growth that comes from the process.

On one really overcast day during this process, a company I worked at, gifted me, and several other women employees with a day, which has considerably changed my life.

I awoke, that morning with a persistent and difficult headache.  My body was in pain.

On that day, we were to board a bus at the company, and be taken to a surprise destination, for a day of fun.  I was fighting to get myself together to make this trip.  And that morning, I wasn't feeling very enthusiastic because of my pain.  But, I managed to make my way to bus, and board with the rest of the group.  Within a couple of hours, we arrived at a wonderful place called The Claremont in Berkeley, California. 

Linda Prout, the Claremont's fitness guru, was the facilitator for the day.  

No sooner had we arrived at the Claremont, when Linda had us to place our chairs in a large circle.  

Linda explained that many of us hold on to more tension than we realize, and that there was a technique for releasing that tension from our bodies.

She prompted us to put feet on the floor, hands palm up in our laps, while instructing us to close our eyes. 

The next step had us rotating our shoulders in an upward and over motion.  Linda explained that we were a nation of shallow breathers.  She prompted - "breath deeply in - then deeply out." 

It was at this point that she walked over to me, and reached in her pocket and pulled out a little gauze pad, which had a few drops of Peppermint oil on it.  She gently waved this in front of my face, and shortly thereafter, I noticed that my headache was beginning to disappear.

With our eyes still closed, she continued to prompt, "Starting at the top of your head - If it is tight - then loosen."

Continuing, "If your forehead is tight - then loosen.  If your eyes are tight - then loosen."

This same prompt was continued on down the body - the jaw, neck, shoulders, arms, chest, legs, knees, feet, etc.

What I learned so quickly from that exercise, was that I had no idea how much tension and pain, I had been holding onto, which could be surrendered or consciously released or dismissed.

After lunch that day, Linda went on to discuss diet.  And it has been the building upon what I learned that day, which I feel has contributed greatly to my restoration of health.

There are several truths out there, which I've made my own, which have served me well. . .If I can't gather it, fish it, or hunt it - then I don't eat it.  There are exceptions to this of course, and I'm not without opening an occasional can of something to eat.  But, I have significantly reduced the amount of processed foods that I consume.

At some point I realized all the cans in my recycle bin were from one kind of soda pop, or another.  The labels on those cans, clearly demonstrated, there wasn't a thing in those cans which were benefiting my body.  And there were a number of ingredients that were physically harming me.  Eating fresh is vitally important.

From my own fitness journey I have come to understand, that it isn't really wise to pop large mega amounts of vitamins, minerals, wonder elixirs, that are marketed as being some miraculous cure for this or for that.  After all, our bodies are often quite challenged from the chemicals, which were contained in the environment.  LESS is far more, when it comes to vitamin supplements. 

Personally, the only supplement I take, is the recommended dose of Calcium, which my doctor recommends.  All other vitamins and minerals come from that trusted juicer on my counter top, and ALL those fruits and vegetables that I continue to bring home from the market place each week.   I know what is in the produce, and the quality it bears.  This isn't always true, when we purchase various pills and tablets, from wherever.

I joined a local health center, and began swimming laps, and spend time "marinating" in the Jacuzzi.  I am currently swimming approximately 2 miles, four to five times a week.

A few weeks back, I was swimming back and forth in that pool one night.  It had turned a bit colder here in Sacramento, so the pool looked something out of Dante's Inferno, or maybe a witch-and wizard's convention in Yellowstone Park.  The temperature of the air was much cooler; than the 82° warmth, of the pool.  And, this was generating mists swirling up about thirty feet.  The only illumination came from below, from the underwater lights of the pools, and through the mists, it looked something like hell.  The swimmers struggled back and forth - often two in each lane, of the lap pool.  They were barely visible and gave me the impression of tortured souls in purgatory.  Flitting about from one group of tortured souls to another in their section of the pool. 

And there I was with them - but with one very defining realization.  I was not in pain, and as I looked downward in the pool, as I stroked through the water, the illumination of the lights, made me realize I was beginning to see a very bright and real light at the end of a tunnel.  And, that is what a journey to wellness is all about!

Posted by

Myrl Jeffcoat ActiveRain Signature
  

Comments (10)

Kristin Johnston - REALTOR®
RE/MAX Platinum - Waukesha, WI
Giving Back With Each Home Sold!

I love your post!  I am on my own journey to wellness and can relate! 

Nov 26, 2008 12:07 AM
Gary White~Grand Rapids Home Selling Pro Call: 616-821-9375
Flexit Realty "Flexible Home Selling Solutions" - Grand Rapids, MI
Real Estate Services You can Trust!

Very Nice Myrl, I found myself doing the breathing exercises while I was reading your post.  I have to say you are a brave soul to take charge of your life and take the journey.  That in itself is a real feat.  Many would complain, feel bad and live a tortured life.  Hurray for you...I wished I was as strong...maybe I will make the effort and take the journey.  Thanks so much for sharing.  Have a great Thanksgiving.

Nov 26, 2008 03:42 AM
James Wexler
wexzilla.com - Scottsdale, AZ

Myrl - great post and happy thanksgiving, although it has been a trying year for the economy , there is still a lot to be thankful for

Nov 27, 2008 01:34 AM
Elizabeth Weintraub Sacramento Broker
Elizabeth Anne Weintraub, Broker - Sacramento, CA
Put 40 years of experience to work for you

My goodness, Myrl. What a trip. And to see you in person, well, I would have never imagined that you had survived such a struggle. You are simply amazing!

P.S. I think you should write a blog about your visit with the Amish.

Elizabeth Weintraub Land Park Real Estate Agent in Sacramento

Nov 27, 2008 03:07 AM
Jack Gilleland
Home Inspection and Investor Services, Clayton - Clayton, OH

Mryl, you must be an amazing person.  Quite a story thanks for sharing with us.

Izzy

Nov 27, 2008 04:08 PM
Myrl Jeffcoat
Sacramento, CA
Greater Sacramento Realtor - Retired

Kristen - When I look back on that whole journey, it was making the decision to begin it, that was the most difficult.  Sometimes, we simply need to know that we must, and we can.

Gary - The breathing techniques have been one of the most valuable things I've learned.  I consider that whole day with LInda Prout, as almost some kind of divine gift.  It came at a very crucial point in the process of healing.

James - There is always something to be grateful for.  We may not always see it initially, but it is lurking there, jus the same.

Elizabeth - If you have shuffled across the planet as long as I have, you will know that you have experienced amazing things too.  It's all about the thing called, LIFE.  I will blog about the Amish visit one day soon.  It was one of the more wonderful trips I've made.

Izzy (and Jack too) - You're very welcome.  Be kind to each other!

Nov 28, 2008 12:06 AM
Trey Thurmond
BCR Realtors - College Station, TX
College Station , Texas Homes

Myrl

Great Story! I am glad that you made this terrific discovery and went on a wonderful journey to a better life .

 

Dec 01, 2008 01:17 PM
Gail MacMillan
Titusville, FL

Hi Myrl - I read your story with great interest; I think a good many of us need to make changes.  The world around us begins to own us after a while to the point where we are no longer in control.  I'm using this quiet time in the market to reflect on...well, a whole bunch of things.  I've noticed my stress is way down now that I'm not working 12 and 14 hour days.  I've learned I'm a much nicer person to be around without the stress and I like the lighter side.  Now exercise is the biggest missing ingredient and that will have to be my New Year's resolution.  Thank you for sharing your story and I'm happy for you for the progress you've achieved.  Very nice to meet you :-)

Gail MacMillan Titusville FL Real Estate

Dec 07, 2008 05:25 AM
Myrl Jeffcoat
Sacramento, CA
Greater Sacramento Realtor - Retired

Gail - I can relate to what you say about the world around us beginning to own us at times.

I found that exercise is as important as diet.  I prefer swimming because the bouyancy provided by the water, is so much easier on the body and joints.  I may be an old woman - but I am a young woman in a pool:-)

Dec 07, 2008 05:33 AM
Gail MacMillan
Titusville, FL

HAHA - You don't look old to me ;-)   anyway you're only as old as you....feel!

Dec 07, 2008 07:40 AM