Emerging From the WELL
On a Friday afternoon in July 2006, I lie in bed wondering how I got here – to this place that I can barely lift my head above the pillow. Prior to this, I had thrived in health and life. I had quickly recovered from two successive pregnancies, ran my first 10K, ate (what I thought) was a healthy diet. Lately, though, I had slipped into a pattern of stress, excess caffeine, not enough exercise and less than ideal diet. Still, none of that explained my illness. For the next year, I would enter in and out of countless doctors’ offices who tried to help me with the constant stomach pain, dizziness, crippling fatigue and lethargy. Several medical tests revealed nothing. I was thirty-six and felt like ninety.
Road to Recovery
Finally, a friend recommended a naturopathic doctor, and following his plan, I slowly began the healing process. He recommended an elimination diet and a food allergy panel. Suddenly I found myself on a daunting six-month food regimen that seemed nothing more than a starvation diet: no yeast, no gluten, no dairy, no sugar including fruit (except for green apples), no fermented items. I basically was only allowed eggs, rice, fish, and vegetables. I felt like a prisoner in my own kitchen– except in prison, you can at least have bread and water. I had to go without the bread, and eventually, the eggs. Still I pressed on.
East Meets West
My healing progression coincided with a trip to Japan which was a turning point in my health. There, I was able to eat an eastern diet which consisted mainly of fish and rice (even at breakfast) and something miraculous happened. For the first time in months, I began to feel better. I took long walks in the Asian meditation gardens and visited the Shinto shrines. This trip did wonders for my spirit as well. It was the first step on my multifaceted journey toward wellness.
“It’s Not Easy Being Green” – Kermit the Frog
Since that time, I have been working toward creating my own definition of WELLness. There have been many backward slips along the way, but I learned that the healthiest approach for me was an attitude of balance. I had climbed up out of a deep well of pain and anxiety and reached toward an attitude of healing. Although many others may pursue this lifestyle with a militant approach, I have found that moderation is key. I feel better on a plant-based diet but occasionally will enjoy a piece of fish. I love an invigorating cardio workout, but my body responds better to yoga and walking. Meditation is sometimes an elusive mistress, but I catch 10, 15, sometimes 30 minutes when I can in order to restore my equilibrium.
Hanging in the Balance
Striving for balance can leave us constantly… striving. Although “perfection” is admirable, it may not be attainable. Being WELL means being enough now. Making the small changes. Celebrating life and the first time you chose an apple over a candy bar. Finding like-minded souls who love and laugh along with you on this imperfect quest. I hope you will join me on this journey and share whatever it is that helps you BE WELL. Let’s discover the best ways to experience:
- Heath
- Nutrition
- Family
- Exercise
- Meditation
- Travel
- Poetry
- Creative Writing
Cameo Drive 