Be the change you want to see…

My friend Laurie is an Oprah devotee. I know without doubt that following an especially insightful broadcast, I’ll receive an e-mail saying, “Oprah had on so-and-so and their book/movie/schpiel was really interesting…” Sometimes I’m interested, sometimes not. After reading my pal’s latest Oprah-related e-mail, I’m happy to say the subject was definitely a memorable one.

Recent Oprah guest Dr. Christianne Northrup, gynecologist extraordinaire and author of Women’s Bodies, Women’s Wisdom, apparently has a new book out entitled The Wisdom of Menopause. Now, the reality is that every woman, like it or not, will eventually have to think about this momentous life-changing event. Fortunately, my friend and I haven’t gotten there yet. But Northrup’s larger assertion, that our bodies communicate with us in a variety of ways - the loudest of which is through illness - does apply to us and it was what captured my friend’s attention. Here’s a small piece of what arrived in my in-box this morning (the section in quotes is apparently taken from the Oprah show web site):

Dr. Northrup says your health depends on what’s going on with your mind, body and soul, and your symptoms are actually your soul’s way of bringing deeper issues to your attention. “You’re in labor with yourself because everything that no longer serves your highest purpose and your optimal health starts to go away and your body gives you signals €”‘Hey, you’ve been putting too much stuff under the carpet emotionally, nutritionally, not exercising putting everyone else first. The kids, the husband, the job, whatever,’” Dr. Northrup says. “And your soul is saying, ‘What about me? What about me?’ And your body will start getting symptoms to hit you over the head with till you wake up.”

When I read that, it completely resonated. After everything I’ve been through these past two years - the medical experiences, the therapy, the large volume of reading, and the connections I’ve established with holistic/alternative healer types - I completely believe that illness is a suggestion made by the body/mind/spirit (call it what you will, it’s all connected) that something is amiss and needs addressing. Illness, I have come to believe, carries a higher message that may not even be just for us but for those around us, as well.

Now I can’t profess to know the workings of the Universe - wouldn’t that be nice? But I do believe the suggestion made by another Oprah favorite Gary Zukav (Dancing Wu-Li Masters; Seat of the Soul), as well as many others who have come before, that our experience of this life is about learning. We’re here, I believe, to learn and grow spiritually and every single person we interact with and every life experience we have can help us do that if we are aware and choose that option. Of course we can also stagnate, which so many of us do. That, also, is a choice. Either way, I know for certain that I am still learning and I hope it continues until my time to depart arrives.

On that note, I send out a great big “thank you” to my smart, witty, wonderful friend whose message today made a big impact. Bless you.

I remember years ago watching a news special about traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). In the story two women had recently been diagnosed with similar forms and stages of breast cancer and were filmed visiting a TCM practitioner. One took the advice literally and followed the guidelines, which included eliminating alcohol, coffee and dairy and altering diet in other ways. The other woman followed the advice sometimes, allowing herself to have a glass of red wine and cup of coffee when she desired. In the end, the woman who was stringent was okay and did not need further treatment, while the other had to undergo surgery and chemotherapy.

For some reason this show stuck in my mind and I am grateful because it inspires me to follow another path. This is especially important because I am beyond tired of taking medicines and sticking myself with needles. I’ve been recalling rules provided by a holistic nutritionist I visited with earlier this year - no sugar, no white flour, no alcohol, no dairy and limit the caffeine. And don’t forget - lots and lots of fresh veggies, especially greens. Sound familiar? It has taken me a long time to view food as a means of healing as opposed to just filling the tank, so to speak. That a green leafy salad or a bowl of asparagus could improve the health of my blood circulation, for example, is remarkable and I don’t know why it’s taking me so long to make a complete transition. Change is hard, yes, but come on already. We - especially women - are so busy starving ourselves or eating in so many whacked out ways just to fit some warped societal fantasy of beauty that we completely skip over health. How did that even happen?!

I’ve been reading a great book called The Hip Chick’s Guide to Macrobiotics that presents the subject matter in an easy-going, relatable, yet informative manner. I like the notion of food as energy and, therefore, whatever food we ingest we also ingest its energy. Cool. If you eat sludgy crapola that’s exactly how you’ll feel. The author provides recipes and suggestions on how to make the journey and I’m soaking it in.

I also recently began seeing an acupuncturist/TCM practitioner and am fascinated by what I’m experiencing. Laying on a table with small needles sticking out of you as soft music plays in the background is quite an interesting occurrence. Though I’m visiting this woman for help with my vision, the treatment she gave me last Friday knocked out hip pain I had been having. The difference made a complete believer out of this cynic.

With regard to the vision and study, I’m holding steady. Per the latest test results and the doc’s recommendations, I’m now off all meds except one. I’ve had some floaters reappear but even after an ERG test (the test that shows the big picture on what’s up with the condition) it seems that things are okey-doke. Bottom line is that I’m hearing good news and I’ll take it, thank you very much.

And that is what’s up with me in the here and now, friends. I’ll check in soon.

Until then…