Look for the Bright Spots

emax3 Comments

Getting ready to record the next podcast episode.  This one is different stylistically as it focuses more on the nurture side of things but the stories provide context and there’s plenty of information on how to integrate holistic health practices into everyday living.

Sharing the stories had me thinking of how throughout my life – a life filled with plenty of adversity – I always had some wonderful positive experience (or person) to offset or perhaps more apt – get me through that adversity.

To Give Context

I’m wearing a cool t-shirt with Tarpon Springs (FL) on the front.  While on my walk this morning I chatted with someone who thought she’d been there.

I walk 7 – 10 miles a day 7 days a week.

As we compared notes it became evident we were talking about the same cool place.  

Closing the Gap

The process of comparing notes had me describing the area in detail.  A big part of that was talking about the sponge docks where the boats in the harbor gather sponges from the sea floor, bring in shrimp, and a handful who do whaling.

It was when I described how they celebrate the Epiphany she knew we were talking about the same place.

It’s so cool.

As I was finishing my walk and just now sitting here I was thinking about why I knew so much about this place.  

That knowledge certainly didn’t come from going to school there for a handful of months.

A classmate I befriended invited me to her home.

A small sailboat she shared with her dad and older brother.

She walked me through the area and introduced me to a number of guys who made their living by the sea.

And who were fiercely protective of her and by extension – me.

I loved learning the whaling boat in the harbor that day had a kitty who loved to sail the seas.

What’s special about this? It’s one of many rays of sunshine that poked through clouds over my life.

My parents were on the verge of a divorce that plunged my mom brother and I into financial hardship as well as a host of other fun pieces to the separation puzzle.

It’s a reminder to look for the bright spots because they’re there even in the midst of chaos.

Be well.

Banishing Demons (Negative Energy Pulling You Down)

emax1 Comment

I recently launched a podcast series about integrating holistic health practices into everyday living. 

Drawing on my tendancy to use stories to give context.

While the initial episodes focus more on the body and mind part of the equation I do sprinkle in the spirit piece.  

I’ll be including more of the third part of the holistic pie in future episodes.

Wanted to share a recent experience that illustrates I walk the talk.

The Universe Steps In

Kismet in Action.

I was reading through the Apple News feed

Insert whistling and carefree skip down the morning routine trail.

An article appeared that intrigued me with its title.

A piece suggested based on something that caught the algorithms’ eye.

Not even halfway through I knew this was the perfect information at the perfect time.  Even though we hadn’t renovated we had areas in our home that had stagnant energy.

Including some that felt almost ominous.

Energetic Case Study

Bedroom Closet

For whatever reason that closet has long bothered me, to the degree I insisted the door always be shut.

In hindsight this probably added insult to injury since it meant no air circulating.

Aaron and I share the closet and he was baffled why I was so insistent the door always be closed.

I knew something off with the energy in there.

 Excited I might have a fix I put a bowl of lemon water in and yep – it lifted the energy. 

I also sprinkled a mix of baking soda and salt on the carpet with the intent it be vacuumed up in a day or two.

I knew putting a bowl of salt in a room or space where an argument had taken place would remove negative energy but hadn’t heard of the mix before.

Weirdly enough after the space was vacuumed the energy came down again.

I did a repeat lemon water treatment.

When I came to the realization I was going to have to do at least one more lemon water – maybe every couple of days indefinitely – I decided to get to the root cause.

Keep Digging

The root’s there somewhere.

I’m sharing because – as I mention in my podcasts – conditions are likely to return if you only deal with symptoms.

Holistic healing deals with root cause.

But First…

It isn’t as if I hadn’t tried dealing with the issue.  

For the past several years.

  • Switched my side with Aaron’s
  • Switched front to back
  • Organized by clothing item
  • Organized by color/season
  • Got rid of anything that no longer served

Nothing worked.

I ended up switching the two sides back to how they were.

Out of Sight But Not Out of Mind

Or Spirit

Just so happens I had a small inexpensive box I’d purchased at Michael’s Craft Store containing items that – though they used to hold joy – now held disappointment.

To the degree even thinking of what was in the box made me sad.

The fix wasn’t something I could tackle with a plan.

I’d held onto the items in the hopes maybe the individual who did have the fix might … 

I know. When we leave our happiness up to someone else’s behavior or actions we set ourselves up for failure but I felt getting rid of what was in there was admitting defeat – that the situation was hopeless.

Stubborn Celt that I am I refused to give up hope.

After awhile I shoved the box where I wouldn’t have to look at it.

And be reminded of what I’d lost.

I was determined to get to the root cause of the negative energy in that space.

The box and its contents as they were now energetically entwined.

Timing is Everything

When I opened the box I saw another smaller one inside.  I got the biggest smile!  

I thought I’d gotten rid of it during a before or after move sort/organize.

Not only did I still have this box which brings memories of a wonderful time in my life but upon opening it found things I thought lost in a move!

I was so happy!

After securing the box and the items it contained I turned to the other box.

And items representing disappointment and sadness.

I wasn’t sad!  Finding those items I thought gone lifted my spirits to the degree I could look at the remaining items dispassionately.

I could also let them go without feeling all hope was lost.

I just didn’t care anymore.  Waiting for something that might never happen was no longer worth my time or effort.

This morning I noticed that for the past few days I’ve been leaving the closet door open.

The monsters hiding inside have been banished.

More adventures coming soon.

Be well!

Navigating the Holistic Path

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I’m pleased to announce the launch of my podcast series Navigating the Holistic Path.

A series about integrating holistic health practices into everyday living.

Throughout the series I cover the differences between holistic and allopathic approaches to health and welness and share stories to give context.

I also share tools and resources to keep in your holistic bag of tricks.

Topics in the introductory episode include

  • The long windy path to my becoming a holistic doctor

Includes the story of how life derailed my plans to put me there.

  • A holistic approach to anxiety

Includes holistic remedies and resources.

  • Alcohol as a holistic tool

Includes factors to consider when deciding whether to incorporate.

And more.

Be well!