Blooming…
I love roses – absolutely adore them, and have all my life. I grew up on a remote farm in the Flint Hills of Kansas, and we had these old-fashioned rose bushes that I loved to watch bloom every summer. In fact, one of my nicknames growing up was Rosebud. So you might say roses have always been my favorite flower! Beautiful, tender, a little prickly if not handled properly…just like me; just like most of us.
Like a rosebud – my life, heart, and Spirit were fairly closed off – refusing to open to the sun, love, and light all around. Sometimes I would be brave enough to open a petal here or there, only to be hurt and curl back up.
This type of living isn’t healthy mentally, physically, or spiritually and by my mid-thirties I was physically very ill. I went to some excellent physicians, who kept taking organs and giving me diagnoses with the promise that I would begin to feel better soon. Unfortunately, with each surgery, each promise I felt worse and I faced even more surgeries and diagnoses.
During this season of life, something deep inside cried out – AND I LISTENED!
I listened to this place deep inside – my intuition, my Spirit. And from this place, I heard it tell me to stop the craziness of surgeries and find a new medical path. A path that would support healing and not just address a symptom, but get to the root cause. A path that would eventually save my life – physically, mentally, and spiritually.
So, for maybe the first time in my life I put myself first. I dove deep into discovering and learning about the body, how it works, and how it can heal. I surrounded myself with some brilliant holistic doctors and practitioners. I learned about the importance of health at a cellular level. How epigenetics, part of the DNA we inherit from our families, can influence your physical body as well as your emotional body. How the word holistic really represents the term whole-istic for me…the entire body…every single cell. With each new piece of knowledge I was able to choose medicine, massage and holistic practices that helped me heal.
For the first time, I was really beginning to BLOOM.
During the journey of exploring and learning, I decided to train in a couple of hands-on modalities so I could work on myself at home to expedite the healing process. It was during this time I discovered I had a Gift…one of healing. Not only could I help my body heal, I could help others. I have an innate ability to communicate with other people’s bodies and facilitate healing.
It’s been a ten-year journey of taking back my health, and the journey required me to become an advocate for myself, instead of passively letting someone else tell me what was best for my health. I eat healthy foods, exercise, meditate, pray, practice yoga, and maintain a great relationship with all of my doctors. Above all, I focus on FUN…it’s essential!
However, the most crucial step in taking back my health – physically, mentally, and spiritually – is learning to love and accept myself…just as I am. I have had to embrace that I am uniquely created. I have energy. I feel incredible. I am happy.
The beautiful rose inside me continues to bloom and, as I continue my journey on this Earth, I know there are a few more petals to open up.
Thank you for reading and sharing this post with your family and friends and check back every few weeks for a new post. If I can help you on your journey or you just want more information, reach out to me here on the website. I would love to hear from you.
Wishing the best for you, Julie
Photo credits: Foter.com