For some people turning 40 is a time of dread. I never understood that. While I definitely could see the signs of four decades, turning 40 in itself wasn't an issue for me. Sure, everything in my life wasn't perfect, but I had always been a live every day to the fullest kind of girl. I could have never known that two short weeks later I would potentially be fighting for my life.
I started noticing I was getting tired very easily, and an awful pain in both of my lower legs. I also had started having severe night sweats and the reality that something was seriously wrong hit me when I couldn't make it through the day without a nap. When my doctor called on a holiday weekend, I knew something was terribly amiss. My liver functions were off the charts, she was referring me to a liver specialist and I needed to get in to see him immediately.
Ultimately diagnosed with an autoimmune liver disorder, everything got much worse before it got better. I had a specialist here, a specialist in Boston and I spent most of my day either in bed, or in a hot bath because nothing made me warm. My teeth chattered and I was determined to still care for my children despite needing constant sleep. I spent months in bed praying I would not need hospitalization and fighting with my doctors to not put me on life long steroids. I knew the side effects of the long term use and to me it was just making a bad thing much worse.
Thankfully, during this time a good friend recommended a naturopathic doctor for another possible treatment path. That was six years ago, but it feels like another lifetime. That doctor did the most extensive interrogation I had ever had in my life. There were several things that could have contributed to my liver being in jeopardy-I had been on long term oral antibiotics for acne for years, I could have had an allergic, toxic reaction to tattoo die from a recent tattoo, or, he surmised, it could be long term internal stress and emotional strife. It turns out, the liver is the organ associated with anger and resentment.
The thing about serious illness is, that while it is terrifying, it awakens deeper parts of your faith than you have ever known. Looking back now, I can say my illness was a blessing, although I certainly did not feel that way at the time. I laid in bed for months making all kinds of deals with God, Angels, the Universe, whoever would listen. I promised myself when I got better I would free myself from my unhappy marriage, I would lead a life of greater purpose and spiritual depth, and I would never again take my health for granted.
I made good on all of those promises.
It was a long road and long before an essential oil ever came in my life. But, as is the way in the mysterious ways of the Divine, it wasn't quite time for that yet. Through my naturopathic's help I learned how my body systems worked, what was good to put into my body as a support for liver health, and the effect of stress overall on our mental and physical well being. I used supplements and herbs at his recommendation and slowly got stronger and eventually went back to living my life.
I did not forget my promises and I systematically started learning more about health, exercise, went back to meditating (something I had not done in years), left a job that was making me miserable and went into full time practice as a personal and spiritual life coach (something I had become certifed for 10 years earlier but never allowed myself the time to devote to), met an amazing man and remarried and started my life anew. So when a friend mentioned essential oils a year and half ago, I was very interested in learning more natural ways to live my life and support my family's overall health.
Young Living became the next chapter in my own personal mind, body and spirit education about the effects of synthetics, toxic chemicals and an unhealthy lifestyle on your body. I marvelled at the work and life-long commitment of Gary Young to provide more natural alternatives and resources to the world. I started paying attention to labels, to ingredients, switched my family over to organic foods, removed all chemical cleaners and personal care products from our home and replaced them with organic products or ones I made myself using Young Living's amazing line of essential oils. We use the scent of oils to help us relax, to uplift us emotionally and to help support our overall healthier lifestyle.
Today I am a passionate essential oil educator who leads a group of amazing people daily in the safe and effective use of essential oils, healthy lifestyle choices including stress reduction techniques and adequate exercise. My family can testify to the powerful effect that essential oils have had on our lives as part of our new lifestyle regimen, free from toxic materials and full of faith and promise for our future.
My journey to this healthier lifestyle has not always been easy or free of fear, but I do wholeheartedly believe that sometimes we are meant to experience things for our spiritual and personal growth. I would love to teach you what I have learned and have you become a member in our ever growing oily family. We teach multiple classes each month and are helping to spread the knowledge as far as our passion will allow us. Because if there is one thing I have learned on my personal health journey it is this~
When our body is healthy,
When our mind is healthy,
When our spirit is healthy,
Only then can we really live...
Abundant Blessings To You and Your Family~
Cheri
