It’s been an interesting summer and fall as we continue this transition in Illinois. This transition has given me time to rest, reflect and refresh my mind body and spirit, which I am continuing to do throughout the winter as well. One of the things I felt called to do during this new season, was to start seeing a counselor to work through my past (childhood, sexual abuse, etc.). I honestly thought I could just shove all this down and pretend it didn’t happen. Just plow through, keep moving like I always do. Well, I was wrong. Boy was I wrong! These stored emotions started showing up in my body physically and was no longer something I could ignore or keep plowing through.
As I’ve started working with a counselor this summer and had a physical by an MD that provides alternative therapies in health and medicine, I’ve REALLY learned how much the mind and body are actually connected. Learning that emotions and trauma from our past are stored in our body and tend to come out in women between the ages of 35-62 mainly through gut issues. When our gut is not healthy it affects our hormones. Also really realizing how most of our health issues are due to stored emotions that we haven’t dealt with. One of the biggest things I’ve learned is that most of us are afraid to be vulnerable and that we haven’t mourn the losses in our life.
So…instead of being a doer, constantly staying busy and helping everyone around me (which was the way I was numbing myself so I would’t notice what was going on inside), I’ve decided to rest, be and sit in this. I’ve decided to focus and work on myself. Not always fun or easy, but necessary.
There are a few reasons why I wanted to share this with you…
1. I want to be an authentic person. That means not only sharing the good, but also the hard, painful and ugly things.
2. You are not alone. I want you to know that we all have struggles, hurt and pain.
3. You don’t have to stay this way. You can do something about your struggles, pain, health issues, etc.
4. If my story can help just one person, then it’s worth it to be vulnerable and open up about my journey.
If you’re having any health problems at all, I highly suggest you work on healing from your past, from those stored emotions you might not even realize are there. You can work on your gut health and blood work all you want until all the numbers are perfect, but you will never totally heal and be rid of your symptoms until you get to the root of the issues.
Find a great counselor that can help you work through this so your body and mind can heal and you can move forward to a fuller and healthier life. I see a fantastic counselor in Madison: Jim Thompson from Renewed Hope , if you live in that area. He takes insurance, has a sliding scale for fees and if you’re a believer, he is Spirit filled and a lovely Christian man. You do not have to be a Christian to work with him.
Two thirds of us have experienced trauma in our lives. There are some great books where you can learn more about it and how you can work through it and heal from it. Here are some of the ones I’ve been reading that have helped.
This book is very informative and will give steps needed to help heal trauma. It’s great to know that trauma can be healed without long hours of therapy; the painful reliving of memories; and without a continuing reliance on medication. The past doesn’t matter when we learn how to be present. Learn more or get your copy.
WARNING! This book is heavy, deep and very science based. It was hard for me to read but it was very interesting, informative and helpful. This explains how trauma affects your nervous system, hormones and overall health. Many people who suffer from trauma feel emotionally numb. Trauma changes people’s perceptions and imagination. One of the hardest things for traumatized people is to confront their shame about the way they behaved during a traumatic episode. Learn more or get your copy.
This faith based book is fantastic and easy to read. Spiritual whitespace is a journey to discover the authentic you. Taking care of yourself nurtures the voice God placed in you. When we care for our well-being, our hearts become tender. It shows you how to create spiritual whitespace in your everyday life. Healing your heart is a spiritual journey. You are guided to discover a better story for yourself, one that feeds your soul and makes room for rest. Learn more or get your copy.
If you want to work with someone that is more holistic medically, Dr. Marilyn Mitchell from Healing Space in the Chicagoland area is awesome. If you’re in the Madison area, Karen Hanson from Essential Health is super knowledgeable and great.
Working with so many women for over 20 years, I know that there are many out there that have gut, food, skin, hair, energy and weight issues. My hope is that you work on healing the root of your issues, work on healing your heart.
Wishing you true health – a healthy mind, body and spirit.
Shine Brightly,
Ali
Hi Ali,
I am so glad that you are taking the time for yourself to heal! You really have a beautiful way of putting it all into words. I do believe my 20 years of dealing with the pain of fibromyalgia was due to the emotional turmoil I went through after my brother’s suicide and my father asking us not to talk about it. I followed my father’s wish for seven years and the pain came out in my body which led me to David Hassert, Gary Craig (the founder of EFT: Emotional Freedom Technique), Healing Touch Program, deepening my spiritual practices and you! I am a Healing Touch Certified Practitioner and a Healing Touch Instructor in Training now. If you ever want to refer people to me or to the other Healing Touch Certified Practitioners in Madison check out our website:
http://www.healingtouchmadison.com
Wishing you all the best! Love, Mary Pat