Belief Window

Something I am striving to do this summer is to organize and minimize my life.  It's taking a while. 😂  This is the fabric I am trying to find a new home for; leftovers from past projects and from projects I thought I would do and never did.  That is a lot of fabric!  A lot of anxiety is in that pile right there, and a bit of guilt.  "I should keep that until I have a use for it.  I've spent money on it and feel that I am wasting that money.  I really should do more, be more, waste less."  yada, yada, yada.   

Before you feel sorry for me and think that I am getting rid of one of my passions, Sewing, I will post the following:

I have plenty left!  #aslightaddictiontofabric. 😆  I always tell people that I have my year supply. Of fabric. For the whole neighborhood. Just staying prepared.  😄  On the the lesson in this journey:

In the process of going through papers in my office, I came upon a sheet of paper with a list of questions.  They come from a speech given by Connie L. Blakemore titled "Our Spiritual Eyeglasses: What You See is What You Get."  (Yup, found the article in my pile of papers, too). 

What is my "Belief Window" about my health?

Do I see my health as God sees it?

If I want a celestial body, what am I doing now to make it one?

Do I view my worth on only what I'm physically able to accomplish?

What behaviors have I chosen to do that have worsened my health, or prevented me from improving it?  What behaviors CAN I change?

What does my soul aspire after?  Do I have the faith to bridge that chasm between what my mind knows and what my soul wants?

If I am remembering correctly, I read this article about 2 years ago, before my healing began.  It is interesting to reflect on where I've been, and what I believe now.  I intend to study this speech again, and reflect on these questions again in more depth.  I encourage you to take a few minutes to think about each question yourself.  You might want to know what a belief window is before you begin.  Each of us has a belief system, a set of beliefs about what we see as right or wrong, true or false.  We judge the world on that belief system, a system that has been developing in us since the day we were born.  As we go through life, we have this "window" through which we view the world, a belief window. On this window is placed thousands of principles that you have accepted as true principle.  The beliefs we have are the lenses of reality for us.  Those principles and beliefs drive us.  Every action, every thought, goes through this window. 

Here's the catch, some of our beliefs are not healthy principles.  Example:  "I have depression. I will always have depression.  There is nothing I can do about it because it is just something my body can't fix."  Is this a true truth?  Another example:  "All Pitt bulls are violent."  Is this belief true?  Some of our beliefs have become truths to us because of our experiences.  But I want to say We are Never Helpless!  If we give into these unhealthy beliefs than we are relinquishing control.  We are never without control, never without a choice.  It is very important that our belief window it correct, that we are using the right pair of glasses in which to see the world.

I have come a long way to change some of my beliefs to be healthier beliefs.  I know I still have a ways to go.  Just this week I have been struggling with lightheadedness again, struggling with having to take naps after exerting myself too much. (weeding.  Really shouldn't have to take a nap after that, right?)  I have been thinking, "Well, this is just my life, deal with it."  I'm reminding myself again, it's not out of my control!  There is still more I can do!  I won't give up. 

I plan to ponder this more, so it might be addressed again in later posts.  This post is already long enough.  Thanks for sticking with me and reading my ramblings. 

Juuva and Young Living

Here's the thing:
I have been pondering how to address a new life path that I have decided to take.  And, in truth, I still don't know how I feel about it.  Let me explain what I can and maybe get some feedback.

The thing is, the world has some serious health issues that it needs to address, or should I say WE need to address.  Along with the many advances in this world, many unforeseen problems have emerged.  There is no denying that autoimmune diseases are skyrocketing.  We have resistance to antibiotics that are supposed to help us.  Our food system is "sick" as well and needs our help.  The last few years I have been on a search for a more holistic approach, a more natural course of healing and health.  (Yes, I still shave my legs, and, no, I am not moving to a remote area to start an organic farm).

In the Doctrine and Covenants, a book of revelations given to the Prophet Joseph Smith, we are given a code of health.  Section 89 is know to our members as the section containing the Word of Wisdom.  This revelation lays out Do's and Don't for our health, things revealed long before the time when scientists learned these things for themselves; things such as avoiding tobacco and strong drink and  that we should eat meat sparingly, and fruits and vegetables often.  I want to share two verses:

10- And again, verily I say unto you, all wholesome herbs God hath ordained for the constitution, nature, and use of man-

11- Every herb in the season thereof, and every fruit in the season thereof; all these to be used with prudence and thanksgiving.

There seems to be a revolution of sorts happening, one where certain people are striving to get back to their roots, per se.  They are wanting to learn about the herbs of the past, ones that brought healing.  They are learning the qualities of certain plants, how they affect our moods through aromatherapy, or through partaking of them.  They are learning about growing their our food, in soil that is healthy and not depleted of nutrients and minerals, without the use of chemical pesticides.  I see this knowledge extending to companies who are trying to take what knowledge they have to their customers.  People want to have products that are natural and some companies are striving to listen.

God has ordained the use of herbs.  Every thing we need for healing and good health comes from the earth, comes from God.  I appreciate that there are companies out there, striving to use what the earth has provided.  There are so many good products in this world.  Not one company has is all.  And not all bodies will react to products the same.  We must take it upon ourselves to study, to ponder, to try them ourselves and find out what is right of you personally.

As I type this I have my diffuser running a blend of essential oils that helps with clarity, focus, and enlightenment.  Before I ate breakfast, I took a dose of structured silver and drank a green drink that is filled with all the omega's our body needs.  I strive to eat organic, partaking of a plenty of fruits and vegetables each day.

It is with all this in mind that I decided to go forth with something I never thought I would do.  I never wanted to be a working mom.  I never wanted to be in sales, especially network marketing.  But as I have pondered and prayed, I felt it was my duty to teach what I have learned and share possible ways for others to find healing.  But, I will go about this a different way.  I have recently become distributer for two different companies:  Young Living and Juuva.  My approach to this is different in that I am not in this for the business opportunity or the untold wealth that is promised. 

It is about the products and about the people.

I feel obligated to share what I have learned and to help others find the right path of healing for themselves.  I don't intend to get layers of people underneath me to sale the products so that I can make more money.  In fact, I feel so strongly about helping others that I intend to sell the products at the lower preferred customer price, always, and not the higher suggested retail price.

This blog will remain my thoughts about my life journey.  I will not use it to sell the products to my friends.  The biggest turn off for me is when I feel used by my friends just to get their business going,  to feel obligated out of friendship to buy a products I won't use,  just to save a friendship.  Here is your invitation:  If you would like to learn more about this aspect of my healing, I ask you to follow my page on facebook named Empower Juuva.  There I will teach about the products, including essential oils, and give testimonial to how each has worked for me.  You can also contact me personally to ask any questions. 

Have a beautiful first day of summer. 💗

A Book that began the Healing

At January of this year I was at a low point again.  Even though my health had been getting better for a time, it seemed to have regressed again.  I struggled through the holidays with my energy level and by the beginning of the year I knew I needed to address things again.  It was at this time that I was introduced to a book titled "The Adrenal Thyroid Revolution" by Aviva Romm.  As a doctor, Romm had discovered many women in her practice that were experiencing the same thing I was.  They'd go to specialist after specialist and receive test after test only to find that there was no explanation for their symptoms.  Supposedly nothing was wrong with these patients.

The dedication to Dr. Romm's book reads:

To all the women who have felt unseen and unheard, you are not invisible and you are not alone.

To all who have been told "It's all in your head," it is not.

And to all who have felt like you've been sleeping for too long, rise and shine.

Let's move mountains together.

So many times I wondered if I would ever find an answer.  Wondered why all the test results were inconclusive and did not lead me to solutions.  In searching for an explanation to these unexplained symptoms, Dr. Romm wanted to find out what was really going on.  What was at the core, at the root of all these women's problems?  I love this!  I love that she wasn't trying to just fight the symptoms, but was seeking to solve the underlying problems.  Again, I think doctors are great.  What I learned from my experience is that because specialist are trained in their specific field, it is hard for them to see the big picture.  And most are not trained on the nutritional effects on our bodies.  So to have a book that explained more than just how to mask the symptoms to cope with life, I was ready to study it and apply it.

Without getting too much into her book or the scientific stuff, I want to share what stood out in my understanding. There are more than these two root causes, but I will only mention these two right now.   In our world, especially our western society, we are over stressing our bodies and the systems that run that body.  We are constantly going, constantly doing, thinking, checking phones, adding to our to-do list, seeking entertainment.  We have an emotional and mental overload every day.

Second, we have food stress.  Our food system, especially in America, is not what is should be.  We are fighting chemicals, pesticides, genetic modifications to our food, not to mention processed food that mimics real food.   The food today might be marketed as healthier and more readily available, but it is significantly different than the food of our ancestors.  and our bodies were not made to process and use food that had been altered and changed and is deficient int eh nutrients it really needs.  Our food is causing our bodies stress.

When I read that first chapter I felt the truth in it. I knew what she had discovered was what was wrong with me, and what was wrong with so many women.  I knew I was led to this book for  a reason.  I knew I needed to follow this book and discover how I could take back my life.  Because, in truth, I was not helpless. 

Five months later I can truly say that this was the key for me, the catalyst I needed to bring the beginnings of healing and hope back into my life.  Thank you, Dr. Romm, for sharing your wisdom.  Thank you to my caring neighbor, who knew to follow a prompting and suggested I read this book.  So glad I have taken charge of my health. 

Food Culture

Food, Food everywhere and not a bite to eat.

For those who have food allergies or diseases that limit their food choices, they can feel the truth of this phrase. 

We live in a world were so many things are centered around food.  Birthday parties:  Must have cake and ice cream.  Game night with friends: where's the snack bowl?  Night at the movies: Popcorn!  It almost seems like you can't have an event unless there is food included.  Our church culture is a huge culprit to the "food need."  Every youth activity has a treat.  So many lessons on Sunday are topped off with candy at the end.  Relief Society get togethers are epic for their refreshments.

Why?  Why have we come to a place where food is the thing that brings people together?

I want you to think for a moment about all the events you go to in a month.  How many of them involved food?  Now I want you to place yourself in a position where food is not necessarily your "friend."  None of the food at those events are things you can partake of.  Sure, they might have a salad here and there, but the dressing might not be one that agrees with your body.  A whole array of yummy food, and you can have none of it. How do you feel now?  Are these events ones that you now want to avoid, just so you don't have to deal with the food situation?  Do you now find sorrow in a place where you used to find joy?

When I first faced my new life of celiac disease I had to make a decision.  How was I going to address this food culture dilemma?  Yes, the world is becoming more aware of food sensitivities and yes people will try to be more understanding and try to provide more food choices.  But it won't always happen.  And, the truth is, I don't expect people to cater to me.  It is not their job to make me happy.  And I won't allow them to make me sad.  I determined from the first what I really wanted, and that was to socialize.  I determined that, for me, the people were what was important at the event, not the food.  Even at a family dinner, specifically centered around a meal.  My mom was so good and would call me before the dinner, wanting to make sure she had something I could eat.  Over and over I tried to convince her I was bringing my own meal and I was fine.  Did that take more thought and preparation on my own part?  Sure.  But I kept going back to my original thoughts, I am there for the people and I choose to be happy no matter what my circumstance. 

Food culture does not have to control our lives.  We can have joy even when surrounded by things that are hard.  Choose joy, because it is your choice!